I met my hubs on the 4th of July a very long time ago and in
what seems like a galaxy far, far away. Coming up on that anniversary romance
has been on my mind. So I’m going to share my thoughts on what it is and isn’t.
I feel very strongly romance in a book can’t be legislated
by ANYONE but the author. Their world-view feeds the romance. Nourishes it
until it blooms. What romance is to one may not be to another. Some romance books
have no sex, others have it behind closed doors. Then there are those that go
from hot to off the charts steamy. I can tell you right now I consider abuse of
any kind and or cheating between an H&H not romance, not love and not an
enjoyable read for me. That book will immediately be returned. Sure people can screw
up their lives and relationships. If they’re lucky, they get a second chance to
make it up. Haven’t we all been there? I love it when an author brings a couple
through bad times to grow their love.
Those who speak as authorities on the subject of romance in
books say what I think of as romance is in fact a love story. Romance MUST follow
a certain criteria says a deep voice from behind the curtain. Well, guess what?
Plllaaaatttttttt! Raspberries to you all. Not saying it’s bad to meet that
criteria but I don’t care if a book does or doesn’t. Do you think a reader
cares? I think not.
For me romance in books is like this line from the song
Thinking Out Loud, “I’m thinking ‘bout
how people fall in love in mysterious ways. Some couples can take years to fall in love
others know in seconds. I love the thrill of discovery for the couples in the
books I read.
RAINWATER by Sandra Brown does not have an HEA or the possibility
of one. It is one of the most poignant romances, love stories, whatever the
freak you want to call it, I’ve ever read. Are J D Robb’s books romances using
the criteria? Hmmmm?
When an author does a good job of drawing me into a couple’s
romance/love arc I don’t care if it takes up ten or ninety percent of the story.
Make me feel something for those characters and I will remember them forever. For…ev…ver.
I also don’t care if the romance drives the story. More and
more I see love and romance being added to books not in the so-called romance
genre. Those other genre authors are beginning to take romance seriously. Is it
because romance sells or because love is a real human emotion that readers can
connect with? I don’t care. Do you think
the reader does? I think not.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it. So everybody write
on. Call it what you want. I don’t care. Just write me a good story.
Rita writes about extraordinary women in the military and
the men they love. Call it what you like. She doesn’t care. She only wants you
to enjoy it.
6 comments:
Lots to think about here. :) I was shocked very recently when a good friend of mine, whose books I LOVE, and would automatically have considered a romance, said she doesn't write romance...at least not how it's narrowly defined by some. I was floored. It is a difficult thing to define, I'm sure.
Oh, Rita, you're so right. "A rose by any other name . . ."
Anne as I said I agree with some of the 'rules'. But when that narrow stuff is brought up I'm gone.
Thanks Jean.
I have to agree with you on this Rita. Every love story has a different way of being told and I hate that some say it has to follow certain rules. Romeo and Juliet certainly didn't and it is considered one of the ultimate love stories of all time.
Exactly Sandy. The different roads taken by authors is what keeps stories fresh and me reading.
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