Christi Barth: For the love of a bromance

Christi Barth, author of Up to Me (book one in the Shore Secrets trilogy), explores why we love bromances so much.

Christi: Everyone who reads this page loves romance, right? But not just for one reason: there are fans of intricate fantasy world-building, while some love the emphasis on a big family circle, and others riffle quickly to the hot and heavy stuff. (Don't worry — I won't make you identify which category fits you best.) One of the newer fan favorite trends in romance is the concept of a bromance. It can be so much fun to watch guys be BFFs, while still being tough, sexy smart-asses, of course.

Trust me, it's even more fun to write those scenes. Up to Me, the first book in my new Shore Secrets trilogy, is chock full of bromantic banter. When my hero, Gray, leaps into a fistfight to help out a total stranger, they form a bond that goes far deeper than the blood that's spilled. The wisecracks fly fast and furious. And by the end of the book (no spoilers!), the depth, trust and honesty of Gray and Ward's friendship will help things fall into place for an HEA with the heroine as well. (Come on — I write contemporary romance — of course there's an HEA!)

New to bromance? Already addicted to it? Either way, here's a peek at a scene from Up to Me of an unlikely friendship between an ex-Special Forces chef, a corporate realignment specialist (don't ask — just read the book), and a vodka distiller. I hope you like these guys as much as I do!

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Gray spun in a circle back to face Ward. "This is one sweet operation. I'm blown away. Seriously, man, you built this from the ground up?"

"Every bit." He shoved up the sleeves of his red Henley. "This was all farmland until a few years ago. I'm no farmer. I don't give a s*** about soy yields, and cows stink up the place too much. But some nice vines I can turn into the best whiskey, gin and vodka on the East Coast? That's what I always dreamed of doing to this plot of land."

Gray envied the sureness in his tone. Have a dream, make it happen. Gray's dream right now was to get a dream of what he wanted his life to be. "How long did it take?"

"A year of nonstop work before I could open the tasting room. I'm a one-man operation. Mostly. I've got a friend who helps with the finances. Some volunteers who pull shifts pouring for the visitors."

"And me—willing, cheap labor."

"That's right." His mouth quirked into a smirk. "Whenever I can con some idiot into helping with the bottling and labeling, I do."

A tall man, as Black Irish as they came with about fifteen years on Gray, bent his head to step through the doorway. He balanced an elaborate wicker picnic hamper on his hip. "Is it really a con? Because I thought I was getting bribed. Or at least bartered. Didn't you say you'd plow out my driveway next winter if I put in the sweat equity of bottling your homespun hooch?"

Ward scratched the back of his neck. "You remember that, huh? I thought at that point in the poker game you were too drunk to retain whatever promises I made."

"I wouldn't forget. Not if I did ten straight shots of Jäger. Or a whole bottle of whatever you're pouring for us today. Plowing sucks. Shoveling's even worse. Too damn cold." He set down the hamper and held out a hand to Gray. "Joel McMurray. I'm the guy who won't be freezing his n*** off when the first blizzard of the season hits."

"Gray Locke." They shook. "And I've got nothing as memorable as fully thawed n*** going for me."

"Not true." Ward jerked his chin at Gray. "This guy's the one who had my back when Chuck and his crew jumped me the other night."

Joel clapped him on the shoulder. "You came out of the shadows to fight evil. I'd call that memorable. For Christ's sake, you're Batman."

"It would be if it were true. I don't have Batman's billions. Or, even better than his money, his utility belt." Because what red-blooded American didn't want electric batarangs, freeze grenades, a bat beacon and goo globules hanging from his hips?

"Yeah. That would be great." Joel sighed, and it was echoed by the other two men. Great. Now Gray was thinking about Batman. Which really meant his thoughts went straight to Catwoman. And how hot Ella would look dressed up for Halloween in a leather suit with a tail.

Here's the blurb about Up to Me:

Ella Mayhew's always appreciated the beautiful view of Seneca Lake from the spa window of her family's hotel. But the view improves dramatically when a hot stranger runs across the grounds—shirtless. He's the first man to kickstart her hormones in the three years since she lost her parents, and she doesn't even know his name.

Graydon Locke's on his umpteenth undercover assignment. The routine's always the same: assess a business, recommend it for closure, then roll out before anyone discovers his decisions impact hundreds of lives. He's always believed nothing good comes out of small towns. Why would this one be different? Then he makes two classic rookie mistakes—falling for the sweet, sexy girl who owns the very business he's on the verge of axing. And letting the town's residents get involved in both his life, and his relationship with Ella.

Ella's the best thing to ever happen to Gray, but he's lied to her from the start. If he pulls the plug on Mayhew Manor, the entire town may crumble. Ella couldn't save her parents, but it's up to her to save their hotel. Even if that means turning her back on true love.

Find out more about Christi and her books at www.christibarth.com. You can also connect with her on Twitter (@christi_barth).