We are celebrating Bliss’s 2nd anniversary this month and for the next two weeks join us for guest posts from some amazing romance authors.
Kicking off the celebration is NYT Bestselling author, Marilyn Brant, talking about why she loves Kissing the Maid of Honor by Robin Bielman.
One of the many things I loved about Robin Bielman’s Bliss novel Kissing the Maid of Honor—and, in fact, something I enjoyed in her whole fabulous “Secret Wishes” series—is the emphasis on characters who recognize their wishes and gain a sense of clarity about what they really, truly want.
In Luke and Sela’s romance, Sela makes a wish to just make it through her best friend’s upcoming wedding. Why? Because Luke (her friend’s big brother) is going to be there, and seeing him brings back so many memories…not all of them pleasant. But what’s behind Sela’s simple wish is a much more complex one, and I think that’s often the case for most of us.
How many times have we wished for something small—for example, to have someone special wave at us, to win some sort of accolade, or even to find the perfect outfit for a major occasion—but we knew that wish was just a symbol for a far deeper one—such as to meet a person who sincerely loves us, to be recognized for our talents and hard work, or to stand out in a crowded room (in a good way) in the eyes of someone whose opinion we value?
One of the biggest wishes humans have—and I’m pretty sure this is true for both fictional people and real ones—is to be genuinely known and still loved. So often, we crave that feeling from our community, whether it’s a small town, a tight-knit group of book club pals, or the regulars at our favorite haunt. (Who else immediately pictures the TV show “Cheers” and that bar where “everybody knows your name,” hmm?) But we especially crave this level of acceptance from those who inhabit our inner circle: Our family. Our best friends. Our romantic significant others.
Behind just about every small, surface wish, I suspect there lurks a stronger, more passionate and powerful one. It reminds me that no matter what our age, no matter where we live or what we do, we all want to find that place where we’re most at home, and we want to connect with the people who make us feel not only the most like ourselves, but also glad to be that way.
I wrote about a character who visits Rome in my novel A Summer in Europe, and my heroine makes the traditional “three wishes” by throwing a coin for each wish into the famous Trevi Fountain. (It’s something I did myself when I was there!) How about you? Do you make wishes by tossing coins into fountains or wishing wells? When blowing out birthday candles? Or, maybe, on shooting stars? Anywhere else?
Thank you so much to Marilyn for joining us!
Marilyn Brant is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of contemporary women’s fiction, romantic comedy and mystery. She was named the Author of the Year (2013) by the Illinois Association of Teachers of English. She loves all things Jane Austen, has a passion for Sherlock Holmes, is a travel addict and a music junkie, and lives on chocolate and gelato. Her latest contemporary romance is Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet (July 2014). Visit her website at: www.marilynbrant.com.
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The course of true love doesn’t always run smooth — not even for millionaire bachelors…
Everyone thought Beth Ann Bennet and Dr. Will Darcy had an unexpected romance in Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Match (Perfect #1). Now, Beth’s best friend, Jane Henderson, and Will’s first cousin, Bingley McNamara, begin their own unlikely love story in Pride, Prejudice and the Perfect Bet (Perfect #2), which starts at the Darcy/Bennet wedding when they find themselves in the roles of maid of honor and best man for the newlyweds.
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Kissing her best friend’s brother never felt so right…
Sela Sullivan is resolved to be the best maid of honor ever, even if it means tolerating the best man. Insufferable, too-handsome Luke Watters is not only the guy who humiliated her at a kissing booth in high school, but he also happens to be her best friend’s older brother. Positive he’s the same arrogant jock, Sela vows to focus on her duties and steer clear of the frustrating—and frustratingly tempting—Luke.
As a world-renowned extreme-sports photographer, Luke is used to undertaking life-risking adventures. But risking his heart for the beautiful Sela Sullivan, who clearly still hates him for his rejection all those years ago? He didn’t see that coming. Sela inspires a passion he’s never known, and the more time they spend together, the more he craves her. But can he prove to the maid of honor he’s become a man of honor?
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