This morning Nina Croft shares her thoughts on every romance junkie’s favorite thing … falling in love.  And then we’re going to take a look at her newest book, Out of Control, complete with my review and a contest for a $25 gift card so make sure you check out all of the fun.

*****

Why do people fall in love?

I write romance and one of the first things I have to decide when I’m planning a book, is just why is this couple perfect for each other? What makes them the ideal match, who despite all the odds, will fall madly in love and stay that way for the rest of their lives.

The problem is, at the start of the book my characters usually seem far from a perfect match. In fact, often my characters are so far from a suitable match that’s it’s a wonder they ever look twice at each other. In my latest release, Out of Control, the heroine, Dani, is an army sergeant wounded in the line of duty and waiting to see if she can return to her unit. In the meantime, she takes a job protecting Zach a billionaire playboy/writer. At first sight, they seem to have nothing in common except for a deep-rooted fear of commitment.

So why do people fall in love?

I did a bit of research and there’s a lot of speculation out there. Here’s a few of the (sometimes amazingly contradictory) reasons; because they’re similar, because they’re different, symmetrical features, proximity, age, apparently men can fall in love with a woman’s hip to waist ratio (how shallow!) Alternatively, it could just be a matter of timing. Or a simple chemical reaction, pheromones or over-active hormones. Or how about genetics and you have absolutely no choice in the matter; it’s predetermined from the moment the sperm meets the egg.

I also read that all of us have an internal set of criteria which sets out what we find attractive and what are absolute essentials in a partner, tall, short, blond … so if we come across someone who combines all those criteria then perhaps love at first sight would be inevitable.

I’m not sure I’m convinced by any of this, so how does it happen, what triggers love?

A lot I think depends on how love comes about and there are a number of different situations I can think of:

• Love at first sight – I’ve got to be honest, I can never quite believe this one, but maybe if every single box is ticked.
• Lust at first sight, which then turns into love. Relationships that start out as sex only but the people realize they love each other.
• Friends to lovers – one of my favorites. The relationship starts out as best friends and then one or both realize they love the other.
• People who know each other but don’t notice each other and then something happens (maybe he finally notices that perfect hip to waist ratio!) and POW—they’re in love.

So why do you think people fall in love?

*****

Out of Control

by Nina Croft

She’s a challenge he can’t resist.

Hollywood heartthrob Zachary Hunter loves women—as long as they don’t want more than a little fun in the bedroom. When his most recent movie stirs up the wrong kind of attention, the kind that includes an attempt on his life, he hires a friend’s company to locate the threat. The pint-sized redhead assigned to protect him isn’t what he expects—or wants. Worse, he can’t take his eyes off of her.

After ten years in the army, Danielle Sinclair knows how to handle men. With a new security gig to pass the time until she’s cleared to return to the military, she’s figures her sexy new client will be easy to manage. And then he opens his gorgeous mouth, and she can’t decide whether to kiss him or kill him. His sex appeal may tempt her into his bed, but his sexist attitude is unbearable, and she’s going to make him eat every single word…

Goodreads:Amazon:Barnes & Noble:Entangled:

Entangled Brazen:

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/BrazenBooks

Twitter: @BrazenBooks  Steals and Deals

*****

Author Info:

Nina Croft grew up in the north of England. After training as an accountant, she spent four years working as a volunteer in Zambia, which left her with a love of the sun and a dislike of nine-to-five work. She then spent a number of years mixing travel (whenever possible) with work (whenever necessary) but has now settled down to a life of writing and picking almonds on a remote farm in the mountains of southern Spain. Nina writes all types of romance, often mixed with elements of the paranormal and science fiction.

Website:Twitter:Facebook:Goodreads:Newsletter:

*****

Review:

I’m not sure why, but I’m a little surprised by how much I liked these two.  Dani’s kinda prickly and very much a woman working overly hard to fit in to a man’s world.  It could easily have made her off-putting but she’s totally fun.  And Zach, while a bit debauched, is smooth and charming and, because he’s honest about it, totally likeable in his womanizing ways.

Dani had a devastating event in her childhood that has affected her for a very long time.  It’s very understandable why she’s hesitant to get involved.  But I’m not sure I totally understand Zach’s aversion to commitment, other than the fact that he can.  And though he’s spent his time being footloose and fancy free, like any good rake, it just takes the love of a good woman to change his mind.

The story might seem a little clichéd, but it is extremely well-written, with engaging characters, and a smooth flowing plot.  (It’s part of a series but it definitely can stand on its own and totally one I’d recommend.)  If you are looking for some humor and heart and just a touch suspense, then Out of Control is for you.  It’s not an adventure romance and the threat to Zach’s life plays only a small part except to get the two together.  Instead it is all about two people who are afraid to give their hearts away, only to find out that they don’t have a choice.   I loved watching them get to know each other and fight their feelings, only to realize that it is definitely out of their control, and the ending was one of my favorites for its simplicity and honesty.

*****

Giveaway:

$25 Amazon Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1cb554337/

*****

Click on the banner below for a list of sites participating in the tour!