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SOS: Convenient Husband Required
This little book is a primer - an entry level aid for the writer who has a story to tell, but is struggling to get it out of her head and onto paper. To quote the theme song for the movie of Erich Segal’s bestselling book Love Story, “How do you begin. . . ”
I know how that feels, I’ve been there and I have written the book I wish I’d had when I was starting out.
My purpose is to explain, in the simplest terms — no jargon! — and using examples from my own work, how to make the transition from the story in your head to words on paper. How to write a compelling opening, deepen conflict, write honest emotion, hopefully with a touch of humour to leaven the mix. How to write crisp dialogue, develop the romance, add a little sizzle.
It will be useful to anyone who wants to write popular fiction but, before we get down to the nitty-gritty, I’d like to say a few words about romantic fiction in particular. Why readers love it and come back for more.
I know how that feels, I’ve been there and I have written the book I wish I’d had when I was starting out.
My purpose is to explain, in the simplest terms — no jargon! — and using examples from my own work, how to make the transition from the story in your head to words on paper. How to write a compelling opening, deepen conflict, write honest emotion, hopefully with a touch of humour to leaven the mix. How to write crisp dialogue, develop the romance, add a little sizzle.
It will be useful to anyone who wants to write popular fiction but, before we get down to the nitty-gritty, I’d like to say a few words about romantic fiction in particular. Why readers love it and come back for more.
192 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2010
5 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Liz Fielding
557 books468 followersHi, I'm Liz Fielding, and I'm a best selling contemporary romance author with more than 15 million books in print and Katie Fforde wrote, when honouring me with the Romantic Novelists' Association's Outstanding Achievement Award in 2019 said - "Liz Fielding's books, with their warmth, humour and emotion, have charmed millions of readers. She is a true star of the romantic fiction genre..."
And now I've turned to a life of crime with my first cozy mystery. Murder Among the Roses, published on 18 April 2023 - of which Katie Fforde also said, "I was gripped from beginning to end..."
Reading is a big part of my life. I love witty, contemporary romances, not too much sex,, Women's fiction by the likes of Fiona Harper, Julie Cohen, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie and Barbara O'Neal. And I love crime fiction that isn't too gory, or focussed on clue hunting, but is big on character.
My best loved series at the moment are the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch and the Libby Sarjeant Mysteries by Lesley Cookman. I've just read the first in the Georgina Drake crime series from Kate Hardy and looking forward to the next.
For news and excerpts of my new releases, visit me at http://www.lizfielding.com and sign up for my newsletter
And now I've turned to a life of crime with my first cozy mystery. Murder Among the Roses, published on 18 April 2023 - of which Katie Fforde also said, "I was gripped from beginning to end..."
Reading is a big part of my life. I love witty, contemporary romances, not too much sex,, Women's fiction by the likes of Fiona Harper, Julie Cohen, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie and Barbara O'Neal. And I love crime fiction that isn't too gory, or focussed on clue hunting, but is big on character.
My best loved series at the moment are the Ruth Galloway series by Elly Griffiths, The Rivers of London series by Ben Aaronovitch and the Libby Sarjeant Mysteries by Lesley Cookman. I've just read the first in the Georgina Drake crime series from Kate Hardy and looking forward to the next.
For news and excerpts of my new releases, visit me at http://www.lizfielding.com and sign up for my newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 3, 2012
A sweet simple story of two people who fell in love as teenagers but who were parted by her rich family. He thinks he hates her but she has always known she loves him. This was a fairly simple story that only worked because they had the past history. Most of the book took place in one day. Only about a 5th of the book took place 2 weeks later. There was one almost love scene and some passionate kisses. The heroine was sweet and as soon as the hero was back in her presence he fell right back in love. A fun book to pass a couple of hours.
August 7, 2014
Another enjoyable story from Liz Fielding. I like the updating of an idea more often seen in a historical romance - May's home is entailed (they still have those!) and if she isn't married by the time she's thirty she'll lose it. This only comes to light three weeks before her thirtieth birthday - whoops! Panic stations, since it's not only her family home, been in her family for generations, it's also a business and her only means of support.
But then along comes Adam, her teenage love, treated horribly by her family, since he was just a scally from the wrong side of the tracks. Now he's a self-made billionaire, but even billionaires need a favour sometimes, and Adam needs one now. Time for a little quid pro quo...
Though forced to part as kids of course they've both been carrying a torch for each other all this time. Adam unfortunately is also carrying a big chip on his shoulder about not being good enough for her.
Though classed under "sweet" romance, Liz Fielding's books generally avoid sappiness and have a nice down-to-earth touch that keeps the plot grounded in reality. Recommended!
But then along comes Adam, her teenage love, treated horribly by her family, since he was just a scally from the wrong side of the tracks. Now he's a self-made billionaire, but even billionaires need a favour sometimes, and Adam needs one now. Time for a little quid pro quo...
Though forced to part as kids of course they've both been carrying a torch for each other all this time. Adam unfortunately is also carrying a big chip on his shoulder about not being good enough for her.
