Perspective. Everyone needs some. And every story is supported by at least one. First or third, limited or omniscient, present tense or past, the perspective an author uses lays the foundation for how a reader will perceive the characters. Equally as important, although nowhere near as straightforward, is the age-focus consideration of a story. Does a book target young teens? College freshmen, or maybe seniors transitioning out into the real world? Some stories, even romances, address themes so mature that no 13-year-old should ever pick them up. So how do we know what we're in for as readers? The genre classifications of Young Adult, New Adult, and Adult romance light the way. Click to [...]

You practically can't read a romance story without tripping over tropes and dodging a few unexpected kinks. Who's complaining? Not GraveTells! Tropes often have a negative perception, but the truth is that these story devices are notable because they're effective. And while some readers may hear "kinky" and shudder, kink doesn't necessarily mean slavish, promiscuous, or riddled with pain. That said... Some topics in this post are NOT SAFE FOR WORK (NSFW). You have been forewarned. =) Click for giveaways and great new book recommendations!

Genres, tropes, & POVs, oh my! Welcome to Week 2 of the GraveTells Indiependence Celebration! This week we're chatting about what's inside a story that makes it so addicting. Genres are the most obvious place to start, so let's talk about what's out there and what you love most! What makes a story urban fantasy vs. paranormal romance? How do you distinguish erotic romance from erotica? What are the most beloved sub-genres in romance? All that and more inside!