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Tropetastic: A Romance between a Reader and a Writer? by Rachelle Ayala #mgtab @AyalaRachelle @mimisgang1

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A New Trope: Reader-Writer Romance

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a romantic relationship with your favorite writer? Would you start your flirtation by joining their review team? Or perhaps be the first to read everything they wrote? What if you find yourself falling in love with a writer as you read and discover every one of his or her books? Would you finagle a chance to meet your idol? Or dutifully attend their events and talks? Maybe you’re one of the select readers who get first dibs on your favorite writer’s chapters or are either the leader for his or her fan club or you’re dying to have that writer write a story about you.

Look no further than my next romance in the unlikely trope of a romance between a reader and her favorite writer. For years, Phylis Carpenter was a rave reviewer and avid fan of her favorite romance author, Maxine Foster. She was first on the beta team and she became her author’s trust confidante. She helped with brainstorming, gave early feedback, and was a supportive soul for the writer of the romances that touched her heart. She especially loved Maxine’s tough but tender heroes–those grizzly and gruff alpha males who were made of iron and hid their hearts behind mirrored sunglasses, muscles, and grit. She yearned to meet one of those heroes in real life, so she saved and scrimped her pennies to attend a Maxine Foster reader’s convention at the Unexpected Paradise Resort set in the Caribbean island of Ile d’Amour.

Unbeknownst to Phylis, the real writer behind the Maxine Foster books is not a woman–the publicist whose photos appear on social media–but an intensely private man named Max Donovan and he is exactly the type of man he writes about under his female penname.

Of course, this is an unknown trope, the Reader-Writer Romance, so I asked my Writer’s Room* for their opinions. Here are their responses.

Request for Opinion

Hey writers room friends, please help figure out why readers might like a romance between a romance writer and a reader. Here is the blurb for the romance called Where Love Unfolds. Give me your opinions about why avid readers might like or dislike this story. An avid romance fan discovers her favorite author isn’t the woman she imagined, but a mysterious man with secrets to protect. Phylis Carpenter, a die-hard romance reader, arrives at the Unexpected Paradise resort, eager to meet her cherished author and online confidante, Maxine Foster. Dreaming of sunny days and deep discussions about passionate heroes and enticing plot twists, she’s in for a shock. Max Donovan, the man behind Maxine Foster’s tales, isn’t just any man—he’s the embodiment of the alpha heroes he pens. Preferring to remain in the shadows, he disguises his identity, letting his ex-lover, Joanna Jenkins, bask in the limelight of his success. Sparks fly and chemistry ignites when Max and Phylis are inexplicably drawn by their shared love of story and intrigue. Max reminds Phylis of every romance hero she loves, and Phylis’s enthusiasm and infectious charm is irresistible for both the author and the man. From thrilling scavenger hunts to unraveling a ghost’s ill-fated love story, their bond grows stronger over shared tales, furtive kisses, and stolen moments. But as Phylis draws Max towards the allure of romance, his hidden identity becomes a looming threat to their unfolding love. Joanna, desperate to hold on to her position as the face of Maxine Foster, schemes to keep them apart. The island, with its enchanting locales and spirited inhabitants, tries to play matchmaker, but the impending masquerade ball threatens to shatter the illusion. As Phylis inches closer to unmasking Max’s true self, she grapples with a heart-wrenching question: Is Max the genuine article or just another fictional hero? Dive into this sweet contemporary romance, where love stories aren’t just written but lived.

Writer Room Responses

Chad: Well, I’ve seen my share of romance stories over the years. The first thing that strikes me is the trope inversion—usually, it’s the woman hiding behind a man’s pen name in genre literature. Here, it’s more about identity disguise, which allows for a significant plot twist. Readers who are fond of seeing genre expectations subverted will appreciate that.

Gloria: Oh, I love the idea! It feels so modern and relatable. Think about it, in the age of social media, we often fall in love with personas, not knowing the real person behind them. This story speaks to that, making it exciting for the younger crowd who navigates these complexities daily.

Jack: From an action standpoint, you’ve got thrilling scavenger hunts and unraveling a ghost story—those are high-stakes scenes right there! It adds an adventure element to a romance story that’s already intense emotionally. It’s like fuel to the fire.

Brian: The setting sounds so compelling. “Unexpected Paradise Resort”—the name itself holds a promise of adventure and surprises. A well-built locale can serve as a catalyst for character interactions and plot twists. From your blurb, it seems the island even plays matchmaker, so it’s more of an active participant than a backdrop.

Samantha: I love how you’re focusing on dialogue in the blurb already—deep discussions about passionate heroes and plot twists. Readers who adore authentic conversations will find it charming that the characters bond over the kinds of stories they love. It makes the romance feel well-earned.

