In Romance Novels the Journey to Love Comes in All Forms ... Delsora Lowe

Everyone wishes for love. That is why romances are the highest selling genre of any type of book. We all want to believe in the magic.

According to MasterClass,“Romance novels are perhaps the most popular genre in terms of book sales.”

The romance genre is filled with every imaginable sub-genre one can imagine. If want an upbeat story with a happy ending, despite the tumultuous journey and angst that might occur in between the beginning and the end of the book, look for a romance.

As romance writers, we each have our unique way of telling our stories. That is where the magic comes in. Out of the imagination of an author a story is born and grows. Add in that particular authors’ background and experiences and even if the storyline is similar to others, the uniqueness of each book comes from within every author.

Why is the romance genre so popular?

According to MasterClass, “These stories are aspirational, optimistic, and provide escapism.”

I think we can all agree, that is a great combination to find in a story. 2020 was a long tough year, and we all need to surround ourselves in optimistic endeavors. We need to escape to a story that fills us with optimism. These stories give us hope that the world is a better place than what we see on the surface. Romance stories, by definition, must have a happy ending. That ending can be happy-for-now or happily-ever-after, but the readers know what they are getting at the end of the book.

So, as you read stories that take place on another planet or are a comedic romp or have a suspenseful situation that you are sure the hero and heroine may not get out of, deep down, you know that if that story is a romance, it will end in an optimistic way.

Huey Lewis had it right. That’s “the power of LOVE.”

“It's strong and it's sudden and it's cruel sometimes
But it might just save your life
That's the power of love
That's the power of love”

It’s February, a usually dreary time of the year, with a valentine thrown into the mix. So, run, don’t walk, to your nearest reader device or retail outlet and grab a romance or five or ten or twenty to get you through this winter.

What’s your favorite genre within the romance genre?

My Valentine Story
MOONLIGHTING

Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Moonlighting-Serenity-Harbor-Novella-Starlight-ebook/dp/B075TK7KYS/
Books2Read
books2read.com/u/mZ5eop

~ 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.

Social Media Links:
Author website: www.delsoralowe.com
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/

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8 Popular Book Genres: A Guide to Popular Literary Genres - 2020 - MasterClass
Huey Lewis & The News: The Power Of Love (Official Video) - YouTube lyrics to power of love - Google Search
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Romance novels are perhaps the most popular genre
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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.

Favorite Romance Novel, H-m-m?

I don’t have a favorite romance novel.  Instead, I have many novels that are favorites.  I have two boxes of keeper books.  So if you are looking for ideas on what to read you won’t find it here, because I'd be hard pressed to choose only one!

I’m going to tell you what makes me love a good romance novel.  Whether it is contemporary, western, paranormal, time-travel, historical, steampunk or erotica, (yes, erotica can have a romance/love story too), all the genres have a few commonalities.

Here are five must haves:

1) You need two characters worth breathing life into.  Two people who are meant to be together, even though they may have no idea at the beginning of the novel.  Two people I will want to root for.

2) Then throw everything in their paths but the kitchen sink.  Show how they triumph over these challenges to grow in character and forge a strong relationship.

3) Anything worth having is worth fighting for and defending.  I really like the Knight in shining armor romance books.  Sigh!!  Historical or Contemporary!!

4) I like to read a romance that makes me pull for the Hero and Heroine. A book that makes me cry, laugh and maybe even clap for joy.  A book I don’t want to end, because I am loving the journey.

5) Romance novels reaffirm that Happily Ever After is possible.

The short version of what makes a romance novel, quote from Victoria Alexander.

Victoria Alexander (VictAlex@aol.com):
A romance novel is a story in which, in spite of all obstacles, the hero and heroine end up together.

And I’ll add, together and happy!

The romances that intrigue me the most are time-travels.  The heroine or hero ends up going ahead or back in time without the means of traveling through time again to reach their love interest. The authors come up with some very clever ideas for getting the lovers back together.


What are some of the things you like about Romance Novels, and what is your favorite romance genre?

2011 – What happened in the world of publishing…

Gosh it’s January 2012 already! I don’t know about you but I’m excited about the coming year. When I look back on 2011 I’m pleased it’s over. It wasn’t the best year for me personally, or for New Zealand. The earthquakes that destroyed Christchurch and killed so many rocked our little country. And don’t let’s forget the devastation in Japan, tornadoes in USA , and other natural disasters around the world.

Also, in 2011 the world of publishing changed.For the better if you ask me...

I’ve a feeling 2012 will be a great year. I’m not really one for New Year resolutions, but I do set myself goals. My 2012 goal is to gear up my writing so that my output doubles or triples even.  I’ve set myself weekly targets, realistic weekly targets, so that I can publish three novels and at least three novellas this year (and still work at my other job twenty hours per week). I know, it’s a big task, but if I work hard enough I may be able to give up the other day job.

The real driver is that I want to move to a rural part of New Zealand where jobs are not prevalent and will therefore have to rely on my writing income. I have bought a one acre section, with my sister, in the Hawke’s Bay wine region. Here’s a photo of my section – see the view. We want to build a huge house with swimming pool on the site, and move in Christmas 2012. Sigh – I need my writing career to take off to achieve that dream.My section is a huge incentive

That’s a lot of writing, I hear you gasp? I need this output because of the word SELF-PUBLISHING. I’m traditionally published at present, but I’ve decided I’m not sitting back and letting a traditional publishing house tell me when my books can be published. My current contract allows me one book a year. You can’t make a living off that. In fact, I have learned that to make money in publishing you have to publish at least 4-8 books a year.

So I’m going to self-publish this year. I’m not sure if I shall also traditionally publish, that will depend on my contract obligations. I have decided to look at the self-publishing model for several reasons:

1.       Book runs are diminishing. A new author is no longer building their brand through book-store distribution. If that is true, then why do you need a traditional publisher?

