Wild Card Weekend: Tales from the X side

PHS Editor Donna Alward chats about the constant struggle with writer's bottom, what she's doing about it, and how sometimes things don't add up....

Writer's bottom is a constant struggle a lot of us deal with. It comes from working in a job - as most of us do - that requires your butt in the chair. And things spread in some really ugly ways.

After having the kids I lost weight and kept it off for quite a while, but it began creeping on again after I got The Call in July of 2006. A year later I'd added 10 lbs. By spring of 08 I'd added 20 more. And by February 2010, yet another 20. Fifty pounds in total.

Last year I lost 14 of it, put 7 back on, and then finally in December I got my crap together and I've been slowly losing ever since. Slowly because I plateau a lot. Slowly because I am making changes that hopefully will last FOREVER rather than being a drastic "diet" that will result in me putting it all back on again. Dietary wise it is about ensuring I get enough protein and cutting back on starchy carbs and watching my fruit. I let myself eat all sorts of non starchy veggies. When I signed up for RWA Nationals in New York, I had extra motivation. Because at RWA 09 I saw pics of myself and was decimated. I don't want that to happen again.

Has it come off as fast as I'd like? No. I wanted to reach my goal weight and truthfully I still have 1 week and several pounds to go. BUT I have had results. I got to "shop" for conference clothing in my closet and some clothes that I haven't been able to get into in several years.

The latest weapon in my arsenal against Writer's Bottom is P90X. The husband and I had done Power 90 - Beachbody's "easier" program and really enjoyed the style of the workouts, the fact that we worked and sweat and still had fun. We both liked the resistance bands too. So for Mother's Day I asked for P90X - if you've seen the infomercial you know what I mean. If you haven't, go to www.beachbody.com and you will find it there. It's labelled "Extreme Fitness" and it is intense.

Tony Horton (developer and DVD leader) has a saying that is "do your best and forget the rest". You should push yourself to failure reps, but if you can't do as many as Tony does it's okay. Good thing too - there are some exercises that starting out I could only do five and had to work my way up. My initial goal was to do SOME of everything, and I did. The one caveat is that we aren't set up for a pull up bar, so we end up using the bands/weider machine to do pull downs instead.

It comes with a food guide too, though I have no idea how I'm going to eat all that I'm supposed to by phase 3. A cool discovery? I sometimes have to eat more to lose weight. Each workout is an hour except for Cardio X which is 45 minutes. Yoga is a long 90 minutes, and at the end of each resistance workout you add Ab Ripper X which is another 16. It is a big commitment and you burn mucho calories and build muscle.

My fave workouts so far are Shoulders and Arms and Kenpo X which is martial arts and a blast! I have seen results already, and when I finish a workout I feel AWESOME.

But you know, it's still hard because I'm still large. Even after losing as much as I have, even after fitting into clothes I haven't for a while, I'm still much bigger than I should be. I can feel tall and strong and then see myself reflected in a window and feel - just for a few minutes - discouraged and, as one weight loss buddy put it last year - blobular.  It doesn't add up sometimes - how the number on the scale and the size of my jeans seems so BIG and then I look at what I'm capable of physically.  In some ways I'm in the best "shape" or fitness level that I've been since first year university. Hmph.

I have 8 weeks of P90X left (I'm doing the lean program) and then I think I'm going to try the Classic version which is 1 workout lighter on the cardio and heavier on the resistance training.

And when I'm in New York in a little over a week, I'm going to NOT look at myself in windows but instead enjoy every moment.

Donna's latest release is A FAMILY FOR THE RUGGED RANCHER, out in the UK and India this month. She's signing books at RWA Nationals in New York and also giving a workshop, How to Write Sizzle Without Sex and Emotion Without Tragedy with pal Fiona Harper and Sr Editor, Romance, Bryony Green.

Date With Kate: A Question of Balance – Why Too Much Even of A Good Thing Can be Just Too Much

We’ve had some extremes of weather around here lately.  First there was the unexpected and unseasonably warm Spring. Long hot days that were much warmer than the normal average temperature, dry  Bank Holidays – a thing usually unheard of for any UK Bank Holiday, let alone the early May one . . . and the late May one.   For a start everyone loved it. It was warm, it was dry, it was great.

