Posted August 05, 2010 to Digital, Media Appearances
I’m over at SheKnows.com giving a hot pile of summer reading – all romance, of course. If you’re looking for something to read, how about 5 Sizzlin Romance Reads for Summer Digital books, print books, historical books, contemporary – they’re all in there.
Romance is often dismissed as mindless dreck with predictable plots, but really, the best of romance is far from mindless and silly. Each of these books — and many others — feature savvy, sharp women, and stories that won’t let go of you.
So they are perfect for a hot, sunny day when you want to relax and escape for a few hours to find your own happily ever after.
Tags: awesomesauce, sheknows
Posted August 04, 2010 to Digital, Media Appearances
How in the name of hot reading did I forget to link this here?! What on earth was I doing, reading books?!!
I created a hot summer reading list for Salon.com, including books from paranormal, contemporary, and historical authors.
Even if you’re not at the beach or anywhere near sandy relaxation, a great romance novel can provide the perfect escape from everyday stress. The best part of romance fiction is that happy endings are guaranteed. While the perfect tan requires careful sunscreen, enjoying a romance requires only two things: a belief that everyone deserves a happily-ever-after, and the ability to ignore anyone who sniffs at your choice of reading material. A good romance novel is like the perfect day at the beach: wonderful and restorative from start to finish.
The best part, though, are the comments, like this one from Matt: “A friend of mine buys romance books and leaves them around for her teen-age son to pick up. She thinks that the books contain some good role models for the kid, who like many, is growing up with a single parent who hasn’t had a lot of luck in real life romance. I think he probably likes the sexy parts, but if he can learn anything about mutual respect and how not to smother his girlfriends with demands and jealousy, I’m all for it. From what I’ve seen of the new romance novels the female leads are not the weak Cinderella types, either – a lot of them may be insecure but they get their acts together by the end of the books. (Yep, I’m a reader, too – although the pink & rose bodice-ripper covers have to be hidden when I commute to work.)”
And also, this comment from Dabney rocks my socks: “this article, up front and center, about romance novels made me realize that the site still is capable of greatness.” Dabney and Matt, drinks are on me.
Tags: awesomesauce, salon
Posted May 05, 2010 to Digital, Media Appearances
Meredith Blake of the The New Yorker Book Blog wrote an article about the Mills & Boon announcement of a series of books set at National Trust locations, wondering if the same could be done in the US.
Cue my groans and pounding of head on desk at mention of “quivering” and bodices ripping, alas. But I was asked to discuss US historical locations that would work in a romance, and I pointed out that romance already has embraced settings that are historically significant in the USA:
I’m hardly an expert on romance novels—though Lauren Colins’s’ Profile of Nora Roberts certainly brought me a step closer to that lofty goal—so I turned to someone who is, Sarah Wendell, of the blog Smart Bitches,Trashy Books. I asked her if there are any Harlequin titles analogous to “Scandalous Innocent,” and she steered me to “The Rebel and the Lady,” a novel set at the Alamo. She also mentioned the “Luxe” series, set on the Upper East Side of Manhattan at the turn of the century (think of it as a YA version of Edith Wharton). Wendell says the historical setting is just as alluring to American readers as it is to Brits, even if we don’t have quite so many viable romantic settings. “Funny thing about American romance readers: many of us were introduced to narratives focused on the heroine through the Sunfire series from Scholastic. Each book featured a romantic young woman’s story set against an historic event—the Civil War, the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, flood, etc.”
I totally loved the Sunfire series – and I love US-set historicals as well. What about you?
