Why I Love Romance
Thanks so much to Mandi for having me as a guest at Smexy Books! This month Deadly Obsession released from Carina Press so in celebration I’m on a short blog tour discussing all things romance!
I read romance for so many different reasons. Almost always for the happily ever after (I’m not a fan of happy for now, I want the juicy emotional ending that promises of HEA…though there are exceptions), but I find myself reading specific authors for specific reasons. When I’m looking for an uber alpha, hot hero Linda Howard immediately comes to mind. I have most of her books in paperback and they are well worn from re-reads. In fact, it’s because of her that I discovered romantic suspense (thanks to All the Queens Men). Some romances I read for the great couples (think books by Jeannine Frost & Nalini Singh). Strong heroines…again, Jeannine Frost. Man I love Cat! I also love the other females from her ‘Night Huntress World’. And amazingly sick world building skills have to go to Sherrilyn Kenyon & JR Ward. If I really want a rollercoaster ride of nonstop action then Roxanne St. Claire usually wins.
Obviously there must be a plot and I definitely love on the page smexin. I can do without it if the story is great but for the most part, once the sexual tension has been played up I want to see the good stuff. If I don’t get it I feel like I missed out on the payoff. Overall, the main thing I really look for is that I feel a connection and compassion for the main characters. I don’t have to always like them or their actions (and usually if the writer has done her job, I find myself wanting to smack the hero more than once…something about stubborn males gets me hot), but I want to be rooting for them to come out of the story with a deserved happy ending and hopefully a lot of growth.
What do you look for in your romance reading? Are some things more important than others? Answer to win a digital copy of Deadly Obsession.
Deadly Obsession now available from Carina Press.
The chilling words of a killer: This is just the beginning…
Ten years ago, Lilly Carmichael left town without an explanation, breaking Braden Donnelly’s heart. The death of her aunt has brought Lilly home–and face to face with memories she thought were long buried. Still getting over a traumatic incident from her work as an NSA agent, Lilly initially dismisses the face at her window as a figment of stress-induced paranoia.
Now the sheriff of Hudson Bay, Braden has spent the last year hunting a sadistic murderer. But his investigation is turned upside down when new evidence indicates that Lilly is the killer’s next target. Determined to protect the woman he’s never stopped loving, Braden must race against the clock to trap a dangerous psychopath—before it’s too late…
A little about me: I’ve been reading romance from a young age (since I discovered my mom’s hidden stash) and the addiction stayed with me into adulthood. I write dark paranormal romance and sexy, fast-paced romantic suspense. Currently I write for Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne (Destined Mate, October 2011), and in early 2012 the first book in my paranormal series will release from NAL/Signet Eclipse (Alpha Instinct: A Moon Shifter Novel). To learn more about me please visit my website, my blog, facebook or find me on twitter @katiereus.
Thanks again to Mandi for hosting me!
Thank you Katie! For a chance to win an E-Book of Deadly Obsession, answer Katie’s question above. Contest open to all through August 20th.
Hi Katie, thanks for the blogpost. I haven’t really given it much thought why I like reading romance in all genres, and what in particular attracts me.
I prefer books with strong heroines, who don’t really need the hero, but while he is there, they are a great team. I also don’t necessarily need to read the hot parts, that can happen behind closed doors just as well. After all, I grew up with Barbara Cartland and Georgette Heyer, and still re-read them now and again.
I really dislike books with heroines who are too stupid too live, walking blithely in to danger and expecting the hero to rescue them. I also don’t like the really caveman heroes: you are my mate, so you have no choice but to bond with me. I love how Christine Feehan’s Carpathians have evolved through the years.
I like it particularly when a book manages to surprise me.
Hi aurian, thanks for stopping by. I agree, I don’t like it when anyone expects to be rescued :) I want someone who can take care of themselves.
I’m the exact same. I look for a good/engaging plot and chemistry between the main couple. I don’t need the bedroom scenes as much as I need the chemistry (but not saying that I’d turn it down!) So many times you pick up a book and it’s all blah, blah, sex, blah, blah, sex… to the point that there’s no story!
Thanks for the awesome interview and giveaway!
Hi Erin, I can forgive a lot of stuff as long as the h/h have chemistry :)
I love rich emotion woven into a story, and tons of conflict. I love seeing a strong man break down and grovel when necessary. But mostly now I love heat between the H/h. Hmm, I wonder who’s fault that is? *points at you*
Great to see you here! Keep those books coming, lady :)
Why am I not surprised you said emotion, lol ;) Great answer, I love it when a guy can grovel but still retain all that masculinity!
Really its just believable and likable characters. If they arent appealable there is no point in reading the story.
Very true! Thanks for stopping by Donna
Hi, Katie! Thanks for the lovely post! I have to admit I have never thought that much about it. Reading romances just makes me happy and content. I guess I want to read how two people can have a HEA even though there huge obstacles in their way.
I would love to read your book! It sounds great!
I definitely need that HEA too! I know some people don’t mind happy for now endings but my life if stressful enough so I want the HEA for my characters :)
I love strong characters, a bit of humor, and off the charts sexual chemistry.