And then it went on and on . . .and on. It was too dry. Too warm. It was wearing, worrying. The gardens needed water, the farmers were concerned about their fields and the crops in them.  All that everyone could talk about was how much we needed rain.   After what seemed like a long, long time, the rain came – buckets of it, deluges. Too much, too heavy – in places it was dangerous.  Plants were battered down, floods threatened.  In both cases, the weather that had seemed welcome became too much to appreciate, value, let alone enjoy.

It’s the same with that all important ‘emotional intensity’ that editors are looking for in a story and that seems, from so many discussions I’ve had at courses and workshops I’ve taught, to give so many would-be writers – and some published ones – so much trouble to deliver. Editors constantly say they are looking for emotional punch and it’s up to the author to deliver it. But so often the author thinks she has delivered it – because she has piled on that emotion, there’s lots of heartache, an unhappy childhood, perhaps some family cruelty, poverty, misery and desolation . . . . But all this doesn’t actually equal that ‘punch’.

Remember the ‘misery memoirs’ that were - strangely, to me – so very popular last year? It seemed that every second person was bringing out a book about the way they were beaten abused, used, derided . . . It got so that I almost felt that I had failed my son, who wants to be a writer and has a lot of talent, by giving him a happy family background with lots of enjoyable days and no abuse. What would he find to write about? Anyway, those books dragged on and on about the unhappy lives these people had lived – and some of them inspired emotions and sympathy, but then as more and more of them appeared, the emotions became numbed, the impact of the feelings that were written about stopped hitting home. Or think of a horror film where the first appearence of a monster is scary, the next has less impact, the next . . . .

I remember once, a long time ago, when I had written  a particularly emotional scene in a story.   I was worried that I had gone over the top, so I asked my editor what she thought.   She wasn’t worried at all – ‘Go on till I tell you to stop,’ she said.  In fact I think she could have taken more of the heightened emotions.  But my point is that this scene was one of emotion, response and reaction between the hero and the heroine. And it was  a scene, not a long series of them. The emotions I was creating had time to build up to them, and enough time to have the impact they needed.

So many  writers  now seem to think that backgrounds like those misery memoirs, or descriptions of the grinding poverty or stress in which, say the heroine lives, are filling the book with emotions.  The bedsit where she lives has cracked and filthy floor covering, there is a hole in the window,  she drinks out of a cracked and chipped cup . . . .   They think that this is building that emotional intensity, giving the story emotional punch, when in fact they are having the effect of too much sun – or rain – you just end up wishing it was over. Emotional  tension comes from the interaction of the hero and heroine. It is about their thoughts and feelings, the way they react to each other as a result.

It’s the same with sex. Sexual passion is a wonderful thing – to experience and to write about. It’s totally natural,  absolutely necessary that our heroes and heroines should fancy the pants off each other.  They wouldn’t be made for each other if they didn’t. And sex used in a story, at a vital and natural point, to express, confuse, complicate, add to the feelings they already have for each other is another great way to add to that emotional conflict, up the tension. No – wait a  minute – what I really mean is that sexual tension is a great way to do that.  Too many sex scenes where your  characters are in bed together, having sex – sex that doesn’t change anything -  brings on that numbed brain syndrome again.   Because, to be honest, we all know what happens in sex -  fit part A into slot B,  tweak, thrust, gasp, arch a back . . . reach the stars (this is romance we’re writing here) And repeat? Well maybe – maybe not. Which  brings the most emotion, adds to the tension? More or less? Isn’t it much more likely to create tension – in all sorts of ways – if they don’t actually have sex?

One thing that I see too little of in books these days is the  space for ‘down time’, time when things seem to ease off between your hero and heroine, when there is a sort of peace – a chance to breathe. Those moments don’t diffuse the tension, they increase it, because the reader knows what’s coming. It’s not time for the Happy Ever After –so what is just around the corner, what is lurking out of sight?  It’s almost like cueing the sinister music. Think of the moment in a film, or on a ‘soap’ where someone says they’ve never been so happy – or that at last things are going right . . It's like waiting for the shark in Jaws .  ..dum de dum de dum . . .

I’m about to launch into my annual set of reading for the  Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writers’ Scheme – and if I could  create a wish list of what I’d love to see in the submissions I receive, up there on the list, along with  fewer stereotype ‘ Harlequin/Mills & Boon characters’ , less arguments about everything in the name of ‘conflict’,  more believable reasons for each characters being suspicious of the other, would be more balance – more characters without ‘misery memoir’ lives behind them, more reasons for doing things other than just because they are so desperately poor,  more feelings and questions and ways of dealing with things  - and more reasons for falling in love with each other – than just overwhelming sexual enslavement.