Though classed under "sweet" romance, Liz Fielding's books generally avoid sappiness and have a nice down-to-earth touch that keeps the plot grounded in reality. Recommended!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 23, 2014"This is a great summer fun read! I don’t think anyone but Liz Fielding could make this theme work or work so well. The story is part ‘baby on the doorstep’ (desktop), part ‘poor boy to rich boy’, part Jane Austen style entailment caused ‘marriage of convenience’ and for good measure there’s a touch of ‘thriller- adventure’ to give the story a dash of life and death drama. I guess you can do this after you’ve written over sixty books!" from a review posted by an eHarlequin.com member, read more here.
February 6, 2019
A plus sized h with an aristo background, a geeky glass wearing H who turned handsome and rich - childhood love, a medieval grandfather, a matchmaking yet damsel in distress sister, a cute baby, explosions in a third world dictatorship. This book has it all. What astounded me was this book could have been written 30-40 years back and still have passed muster. Except for the words YouTube referenced in there after an embarrassing kitten rescue is the only clue I had that it was a book written in 21st century. It was entertaining all the same despite its vintage feel.
July 20, 2021
Nooruspõlve armastus soojendatakse Adami hädaolukorra tõttu üles ja ainult May saab teda aidata. Selgub, et ka May vajab hädasti abi ja nad sõlmivad kokkuleppe.
Armastus lööb lõkkele ja ajutiselt sõlmitud abielu jääb püsima ning tulemas on laps.
Armastus lööb lõkkele ja ajutiselt sõlmitud abielu jääb püsima ning tulemas on laps.
May 17, 2011
Originally posted at Romance Around the Corner
May Coleridge, the heroine, is in serious trouble. Her very rich grandfather has died and in the will there is a clause that states that if she is still single by the time she turns 30 she won’t get anything. This includes the huge manor and everything inside it. Since her 30th birthday is in less than a month and she is very much single, you can see why she is a bit worried. Parallel to this, Adam Wavell, the hero, is also in a pickle, but a very different one. His irresponsible sister has disappeared leaving her baby behind, in his office to be precise. Ever since May rejected him for not been good enough (she was the rich girl, he was the boy from the wrong side of the tracks) he has been quite detached from his feelings and wants nothing to do with a baby. You can see what’s coming right?
The story had quite a fairytale feel to it. I think this was because it was set in England, the prose was very beautiful and the heroine talked to animals. Well, not really, but boy did she had Disney stamped all over her. She was clumsy, a little bit plump, very caring, she had an array of stray animals under her care -including bees- and she was overall very good, very nice, and very useless (maybe useless is a harsh word, let’s just say unprepared for life in the real world). It might seem like I didn’t liked her, but I actually did. She was endearing and I was rooting for her. The author managed to create a very likeable character full of traits that under any other circumstance should have been annoying, but with May they worked like a charm (no pun intended).
Adam was too a likeable character. He was also a bit of a cliché, but again, Liz managed to make it work. He was the poor boy who took care of his irresponsible mother and even more irresponsible sister, who fell in love with the quirky rich girl from school. And who became a scorned almost-lover when she rejected him in High School. Now he has become the rich tycoon who owns the heroine’s ticket to salvation. He was wounded but he wasn’t an asshole. He did have some assholish intentions towards her, but I never believed him capable of hurting her and I think that neither did he.
The ending of the story was a bit crazy. The book was doing fairly well until that point and then it went insane. The fact that even after all the implausible things that happen at the end I was still liking the book, is quite a measure of Liz’s quality as a storyteller. The only thing that really bothered me was that the big revelation at the end wasn’t really a revelation at all. He kind of knew all along and was too pigheaded to accept it. That was a bit anticlimactic to me, and absurd (although more absurd was the part where they traveled “east” to America to gain time… They went what, through China? Last time I checked if you go from England to America you flight west. Technically you could flight east, but not if you want to get there as soon as possible...).
Overall I liked it, I enjoyed the writing style, and the book was fun. If you are looking for a quick and entertaining read, then this book is for you. If you like sweet stories with even sweeter heroines then by all means grab this one. This won’t go to my keeper list, but without a doubt I will be reading more from this author.
Don't forget to visit my blog! http://romance-around-the-corner.blogspot.com/
May Coleridge, the heroine, is in serious trouble. Her very rich grandfather has died and in the will there is a clause that states that if she is still single by the time she turns 30 she won’t get anything. This includes the huge manor and everything inside it. Since her 30th birthday is in less than a month and she is very much single, you can see why she is a bit worried. Parallel to this, Adam Wavell, the hero, is also in a pickle, but a very different one. His irresponsible sister has disappeared leaving her baby behind, in his office to be precise. Ever since May rejected him for not been good enough (she was the rich girl, he was the boy from the wrong side of the tracks) he has been quite detached from his feelings and wants nothing to do with a baby. You can see what’s coming right?
The story had quite a fairytale feel to it. I think this was because it was set in England, the prose was very beautiful and the heroine talked to animals. Well, not really, but boy did she had Disney stamped all over her. She was clumsy, a little bit plump, very caring, she had an array of stray animals under her care -including bees- and she was overall very good, very nice, and very useless (maybe useless is a harsh word, let’s just say unprepared for life in the real world). It might seem like I didn’t liked her, but I actually did. She was endearing and I was rooting for her. The author managed to create a very likeable character full of traits that under any other circumstance should have been annoying, but with May they worked like a charm (no pun intended).
