Update on my upcoming books and my newsletter

Hello, my fabulous readers! *waves enthusiastically while probably spilling coffee*

Guess what I've been up to? (Besides consuming unhealthy amounts of caffeine and talking to my characters like they're real people...) I've been crafting exclusive letters from Gabriel's deliciously brooding perspective!

You know Gabriel, our mysterious, emotionally constipated heartthrob from Betrayer, Captive, and Impostor who never got his moment to shine in the spotlight.

Well, consider this his literary therapy session. This man has been harboring SO many feelings (and let's be honest, some seriously steamy thoughts about Sol) that I couldn't keep them locked away any longer.

Poor Gabriel spent so long building walls around his heart, you'd think he was preparing for a medieval siege. The irony? He was terrified of betrayal while starring in a book literally called "Betrayer."

Want these swoon-worthy, exclusive Gabriel letters delivered straight to your inbox? Just hop on my newsletter! Trust me, these letters are just the appetizer. I've got a whole feast of content planned.

**BOOK UPDATE ALERT!** 📚✨

I'm deep in the trenches writing "A Reflection of Shadow and Light."

This book is CHUNKY! We're talking "use it as a doorstop" thick.

Jasce, Annora, Aleksander, and Emerin are practically fighting each other for page time, and I'm here for every dramatic moment.

Now, here's where I need YOUR brilliant minds!

What color theme should grace book 4's cover? The title is A Reflection of Shadow and Light.

Let's see our options:

🟣 **Purple**

🟢 **Green**

🟡 **Gold**

⚫ **Black**

🌈 **Two colors?** (because why choose just one when you can have a party!) No, seriously, I have really considered 2 colors.

Remember, Book 1 rocked red, Book 2 was brilliant in blue, and Book 3 looked pretty in pink.

Drop your thoughts in the comments. I'm practically vibrating with excitement to hear your ideas.

XOXO,

LiAnne ✨

P.S. Yes, I'm still talking to my characters. No, I don't think it's weird. Yes, they talk back. 😉

Darcy-Level Brooding vs. Just Being a Jerk: A Master Class in the Difference

Because apparently, some authors think these are the same thing. Spoiler alert: they're not.

Welcome Back to Epic Darcy Fails!

Today we're tackling the age-old confusion that's plaguing romance novels everywhere: the mysterious case of authors who think "brooding" and "being a complete psychopath with abs" are synonymous.

Newsflash: Mr. Darcy was brooding. Your MMC who burns down her village because she smiled at the baker? That's not brooding, honey. That's a therapy bill waiting to happen.

As a fantasy romance author who's written her fair share of alpha males (some of whom have definitely crossed into jerk territory), I feel uniquely qualified to explain the difference. Consider this my public service announcement.

The Darcy Standard: What Real Brooding Looks Like

True Darcy-Level Brooding:

• Stares pensively out windows while contemplating his inadequacies

• Suffers in silence because he believes she deserves better

• Writes anguished letters at 3 AM that he never sends

• Rescues her reputation while expecting nothing in return

• Accepts rejection like a gentleman (even if it kills him inside)

The Darcy Formula: Internal torment + external restraint + ultimate respect = Swoon-worthy brooding

The Jerk Masquerading as "Brooding": A Field Guide

The "Possessive Protection" Jerk

What Darcy Would Do: Quietly ensures she's safe from a distance. Maybe has a word with Wickham. Respects her choices even when they terrify him.

What Your Alpha Jerk Does:

• Locks her in a tower "for her own protection"

• Murders anyone who looks at her twice (including the elderly baker who complimented her bread selection)

• Brands his initials into her arm because "now everyone will know you're mine"

• Destroys entire kingdoms because she mentioned missing her hometown

• His logic: "I killed 47 people today, but it's fine because I love you!"

The "Emotional Constipation" Jerk

What Darcy Would Do: Struggles to express feelings but treats her with unfailing courtesy. His worst crime is being awkwardly formal.

