Unwrapping: JURY DUTY - A CHANCE TO TALK ROMANCE

Well, I had jury duty this week and who'd a thunk it that it would turn out to be a great chance to talk Romance Novels! If you've ever done your civic duty and participated in jury duty then you know that until things get going you have very little to do but sit. Of course, I came prepared with my ereader in tow.

It's very common for someone sitting nearby to notice when you're reading a book and ask what you're reading but I was surprised when they were also curious about what I was reading on my reader. When I told the lady who asked that I was reading an anthology of paranormal romance, she asked if I read a lot. Do I read a lot? It was the perfect opening!

I went on to tell her that I had a blog, that I read and review romance novels of all sorts, write about romance and before long, I was surrounded by several ladies eager to hear what was new. Many admitted that they used to read romance novels but had become bored with the stories. Well, I told them that things had changed. Anything they love in mainstream can be found in romance - historicals, adventure, suspense, spies, vampires and shape shifters, and steampunk. One lady was thrilled that there was steampunk romance, she was already a fan of the costumes and jewelry.

Being the smart person that I pretend to be, I had my business cards for the blog tucked into my reader and gladly handed them out. I hope they come visit and join the fun. I gave them recommendations for new novels coming up, my favorites from 2012, and told them that there were so many new authors to choose from that there was surely a series for each of them to fall in love with in the future.

Now, you're probably wondering if I got to sit on a case. No. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise though. Well, I ended up only going on day one. The defendant plead guilty before the trial could even begin, thank goodness. The judge came in and explained why we were being released. I've never had a judge do that before - it was pretty cool but then we are a small jurisdiction. She told us that she was quite relieved that we didn't have to suffer through that case since the defendant had been charged with 35 counts of child pornography. I was very glad, too. I don't think I could've kept an open mind about that one. There were a lot of women in the room and I think he would've been going down for the count before we ever heard evidence. Perhaps his lawyer knew that too.

I've still got one more day to go later in the month and I'm curious to see if I get a case then. The last time I sat jury duty, I was put on a jury where this little guy was charged with assault and battery on this much bigger guy. Well, after hearing the evidence, we found the little guy not guilty of beating up the bully. This guy was such a bully that he actually threatened the jury members so that we were escorted to safety by the bailiffs. That was the big thrill of the day.

How about you? Have you ever been caught by the jury duty lottery? Did you get a case and was it worth it? Do you ever get a chance to talk romance - novels, that is??  *wink*

Well, it's been a strange week but I hope yours has been good. If you haven't stopped by the Wacky Wednesday post this week, there's a fabulous Giveaway going on provided by two awesome authors of paranormal romance, Jessa Slade and Elle James. They were kind enough to take over the blog for me on Wednesday in case I was stuck at the courthouse doing my duty as a good citizen. Please feel free to go by, read about their new books, magic and mayhem and enter to win a pack of goodies. The Giveaway ends January 19th so you've got plenty of time.  Click HERE to head over there to join the fun!

Happy Reading Everyone!!


                

Wacky Wednesday: WELCOME TO THE YEAR 2013

Happy New Year and Welcome to the first blog post of the year 2013. Although I'm not thrilled with it being a year ending in the number 13, I'm hoping that since I'm not the luckiest person on the planet that perhaps a year ending in a number that connotes the least amount of luck, that my luck will change. How about you?

On Monday, New Year's Eve, I gave you lists of my favorite Romance novels, anthology and novella as well as the debut authors of 2012 from whom I hope to see more wonderful reads come wheeling our way. I hope you've read some of them or will read some as we head into this new year.

Starting off a new year sometimes means turning back to something that happened in the previous year to use to build on as a plan for the new year. Mine is that I participated in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and proved to myself that not only could I finish a novel and ready it for submission but that I could do it in record time. My plan for the year 2013 is to write more, finish each project and submit them then hopefully, if luck is with me, get published so that I can share more with you through my own writing.

What's your plan for the year 2013?

To start off the New Year with some fun, I've decided to make sure that one of you gets a chance to read one of my favorites from 2012 that perhaps you wouldn't if left to do it on your own. Time for a GIVEAWAY!!