None of the things I’ve been talking about is actually bad or wrong to see in a romance – I’ve used every one of them and will probably do so again. But after a time too many impoverished heroines, too many heroes with terrible  relationships with their parents, all end up looking like cookie cutter shapes.  Add in that overwhelming sexual passion that hits from nowhere, takes up scenes where emotions and feelings could be expressed in words, actions. . . what used to be called the  ‘getting to know you’  part of the story – and you end up with something so predictable and similar to all the other submissions that it has the opposite effect from what you’re aiming for. The ‘emotional tension’ is lost under the impact of that  brain numbing sense of too much.

The buzzword that is coming out from Mills and Boon latelyis ‘unpredictability’ . Last year at the RNA Conference, the line the editors quoted  was ‘Innovate, don’t imitate.’ What I’m suggesting is that one of the ways of being  less predictable, appearing less imitative is  by remembering that ‘less is more’. Certainly, piling more and more – background, details of poverty, events, cruel stepmothers . . . into the mix doesn’t create more emotion which is where the tension and the punch really lies. The place where you find that is in the interaction between your hero and heroine. The feelings they have for each other and the tension that creates between them.  That’s where the emotional punch of your story lies.

Kate is delighted and honoured to learn that her  most recent title - The Proud Wife is the Pink Heart's  Book Club Pick for June 30th. This book was out in the UK in March and in Presents Extra in April.  

Coming up is the 'Wuthering Heights' book - The Return of the Stranger and as she's hust been sent a copy of the great cover, she can't resist sharing it here.

You can find out more about this book, and all of Kate's other novels on her web site   and all the most up to date news  is posted on her blog

What Are You Reading...Karen Whiddon and giveaway

Romantic Suspense and Nocturne Author Karen Whiddon reveals what is in her reading pile and offers a giveaway.

Well, these days I do most of my reading on my Kindle.  Though I write romance (and read it), often I like to read completely outside of my genre.  Science Fiction and Fantasy, Horror, and Young Adult books are among those I've delved into recently. 

I've just finished N.K. Jemison's The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.  I liked it so much that I immediately ordered the second book in the trilogy The Broken Kingdoms.  Next up on my reading list is a young adult book called Divergent by Veronica Roth.  I'm really looking forward to that one.

For poolside reading, I like magazines.  I subscribe to the usual - Southern Living, Better Homes and Gardens, Woman's Day.  I'm also a big fan of Oxygen Magazine, and eagerly devour the new issue every month when it comes out.

Finally, I adore the Hungry Girl cookbooks and read those.  Since I recently quit the day job to write full time, I'm cooking more and love to cook healthy.  Tosca Reno also has a great cookbook out called The Eat Clean Diet.  Love it!

This month, my June Harlequin Romantic Suspense is out - The CEO's Surprise Baby.  One lucky winner will receive a copy. So leave a somment. 

Until next time!

To find out more about Karen's books, have a look at her website http://www.karenwhiddon.com/

Writer's Wednesday: Core Story Question

Harlequin Romance author Susan Meier Gets to the Bottom of the importance of the Core Story

I do a lot of teaching, especially online. And one of the greatest tricks I have found to help myself and other writers get to the heart of our stories is a core story question.
Like it or not, every time a reader picks up a romance, she expects certain things. Every time a reader picks up a thriller, she expects other things. Every time a reader picks up a sci-fi, she expects a totally different set of things.

And how do we know what readers expect from every book in the genre or subgenre currently popular?

Because at its heart every genre and subgenre has a core story question.

Every genre or subgenre has its own "signature" question that makes a book fit that genre.  It’s a marketing tool for booksellers to know how to shelve books, but more than that it's also a tool that helps an author keep his or her book focused so it not only results in a tight book. . .it also ensures a book hits its market.

Some of you are going to rebel against this because you WANT to be writing mainstream. You WANT to appeal to a broad audience.

I agree. I applaud you, but don't turn away the tool that might jumpstart your story and give it enough focus that readers will love you.

For instance. . .

In CJ Lyons’ workshop, Thrills, Chills and Spills, How to Write the Modern-Day Thriller, she says, “The story question of a mystery is Who. Who done it?” LOL. The protagonist works to figure out who killed the cop, who murdered the mom, who blew up the bishop. Who done it?

