Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Today's Special - - Deb Marlowe

Today is the week for great authors and great friends here at the Romance Dish.  Today, we're bursting with excitement over our special guest, Deb Marlowe!  Those of you who are regulars here and at Romance Bandits will no doubt recognize Deb's name as a regular commenter at both places.  She's a bundle of fun and also a darn good author of Regency romances from Harlequin Historical, like her newest release, How to Marry a Rake. This Pennsylvania native now lives in North Carolina with her husband and two sons where she spends much of her time writing but, as she says at her website, "she does occasionally abandon her inner world for the domestic adventure of laundry, dinner and carpool."  You can find out more about Deb at her website and connect with her on facebook.   

Take it away, Deb!



I adore a fool for love. I don’t mean the stalker sort, or someone who would lie or worse to impress a potential mate. No, I’m in love with the idea of a person with the guts to stand firm, to shout to the world—even up to the point of making a fool of themselves: I am here. I am in love. With you.

Sigh.

The classic movie example of this phenomenon is John Cusack as Lloyd Dobler in Say Anything, blaring ‘In Your Eyes’ from his boom box, trying to get through to Diane. There are lots of other examples, not always so dramatic. How about Adam Sandler in 50 First Dates, when he halts the pursuit of his dream voyage, turns the boat around, and rushes into the hospital ward to desperately ask Lucy if she knows who he is?




 


Women can be fools for love too, of course. In The Proposal Margaret confesses in the middle of her wedding, choosing deportation over the possibility of hurting Andrew or his family.

Lucky for me—and for all of us—fiction is full of these examples, of wonderful characters sacrificing their name, their dreams, even their dignity, for a chance at love.



Which makes it a little ironic that Mae Halford, the heroine in my Regency historical, How to Marry a Rake, is through with being a fool for love. She’s been there, done that. She tumbled head over heels for Lord Stephen Manning at their first meeting and spent her adolescent years as his unofficial sidekick, trying to attract his attention, and even manipulating him into her first kiss. And though Stephen might have been oblivious, not everyone was, and all Mae got for her trouble was his rejection and banishment abroad.

But now Mae is back in England, and Stephen is the last person she wants to see. This of course, guarantees that he is nearly the first person she bumps into. Literally. On the dance floor. She vows to stay away, but Stephen is in trouble again. He needs an ally—and who better than his old partner in crime? They make a bargain, and the search is on: for a missing Thoroughbred and a husband for Mae! Each is determined to find what they need to fulfill their dreams. Both vow they will never again act a fool for love.

Or will they?

How about you? Have you ever acted a fool for love? Do you have a favorite moment in a movie or a book when a character has thrown caution to the wind in the name of love? Share your stories and one randomly selected commenter will win a copy of How to Marry a Rake!

63 comments:

  1. Falling for a bad boy was certainly foolish of me. Fun at the time though. Everyone should do it once - or even twice.

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  2. Hi Deb

    I do so love the sound of your new book whoo hoo.

    I loved Adam Sandler in 50 first Dates what a great movie. I am not sure whether I have ever made a fool of myself over love LOL I have been married for 34 years and we started dating when I was 15 and he was 17 and we are still happy even though a lot of people said it would never last but I told them it would I just knew

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  3. Hi Marybelle! Oh, those bad boys certainly are the fantasy, aren't they?

    You are a brave woman to take one on twice!

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  4. Hey Helen! I think we are all foolish over love when we are 15, aren't we? That's the fun and the beauty of it! But you were smart too, which is so inspiring.

    And look at the beautiful family which has come of it. You are a lucky woman!

    Thanks for the kind word about HTMAR! I'll let you know when it's heading for Oz!

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  5. Marybelle, there's just something about those bad boys that gets to us, isn't there? I've fallen for a couple in my life time too!

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  6. Helen, congrats on 34 years of marriage! Sounds like you both were smart enough (though very young) to know when the right person came along!

    I adore 50 First Dates. Such a sweet movie. I've lost count of the number of times I've watched it.

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  7. Morning, Deb! Welcome! We're so happy to have you visiting with us today. How did the booksigning go last night? Hope y'all had a great turnout(and wishing I lived a little closer so I could have gone)!

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  8. Morning PJ! Thanks so much for having me at the Dish!