Giveaway Prize:  One of my choices for Best of Romance Novels 2012

The winner of this Giveaway will be allowed to choose from any of the Best of Romance Novels 2012 listed on my New Year's Eve post. Click HERE to visit that post to see what you can choose from. The winner can pick one book in digital format to read at their leisure and hopefully introduce themselves to a new author and/or series. If the winner chooses the anthology, THREE WEDDINGS AND MURDER, since the anthology is no longer available, two novellas will be awarded - THE SCANDALOUS, DISSOLUTE, NO-GOOD MR. WRIGHT by Tessa Dare and THE MISBEHAVING MARQUESS by Leigh LaValle (these were both originally in the anthology and have now been published separately) You can also check out the amazon links at the bottom of this post for your choices.

Giveaway Rules:

***This Giveaway is OPEN TO EVERYONE!! International included (void where prohibited).

***To qualify for an entry, you must comment and leave a valid email address so you can be contacted if you win. Remember the magic formula:

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!

*** This Giveaway will run through 11:30PM Friday, January 4, 2013 at which time one entry will be chosen by way of a randomizer and the winner will be notified by email and announced in a special Saturday post. Once the winner is notified and announced, that person will have until the end of the day, Thursday, January 10th to get back to me or I will run the randomizer to choose another lucky winner.  So, Good Luck!!

Happy Reading Everyone and may whatever you have planned - happen!


   

Wacky Wednesday: Romance Heroes - What's Your TYPE Say About You?



Rhett Butler was a gambler, a womanizer,
a gentleman, and a man in love.
My kind of hero!

Everyone has a TYPE of Romance Hero they are seemingly drawn to, whether it's in the movies or their favorite Romance Novels. But what does your favorite Romance Hero TYPE say about you as the reader?

Some believe the animus (according to Carl Jung - an inner masculine part of the female personality) projects those hidden male traits that a woman has buried deep inside her onto any male archetypes she encounters. These traits that she is normally unable to exercise or even acknowledge because of societal, familial, or peer pressure constraints draw her to a certain archetype of hero. The most common of these male archetypes tend to be imaginary lovers, characters in books and movies, and most dangerously, on real men - but we're not going to go that far here.  Instead, let's think about the book heroes we gravitate towards and which ones we choose to indulge in or rather the one our animus chooses for us - or is it that he chooses us - based on those masculine characteristics that are so much a part of each of us.  

Let's take a look at the different character types of Romance Heroes:

The Knight in Shining Armor:  A woman who chooses this man is seeking something better, more pure, something with a higher standard. This woman sets high standards for herself and seeks someone who can prove himself worthy of her. This woman often in her real life must be strong for those around her and protect others. She dreams of having someone in her life that's courageous, mighty, and bold. Someone who will be her champion and protector. She finds her Knight in every character who is larger than life, pure of heart, good in nature, talented and heroic. Typically, this character is more often than not an Athlete, a Policeman/Fireman, a Doctor, or Military Man - someone like Runner Gabriel Huntford in Anna Randol's SINS OF A VIRGIN.

The Free Spirit:  What kind of woman is seeking this hero type? Usually one who wants to play at love. She wants a charming, funny, and teasing kind of man who will chase her until she finally captures his heart. This hero type tends to be a free-spirit whose life seems like a never-ending party. Perhaps this woman has many responsibilities on her plate and so by escaping with this wandering minstrel type of hero, she gains a sense of freedom. An escape from having to always be the grown-up and always having to make the decisions. Typically, this character is a Regency Duke, an Adventurer, a Cowboy, a Rock Star or Playboy Millionaire - someone like Brady Talmadge in Lori Wilde's THE COWBOY AND THE PRINCESS.

