July 1st, 2009 — News
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Last month was fabulous! Thank you all for making it so! June was filled with many great features including: guest reviews, guest bloggers, author interviews, and fun articles. We talked about the size of werewolf and vampire fangs, children in romance, and signs of too much romance novel reading. Shared below is the month’s highlights:
June’s 11 Most Commented Posts
June’s Guest Bloggers:
June’s Author Interviews:
June’s Guest Book Reviews:
June’s Movie Reviews:
What were your favorite posts in June?
June 24th, 2009 — 1 Star, Blind, Book Review, Contemporary, Cursed Lead, J-L, Older Woman/Younger Man, Paranormal, Supernatural, Teacher, United States of America, Writer
So far as a romance novel goes, Lucy Burns has the very broad requirements and none of the nuances. It ends happy. There is a guy. She ends up with him. The romance was nonexistent as no emotions or depth came across when I read it. The story primarily focuses on Lucy Burns finding salvation.
As a heroine, I wasn’t particularly enchanted with her. I was unable to sympathize with Lucy past her little girl stage. She came across exactly as she thought of herself: shallow, empty, and not particularly kind or nice beyond the relationship with her neighbor, her neighbor’s child, and Luke Marshall.
I suppose Lucy redeemed herself in the end, but I didn’t really connect to those inner changes. She was obviously disenchanted with herself, her job working for the devil, and with people and life in general. There was no growth to her character.
Luke Marshall was vague as a hero. We learn he teaches creative writing at a university, is writing a manuscript based on his perception of Lucy Burns, and sings off key when drunk… oh and he’s blind, which means he can’t see the gorgeousness that is Lucy at all.
Things in the book that I didn’t like at all:
- Lucy getting so wasted she urinated on herself in her hall closet during a Tupperware party. What romance novel could happen without that?
- Her pretty blasé attitude over an innocent man accidentally going to hell by walking down into her basement. If there was regret, it was a twinge and nothing more.
- Her blasé attitude over the coffee shop goth-girl (admittedly not the friendliest of people) finding herself going to hell by trying to escape the some unrobed KKK members by running down into the basement…
- Reading the lyrics/song titles of Teddy Nightingale and random excerpts from Luke’s novel. One or the other happened in every chapter. It was overkill.
- The backdrop of two movies duking it out in theaters that also appeared every other chapter or so. The movies were Adoring JC (Jesus Christ) and Absolutely Adolf: What were you thinking?
Rating: 1 Stars
Buy: The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns
June 11th, 2009 — About, Covers
The romance novel industry has been designing covers for a very long time. We’ve seen swooning couples, floating heads, headless bodies, photoshop overlays of couples and scenery, women in fancy dresses, and plain fancy font covers with inserts. The current trends of floating heads and headless bodies are an interesting oxymoronic mix.
On the last, I asked on Twitter about the headless body phenomenon known as mantitty.
The tweet read:
Why do romance novel covers crop mid-head or at the neck? Seriously, my art professors would kill me for those design decisions.
I was taught when drawing the human body you never cut off at a joint. Ever. It makes the body look truncated, misshapen, and distorted. If you’re going to crop a body you crop mid bone section - mid thighs, mid arms, etc.
Two responses to my tweet were:
@qc2: ’cause the models are butterfaces.
@amhartnett: easier than finding models who match the entire look of char.? Let’s the reader fill in blank face with their imagination?
Both responses point to the model as being a bad representative for the male lead. With all the models out there, there should be one that can represent the hero accurately enough.
The first response begs the question of what is handsome. Considering all the notions of beauty out there, one face might very well attract and repel the same amount of readers.
My guess is publishers are catering to the mass of readers instead of creating a cover that accurately represents the novel. I mean how offensive can a hot, finely honed male body be? Forget that 99.98% are hairless for those that love chest hair.
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May 19th, 2009 — About
Last time I gave you 4 Monetary Tips to Reduce your TBR pile. This post is going to give you some ideas on how organizing your TBR pile can motivate you to get through it.
1. Start a Spreadsheet.
Enter all the books from your current to be read pile and then all the books you’ve read that you have on your bookshelf. Before selecting any new books for your collection double check your spreadsheet to make sure there are no repeats.
2. Group by Common Denominator.
Put your organizational skills to work and group your TBR pile into smaller piles. Sort your books by a common denominator such as subgenre, author, size, year, or similar titling. Do it however it pleases you best and make it a goal to read one book each month from your new smaller piles. By getting your TBR pile manageable, you are not faced with the daunting task of choosing a book to read or the prospect of a book avalanche.
3. Challenge Yourself.
Did you know that supposedly the average romance novel reader can read 10-40 books in a month? This statistic is pulled from the Romantic Times advertising page. With that in mind and knowing that some people work best with goals, I challenge readers to reading the mean - 20 books - with sub goal of reaching as close to 40 books as possible this month. Here’s a game to get you started (and remember only choose books from your TBR pile!):
- Books 1-5 by authors you’ve never read before.
- Books 6-10 by your favorite authors.
- Books 11-15 in a genre or sub-genre you’ve never tried.
- Books 16-20 in your favorite genre or sub-genre.
