Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Playing Favorites by Nancy Fraser #RomanceGems

Have you ever been asked which of your children is your favorite? Which grandchild? How about whose apple pie is better? Your mom's or your mother-in-laws?

One of the questions authors get asked quite often is: Which of all the books you've written is your favorite?

Like choosing that favorite child/grandchild, it's difficult. Well, not so much difficult as wrong. No matter which you choose, the other books are going to be upset. Each book, like each child, brings something different to the table. One is strong in conflict, the other in action. One brings you to tears, while the other makes you laugh so hard you pee a little.

Because I write across multiple genres, I can cheat and choose an "out" ... a favorite in each genre perhaps. Still, I'm probably hurting the other books' feelings. I truly believe, when I'm not looking, my characters talk to each other. From one book to the next, they discuss why this book got two love scenes, why this one got none. Just like teenage sisters, they're often jealous of one another.

Despite our assurances (or at least mine) that we don't play favorites, it's not true. Deep down, if we look hard enough, every author has a favorite. That book of our heart. The one we had to write.

For me, it was an idea I tweaked based on a true story. I'd met these two women at one of my son's sporting events. Sisters actually. The older of the two was obviously fighting an illness but determined to watch her little boy at play. The younger sister was equally invested in the boy's activity and for a very good reason. Their story moved me. So much so, I knew I had to turn it into a romance. Even though I couldn't change the older sister's destiny, I could create a conflict, a solution, and what we all long for...a happily ever after.

Their story became that book of my heart.

When globe-trotting photographer Allison Cain comes home to her family ranch in Montana it’s to get to know her nephew and to make amends with the widowed brother-in-law she’s left alone to raise his young son.

Evan Carver could never deny his late wife’s younger sister anything, despite the fact she’s been conspicuously absent over the past three years since her sister’s death. Now she’s home again on what she’s called an extended vacation. Evan’s first concern is for his son, Cody, and how his aunt’s visit will affect the five year old when she decides to return to her high profile career.

Allison has no intention of going back to work. In addition to getting to know Cody, she needs to confess her biggest secret to Evan. How do you tell the man you’ve always loved that you’re not just his son’s aunt, but also his mother?

Amazon | B&N | Chapters/Indigo


First Place: International Digital Award for Contemporary Romance

Watch the Trailer



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And, of course there’s our March Rafflecopter drawing that’s up and running for two unique opportunities to help one of our authors name a character in an upcoming book!

Until my next turn on the blog, stay happy, stay healthy, find a favorite something, and stay well read!

Nancy

16 comments:

  1. A secret baby romance! Readers love them! Great concept Nancy.

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  2. How lucky to meet those women and weave their story into your book. A friend of mine loves to eat at a local diner. She always sits at the counter so she can talk to the people who come in and sit there. Most of them she doesn't know. That's how she likes to start her day. Stories everywhere. Have a good one, Nancy.

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  3. I always love the book in progress the most, but in truth (and like with children) I love them equally for the place they signify in my journey (as a writer and human). 💕

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  4. Ooo! Sounds good! I bought a copy! I have several favorites: Timeless, Kentucky Blue Bloods, to name just two.

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  5. Ooh, now you've got me totally intrigued!! And yes, I love all my books, but each one has a special something in it that makes it a favorite. Hard to choose.

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  6. Squeee! Great twist on the secret baby. A 'must read'.

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  7. Can't wait to read this and learn you work this difficult plot out--which I know you will! Nice trailer, Nancy.

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  8. I wish I could remember who said it, but I read an article once about readers not being able to tell which book was one of your heart and which one was excruciatingly difficult to write. I hold onto this and hope it's true, because I really do have favorites. Sigh.

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  9. Can you imagine these two sisters reading this book? "Oh, it reminds me of our story... Wait". Such an intriguing story!

    adissidente [at] gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Iris, I did give an autographed copy to the younger sister after it was published. It had been years since we'd talked but I tracked her down on FB and mailed her a copy.

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    2. Nancy, that was very thoughtful of you! I'm sure she loved it! =)

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  10. I loved the post. It is an amazing thing.
    debby236 at hotmail dot com

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  11. Sounds like a very emotional read.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  12. Thank you to everyone who commented.

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  13. What an interesting premise! I'll have to read it to figure out how, exactly, that works. LOL

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  14. What a great post Nancy! I love the part about the books communicating! Your book sounds amazing, I have to check it out!

    Msredk at AOL dot com

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