Monday, May 25, 2009

Getting Wicked--Jennifer Haymore at the Manor!



Please welcome Jennifer Haymore to the manor! I'm super excited to have Jennifer here becaue her book, A Hint of Wicked has been on my radar for months now! I have it on pre-order and I can't wait to dig in. But of course, our lucky LIT readers will have a chance to win Jennifer's awesome book (a week early, too!) by commenting on the blog.

Since today is Memorial Day in the states, and admittedly this Cannuck didn't realize it when she booked Jennifer in, we'll leave her post up today and Tuesday so all our readers have a chance to find out about this book and enter to win a copy!

So, without further ado, let's welcome Jennifer to the manor!

REAL-LIFE LOVE TRIANGLES

Next week, my novel A HINT OF WICKED releases from Grand Central Publishing. It’s a spicy Regency romance about a woman completely torn between the two men she adores. Here’s the blurb:

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CAUGHT BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE . . .

Sophie, the Duchess of Calton, has finally moved on. After seven years mourning the loss of her husband, Garrett, at Waterloo, she has married his cousin and heir, Tristan. Sophie gives herself to him body and soul. . . until the day Garrett returns from the Continent, demanding his title, his lands-and his wife.

TORN BETWEEN TWO HUSBANDS . . .

Now Sophie must choose between her first love and her new love, knowing that no matter what, her choice will destroy one of the men she adores. Will it be Garrett, her childhood sweetheart, whose loss nearly destroyed her once already? Or will it be Tristan, beloved friend turned lover, who supported her through the last, dark years and introduced her to a passion she had never known? As her two husbands battle for her heart, Sophie finds herself immersed in a dangerous game-where the stakes are not only love . . . but life and death.

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While I was writing A HINT OF WICKED, I wasn’t aware that so many people had such strong opinions about love triangles! Some people love ‘em, some hate ‘em. Others are ambivalent. There is no consensus, it seems, on the wide world web.

I was talking about romance tropes one of my chat groups, and someone said she hated reading about triangles because based on her real-life experience, love triangles aren’t ever honest. Another person came on and said she was involved in a very honest, very difficult love triangle, and is now happily married to one of the men involved!

The memory of my own personal love triangle experience came rushing into my mind. You know, I thought, in writing A HINT OF WICKED, I never once thought of my own love triangle experience! How can that be?!

Then I realized I must have blocked the experience. It wasn’t an honest love triangle at all. It was actually pretty painful, and super awkward. It happened my senior year in high school, which probably says a lot in and of itself. Here’s the story:


Within a few days of one another, two guys asked me to the prom. I liked them both—one of them was tall, dark, and handsome, and Latin…yumm…and I knew he had a thing for me. The other guy…well, not so tall. Maybe three inches shorter than me, in fact. But in the previous few months, our friendship had grown by leaps and bounds. We had a lot in common, and I was starting to feel like something might happen between us.

I said yes to Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome (TDH). I told my “friend” that I’d already said yes to someone else, and I couldn’t back down. But I felt absolutely awful.

It was still a month or so to prom, and in that time, I actually hooked up with my friend. But I was resolute that I’d said yes to Mr. TDH and I couldn’t leave him hanging. My friend (let’s just be completely honest and tack a “boy” to the front of that “friend” word…sigh) wasn’t happy. He invited another friend (this one 10 years older and even taller) to the prom and said he was going to watch me the whole time.


I went to prom with Mr. TDH, and during the lulls in action, I skipped into a corner to make out with my boyfriend.

Argh. I feel awful even confessing that! Even now, many years later, I don’t know how I should’ve handled that situation. I probably should have told Mr. TDH right away that it wasn’t going to work out. But, man…I really, really wanted to go to prom with him.

I’m so glad high school is over!

My boyfriend broke up with me about a month into college (we happened to go to the same university). It wasn’t pretty. About a week later, I hooked up with the man who is now my husband. Happily ever after? Absolutely! But not with either of the guys I was in that messed-up triangle with!

What about you? Have you ever been involved in a love triangle? Honest or not? And how did it work out?

24 comments:

Anonymous said...

High School Drama~

The love triangle I was sadly involved with was between myself and two of my (guy) friends both who were friends also.
I found out one of my friends had a major crush on me for a long time, he became pissed when he found out his firend also liked me.
I found myself stuck between two firends, who started to aruge between themsleves.
I finally let them both down and oddly enough it brought them closer as firends (sharing they're tears in they're beer?)