Repeat for books 20-40 if you get that far. Do this challenge with a buddy and now you’re accountable to someone other than yourself. Get together once a week and go for coffee. Talk about the books you read and if you’re on target to the goal you could even swap a few and read for next month.
4. Purge: Be Ruthless.
Yes, I know, it’s a sad thing to even contemplate, but it’s for your own good. Go through the pile and anything you bought more than six months ago seriously consider removing, permanently. If you weren’t inspired to pick it up and read it six months after purchasing the book, chances are you’ll never get to it. Donate the books to your local library and get a receipt for tax purposes or use the books as swapping material on Paperback Swap.
5. The 3 Strike System.
Start a 3 Strike System. If you pick a book up and decide not to read it mark the side of the book (not the spine, the pages) with a pencil. When a book gets its third strike, remove it from your TBR pile. This system can be modified to 4 or 5 or 6 strikes, but be consistent and don’t waver once you get to the last strike. The book might have sounded good to you when you first got it, but it’s not calling to you anymore. Pass it on.
*This idea originally came from Willa in the Paperback Swap TBR Reduction Thread.
6. Keep it Simple. Start Slow.
Make the goal easy. Did you put last week’s purchases on the floor because there was no space? Read enough from your pile to move those babies off the floor and onto the shelf.
Are your books in six locations? Pick a location and read them. All of them. That’s one less location to trip over your books and a simple goal that allows you to focus on your reading instead of your buying.
7. Share Your Reduction Tip!
Now it’s your turn to talk about your TBR pile and what you do to keep it under control. Leave a comment in the form below!
Photo Credits: bitmask
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May 11th, 2009 — 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 Old Post Promoter
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May 10th, 2009 — 3.5 Stars, 4 Stars, ARC, Alien, England, Erotica, Kidnapping, Kings, Princes, Sheiks, Chiefs, Knight, Magic Users, Paranormal, Politician, Queen or Princess, Rowena Cherry, Space, Stowaway, Warrior
Today I am reviewing Knight’s Fork by Rowena Cherry. This is my first ARC (advance review copy; official book release is September 30, 2008) and I eagerly read the whole novel in two days! Knight’s Fork is just one novel in the futuristic set series about the Great Djinn race. Knight’s Fork contains all the right stuff from a stowaway princess to a knight’s quest and the threat of death licking at their heels. This book and series would be great for any lover of alien paranormal romance or paranormal romance in general.
Watch out for the ‘Dj’ names! There’s quite a few to remember and follow! The romance novel is filled to overflowing with political intrigue and the key players are trying to play everybody else all at the same time to get their way. The main characters have to watch out for who their enemies are and who their allies are.
Cherry titles her novels after chess moves, and yes the characters do play chess and the move in question is used several times throughout the novel. Knight’s Fork in particular is about a choice between two evils – you’re going to lose something and the decision becomes which loss is acceptable?
This choice is ‘Rhett’s, a Saurian Knight, and it is between power and a female. Saurian is another alien race, but don’t let this fool you about this white knight. Back to the point - how can power or a female be a bad choice whichever you choose? A grab for power will set other leaders in a tizzy and the female is another male’s mate that’s how!
The rival male is King of another alien race, the Volnoth, and taking Electra could start a war on par with the ancient Greek war over Helen of Troy. It’s too bad for ‘Rhett that he’s tempted by Electra and not by the power offered. Far more tempting is that she wants him… for his sperm. What’s a knight to do?
This novel and series isn’t for the fainthearted that likes their romances to be mild and sweet. Urban colloquialisms for sex and emissions abound, the Great Djinn even regularly swear by Carnality! However for those who crave the contemporary slang and straightforward nature to the approach of sex Knight’s Fork is deliciously racy and erotic. The whole novel revolves around sex!
You could compare Cherry’s novel to Laurell K. Hamilton’s Meredith Gentry series about fairies because the Princess Electra seeks to get pregnant just like Meredith does. Or you could compare the novel to the Twilight Saga with ‘Rhett being a virgin, sworn to a vow of chastity, similar to Edward’s chase behavior. Whatever parallels you draw, Cherry spins a great story.
Rating: 3.5-4 Stars
Originally posted 2008-09-11 05:56:00. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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May 4th, 2009 — Author Interviews, Historical Romance, Sabrina Jeffries
Boy, do I have a treat for LRP readers! I recently was able to interview Sabrina Jeffries after the RWA Conference. Amidst her busy schedule she was more than kind enough to sit down and respond in depth on the topics broached. Get a cup of tea or coffee sit back and kick up your heels as you read this author interview.
LRP: How did you find yourself writing romance? How did you become an author?
Sabrina: From age 9 on, believe it or not, I read romances, but I only wrote poetry and short stories until grad school. In college I decided I wanted to be a writer, but I thought the best route to that was to go to grad school in English, become a professor so I could have a paying job, and then try to publish stories and poetry. Somehow the academic work took over. Then while I was a visiting assistant professor of English at Tulane University, I sat down to develop a publishable academic work based on my dissertation about James Joyce and found it so boring that I started writing a novel instead. After a while, I realized I was writing a romance novel. It didn’t sell, but the next one did and I’ve been writing ever since. Ironically enough, when I was twelve I told myself that when I grew up, I would write down my romantic fantasies and sell them to people. I guess I knew my destiny deep inside. It just took me a little while to figure it out as an adult!