Congrats on the new release, Katie. I look for likable characters you can root for and a plot that moves along.
I love reading books with characters that I can relate and feel like family and after I’m finished reading they stay with me for a while. I love strong characters, men that are not afraid to show emotions but can still kick but if needed.
Congrats Katie on the release
I love all romance genres as long as an alpha male with a tortured soul finds a heroine to redeem him…but still lets him dominate!!
thanks for the give-a-way
I enjoy a romance that takes time. I hate reading a book where the main couple just fall head over heals with each other before they even know names. I like there to be a struggle before the HEA.
I tend to read romance for pure escapism. I know that boy meets girl (or same sex), they are attracted, fight/misunderstand but eventually get together. My preference is for the characters to be real and not just smiley bits of fluff. They need to work through the issues not just brush them aside. Also needs to be believable lol. Falling into bed with the guy that murdered your sister but was very goodlooking would just not work for me ;) I guess I like common sense stories that I can relate too but have a fair amount of spice mixed in :D
I like my romance to have a sexy alpha male!! I really like it when the hero has some type of flaw such as being are recluse/loner or even having nerdy tendacies. I like my heroine to be “girl power/kick a@@” yet vulnerable and feminine. I hate when the heroine is weak or too strong with the I don’t need your help attitude. Like the other commentors I like my h/h to have major chemistry and hawt sex scenes. I enjoy suspense romances because you are guaranteed to get an alpha male but I also love shifter romances. Oh heck… I like all types of romances. LOL!
Thanks for the giveaway!
kamwh1207(at)att(dot)net
I want a story that takes me somewhere else. I want to get caught up in the emotion. I don’t always need a HEA but I need the promise that it is out there. And, I can be very happy with HFN. I need smart, funny characters. I need good dialog. I need emotional investment. Don’t ask for much, do I? Thanks for the giveaway.
jepebATverizonDOTnet
I like historical and paranormal romances with an alpha male. I like that strong male character. I also like series that follow the paths of friends or families.
This book sounds great and would love to win. thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
christinebails@yahoo.com
I need a good strong story line that draws me in and takes me away. I like becoming so involved that I forget the time! The story needs the chemistry and sexual tension between the h/h and I’m ok with having the doors open or closed (as long as some goofy names are used for the body parts!). I don’t mind crying at the end of the story – generally means I hate to see the story end.
Chemistry between the characters is very important to me. I also want a passionate love story where their journey to HEA doesn’t come easy but allows them to showcase their traits. There needs to be a strong plot and have to be able to emotionally connect with the characters. I love reading romances in all its sub-genres.
When I’m in the mood for romance I NEED a happy ending and the epilogue MUST give me my fix of “AWWWWW/romanceintheair/sigh…” Love my heros badboy-ish or even tortured. #teamdarkhero all the way. Also, I have to agree with Na (comment above) the chemistry btw hero and heroine has to be there. I’m easily satisfied ;-)
sk_86(at)gmx(dot)de
In romance I look for a connection and chemistry between them. I look for a passionate love story with obstacles or challenges for the characters. I love mysteries, suspense and murders also in the book and happy endings. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com
In romance books, I hate it when two people instantly know they’re in love. I like the chemistry, but I like it to build. It’s almost better if they don’t like each other at first – this gives me something to build my expectations on. I also like twists and turns – plot changes I didn’t see coming. Those keep me reading long after I should have turned out the light, just to see what happens next. And, of course, the happy ending!
These are all really fantastic answers! And I see a lot of the same themes repeating, which is awesome. Thanks everyone who has stopped by so far :)
I have been reading romances for a long time. I think chemistry is very important and with a plot that keeps me on my toes with it’s twists and turns, I would be very satisfied.
Hi, Katie:
Your book looks really cool. I’ve been reading romance stories for about 2 years and I started with paranormal/urban fantasy books. I am still really into that sub-genre, but have expanded my interests to include contemporary, erotica, BDSM, without or without vamps, shifters and the like.
Besides the sexy aspects of these books (I’m in a very long, dry spell, male companionshoip-wise!), which to me is a big part of the allure, I’m looking to be immersed in another world, life, time period, etc. I think a lot has to do with what has been going on my life over the last couple of years (full-time grad school and work), that has led me to find a sexy escape from my humdrum, grind it out (nope, not that way!) life.
Thanks for the opportunity to share more than just – please enter me in your contest…but do that, too,please ;)
Mara
marajbrandon AT earthlink DOT net
I look for a good story line and a great connection between the main characters. Nobody extra whiney and I am good! I love a wide range of books and I am easy to please!
In my romance books I want engaging characters, a great story, some good action and/or adventure, steamy friction, a bad guy you love to hate and an ending that both satisfies yet leaves you yearning for more. The most important 2 things to me in a book are the characters and the storyline.
Congratulations on this book and all your upcoming books as well. I definitely need to go check out your website and find out more about your other books. Already added you on Facebook as Aprille.
Great post! I love likable characters who have lots of chemistry – humor never hurts, either! Thanks for the giveaway.
smaccall AT comcast.net