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.