“That’s What He Wants”
Most of my books have a theme to them, though admittedly not all are particularly profound. The theme of “The Stolen Suitor” can be found in the line: “That’s what he wants” (or “That’s what she wants”). All of the main characters in the book think this to themselves in the early chapters. They all know exactly what they want. Absolutely!
The tricky thing is, sometimes what we think we want is not what we really need. There’s an old Chinese curse that goes: “May you get what you wish for.” Because often, what we wish for is completely fucked. In “The Stolen Suitor”, none of my characters get what they think they want early on. And they’re much better off for it.
The story is set in the small town of Clyde’s Corner, Montana, where my novella “A Prairie Dog’s Love Song” also takes place. Chris Ramsey is the town ‘dandy’ who leaves to go to college and then work in Denver as a marketing executive. But when his best friend is killed in a tragic farming accident, Chris moves back home. He was out and proud in Denver, but now he decides to marry his best friend’s widow and help her raise her little girl. He wants a home and stability for himself, and he wants to ‘do the right thing’ for the widow Trixie and her daughter.
Jeremy Crassen knows what he wants—he wants to move away from Clyde’s Corner, go to college, and become a famous writer. In Clyde’s Corner he will always be seen as the shy, nearly invisible member of a disreputable family from the wrong side of the tracks.
Trixie Stubben knows what she wants—she wants to hold on to her dead husband’s memory forever, to never fall in love again, and marry her gay friend Chris in a utilitarian partnership.
And Jeremy’s brother, Eric Crassen, the big, good-looking, and lazy town n’ere-do-well, just wants to survive his mother’s scheming and get back to partying and loose women.
I’ll give you a hint: None of these characters get what they want. But what they do get is an HEA.
The Dreamspun Desires line is all about classic romance tropes—arranged marriages, enemies-to-lovers, the prim schoolteacher and the bad man, etc. I’ve always loved the classic category romances, so I was very excited about this new line from Dreamspinner and wanted to write something for it right away.
The trope in “The Stolen Suitor” is stealing a nice guy out of a doomed or abusive relationship. In this case, the relationship isn’t abusive, it’s just a really bad idea undertaken with the best of intentions. Fortunately, fate has better things in mind for the would-be bride and groom—true love.
I hope you enjoy this story and all the other wonderful new Dreamspun Desires titles. I’m thrilled to be on the line-up with Andrew Grey this month. Have a wonderful February!
Eli Easton
I love the idea of Dreamspun Desires. The Stolen Suitor sounds like it will be a great addition to the line. I’ve always enjoyed Eli’s books. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.
I’ve only read one of Eli Easton’s books so far, but really enjoyed it. I like the sound of this one.
The Stolen Suitor sounds great – I bet there will be some shenanigans going on. I have enjoyed many of Eli Easton’s books and this sounds like it will be another one. Thanks!
Sounds great! Can’t wait to read this. Love all Eli’s books.
Love Eli’s work, so I’m eager to read this!
I love Eli’s books, so I can’t wait to read this one as well. Thank you for the chance!
This sounds great! Thanks for the chance!
Looking forward to this! Thanks for a chance in the giveaway.
Looks wonderful, I’m looking forward to giving it a read. Thank you for the giveaway chance.
sounds great
thanks for the giveaway
Eli is one of my favorite authors so I am looking forward to reading this book too. Thank you for the giveaway!
Congratulations on the release and looking forward to reading it!
congrats Juliesmall !