LRP: What is your favorite type of romance to read? Is it the same as what you write?
Sabrina: For the most part, I do prefer historical romance to any other kind of book, romance or otherwise, and yes, I like sex in the books a lot! I read other things, too, though. I’m not that fond of Westerns or medievals, and I do prefer British or foreign settings, but otherwise I’m not that picky. I also read a little nonfiction, the occasional mystery or science fiction novel, and a lot of suspense, though I don’t get nearly as much time to read as I’d like.
LRP: How do you decide character names?
Sabrina: I have a book (now OOP) called The Oxford Dictionary of English Christian Names. I thumb through that until I find one that appeals to me that is also period-correct.
LRP: What are some challenges in writing romance? Any particular genre of romance more difficult to pull off?
Sabrina: Finding new and different ways to explore relationships is always challenging, too. As for difficult genres, I actually find historicals harder to write, because of having to remember all the period constraints. The other day I caught myself before I could write, “She blindsided him.” Since that started in reference to football in the 60’s, it’s definitely not Regency. J
LRP: What kind of research do you do, if any?
Sabrina: I still have to do research related to everyday life in the period, depending on what will be covered in my book. I research the main events of the year of my setting. I pore over maps of the area and try to find out information about the flora and fauna. I also regularly use a Regency thesaurus. For book-specific stuff, I tap my hundred or so research books and my library of clippings from various sources, as well as Google Books, which is a fabulous resource, because you can find books contemporary to the period. I do most of my research WHILE I’m writing the book. I wait until I need to know something to research it, since I never know when I’m going to need to know something.
LRP: Is there anything you wish you’ve seen in a romance novel — and are you writing it for us?
Sabrina: I can honestly say that I never feel a lack in any of the books I read. If I did, I’d write it. I’m just always pleased when I can be surprised by a book. But do I ever say, “Wow, I wish someone would write about Regency female doctors”? No, not really.
LRP: What advice do you have for others who are interested in writing?
Sabrina: Perseverance is the key. You must keep writing, keep putting your work out there, and keep learning before AND after you get published. Never think you’ve come too far to learn. Even after having written 29 novels, I’m still learning about writing.
LRP: Do you ever get writer’s block? If so, how do you handle it? What do you find difficult, if anything, about writing? And what do you like the best?
Sabrina: I don’t really get writer’s block. I do, however, get stuck on a particular scene or plot or character. When that happens, I try to take some time to relax and just let my thoughts meander. I read another author’s book or watch a movie to get the gearshift unstuck, so to speak. I’m also quite fond of hot showers, long walks, and jigsaw puzzles as ways to lull my conscious mind into letting my subconscious come up with answers I need. And if I’m REALLY desperate, I call my critique partners and bounce ideas off of them until I find a solution.
What I find most difficult about writing is trying to make it interesting time after time. Also, it’s hard to follow your own vision without imposing it on the characters. They become their own people in the course of the novel (if you’re any good, that is), and you have to respect that without letting them take over the book. You have to strike a balance, and that isn’t easy.
LRP: Was it difficult to get published? How did you find your agent? What’s the strategy behind the use of plural author names?
Sabrina: Yes, but not as hard as it is these days. In one respect I got lucky—I happened to join an RWA chapter that had as a member an agent just starting out in her career. That was especially lucky since all the agents I’d queried weren’t interested. I’m still with Pam Ahearn of The Ahearn Agency after nearly 20 years.
But even after landing an agent, I had 10 rejections on the first book she represented (the second book I’d written) before Leisure bought it. Over the years, I’ve received a number of rejections for a number of my books. Pirate Lord was rejected by five publishers, and that was after I’d already had 11 books published as Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas! I sold the 12th book I wrote, and then my publisher at the time gave it back to me—it’s still unpublished, mostly because it needs work and I don’t have time for it.
About the pseudonym thing, I wrote as Deborah Martin and Deborah Nicholas because my respective publishers didn’t want my growing career at one publishing house to be affected adversely by my numbers at the other house, and since I was an unknown author at the time, they weren’t taking any chances, so they insisted on my having two different pseudonyms. Then when I decided to write a completely different kind of historical, my new publisher wanted me to take a new name to reflect the new style and voice. By that point, I was an experienced writer, and I realized that I’d be better off choosing something catchy rather than something close to my real name.
Incidentally, that would be my advice to any new genre author—if you have a catchy real name, use it. If you don’t, choose something interesting and unique as a pseudonym because your name is part of the marketing package. And unfortunately, marketing is everything in today’s publishing world. Taking a pseudonym the third time around was the best thing that ever happened to me—but I did lose most of my old readers because they couldn’t find me. Sometimes, however, booksellers are more eager to take a chance on a debut author than an established one with lackluster sales, so you have to weigh whether to take a pseudonym in terms of marketing.
