Do you believe in luck? Are you superstitious? Do you have a lucky rabbit’s foot?

I couldn’t resist sharing a few laughs with my fellow Supernatural lovers. For those of you not familiar with the TV show, Sam and Dean are the hunters you want to have protecting you from the monsters of the supernatural..

GUEST POST

I am so happy to have JC Gatlin dropping in for a quick chat. Welcome, JC.

Eight Life Lessons: Ideas for themes and character arcs

Several people have asked, “What is the theme of The Cypress Trap?” Several reviews have pointed out that the story is about overcoming sorrow, as all the main characters are holding onto devastating events in their past. Another critic described the theme as “not appreciating your loved ones until it’s too late.” Either way, it made me think: Does an author go into writing a story with a theme in mind? Or does the story’s theme just evolve somewhere within the undercurrent of the plot and character interactions?

I read an interesting article in Psychology Today magazine titled “Life Lessons: 5 Truths People Learn Too Late.” (October 2012) Several of these lessons inspired plot ideas for future stories, especially within the context of the article — learning the lesson too late. But the article also really got me thinking about themes in general.

When it comes to the book’s theme, especially if the author has a theme in mind when writing the book, the old adage of “show, don’t tell” becomes even more critical. Showing allows the reader to sieve the theme from the plot and analyze the author’s underlying feelings or influences. Telling turns the story into “A Very Special Episode of Blossom.”

These are seven Life Lessons I’ve come across that naturally lend themselves to themes and character arcs.

1. You can’t fix the ones you love, so focus on fixing yourself
2. It’s more harmful to overprotect than to under-protect
3. Sometimes you must put your wants aside and just do what’s best for the one you love
4. The strength of your friendships is as critical for your health as the lifestyle choices you make
5. Lust diminishes, but love remains
6. Truly growing up means forgiving your parents for their mistakes and accepting responsibility for your own actions
7. Doing what’s right isn’t always easy or popular
8. Sometimes you must find the strength to say “Yes” when saying “No” would be easier, and “No” when “Yes” is safer.

I didn’t start writing The Cypress Trap with a theme in mind. However, if I had to pick one, I think it’s about letting go. All the main characters are haunted by their pasts, and that’s like acid eating them up inside. Sorrow and regret is a trap that’s difficult to escape. In the end, I think Rayanne, the protagonist, let’s go of her past and her life and moves on.

It is a pleasure having you here, JC. Thanks for the wonderful post.

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MY REVIEW

The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin  was a wild ride through the cypress swamps of Florida. I love the location. The pacing was superb. J C had me racing through the forest, bobbing and weaving, chased by evil of the human kind. Just when I thought I could take a breath, J C Gatlin had me up and running again.

I knew from the beginning Owen was going to do something stupid, but I didn’t see it coming back to bite him like it did. Watch out for Karma, curses, whatever, because it can be a bitch.

Owen and Rayanne’s vacation turned into a nightmare. He’s not very happy and he hides his anger behind the dark sunglasses he wears. She tiptoes around him, trying not to set him off. The tragedy that they dance around is destroying them.

Why is Darryl, Owen’s best friend, there?

If you are a Supernatural TV show fan, you know about the rabbit’s foot.

Beatings, running, truck crashing, abduction, escape but nowhere to go, hurt can’t run. Rayanne doesn’t quit, doesn’t give up. She is determined to save her husband.

Terror mounts, as each time Rayanne hides, she is found again, through her own fault, making noise and giving herself away, on the run again. That was my only complaint. But it did keep the suspense and fear for her survival racing through the pages, just like she was racing through the cypress forest.

Rayanne is running through the swamp, dodging coyotes, gators, snakes, the wicked teens, Luger and, could we say, bad luck?

The suspense built during Raynne’s heart pounding run for her life, like the Energizer bunny, kept going and going. Every time I thought I could take a breath, she was discovered and on the run again.

I gave The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin a four rating, because I was frustrated at her inability to get away and her lack of procuring a weapon, when she had more than one opportunity. But, I tell myself, it had to be that way to come up with the great ending and I do love the ending. I wasn’t sure what would happen and kudos to J C Gaitlin for pulling that off.

Maybe I was just having an off day. If you are a suspense lover like me, this is one you will want to read.

I received The Cypress Trap by J C Gatlin in return for an honest and unbiased review.

  4 Stars