The Millionaire's Convenient Arrangement by Jane Peden
Release: November 29th, 2016
Romance Subgenre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Miami Lawyers #2
Romance Subgenre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Miami Lawyers #2
Her worst enemy is the one man she can’t resist.
Maria Martinez thought it was a dream come true when Ritchie Perez—a sweet and sexy guy she met volunteering at a soup kitchen—took her delinquent little brother Joey under his wing. But her dream becomes a nightmare when she discovers Ritchie is the same man who put her twin brother Tito in prison for 10 years. Now Joey’s in trouble, and Ritchie’s been appointed his temporary guardian. He’ll be moving into Ritchie’s luxurious waterfront Miami home—unless he’d prefer a juvenile detention facility.
And if Maria wants to be with him, she’ll be moving in too.
Now a hugely successful attorney in private practice, Ritchie made his reputation as a tough prosecutor who didn’t make deals with drug dealers and gang members. But that history comes back to haunt him when the woman he’s falling for believes he’s responsible for convicting an innocent man, and destroying her family. Ritchie wants to stop Joey from making the same mistakes his brother did. And he wants Maria in his bed. But as desire heats their blood, will the past reach out and destroy their future?
Maria Martinez thought it was a dream come true when Ritchie Perez—a sweet and sexy guy she met volunteering at a soup kitchen—took her delinquent little brother Joey under his wing. But her dream becomes a nightmare when she discovers Ritchie is the same man who put her twin brother Tito in prison for 10 years. Now Joey’s in trouble, and Ritchie’s been appointed his temporary guardian. He’ll be moving into Ritchie’s luxurious waterfront Miami home—unless he’d prefer a juvenile detention facility.
And if Maria wants to be with him, she’ll be moving in too.
Now a hugely successful attorney in private practice, Ritchie made his reputation as a tough prosecutor who didn’t make deals with drug dealers and gang members. But that history comes back to haunt him when the woman he’s falling for believes he’s responsible for convicting an innocent man, and destroying her family. Ritchie wants to stop Joey from making the same mistakes his brother did. And he wants Maria in his bed. But as desire heats their blood, will the past reach out and destroy their future?
Author Interview
I'm excited to have author Jane Peden on the blog today to discuss her new book, The Millionaire's Convenient Arrangement. Thanks for sharing, Jane!
1) How did you come up with the idea for The Millionaire's Convenient Arrangement?
I always start with what seems like an insurmountable obstacle as the hook for the story. In this book, I wondered what would happen if Maria, who is struggling to raise her 13-year-old orphaned brother while holding down two jobs, starts to fall for Ritchie, a wealthy Miami lawyer she meets volunteering at a soup kitchen, then finds out he’s actually the former prosecutor who put her twin brother in prison eight years ago. And to complicate matters, by the time she realizes who Ritchie is, he’s already been appointed the temporary guardian of her younger brother Joey (who’s fast becoming a juvenile delinquent), and Ritchie demands that both of them move into his house! I threw in some stubborn opinions and assumptions on both sides, then just started writing and hoped the characters would find a way to sort it all out. Because deep down inside, these two were meant to be together.
2) Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I sometimes throw in a pop culture reference that some people may get, and others may not. Some are current and some are a bit more obscure. For example, in this book Ritchie makes an offhand comment about a “puffy shirt,” which is a reference to an episode of a classic TV show – do you know which one?
3) If someone is brand new to your work, what book do you think they should start with?
The Millionaire’s Convenient Arrangement is Book No. 2 in my Miami Lawyers series, and it’s a stand-alone romance. However, there are cameo appearances by characters from Book No. 1, The Millionaire’s Unexpected Proposal. In addition, readers have their first chance to meet Ritchie – the hero of Book No. 2 – in Book No.1, So, the easy answer is, you can read them in any order, but starting with the first book gives you the best introduction to the law firm and all three partners – Sam, Ritchie, and Jonathon.
4) What question do you wish readers would ask? What is the answer?
Why do you write romance books instead of literary fiction? There is certainly a place for all types of books, and I do read widely. But my favorite books have always been romances. Many books explore the human condition, but only in the romance genre can you pick up a book and know that whatever obstacles face the characters, whatever dark secrets or tragedies have clouded their past, however unreachable their goals for the future may seem, two things are certain: by the last page of the book they will have found love, and they will have found happiness. Romance novels are about people connecting emotionally and overcoming internal and external obstacles together. Whether they take place in historical settings, the here and now or the future, whether they mirror our day to day existence or open up a world of paranormal creatures, fantasy or magic, whether they feature sweet small town characters, or police detectives battling wits with a sadistic killer or military heroes bearing the scars of war, these are all books that end with a message of hope for the future. And at the center of that hope is love.
5) As a writer what would you choose as your spirit animal/mascot/avatar? Theme song?
My spirit animal, mascot or avatar would have to be a dog, not because dogs really have anything to do with writing but because, well, I just love dogs! (If you go to my author page on Facebook or follow me on Instagram you will see lots of pictures of my two rescue dogs, a Boston terrier named Eli, and a miniature schnauzer named Kota.) Dogs are loyal, trustworthy, and love unconditionally – all traits that we hope, by the end of each book, our characters have achieved. And they can also be fierce, when they are protecting the ones they love. A great theme song for writing my books is Katy Perry’s “Roar,” because it embodies the whole feeling of overcoming obstacles and meeting your challenges and being empowered. When two people can reach that point together, that’s a happily-ever-after love story I want to read.
I always start with what seems like an insurmountable obstacle as the hook for the story. In this book, I wondered what would happen if Maria, who is struggling to raise her 13-year-old orphaned brother while holding down two jobs, starts to fall for Ritchie, a wealthy Miami lawyer she meets volunteering at a soup kitchen, then finds out he’s actually the former prosecutor who put her twin brother in prison eight years ago. And to complicate matters, by the time she realizes who Ritchie is, he’s already been appointed the temporary guardian of her younger brother Joey (who’s fast becoming a juvenile delinquent), and Ritchie demands that both of them move into his house! I threw in some stubborn opinions and assumptions on both sides, then just started writing and hoped the characters would find a way to sort it all out. Because deep down inside, these two were meant to be together.
2) Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
I sometimes throw in a pop culture reference that some people may get, and others may not. Some are current and some are a bit more obscure. For example, in this book Ritchie makes an offhand comment about a “puffy shirt,” which is a reference to an episode of a classic TV show – do you know which one?
3) If someone is brand new to your work, what book do you think they should start with?
The Millionaire’s Convenient Arrangement is Book No. 2 in my Miami Lawyers series, and it’s a stand-alone romance. However, there are cameo appearances by characters from Book No. 1, The Millionaire’s Unexpected Proposal. In addition, readers have their first chance to meet Ritchie – the hero of Book No. 2 – in Book No.1, So, the easy answer is, you can read them in any order, but starting with the first book gives you the best introduction to the law firm and all three partners – Sam, Ritchie, and Jonathon.
4) What question do you wish readers would ask? What is the answer?
Why do you write romance books instead of literary fiction? There is certainly a place for all types of books, and I do read widely. But my favorite books have always been romances. Many books explore the human condition, but only in the romance genre can you pick up a book and know that whatever obstacles face the characters, whatever dark secrets or tragedies have clouded their past, however unreachable their goals for the future may seem, two things are certain: by the last page of the book they will have found love, and they will have found happiness. Romance novels are about people connecting emotionally and overcoming internal and external obstacles together. Whether they take place in historical settings, the here and now or the future, whether they mirror our day to day existence or open up a world of paranormal creatures, fantasy or magic, whether they feature sweet small town characters, or police detectives battling wits with a sadistic killer or military heroes bearing the scars of war, these are all books that end with a message of hope for the future. And at the center of that hope is love.
5) As a writer what would you choose as your spirit animal/mascot/avatar? Theme song?
My spirit animal, mascot or avatar would have to be a dog, not because dogs really have anything to do with writing but because, well, I just love dogs! (If you go to my author page on Facebook or follow me on Instagram you will see lots of pictures of my two rescue dogs, a Boston terrier named Eli, and a miniature schnauzer named Kota.) Dogs are loyal, trustworthy, and love unconditionally – all traits that we hope, by the end of each book, our characters have achieved. And they can also be fierce, when they are protecting the ones they love. A great theme song for writing my books is Katy Perry’s “Roar,” because it embodies the whole feeling of overcoming obstacles and meeting your challenges and being empowered. When two people can reach that point together, that’s a happily-ever-after love story I want to read.
About Jane Peden
Jane Peden is a Florida trial attorney who writes sexy contemporary category romances set in the exciting South Florida city of Miami, where millionaire lawyers live extravagant lifestyles and find love when they least expect it. When Jane isn’t in court, you can find her at the beach with her laptop, dreaming up stories about successful, confident men who know what they want and how to get it, and smart, sexy women who demand love on their own terms. Jane’s books promise sizzling chemistry in the face of insurmountable obstacles. And just when things couldn’t get any worse, an emotional payoff that makes it all worthwhile.
Jane grew up in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, but decided early on that the only thing better than escaping the cold for a two-week vacation at the beach was to live there all year around, so she traded her snow boots for a jet ski and has never looked back. Jane lives on the sunny Gulf Coast of Florida with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and a fish.
Jane grew up in the mountains of western Pennsylvania, but decided early on that the only thing better than escaping the cold for a two-week vacation at the beach was to live there all year around, so she traded her snow boots for a jet ski and has never looked back. Jane lives on the sunny Gulf Coast of Florida with her husband, two kids, two dogs, and a fish.
