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On Lost in Romance this week, the fabulous Kathryn Cheshire, Assistant Editor/Editorial Assistant for Historical, tells us all about the modern day marriage of convenience…
The One. Two little words which have tantalized and taunted women for centuries. From Lizzie Bennet to Cinderella to Carrie Bradshaw, it seems we’re all looking for that unique person to sweep us off our feet. But how do you know when you’ve found him? Is it his cheeky grin? His ability to make you laugh when you’re in a grump? His platinum bank card?! And then comes the ultimate question – how long should you wait before taking the biggest leap of all, and saying ‘I do’?
In the world of Modern romances, the dilemma of the 21st century girl is often reversed. In stories featuring one of our top-selling themes – Marriages of Convenience – it’s the ‘I do’s’ that come first, and the tricky part that comes next!
Marriages of Convenience are a fantastic way of bringing together two people who would never meet in ordinary life, and that’s precisely what I love about them! In what other situation could you ever imagine marrying a super-wealthy tycoon, a royal Prince, or a sexy Sheikh? And the fact that the hero and heroine are often strangers – or even enemies? All the better! Everyone knows that the biggest of sparks can be with someone you really should hate, and if you’re married to that person too, the battle between head and heart gets even greater!
Reading about two characters thrown together by circumstance, and then forced to confront their fears and see if they really can live together as husband and wife, is a fantastic way to see modern dating turned on its head – where Tinder and the ‘Waiting Three Days to Text’ rule don’t exist and where diamonds, glamorous parties and sizzling nights are the name of the game! And when living together turns to desire, and desire turns to love, what better way to show an all-encompassing, head-over-your-heels romance in all its glory?
Don’t believe me? Why not take a look at some of our upcoming Modern stories featuring a Marriage of Convenience?
In Lynne Graham’s Zarif’s Convenient Queen (Modern, August 2014), we meet Ella Gillchrist and playboy prince Zarif al Rastani. Three years ago, Zarif broke Ella’s heart, but if she is to rescue her family from imminent and permanent ruin, Ella must agree to a year of marriage, on Zarif’s arm and in his bed!
And in Undone by the Sultan’s Touch (Modern, August 2014) by Caitlin Crews, Cleo Churchill could be exactly what Khaled bin Aziz Sultan of Jhurat needs: a convenient, yet beautiful bride to unite his warring country. But as their marriage plays out in the darkness of the night, the passions unearthed threaten to consume them both!
So, over to you, ladies! What do you think? Are Marriages of Convenience the ultimate in escapist fantasy? And if you could marry anyone in the world, tomorrow, who would it be? Hands off Ryan Gosling, everyone, he’s mine!