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Thursday, April 23, 2015

Madeline Ash: Reuniting again and again…and again…


I’m currently writing a four-book series, all following the theme of reunions. I’ve chosen this recurring hook because it’s one of my favorites – there’s something special about giving characters a second and usually unexpected chance at love.

I suppose you could call it cheating. That in these romances, the characters’ existing backstory means the hard part of getting to know each other is out of the way. It also avoids the issue of developing the romance so quickly as to be unbelievable – it can sometimes be difficult to swallow a happily ever after that takes place over the course of a few days, but with a reunion romance, this is absolutely possible.

But I don’t think it’s cheating! There’s always a good reason characters have fallen out of contact. Often their parting was rife with conflict and it can be almost impossible to convince them to give each other a chance, as determined as they are to avoid falling in love!

There are so many ways a reunion romance can go; so many reasons the characters could have been separated in the past. The possibilities for this structure sucked me in – so many juicy set ups to accompany a reunion!

The first two books in this series have already been released by Tule Publishing. THE PLAYBOY came out as a part of the Hot Aussie Heroes series in January, and the second, HER SECRET PRINCE, was just published as a part of the Royal Holiday series.

Each book begins with a prologue set in their adolescence. In The Playboy, Parker tries to take advantage of Alexia, resulting in a mortifying experience for both. When Alexia returns to her home town years later, their reunion is thick with distrust, residual awkwardness, and scalding sexual attraction.


Her Secret Prince focuses on best friends and lost love. In the prologue, Dee and Jed are school friends who have secretly been in love with each other for a long time. They’re on the cusp of taking their friendship to the next level when Jed disappears. This makes for a heartbreaking reunion, weighted down with hurt, angst, and a burning decade-long love.

As for the remaining two books in the series, well, let’s just say I have a thing for boys next door and the forbidden call of a best friend’s younger sister. :)

To celebrate my first guest post on Tote Bags n Blogs, I’ll be giving away a free kindle copy of The Playboy. Just share whether you’re a fan of reunion romances – and if so, I’d love to know your favorites! I’ll keep the contest open for 48 hours before randomly selecting a winner.

Thank you very much Lee for inviting me here today.

***Madeline's winner is Nova!  Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing details!!***

12 comments:

  1. I do like them and the first I remember falling in love with was Jane Austen's Persuasion.

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  2. I do like them and the first I remember falling in love with was Jane Austen's Persuasion.

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  3. congrats to Madeline on her new release! This looks and sounds like a lot of fun :) Umm... I do l like them but I haven't read one in a very long time. thanks for sharing!

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  4. I do enjoy reunion romances...this books sounds like one i will enjoy. The Billionaire's Bid (Indigo Island Book 4) by Kaira Rouda.

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    1. Congratulations, you've won a copy of The Playboy! Please email me at ash.madeline@gmail.com and I'll get it to you asap.
      Best,
      Madeline

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  5. I don't know that I do have a favorite, but it's a fun trope.

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  6. One of my favorite reunion stories is Tara and Ford's story THE SWEETEST THING by Jill Shalvis.

    A BELATED BRIDE by Karen Hawkins, Arabella and Lucien's story

    Ian and Elizabeth in ALMOST HEAVEN by Judith McNaught.

    Case and Lily Sharon Sala'a ALWAYS A LADY

    Penny and Cal in DELICIOUS by Susan Mallery

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  7. Reunion books are fun, it always interests me to see how the characters can reconcile their past to look forward to their futures :)

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  8. I love them. They are always fun to read.

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  9. I do like reunion stories. They give hope. Some real-life reunions do turn to romance & HEA, but I'd bet most don't even get to romance.

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  10. The winner of the giveaway is Nova! Congratulations and thank you to everyone who commented. Best, Madeline.

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  11. Congratulations, Nova!
    Denise

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