A Little Dose of Good, Old-fashioned Romance
Surely, romance is not dead. The romance genre as a whole continues to thrive despite desperate and very difficult financial times. Us readers, fans, and authors still flock to the stores (or online bookstores) and buy our favorite authors, lapping up every line of sexual tension, chemistry, and obstacles we read.
But there has been a turn lately toward romance that pushes the boundaries, with sexuality, paranormal elements, and unusual situations. I love them. I adore a book that can make you believe anything. I adore an author who can transport me to the depths of sexuality and to other worlds.
Yet…sometimes, in my heart, I long for a good old-fashioned romance. Something where heroes abound, sexual tension rules the day and love is something to work for. I’m not saying these romances don’t exist. I’ve read some incredibly fabulous romances lately full of passion and the feel of yesterday’s favorites.
But the days of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday—a classic, fun romance if I ever saw one—seem to be shifting. All things change. And overall change is good. Only in these days of new everything, there is still something to be said for getting back to basics.
I’d like to think that at its core, my historical romance, Courting Trouble, is an old-fashioned story of deep love and desire (despite it being rather spicy!). In fact, as I was writing the story, part of what drove my passion for the manuscript each day was the central story of the romance. The hero and heroine start out as childhood friends, each having a small tether hold on the other’s heart from the beginning.
Am I too romantic? I don’t think so (says the woman who scoffed at her hubby for buying her jump drives as a stocking stuffer instead of something more personal!). But I think romance itself is a part of our lives. When someone says Rhett and Scarlett or Darcy and Elizabeth, we know who they mean.
I think it’s because we all want to feel someone’s arms wrapped around us. We all want to know we have captured the interest of the person who is right for us. And we all want to dream about that happily ever after.
You will find this all in a romance novel, where good, old-fashioned romance can still be found. Where love can conquer all. And the hero can still ride off into the sunset with the heroine.
Hugs to all,
Renee
Renee Knowles
Sensual, Sassy and Slightly Sinful
For a chance to win a Sony E-Reader check out COURTING TROUBLE
from The Wild Rose Press --5 Angels--"...simmers with emotion."--Fallen Angel
SAVVY BUSINESS SKILLS FOR WRITERS--coming from Wild Child Publishing
www.reneeknowles.com
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4 comments:
glad to have stopped here today! have a fun week!
Thanks for guest blogging, Renee!
Jenny
Thanks for having me, Jenny!
Renee
Renee - Courting Trouble sounds like a very fun read. I love historicals, and although I like them with a good bit of spice, I think you're right that some of the newer ones are so busy coming up with interesting sexual variations, they kind of miss the whole element of romantic tension.
As for the jumper cables your hubby gave you - I think that IS the male idea of romance. See, he's trying to protect you and keep you safe. He can't go out and kill a sabre-toothed tiger for you, so he gave you jumper cables instead!
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