Why YOU Should Read at Least One Romance Novel in Your Lifetime: a guest post by Lady Silver

Why YOU Should Read at Least One Romance Novel in Your Lifetime

 

When people hear the term ‘romance novel’, usually they think of some cheesy story where true love triumphs at the end and it fulfills someone’s secret desires.

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However, there is so much more to these stories than just “sappiness” and “smuttiness.” They deal with hard truths about the world and give those who are struggling to find the good in humanity hope. In fact, everyone should read a romance novel at least once in their lifetime because of the following reasons.

1. Life Lessons

During the course of certain romances, characters have to undergo character development so that they can appreciate the love that they have found. On the way, they learn certain life lessons that can be applied to the real world. An example is in The Darkest Craving by Gena Showalter.

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The main character has to deal with sexual abuse that caused him to feel worthless and “less-than.” On the way to recovery, he realizes that what happened to him isn’t his fault and that it’s okay to cry over the wrongs done to him. Even the female character has to overcome her own forms of abuse and by the end, they are stronger as individuals and as a couple.

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There are other lessons that can be taught through these novels such as being compassionate, being loyal, never giving up, et cetera; all of which can be applied to the real-world.

2. Relationship Advice

Obviously, there will be some relationship drama in a romance novel. However, the journey through the relationships can provide insight into real-life dramas. For example, if the main character finds out that they have a child by another woman in the midst of his current relationship (which happens in almost all of Pippa Grant’s books), then the story deals with how the love interest adapts to becoming a step-parent and how the main character adapts to becoming an actual parent. This scenario is played out countless times throughout the media and in real-life, so it’s good to see a book tackle how to approach this situation.

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Also, everyday struggles like not knowing how to act in front of in-laws and sharing space are all struggles anyone in a serious relationship will deal with, and all are tackled within romance novels.

3. Comic Relief

Some romance novels have an underlying humor to them. Just like movie goers flock to the cinema in order to see the new Kevin Hart movie, readers love romance novels for their comedy. Humor can bring a happy release at the end of a hard day, joy to a horrible situation, and can lighten a dark mood.

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Romance novels have a lot of funny lines, such as, “I guess I’m the sole monolinguist. Which either means I know a single language, or I’m committed to eating one box” (The Master by Kresley Cole).

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They also have hilarious situations like a Greek god popping out of a book naked to the surprise of a modern-day Louisiana woman (Dark Hunters by Sherrilyn Kenyon).

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Either way, the comedic scenarios in these books help lighten their reader’s day. Also, they’re just plain entertaining.

4. Ideas

Of course, there are plenty of steamy scenes within romance novels, and I would be lying if I said that readers just read them for the above reasons. There is satisfaction in reading a good sensual scene between fictional characters. Sometimes, it’s not the “sex” that makes these scenes enjoyable but the tension between the two that readers love. Not only does it give fuel to fantasies, it also gives ideas for real-life partners who want to “spice it up” in the bedroom. There’s a reason why Fifty Shades of Grey did so well, and it isn’t the plot.

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Sure, these scenes bring in readers, but they aren’t the only reason for reading.

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Romance novels give real-world advice on how to handle love and life while still being entertaining and wholesome.

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Too right!

Thank you, Lady Silver, for offering some great suggestions to non-romance readers, and reaffirming the fascination for loyal fans! ♥♥♥

Guest Blogger Bio

I am an anonymous blogger who explores how the romance genre impacts the real world while also deconstructing all elements of romance.

Links

Website/Blog:  www.ladysilverfeather.com

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/LadySilver9

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/103970957583905254546

 

Thanks again! We hope to see you back on ILRB sometime. 

As always, happy reading, everyone! 😉 Have a great weekend!

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Top Historical Romance Books We Can’t Stop Reading: a guest post by Dating Connections

Top Historical Romance Books We Can’t Stop Reading

 

Whether you’re in a biker dating rut and need some way to keep things interesting, or are a bookworm that’ll read anything and everything, today we present a short yet comprehensive list of historical romance books that are a true hit with their readership!