What Your Alpha Jerk Does:

• Communicates exclusively through grunts and property destruction

• Throws furniture when she asks about his feelings

• Burns down the library because books have "too many emotions"

• Responds to "How was your day?" by executing his entire staff

• His excuse: "I don't do feelings, woman! Now come here so I can brood at you menacingly!"

The "Tragic Past" Jerk

What Darcy Would Do: Lets his past inform his caution but doesn't use it to justify hurting others. Works through his issues like a functional adult.

What Your Alpha Jerk Does:

• Uses his tragic backstory to justify literally everything

• "Sorry I sacrificed your best friend to a demon, but my father didn't hug me enough"

• Starts wars because someone reminded him of his childhood trauma

• Expects her to fix his psychological damage through the power of love and excellent cleavage

• His therapy: "I had a bad childhood, so now I get to make everyone else's life miserable!"

The "I Know What's Best" Jerk

What Darcy Would Do: Offers advice when asked. Respects her intelligence and decision-making abilities. Steps back when told to.

What Your Alpha Jerk Does:

• Makes all her decisions because "little brain can't handle big thoughts"

• Sells her sister into slavery because "she was a bad influence"

• Destroys her magical powers because "magic is dangerous for delicate females"

• Chooses her outfits, meals, and thoughts because "I know you better than you know yourself"

• His justification: "I'm 800 years old and have seen things. Trust me, I know better."

Real Examples: The Contrast is STARK

Scenario: She wants to visit her family

Darcy-Level Response: "While I would prefer you remain close for selfish reasons, I understand your family's importance to you. Allow me to arrange safe passage and write to ensure you're welcomed properly."

Alpha Jerk Response: Razes her entire hometown to the ground, then presents her with the ashes: "Problem solved! Now you don't have to choose between me and them!"

Scenario: Another man shows interest in her

Darcy-Level Response: Withdraws with wounded dignity. Maybe writes an angsty letter he never sends. Ultimately wishes her happiness even if it destroys him.

Alpha Jerk Response: Challenges the man to a death match, wins, then wears his head as a hat to the next court gathering. "What? I was being subtle!"

Scenario: She disagrees with his decision

Darcy-Level Response: "I confess your perspective had not occurred to me. Perhaps we might discuss this further, as your counsel has proven invaluable in the past."

Alpha Jerk Response: Burns down three villages and a small country. "This is what happens when you question me! But I still love you, baby!"

The "But He's Hot" Defense

Look, I get it. I've written the possessive dragon king who thinks kidnapping equals courtship. I've crafted the immortal warrior who solves relationship problems with strategic violence. But here's the thing: we can acknowledge they're attractive disasters while still calling them what they are.

Hot Jerk Checklist:

• Does he solve emotional problems with murder? ✓ Jerk

• Has he ever said "I did it for us" after committing genocide? ✓ Jerk

• Does his idea of compromise involve "only" killing half her enemies? ✓ Still a jerk

• Is his love language arson? ✓ Definitely a jerk

• 
  

The Author's Confession Corner

Raises hand Hi, I'm LiAnne, and I've written jerks who think they're Darcy.

I once wrote a character who thought the appropriate response to his love interest being kidnapped was to burn down seven kingdoms and salt the earth so nothing would ever grow again. His logic? "If I can't have nice things, no one can!"

Was he hot? Absolutely. Was he brooding? Sure. Was he completely unhinged? Also yes.

The difference? I didn't pretend he was a misunderstood romantic hero. He was a gorgeous disaster with the emotional regulation skills of a toddler having a meltdown in the cereal aisle.

The Bottom Line for Fellow Fantasy Authors

Your 900-year-old dragon shifter can be possessive, protective, and even a little unhinged. Just don't call him "misunderstood" when he responds to relationship conflicts by ending civilizations.

Darcy was proud and emotionally constipated, but his worst crime was a poorly worded proposal. Your MMC's worst crime shouldn't be actual war crimes.

There's a difference between:

• "I cannot express my feelings properly" (Darcy)

• "I express my feelings through strategic genocide" (Your fantasy alpha)

Both can be swoon-worthy in their own way, but let's not pretend they're the same level of problematic.

Your Turn, Fellow Disaster Authors!

