The Cozy Factor

MOOD STATUS: "Tired". How can I be more tired after getting an extra hour of sleep?

I'm going to let you in on a secret...

I love to read romances. Wow, there's a shocker, considering I WRITE them. But I happen to love them in all shapes, sizes, ages, and sub genres as well. There's just something about true romance and that just makes me feel are warm and fuzzy inside.

Some of my personal favorites definitely have factors--besides the romance, that is--that make me appreciate them a little more. They generate a sort of... coziness.

What are some of these cozy factors I adore in romances?
1) Pets
Honestly. Who doesn't love a friendly animal thrown into a love story? Especially if the pet has a great personality or adds to the story somehow. Even Tom Hanks had his Brinkley in You've Got Mail.
I wrote a Golden Retriever in my last wip and in this wip I have a German Shepherd puppy. Do I have a dog? NO. I'm living vicariously through my characters.

2) Children Even if you're not a "kid" person, I think you would have to agree that there is something heartwarming about bringing in an adorable child between two people in the hopes of creating a new family. *sigh*

3) Christmas/ New Year's Eve I would gather that most people who are not Christian still have to agree that Christmas is a magical time of the year with all the giving and goodwill toward men. Nobody wants to be alone around the holidays. Two lonely characters spending Christmas together and falling in love or sharing that New Year's Eve kiss melts my heart every time.

4)Scenery (mountains, lakes, oceans, small towns, etc..) I've written most of my stories in small beach towns. Why? Well, it's what I know, but I also love how that scenery adds to the coziness of the love story. Take your main characters and put them in a beautiful, intimate setting to fall in love and I'll snuggle in to read for sure. :)

5)Food
Does food seem like a strange factor that would add to a romance? Not for me. I'm a foodie and I do think that food has a huge social element to it, so I LOVE romances that combine food with love. For me, your main characters don't have to be chefs, just have them bake or share a home cooked meal and I'll be ready to read another chapter. (I'll probably be ready for a cookie too) LOL


Those are just few cozy factors that I personally love to read in romances. Maybe you have a few of your own to add.

What about you? Do you like those elements of coziness in your romances or do you look for other factors?

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PS. The winner of Trish Perry's novel, THE PERFECT BLEND, is...KARA.

Congrats!! Send me an email with the address you would like it sent to and I'll get it out ASAP.