Fresh Fiction Blog | Jade Lee | That Bizarre Moment

There's a moment in every book I write that really surprises me. I'm not talking about the romance moments. I work very hard to make sure all of those come alive. But there's always a different moment that may or may not have anything to do with the primary plot. It appears–often fully formed–on the page, and I look at it and think: Where the hell did that come from?

For those of you who have been following my Bridal Favors series, I'll give you examples from the earlier releases. And then you have a quiz at the bottom so you can guess the scene on my newest release, WHAT THE GROOM WANTS. So here you go.

First book, WEDDED IN SCANDAL has a scene where the butler is trying to teach Helaine how to eat like a lady. Since she's actually the daughter of an earl (hiding her real identity), I thought it would be a fun scene. It leaped off the page as the butler “teaching” her that ladies don't really eat, they only pretend. In truth, he knows her real identity and is just playing with her. Then at the end, he talks about her father (which is how he knew her real identity) and what he says about drunks floored me. It just felt very real and very touching. Click HERE for the Fresh Fiction review.

Second book, WEDDED IN SIN has a bizarre character highlighted in one particular scene. It's Samuel's young nephew who is serious, precocious, and...well, he reminded me of one of my younger sisters. It's my brilliant sister, but I'm not mentioning names because I'm not going to stroke her ego more. (Sibling rivalry runs deep). Anyway, Samuel gives his nephew a birthday gift of a mystery to solve, and the interaction between them is just so alive that I preened for a week after writing it. I really shouldn't have though, because that scene didn't come from my imagination but something way more talented than I am. Click HERE for the Fresh Fiction review

Third book, WHAT THE BRIDE WORE has a scene where Grant's brother Will confronts him, demanding to know where the hell he's been for the last five years. It's a pivotal scene in the romance because Irene supports him during this confrontation. But the bizarre moment comes when Grant just won't say where he's been. I had planned for a big reconciliation at that point, but the scene wouldn't go there. And yet, the men come to an accord anyway. It frankly shocked me that I could leave that scene unresolved (until later), and yet have something tentative grow between the men. Click HERE for the Fresh Fiction review

Now we get to WHAT THE GROOM WANTS. Here are you options:

A. Wendy and Radley's first kiss outside the dress shop. It was so sweet and tender, it really encapsulated their relationship at the beginning before all the problems start.

B. Gregory (hero of the feed-in novella The Groom's Gamble) wakes Radley out of his drunken stupor while Radley's mother and sister make sure our hero feels really, really awful. Then thing about having the hero screw up, is that you get to torture him afterwards for his sins. Since I have sisters, I know exactly what it means to have your relatives get even in funny, loving, horrible ways.

C. Villain Damon threatens Wendy in a bizarre way, and yet it came out really, really creepy. In fact, it sets up the whole back end of the adventure plot. After that one scene, the book just flies.

D. Wendy with Irene's father-in-law as he talks to her about respecting herself as a woman of value. It was a total surprise moment because I hadn't planned on this character showing up at all.

Okay, now it's your turn to guess. Leave your answer in the comments. Everyone gets entered in the prize package giveaway so don't be shy. I'll post the answer in the comment section later on today.

WHAT THE GROOM WANTS BY JADE LEE – IN STORES FEBRUARY 2014

An honest love...

Radley Lyncott has been in love with Wendy Drew as long as he can remember. When he went to sea, she was too young to court. Now that he's returned to take up his Welsh title, he is appalled to find that debt has ruined the Drew family, and—even worse—Wendy is being courted by another man.

Or a dangerous attraction?

Family comes first for seamstress Wendy Drew, who is forced to settle her brother's debt by working nights at a notorious gambling den. But her double-life hasn't gone unnoticed—she has captivated none other than Demon Damon, a nefarious rake who understands Wendy's darkest desires and is hell bent on luring her into his arms.

click for our Fresh Fiction review of WHAT THE GROOM WANTS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

USA Today bestselling author Jade Lee has been scripting love stories since she first picked up a set of paper dolls. Ball gowns and rakish lords caught her attention early (thank you Georgette Heyer), and her fascination with the Regency began. An author of more than 30 romance novels and winner of dozens of industry awards, she finally gets to play in the best girl-heaven place of all: a Bridal Salon! In her new series, four women find love as they dress the most beautiful brides in England. Lee lives in Champaign, Illinois.

Comments

i have been wanting to read this for a while the book sounds
really good thanks for the giveaway
(Denise Smith 6:41am February 13, 2014)

I'm guessing B... but any of the options could make for an
awesome story! Love your cover!
(Linda Townsend 7:34am February 13, 2014)

Jade, I love all your books and can't wait to read this one too!!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 8:50am February 13, 2014)

can't wait to read What the Groom Wants because I loved the others in the series.
(Doris Losey 8:56am February 13, 2014)

Love your books, and loved today's blog where you share some of YOUR surprise moments in your books. What fun. Thanks for the chance to win. Best of luck with this and all you do.
(Nancy Reynolds 9:32am February 13, 2014)

