Fresh Fiction Blog | Gina L. Maxwell | Why I wrote for Brazen and what my book is about

Oddly enough, I didn't start out by writing a book for the Brazen line. SEDUCING CINDERELLA was intended for the Indulgence line, and before this I'd never written category romance. Heck, I was so green I didn't even know what a category romance was and I'd never heard the word "trope" before. I'd only ever written paranormal romance before, so this was a huge learning experience. With category romance there's certain rules you need to follow and true category fans expect certain things, all of which I'd had no clue about.

When I gave my manuscript to my beta readers, they both warned me that my love scenes were too explicit for the typical category, specifically for the Indulgence line, and that I'd most certainly hear from my editor that I'd have to dial them back. I was pretty bummed because I'm the kind of writer who likes to give her characters their head to do what comes naturally to them, and the idea of censoring them doesn't sit well with me. However, I was fully prepared to do whatever Liz needed to make it right for the line it was publishing under.

So I was absolutely ecstatic when Liz called and said she didn't want me to change a thing about the level of smexiness, but wanted to bump it over to Brazen, which is advertised as the naughty little sister of Indulgence! (How awesome is that tagline?!) And that's the story of how Seducing Cinderella ended up as a Brazen launch title.

Both the line and the book have gotten amazing responses from readers, so I couldn't be happier.

The story combines the Ugly Duckling and Older Brother's Best Friend tropes. Physical therapist Lucie Miller is devastated when she finds out her love for a co-worker isn't mutual. While trying to pull herself together in her office, Reid Andrews, her brother's best friend she hasn't seen in years and an injured MMA fighter sent to her for therapy, walks in. Because of their history, he feels an immediate need to protect and comfort her.

But it isn't until she tells him she doesn't have the dedicated time he needs to get him ready for his fight two months later that he makes an insane proposition: if she lets him move in with her temporarily and provides him with around-the-clock therapy, he'll give her lessons on how to seduce the doctor she's always wanted. Desperate to have her own Happily Ever After, she agrees. Reid does everything he can to help Lucie's dream a reality, but things change quickly when the attraction he feels for her turns into a desire to make her his own. Soon Reid finds himself in the fight of his life...winning Lucie's heart before she gives it to someone else.

Thank you so much for having me today! I had a great time sharing the exciting news about Brazen and SEDUCING CINDERELLA!

To celebrate my debut release, I'll give away a copy of SC to a random commenter who answers the following question.

Category romances are heavily based on tropes (i.e. friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, ugly duckling, wrong bed, etc.). Which is your favorite trope to read about?

Comments

This sounds like a really interesting book and I liked what you said about letting the characters "do what comes naturally to them". That makes me want to read this even more. Have a great day.
(Chelsea Knestrick 1:07am August 12, 2012)

I like all kinds of "tropes" as you say, but enemies to lovers is pretty good
(Robin Foss 1:40am August 12, 2012)

I had never heard of tropes before so I am not really sure what they are. I think that the wrong bed would be an interesting way to start a story. This sounds like an interesting book.
(Kathleen Yohanna 2:52am August 12, 2012)

I am glad you didn't have to rein in the love scenes! Its great that they have several lines with different heat levels to accommodate the author's writings.
(Tamsyn Takamiya 3:08am August 12, 2012)

I love the friends to lovers trope...there always seem to be so
many more feelings than in the other tropes, since the
characters tend to have an already well developed
relationship and the prior relationship really just helps the
romantic relationship build on top of the foundation. I have
found these to be the tropes with incredibly intriguing
characters and the strongest bonds of love.
(Samantha King 3:16am August 12, 2012)

Learn something new everyday, i had never heard of trope. Hope to read
this book soon.
(Nancy Gallagher 7:59am August 12, 2012)

Never heard of trope and can't wait to read this book. Thanks
(Bonnie Capuano 8:41am August 12, 2012)

This sounds like a great read!! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
(Betty Hamilton 9:21am August 12, 2012)

I love second chance trope. This looks like a book I would like to get to know better. Thanks for the chance!
(Lorraine Rodriguez 9:42am August 12, 2012)

my favorite is friends to lovers. They know each other but then again do they really KNOW each other.
(Eileen Roth 10:20am August 12, 2012)

Congrats on your new release. I like the wrong bed trope and enemies to lovers.
My life has been based on friends to lovers, but usually in my life it doesn't last
long.
(Elisa Varey 10:22am August 12, 2012)

I'd love to read your new release! I love marriage of convenience and boss-secretary.
(Monica Tillery 11:08am August 12, 2012)

Married and hate each other is my favorite. I love when they work it all out and fall in love.
(Brenda Leon 11:09am August 12, 2012)

Hi Gina!! Book sounds great!!! I think the enemies to lovers has great
emotional conflicts that are so great to read. The tension really heats up
the story. :)
(Jill Oswalt 12:35pm August 12, 2012)

I really depends on the writing, but I probably like friends to lovers best.
(Pam Howell 1:01pm August 12, 2012)

Sounds yummy and I'm glad that what came naturally to you had
a spot.
(LaRonda Atchison 1:02pm August 12, 2012)