LRP: Do you work on deadlines now? How long does it usually take you to write a book? Have you written a book that seemed to write itself or a book that you had to drag out kicking and screaming?
Sabrina: Yes, I still work on deadlines. The shortest time I’ve ever written a book in is 4 and a half months (Night Vision). The longest is about 9 months, but I always aim for 6. Right now, I’m writing the book that is seeming to write itself, but I think that it’s because I know Charlotte and Cousin Michael so well that they’re just writing the book for me. To Pleasure a Prince was also easier to write, as was Beware a Scot’s Revenge, but NONE of them are easy. The hardest one was probably Let Sleeping Rogues Lie. I had a lot of issues to deal with and juggling them all was difficult.
LRP: What about bedroom scenes? What makes a good one?
Sabrina: Good ones are those that are so inextricably entwined with the story and the characters that they compel the reader to read them. It’s the people and their concerns that make love scenes interesting. Plus, I tap into every fantasy I’ve ever had. Fortunately, I’ve always had an active fantasy life where sex is concerned, and I haven’t even come NEAR to touching on all my fantasies.
Although honestly, I could spend hours on this subject. I do a whole workshop on it.
LRP: How do you define love?
Sabrina: Geez, you don’t ask the easy questions, do you? I couldn’t begin to define love. I just know what it is when I feel it. Plus, there are so many different kinds, aren’t there?
LRP: What do you hope your readers will gain from your books?
Sabrina: Joy and a release from the everyday troubles of life. I write to entertain, and if I succeed at that, then I feel I’ve done my job.
LRP: What do you do to relax and get away from writing? Is there something that really gets you away from it all?
Sabrina: I enjoy making jewelry, gourmet cooking, and reading (of course), but I also like to watch movies and listen to CDs a lot. I’m addicted to spider solitaire, so I have to watch how much I play it. And nothing relaxes me more than a good jigsaw puzzle, believe it or not. My idea of heaven is being able to do nothing but puzzles for a couple of days.
LRP: Could you provide a picture of your workspace? We’d love to see how and where you write!
Sabrina: This one is where I do the actual writing (it also doubles as a guest bedroom). I don’t have a nice bright window like this anywhere else upstairs, and I prefer to look out a window while I write, so this was the only option:
BUT, my official office is what the former owners used as a bonus room (across the hall from this room). Since my dh has knee trouble, he doesn’t climb the stairs, so we can’t use that room as a bonus room, which is why I took it for my office. It’s FABULOUS. It’s just too dark for me to stand to write in. But I’m doing this at it right now. I do all my business stuff in it, plus some reading. I took 3 pics of IT.
The first pic is of the part of the room (there when we bought it) that has a “stage.” Apparently, the former owners had 3 teens who played in a band. My desk now sits on the stage in front of the built-in bookshelves.
Here’s the rest of the office, the part not on the “stage.” I know, most people would kill for an office this big. I love it. Just can’t write my books in it. *G*
And…
LRP: Oh! How wonderful! Thanks for sharing your space with us. What are your hopes for the future?
Sabrina: I just hope to be able to keep writing books for years to come!
LRP: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? When can we expect your next book?
Sabrina: A reissue of my first Sabrina Jeffries book, The Pirate Lord, will be released August 26, 2008. Then, on October 28, 2008, comes Snowy Night with a Stranger, a Christmas-themed anthology with stories by Jane Feather, Julia London, and me. The heroine of my story is Elinor Bancroft from Let Sleeping Rogues Lie. Then, in July 2009, will come the fifth novel of the series, about Lucy Seton from Let Sleeping Rogues Lie. It will be followed by Charlotte and Cousin Michael’s romance in August 2009. No titles for these yet, but all will be revealed in that final book, so keep an eye out for both books in the summer of 2009!
LRP: Thanks so much for answering all these questions Sabrina! Good luck and many happy sales!
Got a burning question to ask Sabrina? Leave a comment!
Want to discuss this interview with others? Check out LRP’s shiny new forum!
Visit Sabrina’s blog and website for more information about Sabrina and her work!
See you here again on Monday! Have a great weekend!
Originally posted 2008-09-05 05:32:37. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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April 23rd, 2009 — Between the Sheets, Covers, Fabio Search
I just got off the phone with Jeremy Rivenburg, one of the gorgeous models going for Mr. Romance on Saturday. He sounds as wonderful on the phone as he looks; soft-spoken, polite. His voice is sinful and I got to talk to him for just over thirty minutes. On top of that he’s a genuinely nice guy who’s a little bashful and very modest. Below is the transcript of the interview:
1. Why do you think you’re the best candidate for Mr. Romance?
Jeremy: You know I don’t know if I’m the best. The reason why I am here is because someone chose me. I didn’t sign up for this on my own. I was asked to do this. I was sponsored [Between Your Sheets]. Annette Batista, who I shot a romance novel trailer with said that I would be good as a cover model and that I would do well at it. I would give it my best.
2. What type of romance cover do you see yourself doing?
Jeremy: I can pull off different looks. As I said before I did a book trailer. My character was named Sam; I was a vampire in the process of turning. Supernatural stuff, which is interesting. Several of my model shots, I’ve been told, would be great on a book cover. I hear I could pull off really well being as a vampire.