Adam was too a likeable character. He was also a bit of a cliché, but again, Liz managed to make it work. He was the poor boy who took care of his irresponsible mother and even more irresponsible sister, who fell in love with the quirky rich girl from school. And who became a scorned almost-lover when she rejected him in High School. Now he has become the rich tycoon who owns the heroine’s ticket to salvation. He was wounded but he wasn’t an asshole. He did have some assholish intentions towards her, but I never believed him capable of hurting her and I think that neither did he.
The ending of the story was a bit crazy. The book was doing fairly well until that point and then it went insane. The fact that even after all the implausible things that happen at the end I was still liking the book, is quite a measure of Liz’s quality as a storyteller. The only thing that really bothered me was that the big revelation at the end wasn’t really a revelation at all. He kind of knew all along and was too pigheaded to accept it. That was a bit anticlimactic to me, and absurd (although more absurd was the part where they traveled “east” to America to gain time… They went what, through China? Last time I checked if you go from England to America you flight west. Technically you could flight east, but not if you want to get there as soon as possible...).
Overall I liked it, I enjoyed the writing style, and the book was fun. If you are looking for a quick and entertaining read, then this book is for you. If you like sweet stories with even sweeter heroines then by all means grab this one. This won’t go to my keeper list, but without a doubt I will be reading more from this author.
Don't forget to visit my blog! http://romance-around-the-corner.blogspot.com/
April 8, 2016
This is the story of Mary Coleridge and Adam Wavell.
This is a sweet story of a boy and a girl who fell "in love" when they were younger. He was from the "other side of town" and she lived with her more "well to do" family. When her family finds out about their feelings for each other, they have them part ways.
Many years pass by. May finds out she must marry before she is thirty to keep the family home. She needs her inheritance to keep her new business going. Adam finds out his flaky sister has left her baby in his care. He comes from a long line of rakes but he has turned his life around and become a pillar of the community. He is a corporate success story.
May will help Adam with his niece if he answers her SOS. A deal must be done for both of them to have what they want.
A cute story with a few hours worth of reading with a happy ending. This is the first book i have read by this author, but i am sure it won't be the last.
This is a sweet story of a boy and a girl who fell "in love" when they were younger. He was from the "other side of town" and she lived with her more "well to do" family. When her family finds out about their feelings for each other, they have them part ways.
Many years pass by. May finds out she must marry before she is thirty to keep the family home. She needs her inheritance to keep her new business going. Adam finds out his flaky sister has left her baby in his care. He comes from a long line of rakes but he has turned his life around and become a pillar of the community. He is a corporate success story.
May will help Adam with his niece if he answers her SOS. A deal must be done for both of them to have what they want.
A cute story with a few hours worth of reading with a happy ending. This is the first book i have read by this author, but i am sure it won't be the last.
September 26, 2010
This premise for a story is something I really like. The conflict of 'pretending' when deep down they both still love one another, (or fall in love with one another) but because they think the other is 'pretending' they won't open up. I can't read enough of these.
As usual, Liz Fielding really does create great tension and is sensual in her writing. It's tender, so we don't get to see anything behind the bedroom door, but leading up to it is so much fun! Intense, sexy. She writes down to earth characters, so there's a hint of realism, you can connect with the people on the page.
The conflict was realistic, there were some small twists, which helps the hero with his realisations. I loved it! Hated putting this book down.
As usual, Liz Fielding really does create great tension and is sensual in her writing. It's tender, so we don't get to see anything behind the bedroom door, but leading up to it is so much fun! Intense, sexy. She writes down to earth characters, so there's a hint of realism, you can connect with the people on the page.
The conflict was realistic, there were some small twists, which helps the hero with his realisations. I loved it! Hated putting this book down.
July 31, 2010
The hero and heroine have a childhood past. She's from the "Big House" and he's from the bad side of town, but they went to the same school in the same small English town, and were close friends. Until one day they weren't. And now he needs help with a baby his sister's left him with, and his sister's sent him to the heroine to get it while she tries to sort out the mess her own life has become. It sounds rather involved, but most of these other things take place on the periphery. It's a "boy makes good" second chance romance. I liked it quite a bit.
June 4, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I would read it again. This is more of a cuddle-up, cozy kinda book. I liked the characters and the situations. I liked the ending, most definitely, great HEA. All the 'little things' that happened to bring the two together were great. I liked the little touches from the past and the humor and warmth. Great job to the author. This is one of the ones I would keep for comfy reading. Enjoy
December 2, 2010
This was a great story of a love lost that is found again. A baby and archaic will help May and Adam realize that they always had one another but they just didn't know it!
September 27, 2011
2.5 stars. It was cute.
January 10, 2013
2.5
typical Liz Fielding: enjoyable and sweet
typical Liz Fielding: enjoyable and sweet
August 2, 2016
2.5+ stars
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews