When I recently commented that Anne Bronte doesn't get much attention, author and blogger KT Grant aka KatieBabs shared this delightful cartoon by Kate Beaton.

KT/KatieBabs writes erotica and I think that will be the next hot (hawt?) genre with the success of 50 Shades of Grey. Sex comes out of the closet, or dungeon, or whatever. Of course, what makes 50 Shades so insanely popular is the action within the context of the passionate emotional relationship, because context is all.

I've tried to make actions true to characters within the context of Dark Companion. A few early reviewers don't agree that my protagonist would make the decisions she does, but perhaps they have rosier views of the lives of most foster children than I do. Susanne Babbel, Ph.D., references a former foster child in a series she wrote on the foster care system:
Amy (name altered)...told me that roughly nine out of ten fellow foster children she crossed paths with claimed that they had been abused by their foster parents.She also expressed that foster children are often taught by their circumstances not to speak up and are conditioned to think abuse is "normal.".
I tried to address the questions of context in my Behind-the-Scenes with Dark Companion Q&A.

I realized last week that my book is being released on Tuesday! All this time and it's finally coming out. Here are a few nice early reviews:

 "Simply put, Dark Companion is an enchanting Gothic read, deliciously reminiscent of Jane Eyre...a complex and beautiful read full of shades of gray and uneasy moral choices, charming and haunting."
.........................................Kara-Karina, Nocturnal Book Reviews

"I absolutely loved it. I found the gothic nature of the book quite reminiscent of Jane Eyre, but with a fairy tale spin. I loved the mythological aspect of the trees in the book, and how much this subtly played into various plot points...I found the book to be lovely. I thought the writing was lush, and often haunting."
..........................................Tiffany, Tiffany's Book Shelf

"I think readers who love the paranormal and romance with enjoy getting to know the smart and feisty Jane Williams and will empathize with her. The story has wonderful gothic overtones that are highlighted by the quotations from gothic novels of the past that begin each of the chapters."
.........................................Kathy Martin, Ms. Martin Teaches Media

"I am happy to tell you that this creepy, dark and unique novel delivered. It has mystery, romance, interesting characters and a plot filled with twists...The tale Acosta has spun is unique and at times very dark. The whole tale is shrouded in mystery and we learn things as Jane does. This added to the whole creepy factor and I loved every minute of it!"
.........................................Kimba, Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer


"While containing aspects of stories that I love, this is not a cookie cutter tale that falls into one category or another...I'd say this is definitely a book to read. I think Marta Acosta is a genius because anyone who can combine the feel of Dangerous Minds, Jane Eyre, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants all into one smorgasbord of awesomeness is full of win!"
.........................................Jessie, The Elliot Review


 post signature