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Sunday, April 10, 2011

Christina Hollis: What is Closest To Your Heart?

Just about everyone who blogs and comments here at authorsoundrelations loves a happy ending, which must be why we read so much romance. But 'happiness writes white', so what keeps us reading?

There has to be some sort of huge problem at the heart of every novel, some boulder in the road of life that can't be tossed aside.  It has to be worked around, scaled, or tunnelled through. In the type of books we all love here, it's the sort of problem that takes two to solve. There's nothing like chasing your hero and heroine up metaphorical trees, and then throwing rocks at them!  Give them a past they're trying to escape - then throw the shadow of that past over their future happiness. 


In my most recent Harlequin Presents Extra, The Master of Bella Terra, (published in the UK as The Italian's Blushing Gardener) Kira fled to Italy after a disastrous love affair. She's made a completely new life for herself, independent and successful, but the arrival of a new neighbour threatens all that. Kira is in danger of losing everything she holds most dear. Unknown to her, Stefano is trapped in an equally difficult situation. Bringing Kira and Stefano together sowed the seeds of their self-destruction - and set the scene for them to create new identities for themselves as a couple. They each face the prospect of having the thing they held most dear snatched away. The drama led them to their ultimate happy ending.


What would you fight tooth and nail to protect? Your family? Your pet, or maybe your own little patch of heaven? There's be a signed copy of The Master of Bella Terra on offer for a comment picked at random!


Christina Hollis writes Modern Romance/Presents Extra for Harlequin Mills and Boon. You can catch up with her in the following places:
Website: http://www.christinahollis.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/christinabooksFacebook: http://bit.ly/9rv4dfBlog: http://www.christinahollis.blogspot.com/  

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25 comments:

Elanor said...

I'd definitely fight for my family and friends first - and I'm one of those who counts pets as family - but I'm possessive over my house and workplace too, so they'd come a close second! However I think you can take attachment too far, as after all a house is just a house for example, and it's the people inside it who make it a home. So it's important to pick your battles! I wonder why Kira and Stefano fight for what they fight for? Elli xXx

Laney4 said...

Kira far prefers plants to people? Interesting.... Am looking forward to reading all the details and not just the romance. Thanks for sharing!

As for fighting for people, I generally stick up for those who are unable to stick up for themselves. I have a former neighbour on disability (she's a little slow, but quite intelligent at times), and my other neighbour and I are supporting her by taking her several calls a day (to both of us) and reassuring her at every opportunity. She has a sister in charge of her trust fund, and this sister is trying to get her committed so that it is easier on the sister to get her hands on our friend's trust fund. (We have no doubt about this.) So, much as we would prefer not getting these intrusive calls every single day, we know it is in our friend's best interest that we continue "being there for her" when she needs us.

Of COURSE I'd be there for friends and family (and pets). Goes without saying, but sometimes when you see something you perceive as wrong in the world, you have to step up to the plate, (suck it up, Buttercup, as my daughter would say) and do the right thing. This is definitely one of those instances, although I am sure there are more I just can't recall at the moment.

Christina Hollis said...

HI Elanor,
You're right - when push comes to shove it's people that matter, not possessions like houses. Kira and Stefano both thought they were right - and that's at the bottom of so many misunderstandings, isn't it?

Christina Hollis said...

Your neighbours are lucky to have you, Laney. Families are so often divided by distance these days, it's easy for loneliness to get hold, especially where older people are concerned. You're doing a wonderful job.

desere_steenberg said...

HI Christina,

Thank you for sharing your lovely post with us.

There are only two things in the whole world that I would protect till death, my family and my pets specifically my son and his pets.

Because to me those that are to small and/or innocent to protect themselves are the ones that need us most and also they are our responsibility.

Also close to my heart are children and animals that have been abandoned or are lost I would do anything to help and protect them against "evil" and the harsh reality of the world.

Take Care and thank you for the chance to win your wonderful sounding book which I am sure is a masterpiece!

Desere

traveler said...

A very thoughtprovoking post today. I would protect and defend to the death my family and pets for sure. Anyone innocent and small who is harmless. Thanks for your post.

petite said...

Whenever we are threatened it is always instinctive to protect and defend our immediate family, especially those who are very small and young. My family would come first and my animals who deserve this type of behavior. Wishing you all the best for this great book.

Christina Hollis said...

Thanks for your kind words, Desere. It's really comforting to know that when the international news is often so bad, individuals all over the world are determined to fight for the young and innocent. I hope you, your son and his pets are enjoying the weekend!

Christina Hollis said...

Thanks for your comment, Traveler. I sometimes wonder if people who read romance are more attuned to the need to protect - maybe they are more sensitive?

Christina Hollis said...

Thanks for your good wishes, Petite. I was never maternal before I had children, but then that instinct you talk about kicked in. It must be there in everyone, lying dormant until the moment it's needed.

Estella said...

I would fight to protect my family (pets included) and friends.

Christina Hollis said...

Hi Estella - thanks for commenting! It's lovely to see that we all agree our family circles(both human and pets) are the one thing we all hold close to our hearts, no matter where we live or what our circumstances are. It really gives hope for the future, doesn't it?

Lil said...

I would fight tooth and nail for my family. They are dear to me in ways nothing else has matched.

Christina Hollis said...

Thanks for your comment, Lil. All families have their ups and downs, but there's nothing like that feeling of having someone on your side, and knowing that you'd do anything for them in return, is there?

chey said...

I'd fight tooth and nail to protect my friends and family.

Nas said...

Hi Christina,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Family and friends and then the neighbours are on my vision to be protected, but not necessary in that order.

All the best for your new release.

Christina Hollis said...

Thanks for commenting, Chey. That's one hundred percent agreement between us all so far - wonder if that's a record?

Christina Hollis said...

Hi, Nas - it's good to hear from you. Thanks for your support!
Putting family first is what has kept the human race sane for millennia - let's hope it carries on like that for a good many generations to come.

Kym said...

I would fight tooth and nail for my kids, I never knew a love or bond soo strong as I have with them.

kym

krykym(at)fullchannel.net

Christina Hollis said...

Hi Kym - thanks for dropping by. The maternal bond must be the strongest in nature. Did you hear of that tiny woman who somehow lifted a huge truck to free her child? There was no way she should have been able to do it, but she did. That's what I call inspiring!

Alison said...

Family, of course!

Mary Preston said...

I would fight, & fight hard, to protect my family. Woe betide anyone who threatens them harm. I am not an Amazon but a Mother.

marypres@gmail.com

Christina Hollis said...

Hi Alison - thanks for commenting. It looks like we're all on the same side here today!

Christina Hollis said...

When it comes to our children I think there's actually a bit of Amazon in all of us, Marybelle. When there's a crisis, it comes to the fore, for the sake of our family.

Christina Hollis said...

Thanks to everyone who was kind enough to drop by and post a comment.
I've just put all the names in a hat and got half-term holidaying Son Number One to put his hand in and pull out - not a plum, but Estella's name!
Congratulations! If you'd like to email me at christinahollis@hotmail.co.uk with your land address, Estella, I'll get a signed book into the post for you asap.