When Is It Romance?

If you have read any of my books, be they the best selling Stewart Realty series, the popular Turkish Delights series or any of my brewery-based or other stand alone books you know this about me: It may be called "romance" but sure doesn't feel like it all the time.


I have a new book releasing Monday called Paradise Hops which is a brewery based book, with a fairly typical seeming set up.  My heroine has experienced a horrible, personal tragedy that has left her emotionally scarred. Hero #1 appears in her life at a moment when she is starting to pull herself back together and he is Capital P Perfect, at least on the surface. Hero #2 shows up not long after that, with a complete Imperfection that draws her like a bee to a flower.

Seems fairly simple, on the face of it "erotic romance" wise. She will choose one, then the other, then they will both tumble into the sack together, joyous and happy as a completely unrealistic threesome.  Don't get me wrong. I have written several "menage" stories and enjoyed the heck out of them but realize them for what they are--pure fantasy.

No, in Paradise Hops the decision is partially made, then discarded, then a completely life altering plan falls into place for my heroine which takes her far away, geographically speaking from both hunks #1 and #2.  Those two men must not only work together, they are forced to come to terms with each other as human beings, competitors for her heart, and ultimately, friends.

Fate however--she is truly a Bitch on wheels in this book. And what transpires tests the limits of both my heroine who has rediscovered her former independent, feisty self through all this and then is flattened once more when she returns, early, from her overseas adventure facing a new reality that is even more chaotic than when she left.

I like doing this--taking "romance fiction" conventions and turning them on their ear, making the reader gasp with the rawness of pretty much everything at least in this book.  Sex, turmoil, personal growth,  humor, with a twist at the end that takes away any possibility of "happily ever after choose your man for the night" threesome opportunity (not that these very real men would ever consider THAT an option) all set in a backdrop of successful craft brewing--the ARC reviews are stunningly glowing.  When I hear words like: "Don't let the love triangle in the blurb fool you. This is NOT your average romance novel. It is so much more than that." And "Harsh, surprising and real--it had me up all night to finish it." And "Brutally emotional, many times funny, a journey of personal growth for three people that comes with white hot erotic moments." I say: Job Accomplished.

Paradise Hops is available on pre order through All Romance E books where it is a best seller already.

Here are links to some reviews:
http://flirtyanddirtybookblog.com/2012/10/01/new-release-october-15-2012-paradise-hops-by-liz-crowe/
http://www.looking-for-a-breath-of-life.blogspot.com/2012/09/arc-review-paradise-hops-by-liz-crowe.html?zx=f8b34ddcb60b6b57
http://sinfullysexybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/paradise-hope-by-liz-crowe.html
http://cblsreviews.blogspot.com/2012/10/paradise-hops-by-liz-crowe.html?zx=2df2619c5bec7885
http://www.delphinareadstoomuch.com/2012/10/paradise-hops-by-liz-crowe-review-and.html
Blurb:

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 A brutal attack left Lori Brockton convinced she was damaged goods. By the time she emerges from hiding two years later, ready to run her family's famous brewery, she's determined to be independent--never rely on anyone ever again. Nearly a year of working in every corner of Brockton Brewing Company, from warehouse to pub, front office to kitchen, teaches her all she needs to know about the business. Then, she comes face-to-face with masculine perfection in a suit and her world is rocked in more ways than one. Garrett Hunter is the new Brockton business manager who takes one look at the beautiful, sad young woman and his entire existence coalesces around winning her heart. 

But standing between Garrett and what he believes is his true love, is a six-feet six-inch blond-haired bad boy brewer.

Eli Buchannan is a craft beer rock star, recently hired by Brockton to drag the company into the 21st century. He brings innovation and attitude plus a prima donna ladies man reputation.  But he's sworn off anything resembling commitment, personal or professional, after getting burned at his last job on both fronts. 

Garrett Hunter is “The Perfect Man” -- handsome, successful, stable, eager to settle down. Eli Buchannan... is not.  Compelling, smoking hot, creative and elusive, he represents everything Lori Brockton should avoid.  But just as she makes a difficult choice, a drastic life-changing shift occurs, and nothing is ever the same again.

Click here to enter a contest to win a copy of it, or my best selling start to the Stewart Realty series Floor Time.