I'm in love with love and that's why I enjoy reading and writing romance. There is nothing like that feeling... that surge of adrenaline mingled with nerves when you see two characters fall in love and battle for their HEA.
I'm not quite sure when I started liking romance... It might have been with Little Women (although, I must admit I was never too happy with Jo's treatment to Teddy). However, what marked me for life was the day I picked up Gone with the wind from my school library. I was in fifth grade and I read all 1052 pages in 3 days. I would read with a flashlight snuck underneath my bed covers, pretending to be asleep every time I heard a noise, worried that my mom would catch me awake so late on a school night. It was worth it. Margaret Mitchell's novel became a permanent favorite. I continued reading romance on and off, sometimes even making up my own stories. Years later, when I was around 14 or 15 a neighbor let me borrow two steamy romance novels. One, of them was Outlander. I was hooked!
Throughout the years, my reading catalogue expanded: mysteries, tragedies, fantasy (my second favorite genre)…I love reading all sort of books, but I realized that no matter what I did my love for romance eclipsed it all. I was in love with words that caused my heart to beat as fast as the heroine’s; words that made my body tingle and left me grinning like a fool when love finally conquered all.
I especially enjoy historical romance. There just is something special about imagining other moments in time. What could the people back then have gone through? What customs did they have to fight against? What was it like for a woman forced to marriage? How about a gay man? Perhaps, that's why my first novel turned out to be a regency and why right now I'm immersed in The Mercenary Tales, a series of stories that take place in an invented medieval period.
 |
| Book 1 of The Mercenary Tales |
 |
| Book2 of The Mercenary Tales |
How about you, what do you love about romance? Leave a comment with your email address at the bottom to enter the draw for any of the three major prizes:
1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Large Swag Pack*
 |
| *Sorry folks but I'm afraid the swag pack is only for USA residents |
Plus, I’ll also be giving out to one commenter a $10 Gift Card for Amazon.Com!
I'm always happy to hear from readers, so do keep in touch! You can find me here at the blog and at:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ElyzabethVaLey
Hop on to the next blog:
I love the feeling as if you can do anything.
ReplyDeletespamscape [at] gmail [dot] com
I, too, love historical romances. Another time, another world... anything is possible!
ReplyDeletepalaistea(at)gmail(dot)com
I love the imagination of different places, people and experiences, but best of all, the feelings and passion.
ReplyDeleteJbst
strive4bst(At) yahoo(Dot) com
What a fun hop! I love going places and doing things I could never really do.
ReplyDeletedelphinareadstoomuch at yahoo
I've been reading romance novels since before I knew what they were. Your books look great!
ReplyDeletekesummer69 at gmail dot com
I love historical romances too!
ReplyDeletefencingromein at hotmail dot com
I'm a late comer to the romance genre, but was hooked right away after reading a Karen Marie Moning book. I couldn't stop at one!
ReplyDeleteAlso fell in love with Jamie and Claire in Outlander, if you mean my Diana Gabaldon. Who didn't fall in love with Jamie!
sclare(at)sharonclare(dot)com
I love how romances can take place in any setting or time period, anywhere or anytime the mind can imagine, and how obstacles can be overcome and lead to happily ever after!
ReplyDeleteivegotmail8889@yahoo.com
I love m/m best, so I'd love to read an m/m historical!
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)aol(Dot)com
I love romances where my heart beats like the heroine's as she (and I) fall in love with the hero.
ReplyDeletepaulamartinromances(at)gmail.com
Adoro el romance. Es un género con infinitas posibilidades y que puede dar pie a un sin fin de historias ¡Incluso puede fusionarse con otros géneros, como la fantasia, la comedia o la aventura!.
ReplyDeleteVibramos con las andanzas de sus protagonistas y sus turbulentos romances (si fuesen sencillos y les fuese todo bien sería muy aburrido). ¿Saldrá bien y vivirán felices o, por el contrario, se romperá la relación?. Por eso son tan apasionantes.
PD: Espero que aun sigas conservando esa copia de Gone with the wind ;).
Claro que la conservo :)
DeleteI love romance novels because I love the guaranteed HEA :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for doing this giveaway!
~Krista
pinkbonanza{ AT }gmail{ DOT }com
Yea I think that's what it is about reading romance, the whole falling in love over again ! There's just nothing like the first everything (kiss touch etc), and sadly once you've had it the ones that follow are never the same...
ReplyDeleteptitpupuk at sky dot com
The chemistry and growing intimacy between the characters.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Thanks for participating in the hop and giving us all a chance to win.
bidelia78@yahoo.com
I love historical and contemporary romance novels
ReplyDeletes2s2 at comcast dot net
I love the HEA in a romance. My first romance novel was A Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lyndsey. I love historicals, contemp, and paranormals
ReplyDeletechristina
cgricci@yahoo.com
Love reading historical romances, reading about a different time, a different place.
ReplyDeleteskpetal at hotmail dot com
it's so nice to see someone who truly loves what they create --that and I so like the historical settings
ReplyDeletethank you for participating.
glhince@gmail.com
Great post!!! I love romance books but they must have HEA’s! My favorite are series because I love seeing the characters again in other books!!
