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Celeste Bradley | Exploring The Parent Child Relationship
In the past nine years, I've written about Regency spies, politics, family
dynamics and fairy-tale
heiresses. I've written about chimney sweeps, circus performers, pet lions and
ruined reputations.
What's left?
In my new "Runaway Brides" trilogy, I wanted to explore the meaning of
fatherhood. Mine
passed away before I turned eight, so this is a lifelong question for me.
Fathers remain a strange and
elusive species, so I decided to hunt for some among my heroes.
What makes a good father? Is it instinct? Having a good example? A parenting
book left on the back of
the toilet? (with pertinent chapters highlighted, of course)
What is inside a big, strong man that comes to the surface when he picks up his
child?
In DEVIL IN MY BED
(August 2009), the
first book of the Runaway Brides trilogy, Aidan de Quincy is a man who
decided to cut himself
off from relationships after his heart was broken by a lovely widow, Madeleine
Chandler. Three years
later, when a precocious toddler named Melody is left on the steps of his
gentleman's club, Aidan is
forced to face down his pain long enough to discover if the child who is
becoming so important to him
could possibly be his.
DEVIL IN MY BED has
already hit the New
York Times bestseller list and has been called "a keeper" and "a fun book" by
reviewers. While nothing
is funnier than watching three lordly bachelors wrestle with the daily rigors of
childcare, what I really
wanted to learn was the inner workings of the male mind and the reasons they
have for loving a child.
I'm continuing this exploration--and the comedic possibilities!--in the next two
books, ROGUE IN
MY ARMS (Feb 2010) and SCOUNDREL OF MY DREAMS (Aug 2010).
I hope you'll come along for the ride. It's going to be a wild one!
Sincerely,
Celeste Bradley
Comments
11 comments posted.
Re: Celeste Bradley | Exploring The Parent Child Relationship
To me what make's a good dad is that no matter how bad you mess up he's always there to help you. Whether it's simply to wipe away your tears, give you a great big hug or to tell you that he loves you.
(Sherry Strode 9:12am August 19, 2009)
To Sherry's comment, I would also add, that he's there to support you in the bad times as well as the good times. Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen.
Later,
Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 11:01am August 19, 2009)
Devil In My Bed sounds delightful! I love humor in romance.
(Cheryl Castings 11:44am August 19, 2009)
Your books sounds delightful. I love books where the main characters "discover" themselves; where they learn who they are and what they are capable of.
(Robin McKay 11:49am August 19, 2009)
Would love to read your book. I also lost my father at 8 years old.
(Linda Henderson 12:35pm August 19, 2009)
What make a good dad is someone who learns from their on childhood and makes his family most important in his life.
(Annetta Stolpmann 1:37pm August 19, 2009)
It takes two to make a marriage work and it also takes two to bring up children. It is hard work to do and if you have lots of love and patience you will succeed
(Diane Sadler 8:55pm August 19, 2009)
Fatherhood is so different for each
man. The common thread of a good
father is his truly caring for the child
and his or her future.
Your trilogy sounds delightful. I like
the books I read to have a sense of
humor.
(Patricia Barraclough 12:11pm August 20, 2009)
Thanks so much! I'm glad that what I'm exploring hits a chord with readers. While I didn't know my father well, there have been other fathers who have influenced my life greatly. I draw upon them for ideas and strength and problem solving. I suppose that good dads yearn to fix things--broken hearts as well as broken bikes.
(Celeste Bradley 4:04am August 20, 2009)
I love that comment of yours, Celeste, regarding mending broken hearts as well as broken bikes. I love to see these great big guys turn into these gentle giants when holding or interacting with their little ones. And yet, acting rough & tumble with them, so different than the way the Mommy does. Makes a good balance.
Your books sound like great reads!
(Jean Merriott 4:00pm August 20, 2009)
I am enjoying writing these books so much. It has become rather easy to write a strong, sexy experienced hero. It's a whole new experiece "watching" them fumble and scratch their heads and wonder if they're doing things right. I know they can save the day but sometimes they take a little convincing. It's fun!
(Celeste Bradley 9:48pm August 21, 2009)
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