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I joined RWA after I had written seven books. I already had an agent, and my debut novel, Line of Scrimmage, was being shopped. Why did I wait so long? I don’t know, but I’m glad I did. Otherwise, I might’ve heard about “the rule” that says you shouldn’t write about sports heroes (or musicians or actors…) or “the rule” that says you shouldn’t show your hero or heroine in other relationships.

With my first two books, I’ve broken two of the more entrenched “rules” in romance writing, and I couldn’t be prouder of that. Line of Scrimmage featured an NFL quarterback, famous the world over, but with ordinary problems: the woman he loves doesn’t love him anymore, and he’ll do anything he can to get her back—even stooping to a bit of blackmail. Readers of Line of Scrimmage have loved Ryan not because he’s a football star but because once he’s off the field he’s an ordinary man fighting for the woman he loves. I’m eternally grateful that I hadn’t heard the “no sports heroes” rule before I wrote Line of Scrimmage.

When my editor asked me what else I had, I showed her a few of my earlier manuscripts and we finally settled on the third book I had written, Love at First Flight, out this week. Once again, I’m breaking the rules and loving every minute of it. In the early chapters, you will see my hero and heroine with *gasp* other people. When I say with, I mean with. Are you with me? Good. ;-)

When Michael and Juliana meet in the airport on their way to a weekend in Florida, he’s engaged to Paige, and Juliana has been living with Jeremy for four of the ten years they’ve been together. Michael and Juliana are in committed relationships that they expect will go the distance. Neither can imagine on that Friday night how dramatically their lives are about to change. Over the course of the weekend, both relationships hit major speed bumps. So when Michael and Juliana meet up again on the flight back to Baltimore on Sunday evening, both are reeling and trying to process what’s happened.

As I was writing the book, I thought it was important that the two existing relationships end not because Michael and Juliana had met each other, but because they had run their course. That’s an important distinction. I don’t think I would’ve liked Michael as much if, after he met Juliana and had an immediate reaction to her, he went to Paige and said, “Sorry, but I can’t marry you.” It doesn’t happen like that at all. In fact, what does happen is so explosive and so devastating to him that Michael is forced to make a very big decision at a very bad time…

Likewise, that which drives a rift between Jeremy and Juliana is not something even I saw coming until it actually happened (one of the very BEST parts of being a pantser). It would’ve been far too easy for her to discover he’d been cheating on her during their long separation. What does happen might actually make you feel some empathy for Jeremy. He tries to be honest with Juliana, and it blows up in his face. Big time.

So readers of Love at First Flight are in for something a little different. Expect three romances, a hero and heroine who are heavily involved with other people when they meet, and a new love that grows from a friendship that begins under the most unusual of circumstances. Toss in a murder trial that descends into mayhem, and you’ll be taken on a wild flight that culminates in one of the most romantic chapters I’ve ever written.

Love at First Flight is now in stores and available on Amazon. I recently received my author copies and was so delighted to finally hold in my hands a book I finished nearly three years ago. I can now attest that it’s every bit as exciting the second time around as it was the first. To the aspiring writers out there, I say ignore the rules and go for it. You never know where you’ll end up. If you wish to discuss all the rules I broke in Love at First Flight, join me Monday, July 20, at 7 p.m. EDT on my blog http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com for a book club discussion. Warning, there will be spoilers, so make sure you read the book before the party! I’ll be giving away some great prizes to participants.

Let me ask you, what do you think about a romance in which you see your hero and heroine with other people before they get together? Have you ever had to make a choice between the one you’ve been with forever and the one who makes your heart race? If so, which one did you choose and why? I’ll give away a copy of each of my books to commenters. If you’ve already read Line of Scrimmage, just let me know. Have a great day!

Contact Marie:  .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website:  www.mariesullivanforce.com
Blog:  http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com