Anonymous said...

Hi, Jennifer!!

First, this book sounds great!! I've been seeing it all over lately. I like the whole love triangle theme. Maybe it's because I never *really* was involved in a love triangle myself.

Let's see...the closest I ever came to one was...

My now husband had been chasing me around for months while I was dating my last boyfriend. He was just so sweet and handsome that finally, I agreed to go out to dinner.

I got dressed and told my boyfriend that I was hanging out with friends that night. However, as the time for my future hubby to pick me up grew nearer, my conscience seriously overwhelmed me and I cancelled.

Both guys were calling all night.

My father told me, "Barbara, either you pick one, or I will and believe me, you'll end up with none."

Gotta love dad's, lol.

The first thing the next morning, I broke up with my boyfreind. My future hubby and I had our date, and the rest is history.

Years later I saw my ex. His words. "How's MR. WONDERFUL?!"

Oy...lol! Sigh...

Booklover1335 said...

Hi Jennifer,
The book sounds fantastic!

I have never been involved in a love triangle, and don't know that in reality I ever would. I don't like hurting people, and it seems that in a love triangle it is inevitable.

Maybe that is why i like reading about them. You can experience them, without having to actually live one.

I can't wait to read it, and would love to win it and get it early!

Charlotte Featherstone said...

I have never been involved in a love triangle, but something tells me that it's something I would have wanted to experience. I'm a fan of being fought over! lol!

Seriously...boring person alert, here! :)

Cecile Smutty Hussy said...

You ladies crack me up!
With that said... I have never been involved in a triangle either... **nodding with agree-ance with Charlotte... I would love to have someone fight over me though**
And I with Barbara, I love to read about them because I love to see the twist and turns the relationships take and the outcome.

Thanks for having Ms. Jennifer at the Manor Ladies!!! Please count me in for this book, I would love a chance to win this delicious book!!! Heading over to web central to dig up more on her!! Thanks you guys! Hope all is having a wonderful day!

Nonny Blackthorne said...

I'm polyamorous... so... kind of? Open honesty (and permission) takes a lot of the drama out of love triangles. ;)

Unknown said...

Hi Jennifer and the ladies of LIT!

The only thing close to a triangle is when my old boyfriend started calling me after I started dating my future husband, it really ticked him off. Then someone I hadn't even dated but was close friends with, called my mom when it got serious between my future husband and I, and offered to break us up...I couldn't believe it. The nerve. Well, I had kissed him a few times and maybe we'd cuddled (practice right?), but it was the ballsiest thing I'd ever heard of.

Dottie :)

Jane said...

I've never been involved in a love triangle. I don't think I can handle the drama involved with love triangles. It's not worth the trouble.

Amanda said...

Yes I have been involved in a love triangle and like yours it didn't end well!!

Saying that, I don't mind reading about them, and A Hint of Wicked sounds fantastic!! Def going on my TBB list!! That thing is getting sooo long!!

Unknown said...

A Hint of Wicked sounds great!

Christa Maurice said...

I'm pretty sure I lived in a love triangle until I met my husband. The most horrible one was two friends. In college I ran with a group of 4 other girls when we met a group of 5 guys. Bachelor #2 was entirely aware of his status, but decided to gamble because Bachelor #1 (who never really laid serious claim to me) started neglecting me. mind you, this was all happening in the open. We were all hanging out together sort of on group dates. Bachelor #1 hung back for a couple of weeks until he decided to make his move and scooped Bachelor #2. Since Bachelor #1 had always been my goal, I went.

Yeah, it's a heady experience to have 2 guys jockeying for you, but the bodies on the battlefield after that one made me guilty for years. Not only did Bachelor #2 walk away empty handed, he didn't like hanging out with us anymore because it was awkward. And since we were a pretty matched group we also ended up with one odd girl out because I was hogging the attention of 2 of the guys - and of course that was my roommate.

And years later, one of my group ended up married to one of their group so, yeah, I get to bump into them at parties once in a while. Bachelor #1, who got a job out of state 6 months after we "really" started dating, is living with another woman, still out of state and I'm told still misses me. Bachelor #2 comes to the parties, with his wife and 2 kids, and still looks at me like the one who got away.

Caffey said...

