Thank you, Delilah, for this opportunity to be a guest on your blog. It’s exciting for me to be here because I am a fan.

Romance novels – they are the lead story in this week’s New York Times Book Review section. Titled “In the Mood for Love”, the story is not the usual review of a single book. Rather, writer Robert Gottlieb synthesizes a dozen romance novels. His review is a little tongue in cheek initially, denigrating each of the books and the genre as a whole. Ultimately, Gottlieb gives romance readers his permission to read romance. “…it’s a healthy genre, not trapped in its inflexibility. Its readership is vast, its satisfaction apparently limitless, its profitability incontestable. And its effect? Harmless.”

Despite the attitudes of people like Mr. Gottlieb, romance continues to be the top selling genre in the world. One in three books sold on Amazon last year was a romance. Often considered frivolous, romances continue to provide escape when that is what you need. Perhaps this accounts for the success of my own series, where slightly flawed but incredibly sexy heroes among the top .001% of America’s society happen to live with wealth and connections beyond Mr. Darcy’s dreams.

Contemporary romance doesn’t skirt life’s tough realities. It often addresses difficulties with work, finances, raising children, or managing family issues, to say nothing of the frustration brought about by the many things the characters cannot change – illness or family circumstance for example. These heroines don’t just survive, they thrive. That is now part of the happily ever after – good sex, great career opportunities, self-actualization.

Romance has grown as opportunities for women have grown. I have read novels with women wielding guns, snapping whips, using their brains and waving their pocketbooks – all brandishing their version of power. Plus, unlike the days of Barbara Cartland novels, women over 30, 40 or 50 can now find love.

My female characters are armed with their educations, their confidence and their talents as well as their independence – from Keeli, a struggling jewelry designer, to Sloane who holds a place at the boardroom table, to Charlotte, Director of Finance for a female CEO. These strong and smart characters are often based on women I know and love in real life. These women still want love, they still want the fantasy and – in my novels – they get it.

OODLES OF ROMANCE FOR 99 CENTS

For a limited time, you can get a taste of my Beguiling Bachelors series for just 99 cents. For less than a cup of coffee you can get my full length novel, Bedeviled, along with works from 21 other talented authors in Sultry Nights, a romance collection.

Here’s a brief description of Bedeviled:

Can a love be built on lies?

Charlotte Roche is escaping a menacing threat in Boston when she moves to Chicago for a new job and a new man. Alex is smart, sexy and quickly getting under Charlotte’s skin. A shared love of running gives the sassy beauty an excuse to be near her heart’s desire, but can Charlotte run Alex from the track to the bedroom without divulging her past and risking everything?

Alex Gaines, wealthy banker and philanthropist, has held women at arm’s length all his life to protect long-held secrets of his own. Now he is torn between loving the alluring Charlotte and protecting his dual lives. Can Alex trust Charlotte with the truth or is risking his fortune and family to pursue her? Can the two fall in love when they are bedeviled by lies and half-truths?

When danger follows Charlotte to Chicago threatening her safety and their futures, Charlotte and Alex a forced to make a hard decision – choose the secrets of their past or a future together.

Bedeviled is the third novel in the Beguiling Bachelor series, a trio of steamy contemporary romances set amidst the luxury of Chicago’s elite society.

BUY LINKS: For a limited time, Bedeviled is available in Sultry Nights. Grab a copy of Sultry Nights here or Bedeviled on Amazon standalone here or in Sultry Nights here.

About the Author

Madison Michael is the author of the Beguiling Bachelor Series, smart, sexy novels with complex characters set against the backdrop of Chicago’s elite society. Maddy loves exploring her native Chicago to discover new sites, new restaurants and new elegant events for future stories. Follow Maddy on Facebook or learn more about her and her friends by subscribing to her blog.

Website www.madisonmichael.net
Blog www.madisonmichael.net/category/maddys-blog
Twitter www.twitter.com/madisonmichael
Facebook www.facebook.com/madisonmichaelromance
Pinterest www.pinterest.com/madisonmichaelromance
Goodreads www.goodreads.com/author/show/15221601.Madison_Michael
Amazon Author Page www.amazon.com/Madison-Michael/e/B01EVUGG6G