Bec McMaster | From Battle to the Bedroom

Enemies-to-lovers is such a fun trope for an author to play with, and I have to admit that it's one of my favorite ones to read too. With my new release, OF SILK AND STEAM, part of the fun in delving into this theme, was in exploring the slow stages where hate turns to love. Mina, the Duchess of Casavian, has long believed that Leo Barrons's father, the Duke of Caine, is responsible for her father's death. All she wants is vengeance against his father, but when she learns a shocking secret about Leo that could finally destroy her enemy, she must face the fact that destroying the Duke, will also annihilate the man whom she can't get out of her mind.

What's the best part of this trope? Instant conflict, sexy banter, and although their interest in each other is flammable, Leo is going to have to work hard to overcome Mina's instinctive dislike. Thankfully, he's up to the task.

Here are a few of my favorite enemies-to-lovers romances, and why I love them so much:

1. DEVIL IN WINTER by Lisa Kleypas

The hero of DEVIL IN WINTER, Sebastian, is a gorgeous wastrel who is the unashamed villain of the previous book in this series, where he tried to kidnap Lillian, his best friend's fiancé. Sebastian is trying to get gloriously drunk after having been bested, when Evie, the shy, stammering heroine, and Lillian's best friend, offers him a marriage of convenience. Evie is desperate to escape her horrid family and considers Sebastian a necessary evil, whereas Sebastian thinks the heiress is the answer to his financial concerns. It doesn't take him long to begin to grow curious about his stubborn bride, or want more than the one night she allowed him into her bed in order to consummate the marriage. But to do that, he has to become something more than the villain, perhaps even a hero?

2. CAPTIVE PRINCE: Vol 1 and 2 by C.S Pacat

This is a male/male romance set in a fantasy world. When Prince Damen is overthrown by his brother, he finds himself gifted as a bed-slave to Prince Laurent of the neighboring country - the younger brother of the golden prince he once killed in battle. Damen finds himself in the midst of a complicated plot between the malicious, frigid Laurent, and his uncle, the Regent, where one slip-up could mean a torturous death for him. What I enjoy so much about these books is that the first kiss doesn't even occur until 80% of the way through Volume Two. At first Laurent is horrible, and, as seen through Damen's eyes, his uncle actually seems the better man. Slowly Damen comes to realize that there is more to Laurent than it first seems, and Laurent grudgingly begins to respect his barbarian slave, until they are forced to form a wary alliance to protect both of their countries.

3. LEAD by Kylie Scott

Jimmy is the lead singer of Stage Dive, who spiraled out of control and hit rock bottom in the first book in this series. If he wants to keep his place in the band, and the trust and respect of his brother David, then he needs to get clean. Enter Lena, the feisty, take-no-shit sober companion/personal assistant who he considers his instant enemy. Lena is hilarious and the first to admit that she has actually succumbed to the hot mess/hotness that is Jimmy. When Jimmy discovers the truth, he sets out to cure her of his crush on him, so that he can keep the assistant he might just be relying upon for more than his career. Cue his plan to show her all his flaws, and his exercise regime to make her hate him, plus arguments about post-orgasmic aftercare, and a series of bad dates as Jimmy tries to find her a man - and realizes that he just might want to be that man.

4. LORD OF SCOUNDRELS by Loretta Chase

This one is an old favorite. What's not to love? Gruff, arrogant Lord Dain who knows he is ugly, and has been from the day of his birth, and doesn't think anyone could possibly ever love him? The femme fatale heroine Jessica, who is smart, witty, and completely knocks him for six? A love-hate relationship with fantastic banter and delicious romantic scenes? This book has it all, and when poor Dain decides that he simply has to have Jessica, even if he must marry her, he doesn't realise it's the nail in the coffin for his poor, guarded heart.

So do you enjoy this trope? If so, what makes your list for your favourite enemies-to-lovers?

About OF SILK AND STEAM

When her beloved father was assassinated, Lady Aramina swore revenge. The man responsible is well beyond her grasp, but his dangerously seductive heir, Leo Barrons, is fair game. When Mina obtains evidence proving that Leo is illegitimate, she has the means to destroy both the killer and his son, a man who troubles her heart and tempts her body.

A woman of mystery, Mina’s long driven Leo crazy with glimpses of a fiery passion that lurks beneath her icy veneer. He knows she’s hiding something, and he’s determined to unravel her layer by silken layer. He just doesn’t expect the beautiful liar to be the key to overthrowing the corrupt prince consort…or to saving his own carefully walled-off heart.

What's Fresh Fiction's take on this sexy steampunk winner? Read our reviews to find out.

About Bec McMaster

Bec McMaster lives in a small town in Victoria, Australia and grew up with her nose in a book. A member of RWA, RWA (Australia) and RWNZ, she writes sexy, dark paranormals and steampunk romance. When not writing, reading, or poring over travel brochures, she loves spending time with her very own hero or daydreaming about new worlds.

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