Ah, June! The month for weddings. Wait a minute. Why is June traditionally the month for weddings?
Well, June was named for the Roman goddess Juno, the protector of women in all aspects of life, but especially in marriage and childbearing. So if a woman married in Juno’s month, good luck would shine upon her marriage.
What began as superstition became tradition. Of course, before a woman marries, she must first find that special man. The one who will thrill her and touch her heart.
That’s what the Romance Collection KISS ME, THRILL ME is all about–a smart, sassy woman finding the right man who will not only sweep her off her feet with romance but be there to catch her if she ever needs saving.
With 6 New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors contributing to KISS ME, THRILL ME , I thought it would be interesting to ask the authors what thrills them when it comes to romance.
I’ll let my fellow authors speak first.
Mimi Barbour is the author of The Surrogate’s Secret, an international love story. Miguel forces his dead brother’s surrogate to marry him so he can take her and her twin babies to Chile to save his beloved, sickly mother whose only cure is to see her grandchildren.
Mimi said, “I like a romance with humor and realistic characters. For me, the first meet is important, and I like it to start it with sparks flying.
Whether instant attraction, anger or even action are the causes for them to feel connected, it’s nice if they recognise a link right from the start.
Characters in my books have to be people I’d love to meet in real life.
If I have to spend hours creating a story for them, they better make me care about them first and then hopefully, the readers will too.
Alicia Street is the author of Touch Me and Tango, a second chance at love story.
A lost love returns for one more dance–and a second chance at love. They fell for each other long ago, but reality intruded and broke them apart. When they meet again, the same passion flares between them. Can love prevail this time?
When asked what thrills her when it comes to romance, Alicia said: “A story that takes me through the ups and downs and the final triumph of two people falling in love is what thrills me. It gives me hope in this crazy, difficult world. I never tire of reading novels that show how love can conquer all.
Mona Risk is the author of Right Name, Wrong Man, a medical romance.
What’s a girl to do when she whispers another man’s name while in her fiancé’s arms? In this international medical romance, forbidden dreams about the sexy French surgeon, Dr. Yves Malroux, assail Mary-Beth at every turn.
Torn between two lovers and not ready to pledge love and commitment to her fiancé, she flies to France to confront her past and the lover she left behind.
What thrills Mona when it comes to romance? She said, “When I read a romance I like to meet characters who attract me. I like to see them thrown into difficult situations that disturb their lives or facing realistic problems that force them to re-evaluate their priorities. A successful author–in my view–would make me sail through the characters’ journeys with a fluid writing style that doesn’t detract from the story.
Patrice Wilton is the author of For the Love of Candy, a chick lit romantic comedy.
Fun, flirty, a little sexy, and a lot of humor–that’s chick lit romantic comedy at its best. Harrison Wolfe doesn’t want his twenty-year-old daughter to marry Candy’s son. Candy hasn’t met her yet, but knows they are too young. How can the parents keep them apart without their own attraction getting in the way?
Patrice answered the question this way. “All writers are readers first, so I try to give them what I want. I love books that make me laugh and cry, that make me feel deeply, and what better than a heartwarming, gut wrenching romance?
The characters have to be strong, wonderful, people that you care about and root for. The hero is the man you can’t NOT love. He’s irresistible, and the heroine will steal any heart away. The conflict has to be strong and dramatic, giving the reader a thrill of a lifetime and a book they won’t soon forget.
Dani Haviland is the author of Aye, I Am a Fairy.
This time-travel romance is an adventure with assaults, arson, a 230-year old video on a solar-powered smartphone, and two very different women awaiting the sharp British lord with a great secret.
What will lovely Leah, the sassy heroine, do when she learns the truth?
Unfortunately, I believe Dani was on vacation and could not respond to the question I’d posed to the group, but I wanted you to see the lovely cover of her book in the Kiss Me, Thrill Me Collection.
Joan Reeves is the author of Cinderella Blue, a mashup of romantic comedy and a cop romance.
Detective Andrea Luft–Andie to her friends–loves to say those three little words: “You’re under arrest.” Especially to bad guys who SO deserve it. Andie is undercover to catch the thief stealing designer wedding gowns from San Antonio bridal boutiques.
She’s about to make an arrest when Detective Bruce Benton barges onto the scene. The suspect escapes, and, as a reward for this screw-up, Benton and Andie are paired together as partners to close the case. Andie and Benton, two commitment-phobic cops with nothing in common—except the desire sizzling between them.
What thrills me when it comes to romance? I like a romance that’s like one of those 20 layer cakes you see on the Great British Baking Show. I want layers of appealing characters, humor, interesting situation, dynamic scenes, great dialogue, oceans of emotion with unexpected undercurrents, a really black moment, and an epic ending.
Okay, Readers, now it’s your turn. What thrills you when it comes to romance?
Joan Reeves is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Sassy, Sexy Contemporary Romance. All of her books have the same underlying theme: It’s never too late to live happily ever after. She lives her HEA with her hero, her husband, in the Lone Star State. Visit Joan online at her Blog and Website. Follow her at: Facebook * Twitter * Amazon Author Page * BookBub Author Page. Sign up for Joan’s mailing list and receive a free ebook. Just click here to sign up.
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Joan Reeves—Keeping Romance Alive…One Sexy Book at a Time—is a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary Romance. From Romantic Comedy to Romantic Thriller, all of her books have the same premise: “It’s never too late to live happily ever after.” Joan lives her happily-ever-after with her hero, her husband, in the Lone Star State. They divide their time between a book-cluttered home in Houston and a quiet house in the Texas Hill Country where they sit on the porch, stare at the big night sky, and listen to the coyotes howl. Sign up for Joan’s Mailing List and be the first to know about new books and giveaways.
Sweet! Loved this post, Joan!
Sue xo
Thanks, Sue!