The story question of a thriller is how? How will your protagonist save the world (albeit his or her own personal world) from the evil villain intent on destroying it?

That’s pretty obvious stuff. But how do YOU as author use it? How can it make writing your book easier? How can it make your book better?

To answer those questions, let’s look at the movie AIR FORCE ONE with Harrison Ford.

After the plane of the president of the United States is hijacked and most of the secret service agents on board are killed, it's pretty clear almost immediately that the president is going to have to save himself. So the question becomes how.

How will an aging military hero save himself when he's trapped on a plane, has no weapon, is outgunned and the villains are using his family against him?

Did you notice what I did there? I took the broad and general 'GENRE' question for a thriller (How will the protagonist save the world) and turned it into a concise story question for a specific story.
Because that's what makes your book unique. If you’re writing a thriller, the way you twist or turn or enhance YOUR version of the “how will the hero save the world” question is the way you make your book great, or different, or unique.

So right off the bat you need to know what genre you are writing so you know how to direct your story, but once you know that, you can manipulate the question with your story facts and make your story the best it can be.

The core story question of a romance seems to be:

How?

How will the hero and heroine get together?

But that isn’t really a romance because there is no mention of conflict. And as we all know, conflict is at the heart of most great romance novels. So we need to show our conflict in that story question, which means we have to take that question one step further.

The real question is: How will the hero and heroine get together in spite of their differences – and the intense internal conflict that separates them?

Without the distinction of conflict in your core story question, the answer to "How will they get together?" could be that a neighbor arranges a date and they have seven more dates and, boom, they get married.

You'd still have a book, but you wouldn't have a romance novel because your story wouldn't be rich or deep in the way that today's romance novels are. So adding the conflict into the core story question reminds you that you must have a conflict that keeps your novel focused.

Let’s take a look at the core story question for my book SNOWBOUND BABY, an oldie but a goodie for Silhouette Romance.

The heroine is a single mom who needs a commitment. Her parents stayed together for her sake, but the moment she turned 18 they divorced and then basically abandoned her so they could start the “new” families they’d always longed for.

The hero is the middle brother of three who were left to fend for themselves when their parents died . . . and run the family construction company.  Because the oldest brother was 20 he became the “parent” to his younger brothers and didn’t do such a bang up job. In fact, the brothers got into a ripsnorter of a fight, and our hero left. His name is Cooper by the way. The heroine is Zoe.

So what’s the core story question?

How will an abandoned single mom who needs a commitment and a reclusive rancher who wants nothing to do with people ever get together when 1) they are stuck together in a cabin in the woods in a snowstorm; 2) he’s antisocial; 3) she believes she’s unlovable; and 4) as soon as the snowplow goes through they’ll never see each other again?

That question gives us a very strong sense of the book and could literally guide us the whole way through to the end, just by letting the conflict tell the story.

Letting the conflict tell the story! Now, that’s a great idea. In fact, it’s such a great idea I teach a whole workshop on it! LOL Unfortunately, we’re out of space…so we’ll save that discussion for another day.

Any questions on the core story question? I’ll be happy to answer them.

Find out more about Susan and her books on her website. http://www.susanmeier.com/  Her latest book for Harlequin Romance is Baby on the Ranch ( May 2011)

DEADLINE RECIPES - Pumpkin and Pecan Soup

This week columnist Annie West shares one of her favourite recipes: easy, cheap and tasty enough to keep the whole family quiet while you focus on your deadline.

I hope this recipe works for you as it does for me. It's been a great standby when I'm faced with a hungry family on the prowl for food when I'm busy trying to finish a book. It's one of those recipes that you can alter to your own taste. In fact there is no written recipe - it's one I devised over the years when I realised I really didn't like soup that tasted like boiled pumpkin, yet still wanted something quick and easy that would keep everyone quiet.

It's closing in for winter here now and I just made an enormous pot of this about 4 days ago. It went down a treat. I usually include:

a pumpkin (butternut for preference but it doesn't matter),
vegetable stock (I buy the vacuum packed containers),
an onion or two,
bacon or, if you prefer, chorizo
garlic
pecans (shelled)
tinned chopped tomatoes (optional)

You can make this soup with a big chunk of pumpkin or with a whole pumpkin - just vary the amounts to suit. The instructions below suit a whole pumpkin.

