Erika Wilde loves a second chance, and second-chance romances
Erika Wilde, author of Playing With Pleasure (The Players Club No. 2), declares her love for the second-chance romance trope and shares some of her favorite second-chance romances.
Erika: Second-chance romances are some of my favorite books to read, and as an author, I love to write them, too. Since the hero and heroine in a second-chance romance have a past history, the connection and emotions between them are heightened from the get-go, and this pulls the reader immediately into their story. Usually, their pasts are rife with heartbreak, and now, in the present, they both have to work through those tough issues that broke them apart in the first place. Trust is usually a big source of conflict between them — if their heart was shattered the first time around, what makes this time different?
Depending on the reason for the reunion that gives these characters a second chance at love, the story can be filled with humor, or drama, or the kind of tension that makes the reader wonder if the hero and heroine will ever be able to overcome their past mistakes and transgressions. It's not always easy, especially when the author takes the reader on an emotional roller-coaster ride where you wonder if the couple will actually be able to make it this second time around.
But the angst of those characters working through their past issues, along with the need to know that the hero and heroine are able to surmount those obstacles, is what makes these books so appealing, and addicting to read. And you're always wondering right up to the very end, will they take a chance on loving this person again, or is the conflict between them too painful to overcome?
My latest book, Playing With Pleasure, is a second-chance-at-love novel, featuring Paige Moore and Sawyer Burrows, and their past is as heart-breaking and painful as it gets. When Paige is burned in the worst possible way by Sawyer, the man she'd fallen in love with, she's left questioning men and their motives. Sawyer knows he devastated Paige with his careless actions, and he's lived every day since with those regrets. An unexpected encounter offers him a second chance to make things right, but Paige isn't so easy to forgive, or forget. Giving her heart to Sawyer once again is a huge risk she's not sure she's ready or willing to take. Let the angst and conflict ensue!
I've read a lot of second-chance romances over the years, but here are a few of my favorites:
• After the Night by Linda Howard. This book was first published back in the '90s, but is definitely a classic and a book that I've read more than once. Gray Rouillard is the epitome of an alpha bad boy, and when Faith Devlin returns to town the sparks fly between them. Little does Faith know, Gray has revenge on his mind and has every intention of ruining her. Except things don't go quite as planned.
• Wild Card by Lora Leigh. This book has a unique spin on the second-chance-at-love theme. The heroine has mourned the death of her husband, a Navy SEAL, who was presumed dead after a mission gone terribly wrong. After three years, he returns — with a new face and a new identity, and his wife has no idea who he really is!
• She's Got It Bad by Sarah Mayberry. I loved this story, mainly because the heroine was so feisty — and not very quick to forgive the hero. Lots of hot and sexy banter between these two, yet it's also a deeply emotional story, as well, since these two each have their own damaged past to work through.
• Slow Heat in Heaven by Sandra Brown. Another oldie but goodie! This book has been on my keeper shelf for years and is one of my all-time-favorite Sandra Brown books. As past lovers, the heat and sexual tension between the hero and heroine is off the charts. The hero is dark and brooding with a sexy Cajun accent. The past and present is shrouded in secrets that will keep you turning the pages as quickly as you can!
About Playing With Pleasure:
Pleasure has never been so decadent ...
Paige Moore has a fulfilling business designing couture corsets for her high profile clientele, but her love life is sorely lacking. Being burned in the worst way possible by Sawyer Burrows has left her guarded and wary when it comes to men and their motives. When her best friend presents her with an invitation to The Players Club, she embraces the chance to enjoy a hot night with a stranger, and finally put her past heartbreak, and Sawyer, behind her.
Sawyer knows he devastated Paige with his careless actions a year and a half ago, and he's lived every day since with those regrets. Now, seeing Paige at The Players Club, he knows this is his chance to make amends and prove that there is still something between them worth pursuing. If sensual pleasure is what Paige is looking for, then he intends to be the man to spend the night seducing every part of her.
Paige's surrender is Sawyer's ultimate goal, but once her desires are sated, will she give them the second chance they deserve?
Full length, stand-alone novel. No cliffhangers.
Find out more about Erika (aka author Janelle Denison) and her books at www.erikawilde.com.