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| Out in Blue by Sarah Gilman |
Over the years, I have come across and been fascinated by many stories of healers, the kind of characters who can heal others with their touch. An episode of the X-Files featured a young man who supposedly had a God-given gift. The HBO series Carnivale showcased a character who could heal with his touch by draining life from his surroundings, whether that be plant life, animals, or people. To include a character who possessed such a skill was one of the first decisions I made when planning my debut novel, Out in Blue.
The archangel Raphael is another figure known for such healing powers in both religious context and in popular culture. In Out in Blue, my archangel character of the same name, with the same talent, was inspired by the “real” Raphael. Raphael is the hero’s father, and he passed his healing gift to his son.
In the romance genre, touch is one of the most important senses and experiences for the characters. In Out in Blue, I explored how having additional powers behind a person’s touch can hurt and benefit a romantic relationship, using a character who wielded the ability to heal and the ability to harm. I gave my hero complete control of both of these skills to use as he saw fit. I felt that having the two opposing skills together in one character added a natural balance, like a double sided coin.
Trust is crucial in all relationships. I wrote a hero not every woman would trust easily, because of his ability to harm with his touch. When relationships have such challenges to overcome, the end result is that much more meaningful.
Out in Blue
Return to Sanctuary, Book 1
In a violent world where fallen archangels are hunted for their valuable plumage, Wren knows one thing for certain: the human woman who saved him from a poacher attack will die if she stays with him. The demon responsible for his parents’ gruesome deaths two decades ago pines for the chance to rip apart any woman who stands under Wren’s wing.
Wren doesn’t expect Ginger to stay by his side once she discovers his ability to drain life with a mere touch, yet she lingers. When an unusual talent of her own reveals the location of Wren’s father, Wren’s isolated world implodes. With the help of the demon protectors he’s sworn never to trust again, Wren risks everything to rescue his father, confront the demon who stalks his and Ginger’s every step, and claim his eternity with the most courageous woman he’s ever known.
About Sarah
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| Sarah Gilman |
Sarah Gilman started her first novel in third grade. She never finished that story, but never gave up the dream. Her fascination with wings also began at that age, when images of the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis captured her imagination and never let go. Now a paranormal romance writer, she employs her love of writing to bring the allure of winged creatures to the pages of her novels. Sarah lives in Vermont with her supportive husband and two spoiled cats.
Visit Sarah Gilman:
Entangled Publishing (with excerpt)
Review: Out in Blue
This review first appeared in the August 2011 edition of Night Owl Reviews Magazine.
Debut author Sarah Gilman creates a stunning tale, filled with lush descriptions and an alluring mythology that glimpses into the Sanctuary of archangels and demons.
Set in New England, Out in Blue follows Wren, a loner archangel after the slaughter of his family, and Ginger, a human raised by a demon, sworn protectors of the archangels.
When Ginger hears that poachers are on the hunt for Wren, she feels obligated to help him. All Wren wants is to be left alone. Well, really, he longs for acceptance and love, but doesn’t feel that ultimately it’s possible.
Gilman brings together these seemingly opposites in a paranormal thriller that contains two parts action and one part romance. But, none of that distracts from the remarkable craft of the story. The reader easily believes the worldbuilding contained within Out in Blue, and we root for the happiness of the flawed Wren. Watch out vampire lovers, there’s a new archangel in town.
Thank you so much, Louisa, for hosting today! Readers, the paranormal genre is rich with characters who possess preternatural abilities, such as being to heal to with a touch, to heal fast, to read minds, to control the weather, etc. Which is your favorite?
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