Peel the pumpkin and chop into big pieces. I make slices between 1/2 - 3/4" thick. Lay the pieces on baking paper (optional but it cuts down the cleaning) on an oven tray or 2. Add a couple of peeled, whole cloves of garlic (I used 5 big cloves last time but my family adores garlic. If you don't enjoy it don't include).

Bake or grill in a moderate oven till a sharp knife goes in easily and remove from the oven. If I remember I turn the pumpkin over once during cooking but it doesn't matter. The aim is to get that nice, roast rather than boiled flavour. If you're likely to forget, set a timer for 20 mins then check again 10 mins later.

While the pumpkin is cooking, take your biggest saucepan and fry a couple of rashers of bacon (roughly chopped) and 2 large onions (roughly chopped) for 5-10 minutes. Add a handful or two of pecans and stir.

Add the pumpkin and garlic to the saucepan with 2 litres (approx 4US pints/3.5 UK pints) of stock. You can add a tin of chopped tomatoes if that appeals. Stir and heat through.

Blend the soup and season to taste. I find if I've used bought stock there's no need for extra salt.

Eat immediately or store in fridge or freezer for future use. If you've got a particularly thick soup just add a little extra water when you heat it. We serve it with hot buttered toast.

Enjoy! And of course, if you have a fave soup recipe of your own to share, I've love to hear about it!

Annie is celebrating winter in Australia with the news her new release PRINCE OF SCANDAL is Harlequin's Book of the Month! It's available from all the usual stores and you can read an excerpt or go in a contest to win a copy on her website.

She's thrilled that RAFE'S REDEMPTION is available now to North American readers (only from the eHarlequin site). This book was previously released elswhere as 'The Billionaire's Bought Mistress'. Here is the link to read more or buy it.

Male on Monday:Ryan Gosling

Harlequin Romance author Nina Harington celebrates Canadian Ryan Gosling

I had no idea how difficult it would be to choose just one Male on Monday until I had to finally put fingers to the keyboard and decide between my two favourite male movie heroes at the moment. Ryan Reynolds – and Ryan Gosling.

Both Canadian. Both super gorgeous. But totally different in their acting styles and choice of roles.

So sorry my lovely Ryan Reynolds, but my Male on Monday this week is Ryan Gosling.

Why? He is different. Clever. A method actor who likes to totally immerse himself in the characters he is portraying.  For example, in the movie, ‘Lars and the Real Girl,’ Ryan plays a second son who lives alone in the converted garage of his family house while his brother stays with his very pregnant wife [ a wonderful Emily Mortimer  ] in the main house.

Ryan actually lived that part, staying in that garage before filming started so that he appears on film as a totally convincing and empathetic character. We understand why he is so lonely and desperate that he orders a life size female doll and convinces himself that she is his real girlfriend Bianca. Now the premise of that story might not seem so great – until you realise the whole movie is about the character arc for Lars and how Bianca changes both him and his small town for the better – and yes, he does meet a real girl.

In total contrast, in the thriller’ Fracture,’ Ryan plays a Los Angeles public prosecutor who is determined to prove that brilliant engineer Anthony Hopkins murdered his wife when he discovered that she was having an affair. It is a clever script and Ryan plays a character who has to decide whether to seek justice for the dead wife or further his own legal career.  Clever, believable and interesting – because of that dilemma and the character played so brilliantly by Ryan Gosling.

And then there is the romantic film which truly captured the public imagination  - the film version of ‘The Notebook’ by Nicholas Sparks. Not a dry eye in the cinema.

I confess to not having seen  ‘Blue Valentine’ but from the trailer it shows all of the characteristic poignant, loving, real and character rich acting that Ryan is known for. 

So I am determined to catch his new romantic movie ‘Crazy, Stupid Love,’ as soon as I can over this summer – where, for once, my Ryan plays a smooth womaniser. And he takes his shirt off. Several times.

Nina Harrington writes warm, witty and wildly romantic novels for the RIVA and Harlequin Romance Line. Her latest RIVA book ‘Her Moment in the Spotlight’ is out now.

Nina’s stories have been honored with the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award for Best Harlequin Romance of 2010, the Cataromance Reviewer’s Choice Award and her first novel was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists Association Love Story of the Year Award. Pop over to Nina’s Blog at; http://ninaharrington.wordpress.com and her website at  http://ninaharrington.com to find out more.

