10. In many cultures, including Starville’s, virginity is a sign of a woman’s purity, and anything that might jeopardize this purity affects the woman’s overall value as a person. Why might this not apply to men? Are there traits that men possess that directly affect their value as people in Starville? What about in other societies?
11. “Ergi” is a term the Vikings used to refer to the submissive man in a gay relationship. Using this word to describe a person in public would lead to banishment or immediate death. This term applied to both willing and unwilling participants in a sexual encounter. Do you think that the world’s view of men on the receiving end of sex has changed? Why or why not?
12. Consider Tristan and Duque in The V-Girl. Why are their experiences so shameful, as opposed to their attackers’ actions?
13. When, if ever, is it considered shameful for a man to have consensual sex? For a woman?
14. As of 2014, the United States National Crime Victimization Survey found that the actual percentage of men raped by their domestic partner is as high as 38%. Are you surprised? Do you think that this number is accurate? Why or why not?
15. Why is it difficult for a man to come forward as a victim of rape? Is it more or less difficult for a man to come forward if he was raped by a woman versus by a man? Why or why not?
16. Only 68% of rapes are estimated to be reported to the police.* What might prevent a person from coming forward for justice? What if the victim was a man, raped by a woman? How might we work to create a safer environment for victims?
17. Consider that only 2% of convicted rapists actually see jail time.* How might an “innocent until proven guilty” justice system, like that in the USA, improve these rates?
18. Of one in three sexual assaults, the rapist is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.* In The V-Girl, ex-soldiers and Accord cops are often seen in taverns or drinking publicly; they are also seen as potential threats. Why do you think these statistics were recorded together? How might one behavior affect or encourage the other?
*statistics taken by RAINN.org
Acknowledgements
This book wouldn’t have been possible without a huge group of friends, family, and fellow bookaholics.
Erin Plaice: If Aleksey and Lila have found their happy ending, it is in great part thanks to your sincere enthusiasm. You’re a fantastic book adviser and I cannot thank you enough.
My extraordinary group of Betas: Ash from Wonderland’s Reader, Bibliophilic Madness, Maria Kaye, Ana Rodriguez from Bookworm221 in Tumblr, Danielle Werner, and Karine Green. You’re great! I might not have taken your advice all the time, but I always valued your opinions.
Aly Gillen and Caro: You are so well-read and so passionate about literature that I felt incredibly smug whenever you praised my ideas. Thank you for the direction you helped me to take.
Thanks to the New Adult book club members, especially Bobbi, Derna, Karina, Natalie, Micheala, Nicola, Lori, and Laura. To the people who voted for their favorite cover, I wish I could mention each of you by name.
Lani and Mariel: Your support means the world to me.
Tonya Blust and Books are my fandom: Thanks for turning my book into something readable and free of typos.
Thanks to all the bloggers who revealed the cover and signed up for blitz and tours.
Demelza Watts, thank you for your wonderful portrait of General Fürst and his red cape.
Mr. Eduardo Carrasco, from Quilapayun: Thank you for giving me permission to translate “La Paloma” lyrics. Whenever I hear your song, I feel the need to inject hope in my dystopian worlds.
Rachel from The Rest Is Still Unwritten and Belinda from Literaria: You might not have realized it, but you were my first reviewers. Your reviews helped me to stay focused on my writing when I was about to drop the towel.
My dear family: You have given me the determination to pursue my dreams. I love you all for being there for me when I was full of uncertainty and doubts.
Last but not least: Thanks to all the soldiers who have protected our country from the brutal reality of war by risking—and at times losing— your lives. God bless you.
About the author
Mya Robarts is a bookaholic who regrets nothing. She aspired to be a contemporary dance choreographer. Then she discovered a pull for expressing her choreography ideas in written form.
Newsletter
https://tinyletter.com/myarobarts
Twitter
https://twitter.com/MyaRobarts
Tumblr
http://myarobarts.tumblr.com/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/MyaRobartsBooks
Amazon page
http://www.amazon.com/Mya-Robarts/e/B00L7DXTF2
Playlist
Savages – Marina and the Diamonds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxaTAFXgykU
Lost stars – Keira Knightley’s version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECW_qfrhiw8
Hope of deliverance – Paul McCartney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcYT4oI1LlE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHynidoAXh0
Soldier of love – Pearl Jam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf-bw4q6Pew
The lovers that never were- Paul McCartney
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwPkQJu6nuQ
City of Blinding lights – U2 (first date)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LHPRbEAxy4
Gimme Shelter – The rolling stones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbmS3tQJ7Os
As – George Michael ft. Mary J. Blige
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3V726_HShyY
Massenet’s Thais Meditation – DaXun Zhang version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBKMVSOoGUw
Max Reger’s Romanza - Stefano Sciacia’s version (Lila’s slumber song as played by Aleksey)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zkZjAJhtFE
Oh my love – Gia Margaret’s version (Lila’s first time song)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mAzcyXVxfs
Interview with the Author
https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-v-girl-by-mya-robarts.html
Mya Robarts joins me today to discuss her book, The V Girl.
