Why I love Romance

I started reading romance at a young age. Probably too young looking back. I found my mom’s Harlequin stash around the age of eleven and I was hooked. There isn’t one particular book I remember reading or one author I fell in love with. That was to come later. It wasn’t until I discovered Linda Howard that a whole new world opened up to me. That's when I realized that romance as I’d previously thought of it, wasn’t the kind from my mom’s era. It was changing and it was hot and I wanted more. A lot more. So for a few years I devoured any type of romantic suspense I could get my hands on (probably the reason I love writing it now). For the most part, that hasn’t changed. The only difference is now I’ve discovered paranormals, UF, shifter stories, etc. all within the RS genre. I've always been a reader, but in these economic times, I've found myself turning more and more to books for entertainment. We've definitely made cuts, but not on books. And I hope that day never comes.

There isn't one particular reason why I love reading romance, but many. Happily Ever After is pretty much guaranteed and for the most part, I see a little bit of myself in a lot of the characters I read about. It's also an inexpensive form of entertainment, and if I'm being really honest, reading erotica is definitely good for my marriage (my husband wholly supports my reading habit). That's why I don't understand when people dis the romance industry or say they don't read 'those kind' of books when it's obvious they've never read a contemporary romance. So what brought you to reading romance? What's your favorite thing about the genre? And what do you say to ignorant people who belittle it?

As a parting gift, I'm including a picture of my new cover - Dangerous Deception. I haven't received edits yet, but the art department is way ahead of things. Enjoy :)