Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Simplicity of Romance

One of the things that I like about romance is the fact it is timeless and can happen to any one of us, not just the larger-than-life heroes and heroines we create as romance authors. We don't need to be wealthy, we don't need to be ready to tackle demons, we don't need to be damsels in distress. We can be ourselves and still experience ourselves.

Which is a concept that got me thinking, and put me at a place where I wanted to write a normal romance. Not too much baggage, no dark secrets bogging the hero and heroine down, just an everyday experience.

So I did some more thinking, and used a bit of my former life experiences to put together an idea. I used to work for a gaming company, designing games. Let me tell you... people who love (truly love) computers are some of the most normal people you can find. Sometimes they can be flat-out boring. And, I don't know a computer gamer who isn't addicted to his or her work, to the point that the world can go by and they won't be aware until they're left looking after it.

Which took me to Mason, and my contemporary novella that releases TOMORROW! -- Misunderstanding Mason.


While Mason wouldn't be on the cover of Cosmopolitan or even Forbes, he's successful and respected in his own circle. Kirstin's always been behind her man, always seen the hero that her computer graphic designer man is.... Until... a little bit of real life gets in their way.





Sometimes the most vivid pictures go unseen...

When Kirstin Jones agreed to work with her live-in boyfriend, Mason, on a free-lance job for a wealthy client, she never thought it might destroy their relationship. But the client’s keen observations show her that she’s been little more than Mason’s shadow. Fed up with his insensitivities, she moves out. Weeks later, desperate to stand on her own, she accepts work with the same client once again. Only this time, the project requires Mason’s help. To obtain his aid, she must meet his terms. And what he wants is more than she can afford

Mason Montgomery is baffled by Kirstin’s claims that he never had time for her. While verbalizing his emotions has never been his strong point, he’s spent five years showing his love. He needs Kirstin more than he wants to admit. When she leaves him, he’ll stop at nothing to get her back, even if it means working with the client who twisted truths and tore his life apart.


I hope those of you who can appreciate the simplicity of love, will stop and check out Misunderstanding Mason. And for those of you who've ever had a misunderstanding with your loved one, and know how troublesome those can be, this is definitely a story you can relate to!

See you all next month!

~Claire
http://www.claireashgrove.com/








7 comments:

Alison Henderson said...

Hi Clare,
It's so true that romance knows no bounds. Congratulations on the release of Misunderstanding Mason!

Brenda Whiteside said...

Claire, I love stories about everyday people. And I really love your cover. Very enticing. Good luck on the release.

Jannine Gallant said...

Simple characters with believable problems are much easier to relate to. Who can't sympathize with a guy who's bad had expressing himself? Are there any out there who are good at it?

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

A new release! How exciting! I'm hoping you have great sales and lovely reviews. Yes, romance is important to our lives. Granted we can live without it; I did for ten years. To a degree I was happy. But not as happy as I am when there's a man in my corner, cheering me on, and giving me such mar-r-r-velous hugs. **wink**

Don't forget, if you need a place to blog, Vintage Vonnie is always available.

Barbara Edwards said...

Your hero sounds wonderful. I'm looking forward to reading your new release.
Barbara

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi Claire,
So true. I do have a soft spot for "computer geeks" for want of a better description, and just because they play with a computer doesn't mean they are any less of a man than some of the more in your face, macho types.

Regards

Margaret

Unknown said...

This love story that you’re writing about is simple, yet very realistic. The fact that it is simple makes it that much easier to relate to. I think the lesson behind it is that love doesn’t have to be complicated or exaggerated to work. Kirstin is a great character because she fills that “strong, independent woman who doesn’t need no man” role without exaggerating. Mason’s misunderstanding of Kirstin’s needs is something that exists in all relationships. This is why the story is so realistic, and why I think this book will be a really good read.

Julio Sporer