I’ve decided to invite guest writers to my blog on Fridays, beginning today with the amazing Zoe York…

LOVE IN A SMALL TOWN

Six years. Two break-ups. One divorce.
They should be over each other…

Police officer and army reservist Rafe Minelli knows better than to tell his wife no, particularly since they aren’t married anymore. She can’t hightail it out of town, though, not when they’ve finally broken through the post-divorce cold war status quo.

Olivia Minelli needs to leave Pine Harbour. It’s just too hard to see Rafe moving on without her—even if he says he doesn’t want to. But when a new and exciting job falls into her lap, she needs to choose: protect her heart, or take the new job and risk getting emotionally entangled with her ex-husband. Again.

GET IT FREE TODAY AT:

Amazon US: http://www.smarturl.it/LiaSTAmzn

Barnes & Noble: http://www.smarturl.it/LiaSTBN

Kobo: http://www.smarturl.it/LiaSTKobo

iBooks: http://www.smarturl.it/LiaSTiBooks

More information:

http://zoeyork.com/books/pine-harbour/

Committed Passion is a series finale, each couples’ story is moved along a little further and loose endings are tied up. I enjoyed revisiting all the characters and at the same time I was happy to say goodbye so I can start something new. Not sure exactly what the next series will be. I started on a MC (motorcycle club) romance a while back but about a chapter in I realized I wasn’t achieving the grit factor expected in these types of romances. But maybe I’ll work on it anyway. In the meantime, I hope you’ll enjoy Committed Passion. Buy links are on the book’s page here on the web site.

The Wyatt brothers and their special ladies are back to celebrate a wedding in a final novella.

 If you enjoyed Leah and J.D.’s story in Blind Passion but wanted to see how they worked out some of their issues, Committed Passion is for you.

 If you’re a fan of Gina and Micah, who bicker and banter but fall in love by the end of Dangerous Passion, here’s a chance to learn more about how they settle into each others lives.

 Or if Jonah and Rianna’s pussyfooting around love in Guarded Passion intrigued you, they’re back and contemplating lifetime commitment.

 Three couples. Six points of view. Three stories tied up and resolved—more or less.

In keeping with blogging on a more regular basis, I’ve decided to cast Wednesday as something like a show and tell day.  I want to highlight movies, shows, stage plays, songs that move me and which others might enjoy.

Today on my mp3 player, a song from A Home at the End of the World came up in the queue reminding me how much I really enjoy this movie. Sad, sweet, sexy, soulful, all the good “s” words. Two boyhood friends with a special bond later try to build a life together along with a third. Can three be a family or only a crowd? Here’s the trailer. Trust me and rent the movie if you’ve never seen it.

And the song from my playlist, Something Somewhere by Duncan Sheik. (no video just audio on this)

This morning I was thinking about what common theme is contained in all romance novels of any sub genre. What I came up with is longing and frustration of that longing. The protagonists desire someone seemingly outside their grasp and spend most of the book fighting desire. Sometimes there are external forces keeping the lovers apart, but I believe the most gut wrenching novels are ones in which the protagonist(s) are basically punishing themselves by denying what they crave. Isn’t it so satisfying to see the steps of their journey as they falter their way to a happy ending?

I believe romance is such a popular genre because everyone has experienced a longing for something (or someone) that seems impossible to achieve. Maybe a high school crush that never came to fruition. Maybe something more current. But the sheer need which must be denied for whatever reason is  such a basic, primitive thing. Hang any plot around it you want, reaching for something just beyond reach is the crux of romance. IMO.

about The Bohemian and the Banker.

The Blogger Girls, Heather
I’m always a huge fan of virgins and self discovery, and I was quickly drawn into Nigel and Jay’s whirlwind romance.

Crystal’s Many Reviewers
The descriptions of everything from the food to the dresses to the smells to the art, you felt like you were walking down those streets with Nigel and Jay.

M/M Book Reviews, Zane
I was captivated by Jay as much as Nigel was, and I loved how he was able to transform Nigel’s fear and shyness into eagerness, willingness.

Joyfully Jay, Susan
We get to see the people under their facades—be they bland business suits and dolled-up frocks—and that gives this character-driven tale the required depth, purpose and meaning. The message of learning to love another as well as yourself continues to be relevant to this day. Recommended read.

Prism Book Alliance, Teresa
I could feel the atmosphere of time and place. Both characters radiated their station and yet were wholly themselves. I loved seeing Nigel come apart and break through his stuffy façade for Jay. Jay was truly a bohemian soul but seeing him fall for banker Nigel was heartwarming.

Lovebytes Reviews, Carissa
I don’t get very many chances to read stories set in the early 1900’s so this was a joy to find. I totally recommend this book if you love historicals, cross-dressing, and two men who are perfect for each other.

Heroes and Heartbreakers, Janet
The Parisian setting of Bonnie Dee and Summer Devon’s The Bohemian and the Banker is as transformative as the romance itself—surely everything is possible in the City of Lights. Nigel is a closeted gay man, who has never pursued his attraction to men; but here, his secret desires are freed.