I’d like to welcome Vina Arno!
A Romance Author’s Confession:
I Didn’t Know I Liked Romance Novels
By Vina Arno
Three years ago, if you asked me if I liked romance, I would have said no. I read literary fiction, historical fiction, and the occasional thrillers and mysteries. However, a closer look at some of the books I cherish made me realize that I’m a romance-genre lover at heart. I just didn’t know it because the books I like are categorized as classic literature.
By “romance,” I’m referring to the most fundamental characteristics of the genre: boy meets girl, they fall in love, they face obstacles, but in the end, they live happily ever after or at least happy for now.
Some of my favorites include “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen, “A Room with a View” by E.M. Forster, and “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë. I consider Louisa May Alcott’s “Little Women” a romance because the book has enough love and happy endings involving the March sisters and their beaus.
I started reading romances by contemporary authors in 2012. A year later, I wrote my debut romance book, In His Corner, after 18 years of writing other types of works, including short stories and nonfiction books.
In May 2014, when Lyrical Press, an imprint of Kensington Publishing, accepted In His Corner for publication, I experienced my own happily-ever-after ending as a romance reader and author.
In His Corner Blurb
WORK OUT
No sex for almost a year could kill a guy, but when you’re the boxer known as the Juggernaut, it’s the price you pay for turning pro. Tommy’s fully dedicated to his craft, until he meets the incredibly gorgeous Dr. Siena Carr. Now he’s looking forward to taking on this prim and proper lady in a wet and wild workout…
KNOCK OUT
Siena has seen many patients come through the ER, but none as sexy as Tommy Raines. With a nasty cut over his eye, she knows he needs stitches, but after he takes off his shirt, she needs some air. With rock-hard abs and taut biceps, it’s clear this man takes care of his body. And all Siena can think about is letting him take care of hers…
In His Corner Book Excerpt
Dr. Siena Carr dropped the clipboard on the counter and washed her hands. When she turned around, she gasped. “What are you doing?”
The Juggernaut was undressing. Before she could say another word, he was naked. A glorious sight that sent her heart racing and her face burning. Did he know that he looked like a sculpture by Michelangelo? Except for the tattoo on his right shoulder, this man was David incarnate.
She looked away abruptly, grabbing the clipboard. She didn’t even know his name! She looked at his paperwork. Tommy Raines. “Mr. Raines, please put on your clothes.”
She continued scanning his form. Occupation: boxer. Age: twenty-two. Weight: 160 pounds. Height: six feet. Blood type: O positive. No pre-existing health conditions. His temperature and blood pressure were normal. Reason for ER visit: a cut sustained from sparring.
She faced him. Thank God, he was clothed again.
“Sorry about that,” he said. “I thought you’re supposed to check me out.”
Did he just say check him out? “Mr. Raines, this is an ER, not a bar. I don’t check out patients. Do you mean to say check up?”
He smiled. “Yeah, check up.”
“I’m going to take care of your cut, but I’m not doing a checkup. If you need one, you should go to your primary care doctor.”
“I don’t like doctors. I avoid hospitals and clinics as much as possible, but my cut kept bleeding even after I showered. So here I am.”
Pre-Order Now
In His Corner by Vina Arno, published by Lyrical Press/Kensington Publishing, will be released on April 14, 2015. Genre: contemporary romance.
You can pre-order the book at:
Thanks so much for having me!
All the best,
Cindy Fazzi aka Vina Arno