Spring Fling Blog Hop

I love writing romance. I enjoy inventing two diametrically opposed people, throwing fabulous chemistry and seemingly impossible obstacles and challenges at them and then sitting back and seeing how it all works out. And it’s great fun writing wacky secondary characters that almost always have to be reeled in lest they steal the story. Then there are the “Aha!” moments where you suddenly realize what would make their situation that much more intense. And of course the payoff when your characters (whom you’ve bonded with almost more than with the real people in your life, because unlike real life, you know everything they think and feel) come together for their happily-ever-after ending.

I love reading romance novels, as well. A good romance takes you back to the first stages of love where you couldn’t stop thinking about the man and smiling. When everything was new and exciting and a single glance or touch could set your heart racing.

But what about the effect of romance novels on women? Do they set up unrealistic expectations? If I read a glut of novels about witty, intelligent, gorgeous men who never have erectile dysfunctions, fart, or would rather watch golf than make mad passionate love on a Saturday afternoon, am I setting myself up for disappointment in any actual relationship?

In romance books the heroes are often more effusive in their claims of undying love and (because we can read their inner thoughts) we know they mean it. In real life we may not realize the immense depth of his love when he murmurs, “Hey, babe. What’s for dinner?”

Well, women expecting flesh and blood men to act like romance heroes would be like guys expecting to get to save the world with superpowers or defeat evildoers with their arsenal of James Bond gadgets. There is a large gap between fantasy and expectations. And a lot of times what we fantasize about isn’t even something we’d like in real life. I'm sure vampires, werewolves, and ruthless billionaires would all be too high maintenance for me. And those action heroes usually get pretty beaten up which wouldn’t be fun for the average thriller/suspense reading guy.

But to be momentarily transported into the exciting, over-the-top lives of heroes and heroines for the day/week that it takes us to read the book, gives us a much needed shot of adrenaline to help power through our day to day drudgery. So by all means, bring on the romance and let me experience the imaginary loves of my life.

Is there a literary or movie hero that has fueled your romantic dreams? The Count of Monte Cristo had me swooning for weeks. Leave a comment below and you’ll be entered to win an arc of my most recent release, “ The French Resolution .”

Please use this link to get back to the blog hop to discover other authors and don't forget to scroll down past the names to get to the rafflecopter to win some fabulous prizes!
(And much thanks to Jane Wakely for organizing this hop!)