REUNITED…AND IT FEELS SO GOOD
Thanks so much to Cindy for having me here today!
Okay, first off, I’d like to say, “Hi, my name is Elisabeth, and I have a confession to make…”
I. Love. Reunion. Stories.
There. I said it. I’m a big ol’ sucker for second chances. Some of my favorite reunion stories include Judith McNaught’s Paradise, Nora Robert’s Birthright, and Elizabeth Lowell’s Eden Burning. Why do I love reunion stories so much? I’m not entirely sure, but I think maybe it’s because it’s nice to know no matter how badly you screw up the best thing in your life (even if you don’t realize it’s the best thing at the time), there’s always the chance you can make it right again. Personally, I don’t think I want to live in a world where every decision we make is permanent and final. Especially not when it comes to love.
As you’ve probably already guessed, my book – STOLEN HEAT – (which releases TODAY!!!!!), is just that…a reunion story. Pete and Kat had a whirlwind love affair six years ago, and then everything fell apart, leaving them both feeling betrayed and alone. Here’s the back cover blurb:
His past tore them apart. Her lies thrust them back together. Now a killer’s out for revenge, but the biggest threat for both may just be the heat they thought they’d already lost….
Antiquities dealer Peter Kauffman walked a fine line between clean and corrupt for years. And then he met the woman who changed his life—Egyptologist Katherine Meyer. Their love affair burned white-hot in Egypt, until the day Pete’s lies and half-truths caught up with him. After that, their relationship imploded, Kat walked out, and before Pete could find her to make things right, he heard she’d died in a car bomb.
Six years later, the woman Pete thought he’d lost for good is suddenly back. The lies this time aren’t just his, though. The only way he and Kat will find the truth and evade a killer out for revenge is to work together—as long as they don’t find themselves burned by the heat each thought was stolen long ago…
I love this book for a variety of reasons – the setting (a good portion is set in Egypt), the research (I learned so much researching this book), the characters (Pete isn’t your typical hero, but no matter how betrayed he feels, he’s still got it bad for the heroine, even if that knowledge ticks him off), but mostly because it’s a reunion story. I love the way Pete and Kat are forced back together after six years. I love the way they have to work together to stay alive. And I love the way both of them fight what’s so very obvious to the reader – that these two are meant to be together.
What about you…do you like reunion stories? Can you think of any that stand out in your mind as being real keepers?
In honor of the release of STOLEN HEAT (did I mention it’s available TODAY????), I’m giving away a copy of either STOLEN HEAT (book two in the Stolen Trilogy) or STOLEN FURY (book one in the Stolen Trilogy) to one lucky commenter. Simply answer the question above in the comment section.
AND…if that weren’t enough…I’m hosting a BIG contest over on my website to celebrate the release of STOLEN HEAT. Go to STOLEN HEAT CONTEST to enter for your chance to win a $100 VISA gift card and a whole host of daily prizes.
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Wow, Eli, you give good goodies! Readers, please leave a comment about reunion stories to enter to win your choice of STOLEN HEAT or STOLEN FURY. I’d tell you to visit yesterday’s post to read the back cover copy of STOLEN HEAT, but I don’t have to. Eli’s graciously provided it here! But hop on over to yesterday’s post to check Elisabeth’s bio or visit her website to learn more about her and her books.
Hi Elizabeth,
(See I’m following you everywhere !!)
I’m happy you chose to blog about reunions. Second chance at love is one of my favorite themes (ok My favorite!).
Among my favorite reunion books are Nora Roberts last book Black Hills, Rachel Gibson’s Truly, Madly Yours or Susan Donovan’s The girl most likely to.
I’m not really familiar with the romantic suspens genre but all the good reviews about your books really picked my curiosity. Right now I’m at the “I need to read those books !” stage.
Congrats for the new release !!
Elisabeth,
I hear you…I.love.reunion.stories, too (for the same reasons you mentioned) I think we all like to believe in second chances. That maybe when a couple first meets they aren’t ready to be together. That they have more growing, more living to experience (separately) before they can be the right one for the other. Most of all that happy endings are possible. 🙂
Like Emmanuelle, I don’t read a lot of romantic suspense but your book definitely sounds intriguing!
Hi everyone and welcome to Elisabeth!
