Is this a kissing book?

(the Môrdreigiau Chronicles, that is)

(Oops, I forgot to change the email header. So if you’re receiving this in email it’s all fixed and this was Project Starfish and I’ve changed the name.)

The Princess Bride is one of my all time favourite movies, perhaps because it is so darn quotable.

So is this a kissing book? Yes.

Well, that was a short post wasn’t it? Except the answer is “Yes and” and “Yes but”.

Do you remember what the grandfather said in response? (And if you haven’t watched this movie you absolutely must.)

He lists a whole bunch of things that the book has, in addition to true love. The Môrdreigiau Chronicles will be no different. (Psst, it’s pronounced “more-dreg-eye” — easier than it looks!)

There will be quests, violence, battles, politicking (which I hate writing but plot necessary I fear), magical worlds …

If you read my “Who Am I to Write Project Starfish” (which is now known as the Môrdreigiau Chronicles), you may recall that I outed myself as published romance author.

So yes, there is romance, sorrynotsorry in these books. There are romances and romantic attraction because that’s what I love to read. There’s also adventure.

In the Regency period, young women were concerned about marriage with because their rights as individuals were non-existent.

Our heroine’s aunt has these concerns a thousand-times-over, but as for our heroine, it is not clear. She’s attracted to handsome men but honestly she should be married by now like others of her age, but she isn’t. (She has yet to share a story about her spinsterhood in her diary possibly because I have not given her much time to reflect.) There is also this Arthurian quest, which is bigger than any of her relationships.

Bringing the Drama

If I am honest, I am using more than a few KDrama romcom tropes not just because I am watching a lot of it (I am watching it almost exclusively) but also because in their romcoms, the kiss rarely comes before the end of episode 8, halfway through the series.

The hottest kiss that I’ve seen on a KDrama? Hands down, it’s the one in “King the Land”. Which doesn’t happen until episode 12, for Pete’s sake. (I won’t spoil it, go watch the series!)

OMG.

Who wouldn’t want that in the book? And ok, here is where I unequivocally state that while some flesh is shown, and I know how to write spice, this is a sweet romance. There will be hand flexes, ahoy. (If you know, you know, alas I could only find the moment right before the hand flex on Giphy so go watch the Keira Knightly version of “Pride & Prejudice” for this Roman Empire moment).

Also to note, I haven’t actually used a literal “hand flex”. But there are moments echoing this emotion. Oh, yes.

On another day I will tell you how sea dragon sex works and then you will be grateful I closed the proverbial bedroom door.

The second trope I am borrowing from K Dramas for my fantasy series is the “second male lead”, and when I tell you I don’t know which one she ends up with, it’s the truth. When I finished the first draft I was sure I knew but when I am re-read during the editing phase , I am not so sure any more. I really don’t know. I have theories.

This alone makes it unconventional in Western romances.

I cannot wait to find out which Team y’all are on.

(And now I am reminded of “Twilight” which I’ve never read but that series has readers divided into teams too, yes? Team … Edward, is it?)

There is also adventure. I still have a clear memory of my English teacher writing: “a rip-snorting good yarn” on one of my high school compositions. The two usually go together in my writing. A romance without an adventure, is well, a bit boring.

What is your favourite romantic moment (on page or screen or real life)? Let me know in the comments (or reply to this email if you haven’t yet made it to the Substack app), and we can delight in them together.

I am posting mini updates like this one over on the Môrdreigiau Chronicles subscriber Chat … if you haven’t signed up for a Substack account or if you’re not using the Substack app yet, you’re missing out!

Thank you for reading this far! Don’t forget to answer: What is your favourite romantic moment (on page or screen or real life)? Let me know in the comments (or reply to this email if you haven’t yet made it to the Substack app).