You're Not in Kansas Anymore

Dorothy visited Oz courtesy of a surreal dream, a restless spirit, the uncertainty of puberty and her nagging subconscious. Madison splashed her way into Allen Bauer’s life and later into his tub and heart. The second Mrs. de Winter suffered the slings and insanity of Mrs. Danvers, her own flagging self-esteem and the memory of Rebecca. Streetwise Vivian Ward began a whirlwind romance with Edward Lewis and exuded earthy charm while dining in a swanky restaurant and doing comic battle with her escargot. Four totally different movies, four remarkable performances by women who were, figuratively speaking, fish out of water (quite literally so for Darryl’s mermaid character in SPLASH).

When I think of reasons why certain books are on my keeper shelves, the main one is the strength of the characters and how they overcame obstacles to exist in, and often find love in, a new world. The same holds true for movies I’ve adored watching so many times I’ve lost count. Long after the credits stopped rolling or the book was closed and placed back in the bookcase, I remembered the characters’ journeys and struggles for success, their lives and a happily ever after. Something about how they never surrendered despite the tireless efforts of their foes. How they learned important lessons and how to trust complete strangers. Times they allowed their inner child to come out and play no matter how serious-minded others were around them. Moments when they risked their existence so another might live. Playful interludes where they discovered things about themselves and their desires they wouldn’t have otherwise. Magical ways the writers captured the characters and their unfamiliar surroudings on screen and on paper and allowed me to vicariously live the tales.

In my latest historical erotic paranormal novel from Ellora’s Cave, TORMENTED, a woman is thrust into and left unaccompanied in a world far different from that to which she's accustomed. A hero is dealt two tasks -- cure a malady that current medical science cannot and gain the trust of a woman who's been repeatedly wronged by the man in whom she once placed the utmost faith.

A Boston socialite’s hope is blind but given sight when a handsome practitioner accepts her challenging medical case. While shipboard in 1888, Eve Morneau is the victim of a venomous beetle’s bite. Her healing and sexual awakening are placed in the hands of a New Orleans physician, Charles Galletiére. Charles not only shuns society but also the treatment regimens practiced by his peers. Eve is pitted against more than one foe as she struggles with her attraction to Charles and wonders whether or not her cure and a romantic commitment from him are possible.

When it comes to heroes or heroines who play the fish out of water in a book or movie, who is your favorite and why?

Wishing you all many happy reading moments,

Shawna Moore
TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN -- Ellora's Cave
TORMENTED (Recommended Read) -- Ellora's Cave
ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave
HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora's Cave
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