2.       Digital books are outselling print books about 4:1 in the romance genre and an author owns their online marketing space not a traditional publisher

3.       I can put books to market when I want, and when it’s right for me

4.       I can price the books competitively. Currently I’m a debut author with a book priced at $14 and an e-book at $8 – how do I compete and build my brand at that price? I can’t.  Ebooks are setting the price at around $4.99 (Avon’s new ebook price)

It also means I have to find time to do the marketing, but I had to do that anyway.

My first self-published book, a novella, I’m releasing in my favorite romance month, February – ready for Valentine’s Day. I love the whole concept of making time for romance. It’s the little things we do on Valentine's day to show someone how special they are to us. Breakfast in bed, romantic picnic lunches (remember it’s summer in NZ), the candlelit dinners, and romantic cards from anonymous admirers.

So, watch out for my first self-published novella, due out on Valentine’s day (14^th of February 2012). It’s a 35,000 word novella called, To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield. Here’s the blurb:

Caitlin Southall’s temper has finally got the better of her. She’s challenged Harlow Telford, the Duke of Dangerfield, the most notorious rake in all of England, to a wager. She wants her house back. The one her destitute father lost to Dangerfield in a card game. But if she doesn’t win their bet, she not only loses her home, she loses her dignity and pride and damn it all, maybe her heart... For the handsome Duke has decreed, when he wins, she must spend the night in his bed.

Harlow Telford is amused by his hellion neighbor, Caitlin, or Cate to her friends, who seem to encompass everyone on earth except him. When she bursts into one of his private gatherings, he mistakes her for the entertainment. Her slap across his face sets him straight and raises the absurd desire to seduce the unconventional beauty into his bed. When she issues her daft challenge to win back her father’s pile of rubble, the terms are set.  And he’ll do anything to win—except fall in love...

I’m looking for reviewers. If you’d like a free copy of To Dare the Duke of Dangerfield in exchange for a review on Amazon then contact me on romance at bronwenevans dot com.

Happy New Year! I hope you achieve your goals this year.

Cross-genre all the way

I’m in the middle of a blog tour right now for my September release, Shadowman, and one of the questions I’ve been asked more than once is what subgenre my Shadow series belongs in. Where should bookstores shelve me? So far I have found my books in romance, fantasy/sci-fi, and horror. One blogger named me paranormal romantic suspense, others refer to me as urban fantasy, and still others paranormal romance. All good, particularly if it helps me to reach new readers. I call myself dark fantasy romance and I want to be shelved where readers will find me.


And there’s the rub. The flip side of defying categorization is that people might not be able to find you. Case in point: Last night I went to my local B&N and discovered that the first in my series, Shadow Bound, was still shelved in Fantasy/Sci-fi, while Shadowman, book three, the same series, was happily face-out in Romance (and had diminished in number since my last visit--yay!). I’m with a new publisher now and I support my new placement in Romance--I think more readers will be apt to pick me up--but I had to squeeze my eyes shut for a moment at the insanity. I know I’m not the first author to experience this, and I also know that readers are super savvy people, who know what they like and can figure out just fine where to get it (if they have time and patience at the given moment to do so). Nevertheless, I’d sure love to make that process a little easier.

Online is a whole different world. With a click, an entire author’s list can come up. With tagging you can help identify your book. And bloggers embrace cross-genre authors; no need to walk across the store. It seems each day that more applications or features are being created to make information more accessible (My husband is a programmer). Problem is, there are so many books in cyberspace that it’s hard to stand out. Sometime it feels impersonal, and for me, books are very personal. Which takes me back to the bookstore and the kind of browsing I grew up on.

So I guess you can see how cross-genre, for me, has also become a bit of a cross-delivery kind of idea. I love my kindle (I’m on my second one), but I still have a fantasy of owning a bookstore (and reading my stock all day). I’ve mentioned a few conflicts in my cross-genre publishing experience, but let me just say that I view them as opportunities. I’m in two places at my B&N bookstore, doubling my chances for discovery. And online, there might be a lot of books out there, but I’ve got my husband in my corner making me cool stuff to help me stand out. (Check out my Segue site for his latest handiwork: www.SegueInstitute.com). We’ll see what the future holds. I’m excited.

Do you mix it up?

When I began my writing career I was going to write romances --- end of story. At that time, back in the late middle ages, there were historical romances, contemporary romances and series romances.
Nowadays, you go into the bookstore or look on line and the genres and sub genres are crossing over and blending.

Here's my genre-blending story.

At first I tried to write sweet contemporary romances but dead bodies kept showing up. I switched to writing romantic suspense. Still romance but different. The first book I sold? A romantic suspense. I was a writer of romantic suspense --- end of story. I should have known better.

My first publisher asked if I would be one of the authors to write a paranormal series. I had no desire to write paranormal but I was a new writer and this was my first publisher. I didn't want to rock the boat. I was looking at the Bible and one of the stories grabbed me. (One of only two times that a story basically sprang out of my brain and on to paper. The other time was also a paranormal romance.)

But I wasn't done yet.

I was out shopping with my sister-in-law and we found this absolutely amazing hand-carved bed. This was an exclusive furniture store and the bed was far too expensive for either of us. But for some reason I couldn't get this damn bed out of my mind. A few days later I had the beginning of what would be a cozy mystery with ghosts. The bed doesn't have a big part in the book, it was more the catalyst that introduced me to those characters. So now I'm writing paranormal, romantic mystery. Talk about mixing it up! The only thing I do know is they all have a happy ending and I'll keep writing them that way.

Do you blend your genres? Sub Genres? Or are you a Purist?