Thank you Coffee Time Romance for hosting me today and giving me this opportunity to tell you a bit about my upcoming novel, The Boyfriend of the Month Club. It’s a romantic comedy about a woman who turns her dysfunctional book club into a club where women discuss the men they’ve dated, comparing them to classic literary heroes and villains.
One of most enjoyable things about writing this story was that I had to reread the romantic classics that I referenced in the book. I spent lots of hours catching up on all my favorites like Little Women, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, Emma and Mansfield Park to name a few. Best. Research. Ever!
The Boyfriend of the Month Club
Berkley Trade Paperback
978-0-4252-3650-5
December, 2010
At thirty, Grace O’Bryan has dated every loser that Daytona Beach has to offer. After the ultimate date from hell, Grace decides to take matters in her own hands and turns her dwindling book club into a boyfriend of the month club, where women can come together to discuss the eligible men in their community. Where are the real live twenty-first century versions of literary heroes such as Heathcliff and Mr. Darcy?
Could it be successful and handsome Brandon Farrell, who is willing to overlook his disastrous first date with Grace and offers financial help for her parents’ failing Florida gift shop? Or maybe sexy dentist Joe Rosenblum, who’s great with a smile but not so great with commitment? Unfortunately, just like books, men cannot always be judged by their covers…
“Geraci fills the fluffy but enjoyable story with literary references, and her leading lady is endearingly flawed. Romance readers will revel in the Austen-perfect happy ending and the warm friendship among members of the club.†Publishers Weekly
“Geraci is not the first to compare her characters to Mr. Darcy and his brethren, and while this device isn’t unique, her quirky characters and colorful setting certainly are.†Booklist
I’m so excited that readers are “getting†Grace! She’s the sort of modern day heroine that I love writing about, and I wanted to give her the right hero. So I took a page from the master of romantic literature, Jane Austen, and gave Grace 2 “heroes†to pick from. Brandon Farrell, a handsome and rich investor, her “Mr. Darcy.†And Joe Rosenblum, a sexy, slightly mysterious dentist, her “Mr. Wickham.†But unlike in Jane Austen’s world, things today are more complicated, and what separates the Mr. Darcys from the Mr. Wickhams isn’t always so cut and dry.
When writing romance, the hardest part I think, is getting the hero just right. And by right, I don’t mean perfect. I mean writing the one guy the heroine is meant to be with because he’s “right†for her. As a girl, I fell in love with Laurie from Little Women. But when I got older, it was the Mr. Knightleys of the world who made my heart flutter. What about you? Who is your favorite classic literary hero?
Coffe Time Romance is giving away a copy of The Boyfriend of the Month Club along with a copy of Hungry for You by Lynsay Sands. Just go to Feeding My Addiction and regsister!
BIOÂ Maria Geraci writes fun, romantic women’s fiction. Please visit her website at www.mariageraci.com
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