Sunday, July 23, 2017

Finding a Message in Your Books by @KathyKulig

As an author, do you write a message or have a specific theme in your books? As a reader do you look for messages, possibly hidden ones, within the books you read? And if you do discover a message, what ones are your favorite?

All these ideas came to mind after reading a blog post where an author asked: Do you have messages in your books? If so, how do your readers respond?

I think authors tend to write a similar theme in most every book they write, even if they write in different genres.

Here are a few themes:

  • without trust, true love won’t survive
  • good triumphs over evil
  • money can’t buy happiness
  • home is where the heart is
  • let go of the past to grow and move forward
  • money can’t buy love
  • the strength of family can overcome hardship
  • don’t be afraid to reach for your dreams
  • there’s no place like home
  • let go of fear and take a chance of love
  • with courage love finds a way


After writing several books, I realized that last one (with courage love finds a way) seems to be my message in my books. Most of mine have the hero and heroine struggling, sometimes for the lives, over an outside person or situation. This is common in many romance novels, and I think it’s what draws readers to this genre.

In my stories, there’s an element of danger or devastating disappointment if the hero or heroine doesn’t succeed through the obstacle. My books may touch on some of these other themes too, but courage appears to be the strongest element, besides the romantic element, that resonates with me. That’s why I like to write adventure-type stories.

So what types of themes do you like to read? Or do you like to write?
Another side thought that came to mind while reading that author's blog post was a question a young couple asked of me while I was on vacation recently. Dh and I were in Punta Cana and chatting with a nice young couple who had just got married. They were on their honeymoon!

We told them we had gotten married in the islands too(St. Lucia), but that was almost 16 years ago, and we were very happy. The groom asked me what our secret was to a happy marriage. What a great question for a young married couple to ask us older folks.


I said, have a good sense of humor even during tough times, do fun things together, and don’t sweat the little sh*t. They seemed to like that. Do you have any marriage advice for this young couple???



HIS LOST MATE, a sexy paranormal romance, is an example of 'with courage love will find a way' theme.

Googleplay: http://bit.ly/21bvxOZ

BLURB: While on an excavation in the jungle, archaeology student Lauren Halpern uncovers an ancient mystery far beyond the average artifacts. Ancient evil, tragic love and danger surround her and the project leader Deven Chandler. Lauren senses the supernatural connection between them holds the key to the dark secrets and explains the heated passion they're trying to resist. But Deven, the scientist that he is, simply won't believe her esoteric beliefs or warnings.

Once they tumble into a sizzling affair the real trouble begins. From the ancient ruins, a ghost of a Mayan shaman lures them deeper to into the jungle where lies the deadliest evil of all. When danger arrives, can Deven learn to trust her and risk everything to save her?

1 comment:

  1. I think the best books have a message in the plot and character development. Makes for great conflict too. Congrats on your release. :)

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