    I wish you lived closer too! The book signing was fabulous! The Barnes and Noble team put a lot of work into it and we had such a great line up of authors. We had a lovely reception, then a Q&A panel--none of us are shy, so it went on a while! :-)--then the signing. I love getting together with readers and writers who love romance as much as I do!

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  9. Many moons ago I liked the guy from work. And he knew it. He was drinking one night with a fellow coworker, and the next thing I knew, he was visiting me.

    Yup, I was the object of a one-night stand. (And it was GREAT! For all of that time together. Then he left. And not so great!)

    Vowed never again. Met my husband-to-be a few months later and will celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary this summer. Still haven't forgotten that one night, though....

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  10. Hi Laney! Oh, my, that does sound like a fool for love moment--but a fun one!

    It reminds me of a line from one of my favorite shows--Castle. Just the other night it featured a letter to the main character who told her that what we are here for is to put our hearts at risk.

    I like the idea that that moment helped ready you for your true love. At the very least, it's given you a reason for an occasional, secret smile!

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  11. Oooh--just thought of another Fool for Love movie moment--In The Importance of Being Earnest--I love it when Jack and Algie sing "Lady Come Down" to the girls--and when they both ask to be rechristened as "Earnest"

    Love the Colin Firth/Rupert Everett version!

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  12. And by the way--I'm waiting for Castle and Beckett to finally give in and be Fools for Love!

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  13. Deb said, And by the way--I'm waiting for Castle and Beckett to finally give in and be Fools for Love!

    Me too! Me too!

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  14. Hi Deb. Great to see you at the Dish! I loved The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor and am so glad you, Diane, and Amanda are sharing the Fitzmanning brothers's stories. :) Can't wait to read Stephen and Mae's story.

    My favorite fool for love moment has to be in 10 Things I Hate About You when Heath Ledger serenades Julia Stiles with a rendition of "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" with the marching band in tow, and Julia returning the favor later in the movie. As Heath says, "It's not everyday you find a girl who'll flash someone to get you out of detention!".

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  15. Have I ever been a fool for love?

    And I'm supposed to answer this in public? LOL Uh, no. Never been that. Never done anything like that. Really. Trust me.

    I ADORE the scene in The Importance of Being Earnest when they sing to the girls! I have a silly grin on my face the whole time.

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  17. Hi Lisa! I'm so glad you enjoyed the Diamonds! We had a great time coming up with the Fitzmanning Miscellany. We all all glad to be able to give the boys their stories!

    Oh, yes--a perfect movie example! That is such a great movie!

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  18. Come on, Claudia--share!

    I always have that song stuck in my head for days after I watch The Importance of Being Earnest.

    Come to think of it, I do the same thing with 50 First Dates. "Forgetful Lucy, she's got a nice caboosie!"

    Ear worm!

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  19. Oh my gosh, Kirsten, thank you for sharing that story! Everything just looks and feels so much larger when we are 15, doesn't it?

    Talk about risking it all for love! And then he dumped you?

    Clearly *he* was the fool.

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  21. Hi, Deb! I love friends to lovers books. How to Marry a Rake sounds like my kind of book.

    One of Eloisa James's first Duchess series includes a book entitled Fool for Love. Simon and Henerietta both behave rather foolishly at times, as do Esme and Sebastian.

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  22. Yeah, Kirsten! You go!

    You're right, though, Hollywood does make everything look easier! :-)

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  23. So glad to see you, Janga! Yes, I love friends to lovers too. You get a sense of intimacy right off, and the stakes can be higher/scarier when someone already knows all of your foibles. But the pay off can feel bigger too!

    I've never read that Eloisa James! I'll have to look it up!

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  24. Janga and Lisa--I meant to add this to my earlier post, but got distracted when my mom called!

    Did you know that Amanda McCabe's sequel to Diamonds of Welbourne Manor is also out? The Shy Duchess is Nicholas's story. Diane is working on Leo's now!

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  25. I really loved Eloisa James' Fool for Love, as well as Duchess in Love too. Both books have characters who do crazy things for love, with unforeseen consequences, usually with a lot of fun along the way.

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  26. I guess we all have had our moments of being a fool for love, I know I have. It was over a bad boy too. I would go out and stalk him and follow him all over town. We did get together but it never work out.

