by Kelly Hunter, author of Playboy Boss, Live-In Mistress (Harlequin Presents, Nov. 2009)
I’ve always had a fascination with equality and with money. It started with watching farming families try and sort inheritances without divvying up the farm and rendering each mini-farm unviable. Then came romance to muddy that mix even more, and I watched how various romances played out when one party had money (or the expectation of money to come), and one party had none. There was an inherent inequality in these relationships and it played out in a million tiny ways. Sometimes the romances worked, sometimes not, but one thing remained constant. Money mattered.
I devoured books like Pride and Prejudice and sat glued to films like Pretty Woman, and once I’d stopped swooning I tried to figure out how those apparently equal relationships had come about. Why did the heroines in those stories hold out until they had those heroes suitably humbled and positively whipped before finally committing to the relationship?
I could read all the study papers for answers – and I’ve read a few – but the answer I like best is that the heroines were holding out for equality. Something to balance that lovely wad of money in her hero’s tightly fisted hand. Those heroes needed to love those gals beyond measure before her power equalled his.
Ask any romance writer – we love playing around with the equality equation.
Relationship supremacy bounces back and forth between hero and heroine in my November release Playboy Boss, Live-In Mistress. They’re childhood friends so there’s common ground and inherent equality there. The heroine is temporarily working for the hero as his personal assistant so she definitely does his bidding in that regard. Alexander Wentworth (the Third) has more money than he’ll ever need and effortlessly acquires more. Sienna has barely enough money to get by. No equality there. Low self esteem? Sienna’s riddled with it, whereas Lex has a healthy regard for himself and the benefits he can bring to a relationship.
I had a lot of fun writing this story. So many parts to this equality equation. And yet – I hope – that equation balances out beautifully in the end. With love.
I’m in a movie watching mood – possibly on account of the truly daunting pile of ironing awaiting my glazed attention. I’m on for watching a romance – one where money brings inequality and love ultimately triumphs. Any suggestions?
Kelly
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Kelly, loved this story! The dialogue made me laugh out loud.
As to movies and money and equality…um….I got nothing! But I did like Before Sunrise. Got nothing to do with money of course but that had great dialogue too!
Hi Kelly,
We I automatically thought of SABRINA with the rich hero and chaffeur’s daughter…a classic! I’ve actually blogged about it here on how I think it’s the most Presents-ish movie
Also, EVER AFTER (the Drew Barrymore Cinderella movie) where there is the rich prince and the poor servant girl who teaches him how to enjoy life and be a better man.
~Amy
I’ve always loved a film called “No Mercy” – it’s quite dated now – and a bit a violent film – but it stars Kim Basinger and Richard Gere (when I think they had a bit of a thing going with each other!) the tension sizzles and the plot revolves murder/money and the fact that the heroine is at the mercy of a gangland type who controls her. Gere is a policeman who is determined to bring down the baddie and win Kim Basinger in the end. I love it! It’s a real romantic thriller IMHO. Take care. Caroline x
Thanks, Jackie. I’m glad you enjoyed the read. As for the dialogue, this was my ‘banter’ book and I was inspired by all those old Hollywood movies where the heroine was smart of mouth and most definitely had her hero’s measure.
Amy and Caroline, thanking you muchly for the movie suggestions. Guess who’ll be hitting the video hire later today? Maybe Gone With The Wind, too, if I can find a copy. That one would probably qualify, and with a bad boy bonus!
Like Jackie, I really enjoyed the banter in this book. Your one-liners are superb.
Films… I guess I’d probably say “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” – they both think they want money (aka career progression) but it ends up being equal. Lots of smart banter there, too.
Or maybe “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, where they both think they want money but they really want something else. (The scene with the cat makes me bawl every time, and I’m a dog person.)
Loved the secondaries in your book. Can I make a plea for Gracie’s story?
How about Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds in “The Proposal”?
Great role reversal, and I loved the shifts in the balance of power in their relationship, until despite being younger and her employee, he became totally her equal, even Alpahing it up over her. So much fun!
Kelly, I love-love-loved your Playboy Boss, Live-In Mistress. She might not have had much money, but once she’d wriggled into that extremely sexy business suit, no equality there — he was on his knees! LOL.
As for movies, I’m hopeless with remembering which one was what, but an old movie I recently rewatched that’s not a romance, but is all about class and being one of the in-crowd, is A Private Function with Michael Palin and Maggie Smith. And a pig. Fabulous movie.
Hi Kelly! I adore your books and despite my leaning towers of tbr’s, I”ve just gone to my hbr pile and pulled out Playboy Boss, Live-in Mistress to enjoy again.
I’m shortly about to tackle the towering pile of ironing myself, and not quite sure how I’m going to read at the same time, but needs must!
