What exactly are humorously-ever-after romances?
I like to think of them as stories that will hopefully cancel out a craptastic day. Or month. Or a span when life is repeatedly kicking you in the tender spots.
Don't get me wrong. I value those books and movies that bring out the big-time wails during rough times. (A bag of Hershey kisses, a box of tissues, and bawling through the thirtieth viewing of Somewhere in Time? Oh yeah, definitely benefited from that combo.)
Some days, though, I need a different way to make it through life's assorted aggravations.
Many years ago, I had such an awful day at work that I couldn't shake off the anger and irritation once I left. I spent the whole commute plotting terrible things to the many recipients of my justifiable wrath. A glass of wine couldn't dislodge my ire. Chocolate knew better than to even try.
I decided to watch a silly movie a co-worker had lent me, because I knew I needed to return it before I misplaced it and had to buy a new copy for him. I had impossibly low expectations of this movie, and planned to grumble through it before returning it to my friend the next day with a shrug and "it was okaaay".
How could I hope to like a movie called Ace Ventura: Pet Detective? I don't remember many parts about it, but I do recall the opening sequence where Jim Carrey is playing a package delivery person. He does everything to that package that he should NOT be doing: kicking it, dropping it, you name it. It was over-the-top, but I started to chuckle. And then giggle.
When he placed the package inside the closing elevator doors, repeatedly? I lost it. I had to rewatch that sequence even though I couldn't catch my breath from laughing so hard the first time. After a few minutes I couldn't remember why I was out of sorts earlier.
That's what I'm hoping my books will do for you. They have no higher aspirations than to divert you from those irritating moments in your day. They're intended to make you laugh, and swoon, and fan your face during the smexy times. Love and laughter is a restorative everyone can use at one time or another.
Here's to humorously-ever-after romance!
~~~~~
Just Released!
Fake My Life (Those Sutton Boys Book 1)
Do you love fake boyfriend romances as much as I do? Well, then maybe you need this one: a movie star asks a romance writer to be his fake girlfriend, to help him persuade movie execs he can make the switch from action movie hero to rom-com lead. She doesn't know he's a movie star, not at first, and that's just the beginning of their fun and sexy story.
I hope you'll fall in love with Sean and Livy like I did. And since I love fake boyfriend stories, there will be another one later this year. Stay tuned!
Livy
He's a famous movie star.
I didn't know that when we met in the coffee shop, chatting like long-time friends. I said he reminded me of someone in a movie I'd been dragged to last year.
Now he wants me to be his fake girlfriend.
Me. I live in the same small town I grew up in. I write steamy romance. Well, I do when the characters cooperate, which they haven't lately.
He's trying to convince movie execs he can make the switch from action films to rom-coms. All I need to do is pretend to be his girlfriend, helping him demonstrate his romantic side.
How hard can that be?
He's sexy, and charming, and funny. A real-life template for my favorite kind of romance hero.
Exactly the inspiration I need right now.
I just need to pretend I'm not falling for him. Turns out that's a lot harder than I ever expected.
Sean
She's a snarky and sexy fairy-tale princess.
I couldn't resist trying to get her attention in the coffee shop. I used a cheesy line I hadn't tried since college, saying she looked just like my buddy's sister.
Only she went along with it. Next thing I know we're trading wildly creative stories about her crazy brother—who doesn't even exist.
I think I started falling for her right then.
This fake relationship gives us all kinds of fun times together. She's teaching me about romance heroes. I'm turning her into a fan of my movies.
Everything is going great. Looks like I'll get the rom-com. But now I want something more.
I persuaded this amazing woman to be my fake girlfriend. Can I convince her to be my real one?
~~~~~
After eighteen months as a widow, Allegra Watkins knows it's time to move on with her life. She's just not sure how to accomplish it. A sign from the Universe would be really helpful—especially before her mom starts signing her up for dating sites.
Out of the blue, Allegra learns she's the new owner of an estate in Bath, England. But there's more to this inheritance than a Jane Austen summer vacation.
Allegra is the latest in an unbroken line of widows, going back two hundred years, and her new home is known as Wayward Manor.
That's because of the first widow, Madeleine, Lady Canton – who was never the meek and mousey wallflower type.
How could Allegra hope to continue that legacy? She barely remembers how to flirt anymore.
Fortunately Madeleine has left a diary which details her new romance with a dashing Navy captain, as well as the story of her widowed sister Anne finding love again.
The diary becomes a guidebook for Allegra's new life. It inspires her to embark on a romance with her sexy neighbor, Max, who needed adventure as much as Allegra did. She's also regained her confidence about the future and the direction it's headed.
If all goes well, Allegra will have a ton of exciting diary entries to inspire future widows—and make the previous Widows of Wayward Manor beam with pride.
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