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  27. Hi Barbara!

    Those sound like fun books! The opposite of HTMAR, where Mae is determined NOT to be a fool for love again. She's finally learned that she can't force something like love. She still manages to give Stephen a run for his money, though! I had a great time with the two of them.

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  28. Falling for my bff's ex and agreeing to go out with him without checking with her first to verify he was her "ex" was definitely a fool for love moment in high shcol...he turned out to be untrustworthy and it didn't work out and I also lost my bff....definitely a hard lesson learned!

    Congratulations on your release Deb!

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  29. Hi Karyn--thank you so much! And yes, the cover is a beauty, isn't it? Love it!

    I'm sensing an adolescent theme here, which fits right into the book--because it's during her teen years that Mae's determination gets her in trouble--and when the book picks up, she's back from exile and determined to do things differently!

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  30. Virginia! You stalked a bad boy! The prize for guts goes to you! Sorry it didn't work out. But kudos for going for it--those old adages really are true--it's better to risk it than to regret not trying. Just think of the memories we'll have in our old age! :-)

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  31. Oh, Maria, that was a hard lesson! I'm so sorry. :-(

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  32. Hi All! I'm back from volunteer day at the hospital. I'll take the dogs out, get into some more comfy clothes and be back in a bit. Looks like it's been busy in here! :)

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  33. One of my favorite scenes from a movie would be in Love Actually. A guy is in love with his best friend's wife played by Keira Knightly. He comes to the door with flashcards to tell her how much he loves her. They can't be together but he needed to get it off of his chest. She kisses him goodbye before he leaves. So sweet.

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  34. That's such a bittersweet scene, Stacie! The first time you see the movie, you are just puzzled at his discomfort-bordering-on-hostility, then you feel so sad for him!

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  35. Hiya Deb!!! Lovely to see you here at the Dish. Love the sound of the new book - it sounds like a bundle of fun just like you ;-) Love that description!

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  36. Hey, Deb! Can't wait to read your new book. :-)

    I love The Proposal! Great movie, and the fact that Betty White is in it is a bonus. *g*

    I'm not sure if I can say I've acted like a fool for love. Although I did have a mad crush on my hubby when we were in high school---I know he knew since everyone else did. ;-) We didn't start dating until several years later---my grandma used to tell him that it just took him awhile to "wake up", and we will celebrate our 23rd anniversary in July. My happily-ever-after.

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  37. Hey Anna! Are you recovered from your lovely company?

    Thanks for the kind words. You know I already have MWP--now I would like to order up a few free hours to devote to it!

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  38. I love that movie, Stacie but my heart breaks for him every time I watch it.

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  39. Gannon! I love Betty White too. Do you watch her in Hot in Cleveland?

    My favorite line--"well, I have to go. Those track suits won't bedazzle themselves!"

    Love your love story! Many congratulations! We are a year behind you. :-)

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  40. @Laney...Ouch! Sorry it was only one night but maybe that's all it was meant to be. Glad you have good memories!

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  41. I loved The Diamonds of Welbourne Manor and am so glad you, Diane, and Amanda are sharing the Fitzmanning brothers's stories. :)

    Lisa, I didn't realize until reading your comment that they were sharing the brothers. How cool!

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  42. Hi Claudia! Thanks for stopping by. Have to laugh at your response which is strangely similar to my own. Moi? A fool for love? Um...probably best if I don't go there. ;-)

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  43. Oh, Kirsten. Such drama we create for ourselves at 15! Glad you can look back now and roll your eyes at your young self.

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  44. Janga said, Hi, Deb! I love friends to lovers books. How to Marry a Rake sounds like my kind of book.

    Janga, I think you're going to enjoy this story. It's *so* good!

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  45. @Janga and Barbara E: I really enjoyed FOOL FOR LOVE by Eloisa James too!

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  46. He did a runner, probably thought I was clueless.

    Karyn, I'm sure it had nothing to do with you. I've found that most teenage boys are clueless themselves. ;-)

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  47. Virginia, what is it about those bad boys, anyway? They have us doing things we would never have dreamed of doing before meeting them!

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  48. Oh, Maria, I'm so sorry. Were you and your friend ever able to repair the relationship?

