by Annie West, author of The Savakis Merger (Harlequin Presents Extra, November 2011)
I have a book out this month. THE SAVAKIS MERGER is a November Presents Extra release. Yay! I’m so pleased as I’ve had quite a bit of mail from American and Canadian readers about when it would cross the Atlantic.
When I considered what I’d tell you about the book, what came to mind instantly was the snap and sizzle of energy and high emotion that was a hallmark of the story from the moment I conceived it. It opens in the middle of a love scene (what can I say? Callie and Damon are a very passionate couple) but the fireworks don’t end there. Even when they’re at loggerheads, especially when they’re at loggerheads, the energy levels keep rising.
I loved writing the dialogue. The characters took control and charged off, sparking off each other in a way that was a joy to write. Fortunately they charged in a direction that enabled me to corral them towards a happy ending. Personally I tire of books that are never-ending arguments where the characters simply snipe at each other. With Callie and Damon I believe even the arguments reveal facets of their character and circumstances that help them move their relationship forward.
And who could blame them for a grievance or two? After being railroaded young into an arranged marriage and suffering years of a constrained, celibate life tied to a controlling husband, Callie is free at last. Who could blame her for being miffed when she finds the sexy guy who’s just swept her off her feet has arrived in her home not for her, but to take her shy, unwilling young cousin in a business deal marriage like the one Callie’s just escaped?
As for Damon, after a lifetime pursuing his goal of righting past wrongs, he’s on the verge of success, only to be distracted by a woman who slices straight through his plans. Discovering she’s there as part of her uncle’s stratagem to save the family fortune means she’s played Damon for a gullible fool and he’s all too ready to play her at her own game.
Put two strong-minded, independent characters at odds and of course there will be sparks. But for me Callie and Damon’s story is about far more than the sizzle of passion and the electrically-charged atmosphere. It’s about two people who both hide scars from the past and who work stoically to move on with their lives. It’s about people who’ve made mistakes and are determined to learn from those. Most of all it’s about a couple who have to open their eyes to the possibility of love. They need to move past the snap and sizzle of tension and learn the give and take of a relationship based on respect, common interests and genuine caring. For me, that’s where the aww moment came in – when I saw that their relationship had grown to something richer than high octane passion. That’s when I believed they shared a love that lasts a lifetime.
How about you? What ingredients do you think go into making a love that will last forever?
If you want to read more about THE SAVAKIS MERGER, or any of my other books, pop by my website where there are excerpts, news updates and even a contest.
Happy reading,
Annie
Wow Annie – what a brilliant analysis of a great love story, because that’s the message I got from this post. Callie & Damon’s story sounds like a fabulous read, something to curl up and treat myself with. Your description paints a growing relationship that is both sexy and yet sweet at the core. You’re a very talented author, congratulations!
As to what I think makes a lasting relationship? All the things you mentioned plus one: laughter/humour. My husband of a trillion years always says I make him laugh – and vice versa. It has diluted many a tense moment that might have otherwise resulted in someone wearing dinner. LOL.
Thanks for this post, Annie! And good luck with the book – I know I’m going to love it!
Just testing. A friend’s comment seems to have got lost in the ether…!
Annie you know this is one of my all time favourite opening scenes, straight into a love scene between strangers! And you manage to keep the momentum going. Damon is so cruel to poor Callie! But it’s so delicious because you know he has the completely wrong idea about her…
great great story.
If you haven’t read it yet order it now! It’s a true classic…now if only I could inject some of that intensity into my current WIP. Sigh.
x Abby
Wow Annie – what a brilliant analysis of a great love story, because that’s the message I got from this post. Callie & Damon’s story sounds like a fabulous read, something to curl up and treat myself with. Your description paints a growing relationship that is both sexy and yet sweet at the core. You’re a very talented author, congratulations!
As to what I think makes a lasting relationship? All the things you mentioned plus one: laughter/humour. My husband of a trillion years always says I make him laugh – and vice versa. It has diluted many a tense moment that might have otherwise resulted in someone wearing dinner. LOL.
Thanks for this post, Annie! And good luck with the book – I know I’m going to love it!
Trying again.
Wow Annie – what a brilliant analysis of a great love story, because that’s the message I got from this post. Callie & Damon’s story sounds like a fabulous read, something to curl up and treat myself with. Your description paints a growing relationship that is both sexy and yet sweet at the core. You’re a very talented author, congratulations!
As to what I think makes a lasting relationship? All the things you mentioned plus one: laughter/humour. My husband of a trillion years always says I make him laugh – and vice versa. It has diluted many a tense moment that might have otherwise resulted in someone wearing dinner. LOL.