ReplyDeletethanks for the contest!!
forettarose@yahoo.com
Great post. Those are some racy covers. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteJesse
jesse.kimmelfreeman@gmail.com
My favorites shelf is filled with fabulous romances with characters that I absolutely fell in.ove with.
ReplyDeleteCaity_mack@yahoo dot com
I love the happy endings in romance, because it’s not always like that in real life. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletespamscape [at] gmail [dot] com
Congratulatios on your success as an author.
ReplyDeleteFeather
featherstone.author@gmail.com
I read romance for the characters' journey to HEA. My second favorite genre is fantasy too. In fact, my favorite book series is fantasy and it has an epic romance.
ReplyDeletebituin76 AT hotmail DOT com
I read romance books because I love to read the development of the relationship and how it leads to the happy ending.
ReplyDeletesqwalker2@hotmail.com
I enjoy historical romances too! Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteverusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com
I love how they go through their journeys and struggles and make it work for them in the end :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the awesome & amazing giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com
I love living vicariously through the characters. I also like being transported into a different era. Historical romances are one of my favorite genres to read. The Mercenary Tales looks awesome. I mean BDSM and m/m can you ask for anything better. lol Thank you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeletekaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com
Thanks for participating! Really like the hop so far!! I love reading, especially romance. I love reading contemporary, historical and erotic romance. I love the happy ending that is garenteed at the end. My favorite book is Lover Mine by JR Ward! I love John Matthew and Xhex. My favorite romantic moment was when my fiancé asked me to marry him! We meant two years ago right around when summer was ending when my friend and I went out for our last big night out before classes started again. I think it is romantic when he brings me flowers because no one else has ever done it! Thanks so much! Hope everyone else is having a great long weekend!!
ReplyDeleteprettyunicorn78@yahoo.com
I love reading romance books because it is an escape away from real life, knowing in the end that the girl gets the guy and they live happy ever after....I have met my Love and we do have a Happy Ever After...
ReplyDeleteronnkelly3@aol.com
Thanks for the awesome hop and giveaways! This is so much fun! Thank you! My favorite thing about romance is the romance. lol I love the characters, the plots, the HEA's, the love. I love it all!
ReplyDeleteshadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
My favorite thing about romance is the journey the hero and heroine go on to find their HEA!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Love the blog, great hop!
krystalshannan@yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway! My favorite thing about romance is the HEA. No matter what struggle they go through they do get their HEA.
ReplyDeletebeckerjo at verizon dot net
I love to read the different journeys to HEA =)
ReplyDeletereadingromances.contactATgmailDOTcom
My fav part about romance is the characters involved.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the contest
jwimberly36(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks tons for the hop! I only read romance. My fav is Lora Leigh! Going to parade Monday with brothers and sisters! Should be FUN!
ReplyDeleteswkimbell@yahoo.com
I like the happily ever after.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love the feeling of being swept away
ReplyDeleteshermie40 at yahoo dot com
The HEA, ect.....debP
ReplyDeleter.d1@myfairpoint.net
I love the conflict and the obstacles that the characters have to go through in romances to get to their happily ever after. It allows a reader to get to know the characters more and it makes for a better story. :) Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteCrystal Craig
craigcrystal(at)ymail(dot)com
I love how the act of falling in love changes the characters for the better. It's always so much fun to see positive things like that.
ReplyDeleteAnnaM.
doxisrcool at aol.com
I love the HEA as well as being able to fall in love in every story. Awesome Blog Hop!!
ReplyDeletesusanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com
I love the chase and the HEA.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
I love the happy endings where she always gets her man.
ReplyDeletemagic5905 at embarqmail dot com
I love the happy endings of a romance book. I wish real life was that simple.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
there's always a happy ending - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
ReplyDeletehea! marshteal@gmail.com marcia
ReplyDeleteI love seeing how they work through everything to get together.
ReplyDeletesstrode at scrtc dot com
I'm newer to the romance novels.
ReplyDeleteAnd find them relaxing to read.
Thank you.
barbara dot montyj at gmail dot com
What i love about romance is the boy meets girl part! Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeletered_tigergirl2(aT)hotmail(dot)com
I love romance because I get to fall in love over and over. Just such a wonderful feeling.
ReplyDeleteMel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
Thank you for the great giveaway! Fun blog hop Love romance books and movies I really love happy endings!
ReplyDeletetishajean@ charter.net
I just love romances because they are fun and fulfilling of our desires.
ReplyDeletekoonie2888 at yahoo dot com
What a great hop! Grand prizes, old friends to visit and new ones to meet… and chances to win at each stop too. I’m in Blog heaven! :-}
ReplyDeleteI’m a sucker for the HEA. All my favorite authors give me a great story line, characters I can identify with, HOT love scenes and a perfect HEA! <^_^>
Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win.
reneebennett35(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love that I can escape to a world where no matter what happens to the hero and heroine, they always end up with their HEA :)
ReplyDeletelindsayavalon (at) gmail (dot) com
I love that when I read a good romance story all of my stress/problems fade away.
ReplyDeletejmesparza821(at)gmail(dot)com
I love reading about HEA's.
ReplyDeletemcv111 at hotmail dot com
I agree with the historical romance, I do love it.
ReplyDeleteblinkysthebest at aol dot com