I totally enjoy reunion stories. There’s something very fulfilling about the second chances aspect. Something had to bring the couple together in the first place, right? In today’s world, sometimes we’re too quick to say, This isn’t working, I need to stop it now before I get too hurt. In a good reunion story, the couple is taking a huge risk getting back together. It can form the basis for a great conflict. And it helps fuel the promise of happy ever after, because, let’s face it, in real life couples go through tons of ups and downs. Reunion stories are reflective of that.
My favorite reunion story is Michelle Reid’s Gold Ring of Betrayal. I love how the very thing that figured in and has maintained their separation is the thing that brings them back together. I love how the hero and heroine are forced to look at the people they were and have become and now have to be. Someone ought to use this book as the template for a class on how to write a romance.
Yes, I love reunion stories, too. The “o, no, he’s back in town” storyline always gets my attention because it’s like we can jump into a story at 60 mph, don’t have to wait for the intros and set-ups. Bets of luck with your release! It sounds wonderful!
Hi Elizabeth,
Congratulations on the release of, “Stolen Heat!” For a reunion story, I enjoyed Lady Be Good by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I find your passion for reunion stories interesting. Me, I’ve never considered writing one, but your stories sound intriguing. I wish you every success!
Sincerely,
Diana
Romance Edged With Danger
Congratulations on your release day! One of my favorite reunion stories is Truly Madly Yours by Rachel Gibson. The thing about reunion stories is as readers we believe the attraction right away. We know it’s been simmering for years, and we’re going to enjoy the bonfire.
I think reunion stories can be good especially if they are written well. And I agree it is nice to know that you can get something back that you thought was lost. 🙂
Congrats on the newest release.
Elisabeth! I’m so excited about your release! And, yes, I love reunion stories too (Edie, LOVE that Gibson book!), and I just know I’m gonna love yours too!
Happy Release Day, Elisabeth. I love reunion stories too. I just got thru reading the whole Psy/Changeling series by Nalini Singh, and Mine to Possess is a wonderful reunion story. Clay and Tally lived together as children and find each other again as adults. Defintely one for my keeper shelf.
I, too, love reunion stories. I have to agree that Truly Madly Yours by Rachel Gibson and Birthright by Nora Roberts are two of my favorites but I’m always looking for more to add to the list. The attraction for me is the shared history from their first encounter – friends, family, even pets, situations, memories – all enable the story to hit the ground running.
Ooh, a reunion story is such a rich theme – a shared history, unresolved feelings and issues, and second chances. 🙂
I look forward to reading Stolen Heat. Congratulations, Elisabeth, and Happy Release Date! 🙂
I like reunion stories, I think they’re sweet.
congrats on your new release
I’d love to win either book
Hi Elisabeth and everyone!
I love reunion stories. My favorite ones are the Steve and Ginny series by Rosemary Rogers.
Congrats on your new release!
Happy Release Day. I do enjoy reunion stories. Some of my favorites are Jess Michaels’ “Taboo,” Liz Carlyle’s “Beauty Like the Night” and Lisa Kleypas’ “Again the Magic.”
Speaking of Liz Carlyle, her novel Two Little Lies is a beautiful second chance story, heart wrenching and emotional (my favorite from the author actualy).
I love reunion stories for a number of the reasons mentioned – second chances, believeable initial sexual tension. It also means a slight older h/h who have had life experiences in the interim that can make them more interesting characters
Hi Elisabeth,
congrats on the release!!
I love reunion stories too, and one favorite is already mentioned Mine to Possess. Looking forward to reading your book!
Congratulations on your release day, Elizabeth! I’m writing a reunion story right now – and I love them too for all the reasons everyone’s given. Unfinished business, sexual tension, the whole shebang! I like what you said about Peter not being a “typical” hero – it’s nice to see an author shatter some genre expectations. 🙂
WOW! Your blogging everywhere! Awesome! LOL.
And to the question–You know, I don’t think I’ve ever read a reunion story….I should get on that! 🙂
You’re everywhere, Elisabeth! But what a great promotion 🙂
I love reunion stories—thinking Peaches ‘n’ Cream from the ’70’s here— having first fell in love with them reading Danielle Steele’s The Promise way back when. Julie
LOVE reunion stories! So many relationships break up too soon, over misunderstandings or dumb things we think are important when we’re young. Plus, they say old flames never die, so what could be better than running into one when both parties happen to be single? 😉
Congrats on the release!
Congratulations on the release of “Stolen Heat” it sounds like an exciting addition to the trilogy. I agree with Tina F., that the benefit of reunion stories is less set up. There’s an opportunity to introduce character growth or weaknesses they’ve not changed at all.