Thanks for this post, Annie! And good luck with the book – I know I’m going to love it!
Hi Abby,
I’m sure your current story IS emotionally intense, but I feel for you – I hate it when it doesn’t seem that way as I write. I hope when you reread what you’ve got down it’s terrific.
Thanks for the lovely comments on Callie and Damon’s story. Smiling here at you enjoying that first scene so much – some friends of mine always remind me what a very nice time Callie had in that scene!
Hi, Annie! I *adore* the premise of The Sevakis Merger. Congratulations on its release in North America. I’m glad to hear it’s winning you lots of fans.
I was so intrigued to read about how Callie and Damon took control. You know a story really works when the characters cause that kind of mischief!
Oh, Annie, I loved The Savakis Merger — the intensity between Callie and Damon is smokin’ hot! And that opening scene…Mamma Mia!
I think two ingredients that are essential for a forever love is honesty and communication — two things that, thankfully, Callie and Damon get right in the end. And I loved how you showed that development between them. It was masterfully done.
Oh, Annie, what a lovely description. Snap and sizzle definitely describes Damon and Callie’s relationship. This is one of your best stories, I think. They’re both so strong and so meant to together, but man, do they go through the mills before they realize that. And you keep the tension so high, right from that first scene which is a corker!
Hi Vanessa, I’m glad you like the sound of the premise. It took me a while to get it straight in my head (I’d had bits of the idea for ages but it wouldn’t quite gel) and once it came together to was marvellous to write. I think I could safely say Callie and Damon get up to lots of mischief!
Ah, Michelle, how terrific to hear you enjoyed the book so much. As for the opening scene – I’ve had a lot of positive feedback on that.
I agree with you totally about honesty and communication to keep a partnership going. Sometimes the communication is difficult at first (or so it’s seemed to me) as occasionally it did seem to me that men didn’t communicate in the way women do. Is that an understatement (G)? But I think if you practise enough you get better at it. Actually, that’s one of the things I enjoy in a romance – watching the way men and women see things so differently but gradually learn to come to some common ground.
Hi Anna, there’s something to be said for characters going through the mill before getting their happy ever after, don’t you think? I suspect I’d lose interest in a book if it was too easy for the hero and heroine. Aren’t I mean? Basking here in a warm glow – thank you for the lovely comment.
Annie, I know north American readers are going to love THE SAVAKIS MERGER–your books are so wonderfully romantic and passionate.
A love that will last forever? To me, you need to have those flames of strong attraction at the beginning for them to die down into comfortable embers over the years (that can still flare into flames, of course!) But, to me, the most important thing is for a couple to respect each other and to be kind to each other.
Hi Kandy,
I really like your comment about the flames of love burning as comfortable embers with the occasional flare up! Absolutely yes to respect and kindness. Someone, I can’t remember who now, told me once that the most important thing in a life partner was kindness. After all, why would you want to saddle yourself with someone who couldn’t be kind to you. Thanks for contributing, and for the favourable comments on my books.
Oooo, after reading Abby’s comment, I had to get my copy off the shelf and re-read that beginning! It is a grabber, Annie!
Now before I go and make myself a nice cup of tea and read on… I do like Kandy’s important relationship tips. And I think a sense of humour is a must too!
Sharon
Sharon, yep, a sense of humour sure helps! I couldn’t agree more. Without it it would be pretty tough living with someone, or maybe that’s just me. Thanks for stopping by.
Annie, what a fabulous blog! Filled with all the intensity and passion that your stories are too. Just wonderful.
But then I’m a bit biased – I love all your books. Classic, wonderful Presents all the way.
As to the ingredients that go into making a love that lasts forever – I’m cheering what everyone else has said, and I’ll add, taking time out with each other. We all lead such busy lives these days, but it’s amazing how such a simple thing makes such a difference.
Please keep your gorgeous books coming Annie. I adore them.
Hi Trish – marvellous to see you here, especially when you say such lovely things!
What a great point about making time to be with each other. That’s so important and I think is something that can too easily slip away under the pressure of all those things that need to get done. I’m thrilled to say I’m just about to head off on some ‘time out’ with my husband, away from the day to day grind of responsibilities and I know we’ll come back refreshed and stronger for the time together.
Ingredients?
passion, trust, respect and laughter.
Hi Kaz,
Thanks for your comments. They’ve just appeared for me so I wonder what the delay was. It sounds like you and your husband have a wonderful relationship and you’re so right about a touch of humour defusing difficult situations. It can make such a difference when someone points out the lighter side of things.
Hi Marilyn,
It sounds like we’re all on the same wavelength when it comes to ingredients for a long term, loving relationship. Great summary! Thank you.