Friday, July 31, 2015

Read-A-Romance Month /The Joy of Romance


The fabulous Lorelei from Lorelei's Lit Lair has invited me to participate in Read-A-Romance Month. This year, the topic is The Joy of Romance




As a romance writer, I get to experience the joy of romance a lot! I write romance all day long. Although, it’s tempered with the joy of research and the joy of editing. Also, the joy of promotional activities, which I wouldn’t strictly put in the “joy” category, except the part where I get to chat with readers. I’m not even going to go into the joy of paperwork (a lot of which is required by the IRS for a self-employed person) but I’m sure you feel in your heart that deep “joy” with me. 

Frankly, I think I prefer the joy of romance reading to the joy of romance writing. I looove just being a reader and kicking back with a great book. Forget “Calgon, take me away.” For me, it’s Susan Mallery, Grace Draven, Nora Roberts and other fabulous authors, who take me to pure joy. I try to read at least a book a week, but when I’m on summer break, I read a book a day. Hey, it’s research!

So why do romance novels bring joy to so many people? (Romance is the most read genre.) I think it’s because falling in love is fun. It’s so much fun, that even reading about other people falling in love is fun. In romance novels, the heroine is always an equal partner—a smart, strong woman—never a sidekick. And in a romance novel, a happy ending is guaranteed.

I recently watched a foreign drama series, twenty one episodes where the hero and heroine fell in love and fought to stay together. Twenty one hours of my life was invested in this relationship, watching a few episodes each evening. At the end, they froze to death in a field.

What???

I was ready to throw my iPad out the window. I swear I was in disbelief for days, griping to anyone who would listen.


The joy of reading romance novels is that when I read the last page (even if it’s after 3 a.m), I go to bed with a smile on my face.



Interview Questions:

1 - Tell us about a moment in your life when you experienced sheer joy.

My daily moment of joy is going out to the patio with my cup of coffee, first thing in the morning. The air is still cool and fresh, the garden is the most incredible green around me, and I know every tree and bush, because I planted them. All I hear is the birds in the trees. I don’t think about work, about what I need to tackle next. I’m just grateful to be in the world.

2 - Tell us about a place that brings you joy, or is attached to a memory of joy.

The beach is instant joy. I grew up inland, and was a teenager by the time I first saw the ocean. But I’m drawn to it as I’m drawn to nothing else. There is something hypnotizing about the motion of the waves and the sound they make. Everything I do on the beach feels like a meditation.

3 - Tell us about a sound that brings you joy (or a memory attached to sound — music, laughter, wind chimes… ?)

The music of my teen years (let’s not name the decade) makes me feel young all over again. It’s what I listen to when I need an energy boost.

4 - What recent book have you read that brought you joy. (Or a book you read in your life that brought you so much joy you’ve never forgotten it.) Why?

Susan Mallery’s Fools Gold series. They are such funny, romantic, heartwarming stories. It’s the ultimate comfort food of reading.

5 - And for fun, the joy of choice ;o) ~

Pick your Chris! Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pine, Chris Pratt, Chris Rock, Chris Evans or Christopher Plummer (circ. 1964 aka Capt. Von Trapp?) - trying for a little diversity! ;o)

What kind of question is that???


Drawing:

What kind of stories bring you joy? Respond in the comments, and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a free Kindle copy of my Broslin Creek romantic suspense trilogy. (Must be 18 to enter. Void where prohibited.) GOOD LUCK!!!!

Bio: 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Dana Marton has thrilled and entertained millions of readers around the globe with her fast-paced stories about strong women and honorable men who fight side by side for justice and survival.


Kirkus Reviews calls her writing “compelling and honest.” RT Book Review Magazine said, “Marton knows what makes a hero…her characters are sure to become reader favorites.” Her writing has been acclaimed by critics, called, “gripping,” “intense and chilling,” “full of action,” “a thrilling adventure,” and wholeheartedly recommended to readers. Dana is the winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, the Readers’ Choice Award, and Best Intrigue, among other awards. Her book, TALL, DARK, AND LETHAL was nominated for the prestigious Rita Award. DEATHSCAPE reached the #1 spot on Amazon’s Romantic Suspense Bestseller list. To find out more about the author, please visit her web site.