(aka: Yes, Hazel and Blake banged. No, I didn’t write it out.)
So, I wanted to take a little time to talk about the lack of spice in Once Upon a Blue Moon. It’s a question I’m sure many of you have had, and one I felt like I should address in a blog post because, let’s face it, people love their spice! And it’s a totally fair question. This is a romance, after all. But the answer isn’t as simple as “because I didn’t want to.” So I thought I’d break it down here.
1. I wanted the story to be accessible to more readers.
My first (and most basic) reason is because not everyone is into steamy scenes. Personally, I don’t mind a little spice, but I’m definitely not a “super spicy” reader. I wanted Blue Moon to be something that anyone could pick up and enjoy, without worrying about when things were going to get graphic. This was especially important because the tone of the book walks the line between lighthearted paranormal chaos and cozy small-town mystery. Open-door spice just didn’t feel like the right fit.
2. Sometimes spice overshadows the story.
Let me be clear: I’m not anti-spice. Some of my favorite books are steamy, and when it’s done well, it can add to the character development and emotional stakes. But I’ve also read a lot of books where the spice felt like the main event and the actual plot was hanging on by a thread. (Sometimes a very thin thread.) I’m more of a story-and-character girlie. I want the emotional payoff, the angst, the banter, the longing. That slow-burn “please just kiss already” energy. That’s what drives me as a reader (and as a writer).
3. There were sex scenes in the first draft. They didn’t make the cut.
I’ll be honest with you: there were two semi-spicy scenes in the original draft. One was when Hazel and Blake were still body-swapped (yes, I went there), and the idea was that it would be a comical, chaotic, slightly awkward way of exploring intimacy and gender. But the more I sat with it, the more weird it felt. I got super in my head about it. They were basically having sex with themselves but using the other’s body as a vehicle. It got too tangled, too fast and it started to feel kind of nasty.
The second scene came at the end of the book, and if you’ve read it, you’ll know what I’m talking about. Hazel and Blake have switched back, saved the town (for now), and head to her room to, well, do what two very horny, very tired people do. But again, it didn’t add anything. The story had already hit its emotional crescendo. My beta readers agreed it felt better to leave it out. We all know what happened next. We didn’t need a play-by-play.
4. The romance evolved into a mystery-romance hybrid.
Originally, this was meant to be more of a paranormal rom-com, but the mystery of what’s happening in Moonridge took over and (in my personal opinion) made the story even better. The dynamic between Hazel and Blake deserved space to breathe. I was dealing with a very complicated relationship between two people who have basically been a thorn in each other’s side since grade school. They secretly crushed on the other for years, but also really hated each other. There was a lot to unpack, and it felt more important that they got to know each other on an emotional level so they could build a stronger connection. Their relationship arc became less about “when will they hook up” and more about “how will they navigate this tension while saving the town and maybe catching feelings?”
5. Now, about Book 2…
Date Night with Death is more romantic, for sure, but it’s also darker. It takes place around Halloween, there’s a splash of light horror, and yes, it deals with actual death. (You kind of have to when the Grim Reaper plays a love interest.) The romance is deeper, more tragic, and a little more intense. I’ll talk more about this later, but if you’re looking for a book where the emotional stakes are higher (and yes, where the attraction is more pronounced) you’ll want to keep an eye on this one.
So, will there ever be spice in this series?
Maybe. I won’t say never. But I also won’t write it just to check a box. If it serves the story, then sure. If it reveals something meaningful about the characters or their relationship, I’ll absolutely go there. Until then, my spicy reader friends, I hope you’re not too disappointed. And to my closed-door crew: I got you.
Thanks for being on this journey with me. Moonridge is only just beginning to reveal its secrets.
Stay tuned!