The Bad Boy:  A lot of women are hot for the Bad Boy, are you one? This hero is the one that you know is trouble from the moment you meet him. You know that whatever he gets involves with is most likely dangerous but you can't resist him and your imagination goes wild with a frenzy to be part of his life. Perhaps it's because you're always counted on to do the right thing, don't dare to be selfish and always put everyone else before yourself. The idea of taking off with this Bad Boy hero type is something you'd love to do or would like to be in real life but know it can never be. So why not escape with him into your imagination instead? Typically, this character is most likely to be a Rake, a Pirate, a Womanizer, Biker or even a Prisoner - wrongly convicted, of course -  or someone like Rio Santana in Joan Swan's INTIMATE ENEMIES.

The Good Man:  This is a hero who is mysterious, powerful, gentle and caring. The woman who seeks this hero longs for guidance, enlightenment and in part - saving. She may find her own life too routine or mundane.  She may be the one who guides and often lends her strength to others. So, she seeks someone greater than herself to lead her to a fulfillment beyond her reach. Her imagination is open to new and imaginative things. Typically this character is a Vicar, a Teacher, or a Magical Man with extraordinary powers - someone like Vicar Adam Sylvaine in Julie Ann Long's upcoming new release, A NOTORIOUS COUNTESS CONFESSES (Oct 30th)


The Not Quite Human:  This hero tends to be, by nature of its inhumanity, amoral, lustful, dark in personality and being, but sensually appealing to a woman seeking love in surrender. She seeks to give in to indulgences that reward her with bliss and satisfaction. She sees the good in this character even when he denies it himself. By seeking this dark, lust-driven man, she satisfies the need to indulge in her own need for lust without compunction and surrendering herself to her darker nature. She imagines giving herself to someone who is more powerful and more uninhibited than herself. Typically this character is a Vampire, Shapeshifter, Demon, or other paranormal hero - someone like Logan Winters in Juliana Stones' upcoming new novella release, TO HELL AND BACK (Oct 30th).

So, now that you've met the usual archetype heroes that fill our Romance Novels, which one calls to you most often?

I think I have a penchant for a cross between a Knight in Shining Armor, a Bad Boy and a Not Quite Human type Romance Hero - I do love my men in uniform but there's nothing like a bad boy to make your heart race and then those paranormal heroes - ooooh, be still my heart. I have to admit that I'm one of those always taking care of others, counted on to do the right thing, kind of person but I also recognize my dark side and totally admit that I'd love nothing better than to be a Sex Demon.  *wink*  

How 'bout you? What's your Romance Hero Type and what does it say about you?

Happy Reading Everyone!

            

Unwrapping: Let's Try this Again - Same Test + Giveaway!

Captive of My Desires
by Johanna Lindsey - 2006

Giveaway is Closed. 

Test Your Ability to Recognize Old Romance

from New with an incentive:

On Wednesday's post, I had a lot of folks view the test, I assume try their luck at it, and then for whatever reason choose not to comment on it. The point I was attempting to make with this exercise was whether ot not it was possible to recognize 'old' Historical Romance from 'new' Historical Romance from part of a 'love scene'. I need more input, everybody!

I do want to give a special shoutout to the husband of ROMANCEAHOLIC who without any experience in the genre proved what I had expected - he got two of the scenes wrong, one of which I hoped folks would mistake for 'old' - thank you for playing along and because of your dear wife's honesty, I'm including her in the Giveaway, whether she comments on this one or not.  In fact, anyone who commented on Wednesday's post is welcome to comment here for an entry in the giveaway ... several were truthful or explained how they knew which were which but some I suspect fudged a little. Won't judge you if you own up to missing one.  It's all in fun, no right or wrong results.   : )

About the Giveaway: 


1990 Edition

Same test, same answers, same rules, nothing's changed, no tricks, only this time to encourage those who were afraid to admit that they could not pick 'old' from 'new' (only reason I can assume you didn't brag) - I'm giving away a copy of GENTLE ROGUE by Johanna Lindsey - 1990 edition to one lucky commenter.  Winner will be chosen from comments on this post only with the exception of the above mentioned who gets an extra entry if she comments here.