Hi, Lynda! Thank you for having me. I’ve been a fan of your blog since you hosted my cover reveal.
Thanks, Mya! For what age group do you recommend your book?
At least eighteen years old. The V Girl is a sex-driven book that portrays violence and romance in a disturbing manner.
What sparked the idea for this book?
I found thousands of testimonies of mass rape during armed conflicts while I was doing research for a historical novel. Throughout history, women have made provisions during war times to avoid rape. In countries that have long histories of armed conflicts, women seem to be expecting sexual assault as part of their life and, in a way, accepting that there’s no way to stop soldiers when they are determined to commit sexual crimes. I thought that facing that prospect, young girls’ provisions might include having intimacy with a guy of their choice.
So, which comes first? The character’s story or the idea for the novel?
Both. Lila Velez didn’t have a name when the idea sparked, but she was a part of the creative process. The idea that a young girl would be curious about sex and determined to have it on her own terms when everything else is out of her control was an idea that I thought deserved a book.
What was the hardest part to write in this book?
Knowing that war-rape is something that is happening around the world as we speak, and giving names, faces, and personalities to the victims of similar cruelty, is unnerving. Getting to love the characters and then write their suffering. I like to write to escape from the harshest realities of life. When I was writing the book, I was unable to escape that world, that level of darkness, that lack of huma
nity. The romantic arc was what kept me motivated. It gave the book a sense of hope.
How do you hope this book affects its readers?
I want the book to disturb the readers, but at the same time, I aimed to convey the idea that love and hope can prevail during the darkest times.
How long did it take you to write this book?
More than a year.
What is your writing routine?
I have ADD. Sticking to a routine is extremely difficult for me. There’s no constant when it comes to my writing. There are days when I pay enough attention to create outlines and write entire chapters, but more often than not, I can’t bring myself to stay focused.
How did you get your book published?
A rough draft appeared on a mailing list devoted to performing arts. The book gained some followers who suggested publishing the story on Wattpad. Then my Wattpad readers asked me to publish in e-book form.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
Write for fun and don’t give up. This isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. Whether you’re sending query letters to agents or you’re starting the road to self-publishing, you have to feel passionate about your ideas because the road is full of obstacles and the likelihood of failure is way bigger than the likelihood of commercial success. If you write for fun, who is to say that you fail as long as you enjoy it?
Great advice, Mya. What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I love watching movies. I also love to go to contemporary dance performances.
What does your family think of your writing?
They always praise my ideas and say that they’re unique, but they’re my family; what else could they say?
I’m sure they mean it! Please tell us a bit about your childhood.
I was a well-behaved girl, but I never paid attention in class. My body was there, but my mind was somewhere else. I was constantly losing money, school supplies, and other things because I kept forgetting where I put them, which drove my grade school teachers nuts. Back then, ADD wasn’t easily diagnosed and they assumed I wasn’t trying to concentrate.
Did you like reading when you were a child?
Yes. When I was six years old I could read aloud as if I were an adult. My grandfather’s house was full of books, magazines, and comics. I was more interested in reading adult literature, and it wasn’t until many years later that I read Harry Potter and started to get interested in children’s books.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I was ten years old.
Did your childhood experiences influence your writing?
I was molested on two separate occasions in two places that were supposed to be secure environments: home and school. On both occasions, my attackers were children themselves, eleven and thirteen years old. Those experiences made me doubt the institutions that are supposed to protect young people and the cliché of sexually unaware children. The inability of adults to protect young people is a recurrent theme in my writing.
Sorry to hear that, Mya. I’m glad you were able to take something positive out of the experience. Which writers have influenced you the most?
J. K. Rowling and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
They usually ask about Aleksey Fürst, the hero of The V Girl. They came up with a “ship” name: Lileksey. I was so happy when I found out they were so involved with the couple.
What can we look forward to from you in the future?
I’m working on several books set at the end of the second civil war because the social setting is intricate and I didn’t dwell on it when I wrote The V Girl. I hope to publish at least one of these stories in 2016.
Preface
The broody warrior
Unexpected
The Velez Family
Seduction
The Accord Prince
The clinic
A V Girl
The Comanche Resistance
Drawn
Proposal
Cops’ fun
Silence
A V boy
His full consent
Curiosity
Laying down arms
Hope
Secrets and promises
The human touch
With her and for her
Epiphany
Lila’s country
Lila’s “Sin”
Copulation without Conversation
Threat
Revenge
Near death experiences
Claimed and taken
Consent
Human touch vs. sexual touch
Downright severe
Preoccupations
Gyges
New experiences
Exclusivity
Sex training
Aleksey’s secret
A father’s feelings
The wounded lion
Hiding
Last chance
The sweetest word
Love
The 36th Battalion
Combat
The person she shares her tears with
Family and farewells
Missing him
Losing a part of herself
Broken Illusions
Spoils of war
G class recruits
Familiar voice
Sacrifice
His one and only
Sweet surrender
Her one and only
Hope and Love
Epilogue
Discussion questions
Acknowledgements
About the author
Playlist
Interview with the Author