Jameson: Structurally, this has the makings of a well-crafted narrative. You have a clear arc for the protagonists, a complicating factor in the form of Joanna, and a climactic event—the masquerade ball—towards which the story seems to be progressing. It’s a tight narrative loop.

Lila: Ah, the essence of romance here is the mutual love of stories, which allows for deeper emotional connection. Romance readers often feel this with their favorite authors but never get to explore that connection. This story offers a fantasy where that bond crosses over into real-life love, bridging the gap between fiction and reality.

Greg: While it’s not exactly a horror story, the ghost’s ill-fated love story can add an eerie, emotional layer. It’s not just surface-level romance; it goes deep into themes of loss and unrequited love.

Rita: With a setting like an island resort and a masquerade ball, you’ve got the perfect setup for some comedic moments! Imagine the silly misunderstandings or awkward situations Phylis might find herself in before she realizes who Max really is.

Chad: To sum up, it appears we’ve got an appealing blend of humor, adventure, emotional depth, and modern-day relevance here. There’s something for almost every reader to latch onto. Would love to read it myself!

*ChatGPT Custom Instructions

Pitch

Are you intrigued? If so, please pick up a copy (on pre-order) of Max and Phylis’s Reader-Writer Romance for 99c. Yes, it’s a new trope so I’m not charging and arm and a leg for over 70000 words for Where Love Unfolds: Hidden Identity in Paradise: A Masquerade of Whispered Love, Island Tales, and Hearts Unveiled by Rachelle Ayala [It’s my 85th fictional work and 95th book]

Tropetastic: Second-Chance Romance by Rachelle Ayala #mgtab @AyalaRachelle @mimisgang1

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Have you ever broken up with someone and regretted it later? Or wished your ex could see how much you’ve changed and matured, and give you another shot at love? If so, you’re probably a fan of second-chance romance stories. On the other hand, you might be someone who believes the past should stay in the past. Once a relationship ends, you move forward never looking back. But even so, you might still enjoy a romance novel where long-lost lovers meet again years later and rediscover that spark. 

Whether you love or hate the idea of rekindled romance, the second-chance trope speaks to our conflicting feelings about love and redemption. We want to believe people can change and true love conquers all. But we also know lasting relationships take work. The past can’t be erased overnight.

So what it is that makes a second-chance romance both believable and swoonworthy?

Do-Overs and New Beginnings

Okay, picture this: you broke up with someone a while back, and life moved on. But out of nowhere, fate decides to throw you back together. Yep, that’s the essence of second-chance romances. It’s like someone hit the rewind button on your love life, and you get a do-over, a chance to make things right or maybe even explore what could’ve been.

But it’s not that easy, you say. There were valid reasons for the initial breakup, and both of you have moved on—or maybe not. But it’s complicated.

There’s no doubt that bumping into a former lover brings back a rollercoaster of emotions and unresolved feelings. There could be excitement, fear, regret, sparks of attraction and desire, and depending on the nature of the breakup, a lot of unresolved pain, grief, and resentment.

Definitely a dynamite situation, especially if the passion is still there buried underneath the rubble of broken dreams.

A Transformed Hope

So what makes a second-chance romance actually work? How can getting back with an ex be believable after all that baggage? Well, the characters need some major personal transformations–and I’m not just talking a cute makeover montage.

After the shock of reconnecting wears off, the protagonists need some serious soul-searching. They’ve gotta confront their past mistakes head-on and process those missing years they didn’t share. It’s like getting to know a stranger…who you also have intimate history with. There’s that nostalgia and intense emotional connection battling with all the change and new obstacles. Second-chance lovers can’t just pick up where they left off years ago. They must deal with the ghosts of the past while discovering each other as new people.

Second-chance romances are also transforming and inspiring. They speak to our hope that true love can redeem all wrongs. They also encourage us to be open and honest, to communicate better, to become more authentic, and to be genuinely forgiving. Trust can be rebuilt along with transparent communication. People can change for the better, and regrets can turn into true renewal. Life isn’t always a straight path, and who doesn’t wish to rewrite parts of our life stories?

Second-chance romances satisfy our craving for redemption along with the hope of forgiveness. They tug at our hearts and feel so good when the last bit of doubt is purged, trust is restored, and the lovers have a chance for the happiness they’d lost so long ago.

I’ve written several second chance romances: Taming Romeo, Playing Without Rules, Going Haywire, Summer Love Puppy, Taking Me Back, Not My Dog Walker, and my latest one:

Where Love Echoes – The last time Ava saw Cruz, he left her standing at a bus stop with a broken heart. Twenty years later, she is hired by Cruz’s ex-wife to orchestrate a lavish destination wedding at a secluded Caribbean resort, Unexpected Paradise.