Okay...here's the answer! Answer: D. All the choices are
good scenes, but option A is a necessary one between Wendy
and Radley. It’s all part of the love story, so it doesn’t
qualify. B is great, but I’d planned for it. Spent some
gleeful moments blocking it out. C. Was a surprise because
it ended up being so creepy. Yes, I needed the threat so
again, it was a planned scene, but the creepy was really
inspired. ::shudder:: So that leaves us D which was touching
and surprising especially because I hadn’t planned for any
part of that scene.
(Jade Lee 9:38am February 13, 2014)

Yes! I hadn't read the comments but I was about to put D.
;-)
(Karin Anderson 9:44am February 13, 2014)

Glad it was D. That was what I was going to pick before reading the comments.
(Pam Howell 10:27am February 13, 2014)

I was also going for D. Sounds like a great story!
(Kelly Powell 10:27am February 13, 2014)

Well, Jade, now that you gave the answer, I suppose all I have to do is give a comment now!! lol I always adore when you come here and make a posting, and I know I'll adore your latest book!! The cover is to die for!! Thank you for stopping by and giving a little heads' up on your latest book!! I know it's already on its' way to being a big hit!!
(Peggy Roberson 11:14am February 13, 2014)

Read the Groom's Gamble and What the Groom Wants last week and
loved them. Shared my books with our library's romance book
group. I read the third one in the series too; now I need to
go back and read the first two.
(Julie Stam 12:12pm February 13, 2014)

I was going to choose either B or D, and was really leaning more towards D, when you gave it away!

Later,

Lynn
(Lynn Rettig 2:33pm February 13, 2014)

rats, missed my chance to guess~~but D sounds interesting
even though I was leaning towards C
(Michelle Omalley 3:18pm February 13, 2014)

It's a good thing you explained it. I was going to guess option B.
(Anna Speed 6:00pm February 13, 2014)

Interesting story line; great giveaway:)
(Barbara Studer 8:13pm February 13, 2014)

I was going to guess D, but got here too late to make that comment. Jade, I love your books! The covers are gorgeous.
(Cathy Phillips 8:14pm February 13, 2014)

Wow, Congrats on your new book:WHAT THE GROOM WANTS. I love
the book cover too! I would love to win and read your new
book in 2014. Thanks for the great contest!
Answer: D. Wendy with Irene's father-in-law as he talks to
her about respecting herself as a woman of value. It was a
total surprise moment because I hadn't planned on this
character showing up at all. Thank You very much. Cecilia
CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 8:27pm February 13, 2014)

I'm going with D because it sounds like one of your surprise
moments. Thanks for the fun and giveaway!
(Lenna Hendershott 8:33pm February 13, 2014)

I was hoping it was B because that sounds like family fun. LOL But D works, too.
(Marcy Shuler 11:08pm February 13, 2014)

I'm guessing D because as much as I like B, B is so very
predictable. :-)
(Glenda Martillotti 11:20pm February 13, 2014)

Georgette Heyer! It surprises me that there are any women who haven't read her books. I was always amazed that her husband thought she was wasting her time and talent writing those Regency novels when she was a historian and should have been writing "serious" books. And yet 40 years after I first discovered them, they are still as fresh as ever and they are being discovered by a whole new generation. Keep writing your delicious romances and you will continue to have an audience! Now honestly, all of them sound plausible, but I think B because you have that special inside knowledge about the way siblings torture each other. Why? Because they can.
(Marcia Berbeza 11:49pm February 13, 2014)

I love your bizarre moment in each of these three books. They made the stories more interesting to read. I always love that twist of humor in the story. Thanks for the book description and the fun quiz.
(Kai Wong 12:00pm February 14, 2014)

I think B is the one, but all could work. Love your books!
(Sharon Extine 3:08pm February 14, 2014)

gosh I feel like a HUGE idiot & I am sincerely sorry for the
previous LONG post (PLEASE delete it) I did not realize
there was more than one winner! You are awesome! I went back
to the "Winner's List" & Lo-and-BEHOLD there was my name
further up the list than the other name... I cannot seem to
delete/edit my posts, so PLEASE ignore the above & DELETE it
if you would as I found my name on the winner's list for
"What the Groom Wants" afterall!! Thank You & my apologies
again for being a pathetic FANatic.
(Michelle Omalley 11:17am February 16, 2014)

Please have Gregory get his comeuppance and work on redeeming
himself. The grovelling has got to be out of character, yet
authentic. No fake stuff here.
(Alyson Widen 4:37pm February 16, 2014)

Dear Jade,
It has been over two months now since you announced that I
was a WINNER of a copy of the book. Just thought you should
know that I STILL have not received the Book to read! Thanks
again for this awesome giveaway, but I'd really like to
receive my "prize" SOON!
Best Regards, Michelle O
(Michelle Omalley 2:50pm May 2, 2014)

April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

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Jade Lee | That Bizarre Moment

AVAILABLE

WHAT THE GROOM WANTS BY JADE LEE – IN STORES FEBRUARY 2014

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Comments

Services

SPECIALS

FOR AUTHORS

We Love

April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

Authors To Watch

Fresh Fiction BlogGet to Know Your Favorite Authors

Jade Lee | That Bizarre Moment

AVAILABLE

WHAT THE GROOM WANTS BY JADE LEE – IN STORES FEBRUARY 2014

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Comments

Services

SPECIALS

FOR AUTHORS

We Love

Fresh Fiction Blog
Get to Know Your Favorite Authors