That’s it for now! This is my book reading order so far. I am working on Dragon Guard Protector right now and it will come out in April 2022. I am really excited about how the story is going so far and to find out how our dragon shapeshifters romance will end up!
Hi again! We’re back for another Author Q&A and for November, we have USA TODAY and award-winning bestselling author Julie Morgan!
Author Q&A with Julie Morgan
Deadly Alchemy by Julie Morgan
Q: Tell us about your latest release, Deadly Alchemy.
Julie: Amelia Rimos has discovered the cure for vampirism. Soon, she meets the French vampire Michel, who seems to have her best interest at heart.
Q: What inspired you to write this book?
Julie: Maybe some of Underworld, but I’ve always had a love of vampires and all things that go bump in the night. It was time to create a new sort of war that spans through the entire book series.
Q: What is your favorite thing about this book?
Julie: I love the strength Amelia finds in herself when she’s pushed to the limits of her own life.
Q: Out of all the books you’ve written who is your favorite character?
Julie : I love all of my characters but I have to say probably a toss-up between Jared (The Concubine and Her Vampires) and Maggie Grace (book one in the Dead to the World Series, coming 2022).
Q: What do you like BEST about being an author?
Julie: I love creating my own world where the limit is as high as the sky rises.
Q: What do you like LEAST about being an author?
Julie: The editing process is my least favorite thing to do!
Q: Any tips for aspiring authors?
Julie: Do your due diligence. Hire an actual editor, not someone who claims to edit because they like English. Get yourself a professional cover made. Do not use a free app to put together a cover. Also, the blurb of the story will sell your book. The three together (editing, cover, and blurb) are what will get your book noticed. Do not cut corners on this.
Q: What is your favorite activity for the Fall?
Julie: I’m in Florida, we don’t really have fall, but I enjoy the cooler temperatures. We don’t have leaf changes it’s just not as humid. We love it.
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Thanks so much, Julie!
Want to read her newest release, Deadly Alchemy? Get it here.
Learn more about Julie Morgan and her books on her website.
Romance novels focus on the relationship between a heroine and her love interest and it also has to have a happily-ever-after ending. The story is very optimistic and has to be emotionally satisfying. If any of those tenets are not met, then a story cannot be called a romance.
A precursor of the modern romance book is fairy tales and classic fiction written by Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A classic romance novel is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen which revolves around Elizabeth Benning and Mr Darcy. The literary fiction about the romantic tension between the two characters has spurred many other romance novels, movies, festivals, and even songs. It is an enduring testament to what makes a good romance book and what a woman wants to read – a little bit of whimsy, romance, and a happy ending.
Blackstone Mountain Series
Why Do People READ ROMANCE NOVELS?
It often seems like romance readers are questioned about their hobby. As if the genre is not legitimate. But think about it, why do people listen to love songs? Aren’t there rock songs or rap songs that are about love? Most country songs are about relationships and drama. If it is OK to listen to these love songs, why can’t women read love stories? Love is a human emotion after all and something that all of us can relate to.
Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote the romance story Love in the Time of Cholera after winning a Nobel Prize in Literature. If an acclaimed fiction author writes a romantic book doesn’t that lend legitimacy to the genre?
I have read so many kinds of romance books, starting with Johanna Lindsey to Nora Roberts and most recently, Alexis Daria and Casey McQuiston. And what I find enjoyable about these love stories is that although I know the main characters will always end up together, the journey getting there is what makes reading worthwhile. That’s what I always try to do when I write my stories. I want to know that you, my reader, will have a good time.
The Kinds of Romantic Books
There is no clear-cut type of reader when it comes to romance fans because there are so many kinds of romance books. This type of genre fiction can be about teens in a YA romance or it can be science fiction with whole words dreamed up by romance authors. Romantic fiction is also a historical romance that is based in the past or romantic suspense that involves a mystery that needs to be solved. Reading romance can also mean reading about werewolves and other shapeshifters in paranormal romance stories. Of course, there is the erotic romance that can have a graphic sex scene. And it can also be a “clean” story like those that are inspirational romance and Amish romance books.
The bottom line is that women readers have so many kinds of romantic novels to choose from, it isn’t just about true love and can be a pretty complex storyline. Romance reading today is often about a strong woman who is capable in her own life and manages to find true love.
What Is So Great About Reading Romance Novels?
Reading romance novels is about taking the time and immersing oneself in another story. It is a form of escapism and can be a form of self-care too. Even though the drama of romantic books is not something a person may want in their lives, feeling the emotion from reading the book is what women readers want to experience. Romantic love has so many facets to it and being swept up in a kiss, chuckling at amusing banter, or tearing up at an emotional moment is cathartic in its own way.
Romance writers can touch upon so many moments and illicit so many reactions that it is exciting for the reader. And judging by how many romance books are sold per year, a writer has their hands full trying to come up with romance fiction books for all the romance fans out there.
I ask my readers – why do you Read Romance Novels?