Confess your sins in the comments! What's the most unhinged thing your "romantic" MMC has done in the name of love? Let's create a support group for authors who've accidentally written attractive sociopaths.

Remember: You can write a hot mess. Just don't call him Mr. Darcy.

Next week: "The Darcy Apology vs. The 'Sorry You're Upset' Non-Apology" because apparently, some MMCs think acknowledging feelings is a weakness. Spoiler: Darcy disagrees.

Happy writing (and may your alphas be slightly less murdery),

LiAnne Kay

Want more brutal honesty about our questionable fictional men? Subscribe to my newsletter where I continue roasting characters who think genocide is a love language.

Epic Darcy Fails: What Your MMC Should Never, Ever Do

Because even the king of brooding has standards

Welcome to Epic Darcy Fails!

Where we explore all the ways your male main character can absolutely ruin his romantic prospects by doing the exact opposite of what our beloved Mr. Darcy would do. Because if you're going to write a swoon-worthy hero, you might as well learn from the master of "how to be devastatingly attractive while emotionally constipated."

Epic Darcy Fail #1: The Proposal Disaster

What Darcy Would Do: Confess his feelings with painful honesty, acknowledge his flaws, and accept rejection with dignity (even if it stings like a thousand bee stings).

What Your MMC Should NEVER Do:

• Propose via text message with the ring emoji

• Start with "So like, we should probably get married or whatever"

• Follow up rejection with "Your loss, babe"

• Immediately slide into her sister's DMs

• Post about it on social media with #DodgedABullet

The Lesson: Vulnerability is attractive. Entitlement is not. Darcy may have been proud, but he owned his mistakes. Your MMC should do the same (preferably without the social media commentary).

Epic Darcy Fail #2: The Communication Catastrophe

What Darcy Would Do: Write a thoughtful, detailed letter explaining his actions and motivations, even when it's uncomfortable.

What Your MMC Should NEVER Do:

• Communicate exclusively through memes

• Leave her on read for three weeks then show up with "hey stranger"

• Explain complex emotional situations via interpretive dance

• Use his best friend as a messenger because "feelings are hard"

• Send a carrier pigeon with a note that just says "my bad"

The Lesson: Darcy's letter was a masterclass in taking responsibility. Your MMC needs to use his actual words, not emojis or intermediaries.

Epic Darcy Fail #3: The Jealousy Meltdown

What Darcy Would Do: Feel jealous, brood about it privately, maybe give some pointed looks, but ultimately respect the heroine's choices.

What Your MMC Should NEVER Do:

• Start a fistfight at her best friend's wedding

• Key the other guy's carriage (or car, depending on your genre)

• Write angry Yelp reviews for every business the rival frequents

• Show up uninvited to every social event to "mark his territory"

• Challenge people to duels via LinkedIn

The Lesson: Darcy was jealous of Wickham but handled it with class. Possessiveness can be swoon-worthy; stalking is just creepy.

Epic Darcy Fail #4: The Grand Gesture Gone Wrong

What Darcy Would Do: Make meaningful changes to himself and his behavior, then quietly prove his worth through actions.

What Your MMC Should NEVER Do:

• Hire a flash mob to perform outside her workplace

• Buy a billboard with her face and "SORRY" in Comic Sans

• Show up at her door with 47 cats because "you like animals, right?"

• Serenade her from the street at 3 AM (neighbors matter, people!)

• Propose on the Jumbotron at a sporting event she doesn't even like

The Lesson: Darcy's grand gesture was helping her family quietly. True romance is about what she needs, not what makes the biggest spectacle.

Your Turn, Fellow Authors!

What Epic Darcy Fails have you seen in books (or maybe accidentally written yourself)? Drop them in the comments, and let's laugh together about all the ways our MMCs can spectacularly miss the mark!

Remember: When in doubt, ask yourself "What would Darcy do?" Then make sure your character does literally anything except slide into DMs or communicate through interpretive dance.

Next week: We'll explore "Darcy-Level Brooding vs. Just Being a Jerk" because apparently, some authors think these are the same thing. Spoiler alert: they're not.

Happy writing (and Darcy-ing),

LiAnne Kay