As a cognitive behavioral therapist turned fiction author, I have a lot of mental health representation in my novels. My education drives my character development, and I like to give my characters different strategies for coping with the grief and trauma that I, as the author, put them through. My novels are about a team of Navy SEALs, led by the first female SEAL, Rachel Ryker. Each character has varying levels of childhood trauma and posttraumatic stress from their years of military service. Some of them drink, some of them use sex as an escape, some of them actually go to therapy. In the realm of fiction, none of these are wrong or bad. The level of trauma and character’s personality determine what strategy or strategies they use and how they grow. I write gritty, emotionally raw characters because I also want my readers to get a realistic picture of what life is like for many soldiers. I also want my readers to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel if they’re struggling with their own mental health.
Personally, I’ve struggled with mental health issues most of my life. It’s what drove me to study psychology to begin with. I wanted desperately to understand why I am the way I am, and how to grow and change for the better. Writing Skylark has been a cathartic experience for me. It’s allowed me to process a lot of my own trauma and work through difficult relationship dynamics, some of which are mirrored by character interactions in the novels I write. By putting my characters in situations similar to the ones I’m struggling with, I can write different scenarios, solutions, test out dialogue where my characters set boundaries and communicate their wants and needs. It’s all practice for me, really.
Mental health is a difficult thing for a lot of people. There is still a stigma that asking for help or admitting you aren’t okay makes you weak. In actuality, asking for help makes you strong. It’s the bravest, most vulnerable thing you can do. A lot of people struggling with depression and anxiety feel completely alone in their struggle. They feel they won’t be understood, they’ll be judged or made fun of. If anyone is giving you a hard time for struggling with mental health, they aren’t the right people to have in your life. A true friend would support you, talk to you, help you find resources, encourage you to be brave and speak your truth.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, resources are available. Reach out to the national mental health hotline: 988. Or https://988lifeline.org/
Megan Michelle's
WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR
OF
Skylark
Book Summary
Being the first female Navy SEAL is no easy job, but someone's got to dismantle the patriarchy. Rachel Ryker, call sign ‘Skylark,’ can outrun and outgun just about anybody, and with her second in command, Christopher Williams, by her side, she’s practically unstoppable. Christopher would follow Rachel to hell and back… or maybe just to the Middle East. When a top-secret malware code is stolen from the CIA, Rachel and Christopher lead their SEAL team through the Middle East in an attempt to recover it.
They both have their own reasons for fighting, but as the team gets closer to finding the stolen malware, Rachel discovers that the man they're looking for may be closer to her than she thinks. Will Rachel’s obsession with completing their mission override her common sense and cause her to lose sight of what is really important- keeping women and children safe from the oppressive patriarchy they are all living in?
With secrets, pride, and a strict no-fraternization policy keeping them apart, falling in love would mean sacrificing everything Rachel and Christopher have worked for. But when Rachel gets injured in combat, everything changes. Now Rachel will have to choose: does her devotion to the Navy outweigh her love for Christopher?
PUBLISHER: Bound Books LLC
ASIN: B0DKB5QGB3
ISBN-10: 8988886129
ISBN-13 979-8988886129
Print Length: 459 pages
Purchase a copy of Skylark on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.org. You can also add this to your GoodReads reading list.
About the Author
Megan Michelle writes dark romance for the fearless women who are ready to reclaim their power and confront the shadows of their past. Her stories blend the raw emotions of military life, the strength of feminism, and the passion of forbidden love, all while guiding readers on a journey of self-discovery and healing. Through dark romance, she explores the complexity of love, power, and identity. Her stories invite you to dive deep into the hearts of women who don’t just survive—they thrive, reclaiming their power and rewriting their stories on their own terms.
Stay in touch with this author by subscribing to her website's newsletter and following her on Instagram.
Blog Tour Calendar
July 28 @ The Muffin
Visit the Muffin for our blog tour launch of Skylark by Megan Michelle. We're interviewing the author and giving you a chance to win a copy of her book.
https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
July 29 @ Words by Webb
Visit Jodi's blog for insights on word choices, featuring books like Skylark by Megan Michelle.
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
August 1 @ Words by Webb
Join Jodi for her review of Skylark by Megan Michelle. You won't want to miss this exciting romance!
https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog
August 4 @ Writer Advice
Visit Lynn's blog for a guest post by Megan Michelle on what romance in fiction can teach you about yourself.
August 4 @ Tracey Lampley's blog
Visit Tracey's blog for an interview with author Megan Michelle about her book Skylark.
https://www.traceylampley.com/guest-author-interviews
August 8 @ Word Magic
Come by Fiona's blog for a guest post by author Megan Michelle on whether a funding campaign is a good choice for your novel.
https://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
August 10 @ A Wonderful World of Words
Visit Joy's blog for an excerpt of Megan Michelle's Skylark.
https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/
August 11 @ Storey Book Reviews
Stop by Leslie's blog for a guest post by Megan Michelle on writing during times of stress.
https://www.storeybookreviews.com
August 13 @ Create Write Now
Visit Mari's blog for a guest post by Megan Michelle on the topic of mental health.
https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog
August 13 @ Avonna Loves Genres
Visit Avonna's blog for her review of Skylark by Megan Michelle.
https://avonnalovesgenres.com/
August 14 @ The Faerie Review
Visit Lily's blog for her spotlight of Skylark by Megan Michelle.
https://www.thefaeriereview.com
August 15 @ What Is That Book About?
Join Michelle on her blog to catch an excerpt of Skylark by Megan Michelle.
https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/
August 17 @ Chapter Break
Visit Julie's blog for an interview with author Megan Michelle about her book Skylark.
August 18 @ Book Reviews Cafe
Visit the Book Reviews Cafe's blog for a review of Megan Michelle's book Skylark.
https://bookreviewscafe.wordpress.com/
August 20 @ Just Katherine
Visit Katherine's blog for her response to our blog tour prompt on how she finally found the one.
You can also read a guest by Megan Michelle on finding time to write when you are too busy.
https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/
August 22 @ Choices
Visit Madeline's blog for a guest post by Megan Michelle on encouraging good mental health during writing routines.
https://www.madelinesharples.com/blog
August 24 @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews and Interviews
Visit Lisa's blog for an interview with author Megan Michelle.
https://lisahaselton.com/blog/
August 28 @ Boys' Mom Reads
Join Karen for her book review of Skylark by Megan Michelle.
https://karensiddall.wordpress.com/
August 31 @ Silver's Reviews
Join Elizabeth's blog for a spotlight of Skylark by Megan Michelle.
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