(I can see him as one of those devilishly handsome but withdrawn and brooding heroes, not necessarily a vampire, but one of those scarred and wounded heroes from historicals.)
3. One thing you think the ladies should know about you:
Jeremy: Hmm…. I guess that I’m shy. I’m a pretty shy guy. I’m not the kind of guy who… I guess that’s not good here [Romantic Times Convention]. I’m forcing myself to be confident, more outgoing, and talkative. Some of the ladies here know that and they come over and say hi to me, ask me how things are going. It’s helped to open me up a little bit… One lady last night told me that that’s what she liked about me.
4. In 3-5 adjectives, how would you describe yourself?
Jeremy: Shy, sarcastic-I joke around a lot or whatever you want to call that, hmm… this is more difficult than I would have thought. Nice guy, I’m not a bad boy.
He is certainly nice and down to earth! It was such a pleasure to chat with him.
You can find him on Facebook and on Model Mayhem.
So what do you think ladies, is Jeremy Rivenburg the next Mr. Romance?
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April 10th, 2009 — Guest Blogger, Rachel Kenley
This guest blog is by author Rachel Kenley. You can learn more about Rachel and her novels at http://www.rachelkenley.com/
No matter how wonderful the heroine of a romance novel is, without the right hero, there is no book. The heroes in my stories come from different backgrounds (and even planets!) but each has passion, commitment and drive – three things I find very sexy in a man.
When I create a hero, or any lead character, I look for the things that will make him real for readers. This includes knowing what he most fears and what he will need to learn by the end of the story. Hopefully, finding the love of his life will both enhance and complicate this process. It wouldn’t be any fun if things were too easy, after all.
Teodor in THE GLASS STILETTO fears he will always be loved for what he has, over who he is. In Mariella he finds a woman who shows him how strong he is, no matter if he wears a crown and leads a kingdom. Of course, at first she doesn’t want to marry him at all… but that’s another wrinkle.
In DESTINY’S JEWEL, Ellard is a more tortured hero (and I pictured him looking like David Boreanz in Angel). He’s been raised to do his duty and take on the job of vizier, but in his heart, he’s an adventurer and the thought of being tied to king and castle is making him miserable. Not to mention the fact that he’s fallen in love with Kyra. His fear is that he will hate his future life. He must accept there is always a new journey to take.
Miles Anderson is the first contemporary hero I’ve written, created for PASSIONATE HEAT, and one of my personal favorites. Because of his childhood, thinks he is too damaged to love and be loved in return. He fears he will always be alone, never have a family. He must learn that not only he deserve this, but he can have a home wherever he chooses to create one. He also needs to see the hero in himself. Jillian, the woman he loves, is going to help him with those.
For me, memorable heroes have flaws and fears but the strength and determination to overcome them. And if along the way, they give their heart to the special woman who sees the greatness in them… well, that’s what I love about romance!
I’d love to hear about your heroes! Whether from books, movies, or real life - who are they and why do you remember them?
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April 4th, 2009 — About, Character Type, Erotica, Genre, Preference Type, Sheik/Desert
This question has been asked in one form or another since romance novels went mainstream. Authors have been dismissed because they write romance instead of science fiction or crime books or other normal genres. If the cover has bulging pectorals and swooning women then it must be girl porn. Shame on you, haven’t you heard the advice never judge a book by its cover?
Romance has been dismissed and labeled by many derogatory terms such as trashy romance novel, bodice-rippers, girl porn, chick porn, chick-lit, virgin bibles, horny hystericals, etc. Some of these terms like trashy romance novel have become a badge of honor to declare with pride by readers. i.e. “I love trashy romance novels!” Similarly there are people out there who will tell you they are proud that they don’t read them. Did you know that the romance industry sells over 50% of all paperback books? Looking at figures like those, it’s hard to mock romance.
Writing a romance novel takes a lot of work. What happens if you start off with characters and can’t make them come together romantically in a believable way? You’ll wind up with the square pegs in round holes syndrome and a book you can’t possibly sell. Just look at JKR’s Harry Potter Saga
- the best romance in the book is the only one she didn’t attempt to show or explain and that was James and Lily Potter. Clearly writing romance is not Rowling’s forte. So if a world renowned author can’t write romance believably wouldn’t that prove it’s a tough quota to fill?
To be able to repeatedly produce quality heroes and heroines that fall in love, have sexual tension, and resolve all their issues is phenomenal and should be awarded not punished.
But the sex and the sin!
A lot of people are under the misapprehension that sex, marital or otherwise in a romance is sinful and shouldn’t be read. Romance novels are only okay if you can read them to your grandmother. But what if you’re grandmother is particularly savvy and cool? Wouldn’t this test be disqualified?
On an interesting note the romance industry not too long ago, think 80s and earlier, thought premarital sex would turn readers away. This is where the term bodice-ripper is derived, specifically in conjunction with Desert and Sheik love.
Erotica writers take sex in romance to a new level - is this a bad thing? No, I say, it’s not. Sex has its place, so does plot, dialogue, and deux ex machina. It’s hard to write - just read the author interviews here on this website and you’ll see what I mean.
