I didn’t emphasize the psychological study part of my novel, but I was hoping someone would notice. Someone did. In the wee hours of the night last night, my book received a review on Amazon from a domestic abuse and sexual assault crisis counselor.

It really made my day when I read it this morning. This is one of the things I was hoping to accomplish with The Marann.

So this is legit the first time I have ever written a review about
anything on Amazon. But I really wanted to express my feelings about this story
to all who are interested. I apologize for the spolier alert, but it is
essential to my views on the book. I am an avid reader of romance novels, the
raunchier the better (which can be problematic). However, I’ve noticed a
disturbing trend in almost all romance novels in regards to the treatment of
women. Sure, some readers prefer the alpha male and a submissive woman type
plot, but some authors take this to an extreme. This author, on the other hand,
made me so proud. I can say, as an advocate and crisis intervention specialist
for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors, that the male protagonist
handled the profoundly complex moment of a disclosure almost perfectly. I cried
a little while reading that part of the book, so overjoyed to see this in a
romance novel. It gives me hope that writers of all genres, not just romance,
can develop plot lines and characters who go beyond the standard gender binary.
Part of my job is combating the stereotypes of survivors that our culture places
on them. In the past, survivors (both male and female) have asked me to provide
literary examples of a positive disclosure, something that is not a
non-fictional retelling. Now I am happy to say I have one novel I can
recommend.

In summary- thank you Ms. or Mrs. Meierz. I cannot wait to
read your next novel.