In a world filled with stress, despair and sadness there is a great need for a diversion that will lift the spirit and bring a smile. That diversion can be found within the pages of ROMANCE NOVELS. As a literary genre, romance novels have been greatly maligned by critics who call them formulaic, predictable and in some cases, poorly written. Have any of the critics asked the 29 million readers who read at least one romance novel in 2008 what they think? I doubt it.
Romance novels are escapism. The perfect read for that long commute back and forth from work, for that rainy afternoon or that much deserved vacation getaway sitting quietly on the beach indulging in pages of love, romance and faraway places.
Since the recession set in, unemployment reaching double digits and increases in home foreclosures have become part of the everyday news, the romance novel has became an even greater refuge. In 2008, when other industries were suffering and asking for bailouts, the romance industry stayed strong. Women, and men, continued to indulge those few dollars to escape into the pages of stories that may be to some formulaic and predictable but for those few dollars, the reader is guaranteed just that. The reader knows there will be a love story, conflict, romance and a happy ending. The reader can choose from well-researched historical and regency romance, contemporary romance and even the imaginative paranormal sub-genre which features creatures of the darkness and fantasy.
Film has long been considered an artistic diversion for the mind and soul. It is acceptable to sit in a dark movie theater or on a couch in front of the television and escape into any number of film types including those delightful romantic comedies and action-packed adventures. Romance novels go one level further, they allow the reader the freedom of imagination to place themselves in the story, to imagine themselves as the heroine or hero, privately indulging in a romance filled fantasy and ultimately, providing themselves the greatest stress relief that a few dollars can purchase.
So when that long day is over, when things are going not as well as you would like, or it is just one of those days when you need to smile, go ahead, pick up a romance novel and escape. Travel through time, to distant places or into the future. Indulge your imagination and relax your soul knowing that when you finish reading, you will with a smile and sigh for at least someone's story ended in with a happily ever after.
Of course, if you're still not secure enough to display that sexy cover to family, friends and to the public, you can always use an e-reader or continue to hide your book inside a magazine or a so called respectable title. Remember, you're always welcome here where you can express your love, your addiction, your respect for the fabulous writers who bring you such delicious escapism from the hard cruel world we must travel in reality.
Happy Reading Everyone!
Romance novels are escapism. The perfect read for that long commute back and forth from work, for that rainy afternoon or that much deserved vacation getaway sitting quietly on the beach indulging in pages of love, romance and faraway places.
Since the recession set in, unemployment reaching double digits and increases in home foreclosures have become part of the everyday news, the romance novel has became an even greater refuge. In 2008, when other industries were suffering and asking for bailouts, the romance industry stayed strong. Women, and men, continued to indulge those few dollars to escape into the pages of stories that may be to some formulaic and predictable but for those few dollars, the reader is guaranteed just that. The reader knows there will be a love story, conflict, romance and a happy ending. The reader can choose from well-researched historical and regency romance, contemporary romance and even the imaginative paranormal sub-genre which features creatures of the darkness and fantasy.
Film has long been considered an artistic diversion for the mind and soul. It is acceptable to sit in a dark movie theater or on a couch in front of the television and escape into any number of film types including those delightful romantic comedies and action-packed adventures. Romance novels go one level further, they allow the reader the freedom of imagination to place themselves in the story, to imagine themselves as the heroine or hero, privately indulging in a romance filled fantasy and ultimately, providing themselves the greatest stress relief that a few dollars can purchase.
So when that long day is over, when things are going not as well as you would like, or it is just one of those days when you need to smile, go ahead, pick up a romance novel and escape. Travel through time, to distant places or into the future. Indulge your imagination and relax your soul knowing that when you finish reading, you will with a smile and sigh for at least someone's story ended in with a happily ever after.
Of course, if you're still not secure enough to display that sexy cover to family, friends and to the public, you can always use an e-reader or continue to hide your book inside a magazine or a so called respectable title. Remember, you're always welcome here where you can express your love, your addiction, your respect for the fabulous writers who bring you such delicious escapism from the hard cruel world we must travel in reality.
Happy Reading Everyone!
2 comments:
Congratulations on your new blog, Amy! It looks great!
And I've come to love romance cover art, in all its bare-chested glory. :)
Hi Tessa, thanks for the kind words and for visiting. It means a lot to me that you like it and I hope you'll visit often. : )
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