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Mostly set in England, these novels will keep you on your toes much like Pride & Prejudice – you know Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth have to get together in the end, but it’s all so complicated that it seems impossible! ♥

#1: Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon

The story of Claire Randall is set in the Scottish Highlands just after WWII. A combat nurse just back from the war, Claire is reunited with her husband, but soon finds herself as a Sassenach – an ‘outlander’ in a war-torn Scotland when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Claire discovers that her only chance to stay safe depends on Jamie Fraser, a handsome young soldier who steals her heart. She must find her way through the world of danger, passion, and violence as she is trying to reconcile two irreconcilable lives. One of the most popular historical romances (with a time travel slant) on Goodreads with a score of 4.22 out of 5 based on more than 665,000 ratings, Outlander is an explicit book that uses descriptive, energizing and highly engaging writing.

#2: Westcott Series by Mary Balogh (Someone to Love)

The death of Humphrey Westcott, Earl of Riverdale, leaves behind a fortune and a secret he had kept for so long – a daughter no one ever knew he had. Anna Snow, who grew up as an orphan, learns her father was the late Earl of Riverdale, and she stands to inherit a fortune, but her siblings want nothing to do with her. When the new Earl’s guardian becomes interested in Anna, he assists her with the transformation from an orphan to a lady, stepping in to rescue her only to find himself vulnerable to the feelings he has kept hidden for so long. Someone to Love is the 5^th book in a series, but good as a stand-alone as well as evidenced by its rating of 3.8 on Good Reads and plenty of praise.#3: The Hathaways Series by Lisa Kleypas (Mine Till Midnight)

When Amelia Hathaway discovers she’s about to inherit a fortune and find herself in London society, she realizes that tending to her two younger siblings is far easier than navigating the ways of the aristocracy. Matters are further complicated when she falls for a tall, dark, and handsome Cam Rohan, who’s unfathomably rich and tired of society’s petty restrictions. He offers only friendship when Amelia reaches out to him for help, but both are soon tempted by the desire that blindsides them both. Mine Till Midnight scored 4.08 out of more than 50,000 ratings on Goodreads, and it’s perfect for anyone who can’t resist love at first sight!#4: The Brothers Sinister Series by Courtney Milan (The Duchess War)

Minerva Lane is a quiet, bespectacled girl who tries hard not to get anyone’s attention. The last time she was at the center of things she had to change her name to escape her scandalous past. Hence, when a handsome duke comes into town, the last thing she wants is to catch his eye, which is precisely what happens. But Robert Blaisdell, the Duke of Clermont, is no fool, and quickly realizes there is much more to Minnie than she lets on, and once things get heated he discovers that this little shy girl could prove to be more than he can handle. Beloved by its readership with a Goodreads rating of just under 4, The Duchess War is a must for anyone looking for steamy historical fiction.#5: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

No list on the most popular historical romance books would ever be complete without Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. One of the most popular novels in this genre, Pride and Prejudice tells a story of incredibly stubborn Elizabeth Bennett, one of five sisters who must marry rich to secure their status, who meets just as incredibly arrogant and rich beyond measure Mr. Darcy. Filled with humorous dialogue, this story of courtships draws readers in with inconceivable force, and delivers a very satisfying finale to the delight of all. With more than 2 million ratings on Goodreads, and a score of 4.25 out of 5, even its old English in which it is written can’t take away from the intrigue and the narrative that are absolutely breathtaking.

#6: The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Although depicting some historical accuracy peppered with a little drama for good measure, Phillipa Gregory’s The Other Boleyn Girl is a compelling historical novel about two sisters fighting for the affection of the same man, Henry the VIII. When Mary is set off to his court at a tender age of 14, she catches the eye of the powerful king and is soon swept off her feet thanks to his genuine infatuation with her. However, Mary soon realizes she’s a pawn in her family’s scheme to move up the social ladder, and as the king’s interest in her fades, she must step aside for her best friend and mighty rival – her sister Anne. With 4.05 out of 5 on Goodreads, The Other Boleyn Girl is highly praised by its readers for making history so much fun and addictive to read.

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Wow! What a great sampling of historical romance books!

Thank you, Dating Connections, for such great tips for our reading lists! ♥♥♥

Guest Blogger Bio

Dating Connections is a site that offers the opportunity for you to explore a variety of dating tips, previous relationship experiences and interact with other people!

Links

Website:  http://datingconnections.org/

Blog:  http://datingconnections.org/category/blog/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/datingconnections/

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/BoyanUlv

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/u/0/101423157749445118069

 

Thanks again! We hope to see you back on ILRB sometime. 

As always, happy reading, everyone! 😉 Have a great weekend!

Free Book!

