Beverly Breton

My Five Fellow Candy Hearts Authors

February is all about love and romance!!
I am loving the 2018 release of my Candy Hearts Romance I’m Sure in a boxed set with five of my fellow Candy Hearts Romance authors. We are Book Four of the series, entitled Sweet Stuff.

How will St. Valentine handle water-pond designer Megan, who considers goldfish more reputable than men, and paramedic fire-fighter Jason, who is tired of fair-weather women who can’t handle the realities of his demanding profession? Because I’m Sure these two belong together…

Once you’ve enjoyed my story, read forward and discover what’s happening with Kate, her inherited family home in Florida, and her high school sweetheart Tappe in Sweet Kiss by Judy Ann Davis.

Meet schoolteacher Kelsey who rescues horses and organic farmer and horseman Landry in Pick Me by Tanya Hanson.

Maggie meets Shamus, the man of her dreams, on the eve of her weeding in All Mine by Tamrie Foxtail.

Andi is flirting with Garett by text, but longing to introduce herself to Cute Coffee Shop Guy in Secret Admirer by Ally Hayes.

And klutzy Kate gets tangled up with rookie cop Dallas in the search for a stolen lawn statue in Hot Stuff by Cj Fosdick.

Treat yourself to sweet Candy Hearts romance…Sweet Stuff on Amazon

I’m Sure to be released in Candy Heart Series Boxed Set

Writing romance is a conversation with readers–a shared joy over the wonder and magic of romance and love. I’m happy to carry my side of the conversation; as an author, it’s what I do! But how enjoyable to have other authors join me on the story-telling side…I couldn’t be more thrilled to have my Candy Hearts romance I’m Sure released on Amazon in a boxed set. Read about who is joining me for a February treat you won’t want to miss: Sweet Stuff, Volume Four, Candy Hearts Series.
http://beverlybreton.com/candy-hearts-series-boxed-sets/

I Want More Megan and Jason!

My favorite response from a reader of my newest release, I’m Sure: “I want more Megan and Jason!”
Nothing’s better than hearing a reader wants to spend more time with your characters.

The story ended too soon! I’ve heard this before. I write mini-novellas (my stories are less than 20,000 words) and the romance equivalent of flash fiction (less than 1000 words).

So many characters and story lines waiting to be pursued, and not enough time. I’ve enjoyed writing about every couple I’ve matched up in my stories…but there are so many couples and settings waiting in the wings to be developed.

And what I really like is pushing the boundaries, writing romance stories that have quirky settings and plot lines that bring my couple together, but don’t always fit the standard rhythms of what a romance editor is looking for. So I’m always on pins and needles until hear an acceptance back from an editor. We really like this story, but with these changes made to enhance the romance story line. Can you agree to these changes? Usually, I can, if for no other reason than this couple is real to me now, and I can not imagine relegating them back to the virtual file drawer where they started. And my editors are almost always right in their instincts of where and how to turn the temperature up on the romance.

Still, in my published stories, I’ve been given some leeway. The romance may start a little later in the story than it’s traditionally supposed to. Or I might have a third main character, like Tillie, Kenny’s mother in Crazy, Happy Hearts, who steals the scene every now and then. Or my characters may not get as physical as soon or as intensely as romance readers have grown to expect.

My readers have said they love how real my characters are. Not every couple jumps into bed right away. Or makes out right away. Or even holds hands. I like my characters to find each other at a pace that feels real. And yes, I love reading the romancing scenes, but I truly love the prelude to the romance–the teases, the misunderstandings, the people who help make the match, or who get in the way, knowingly or unknowingly; the time apart when we know these two characters belong together, but they haven’t quite figured it out!

I fall in love with the couples and the communities in my romances. I’m always thankful when my readers do also.

Cute Guy or Cyber Flirt: Secret Admirer by Ally Hayes

This story is quietly irresistible. Ally Hayes doesn’t resort to exotic locales, crazy plans, or kookie characters to make this story sing. Just real life as most of us know it, and I love that–only completely captivating in the telling. Andi has requested a transfer within her accounting firm, moving from Rhode Island to Connecticut. She wants a new life where she’s more than one of the guys, everybody’s friend and nobody’s girlfriend. She meets Cute Guy in the coffee shop, and agonizes over how to take this chance meeting beyond a few words, to at least introduce herself and get his name. Yet no matter how many mornings she goes there on the way to work, she can’t take the connection further. In the meantime, Bree, a coworker around the same age, brings Ally into a group of friends that get together when they can, and group text often. Andi and Garrett begin a cyber-flirt that has Andi floating on air. But what about Cute Guy, who also gets her heart pounding? Has she made any impression on him? Who is secretly admiring who? And what will happen when Andi manages to take the flirting further, with both Cute Guy and Garrett? Read Secret Admirer so you can find out!

Tattoos And Tweed: Ask Me by Laura Strickland

I love Leo and Gerri and this charming story.  He’s a history professor who chooses tweed, she’s a tattoo artist who loves Steampunk, and neither of them have plans for Valentine’s Day. Until they end up at the library at the same time on Valentine’s Day, drawn in by the Blind Date With A Book notice.  But there’s only one wrapped book left, and neither wants to face heading back to an apartment without a book for their blind date!  (Is this not the best idea ever?) So the librarian suggests they share…

This is a delightful opposites attract story, believable and touching, with two very likable characters who want to risk, but don’t want to be hurt again. I finished Ask Me with a happy smile on my face. I’m betting you will, too.