This morning we welcome Madison Martin as she looks at the idea of “opposites attract”. Then keep reading to get a sneak peek at her new book, Toying with Temptation.
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Do Opposites Really Attract?
Thank you so much for letting me be a part of your blog today! I’m thrilled to be here. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and family, whether it was smooth sailing or conflict for all involved. I’m not much for conflict in real life, and I always like a drama-free holiday, with everyone happy and enjoying themselves. My ideal family holiday would make for a couple of very boring scenes in a book! Hmmm … definitely food for thought.
Having two characters who are polar opposites make for fantastic fiction. There’s nothing more satisfying than two people learning and growing from one another, and appreciating the other person’s differences. The other person can bring a fresh viewpoint and way of seeing the world. This can challenge the other character, enrich them, and broaden their world. It’s often the opposite qualities the character falls in love with. I’ve found that stories flow off the keyboard or the pen much faster if there’s good conflict, and stories with lots of conflict are a blast to read. But it’s tricky to get it right.
In Toying with Temptation, Quinn runs the family business, but he’s laid back and confident. He’s always had the support of his family, and family is the most important thing in his life. Hailey is a workaholic who grew up with little support from family, and she isn’t quite sure she’s cut out for family life, or that it’s cut out for her. They have to compromise, and by the end these compromises have softened their flaws. They’re better people. They haven’t lost their strengths or the essence of themselves, but Quinn learns it’s okay to pursue his own dreams, and Hailey learns that being part of a couple doesn’t diminish her power, but makes her stronger.
I’m not so sure conflict in real life makes for a great relationship work in real life. I think people who share the same world views, values and interests and who basically think the same way are more likely to get along. But I could definitely be way off base!
What do you think? Do opposites really attract in real life? Or is it better to have more in common with your mate?
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Toying With Temptation
Genre: Romance/Contemporary, Romance/ Adult
Blurb:
Driven, business savvy Hailey Burton, Vice President of Tryton Financial Institute, has been put in charge of running what could be her first ever failure: the company’s Christmas Eve toy drive. Toys and Christmas are beyond Hailey’s expertise, but when she’s offered the chance for the promotion she’s been waiting for if she succeeds, her competitive spirit kicks into high gear. When every company in Los Angeles turns her down, desperation leads her to Quinn Matheson. Ten years ago, Hailey chose a prosperous career over Quinn, but as she falls for him all over again, she can’t deny that they make a good team in business…and more. This second time around, is she finally ready to make the leap and become his partner in love?
Buy Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/toying-with-temptation-madison-martin/1106523063?ean=9780981718644
AllRomanceEbooks.com: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-toyingwithtemptationaromance-612066-149.html
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Authors Bio:
I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember…I still have my first “book” – scribbled in pencil in a 1-subject notebook in sixth grade. When my mom taught me how to type (on an electric typewriter!) there was no going back. I’m crazy about stories in every form – movies, novels, poems, songs, etc. and love making up my own.
I live in the Washington, D.C. area and when I’m not writing I like exploring the sites, going for long walks, and listening to every bit of music I can get my ears on. But most of all I love writing stories…my goal is to make a reader’s day a little lighter and brighter!
Author’s website address: www.madisonmartinbooks.com
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Excerpt:
She couldn’t wait any longer. She unzipped his pants and pulled them down with such force that she almost knocked both of them to the floor. He pulled her down along with him until they landed together in a heap on the carpet.
He gave out a deep laugh.
Years and years of seamless business deals, and somehow she was managing to screw this up. Always with the personal stuff, she was there to make a mess of it. “You’re laughing at my ravaging you?” she asked sheepishly, feeling her cheeks burning. “I know, I know…being with me is kind of like being in a French farce, right?”
“I’m not complaining.” Still seeming to be enjoying himself, he drew her up beside him on the carpet and kissed her. “You gotta admit that was kind of funny. It’s okay to laugh at yourself sometimes.”
Instead of taking offense, she lightened up. “Help me, then.”
Together they managed to get his pants all the way off.
Pushing him flat onto his back, she settled herself on top and pressed her hands against the delineated muscles of his chest. He was all hers. She raised up onto her knees, and a little jab of pain made her wince.
With a harsh breath, he leaned up, a worried look on his face. “Your knee…”
“No, it’s all right.” She adjusted her astride position, settling comfortably. “There. That’s better.”
“No, this won’t work. We’ll hurt it.”
“It’s fine,” she insisted.
Unconvinced, he leaned up and grasped her thigh with one hand. “That scab still looks bad.”
“It’s all right. I promise.”
He leaned back, giving in. With a gruff sigh, he said through gritted teeth, “I should have known you’d want to be on top.”
She grinned, shifting her silky underwear along the hard length covered by his boxers. “You used to like it.”
He gritted his teeth and grasped her hips. “Sure. Use and abuse me,” he croaked out.
She examined the look on his face and bit her lower lip. Was she really torturing him? “You don’t sound too happy about it.”
“I’m not going to be able to handle much of your teasing tonight.”
All right, so she admitted she liked teasing him. He was too fun to tease, only because he took it so well. “Are you mad about—?”
In a split second, he had her flat on her back. She laughed as Quinn moved on top of her, pressing his body against hers.
“How about we do it like this?” he asked with a triumphant smile, his dark eyes exploring her face.
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