Thanks for your gorgeous books. Please keep them coming.
Hey Kate, have I ever mentioned that in the first draft of this story, Grace was a former highclass madam and Georgie the suit designer was a transvestite? The suit scene ended up a cross between Blackadder and Priscilla Queen of the Desert. I had to tone it back into line of course, but I still remember Gracie May (the first) with distinct fondness.
Mulberry, I’ve not seen that one but it’s now on the list!
I love love love all Anne Gracie books, with your latest heroine in To Catch A Bride one of my favourites. Loved the way it started in Egypt with our heroine disguised as a boy. Loved her metamorphosis into a Lady. I think we have equilibrium. xxk
Kelly,
I LOVED this book. The dialog was fabulous. I kept wondering how you could come up with all that clever banter. I`m in awe.
How about Confessions of a Shopaholic? Fabulously funny, fresh, and with a real message about money and self image.
Amy
Oh yes, Kelly. That banter. You’re brilliant, and I’m in awe! Playboy Boss Live-In Mistress is so delightfully clever and entertaining. I wish you were writing the dialogue for my current work!
anna
I love playing with “equality” — she may not have money, but that’s not necessarily what the hero is looking for in an equal. Equal can mean many things… especially in a Modern Heat!
Loved the book, Kelly. So much, in fact, it’s part of a prize pack I’m giving away on my blog’s birthday. (Not my copy, though
)
Kelly, Can’t wait to read it!! And on the movies–Mulberry is totally right– you have to watch The Proposal!! I saw it last night and lost half my Diet Coke through my nose! Love the balance of power in that one. And Ryan. I love him.
Mira
Hey Kelly
As you know I absolutely ADORE all your books and this one was no exception. I too love a great reunion hook and the equality thread just enhances it even more.
Don’t watch many movies at the moment (not through not wanting too – lol) and I’m not sure this one has many equality threads but have you seen ‘He’s Not That Into You!?’ A must for any romance writer, I reckon!!
Rach!
Thank you, Anne MacFarlane (lots of Anne’s in the room at the moment). I’m always wishing I could come up with on the spot clever conversation (but it never happens).
Th eperfect comeback usually arrives days later, possibly while doing the dishes. Have also been known to come up with the perfect line of dialogue in the shower… or while driving along on the school pickup run… waiting at the grocery checkout… And then when I start grinning the checkout person gives me that look that can be roughly translated as ‘okay, another nutter. Will this shift never END??!’
Trish, my first reply will likely pop up from the ether eventually, but there was mention of houseboys who iron, thus letting the hardworking author put her feet up and start in on that tbr pile. Then when your eyes tire he can read aloud to you in an accent guaranteed to make you listen. Just a suggestion.
xx
Hi Kelly,
Love your dialogue too… And this post. My nomination would be The Long Hot Summer with Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward (filmed just as they were falling in love for real), which fairly sizzles with sexual tension and smart snappy dialogue.
She’s got money (by virtue of her Daddy), he wants it and makes a bet with said Daddy to get it by marrying her… She finds out and tells him to get lost, then gives him a good talking to about morals and ethics and how she would only marry for love. And then things start to get really exciting…
Heidi x
Thank you Amy, another one for the list.
Anna, I refuse to believe that your current story is anything less than gorgeously vivid and dripping resonance. They always are.
Kimberly, happy blog birthday! I think I need to come visiting.
Mira and Mulberry, The Proposal has just hit the top of the tbv pile.
Rachael, I’ve not seen ‘He’s Not That Into You’ yet. It’s on the list. Just thought of another one, Maid In Manhattan.
Heidi, it sounds wonderful! Colour me fickle but I think that one just hit the top of the todo list.
Saw The Proposal too and absolutely loved it! Won’t spoil it for anyone, but the bathroom scene had me screaming with laughter!! Not to mention the “hand off ass” bit too! In fact the whole movie is riddled with fab “equalising” scenes.
Maya
Pretty Woman is in my top ten (and probably everyone else’s) all time favourite flicks list. Massive inequality and in the end he’s brought to his knees. Gotta love Richard Gere :sigh:
I have one more week in the cave then I’m onto your latest, Kel. Sounds fabulous! But then all your books are.
Robbie
Kelly – Trading Places with Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis has to be the ultimate film about money being a great leveler and it’s a love story too…
x Abby
Oh, I have to second (or maybe it’s fourth by this point
“The Proposal” — it’s the best romantic comedy that has come out in years! I was laughing out loud when I saw it…plus Ryan Reynolds in a state of undress didn’t hurt, either 
Also, “You’ve Got Mail” has money issues — the big bookstore owner (Tom Hanks) vs. the independent kids’ bookstore owner (Meg Ryan)…but unknownst to them they’ve been pen-pals for years and slowly fall in love. Not my favourite romantic comedy, but fun for a watch, too.
