Fairy tales often have some sort of magical moment when the truth comes out and the revelation sets the characters free, usually by breaking curses or by removing blinders from their eyes. In the Ugly Duckling, the main character discovers the truth about his parentage and is free to become a swan. In Bluebeard, the wife opens a forbidden door to discover her husband’s heinous crimes, and has blinders removed from her eyes, setting her free from the bondage of ignorance. The trope exists in many fairy tales.

In our most recent sexy retelling of a well-known fairy tale, Keira and I wrote about Jack and the Beanstalk. We took on this trope of revelation and freedom. Jack and Rion, the main characters of Ascending Hearts, begin the book with a set of beliefs about the world which shape the way they interact with each other.

Two untrue things Jack believes with all his heart:
1)      There’s a giant at the top of that bean stalk
2)      No one could ever love him with his shameful red hair

Two untrue things Rion believes with all his heart:
1)      Outsiders like Jack carry disease and only want to steal his treasure
2)      His duty is to protect the treasure and this is his destiny

In the book, Jack and Rion react to the revelation that what they’ve always believed to be true is, in fact, a lie, in very different ways, leading to the crisis of the story.

Everyone has certain things they believe are true and when those beliefs are challenged the world is turned upside down. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you realized one of your core beliefs about the world was untrue? Did the revelation destroy you or did it set you free?

***

About the authors:

Leta Blake is an author of romance, romantic, and erotica who is trying to live the dream with the help of her spouse, child, dogs, and amazing friends. Some days that works out better than others.

After writing for years yet never really finding the right inspiration, Keira Andrews discovered her voice in gay romance. She writes contemporary, historical and fantasy fiction, and — although she loves delicious angst along the way — Keira firmly believes in happy endings.

Ascending Hearts around the web:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ascending-Hearts-Tempting-Tales-ebook/dp/B00AWPDO42

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/ascending-hearts-leta-blake/1114106448

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=Tempting+Tales&t=none&f=series&p=1&s=none&g=both

Sony: https://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/leta-blake/ascending-hearts/_/R-400000000000000923871

Places Leta can be found around the web:

Email: leta.blake.author@gmail.com
Website: letablake.wordpress.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/letablake
Twitter: https://twitter.com/letablake
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6425833.Leta_Blake
Tumblr: http://letablake.tumblr.com/

Places Keira can be found around the web:

Email: keira.andrews@gmail.com
Website: keiraandrews.com
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1366040.Keira_Andrews
Twitter: https://twitter.com/keiraandrews
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/keira.andrews.author

 Ascending Hearts

Leta Blake & Keira Andrews

Part of the Tempting Tales series.

Rumors of treasure have long sent fortune hunters clambering up a magic beanstalk to a mysterious castle in the clouds. Survivors told of an evil giant who guards the gold with savage strength. No sane man would dare risk the climb—but Jack has nothing left to lose. Shunned for his evil red hair and abandoned by his cruel lover, he’s desperate to escape his life.

Rion isn’t a giant, only a man bearing the burden of protecting his family’s legacy. It’s a lonely existence, but he’s duty bound. Then Jack appears, and Rion’s world changes. After a blazing confrontation, undeniable lust sparks. Isolated in the clouds, Jack and Rion give in to their desire and growing connection. Soon they must protect the treasure—and each other—from a new threat. And they have everything to lose.

A Romantica® erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave