February 2nd, 2010 — African American, Black, Defining the Genre, Ethnicity
Black romance is a blooming section of romance industry and is still growing. Officially having its start in 1980 with Entwined Destines written by Rosalind Welles, black romance has expanded and taken shape over the years. While it's true that the genre could benefit from more authors and more books, black romance is a force to be reckoned with and getting stronger all the time. It is my hope to see the genre grow out of its own publishing lines (by sheer volume) and start to mingle alongside romance about white leads. Part of what will make this happen is for the genre to see writers become as influential and iconic as Nora Roberts
, Danielle Steel
, and LaVyrle Spencer
. If authors become a household name to buy, sales will pick up and the genre will be more validated as whole.
It is said that the head of Kensington Publishing had been visiting New York bookstore when he overheard two black women wishing for more African American romance. In 1994, Arabesque was created as the first major line for black readers. Since that point 250 titles by approximately 50 African-American authors have been published.
Arabesque was later bought by Harlequin, increasing the number of released books to 450. Now Arabesque is the nation's leading line of single-title African American romance. Besides publishing Arabesque, Harlequin also publishes Sepia, New Spirit, and Kimani Romance lines. Kimani is a female African-American name that means "sweet and beautiful." Kimani is Harlequin's equivalent to category romance as Kimani novels are mass-market paperback series.
I'm curious to learn if there are Caucasian writers writing about black leads and African American authors writing about white leads? After all we already know there are male authors producing novels that we love... this can't be too far of a stretch.
Photo Credits: 1, 2
Originally posted 2009-01-02 05:07:16. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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January 21st, 2010 — About, Kiss and Tell
Kiss and Tell is going to be the start of a new series of posts here at Love Romance Passion. The idea came to me last night when I was talking with my fellow romance novel reading friend about how heroes in romance despite having less wiggle room in appearance/wealth/status than their heroines, they are surprisingly unique across authors and within the writing of a particular author. We got to wondering if this was because the women writing them put pieces of their own real life hero into the fictional model. Did the author ever write a story basing a hero entirely on her own flesh and blood one? And perhaps he's never consciously influenced the heroes in the stories, but that doesn't mean he isn't a hero in his own right.
Authors Answer This: In the end what makes him, your husband (or boyfriend), your hero?
Male writers are welcome to tune in by answering what makes their wife or girlfriend their heroine. Similarly writers with same sex partners are invited to share as well. Just switch out any references below to the appropriate gender/status.
Why Participate?
You mean you might need other reasons than a chance to tell all how wonderful your partner is? If you write a byline to go with your article to introduce yourself, you can include any and as many links as you want to direct readers on where to find you. That's some pretty good PR right there because LRP has a solid Google PR.
How to Participate:
Participation in this series is pretty basic and virtually painless (unless of course you insult your lover in some grievous fashion, then I'm sure it'll be pretty painful. But as that is nearly impossible to do you should be fine. Grin.)
Post details: Include photo of husband to go alongside article. Photo could also be of you and your husband or one of the whole family. There is a 250 word minimum. No maximum as we'd love for you to share your courting anecdotes, happily ever after tales, gossip and dirt. Feel free to include any links to blogs and websites to feature alongside your submission.
Video details: Potentially less time spent on this than writing a post, and you can tell a lot in a very short period of time. Please make your video between 2 minutes and 5 minutes in length and under 100 MB. We'll host you on YouTube at Love Romance Passion's channel and share the video with blog readers. Twice the exposure!
Email article and photos to Keira at reviewromancenovel[at]yahoo[dot]com.
Photo Credits: 1, 2
Originally posted 2009-01-11 13:22:15. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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September 27th, 2009 — News, Poll
I would like to retitle this week to: Happy Reading Week! After all this week is about celebrating our right to read and directly our right to write/voice! All in favor leave a comment!
As for books you're not happy about - it's called wallbanging for a reason. Similar to thumping your head against a wall or other hard surface when in complete disbelief, simply pick up the offending book and throw it against the wall. Or better yet buy a few dozen books and burn them (it helps the authors get some more royalties, much thanks!), or whatever, but don't tell me I can't read it.
The more criticized the book, the more advocates that come out to defend it. Book banners, you're better off ignoring the book or telling your friends to stay clear and leave it at that. By calling attention to books in a overly negative manner (cough censorship cough) you'll arouse curiosity and more people will read the book, which of course is the exact opposite of what is desired. Am I right or am I right? It seems very counter productive.
So instead of shouting Beware of the Books! Celebrate that literature is still being read in an age when television and video games and internet practically rule it out.
If a book isn't for you, stop reading. Nobody forces you to pick up a book or continue read it once it's put you off it. You did it on your own free will. Allow me to do the same. My advice: avoid the books that are bound to arouse your soap box mentality and buy instead those you know you will enjoy. Reading is about love!
- Love of the writer. He/She sweats and labors and brings about his/her thoughts for all to have access to and read.
- Love of the publisher. It is run by those who sweat and labor to produce the books in mass.
- Love of the reader. We can't wait to turn the page. There should be no sweaty bits for us... unless its erotica
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Let's celebrate our intellectual freedom and curl up with a good book tonight. 
Happy readings!
Photo Credits: florian.b
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