To enter this giveaway all you need do is take the test or say you took the test on the previous post, say whether you found it easy to recognize 'old' from 'new' or not so plus a valid email address and you're entered. Btw - a simple correct or missed will do - if you tell me correct, then please add why it was so easy. Be sure to leave a valid email address in the comment or I can't qualify you for the giveaway. This giveaway is open to EVERYONE!!

This is my favorite of the Malory Series.
Quick blurb for GENTLE ROGUE:

Heartsick and desperate to return home to America, Georgina Anderson boards the Maiden Anne disguised as a cabin boy, never dreaming she'll be forced into intimate servitude at the whim of the ship's irrepressible captain, James Mallory.

The black sheep of a proud and tempestuous family, the handsome ex-pirate once swore no woman alive could entice him into matrimony. But on the high seas his resolve will be weakened by an unrestrained passion and by the high-spirited beauty whose love of
freedom and adventure rivals his own.

THE TEST

I will list part of a scene from a Historical Romance without any other information given, I want you to tell me if the Romance was written pre- 2000 or post- 2000. Simple, huh? Answers can be found at a link at the end of this post. These might surprise you - some of you might recognize the lines but have fun anyway.

Game on!

Scene #1 - "A chore, like any other? Very well, she told herself. Just get it done.

She dropped her gaze to the bed, loath to watch him while she explained the horrid facts to him. "I must have a child, and it must be conceived immediately. You were chosen to aid me because your hair and eyes are the same as my husband's, for the child needs have the look of him. So we must copulate this night, and the next, and the next, until your seed bears fruit. I like this no better than you, but I have no choice - and neither do you."

His chains rattled, but she would not look toward those expressive eyes of his. Briskly, she took hold of the thick sheet covering him and flipped it to the end of the bed, where it slithered to the floor."

Scene #2 - "Deliberately, [she] leaned forward until her breasts rested on his chest; and seizing upon all her imagination, she lowered parted lips and moved them slowly, warmly upon his. Her eyes flew wide as his mouth opened and twisted across hers, his tongue thrusting through as his arms went around her, crushing her in his embrace. Her world careened crazily as he slowly turned until she half lay across his lap, her head pressed back against his shoulder. ... She should have found his blistering kiss repulsive, but in truth it was wildly exciting."

Scene #3 - "[She] was so startled by the invasion she went completely still, her mind filling with confusion as the combination of the caresses and the kiss filled her with a sharp excitement that was almost overwhelming. She remained still and uncertain as his mouth explored hers, her hands balling into fists by her waist as he ... excuse the interruption - too racy for this blog ..., and the excitement spiked to a level that raised fear in her had her grabbing at the hand to stop him.

[He] immediately stopped his caress, but he also broke their kiss to lift his head.
'I am your husband.'
He whispered the words against her lips and she stilled again, uncertainty flowing through her. He was her husband and had every right to do whatever he chose, ..."

Scene #4 - "She stood there proud and unashamed to have him see her thus, with no attempt to cover herself in any way, and he looked long and hard, feasting on the reality of what he had only been able to imagine previously. She was so very beautiful to him, so perfectly formed for all her height.
[He] was unaware that he had walked to her, but he stood next to her now, the velvet gown forgotten, dropping from his fingers to the floor. Everything was forgotten as his hands rose to cup her cheeks, and he lowered his head to taste the nectar of her lips. Slowly, he tasted, gently at first to savor, then with the full measure of his need.
In those first moments, he was so consumed with desire that he would not have noticed if [she] resisted. But she was not resisting in any way. ... she was kissing him back with an unrestrained abandon."

Okay, the rest is up to you ... which of these four scenes were written pre-2000 and which were written post-2000?

Click here for the answers!   Please be honest and don't cheat - I'm trying to demonstrate that without knowing the novel, it's difficult to see the difference in the timeline of writing style. Thanks for playing!

Remember to be entered in the Giveaway, you MUST comment and you MUST leave a valid email address!  Giveaway runs till 11:59 PM EST Saturday, January 14, 2012. That's only 2 days to enter!  Winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday's post.  Thanks and Good Luck!  : )

Happy Reading Everyone!      
                  Giveaway is Closed. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Unwrapping: Wacky Wednesday - Test Your Ability to Recognize Old Romance From New

Anyone know what book this is from?

