Toddlers and Puppies and Families, oh My!
A big thanks to Lush Book Reviews for hosting me today and allowing me the special opportunity to guest blog!
I must admit The Marriage Bargain has been my favorite book to write so far. A writer is always told one cardinal rule in romance fiction. Keep the focus on the characters and the romance at all times. Oh, and the second is a happy ending.
No problem.
But what I loved so much about writing this book, was the chance to incorporate some elements I never dared to implement before. For instance, my heroine’s family is key in the story and the reason she marries the hero in the first place – to save her childhood home and keep her parents and siblings safe. Of course, my hero knows nothing about these lofty intentions, and instead believes she is only greedy for money. This gives us a good conflict, but add in a hero who hates emotional entanglements such as family, children, and animals, and you have the makings of a fun story. I adore a man who is all uptight, sexy, and likes his order to be challenged and pushed by the messiness of entanglements. Fun, fun, fun! These are some of the things he has to deal with:
A young toddler who forces my hero to do the unthinkable.
A stray dog who pushes emotional buttons from my hero’s past.
An old fashioned Italian family who likes to hug, fuss, and frustrate my hero.
Definitely messy. Definitely uncomfortable. But these items in life are what makes love happen, and that’s the most fun about reading a romance for me. Challenging my characters and forcing them to grow.
What extra elements do you love to read about in your romance?
What type of challenges do you like to throw at your own characters?
Drop me a comment, share, and be entered to win a free copy of The Marriage Bargain! Please leave a email address so we are able to contact you. Good Luck!!
BUY LINKS:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-marriage-bargain-jennifer-probst/1108825359?ean=2940013903296
And remember, stalking is highly encouraged! I love responding to all readers.
Join me on my next stop on the Marriage tour on Thursday, March 1st at Reader Girls!
Thanks and I look forward to hearing from all of you!
Thank so much for hosting me today!
ReplyDeleteThis book looks great! I love to see characters have to work at their relationship and fight for their love. I love great side characters in romance books especially pets. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteZona716(at)gmail(com)
This book sounds like a great read. I love when a story doens't take the easy way but has some bumps in the road. All the better if it is believable!
ReplyDeletemmafsmith at gmail dot com
Thanks so much! Really think you will enjoy it and if you win, drop me a note and let me know how you liked it! Appreciate you stopping by!
ReplyDeleteOh wow, I love stories that take the hero out of his comfort zone. I also enjoy the stories with big family themes. So this book sounds like a win-win to me. I am putting it on my wish list to buy...LOL
ReplyDeletekoonie2888 at yahoo.com
I love seeing really strong characters butt heads and create lots of friction!
ReplyDeleteHI Michelle and Chloe! Yep, I LOVE complications for my characters -the more the better! Thanks so much for stopping by today!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the success of The Marriage Bargain! Sounds like your hero gets way more than he bargained for...fun!
Tracy March :)
Thanks, Tracy! Love your comment - so cute! Appreciate you stopping by!
DeleteI like challenges that requires characters to have to depend on each other and learn about trust. It's not easy but it can add so much to a relationship.
ReplyDeleteCambonified[at]yahoo[dot]com
I like when the heroine marries to save her family and the hero believes she's a gold digger.
ReplyDeletesrbagby50@gmail.com
I love great secondary characters, especially when they're funny. :)
ReplyDeleteI like some extra conflict between the hero and heroine. Nothing insurmountable, but some stuff that seems to pull them apart. Then for them to realize they belong together and will whatever it takes to be together. I like surprise conflicts for them. Secondary characters that also add to the depth of the story.
ReplyDeleteluvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
Very nice cover! I love the over-protective family drama added to the mix... that's always fun and can lead to some not only frustrating, but very humorous moments. Maybe it's because I come from a big family like that myself why I love it so much:) Definitely reading this story!
ReplyDeleteyadkny@hotmail.com
I like the families with unique personalities and meddle in the romance of the hero and heroine (usually trying to help).
ReplyDeleteacm05atjuno.com
What extra elements do you love to read about in your romance?
ReplyDeleteWhat type of challenges do you like to throw at your own characters?
I love it when the heroine is smart and capable and the hero has to learn to support her not take over. I enjoy when the hero and heroine have to work together to solve a problem (big or little). I don't have any specific elements that I look for (like blind hero or different ages). jepebATverizonDOTnet
This book sounds good. I like the revenge aspect.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com