Romance. Why do I love romance so much? How did I even get started on it? All I know is that one day I decided to pick up a romance novel, a couple of stories by Iris Johansen. I was immediately addicted. I realised that was what I was looking for in a book. It had angst, a good hero and heroine, and just about what I really wanted to read! That was how it all started.
Along the way, I discovered historical romances. The first I ever read was The Magic of You by Johanna Lindsey I believe. It was simply put, amazing. It was what got me started on historical romances. It was just so, so beautiful that I could not put it down.
But as to why I love romance so much. I was thinking about it last time and I came up with a few reasons. Firstly, romance novels help me to believe that true love really does exist. I know these books are just fiction. But they made me start to realise that there had to be something that was true love if people could actually write about it.
It also gave me hope. In a world that is becoming increasingly corrupt, where more and more crimes are committed that just baffles us, romance novels just make me believe that love can still exist. And because of this love, we aren't all goners yet. That there is just that little bit of hope, that bit of brightness left in this world.
Romance novels made me believe that love could conquer all. Seeing the characters going through so much, but yet staying together, made me feel that if one truly loved your significant other, anything could happen. It may just be fiction, but I think they truly gave me hope.
At first, I was always shy of admitting I love romance novels. People automatically associate these kind of readers as empty-headed, idealistic people. Well, maybe. But now, I'm not afraid to say I love romance. Sure, romance isn't a genre for everyone. But to me, its still the best genre created.
After picking up romance, I simply cannot read a book without any form of romance in it at all. I find it difficult to read. Yes, some books can pull it off. But these books are far and few in between.
Do you like romance novels? Whoa this was a pretty long post.
9 comments:
I don't usually read straight-up romance novels, but my favorite books always have some sort of romantic element. So I'll read fantasy novels for the adventure and magic and intrigue, but they get bonus points in my book if there's a romantic subplot :)
I am not usually a fan of regular romance novels but my favorite stories always include a romance between one of the main characters and someone else. I need the drama that goes along with romance.
I don't read real romance novels but some of the books I read so have some romance in them.
I dig reading and writing romance. Started in my very early teens, with Silhouettes and Harlequins. Definitely made my way through Johanna Lindsey, Julie Garwood, et al. Since the mid-90s I've gotten very into paranormal or supernatural romance. Julie Crusie's "Maybe Next Time," is a fun, ghostly romance that I quite enjoyed, also really love MaryJanice Davidson's "Unwed" series. Nice to meet you through A to Z!
Some Dark Romantic
Yes, this was a long post, shows how much you love romance novels! As for me....I love non fiction books because I'm a journalist ;-) Happy Blogging the rest of the way to Z!
I prefer fantasy. If there's a bit of romance in the fantasy novel, that's fine... but I don't want it to be the focus. I prefer sword-fights!
I am a self-professed chick-lit, romance novel addict I like to think of myself as a romance connoisseur :) I am always looking for something new in the romance department and I will definitely look into "The Magic of You" (I love historical romance!)
My most recent find that I must recommend is the book Shanghai Love, by author Layne Wong (http://laynewong.com/)-it's also an amazing historical romance- It is an unlikely love story between a Chinese herbalist and a Jewish refugee looking for safety from Nazi Germany. The herbalist, Peilin, was betrothed to a man who was killed before their wedding but tradition and honor forced the marriage along anyways. She is sent to Shanghai to manage his family’s herbal shop. Shanghai is also Henri’s destination as he has graduated from medical school as Hitler is rising to power. He flees to Shanghai where he’s befriended by Ping, Peilin’s brother. Through her kindness, Henri becomes fascinated with Chinese herbs as well as the exotic culture surrounding him. It is such a gripping story and I absolutely adore a romance novel that allows a relationship to slowly blossom and one that takes time before the two can ultimately be together :) I hope you will give it a read!
I am a self-professed chick-lit, romance novel addict I like to think of myself as a romance connoisseur :) I am always looking for something new in the romance department and I will definitely look into "The Magic of You" (I love historical romance!)
My most recent find that I must recommend is the book Shanghai Love, by author Layne Wong (http://laynewong.com/)-it's also an amazing historical romance- It is an unlikely love story between a Chinese herbalist and a Jewish refugee looking for safety from Nazi Germany. The herbalist, Peilin, was betrothed to a man who was killed before their wedding but tradition and honor forced the marriage along anyways. She is sent to Shanghai to manage his family’s herbal shop. Shanghai is also Henri’s destination as he has graduated from medical school as Hitler is rising to power. He flees to Shanghai where he’s befriended by Ping, Peilin’s brother. Through her kindness, Henri becomes fascinated with Chinese herbs as well as the exotic culture surrounding him. It is such a gripping story and I absolutely adore a romance novel that allows a relationship to slowly blossom and one that takes time before the two can ultimately be together :) I hope you will give it a read!
I love romance. I love the thrill of reading about the first kiss and the first touch. It is wonderful!
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