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Karin, that is a really good, complete response!

I tend to agree - if we take away any and all persuasion, it would be tragic. A loud and clear 'No' and the other person is still trying to change the other person's mind (and ESPECIALLY after a few more 'NO!!!!'s', each louder and stronger later), is the loud and clear boundary in my opinion that that has just moved to coercion and rape, even if the other person then say yes to get rid of the someone. In this case, it would be wise to rather not do it.

Fragile state of mind is a really tricky one. For one, how would the other person know that? So definitely more of the 'grey-er' areas.

I think "Yes means yes" is THE best solution to the problem instead of "No means no". Where I think it (can go) goes wrong is:

Is it California that now has something in place where two parties need to sign a mutually agree upon piece of paper (a contract of some sorts) these days? And I'm not sure if it includes which positions are allowed, where you can and can't touch the other person, etc. Apart from by the time you're done with writing and signing the bloody thing, any notion of romance and sex are probably killed dead-dead (it will take some serious skill to get back in the mood!), if anyone change their mind mid-way through for good reason (e.g. anal or rough sex with which you were clear upfront you're not comfortable with and you're saying so), if the other person then doesn't stop, it's rape according to me. But now the other part has a signed and agreed document that proves it's consensual .... Murky, murky waters!

I suspect the "Yes means yes" approach is maybe working too well for some (feminists mostly). I've been seeing, reading, and hearing a lot of noise about consensual sex where the woman cries rape the next day leaving the guy baffled. The reason is, and I paraphrase, 'the sex was bad and in the clear light of day I changed my mind'. Not before or during sex, THE NEXT DAY. Some (feminists mostly) are pushing for this to be categorized as rape too.

I suspect porn and the higher prevalence of one-night stands/first date sex/sex within 1-3 months even are probably contributing to this issue more than anything else. Gone are the days where couples took the time to get to know each other and each other's bodies in various ways without actual penetration ... Knowing before you sleep with a guy whether he really is gentle and caring because he has shown you it over time many times over. Knowing before you sleep with a woman whether she has had any bad experiences, her likes and dislikes, her body language ... It takes away so much of these 'modern' day problems IMO. But I digress.

Like you say, this is a complex issue. Now bring in the individual aspect where we all had different experiences and exposure to the other sex, and it gets real complicated really quick.

I agree with Amy here. And with you too - if I read this in dialogue, I won't correct it, because I'd assume you know what you want to do with it.

And also, I have never doubted the authenticity of your writing. It's clear as daylight that you have done tons of research! Combined with your 'voice', it's a masterpiece. There, I said it. It is.

K is more murdering than hurting though! LOL

I'm somewhere in the middle. Whether it is grammar or spelling it doesn't matter, my point is to not to overdo it to the point that it is grating or become the focus (because the reader is more trying to figure out what is being said than reading). Basically, anything will be okay, but keep it subtle.

Also, just mentioning she has an accent is also okay. It's tricky though to keep reminding readers of her accent though without also becoming overbearing. But it's also an option in addition to using different grammar or spelling.

At the end of the day, this is what makes writing so hard sometimes - there's a million different ways to do something and choosing the best way isn't all that straightforward. For me, I'm always double-guessing whether I'm doing the right thing and wondering whether X instead of Y won't work better. Both works, but I guess this is where some books become award winners and receive widespread acclaim and others don't. I try not to stress too much about it as I just want my stories to be read. It's not so much about awards and acclaim. Others' mileage may vary.

All that said, what you've been doing so far works for me Rebecca. You already have a very distinct (historical) voice. I don't think it can be improved because it's already that good. But don't let me limit you. I have a lot of confidence in your ability to make anything work (even better despite what I think)!

Goes without saying, a VIP pass has your name on it! So I hope you're ready to rub shoulders with A-listers! LOL And also, given that I've sold millions of copies, I'll pay for the flights, hotels and wine!

On another note (180 degree change in subject), I found two possibilities to play Matthew in the movie (that NEEDS to happen as I would love to meet them LOL) ...

#1 Sullivan Stapleton (Aussie Aussie Aussie)
Might have to darken his hair, but that's doable vs changing his eye colour
But he might be too old by the time I finish writing LOL

#2 Tyler Hoechlin
Good alternative, very close to #1 ...

And saw Rose Leslie in The Last Witch Hunter ... I think she might work pretty good for Catherine

So now I just need to write the books, sell 50 million copies and wait for the movie deals to roll in! LOL

Calgary is within driving distance. It would be AWESOME to see Cal and Dirk. But who will drive? LOL I have driven recently, but he's used to driving on the wrong side of the road!

Reason behind my suggestion is that it might not necessarily be the 'accent' that is the issue, but more the overuse of 'strange' words ... less is sometimes better. Eight words seem not too bad, but if you use 2-3 of them in one sentence, it might get 'grating' to read i.e. not so much difficult to understand, just 'grating'.

Deliberately? Because that would require them having to know who the villain is ...

Ha! Better start polishing them then and make sure you have enough ... I haven't seen one recently, I might have missed it ...

I'll shut up now and go and review someone else