So I say to the unenlightened, this is the new millennia. Get over it or please tell me you only watch Bollywood movies where even kissing is taboo in most cases. (Though Bollywood movies can easily pour on the heat - it’s all that unrequited tension! Yum!)
Does that mean that all sex is good sex in a romance or in other words when is sex gratuitous like a bathroom scene in a movie? The answer again is no. I think sex is gratuitous when it serves to just be there as page filler just like the bathroom scene in a movie.
Conclusion:
Clearly, I think the issue lies with personal phobias. The idea of being caught with a romance novel is embarrassing to some. These are the people I feel should most definitely be introduced to romance novels. It’s okay, we’re here to hold your hand and if absolutely needed, you have our permission to read it under the covers with a flashlight.
In the end I must ask, who’s out there demeaning men for watching dare I say it - man porn?
Photo Credits: 1
Originally posted 2008-12-05 18:53:01. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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April 2nd, 2009 — 3.5 Stars, England, Gaelen Foley, Guest Reviews, Historical Romance, India, Queen or Princess
By: Marcia, guest reviewer
Her Every Pleasure is the third book in the Spice trilogy about three siblings, British citizens, who have grown up in India. It is a story of duty, honor and destiny which would seem predictable for a romance novel; but add an ambitious Sheik and ruthless Janissaries bent on conquering Europe and converting it to Islam, and it becomes much more interesting.
Gabriel Knight has retired from the Regulars and withdrawn from life while recuperating from an arrow in the abdomen as well as the horrors of war. Having had an after death experience, he believes that he has a destiny to fulfill. At six feet, four inches tall and heavily muscled, he is the epitome of tall dark and handsome. A warrior and leader of men he must learn to follow before fulfilling his destiny.
Princess Sophia has been attacked on the road to London and has fled to hide in a barn on what she supposes is an abandoned farm. She intends to masquerade as a servant while waiting to be rescued by her security team. Over the years, one by one, her entire family has been assassinated until she is the last in line to rule the Greek island kingdom of Kavros. She has been taught to defend herself by her head of security and will kill when necessary. When Gabriel finds her asleep, he assumes that she is a gypsy with loose morals that his brother sent to ‘take care of his needs’. They are strongly attracted to each other but each resist because of duty, honor and destiny, not understanding that those are the very reasons that they should be together.
Her Every Pleasure is told with vivid visual descriptions and a tightly constructed plot. The characters are fully developed and sympathetic. Although the characters and events are entirely fictional, the story is told with historical realism. Galen Foley is always a good read.
3.5 Stars
Buy: Her Every Pleasure
If you too would like to write LRP a guest post, Keira would be thrilled to include you on her blog. Please check out the provided link for guidelines.
Originally posted 2008-12-03 15:12:22. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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March 27th, 2009 — 4.5 Stars, Book Review, Bride Stealing, Hannah Howell, Highlander, Knight, Scotland, Virgin Heroine, Warrior
Highland Barbarian by Hannah Howell is an exceptional romance novel. The love story is both captivating and highly amusing. A tale of a Lowlander (with Highlander blood in her veins) and a Highlander (whose warrior skills include brains), this is sure to be on your favorite shelf.
With his Laird on his deathbed, Sir Artan Murray cannot refuse the task of going to the Lowlands to lure Cecily, his Laird’s niece, home again. Throw in her tempting dowry and the fact that his Laird wants to make him, the second son of twins, the heir and future Laird, Artan finds himself traveling south before he knows it. In his heart of hearts, Artan knows he could never marry a girl no matter how bonnie she is or how bonnie her dowry. He wants a marriage like his parents, as all the Murray’s wed for love.
When he first lays eyes on Cecily Donaldson, Artan thinks he’s seen an angel. Glorious red hair and beautiful green eyes have tempted him as no woman has ever tempted him. Stealing kisses, usurping her arranged betrothal’s rights, and fighting off a few dozen men are all fun and games until Artan overhears a conversation from the girl’s guardians between her betrothed. His questions and fears answered, Artan knows what he must do.
He will have to kidnap his future bride from the midst of wolves and take her back with him whether she wants to go or not. Cecily, hurt and betrayed, struggles against her passion for this Highland barbarian. Her struggles however are halfhearted, because when Artan touches her or kisses her or loves her, she burns for him with a yearning that can’t be denied.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Originally posted 2008-11-27 22:13:51. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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March 26th, 2009 — News
Today is part four of five in announcing the Top 50 Romance Novel Blogs. I hope you take the time to go to these blogs and see what they have to offer!
And as always be sure to drop a comment and let me know if I’ve missed any of your favorite haunts as I will be composing a fan list to supplement my list at the end.
- Romance Book Scene- for everyone who loves a happy ending.
- Romance B(u)y the Book- Dish with Michelle and the Bellas @ RBTB about Love, Sex, Family, Life, and, of course, Romance! (They have a newsletter subscription contest going on - ends 31st of March.)
- Romance Novel TV- Video interviews with romance authors, really need I go on? Make it a destination of yours.