Love the title of your book... sounds great! As for a fav tropes, I love the wrong bed, ugly duckling, enemies to lovers, etc... love so many types!
(Colleen Conklin 1:46pm August 12, 2012)

I love them all! Friends to lovers is always great because of the foundation of the relationship but sometimes makes me question the level of passion between them.
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 1:53pm August 12, 2012)

Gina, you've given us a wonderfully sensitive, sexy story and
I can happily say I enjoyed every page. Congratulations on a
job well done. I see great things in store for you and your
wonderful talent.
(Jan Meredith 2:24pm August 12, 2012)

My favorite is wrong beds with ugly ducklings in a close second. I just added this to my to be read
(Emily Bowes 3:27pm August 12, 2012)

I like friends to lovers specially without a love triangle
involved.
(Jan D 3:40pm August 12, 2012)

I JUST LOVE YOUR BOOKS. THEY ARE GREAT. I CAN'T STOP READING
THEM THEY ARE SO GOOD. YOU MY FAVORITE AUTHOR AND I WOULD
LOVE TO WIN THIS CONTEST IT WOULD BE SO GRAND. KEEP WRITING
THOSE MARVELOUS BOOKS.
(Shelly Caggiano 3:57pm August 12, 2012)

I like the "I wasn't looking for love at all" kind. Thanks!
(Denise Carlson 4:01pm August 12, 2012)

Story sounds like a keeper! I like the friends to lovers.
(Juana Esparza 4:07pm August 12, 2012)

Congrats on your new release, Gina! It sounds like an
awesome read! I think my favorite is enemies to lovers. They
usually have a very passionate relationship and there is a
lot of snark involved. ;)
I like the whole brother's best friend thing too, but I
would never date any of either of my brothers' friends. :)
Thank you for the chance to read it. I added it to my TBR!
(Tina Becker 4:07pm August 12, 2012)

I really like all of them, friends to lovers is one of my favorites. Thanks for the chance to win!
(Natasha Donohoo 4:44pm August 12, 2012)

I love the ugly duckling. I always felt that way myself so I tend to love those books. This one falls right into my category!
(Renee Brown 5:22pm August 12, 2012)

I like the enemies to lovers (one of my favorites), but any you've mentioned are good, even complete opposites that have nothing in common. I'd love to read your new release!
You have a beautiful cover for a beautiful book!
(Linda Luinstra 5:36pm August 12, 2012)

Love the story line. I can't wait to read it.
(Robin McKay 5:40pm August 12, 2012)

Gina, Congrats on your new release! Any of the tropes are good to read about and make a compelling story.
(Rich Cook 5:51pm August 12, 2012)

I like a lot of those common themes - Friends to lovers is one
of my favorites, but I also like stranded somewhere together
and unplanned pregnancy tropes as well.

This book sounds great! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
(Laura Garofalo 7:14pm August 12, 2012)

Sounds so thrilling yet so very erotic & sexy, cant wait to read
(Cristy Tipton 7:16pm August 12, 2012)

Your book sounds like a great read. Thanks for the draw!
(Barbara Studer 7:32pm August 12, 2012)

The first time I heard the term catagory romance I thought what? Who knew that such a thing existed? The publishing industry is very complicated. Congrats on the book and thanks for the giveaway.
(Jennifer Beyer 7:37pm August 12, 2012)

Sounds exciting, I like to read about ugly ducklings.
(Wilma Frana 8:28pm August 12, 2012)

Since you asked the question, and you said that you were "green" when it came to tropes, well so am I!! I've never read one in my life - at least not one that I'm aware of!! I suppose that I've been more of a goodie-two-shoes type of reader, and it's time for me to step up to the big leagues, so who better to start out with than with you?? I would love to read your book, and if I had to take a stab at the selections, it would be friends to lovers, of course!! I'm sure your book would be a good read, and I can finally graduate to the big leagues!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:07pm August 12, 2012)

I love reading about soul mates that find each other accidentally...especially supernaturally like in werewolves!
(Angie Lilly 10:21pm August 12, 2012)

Never heard of a trope either. I guess friends to lovers. I think that would
be the hardest line to cross in real life so will go with that!
(Vicki Hancock 10:32pm August 12, 2012)

Book sounds like a great read. Thanks for giving me a chance to win it.
(Linda Hall 10:40pm August 12, 2012)

I do love "Ugly Duckling'. I know it's going to be a fun read.
(Mary Preston 11:20pm August 12, 2012)

Thanks for a chance to win this book. It sounds great. As far as tropes go, this is the first I've heard of them, but I guess the ugly duckling sounds the most interesting.
(Carol Woodruff 12:07pm August 13, 2012)

Enemies to lovers gives so many good stories!
(Roxana Perez 9:55am August 13, 2012)

Friends to lovers...totally dont need the book though...already read it and
love it!
(Stacy Wright 12:34pm August 13, 2012)

I like the friends to lovers and enemies to lovers tropes!
(Rebecca Whitehead-Schwarz 12:53pm August 13, 2012)

I like enemies to lovers. Thanks for the chance to win.
(Rita Wray 7:15pm August 13, 2012)

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