A Perfect Balance

*A Perfect Balance: Young Adult author, M.M. Roethig 

*Review: The Balanced Writer's review of Raine 

New YA Fantasy

A Perfect Balance by M.M. Roething 

Is there such a thing as the perfect balance when juggling something you love with those you love? I’m still trying to figure that out. 

 

As a stay at home mother, it made sense that I could spend my day writing, something I love to do, and still fulfill my motherly responsibilities each evening. In my head, it played out perfectly. Real life—now that’s a different story.

Some authors suggest a writer must act as if working a full-time job, locking yourself away for the length of time you’d spend at a real job. Others claim writing in the evening hours after the house is quiet and all are in bed is the best method. I’ve tried both scenarios, I really did. I failed!

When staying up late I ate enough chocolate to warrant stock in Hersey’s, not to mention single-handedly keeping Pepsi in the green. All that did was make me drag the following day. A ‘full-time’ approach was also a flop as I found myself answering calls for forgotten lunches, spontaneous errands, and those fun little things I like to call life. I tried to force myself to ignore all those pesky irritants and write regardless, but my home suffered. Laundry piled up, dinners became more take-out than dine in, and the bathrooms—I’m not even going to go there. When the house became less than organized, my brain followed suit and writers block was inevitable, no matter when I tried to write. This meant I spent my day on the couch catching up on my favorite television dramas rather than doing anything productive. 

Something had to change. I needed my desire to write and my life to mesh. Most of all, we really needed clean laundry! After many months of trial and error, I realized my solution was flexibility and adaptation. If I allowed myself to take a specific word count rather than specific hours, my mind opened and I didn’t stress. I knew there would be time for laundry, dishes, errands, and delivering forgotten homework assignment. I wasn’t missing my writing time, I was adapting my schedule, and I would hit my word quota for the day when I returned. A perfect balance tailored for me! 

 

My characters learned this lesson with me. Life is not always as it appears, truths we once believed change. Raine, never knowing her abilities or identity, must accept a world that exists only in mythology. She’s an Elemental with powers to control the waters, and her world changes in ways she never anticipated. Kaden, a protector from birth, learned to hate Elementals for tearing his family apart. Sent to destroy Raine, he discovers truths within the lies and must choose which path to follow.  

Starting her senior year of high school, Raine Patterson is content with being invisible. That is, until the mysteriously handsome Kaden transfers in and turns her world upside down. Drawn to him in ways she can’t understand, Raine finds herself falling for him, regardless of his harsh stares and mixed signals. When she discovers a hidden ability to control the elements, she finds herself the target of a madman, and Kaden is the only one who can help her. Can she trust him? 

Kaden Williams has hated Elementals from the time he lost his father to them as a young boy. Chosen to protect Elementals, Kaden turned his back on his duty, swearing to rid the world of them instead. Meeting Raine was no accident, but his feelings for her throw him into turmoil and threaten to change the way he feels about Elementals. When Raine becomes the target of an unknown aggressor, Kaden is forced to decide which path he will follow. 

As the struggle for knowledge unfolds and the beginning of a pending war looms closer, Raine and Kaden must lean on each other to discover the truth and survive. 

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About the Author

M.M. Roethig

Author M.M. Roethig is a 'happily-ever-after' author who swoons for a great romance. Reading is her escape, but writing is her passion. Recently making a move to Northern Colorado with her wonderfully supportive husband and youngest son, she has dared to call Colorado home! Leaving her oldest two daughters behind to finish college was a difficult decision, but watching them grow has been a rewarding experience. Her other loves include baking, photography, movies, dancing and spending as much time with her family as possible. 

M.M. Roethig's other works include:

*Reflections: Meredith loves her nightly bedtime stories. As Parker reminisces the moments that brought Taelynn into his life, he fears for the cancer that threatens to tear them apart.
*Perfect Proposal: published in Summer Dreams Anthology; Anne is looking forward to a wonderful night with Jason, but simple misunderstanding might tear their world apart.
*Elemental Princess: Published in Beginnings Anthology; Kaesen, an elemental princess, lives on a distant star called Maia. She loves Alwen, but as her sworn protector they're forbidden to be together. Promised to a cruel man, Kaesen will do whatever is necessary to change the stars and be allowed to love her Alwen. (Now offered individually in digital format only.)

The Balanced Writer's review of Raine
 

 "...a unique and current read that fantasy readers 

will want to dive into..."

Completely ignorant she is an Elemental, Raine Patterson reaches her eighteenth birthday, and her world falls apart. The new boy in class won't stay out of her thoughts, every other boy in school suddenly finds her irresistible, and strange things happen at swim practice every time she hits the water. Before she can sort out her feelings or ask her father for help, Raine's father is ripped from her life and the new boy, Kaden Williams is telling her things that don't make sense, even as he offers her protection from an evil for reasons she's not sure she can trust. With a beautiful name and beautiful premise, Raine, is a fresh contemporary fantasy that makes the gift of controlling the elements along with other surprises from the fey and fantasy realms feel like every day, normal reality.

                                                                                                                                       

Author M.M. Roethig has crafted an exciting story of epic potential with a relatable, courageous heroine who discovers her power to control and magnify the power of water. The writing is tight with great backstory, and an unexpected curveball brings events to an emotional, page-turning pinnacle. Stir in a soul wrenching attraction between Raine and her newly assigned guardian, and you have a tender romance that sweeps and builds along with encounters between the historical race of gifted Elementals and those who want to use them to rule the world.

Raine is an easy to escape into adventure that never slows down. It leaves the door wide open for much more, and I look forward to seeing what's next.  Based on the fascinating idea of controlling forces of nature, Roethig had created a unique and current read that fantasy readers will want to dive into and enjoy. 

Due to some sensuality, I recommend this book for readers 14+.

Danielle Thorne

www.daniellethorne.com