Hi Elisabeth,
Thanks for visiting with us today! As for reunion stories… well, I love friends to lovers stories. Ones where they were separated for a while then reconnect and fall in love/realize they were in love?
It’s always a bit more messy when the couple is divorced then gets back together- but of course those are emotionally wrenching and great stories too. 😛 Yeah, it’s all romance here 😉
Hi all!
Sorry I’m late responding. It’s 110 degrees here today and I had to escape my no a/c house with my kids for a portion of the day. Those of you in the south are probably thinking, “Wah!” but for those of us in the PNW who think anything more than 93 degrees is hot, this is practically unheard of! I’m now at my mom’s chilling – she has a/c, thank goodness!
Emmanuelle – great to see you here! I haven’t read Black Hills yet. Another reunion story? I so have to pick it up now. Thanks for the tip! And I’m LOL about your “have to read these books” now comment. Thanks for the smile. And I hope you enjoy the books!
Hi Cindy Kirk,
What a great summary about reunion stories. Here’s a little secret about the Stolen books…when I first wrote them, Hailey & Shane were supposed to get book #2. But when I sat down to write their story, it just wouldn’t work. I struggled for a few weeks, then finally shelved it to write STOLEN HEAT. By the time HEAT was done and I started back in on STOLEN SEDUCTION again (Jan, 2010) this time the story flowed. You’re totally right when you said that sometimes people need time to grow before they’re ready for a relationship. The same is true for book characters. 🙂 At least, it was true in this case.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks so much for having me here! I love what you said:
“In a good reunion story, the couple is taking a huge risk getting back together. It can form the basis for a great conflict. And it helps fuel the promise of happy ever after, because, let’s face it, in real life couples go through tons of ups and downs. Reunion stories are reflective of that.”
So very true!!!
Hi Anna – Gold Ring of Betrayal sounds like a fabulous book. I’ll definitely look for it.
Tina – That’s why I love reunion stories too. there’s already a history and conflict and a whole host of emotions right from the start.
Hi Diana – oh Lady Be Good is a great one! I love anything by SEP. Thanks for the comment!
Hi Edie, thanks for stopping by! That’s very true – the reader already buys into the romance in a reunion story because it’s back story and it’s already happened. Great point. 🙂
Hi Larena – The thing I love most about reunion stories is that when written well (good point, as well) they seem almost seemless, like they write themselves.
Hi Leshia – thanks for stopping by!
Cathy – ooh, Mine to Possess sounds great!
Marie – I haven’t read Truly Madly Yours. Several have recommended it though, so I’ll add it to my TBR list!
Hi Gail – thanks for the comment. Love seeing my 007 girls!
Elaing8 – thanks for the comment!
Terri – another one I need to check out!
Jane – you’re all giving me great new reads!
Cathy H – good point about slightly older H/h’s with reunion stories. I hadn’t thought of that, but it’s very true!
Hi Eva – thanks for stopping by!
Milena – good luck with your reunion story! I discovered they’re a lot harder to write than I thought. But I still love them. And as for Pete being a non-typical hero…*grin* he really is. But then Rafe in STOLEN FURY wasn’t your typical heroic hero either. Part of the reason I love these guys so much.
Chelsea – I am. Release Day is just crazy! No reunion story? Honey, you need to read one!! 🙂
Hi Julie – great to see you here!
Thanks so much Avery! “Old flames never die.” LOVE that!
Judy – great point. Ah, character weaknesses. The ones that broke them up always comes back to get them, don’t they? Watching a character realize that is always entertaining.
Hey Limecello – so great to see you here! Friends to lover stories are great. And they’re wonderful reunion stories if one or both were secretly in love before going their separate ways. 🙂 Thanks so much for the comment!
Congrats on the release!
I havent read a lot of reunion books. I did just finish a really good one though Black Hills by Nora Roberts.
Donna S – I love Nora’s books, so I’ll definitely be looking for Black Hills. I think I still need to read Tribute first…
Elizabeth you should definitly give Black Hills a try. I’ve read some bad reviews but still, I thaught it was a great book. The H/H have known each other since childhood then became lovers then something happened. They’re reunited 10 years later in with a series of sabotage and murders. Vintage Nora Roberts, a very good one, IMHO !
Thank you for a wonderful day, everyone, and thank you again to Elisabeth!
The Randomizer chose Milena as the winner! Milena, please look for an email from me in your inbox.