Shelley G – My gramma got me hooked on reading the clean Harlequins at age 10 and it just progressed from there. Now my main love is alien romance, shifter romance, and paranormal romance.
Lisa W – After an awful day these adventures take me everywhere I didn’t know I wanted to go and give me insights into other worlds and places. They take my mind off the norm and de-stress my brain.
Carol – Romance books always have a happy ending. I personally love ones I can pretend I am seeing life through someone else’s eyes. Teaching me other thought processes, places, and learning something else of life.
Ava – First, I enjoy a good HEA . It’s a nice change from most realities and I LOVE a strong alpha male who is protective and totally committed to his lady! Again…it’s a nice change from most realities . Which, is one reason why I am drawn to shifter romances. The loyalty and total focus to their partners, as well as the passion they show, is refreshing.
I’ve also learned another reason for my love of romance novels…it has really helped my marriage ! I actually learn a lot from the characters and their experiences.
Niki – I love the escape of a good romance novel.
Elizabeth – I’m a voracious reader … romance are my go to books.
Florence – Why do I read romance and especially about aliens and shapeshifters? Well, I would say that it’s a way to be able to change your mind in a society where the future seems very bleak.
Susan – I didn’t start out with romance. I was never a big reader. I started with Harry Potter then Percy Jackson ( all those books even follow up stories). My daughter gave me City of Bones (Mortal Instruments) by Cassandra Clare and I have the collection now. Even the stories before & after. Then she gave me some crime novels by Karen Slaughter which turned out to be romance as well. Then Twilight is what got me into paranormal romance and now I don’t read contemporary anymore.
Brenda – I read romance because I enjoy it. Reading takes you to so many places that I will never be able to visit on my own, but the stories that I read feel like I am there with the persons that I am reading about,
Vivian – Romance novels let my imagination run wild,
Lorenne – Why do I read romance?
To get feelings of care & love.
For the connection of like & hate at the same time.
The reactions & responses to silly situations
The teasing & arguments
The overpowering pull & fight against the need to be with each other.
The fight to not give in to feelings, yet really want to
The realization that they want to be more to each other
The care they feel.
The respect of needing the other to feel great before themselves
To give pleasure first
To always stop if asked
Never taking selfishly
Estrellita – I love paranormal romance stories. The writers I read have a knack for writing exciting stories that accompany the romance brewing.
Deborah – I love romance novels also.I have enjoyed reading your series on dragons. So, I
guess you could say I also enjoy Fantasy Romances.
Jean – I enjoy romance novels for the characters, locations but mostly that love can triumph. It takes me out of myself.
Vallene – I absolutely love a good love story. Especially a slow burn, fraught with sexual tension, even enemies to lovers can be a good read. It’s the best antidepressant and escapes from reality and adulthood.
Janis – Why do I read romances…well, it’s an escape from the everyday world. I enjoy the interactions between couples, especially the humorous banter back and forth ones. Some of the “missteps” that happen and then straightening things out remind me of real-life and I can sort of relating to some of them.
The paranormal books are my favorites though because it’s so awesome to imagine being able to shift into another form or have some kind of special power. I’m really hooked on those!!
The biggest reason though is because I LOVE happy endings. Sadly there are many times in the real world that it doesn’t happen. Fortunately, luckily, happily, after many “wrong turns” I found my special man. Although not perfect, we’re living and enjoying life.
Valerie – I started reading romances when I was 14 and bored on summer vacation and my grandmother said well there’s a box of books over there go pick one. I have been hooked ever since. The reason I’ve always loved romances is that they are exciting, have good stories, and have great endings that are always uplifting! Romances make me laugh, make me cry but give me a good feeling in my heart. I never have to worry about a bad ending because they just don’t have them. The hero always gets the lady and they live happily ever after.
Allison – I read for practically the same reason, mainly the happy endings. I know things may be rough along the way but in the end, they end up together and happy.
Rebecca – I love to read! I like to see people find that special someone that makes them happy.
Throw in some mystery occasionally and I am all set. A good book, diet drink, and a snack my evening is good.
Cari – Happy endings! I’ve been reading Romances since middle school. I’ve moved on from the Harlequin Romances, but love the happy endings, especially when life isn’t so happy!
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What are the books that are your favorite romance novels? I would love to hear from you. Comment in the chat!
I recently posted about conversations I have with my characters and that sometimes, (who am I kidding – MOST OF THE TIME) they get their own way. I was happy to oblige Dutchy and ultimately, I know that the story for Blackstone Ranger Guardian turned out so much better than I originally thought.
But what about when your characters threatened to MURDER YOU?
YEP.
And of course, it was J.D. McNamara. Here’s how that conversation went:
True Mates reading order
True Mates Generations reading order
Dragon Guard of the Northern Isles reading order
. It’s a nice change from most realities and I LOVE a strong alpha male who is protective and totally committed to his lady! Again…it’s a nice change from most realities 
. Which, is one reason why I am drawn to shifter romances. The loyalty and total focus to their partners, as well as the passion they show, is refreshing.
! I actually learn a lot from the characters and their experiences.