- Romance Rookie- I have to promote Jill just because of the Florida background- though her 500+ bk reviews don’t hurt either. She works at my alma mater. If it weren’t for the trees and two kids I’d say we were the same person. (I loved Nancy Drew growing up and am also a Virgo.)
- Romance Vagabonds- Four ladies + romance novels + hunks = a whole lot of fun.
- Romancing the Blog- The title of this blog was my first idea for naming my blog. Isn’t it cute? The columnists on Romancing the Blog are readers, reviewers, aspiring authors, and bestsellers.
- Romancing Trashy Novels- Celebrating the Genre One Book at a Time… aggregating news source, once stop gathering for all your romance needs.
- Romantic Inks- I just love the colors of this website and the design - very pretty. 15 women actively write for this blog - that’s a whole lot of wonderful posts!
- Romantic Time BOOKreviews- RT News Blog.
- Shapeshifter Romance- Love Lycanthropes- werewolves, wereleopards, dragons, selkies, and more? Here’s a website devoted entirely to them!
Top 50 Continued:
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March 25th, 2009 — 4.5 Stars, Blind, Book Review, Contemporary, Doctor, Melinda Cross, United States of America
Lion of Darkness
by Melinda Cross was the first romance novel that I read where one of the lovers was handicapped. The story is absolutely beautiful, filled with domineering masculinity and the helpless unyielding fall into love. It is far too short a tale in my opinion and could use another two hundred pages easily. Perhaps then I’ll be satisfied.
Cassandra Winters was blinded in the car accident that killed her mother. The doctors told her it was hysterical blindness and that she should receive her sight within a few days of the trauma, but it has been eighteen years and Cassie knows one thing for sure; they were wrong.
In the two weeks after her father’s death Cassie has had to face some hard truths. The first is that her wealthy lifestyle is going to change drastically. Her father had lived beyond his means and the only money left after the estate was settled was the small trust her mother set up for her. If she was going to have a future she would have to cope with being blind and learn useful skills that could win her a job, so she enrolls at Windrow, a school for the blind and the best of its kind.
Dr. Wyatt Field is a cynical, stoic man who is so reviled by his patients it’s a wonder that his success rate is so high. The moment he sees Cassie, he has her pegged as a pampered, spoiled, brat. Never mind that her looks are as pale and as beautiful as her last name implies. Never mind that when she touches him his blood pounds, his muscles tense, and that he can’t seem to tear his eyes from her. He is helpless before her and he doesn’t like it. Not one bit. But he’s determined to succeed, to help her see again. He won’t lose this case even if it means loses her love.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Happy Readings!
Originally posted 2008-11-25 08:34:54. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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March 23rd, 2009 — Author Interviews, Contemporary, England, Historical Romance, Jacquie D'Alessandro, Regency
Today readers at Review Romance Novel have are truly gifted with a great opportunity. I recently got in contact with Jacquie D’Alessandro and she was kind enough to grant me an interview. I got to ask her a bunch of questions and the following transcript is in her own words directly. I hope you all enjoy.
LRP: What do you enjoy doing besides writing?
Jacquie: Reading (big shocker there, I know 
), spending time with my family, being at the lake, playing tennis (I play poorly but I’m determined), cooking, traveling, movies-really everything except pulling weeds in the garden, doing laundry, housework, and cleaning out the cat’s litter box.
LRP: In your own words, what is love?
Jacquie: I think it ultimately boils down to caring about someone more than you care about yourself. Wanting their well-being and happiness above anything else.
LRP: What is your favorite type of romance to read? Is it the same as what you write?
Jacquie: One that gives me a hero I can fall in love with, a heroine I like and respect, and an entertaining story that makes me laugh, cry, and sigh with pleasure. I HOPE that is the sort of story I write-it’s certainly what I strive for with every book.
LRP: What is your favorite book that you’ve written? How about one you’ve read?
Jacquie: My favorite book is always the one I’ve just finished writing because the hard work is done so I’m loving it! I have so many favorite reads, most of them romances, but my number one favorite book of all time is The Prince of Tides by Pat Conroy.
LRP: How do you decide on character names and book titles?
Jacquie: I give my heroes and heroines names that I personally like. Bad guys and murder victims tend to be either just pulled out of my character naming sourcebook or inspired by people who were nasty to me in high school (heh, heh, heh). I have several baby name books I refer to when I’m stuck. I’ve also flipped through the phone book on occasion for surnames.
LRP: What sort of research, if any, do you do for your novels?
Jacquie: I own a large collection of research books on England and the Regency period. I prefer to purchase the books and keep them rather than borrow them from the library because the library wants you to GIVE THE BOOKS BACK!! And I don’t like to give the books back! I WANT TO KEEP the books! So-I have a LOT of books. And on some interesting subjects-sailing, Tarot card reading, poisons, weapons, chemistry, cowboys. Several years ago my husband and son gave me the twenty volume set of the Oxford English Dictionary for my birthday. I was SO excited! (I’d prefer a gift like that to jewelry any day!). I also use the internet quite a bit-Google is a beautiful thing.
LRP: Does your home life ever interfere with your writing? Or vice versa! What do you do to stay focused?
