We are happy to have Jennifer Armentrout at Smexy today to celebrate her release of her new book, Obsidian. Take it away, Jennifer!
If you’ve read Half-Blood or Obsidian, it’s pretty obvious I’m big on the romance. I don’t think I could write a book that didn’t have a decent amount of love fest going on. Romance is always integral to whatever book I’m writing, and I think one of the reason why I love writing it so much is because I LOVE reading it.
Especially in young adult books. That kind of romance takes you back to the first time you fell in love, your first kiss, your first argument and heartbreak, and every other first you can think of. Reliving that through writing without the skid marks of living it is sort of amazing, don’t you think?
And one of the things I love about writing romance is the set up to the first kiss. I’m not a big fan of insta-love (okay, I pretty rant about it often). Sometimes, it works for me, but it’s rare. I like a relationship that builds slowly, from like to love, or in some cases, from hate to love. Seeing characters evolve together is fun to sketch out. Having the come together too soon just sort of ruins the whole anticipation, the get-to-know-you period.
So, what kind of romance do YOU like most in books you read?
Jennifer is offering an e-book copy of Obisidian to one lucky commenter. To enter, just leave a comment. Giveaway open to all through December 10th.
I like the romance to build up at a normal pace. Books where they’re instantly hooking up just isn’t real and I have a hard time with them. Thais sounds great. Thank you.
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Read about this awesome post on twitter and had to hop over. Thanks for the invite and sharing, as well as the awesome giveaway opportunity! Can’t wait to read Obsidian!
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I’m not a big instalove fan either. It rings false 99% of the time. Don’t really care for destined mates type things either.
In YA I can somewhat excuse the instalove because isn’t that what first love is all about? Experiencing love at crazy levels and trying to figure it out? :)
I love the romance where it builds from friends to something more . I so don’t like the insta love in the YA. I have heard such good things about this book.
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I’m not a fan of insta-love either. My favourite trope is friends who become something more, or previous lovers reunited. I tend to find the fast-paced falling in love more realistic in those cases. I don’t have a problem with insta-lust, especially in teen books where the tropes I like aren’t as common or feasible. I just wish the end goal was more ‘I really like you’ than ‘I’m madly in love with you’.
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YAY! Obsidian is one of my to read as asap book list! Would love to read this one! I love the triangle kind of romance or maybe the matcho man who thinks he doesn’t love the heroine or to proud of himself : me = man, you = woman, and make me a sandwich kind of romance! Not to girly too! Thanks for this giveaway!
I like the slow build romance, where the characters learn about each other and fall in love with the qualities they see in each other. I’m not sure how you can fall in love instantly with a stranger, it just doesn’t work for me.
Obsidian sounds like a fantastic story and I’m looking forward to reading it.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
I don’t care for the insta romance either. I like when the heroine plays hard to get w/the super hot hero who never ever has problems w/getting women. The hero finds he likes the chase and the heroine eventually comes to her senses. Makes things a lil more interesting and fun.
My fave is the friends to lovers or the enemies to lovers (magnets that just need a little flip).
I do love a good dose of romance in my books too! And I’m also not big on the whole insta-love/insta-lust thing (ok, sometimes it really works, but no need to rant about it here). I love books where relationships build slowly, but surely. Just like Jennifer said, from like to love or from hate to love (mmmm….that kind of wicked romance may be my favorite :D). I particularly love that kind of romance that is very subtle, but it’s obviously there, always teasing, growing, building to that BAM! moment. Delicious!:))
P.S. No need to enter me in the giveaway, I already read the book and I loved it!
I do like a slow build-up to love but I do love insta-lust! :D
I like to see the evolution of the romance, the discovery of the characters feelings for each other, and how they move from friends or enemies to something more.
I like the relationships that develop organically. The ones that come about because the couple is trapped in a winter cottage during a blizzard or must live in a house together because of a dead relative’s will feel too contrived to me. I want to see, feel, and understand why they fell for each other. I want them to form a working partnership that naturally evolves into True Love.
My favorite type of romance…..um pretty much what Obsidian seems to be about(although I haven’t read it yet so thank you for the chance to get it free!) The “I hate you” angsty banter that keeps the pages turning fast until they eventually succumb (or he’s on his knees begging for mercy!) Perfect!
Love this author!
I love watching the relationships develop. I think authors are amazing who they do it.
I saw the cover reveal for the other book in this series and it was nice. I’m looking forward to this series.
I agree. Instant love only works sometimes. I like the build up to love, or kissing or other. I think the build up leads to a feeling of anticipation, which grants a better first time.
Great interview!
I do prefer a relationship to grow slowly, to evolve, to be believable. I know kids experience a lot of crushes in a moment (was like that myself too). But still, I like a build up.
Thanks for the guestpost and giveaway.
Can’t wait to read this. Thanks for the giveaway.
I am DYING to read this book! Thanks SO much for giving me the chance to win a copy:)
I love romances that occur naturally – that aren’t forced. Nothing kills a romance book quicker than feeling like the couple is being forced together for plot line purposes!
I read Half Blood and I loved it! And now I really really really want to read Obsidian :D
I have heard great things about this book! Thanks for the giveaway!!!
I hate anything with insta-love. Slow-building, simmering romance started by people who couldn’t stand each other in the beginning is my favorite kind of romance :)
I like it when romance builds from friendship. AWWW!!!
Sounds like a really good book. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
I loved Half-blood and I so want to read this one. Romance in HB was delicious… can’t wait to read this one!
I’m not a fan of insta-love, one reason that I don’t read that many YA books, but for some reason, I’m a sucker for the destined mates trope. I have no idea why. Maybe it’s that idea that there really is one perfect person out there for you.
I love slow building romances. I used to love triangles (in YA) but am sort of getting tired of that trope. Can’t wait to read your book! I looked for it on Tuesday at our local BN but it was not there for some reason.
I like when there’s a build up to the romance. I just finished reading Half-Blood and loved it. Thanks for the giveaway!
I not a big fan either of insta-love although it does have it’s benefits when I’m looking for something quick and dirty:) I’m pretty much game for any kind of romance though. Thanks for the giveaway!
Happy Holidays!!!
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I keep hearing about Obsidian and what a unique story it is, so I’m really curious. Thank you for the giveaway!
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