Love this them for your book Jennifer! The closest I been to one was more of a crush I had when I was about 14 or so! I remember I won tho, I got a kiss in the garage, and the girl caught us and put up this huff and puff and he just looked at her! She was a meanie for ahile to me but I kept my chin up, all for a kiss!

Jennifer Haymore said...

Hi Everyone! It's great to be here at the Manor!

Ranearia, It brought them closer, but I'm wondering if they continued to be your friend too? That'd be interesting to know if it brought all three of you together!

Barbara: I love it! Your dad had good advice, and you found your HEA. Awesome!

Booklover: I think I agree. It's good to experience things in books rather than have to live through them yourself. Because exciting things (like two men pursuing you) can end up being pretty painful as well!

Charlotte & Cecile: Yeah, there's definitely something to say for being fought over! I wish it happened to me more often (without all the drama, lol)... And Charlotte, I *know* you're not boring!

Nonny, maybe you have the answer for all of society. :)

(cont...)

Jennifer Haymore said...

Dottie: I think you had the BEST revenge ever! You married the guy! So HA to those trying to separate you!

Jane, Yeah, the drama...ugh. No thanks.

Thanks, Amy and Amanda.

Charlotte: Ugh! That sounds like you were getting dumped on from every angle! But I think you said it best: It's a heady experience but the bodies on the battlefield can leave scars. Soooo true.

Caffey! I think you're the only one whose posted who was in a girl/girl/guy triangle! And you won! :)

Thanks again, everyone! What a fun discussion...I love hearing all these stories!

Sue A. said...

No I can't say that I ever been involved in a love triangle. My life is kind of boring. That's why I read so much! This book sounds like an awesome read!

Jennifer said...

I've never been involved in a love triangle, but I can't wait to read about the one in A HINT OF WICKED.

Genella deGrey said...

Hi Jennifer!
Waiving madly*

I'm excited about your new book, hon!
(((HUGS)))
G.

Genella deGrey said...

Oh, yes. No love triangles for me in RL - but I'm down with writing and reading about them!
:)
G.

Kristi Cook said...

Hi, Jennifer, and welcome to the Manor! So good to have you here! Sorry I was MIA yesterday--I don't think I ventured anywhere near the computer all day.

Anyway...A HINT OF WICKED sounds terrific, and count me in as one of those readers who really likes love triangles (to read about, that is--not so much in real life).

I was definitely involved in one in college--and let's just say it didn't end well. Mostly, I lost a very, very close guy friend as a result. :o(

My lesson learned is that guy-friends should STAY guy-friends. As in, don't let yourself get talked into dating them, especially when they used to date your friend/roommate.

Amanda McIntyre said...

Welcome Jennifer to the LIT Manor.
Like Kristi,I have been away from the coumpter and trying to write, but its wonderful to get a sneak peek at all the wonderful smorgesboard of books coming out!!

Nope, no love triangles for me in real life,but I just wrote a novella between two brothers in love with the same woman for my upcoming book!
Looks like a great read! Smashing cover!!

Amanda
Wait for it...the TORTURED blog tour! Aug4-28

Heather D said...

Thankfully I never experienced the Love Triangle, but I can't wait to read about the one in Hint of Wicked!!

Vanessa Kelly said...

Hi Jennifer! So looking forward to a Hint of Wicked. I'm one of those people who's a bit leery of triangles, so I'm really looking foward to seeing how it plays out in your book.

I think the reason I don't like triangles is because I was on the receiving end of one gone bad. I was dating a guy for quite some time, one who was supposedly committed to me. Unbeknownst to me, he started seeing someone else, but just kept stringing me along. When he finally ended the relationship he still didn't have the nerve to 'fess up. He kept the other relationship a secret for a long time, and I finally found out from some friends. Yuck!

Jennifer Haymore said...

Thanks for stopping by, Sue, Jen, and Heather, and thanks for commenting!

Genella! So great to see you!

Hi Kristina and Amanda! Thanks so much for having me here at the Manor. :) Kristina, My gut clenched in sympathy when I read about your experience. You poor thing!

Vanessa, I think you posted the most dishonest love triangle of all. I seriously want to go after that guy on your behalf. What an a#(*&@!(*&!)*&!!! Grr!

All’sReads said...

is it a triangle when the guy i had a crush on got together with the my girl friend that knew i had a crush on him? ahhh, memories...