Hi, readers! I just wanted to pop in here and let you know about a cool giveaway going on today! My latest release and boxed set, Heiresses in Love Trilogy, is available today for free. All you have to do is participate in a quick and easy Q&A to qualify. Woo hoo! 😀

Just head on over to TRR at the link below and scroll down to the correct question in order to enter the giveaway. You’ll need to be registered and logged into the site to play the game. A hint for the Q&A will be provided.

http://www.theromancereviews.com/event.php

So, don’t miss out! Plus, you can enter lots of giveaways for other books and prizes every day this month just by answering simple questions.

Have an awesome weekend, and happy reading!!! ♥♥♥

Marie Lavender stops by to chat old flames and a new book!

The lovely and talented Raegyn Perry interviews me on her blog about my upcoming contemporary romance, Second Chance Heart! You can pre-order it today! 🙂

Raegyn's World

When I first got signed with Solstice Publishing, and joined the author’s group, I had no idea what I was doing. Multi-genre and amazing writer, Marie Lavender offered to interview me (or actually one of my characters) on her site. It was the first time I really felt ‘out there’ in the public eye. I will always appreciate her support. Okay, enough of the mush, let’s get to talking to Marie.Hello there Marie, it’s so great having you here! What is the name of your newest book?   Second Chance Heart    

To tease you with her talent, here’s a blurb for Second Chance Heart

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Awesome dual character interview on Devika Fernando’s blog!

