falling in love,
being in love,
love until the last breath.
Who would you like to cosy up to this
Valentine’s Day?
Hello Friends,
February is the month I
like to post articles about anything romance, books and love. Yet, this last year,
I’ve been rocked by the news cycle of abusive behavior, assault and protest
marches. The time has come for listening, learning, changing the rules and
healing.
The cultural shifts will
scour a new path for human relationships. I wondered if women would want to keep
reading fantasies stories that pivot around hope, happiness and love. Have romance
novels become too unrealistic and escapist compared to everyday life? Could I
keep writing romance novels during this intense era of purging pain, trauma and
brokenness?
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I once read a comment that
when real-life is overwhelming, for example, when new military invasions are in
the news or wars start, some romance readers leave their contemporary novels
and retreat to historical romances…to a different world.
One day recently, I
followed the trend without realizing it until afterward. The world news of
nuclear missiles possibly being fired across continents terrified me, I dived
into reading a regency romance. I love
the scoundrel dukes.
Then I dusted off my
Victorian age romance manuscript and poured through the chapters to see if the
writing was a bunch of rubbish. Nope, I found it was still patiently waiting
for some rewrites and the big edit. Oh and the Duke was scandalous, and his
lordly son, was a blackguard. Fortunately, the spirited heroine had the measure
of both captivating men.
I decided to keep believing in romance and love as a force for good.
I decided to keep believing in romance and love as a force for good.
The need to express
love for another person and be loved in return is unlikely to fade to nothing. Love
gives meaning to our lives. Fills our heart. Feeds our soul. Our mission is
love.
I’m not ignoring
the news or the revolution, but romance novels are my favorite antidote to a
real-world roiling with confusion and transformation.
“Oh no. Don’t smile. You’ll
kill me. I stop breathing when you smile.”
--Tessa Dare, A Lady of Persuasion*
“Romance novels are
birthday cake and life is often peanut butter and jelly. I think everyone
should have lots of delicious romance novels lying around for those times when
the peanut butter of life gets stuck to the roof of your mouth.”
--Janet Evanovich*
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
“Reading a
romance novel is indulging yourself in happiness.”
--Sarah Wendell’s Book, “Everything I know about Love I learned from Romance Novels.”
So this month, why
not straddle worlds, open a romance book and read about;
Marriages of
conveniences and second chances.
Heartfelt and
deserving love.
Sizzling sex and
steamy resolutions….
and happy endings.
Oh yeah!
Have
a lovely weekend,
♥ Ashlyn
* Quotes were sourced from Goodreads romance authors
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