Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Today's Special -- Maria Geraci



Every once in awhile, you read a book that surprises you with how much you like it. Such was the case with Maria Geraci's Bunco Babes Gone Wild. I loved it! (You can check out my review here.) I have since read her other books, Bunco Babes Tell All and The Boyfriend of the Month Club, and enjoyed both. I'm currently reading her latest release, A Girl Like You, and it is an absolute delight! Her books are fun and always put a smile on my face. Please help me welcome Maria as she dishes about what she writes!



 
Thank you, Andrea and PJ for inviting me to guest blog today on The Romance Dish!


Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about what I write and how others perceive it.


If you ask any of my friends or relatives how they would categorize my novels, they would say “it’s a romance.” If you ask my agent or my editor, they would say I write “women’s fiction.” If you asked most reviewers they would tell you “chick lit” and if you asked me, I would say “fun, romantic women’s fiction.” But regardless of how you label my novels, there is no question that in each and every one of them the story centers around a female protagonist searching for love and her place in life. There is always a hero (sometimes more than one) and a happily-ever-after that includes my heroine finding her perfect man. If that isn’t romance, then I don’t know what is.


In my latest novel A GIRL LIKE YOU my main character Emma has four potential love interests (yes, four!). When I began writing the book, I was certain which character Emma would end up with. However, halfway through my first draft I realized the character I thought was right for Emma, wasn’t. I’ll admit, I got a bit panicked, but by the time I was three fourths through that draft I realized who Emma’s perfect guy was and the story all fell into place. I loved writing this story and I loved being surprised by Emma’s final choice. But mostly, I love writing the kind of romance that allows me the freedom to have fun with my characters and give them the happily ever after they all deserve!


What’s your favorite element of a romance? The falling in love? The happily-ever-after? The meet cute?

Andrea here: Maria has graciously offered to send one commenter living within the U.S. a copy of A GIRL LIKE YOU! 

  



What if you found out you were the ugly friend?

Emma Frazier is smart, hardworking, and loves her job as a journalist for a Florida lifestyle magazine. Emma knows she’s no great beauty, but she’s pretty certain she has a shot with her handsome new boss, Ben Gallagher—until Emma overhears a mutual acquaintance refer to her as the “ugly friend.” In an effort to reclaim her battered self-esteem, Emma decides to impress Ben at work by promising an exclusive interview with NASCAR legend, Trip Monroe.

Emma and Trip went to high school together and although it’s been fourteen years since they’ve spoken, Emma is certain she can score an interview with the elusive super star. But connecting with Trip turns out to be harder than Emma imagined. Her quest for the interview leads her back to her tiny hometown of Catfish Cove, where old secrets and a new romantic interest shake up Emma’s views on life and teach her that maybe the key to finding true love is as simple as accepting yourself for the person you were always meant to be.

41 comments:

  1. A Girl Like You sounds really cute. The buildup and anticipation of falling in love are my favorite parts of a romance.

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    1. Hi Gin, I agree, anticipation is the best part of a romance. I love the slow build!

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  2. Sounds like a good read. I agree with Gin - the falling in love part and also working out any problems that may be in the relationship. Just when it looks like there is no hope (lol - it is romance afterall) the hea is worked out. That is why I love romance.

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    1. Hi Pat, You definitely have to see a couple overcome adversity (at least a little anyway) to believe they will make it after the HEA. Thanks for commenting!

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  3. I love the feel of being special to my special someone.

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  4. I love how a couple become friends and have so many things in common when they first come together in their relationship. A sense of humor is a must. Compassion for people and animals shows that a person has a conscience. These are basic traits that I like to see in a character that proves they have what it takes to make a relationship grow and last. A nice HEA is always the "icing on the cake."

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    1. Connie, I love friendship turning into love. It's the basic building block of all relationships :)

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  5. Good morning and welcome, Maria! I finished A GIRL LIKE YOU last night and all I can say is YES! ;-) Loved it!

    I, too, like the slow build and tension of a romance. Not only is it romantic, but it keeps me turning those pages!

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  6. Hi Maria! Welcome back! A Girl Like You sounds like a book I want to read!

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    1. Hi PJ! Thank you to you and Andrea for allowing me to guest blog today :) Maybe we'll see each other again at RWA in Atlanta?

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    2. Andrea and I will both be at RWA13 in Atlanta. Andrea lives on the south side of Atlanta and I'm a short two hour drive up the road! See you there! :)

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    3. Yay! I was so sad that I couldn't go to LA this year, so really looking forward to Atlanta already!

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    4. Maria, will you be at M&M this October?

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  7. Hi, Andrea, Yay! I'm so glad you loved A GIRL LIKE YOU!

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  8. I love the build up in my romance books! The book sounds fabulous - I love the whole 'ugly friend' theme!

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    1. Maria does that theme well in A GIRL LIKE YOU, Wendy!

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    2. I love the build up too, Wendy :) Thanks for commenting!

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  9. Maria, I like the way the romance develops. I'm expecting the HEA, and I assume there'll be some kind of emotionally charged meeting, so it's the road to HEA that intrigues me most.

    Four love interests in a small town sounds like a fabulous idea!

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    1. Well, they are 4 potential love interests. Potential being the key word. I had a lot of fun writing this book!

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  10. My favorite element of a romance is the meeting of the minds and then see it gather momentum until they actually realize what is happening.

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    1. Yep,I love that part of the story when the characters realize that they have feelings for one another. Thanks for commenting ;)

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    2. That's a great part of the story, traveler!

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  11. Happily ever after is important after all the hurdles have been faced.

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  12. Thanks for a fun post and congrats to Maria on the new release! I love the meet and greet. When they either have love at first sight or... my fav... they can't stand each other :)

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    1. Isn't it funny how we love it when the h/h are at odds with one another? But then if there isn't conflict, there isn't much of a story. Thanks, Erin!

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  13. My favorite part is the falling in love and the characters realizing how important this person is in their life.

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  14. Maria, thank you so much for visiting with us today!

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  15. I like the happily ever after.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  16. I like the falling in love. Discovering each other...the dance! ;) Big NASCAR fan here, can't wait to read A Girl Like You.

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  17. Your last line in the post is so true: " the key to finding true love is as simple as accepting yourself for the person you were always meant to be." It is something we should all learn. We would be happier if we did.
    My favorite part of the romance is the give and take and tension between the H & H. It gives the story some excitement and tells you much about the characters.

    Good luck with A GIRL LIKE YOU.

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  18. Can I say all of the above? Please? Haha! ;-) But it's true. I love the whole package! :-)

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  19. Maria, I cannot wait to read your new book!! Everyone says once they start it, they cannot put it down. See ya on the flip side. ;) Nancy Brannen

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