Guest Post Devine Vices by Melissa Parkin

Title: Divine Vices
Author: Melissa Parkin
Series: Divine Vices #1
Genre: YA/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: Sept 29
Edition/Formats: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
The last thing sixteen-year-old Cassie Foster needs is trouble, but that doesn’t stop him from finding her.

Nine months after the tragic accident that killed her mother and sister, this high school junior just wants a fresh start. Settling down in the quiet town of New Haven, Maine, she’s found peace at last…until the new resident bad boy, Jackson Matthews, comes into the picture. Arrogant, sarcastic, and devastatingly sexy, he’s the very last thing Cassie wants to entertain. Romance was never part of the plan. But when terrifying circumstances drive these two together, she finds herself further in over her head than thought possible. As local girls begin disappearing, Cassie can’t help but wonder if it’s just a coincidence that everything started when this blue-eyed Casanova strolled into town. Will falling into Jackson’s arms mean she’ll be falling victim to a real lady-killer…or worse?

The answer will open the door to a world she never thought possible.

Deeping the Plot… Is there a sub-plot? If yes, could the sub-plot stand on its own?

From day one, my mission was to write a story that was unpredictable, yet very character-driven. The focus of Divine Vices centers around the protagonist and her search for answers as her town is plagued by strange, deadly events. What develops in the midst of all this madness is a deeply woven set of subplots. My main character, Cassie, is dealing with the loss of her mother and sister who both died in a tragic accident only nine months ago. For anyone who has suffered from the death of a loved one, you understand how much this kind of heartbreak still plays a very prominent role in your day-to-day life. Every story about loss differs in some form or another and that complexity definitely allows this subplot to stand by itself. The book also touches on issues concerning distrust, devoted friendships, and even mental disorders.

My favorite subplot that plays strongest in terms of its direct connection to the main mystery of the story is definitely the romance. It was once said that, “love is giving someone the ability to destroy you, and trusting them not to.” We essentially become vulnerable to the other person when we start falling for someone, and this book takes that subject to the extreme. When Divine Vices starts, finding a boyfriend is the last thing on Cassie’s mind. She’s actually quite hell-bent against the whole idea, even after she meets her sexy and sarcastic counterpart, Jackson Matthews. Everything about him screams trouble. She’s very guarded and untrusting of people in general, yet she discovers an undeniable connection with Jackson as the novel progresses. They constantly spar off with one another, and there’s a great deal of humor that arises from these frequent exchanges. What I love most about their relationship is the gradual steps it takes to get to where these two end up by the final page. There’s nothing insta-love about them, yet it’s not love/hate either. There’s a mutual respect between Cassie and Jackson that slowly blossoms into something very natural. This character-driven approach definitely makes this subplot worthy of being a standalone story.

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Melissa Parkin is a Chicagoland native who feels weird referring to herself in the third person. When she's not binge reading, taking photographs, breaking the first rule of Fight Club, or playing music too loud, she's writing young adult paranormal romances.

Places to find Melissa
Amazon Author Page 
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Places to find Divine Vices
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Print
Goodreads