This is not going to be an easy blog to write because of the big belief I have to drop that influenced not only this story, but Brigit (our leading lady) herself. to drop. I do not believe there is such a thing as love.
Don't freak out! My parents love me and I love them. My siblings and I have some kind of weird "let's not kill each other, okay?" truce going on. I would most likely throw someone else in the way of zombies to save my best friend.
"Why did you write a romance, then?" you may be asking.
Well, I'm sorry to tell you this, but dragons aren't real either and yet here I am writing about their breeding habits, food preferences, detailing how someone has to muck the unicorn stall--there are a lot of fantasy elements I write about.
Ok so, if I don't believe in love, then what are married couples all about? Easy: survival. Outside of novels (where romantic love can exist as Jo March and Anne Shirley will tell you), romantic love just isn't a thing. A partner may woo you with flowers, favors, words, actions. But it's all so they can fulfill a physical and mental need. It's been proven throughout history that humans just live longer, more fulfilling lives together. That's why so many of us live in tribes (neighborhoods count as tribes).
As you read "These Darker Streets", I don't want my beliefs to get in the way of your enjoyment of the novel. It's a REALLY good adventure! I love the characters, the research I did in Celtic lore really comes through in vivid flavors, and the ending has been described by beta readers as "heart-pounding"! I just want to tell you these things so you don't think Brigit is coming from some unrealistic point of view. She has her reasons and is deserving of love. Plus, I love talking about this POV I have because it always confuses people. But it's not a show: I really do not believe there is such a thing as romantic love. It was great to write about, like most fantasies. It feels real, desirable, attainable in the pages of Brigit's and Ildanach's story.
I love this story and I will read it over and over again. I hope you do too!