Mad, Mad Love

I hate you. I love you. I hate loving you. The love/hate relationship is one of the most celebrated in romance fiction. Elizabeth and Darcy. Scarlett and Rhett. Leia and Han---(okay, Star Wars is not quite romance fiction, but still applies, I think). Through all the insults and the hard realizations, we stick with these couples, rooting for the love we know is there, held breathless by the intense passion that binds and separates at the same time.

How many of these fiery relationships really work out for the best in real life? I can think of a few musicians, actors and royal couples that threw sparks in public and never really created a happy ending out of it. Here in Poland, the relationship of Colin Farrel and Alicja Bachleda is a topic of endless public debate, with Colin now universally despised among Poles as a lying bastard who seduced the daughter of a very good Polish family and left her pregnant. There are even gossip mags that run periodic stories about how he intends to come to Poland and apologize to everyone here (not counting on that, lol).

My personal opinion is that Colin Farrell is an asshat, since Alicja is the second woman he's left with a child, and I suspect Alicja (being a feisty Polish woman in her right) has told him exactly that. See? Fiery and short...

But, in romance, we can manipulate the situation to our liking. Self-destructive asshats can be made to realize what they have before they lose it forever. Lovers can mature. They can realize all the things we wish they would, which I think puts the fantastic into fantasy. What are your favorite angry couples of all time?

And, on that note, I'll insert a plug here for my latest novella, The Aviator, which goes on sale on Amazon Jan 22.

Blurb:

Gilda Sinclair is known to be quite mad, a woman who drinks like a man, swears like one and takes lovers whenever she chooses, discarding her elevated standing as an aristocrat to seek her fortune as an airship pilot. After her father’s death, she insists on flying for his legendary dirigible company, only to learn that he has willed the controlling interest in the business to the one man she despises.

Nathan Lanchard was Gilda’s lover for one night and has endured her manipulative games ever since. In his mind, she is spoiled and reckless, intent on driving him beyond the limits of his control. As new opportunities cast doubt on his future with Sinclair Airship, and the dangers of war loom on the horizon, he will discover how ruthless her cat and mouse seductions can be, and what emotion truly lies at the heart of the dark lust between them.

Whoo Hoo! And, by the way, this one has been expertly edited by our very own founder and moderator! Thanks for saving my prose, Jojo!!!