Tag: books

Why Do People Read Romance Novels?

Why Do People Read Romance Novels?

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
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 Emoji.  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 Emoji.  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 Emoji! 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!

So You Want To Be a Romance Author?

What do romance authors do?

Some days I can’t quite believe that I’m a romance author and I’ve been doing this for five years!

It was 2016 when I first hit publish on Fated Mates and over 30 books later, here I am, still writing and a full-time author. This amazing career allows me to do so many things, and I’m grateful every day to my readers who allow me to wake up every day and look forward to going to work.

Many people ask me, “Why did you become a romance author?” or “What made you decide to write down that romance novel?”. One question I get asked a lot by friends or acquaintances I meet is “How can I become a romance author?”

I’ve never really thought about what I did exactly to get where I am today. I’ve never been very self-reflective, and I don’t discuss or am open about my private life. I write books, books that people read, and that’s what most people know about me. 

So what changed?

However, 2020 (and 2021, which has honestly been tougher) made me think about my life. So, I thought I’d open up a bit – still about work, but also share some of myself with my audience. And while probably most of my readers would rather read about my books, maybe there might be one or two of you out there interested in my process and one day you’ll be inspired to go on a journey of your own. If even one person out there sits down and decides to write their own romance novel from reading this blog, then I’d say the time I took to write this all down would have been worth it.

So, if you’re interested, I’ll be blogging on how I became a romance writer. You can take it as advice and with a grain of salt, or perhaps be entertained on how I somehow stumbled and bungled my way into this career.