Hi Maggie! Thank you so much for having me on the blog today.
I’m excited to be Springing into Romance, but, as a romance writer that’s something I do every day. I love romance. I love to read it, I love to write it. The thrill of falling in love never gets old. But for me, it’s about so much more than that.
A predominant theme in my books has been that love is the most powerful force in the world. Love conquers all. I like to take too people who are badly in need of healing, and let the power of love intervene in their lives.
For me, romance is about the characters. It’s what makes it interesting. Having characters who, aren’t necessarily perfect, but who I can root for, who I can relate to. Which is another great thing about romance. Love is universal, it crosses socioeconomic boundaries, borders, race, color and creed.
I think one thing people may not understand about the romance genre, and category romance specifically, is how much freedom there is within the ‘promises’ of the genre. Yes, a romance must always have a happy ending in order to be a romance. But that makes the journey you take to that ending even more important. It’s not relying on the element of surprise to keep the reader invested. It’s relying on character, emotion, and a darn good story .
Within category romance, you have the general promise of the romance genre, but you have the promise of each individual line as well. I write for Harlequin Presents, which promises glamor, passion, high octane emotion and unforgettable men. But withing that promise…there is so much room to play!
I’ve had the chance to write about a very driven business woman who proposes marriage to a stranger to secure the job she wants. An ordinary woman who, thanks to an IVF clinic mix-up, finds herself expecting a prince’s heir. A cupcake baker who falls in love with her best friend. An event planner who falls in love with her widower boss. A rebellious princess who falls for her (very sexy and masculine, mind you!) virgin bodyguard.
I’ve had the chance to explore themes of redemption, loss, revenge..and cupcakes.
And all with a happy ending.
Speaking of cupcakes, my cupcake baker heroine just landed on my doorstep yesterday, and I’d like to give a copy away! Tell me what you like about romance in the comments, or ask me a question, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a copy of One Night in Paradise!
Here’s the blurb…
All her most exotic fantasies are about to bubble over into reality!
Clara Davis knows the moment yes slips from her lips that she’s in way over her head. Just how is she supposed to pretend to be her boss’s fiancée on his luxury honeymoon?
Zack Parsons’s Don’t date the staff rule has prevented him from ever seeing beyond Clara’s baker’s apron. But now he’s looking at her in a completely different, rather more tempting light. Giving in to one night of wickedness should be enough to satisfy their new-found cravings…
Shouldn’t it?
I love your books plus you get the BEST covers! Thank you for blogging today. xoMaggie
I think the possibilities in romance really intrigue me. It could be in film or book or even real life. It can happen to anyone anytime and anywhere. Thanks for the giveaway!
Margaret
singitm(at)hotmail(dot)com
I like the way you make me sob like a baby…..
Actually I tell a lie. I love it.
I like the fact that in a few thousand words I become so invested in the characters of a romance I'm practically screaming at them to stop faffing about and get it on already! And yes, Ms Yates, you have a particular knack for making me snot-cry so I have to read your books in private O_o
Hi Maisey and Maggie,
Thank you Maggie for highlighting Maisey today.
Maisey I love reading romance books with strong heroines. And all your heroine sounds strong.
Congratulations on the release.
laurafield13@yahoo.com
I love that word – wickedness! LOL This book sounds great. Best of luck!
Hi Maisey – I loved reading about many of the premises in your books – especially that virgin body guard. I can't honestly say I've ever read a virgin hero before. Love it!
I love romance for many of the same reasons you do, but most especially because love honest love does conquer all. And though it isn't easy, and those in need of it must be strong and determined not to give up, love can redeem the most seemingly unreedemable – now that's power, baby!
Hi Maisey – I am so jealous that you got a hero with facial hair!! Great cover and fun topic. One of my favorite TV shows is Cupcake Wars!! I will one day write a story about it too. I enjoyed your blog today!!
Hello everyone!!
Maggie, thanks again for having me!
Margaret, that's very true! There are ENDLESS possibilities in romance!
Fiona…haha!
LOL Karina!! NOoooOOOoo! Not the snot-crying! Dreaded, that is!
Laura, I love a strong heroine too. 😀
Roz, I love the wickedness!! And thank you!
Lynne, It's my not-so-secret shame that I'm very intrigued by a virgin hero! I had SO much fun writing it…it really wasn't healthy! (Incidentally the book is A Royal World Apart, UK July, US December)
Charlene, yeah! A man capable of growing a beard! You can't resist the lure of cupcakes! And thank you so much!
Hi Maisey!
Love your cover(s)! Weren't we just talking about this? I love that a well written book can transport me to another place. And I love that romance books will always give me the happy ending I crave!
All righty, I pulled a random number out of a hat (or generated it online…but the hat sounds jauntier…) and my winner is Charlene Sands!! Charlene you can email me with deets through the contact form on my website here: http://www.maiseyyates.com/contact/ or you can DM me on twitter.
Maisey
Thank you for being here today. You are a wonderful person and a fantastic writer. I am so blessed to know you. Thank you for participating in Spring Into Romance.
xoxoMaggie
waaaay too good to miss out on this!
what do i like about romance?
that with each story i read, i'm inspirited to keep believing for one for me! 🙂
thank you for that!!