The Allure
A dynamic, multi-POV adult novel based around a society steeped in eugenics.
Read the synopsis!
All anyone can think about is The Test. Who has passed The Test, who is about to take it, what methods work best to pass?
Why ? Because The Test determines who is deemed genetically fit for offspring. The Clinic, run by The City Government, administers The Test. Once you pass, you are paired up with someone whose genes are compatible with yours, and then … sex. Sex is not allowed unless you pass The Test. Unregulated sex, often a result of The Allure, results in an execution. This is the only way to keep the population in check.
Cleo passed The Test years ago, but her husband, Greyson, did not. Greyson views Cleo’s daughter, Daisy, as a burden, an embarrassment, a reminder that he was not worthy enough to pass. Yet he is stuck taking care of his wife’s love-child. And little does Cleo know, her husband is harboring a much different life.
Wilt has a secret: he’s gay. But ‘gay’ isn’t a word in anyone’s vocabulary. According to The City Government, gay people don’t exist. So when Wilt passes The Test, he refuses to be paired with someone. He can’t even imagine having sex with a woman. But friends around him start to question why he didn’t want to be paired.
Wallis thought that working at The Clinic would give her a leg up in passing The Test. But she’s failed three times, meaning she only has one more shot to pass, and if she doesn’t … she has nothing else to live for.
Colette just passed The Test. She’s ecstatic to meet her pair and finally get some direction in her life. But after her unsafe work environment leads to sexual assault, she’s feeling more lost and scared than ever.
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The Allure
‘The Allure’ is defined as a disease of unprecedented and unregulated sexual desire, symptoms of which include lustful thoughts and urges. The Allure takes full form when an individual commits an unwarranted sexual act with another person. This is not only illegal, as it endangers an individual of unauthorized impregnation, but it risks adding to the overpopulation epidemic. Outcomes also include inadequate gene combining and insufficient childcare.
Official definition provided by ©The Clinic
Where did this story come from?
This idea just appeared in my head about two years ago. Originally, I thought that I could turn it into a short story collection, with each story focusing on a different person living in this society. But as I pondered the possibilities, I eventually managed to weave my ideas together into a cohesive, multi-POV story. My goal was for each of the main characters and side characters to cross paths by the end. And, I have to admit, I nailed it.
This novel will be my primary focus right now, more so than The Dakota Project, because The Allure, while written last, is closest to completion in the editing process. I love both The Dakota Project and The Allure, but I have to admit, I really hit the nail on the head with The Allure in my first draft.
There will be a sequel to this novel, to tie up loose ends and continue developing the character arcs. However, I believe that it will just be a duology. Look out for it soon!
Check out a few excerpts from the novel below!
Savannah, of course, had no shortage of Liberation Movement propaganda to spew. “Yes, The Test keeps our insane overpopulation in check, but it creates many more issues. Did you know that since they created The Test, domestic violence cases have quadrupled?”
“That’s terrible,” Cleo gasped.
Greyson sneered into his food. “Makes sense why they’ve spiked so much. Husbands too stupid or ugly to pass The Test. Wives going out, having sex only with the person they’ve been paired with. It makes husbands bitter and angry.”
Cleo’s stomach turned. Unsettled, she stared at her husband, who seemed not to care that he disrupted the table. Savannah’s eyes flitted back and forth between the couple.
“Honey, is there something you would like to say?” Cleo asked quietly.
Greyson glared, sensing her accusatory tone. “I’m saying that you should be grateful that I’m not the type of husband to knock you around despite the state of our marriage.”
When Wilt had made his way through the first slice of toast, Hendricks finally asked him what happened.
Wilt could sense this coming, but it didn’t make answering any easier. In a lame attempt at buying more time to think, he asked, “What do you mean?”
Hendricks chuckled, “You know what I mean. Why did I find you passed out on the side of the road, smelling like vomit?”
When Wilt didn’t reply, not even looking at the man, Hendricks pressed on with a few guesses. “Were you drinking? Or was it drugs?”
“What? No of course not!” Wilt cried in protest, shocked at the suggestion.
Hendricks held his hands up innocently. “Hey, nothing against you. Just an educated guess.”
Wilt resisted scowling and stayed quiet for a few moments. Hendricks just waited patiently. “I can’t help you unless you tell me what happened. It’s probably not more embarrassing than drugs.”
Beg to differ, Wilt thought with a shiver. Hendricks raised his eyebrows and didn’t push any further.