Romance novels and films have been maligned or mocked as being frilly and frivolous and feeding a false narrative on life.
Hello! Why do you think romance novels are the highest selling category of book than any other genre—fiction or non-fiction? We all want to dream about a wonderful and loving life. And, no, romance novels are not based on a false narrative. But yes, the entire genre is meant to boost hope for a feel-good future; however that is defined by the reader.
Watching “seasonal” – as in any season – Hallmark movies,
or Lifetime Christmas movies, or reading a seasonal book by one of many best-selling,
or newly discovered, romance authors, is a guaranteed FEEL-GOOD.
In fact, a book will not be classified as a romance
without a Happily-Ever-After ending, or a Happily-For-Now ending—which infers a
Happily-Ever-After beyond the end of the book.
So, what does this have to do with pumpkins, you ask?
In my mind… romance. Fall-themed romance books and movies. Turn on Hallmark and
you will be accosted by pumpkins, colorful leaves, actors in sweaters, and
participating in fall activities, despite the fact they film these movies in
the heat of summer.
I love the fall season. The air is crisp — allowing for the comfort of a sweater to snuggle into. The leaves change from vibrant green to a medley of colors, depending on the type of tree. The flowers are sturdier and have deeper, richer colors, than the dainty pastels of spring. The pale sky blue of summer turns into a deeper blue before darkening to a vibrant azure in late fall and winter. The shadows lengthen as the sun drops below the horizon earlier each day. Even the nights seem darker and brighter with brilliant stars and distinct constellations. And pumpkins abound, with their beautiful and happy orange color.
But I digress. Back to books.
I scour new book listings that will embrace the fall season—their covers resplendent with colorful leaves, crisp, blue skies, and the promise of cooler temps. That means we can bring out our favorite cozy sweaters, and brew fun hot liquids. Do you know how many ways you can doctor a simple cup of hot cocoa, especially when you add spices associated with fall? Ever try the combo of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne in a cup of coco? Heavenly—with a subtle hint of heat to add to the warmth of the liquid.
As a romance novel enthusiast, I am also a romance
movie fanatic. My dear friend and I critique every movie, as we watch and compare
notes. Then we Google “Stream It or Skip It” to see if our take on the movie
matches the “expert” reviewer. You would be amazed how many times, we “nail”
the gist of what the reviewer says.
Full disclosure—I still dream that dream. Only now,
I’m actually writing romance novels. And if I’m honest, in the back of my head
sits that little—okay—gigantic dream egging me on.
Another way of researching romances is through
reading. I religiously buy Woman’s World every week. Although, I used to
be a caterer and restaurant cook, so I do love their recipes, I still
flip toward the back of the magazine first. You know why? The 5-minute romance!
I’ve even sold 4 stories to the magazine since my first in 2010. And right now,
I am madly editing for the umpteenth time two stories, one for Christmas and
one for New Year’s Eve. I just sent in a Thanksgiving story. It’s a tough
market, but with all the almost sixty shorts I have written over the years, I
am now assembling an anthology. So, eventually those stories will get a home.
November 2018 - "Bright New Beginnings" - My Story
About Organizing the Local Thanksgiving Parade
But I digress. What does my love of romance movies
have to do with fall and pumpkins, besides a plethora of pumpkins in the movies
at this time of year? Not much, except my writing is in full, fall-themed mode.
And my tastebuds are clamoring to tell the “artistic” part of my brain that
it’s time to cook my favorite pumpkin or squash enhanced recipes.
So, let’s talk food! Pumpkins, in particular. I am
immersed in reading fall-themed romance books and watching movies that seem to
have plenty of pumpkins. And…I am buying ingredients to make my favorite fall
soups that include winter-type squashes or pumpkins. And who doesn’t love to
sip a fall-flavored and pumpkin-spiced hot tea on a crisp fall day. Or, in my
case, as I write this and stare out my window, a typical fall day filled with
skittering white clouds in a bright blue and sunny sky, followed by graying
clouds and intermediate spits of rain. A great day for fall-flavored
soup and tea.
Yes, folks…Fall is here, and the pumpkins are piled up
in front of the local grocery store. Enjoy the season!
What do you like about pumpkins?
Do you enjoy pumpkin-flavored
food and drinks? Or are there other foods, drinks,
and scenery that remind you of
fall?
Do you like reading romances set in the fall?
The
Rancher Needs a Wife
~
cottages to cabins ~ keep the home fires burning ~
Delsora Lowe writes small town sweet and spicy romances
and contemporary westerns, from the mountains of Colorado to the shores of
Maine.
Author of the Starlight Grille series, Serenity Harbor Maine novellas, and the Cowboys of Mineral Springs series, Lowe has also authored short romances for Woman’s World magazine. The Love Left Behind is a Hartford Estates, R.I. wedding novella. A Christmas novel (The Inn at Gooseneck Lane) and novella (Holiday Hitchhiker) were released in late fall 2022. Look for book 3 of the cowboy’s series, as well as book 2 of the Hartford Estates series, in 2025.
Social Media
Links:
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/delsoraloweauthor/community/
Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Delsora-Lowe/e/B01M61OM39/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
Books2Read Author page: https://www.books2read.com/ap/8GWm98/Delsora-Lowe
BookBub Author Page: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/delsora-lowe-93c6987f-129d-483d-9f5a-abe603876518
Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16045986.Delsora_Lowe
Instagram: #delsoralowe
/ https://www.instagram.com/delsoralowe/
Dancing Couple:
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10 comments:
Fall is a season for romance! There's nothing like curling up in front of the fireplace with a good romance book, and you have given us a lot of good choices< Thank you, Delsora
Thanks for stopping in to sample all that pumpkins have to offer, Sarah! Enjoy the cooler weather and the beautiful fall colors.
Fall gives us crisp air that makes us want to cuddle up! :-)
I love Hallmark movies set in the fall or Christmas. As far as what i like that is pumpkin? I love pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin pie with whipped cream, pumpkin soup which I make out of the pumpkins we grow. great post!
I love pumpkins. It's always fun to pick out a couple for my front step. I don't love pumpkin as a flavor so I don't eat or drink anything pumpkin. But I love Fall based romances ~ time to read some and watch on Hallmark!
Fall is my favorite time of year, considering I have books about Halloween and Thanksgiving, lol. I love pumpkins, but I also love the flavors, colors, scents, decorating and baking.
So, so true - maybe that is why Fall is my favorite season - HA!
All things pumpkin, for sure! Enhjoy the season, Diana!
Enjoy the seasonal movies and reads!!!! I know I do.
Judy - me too - obviously - as you read, it's my fav time of year. I love your books! I'll have to search out and make sure I read your fall ones.
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