Jacquie: Things get tight time-wise when a deadline is looming, but luckily my husband and son (who’s off to college this fall) know their way around the laundry room and kitchen. To stay focused I close my office door, put in my earplugs and immerse myself in the story. I don’t go to bed until I write the number of pages I need to write for the day. Some days it goes better than others and I’m done in the early afternoon. Sometimes I’m up writing until two a.m.
LRP: How many rejections did you go through until your first novel was accepted?
Jacquie: I think it was three-I’m sure it would have been more except I didn’t submit everywhere. One rejection was so heartbreaking that I quit writing. I’d started out with a query letter, then sent in a proposal, then when it was requested, the full manuscript. In the meanwhile, I started another book. When I finally heard back from the editor on the full manuscript (about a year had passed from when I first sent in the query letter) she said she loved the book, but unfortunately she was leaving that publisher for a job at a non-fiction imprint. So, I re-submitted the manuscript to another editor at the same house. Another six or seven months passed before I heard back from the second editor-a rejection. I’d been so close, and it had taken such a long time, and I was so discouraged. I’d finished the second book, but had no desire to write another one. So I quit. Didn’t write for about four or five months. Then I decided to try it again, but I wanted to try something new. So instead of writing another historical, I wrote a short contemporary. Soon after, through an RWA sponsored contest which I won, I got my agent. Within a few months she sold both of the historical books and the contemporary to two different publishers.
LRP: What is your advice to would-be authors?
Jacquie: Keep writing and honing your craft. And never give up. It’s not easy to get a book published, but it’s not impossible. Yes, it takes talent, but even more importantly, it takes persistence-and luck. The biggest difference between an unpublished writer and a published writer is that the published writer kept submitting until she hit the right editor with the right project at the right time. Never forget that publishing is a business and conduct yourself accordingly and in a professional manner. Join Romance Writers of America and your local chapter. If you don’t already have a critique partner, look for one-but one who is going to give you honest, helpful critique as opposed to gushing compliments. And once again, never give up.
LRP: Do you write or have plans to write works that aren’t romances?
Jacquie: I’ve never written anything other than romance, nor do I have any plans to. I’ve always been most attracted to the love aspect of any story. Even if I’m reading a biography, the part of the person’s life I’m most interested in is their love life. A mystery? I want the detective and the suspect to get together. Even my favorite Nancy Drew books were the ones where Ned Nickerson played a part. Clearly I’m a hopeless romantic!
LRP: How long does it take you to write a novel on average?
Jacquie: Depends on when my deadline is . I can write a 400 page book comfortably in six months.
LRP: What work took the shortest amount of time and what book gave you the most trouble?
Jacquie: Shortest amount of time would be for an anthology story I recently finished. The actual writing time was ten days (that doesn’t include about a week of planning, plotting, brainstorming, etc.)-but keep in mind it was only about 120 pages. As for which one gave me the most trouble-they all do. None of them are easy. I wish they were. But they all pretty much beat me into the ground before I finally tame them into submission. It’s a blood-letting battle every time. I keep hoping it will get easier, but it doesn’t.
LRP: How do you handle writer’s block?
Jacquie: I make a cup of tea, check e-mail, read a magazine, work a few pieces in a jigsaw puzzle-basically anything to give me a15 minute breather. Then I plop my butt back in the chair and press on. Even if what I put down on the page reads like doo-doo, I can always delete it or revise it or fix it. I can’t do any of those things to a blank page.
LRP: What do you think makes a good bedroom scene?
Jacquie: Regardless of how explicit or tame the scene is, I like a love scene that provides emotional growth between the characters, where they learn something about themselves and the other person.
LRP: What do you hope your readers will gain from your books?
Jacquie: I hope I give them a few hours of entertainment and leave them with a smile on their face when they close the book. My keeper shelf contains books that left me with a happy glow when I finished the last page and that’s my goal-to leave the reader happy.
LRP: Could you provide a picture of your workspace? We’d love to see how and where you write!
Jacquie: Okay, I’m laughing because my office is a DISASTER! Seriously, it is. I normally clean up my office when I finish a deadline, but I’ve had 4 back-to-back deadlines, so there’s been no cleaning. There are papers and books stacked everywhere-I can barely see the floor. The top of my desk is littered with notes written on everything from post-it pads to paper napkins. I couldn’t take a picture of it even if I wanted to because the digital camera is buried in here somewhere! I don’t always write in here where I have my desktop computer. Sometimes I use a laptop and move around the house to give myself a change of scenery. If I ever get things organized (translation: find the camera), I’ll let you know!
LRP: Is there anything else you’d like to share that I haven’t asked?
Jacquie: Only to say thank you for the opportunity to “talk” with you and your readers. Thank you so much for your support-I really appreciate it!
LRP: No, thank you, Jacquie, for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with me.
If you have any questions you would like to add leave them in a comment and I’ll pass them along at a future opportunity. Jacquie is a sweetheart. I and the readers here at LRP wish you great success with all your future novels. Thank you again for speaking with us.
Visit Jacquie D’Alessandro’s website @ http://www.jacquied.com/.
Originally posted 2008-11-23 06:53:50. Republished by Old Post Promoter
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