Romance Review Roundup

Book Description:

Kiss me,’ he growled… ‘And make it believable.’

Alone and scared on the dark streets of Moscow, staid, bespectacled Paige Barnes has no choice but to comply with the handsome stranger’s command…

Little does Paige know she’s been rescued by Alexei Voronov—a Russian prince and her boss’s deadliest rival. Now he has Paige unexpectedly in his sights, Alexei is prepared to play emotional Russian roulette to keep her close and discover her true motives. But in his splendid gilded palace his game of chance spins out of control and passion takes over…

It’s only when she’s back home that Paige realises she’s pregnant with the Prince’s baby…

Review Link

  

Book Description:

As a teenager, Mirandi Summers was a preacher’s daughter straight-laced and virginal. Joe Sinclair was the boy from the wrong side of the tracks who led Mirandi deliciously astray.

Now a CEO, Joe hires Mirandi as his Executive Assistant. But on a business trip to the French Riviera, Mirandi discovers Joe’s devilish side isn’t far beneath his new, polished exterior. Especially when Joe pulls her into his hotel room and locks the door.

Review link 

Book Description:

‘You don’t know me, but I’m having your baby.’

Dominic Pirelli’s carefully ordered world falls apart when a female stranger phones with staggering news: an IVF mix-up means she is carrying the baby that he and his late wife dreamed of having!

Though he distrusts her motives, Dominic is determined to keep waif-like Angelina Cameron close. Taking her to his luxury home, reluctantly the hardened tycoon begins to admire Angie’s strength and gentle beauty as her body swells with the precious life inside her.

But when their baby is born, who will have custody of the Pirelli heir?

Review Link

Back of the Book

World-famous racing driver Cristiano Maresca always spent the night before a race in the arms of a beautiful woman…

One night three years ago that woman was Kate Edwards, and her time with Cristiano awakened her to unimaginable pleasure. But the following day the untamable Cristiano had a near-fatal crash…and then Kate discovered she was expecting his baby….

Now Monte Carlo is set to celebrate Cristiano's return to the track. Shivering with nerves, Kate braves the paparazzi to find the man who set her body aflame—and tell him her scandalous secret….Italy's most notorious playboy has a love child!

Review Link  

Back of the Book

After her mother died, Ashley Jones spent her childhood in care and foster homes. Alone in the world, she desperately needs her new live-in job as an author's assistant. But she is filled with trepidation when she arrives at isolated Blackwood Manor and meets the formidable Jack Marchant.

Ashley thinks she is just a drab nobody…but her heart goes out to handsome but arrogant, tortured Jack, though she has no idea what troubles him. What is the secret that he keeps hidden? It is only after Jack proposes marriage and Ashley joyfully accepts that she finds out…and, for this innocent bride-to-be, the truth is shocking….

Review link

Book Description:

She committed a sin...and hides a shocking secret...

Ramon Velaquez, heir to the Velaquez winery, clearly stated his cardinal rule to Lauren Maitland – he can’t promise her more than a red-hot affair. Whilst she heard the words, her heart wasn’t listening, and her punishment for falling in love was to be sent away. Two years later, and Ramon still can’t escape the memories of the woman he banished. But when he finds Lauren again she’s independent, strong, and harbouring a shocking secret...

Review Link    

 Book Description:

Vittorio Ralfino, the Count of Cazlevara, is back in Italy to make a business proposition. He wishes to marry a traditional wife, and Anamaria Viale—sturdy, plain and from a good vintner's family—perfectly fits his bill.

Ana is stunned that Vittorio is offering her—an ugly duckling!—marriage. She'd stoically resigned herself to a career and singledom.

But Vittorio is persuasive and Ana would like a child of her own. Although she's under no illusion that this is anything but a convenient marriage—Vittorio will never offer her love. So when the time comes for him to claim her as his bride, she's surprised—and amazed—at the strength of his passion….

Review link  

Book Description:

Angele has longed for her betrothal to Crown Prince Zahir to be consummated within wedlock. She naively hoped her promised husband would wait for her, as she would him—but compromising paparazzi photos have dashed those youthful dreams….

She cannot become Zahir's wife out of duty and endure a loveless union; she must let him go free…but on one condition. Without taking Angele's hand in marriage, will the proud sheikh agree to give her the wedding night she has long dreamed of?

Review Link

Marilyn's Romance Reviews link