Please allow me to offer you a preemptive apology for one of the biggest jerk moments of my blogging career.

Sorry. (There. I’ve said it.)

Why the apology? Because, in the interest of sharing a bit more about my writing process, I’m about to tease you. And I mean unabashedly, unreservedly tease you without giving you the satisfaction of a juicy payoff. No worries—there are no spoilers or reveals in this post. But if this premise seems unpalatable, best head for the hills right now. No hard feelings. 😉

The tease revolves around my most recent novel, Mastering His Captive, and the twist I included toward the end. (Hence the title of this post. Clever, huh?) When I sat down to write this one, the story unfolded before me in fits and starts. I’d spend entire weekends—my prime writing time—raking individual scenes over the coals only to spend my scant weeknight hours fleshing out entire chapters. The process was a bit off-kilter but it still felt right, so I went with it.

It was during one of these offbeat sessions that my hero, Vaughn, decided to surprise me with some unorthodox actions of his own, twisting the novel in a slightly different and deliciously deviant direction. And yet again, I went with it.

When I submitted my manuscript to my wonderful, supportive publishers and incredible editor, we went back and forth about the twist, wondering how it would be received. It wasn’t too dark…just different. As per usual—didn’t I tell you how awesome they are?—the team ultimately gave me the power to choose how to proceed. Take it out or leave it in? I’d never written or read anything like it before, and I found I had a borderline perverse need to put it out there and share it with others to see if they enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. So I went with it.

Now, a few weeks later, I’ve gotten feedback from readers and other authors, stating how much they enjoyed the twist. It warms my writer’s heart to know that people have connected with my characters and their interactions, unorthodox though they may be. Even the reader who said the twist “wasn’t their cup of tea” applauded the bravery of my choice to include it. Regardless of the outcome, though, I’m proud that I went with it.

So, for those of you who didn’t abandon ship after my apology, I guess what I’m trying to say is thank you. To all of you who plunked down your hard-earned cash to read my book, thank you. And as for that twist?

I’m so happy you went with it.