Aubrey Taylor – Story Behind the Story – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Aubrey Taylor shares insight into her writing, plus a chance to win a print or e-book copy of her Historical, The Prodigal Sons. Comment or answer the question in this post to enter the drawing. Deadline: May 17th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Aubrey:

Romance is a strong thread in many of my books, but I don’t think I can consider my books Romances. Happily Ever Afters, and even Happily For Nows, are few and far-between. The happiness that does arrive at the end rarely looks the way readers were probably hoping.

*I suppose now is a good time for a spoiler alert.*

I personally love the way my last series, Gott Mit Uns, ended. I knew what the outcome had to be, because the male main character had appeared in another book, and his fate was already sealed.

If things weren’t going to end the way readers hoped, I was happy to give the story an ending that was not only sweet, but in my mind, even better in the long run.

In spite of female main character Emma Vogel-Schmidt’s determination to remain loyal to her husband Jakob throughout his years of alcoholism and infidelity, their hard-fought love still ends in tragedy. When Jake is killed in the Second World War, Emmy finds comfort in the arms of a friend who has been in and out of her life for years.

Maybe some readers will see it coming, but since I’m a “pantser” and never plan my books fully from beginning to end, I honestly didn’t see it right away. Christian Richter was not someone I intended to make part of the series. He kind of inserted himself into the narrative of The Prodigal Sons and piqued my curiosity. From there, he took on a leading role in The Rubicon. I also wrote a Christmas novella from his perspective.

I know some of us read to escape reality, but I’m the author that likes to inject a (sometimes brutal) dose of reality into my books. There are times when life truly doesn’t work out the way we want it to. For whatever reason, life swoops in and steals our dreams, and there is no happily ever after with the person we said our vows to in our youth.

Emmy makes it clear that Jake will always hold a place in her heart. She has two children with him, whom Christian will end up step-fathering. However, readers have already seen Emmy’s care and concern for Christian grow over the course of the series, long before her feelings blossom into romantic love.

Her love for Christian is altogether different from her love for Jake. It is less youthful and ardent, more mature and settled. I often compare Jake and Emmy’s relationship to a roller coaster. Using a similar metaphor, her love for Christian is a country road. No doubt, there will be twists, turns, and maybe a few potholes, but it will be a steady drive, with much beauty along the way. It will lead to a desired destination, rather than just an ending.

In a similar way, my new series, Separate Ways, presents one painful separation after another. The relationships involved are filled with “roller coasters,” road blocks, and unexpected, undesired endings. Undoubtedly, though, as readers stick with the series, they will see gracious resolutions to many story arcs.

This is life, isn’t it? We have our plans, yet God allows them to be disrupted, sometimes by people’s choices and sometimes as a result of the fallen world we live in. When we endure, God often ends up blessing us in an entirely different and unexpected way. I feel that way about Emmy and Christian. Where Jake was unstable, Christian is steady. Where Jake refused to give up his vices, Christian is determined to release them, no matter the sacrifice.

I love being the first to see my characters overcome the things that hold them back, and step out of darkness into a place of hope and light. I think that’s why I felt so strongly compelled to write my new series for the General Market: because of the bleakness of the world around us. There is no one who has never made a mistake. Some of us make big ones. When we remain stubborn, we bring about our own suffering. When we make horrible choices, yet come full circle to repentance and forgiveness, we experience healing, even if that process is hard-fought and long in coming.

Question for Readers: Which do you enjoy more? Stories of hard-fought love, or light, refreshing romance reads?

About Aubrey: As a child, Aubrey spent countless hours creating characters and writing stories. Thirty years later, she took up her pen again, uniting her fascination for history with her passion for redemption. The stories she creates are a unique brand of gritty, honest wartime sagas, written from the German perspective. She is the mother of three, and married to her best friend Brian. When she’s not writing or taking care of home and family, she can often be found making music, reading, or spending time with friends. Learn more & connect: 

Aubrey’s Website           Aubrey’s Blog           Aubrey’s  Newsletter

Aubrey’s Facebook            Aubrey’s Instagram           Aubrey’s Twitter

Aubrey’s Pinterest            Aubrey’s Bookbub             Aubrey’s Goodreads

About the book – The Prodigal Sons:

Sparks of romance and betrayal fly in Weimar Germany. Where will they land, and what will it cost?

Ernst was born too late to fight alongside his brothers in the Great War. An alcoholic and a brawler, he finds his place in Germany’s postwar struggle by throwing in his lot with the burgeoning Nazi Party. After the failed Putsch attempt, he returns home for the first time in years.

Jakob is a young musical prodigy who wants nothing more than to spend time with his childhood sweetheart and live a quiet life of service to God. Yet this is not the world he was born into.

Friedrich is a German-American who remained in Germany after fighting with the Allies in the Great War. He is a devoted husband, a man of God, and loved by all… but can there truly be forgiveness for the past sins that continue to haunt him?

Can’t wait for the drawing? Worried you won’t win? Interested in Aubrey’s other titles?

Get your copy/copies now!

The Prodigal Sons             Aubrey’s Books

Come back May 7th for Karin Beery!