Featured – Character Interview – Second Nature by Marie Lavender 12/19/2014 Today I’m having not one but two protagonists from an amazingly talented author and awesome friend over for an interview. Ladies and gents, let me hear a round of welcoming applause for Desiree and Alec from Second Nature, Marie Lavender‘s latest paranormal romance! Desiree and Alec from Second Nature by Marie Lavender Dual Character Interview Devika: Welcome, Desiree and Alec. I’m so excited to have you over. Please have a seat. Desiree/Alec:  Thank you. It’s a pleasure (They shake hands alternately with Devika before sitting down.) Devika: As the saying goes, ladies first. Let me start with you, Desiree. You look absolutely stunning, by the way. Desiree (blushes):  Oh, thank you. That’s very kind. Alec (interrupts): Of course she does. She’s absolutely beautiful every time I look at her. (Alec and Desiree exchange an affectionate glance.) Devika: Desiree, I’m curious to find out more about you. What do you do for a living? Desiree:  I am an editor for Read Street Publishing in Baltimore. I also do writing on the side. Devika: Interesting. What about your family background? Desiree:  I come from a pretty close-knit family. Though my mother has passed, I still have my father and my sister. Devika: And you, Alec? Does a vampire like you have a real family or some sort of social network? Alec:  Yes, of course, I had a family in the past. Desiree is my family now, though. (Puts his arm around her.) She’s my best friend. As for a social network, I have business contacts as an investor. Desiree helps me plan events now and then if I have to entertain them. Devika: I see. So how did you meet Desiree? Alec (smiles): I noticed her at the annual Jazz & Blues Festival. After seeing her, I just knew I had to find out more about her. I…(looks at Desiree.) Shall I? (Continues at her nod.) I may have followed her home. Devika: Wow. That sure makes for an interesting story. How did you know she’s the one? Alec:  I couldn’t get her out of my mind. She was an obsession, to be sure. I didn’t realize just how unique she was until we got closer. Desiree (chimes in):  It really drove me nuts when he started reading my mind. But… (looks at Alec with a small smile) I think it worked out. Devika: I can see why you two are so drawn to each other. Let’s talk about your dreams and goals in life. Alec: I will probably keep working as an investor, but more importantly, I’ll keep following this woman around until she gets tired of me. Desiree (laughs): I think I can handle that. (Their hands link naturally.) I’ve always dreamed of starting a family at some point. But, I’m happy with where I am right now. I’m trying to write books, if I can get a publisher interested in my work. Devika: Would you say there was a decisive moment in your life that made you who you are today? Desiree: I think my mother’s death definitely changed me, and, of course, my ex-husband really got me thinking about what I wanted…and what I didn’t want in my life. (Smiles.) I can’t deny that meeting Alec helped me learn more about myself. Alec:  Becoming what I am, becoming a vampire, that was a really defining moment for me. My entire life changed, and suddenly I had to think about all of these limitations I had. Sure, I had powers, but they sort of paled in comparison to a normal life. I had to cater to those limitations, and I think that doing that changed me. I certainly was less willing to get involved with anyone. I…had lost someone too, and that made me wary. When I met Desiree, I had to question all of my pre-conceived notions about life. Devika: Okay. And what is your greatest fear? Alec:  Losing Desiree would be the worst thing imaginable. Desiree (nods): For me, too. We’ve already been through similar difficulties before… (The glance they share is very intense.) Devika: Sorry, I didn’t mean to dampen the mood. Why don’t we finish off on a happy note? Tell me, if you two got married, where would you want to have the ceremony, and how would you like to celebrate? Desiree:  We haven’t discussed that exactly. I don’t know where the road is taking us, but I have no doubt that I want to be by Alec’s side. (Smiles.) I had the dream wedding once, and that turned out bad. If I got married again, I would probably want to do it in a place that meant something to both of us, somewhere special. And I’d want my family to be there, of course. Alec (returns her smile): I want whatever makes Desiree happy. Although, I’d love to give her some very fine gifts, a few surprises to make the occasion unforgettable. Desiree (looks at him intently, then kisses his cheek): You’ve already given me the best gift ever. Devika: I’d love to talk some more, but unfortunately our time is up. Thanks so much for stopping by. You two make a gorgeous couple, and I can’t wait to see what adventures you’ll have in store for us in the future. (Waves.) About the Book Blurb She never expected it… Desiree Edwards has a problem. She’s been attacked, kidnapped and forced to get along with a vampire of all things. It’s something right out of the story books she reads, or her worst nightmare. But, sometimes he’s not the monster he appears to be. He seems so humanlike that she can’t help it when her emotions betray her, when her body betrays her. To make matters worse, she finds out more about herself than she ever wanted to know. She was unlike any other… Alec has a problem. The animal in him wants Desiree. But, so does the man. The more he learns about her, the harder it is to deny what he wants. But, he’s a freak, and she’s just a human. The two species don’t mix that way. Then an old enemy surfaces and Alec is forced to make a choice. His life or hers. Can Alec’s soul be saved by this unique human? Or will it be far too late? Purchase Links Universal Amazon:  http://bookgoodies.com/a/B00Q7FWIWA Publisher:  http://solsticepublishing.com/second-nature/ CreateSpace link: https://www.createspace.com/5131233 About the Author Bestselling author of UPON YOUR RETURN and 19 other books. 2014 BTS Red Carpet Review Nominee. Finalist and Runner-up in the MARSocial’s Author of the Year Competition. Honorable mention in the January 2014 Reader’s Choice Award. Liebster Blogger Award for 2013 and 2014. Top 50 Authors on AuthorsDB.com. Winner of the Great One Liners Contest on the Directory of Published Authors. Marie Lavender lives in the Midwest with her family and three cats. She has been writing for over twenty years. She has more works in progress than she can count on two hands. Marie has published twenty books in the genres of historical romance, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance/fantasy, mystery/thriller, literary fiction and poetry. Lavender just released Second Nature, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy, in December of 2014. She released Magick & Moonlight, a romantic fantasy, back in March. Upon Your Honor, released in late April, is her second historical romance. Her current series are The Heiresses in Love Series, The Magick Series and The Blood at First Sight Series. Feel free to visit her website at http://marielavender.com/ for further information about her books and her life. Marie is also on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and LinkedIn. A list of her books and pen names are as follows: Marie Lavender: Upon Your Return; Magick & Moonlight; Upon Your Honor; Second Nature Erica Sutherhome: Hard to Get; Memories; A Hint of Scandal; Without You; Strange Heat; Terror in the Night; Haunted; Pursuit; Perfect Game; A Touch of Dawn; Ransom; Leather and Lace Kathryn Layne: A Misplaced Life Heather Crouse: Express Café and Other Ramblings; Ramblings, Musings and Other Things; Soulful Ramblings and Other Worldly Things Author Links http://marielavender.com/ https://iloveromanceblog.wordpress.com/ http://marielavenderbooks.blogspot.com/ http://marielavender.blogspot.com/ https://www.facebook.com/marie.lavender.58 https://www.facebook.com/MarieAnnLavender https://twitter.com/marielavender1 https://plus.google.com/u/0/104926404745289477307/posts http://www.linkedin.com/pub/marie-lavender/27/187/10a https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6938764.Marie_Lavender http://authorsdb.com/authors-directory/1578-marie-lavender http://www.pw.org/content/marie_lavender http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Lavender/e/B00C10Q94I/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJu8HjRVYCFOqcIoX6ZxdqQ/videos