Test Your Ability to Recognize Old Romance

from New:

In my last post, I ranted a tiny bit about the young romance readers interjecting their own ideals and views about the heroine's first sexual experience with the hero in Historical Romance Novels from the 70's. I'm sure their views apply to all Romance Novels but I zeroed in on Historical because that's where I read most of the negative reviews. 

I'm curious to see how well my readers are able to instinctively know if a Historical Romance was written in the era of the "bodice rippers" of which the young readers have such a great disgust or if a Historical Romance is a product of the 21st Century. Shall we play a game?

I will list part of a scene from a Historical Romance without any other information given, I want you to tell me if the Romance was written pre- 2000 or post- 2000. Simple, huh? Answers can be found at a link at the end of this post. These might surprise you - some of you might recognize the lines but have fun anyway.

Game on!

Scene #1 -  "A chore, like any other? Very well, she told herself. Just get it done.

          She dropped her gaze to the bed, loath to watch him while she explained the horrid facts to him. "I must have a child, and it must be conceived immediately. You were chosen to aid me because your hair and eyes are the same as my husband's, for the child needs have the look of him. So we must copulate this night, and the next, and the next, until your seed bears fruit. I like this no better than you, but I have no choice - and neither do you."

           His chains rattled, but she would not look toward those expressive eyes of his. Briskly, she took hold of the thick sheet covering him and flipped it to the end of the bed, where it slithered to the floor."


Scene #2 - "Deliberately, [she] leaned forward until her breasts rested on his chest; and seizing upon all her imagination, she lowered parted lips and moved them slowly, warmly upon his. Her eyes flew wide as his mouth opened and twisted across hers, his tongue thrusting through as his arms went around her, crushing her in his embrace.  Her world careened crazily as he slowly turned until she half lay across his lap, her head pressed back against his shoulder. ... She should have found his blistering kiss repulsive, but in truth it was wildly exciting."

Scene #3 -  "[She] was so startled by the invasion she went completely still, her mind filling with confusion as the combination of the caresses and the kiss filled her with a sharp excitement that was almost overwhelming. She remained still and uncertain as his mouth explored hers, her hands balling into fists by her waist as he ... excuse the interruption - too racy for this blog ..., and the excitement spiked to a level that raised fear in her had her grabbing at the hand to stop him.
          [He] immediately stopped his caress, but he also broke their kiss to lift his head.
          'I am your husband.'
          He whispered the words against her lips and she stilled again, uncertainty flowing through her. He was her husband and had every right to do whatever he chose, ..."


Scene #4 -  "She stood there proud and unashamed to have him see her thus, with no attempt to cover herself in any way, and he looked long and hard, feasting on the reality of what he had only been able to imagine previously.  She was so very beautiful to him, so perfectly formed for all her height.
         [He] was unaware that he had walked to her, but he stood next to her now, the velvet gown forgotten, dropping from his fingers to the floor. Everything was forgotten as his hands rose to cup her cheeks, and he lowered his head to taste the nectar of her lips. Slowly, he tasted, gently at first to savor, then with the full measure of his need.
         In those first moments, he was so consumed with desire that he would not have noticed if [she] resisted. But she was not resisting in any way. ... she was kissing him back with an unrestrained abandon."

Okay, the rest is up to you ... which of these four scenes were written pre-2000 and which were written post-2000? 
According to some young reviewers, Historical Romance Novels written in the last quarter of the 20th Century were 'bodice rippers' perpetuating the 'rape fantasy' which disgusts them and, despite the writing skill of the authors, they prefer to call these novels 'trash'.

Click here for the answers!  Please come back and tell us how you did and feel free to share this test with those young whippersnappers who think they know all about those Historical Romances from the 70's!   : )

I know a lot of people are taking this test but not commenting - we'd love to know if you got them all correct or not. Don't have to tell specifically just a 'correct' or  'missed' will do.  Think of it as a survey - enquiring minds want to know.   : )
Happy Reading Everyone!