I had a dream of being loved. It came true but it wasn’t easy

“Romance has the power to heal hearts. It did mine.”

“ I'm inspired to write about couples who bravely challenge beliefs that prevent them from having a loving relationship. They share a journey that conquers self-doubt but brings awareness of past mistakes. Each never gives up and works hard to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds  to find happiness in love.”

 This is the opening paragraph to my website. Personal experience inspires my writing. I had a dream that I would one day be in a loving relationship where I felt respected and cherished. It wasn’t an easy journey, but I did find it While I held the belief that it was possible, I wasn’t certain it would happen. I wanted to make sure I gave it every chance though, so I didn’t give up. That belief came from reading romance.

The characters in a romance novel find themselves in circumstances that change them. I understood that if I didn’t change I wouldn’t be able to have a different kind of relationship from the ones in the past. So I read and had counseling. I examined my role in past relationships, what worked what didn’t. I also worked on self-beliefs and my deservedness to have love.

I examined what I carried in my heart that prevented me from having what I wanted. I began to address old fear and insecurity and started to date. I kept going even after rejection and disappointment. Eventually, I found a courageous man who had wanted to work with me to make a relationship that would nurture us both.

I don’t think I would have done that if I hadn’t been an avid reader of romance. The couples in romance novels are often not realistic in that they are rich or fabulously talented. That’s a lovely fantasy, what isn’t is the real-life misconceptions they have about love and what gifts it has for them. When they work together to try and be a couple, they come up against these barriers and have to struggle to get past them.

Romance novel couples don’t give up. They might get knocked down, but they get up again. This rang true to me. Not giving up, having another go and doing better next time pays off. I think being a romance reader helped me to get up after disappointment and try again. Keep going when things didn’t work out the first or even the fifth time.

Every time I close another romance novel and have that happily ever afterglow, it feels like another dream has come true. Every time I finish another story that I’ve written with a happy ending I get that feeling also. I think the struggle involved in making the dream come true makes it all the more special. The smiles on our faces tell you, we went through a lot to find each other and now we have, we appreciate what we have all the more.

Dora Bramden is a Romance Author, and Lifestyle Blogger

You can read more about books and find her blog her website www.dorabramden.com

Follow Dora on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

THANKFULNESS

 by Rosalie Redd

When the leaves tumble to the ground and there’s a chill in the air, images of warm fires, good conversation, and family and friends fill my mind. For those of us in the United States, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and many of us will have the good fortune of spending time with loved ones. This holiday is often a time to reflect on what we are grateful for.

As romance authors, we strive for the happily ever after at the end of the book. In many ways, the hero and heroine grow, learn about themselves, overcome obstacles, and often, are thankful. They are thankful for what they have, thankful for having someone in their lives, thankful to be alive. I’m grateful that I get to write about these types of characters and their emotional growth. I’m also grateful for my health, my friends, and my family.

In honor of Thanksgiving, I searched for some inspirational quotes on thankfulness to share with you. Here are a few that inspired me.

The man who forgets to be thankful has fallen asleep in life.  Robert Louis Stevenson

Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts. Henri Frederick Amiel

Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns. I am thankful that thorns have roses. Alphonse Karr

I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out my nose. Woody Allen

How about you? What are you thankful for?

Bio….

After finishing a rewarding career in finance and accounting, it was time for Rosalie Redd to put away the spreadsheets and take out the word processor. She writes Paranormal/Science Fiction Romance inspired by classics from the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres layered with a good, hot dose of romance.

She currently lives in Oregon, where rain is just another excuse to keep writing. When not at her computer, you can find her at Jazzercise, waterfall collecting in the Pacific Northwest, or relaxing with her husband and their pesky cat, Snookums.

Rosalie Redd ~ Discover otherworldly love…

www.rosalieredd.com

Romantic Fantasy versus Reality

by Madelle Morgan

How do authors create those romantic fantasies we all enjoy so much?

The advice given to newbie writers is ‘write what you know’. I hear the collective moan from aspiring romance writers out there: Yeah, if that’s the path to success, then I’m doomed. No one would want to read about my life.  

Avid fans of romance certainly don’t want to read about an author’s real love life unless it could be convincingly portrayed on a cover like this:

Today I will let you in on a Trade Secret. Romance authors actually do draw inspiration from their real lives. I’ve created a short day-in-the-life-of-a-romance-author scenario to demonstrate how it works...

 Real life at the checkout:

“Ma’am, is this purchase a gift?” asks the pretty blond cashier with a metal post through one eyebrow.

“No,” Romance Author (RA) responds.

“Ma’am, the chart on the pantyhose package says this product is for women up to 5’6” in height and 150 pounds.”

“I’m 5’4” and it’s the last pair of Gossamer Silk.” But I weigh more than 150 pounds. At least I did the last time I dared step on a scale three years ago, RA admits to herself. Her shoulders slump under a faded sweatshirt. 

“Fine,” RA says through gritted teeth. “I’ll put it back on the shelf. Thank you for noticing.”

Later at the computer, Romance Author taps away on a work-in-progress:

Samantha dipped her head to slip one gossamer silk-sheathed foot into a Manolo Blahnik stiletto pump. Soft natural blond curls concealed cheeks flushed from her date’s heated gaze.

“Joe, can you zip my size 4 little black dress?"

Joe languidly quirked a dark brow. “Sweetheart, if I touch you I guarantee we’ll never make the reservation at Le Ritz,” he drawled in a deep, sexy voice that whetted her appetite. But not for food.

Real Life at the dinner table:

“You know I hate vegetables,” says Hubby, grimacing at the spinach RA tried to hide in a layer of lasagna.

Later at the computer, RA types the following:

The white-gloved waiter hovered, ready to take their order for appetizers. Samantha selected the spring salad. 

Joe dragged his attention to the menu, the first time he’d taken his eyes off her the entire evening. “The Oysters Rockefeller here are made with spinach?” Joe inquired.

“Yes, sir.”

“I’ll have a double portion.” When the waiter moved away, Joe leaned in, his ocean blue eyes locked on lips she’d moistened with champagne. “I’ll need the energy later.”

And so it goes...

Here’s a bonus Trade Secret revealed: No matter how difficult romance authors pretend it is to craft their stories, we enjoy the fantasy escape from real life when writing them as much as you do reading them! 

www.madellemorgan.com