~Amy
For me, NOTTING HILL ranks high on the list of contemporary romances with the inequality equation at their heart, and it’s all the more fun (and touching) because the heroine is the one with the money and fame.
Hi Kelly,
Have you ever seen The Thomas Crown Affair with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway? The remake with Pierce Brosnan was also good, but it still doesn’t touch the original. McQueen plays a billionaire playboy who robs a bank because he’s bored. Dunaway is brought in to investigate him, but each time she ends up “falling under his spell” to borrow a cliche. Meanwhile, McQueen plays off various people against each other. In the remake it’s a picture by Monet that gets stolen.
My second nomination is a lot more obscure, and that’s a film called Journey to the Far Side of the Sun (aka Doppleganger). Here Roy Thinnes plays Colonel Glenn Ross, an astronaut and playboy. A probe has discovered a new planet on the far side of the sun, with the same orbit and size as Earth. So, a mission is planned with Colonel Ross leading it. Meanwhile, his wife Sharon is using all this publicity to get herself into the limelight (and the actress, Lynn Loring, who plays Sharon bears an uncanny resemblance to model Katy Price, aka Jordan, who is currently in the UK media spotlight). Well, unfortunately the mission goes pear shaped. The astronauts land on what they think is the new planet but find out that “everything is reversed!” That is, everything is the exact mirror image of the world they left behind. This ties in with Colonel Ross’s fall from grace (everyone thinks he’s gone mad) and the breakdown of his marriage to Sharon. I mention this fiilm because it has a lot of sixties glamour and some very good romantic chemistry between Thinnes and Loring.
Oh, I also agree with everyone who mentioned The Proposal, and with Jay who mentioned Notting Hill.
One more I’d like to mention, although it’s more of a “segment” in a film really. Has anyone seen The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus? Well, I thought the character of Tony Shepherd fitted very well with what we’ve been discussing here. There’s one particular sequence in an opera house where Tony is being given an award for his charity work, when really his dark alter-ego is a crook and a fraudster. The heroine, Valentina, ultimately redeems him though – but not before he has been chased by an angry lynch mob! I won’t spoil it anymore for anyone who hasn’t seen it.
Ahhhh Kelly, I just reread chapter one of Playboy Boss, Live-In Mistress.
Magic in print.
Think that ironing’s gonna have to wait a wee while…
Kelly, I absolutely loved this book. It had me laughing out loud at the wonderful banter, the soap scene at the airport in particular, and by the end, I desperately wanted that suit! I lent it to a friend, who has never really taken to Mills & Boons before, and I got a text the next day ‘I LOVE this M&B!’ So thanks for the fun read, from both of us
I would have to say The Notebook. A classic chick flick, about a young high class girl, who falls in love with a strapping laboring man. Just beautiful. Definitely a film where equality is an issue to keep them apart. But love knows no bounds.
So many fabulous movie suggestions – think I’d better compile a list and pop it at the end of the comments.
Trish and Madeline (and Madeline’s pal), thanks so much for your lovely comments on the story.
The money matters list, with many thanks to all who made suggestions. I’m in movie watching heaven. The list is in the order they were mentioned. Best, Kelly
Before Sunrise
Sabrina
Ever After
No Mercy
How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The Proposal (x5)
A Private Function
Confessions of a Shopaholic
He’s Not That Into You
The Long Hot Summer
Maid In Manhattan
Trading Places
You’ve Got Mail
Notting Hill
The Thomas Crown Affair
Journey to the Far Side of the Sun
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus
The Notebook
Just downloaded your book, Kelly. Looking forward to reading it. And here’s a few more movie titles to add to your list…
Lady Chatterley’s Lover – with the yummy Sean Bean of course.
Jane Eyre – because the characters were unequal by both money and class
Wuthering Heights – another great book/movie about inequality through money and class
Indecent Proposal – a bit of a triangle in this one. Rich and older Robert Redford offers one million for a night with Woody Harrelson’s wife, Demi Moore. The money nearly destroys their marriage, but love prevails in the end.
African Queen – I just love this movie. Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart play an ill-matched pair. She a prim spinster and he’s a gin loving river-bum. It’s lovely romance disguised as a war movie.
And my all time favourite ‘Beauty and The Beast’ – the Disney version of course. The ultimate unequal love story the prince turned beast and the beautiful but feisty peasant girl.
Happy viewing
Thanks Mary,
Speaking of Disney animated flicks, my all time favourite is Mulan. I love that story! It was my ironing companion for years…