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  49. Anna said, Love the sound of the new book - it sounds like a bundle of fun just like you

    It is! It is!

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  50. Hey there Deb! Welcome back to The Romance Dish! We always love when you visit with us :-)

    I have to say that I just love your title and the cover. Both are fabulous!! I'm really looking forward to reading it.

    Just like Helen, the dh and I meet when when we were young (both of us 16). We have been married for 21 years and still going strong. I don't think I ever did anything to be considered a fool for love, but my honey sure has ;-) That's one of a million reason why I love him so.

    As far as movies, what about SERENDIPITY with John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale? John & Kate have a chance encounter and Kate decides to see if fate can bring them back together. She writes her name and number on the inside of a book and then gives it to a used book store. Everytime John runs across a copy of that particular book he checks it for her name and number. He must have looked at hundres of copies.

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  51. *waving* Hiya, Deb!! We are so happy to have you with us today. Congrats on your newest release! It sounds simply divine. *g*

    Ah, fools for love. :) I love it when a rake (titled or otherwise) does a good amount of groveling to win his heroine, particularly in a public setting. LONDON'S PERFECT SCOUNDREL by Suzanne Enoch is one of my favorites and one that I just finished yesterday was ELEVEN SCANDALS... by Sarah MacLean. Perfect!

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  52. Hi Buffie--Thanks for having me!

    Ooh, I haven't seen Serendipity! Sounds like my queue just got longer--it sounds fab!

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  53. Hi Andrea! I love a good grovel! Stephen does the largest part of his grovelling in private, but in my first book, Scandalous Lord, Rebellious Miss, my rakish hero performed a very public apology/confession--his heroine deserved it! :-)

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  54. Thanks for a lovely day at the Dish, ladies!

    Go forth and don't be afraid to make a statement--Be a Fool for Love!

    :-)

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  55. Deb, thanks so much for being today's special guest. You were awesome!

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  56. My husband and I went to high school together. We were just classmates in chemistry, nothing more. He moved the end of our junior year and we wrote each other a couple of times a year. After college he joined the Air Force and I joined the Peace Corps. We bumped into each other when I was home for a Christmas vacation. We saw each other a few times, just to say Hi, no dates. Five months later he showed up in the village where I was stationed and proposed. We had never even dated and had only seen each other those 4 times in 7 years. I did eventually say yes and we will celebrate our 39th anniversary this June. I am so glad he took the chance and was a "fool for love."

    I like the sound of HOW TO MARRY A RAKE and wish you the best on its release. I'll be looking for it.

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  57. Deb your book sounds fantastic!

    Movie- In French Kiss Meg Ryan's character follows her ex-fiance to Europe in an attempt to win him back. She runs into Kevin Kline. I enjoyed this movie!

    Catherine Coulter's Lord Harry's Folly- Harry/Henrietta resorts to playing the role of a guy /groom to get back at her future love interest the Marquis of Oberlon.

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  58. librarypat--that is such a great story. Your husband is so brave--the best sort of fool for love!

    Now I'm wondering how long you made him wait until you said yes? Did you date a bit after the proposal?

    It sounds like a romance novel!

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  59. Laurie G--I love French Kiss! Such a great movie. And Meg Ryan was a fool for love, twice! She conquered her fear to get to Paris, then she gave up her nest egg to save Kevin Kline.

    A great character!

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  60. Hi Deb -

    I just started reading How to Marry a Rake and it's fantastic!

    I became a fool in love in 1969 when I met my husband. In fact we married 10 months later! I'm still a fool but a very happy one because when I took a chance on love not security I found the greatest gift of all. We just celebrated our 41st anniversary and are still in love. We may have had some "lean" times but it's never been boring.

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  61. Congrats on 41 happy years, Jeanne! That's an amazing achievement.

    So glad you are enjoying HTMAR!

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  62. Debbie, He came over and proposed in May, I came home in August. He was stationed about 10 hours from my parent's home and we were able to see each other every third weekend. We were engaged in Sept. I guess we didn't date much before or after getting engaged. He got sent to Vietnam about Christmas and we married in June. He got shipped back to Vietnam 5 weeks later. Those first few years really do read like a soap opera.

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  63. Wow! That is an amazing story, librarypat! Many congrats on so many happy years together!

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