Laura Ward | Inspiration

In today’s digital world of e-books and self-publishing, standing out in the crowd is difficult.
I often hear that romance novels all sound the same or that they can be full of clichés. Readers
have told me that they want a love story, but they want one that is unique.

I believe that uniqueness comes from the writer’s place of inspiration.

Growing up with a sibling with special needs caused me to be more aware of my surroundings, as
well as more sensitive to others. My brother taught me that strength is not only physical. He
taught me that simple words and messages carry the greatest weight, and that truly loving
someone means opening your whole heart to them. I often feared we would lose my brother at an
early age so I tried to enjoy and remember every minute I spent with him.

When I decided to follow my dream and write romance novels, I promised myself that the worlds I
created on paper would stay true to the world I grew up in and know to this day. That means that
my books, while sexy, angsty, and full of drama, also include characters with special needs.

Writing these characters with disabilities that range from autism to Down syndrome has proven to
be the most fulfilling part of my writing process. I molded together traits from my brother, his
wife, and their friends. By the way, you read that correctly. My brother is married to a woman
with Down syndrome! These secondary characters are not “placed” in my novels in a superficial
role. These characters change the course of the story.

In my debut novel, NOT YET, the main character has a sister who was born with Down syndrome and their friendship is a central storyline. The other MC realizes the importance of his actions and his impact on others lives through interactions with a nonverbal character who is autistic. My second novel, PAST HEAVEN, touches on the issue of institutionalization. The two main characters are working on a movie script about an advocate who lost his life fighting to end abusive conditions for people with disabilities. THE PLEDGE, my most recent novel which I co-wrote with Christine Manzari, includes a character who befriends one of the MC’s and his simple, yet powerful, reminders allow her to move past her fears and follow her heart.

My inspiration in writing romance novels is to give readers a love story they will treasure and
to introduce them to unique secondary characters they will never forget.

About Laura Ward

Laura Ward lives in Maryland with her loud and very loving three children and husband. She married her college sweetheart and is endlessly grateful for the support he has given her through all their years together, and especially toward her goal of writing books. When not changing diapers, driving to lacrosse practice, or checking spelling homework, Laura is writing or reading romance novels.

Laura has written three novels so far, the new-adult novel THE PLEDGE, the new-adult novel NOT YET, and the contemporary
romance novel PAST HEAVEN.

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About THE PLEDGE

Taren needs a do-over. She's decided the best way to put the high school bullies behind her is to pledge a Taylor-Swift-lip-syncing, beer-guzzling, sorority. Sisterhood helps Taren find the acceptance she's always craved, but not the love she needs.

Alec wants freedom. To escape his father's iron fist and unrealistic expectations, he pledges a
campus acrobatics club where he finds that drugs and alcohol aren't the only ways to get high.
His addiction to danger helps him gain his independence, but it comes at a heavy price.

When the two cross paths, Alec fears his undeniable attraction to the party girl just might
threaten everything he's worked so hard to earn. Taren hasn't forgotten that Alec humiliated her
back in high school, but she also can't deny the chemistry they share.

Alec and Taren have nothing in common, but fate is bound and determined to bring them together. They know falling in love is a risk, and yet it's too hard to ignore. When their worlds clash and they both end up suffering, will they fight to stay together? Or are some pledges too hard to keep?