Love a Beach Read? Romance, adventure, and fun by Rachelle Ayala #RachelleAyala @mimisgang1 #mgtab

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Summer is prime beach reading season, and women’s beach reads are a genre all their own. The perfect beach read for women combines several key elements that make it compelling, entertaining, and ideal for reading on vacation.

A beach read should be light and fun. Women often choose easy page-turners with a generous dose of humor when lounging by the ocean or poolside. Plots are fast-paced and focus more on fun, witty banter between characters rather than complex world-building. Compelling characters and addictive drama are a must, but the overall tone should be feel-good rather than heavy.

The setting plays a huge role in immersing readers in summer vibes. Beach reads usually transport us to sunny, tropical locales like a Hawaiian resort, Caribbean island, small coastal town, or European vacation hot spot. The glittering blue ocean, flowy sundresses, icy cocktails, and warm sand between toes create the ultimate escapist backdrop for temporary getaways between the pages.

Travel and adventure are common themes, as beach reads allow us to live vicariously through characters while we relax and recharge. Following a heroine as she checks items off her wanderlust bucket list or reinvents herself in an exotic new environment provides exciting yet comfortable literary journeys from the security of our beach chair.

Of course, romance is a must for any successful women’s beach read. Flirty banter, meet-cutes over piña coladas, and passionate affairs under the moonlight satisfy readers’ summer cravings for fantasy and fun. Scandalous love triangles, fake engagement plots, and romances between seemingly mismatched characters provide playful and irresistible romantic tension.

The best beach reads for women combine all these elements into page-turning books you can’t put down until you find out what happens. The stories whisk you away to an imaginary getaway full of summer fun without having to leave your lounge chair. With the sound of crashing waves in the background, these entertaining tales make for blissful beach reading any woman will enjoy.

These are all the reasons why I love reading and writing beach reads. I get to travel to fun and exotic locations, create adventurous situations and of course, add in a hunky hero, matchmaking locals and animal friends, and we get an irresistible romance to spice up the soothing sounds of the surf.

My latest beach read, Where Love Blossoms, provides the perfect escape if you’re looking to relax with a side of sweet romance. Maya Chance finds herself instantly attracted to the dashing and somewhat mysterious Luke Hastings. The fictional island of Ile d’Amour is the perfect setting with its tropical scenery, quirky locals with an eye for matchmaking, tall tales of its pirate heritage, and natural beauty. Add a pet monkey who’s endearing but mischievous, a wise innkeeper, an observant bartender, and a taxi driver full of stories and tales, and you get a heartwarming romance with plenty of humor and fun.

Where Love Blossoms by Rachelle Ayala (99c or KindleUnlimited)

Mt. Washington, an urban hiker’s paradise #RachelleAyala @mimisgang1 #mgtab

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We went to Pittsburgh and saw R2D2! Who knew that Pittsburgh has so many delightful secrets, including steps galore, old churches, and unexpected scenic views?

This spring, while vacationing for our son’s graduation from Carnegie Mellon University, my brother-in-law took us on a walking trip on the south side of Pittsburgh near Mt. Washington. The city is full of steps that go up and down the gorges carved out by the three rivers. We stayed in Mt. Washington, on the south side of Pittsburgh. The views from there are awesome, and from one viewpoint, we counted ten bridges. We also did the touristy thing of taking the incline down the slope and back up.

But the highlight of our trip was hiking up and down the miles and miles of steps. Pittsburgh seriously is a city built for mountain goats. Some of the steps are well maintained where others disappear into the bushes. They provide shortcuts through many neighborhoods whereas cars have to go a roundabout route. My sister pointed out a set of houses perched on the hillside that have no street and are accessible only by stairs. Imagine carrying your groceries up every week.

Here I am, halfway up a long series of steps. It’s a beautiful spring day, but can you imagine trudging up and down on your way to work on an icy wintry day?

The city is an eclectic mix of old and new. Many buildings preceded the days of building codes, and we opened a door that was overgrown with plants. It was half filled with dirt inside. There’s also a house with a door that you never want to step out from.

Next time you’re in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, look up some of the Pittsburgh Steps tours. They are self-guided, and be prepared for a nice workout. By the way, the streets are so narrow in the Mt. Washington area that everyone parks their cars on the sidewalk. I’ll always remember Pittsburgh as a city where you curb your car instead of your dog. A common thing locals do is to place a chair on their parking spot to save their car a “seat.”

Hope you enjoyed my introduction to Pittsburgh and a few of their many staircases and steps.

When I’m on vacation, there’s nothing better than relaxing in the evening with a good book. We have a new boxed set for you of romantic stories for you to enjoy – Unforgettable Love, Box Set #30 in our Unforgettable Collection. Hope you enjoy your summer break!