The Power of Julie Garwood and Romance
Last week (which seems so long ago, wow) we began compiling a list of Garwood titles and which one readers who aren't familiar with Garwood's backlist should try first.
I'm still compiling the list and should have it ready this week, but I wanted to share with you this email from an anonymous reader who wanted to tell me how much she loves Garwoods books and why.
I found this letter to be amazing and moving, and it speaks so clearly about the powerful connection of emotions in the romances we love.
I was catching up on your site and saw the latest Classic Romance post was about Julie Garwood. I first discovered her books when my older sister moved out after graduating high school and I found a box of books in her closet. Among the misc romance, mystery and thriller books was The Prize. Once I read it, I was hooked and had to find more by the author. Back then, I pieced together a JG collection via half.com and ebay's “lot” auctions. I was probably in 9th-10th grade and unfortunately was growing up in a situation where I witnessed a lot of violence on a daily basis. I was lucky that I had books to turn to as an escape from the craziness around me.
I saw a picture earlier this year that captured exactly what books meant to me:
So fast forward about 15 years when I discovered book review sites and Twitter. I'd catch posts or tweets here and there about Julie Garwood books that triggered memories of me glomming all her books back then. I remembered some of the quirks each heroine had and remembered certain lines from the books that made me laugh. So while I knew that I liked each of the books, Ransom always stuck in my mind as my favorite. Now, I hadn't re-read any of her books in probably 10 years but I decided to start re-reading a couple months ago. I started with The Prize since that was the very first JG book I read. While some things came across a bit irksome – like how much the heroine wept – I still had a sense of enjoyment as I read. Next, I re-read Honor's Splendor because I remembered the part about the heroine warming the hero's feet.
Finally, I got out my copy of Ransom. As the story moved along, I started to remember why this was my favorite because the main theme was “protectors”. When Alec was kidnapped, Gillian protected him against the kidnappers' violence by covering his body with hers as the kidnappers kicked and beat her. When they escaped and Gillian was trying to get Alec back to his family he told her stories of his Uncle Brodick who was named his “protector” when Alec was born. Alec then told Gillian that Brodick could be her protector as well. The following scene is after Brodick found Gillian and Alec and they are traveling back to Alec's parents' home.
“Are you cold, Gillian?”
“No.”
“You're shivering.”
“I was thinking about my uncle. I worry about him.”
“Is he worth your worry?”
“Oh, yes, he is.”
He leaned close to her ear. “Can you do any thing about your uncle tonight?”
“No,” she answered, trying to ignore the caress of his warm sweet breath against her sensitive skin.
“Then let it go for now. Worrying won't help him.”
“That's easier said than accomplished.”
“Perhaps,” he allowed.
Alec ran past them, dragging a stick behind him. The child was bare foot and bare-chested and obviously having a fine time. His laughter echoed through the trees.
“He's too excited to sleep.”
“He'll sleep soundly,” he predicted.
He didn't let go of her until they reached the water's edge. Then he asked, “Can you manage on your own or do you need help?”
“I can manage, thank you.”
“Don't get your arm wet,” he reminded her as he started back to camp.
“Wait.”
He turned back to her. “Yes?”
“You…”
She suddenly stopped. Wondering why she hesitated, he took a step toward her. She bowed her head and folded her hands together as though in prayer. She looked terribly vulnerable now… and sweet… he thought.
“Yes?” he repeated.
“You make me feel safe. I thank you for that.”
He didn't know how to respond. He finally managed a quick nod, then walked away.
Like I said above, the main theme is about protectors and I first read this book at a time when slept leaning against the locked bedroom door so we'd wake up asap if something was about to happen. A time when we walked on eggshells not knowing what would set off a violent episode. A time when we never felt safe. So when I got to this one sentence from the scene above, an unexpected rush of tears fell down my face.
“You make me feel safe. I thank you for that.”
But the tears were not because I remembered those bad times. Those are times I'll never forget. The tears were because it reminded me of how I felt when I first read this particular book. Somewhere in the world there was safety. There was happiness. There was love. There was hope.
And now I know why Ransom is (and always will be) my favorite Julie Garwood book.
So I have to thank Julie Garwood and authors in general for writing books that touch lives and thank you and other bloggers for celebrating and promoting books!
I asked anonymous if I could print her letter, and she gave her permission, saying that she is safe now, and in a much better place in her life. I am always humbled and amazed when I hear about how romance has helped readers get away from horrible situations, literally, figuratively or both. Romance is some truly powerful narrative.
Review: Viridis – A Steampunk Romance
This book is not the paranormal fare I usually read. I found it while browsing the freebies on my reader, and the title caught my attention. Having read a couple of other steampunk inspired books, I found myself a fan. I decided to give this book a try, and was not disappointed.
The first thing I want to comment about is editing. The last couple of books I read have been plagued with editing errors. This is fast becoming a huge pet peeve for me, as it distracts from the story. For me, Viridis, was a breath of fresh air. It was well edited, and I was able to fully submerse myself into the story.
This tale takes place in 1866 London. I was pleased with the way Taylor incorporated the steampunk elements into the novel. It was very easy to get a feel for the era in this book, the author giving just enough information on the time and place, without over-embellishing details, making the book a smooth and easy going read.
Although I enjoyed all of the story’s characters, Phoebe was my favorite. She is the character the book centers around. She is strong, independent, and intelligent. She is pretty much unconcerned with what is deemed proper for her time, and this leads to her share of problems!
This novel is both romance and mystery. It works very well, one element of the story does not overtake the other, and they intertwine nicely. This is just book one of the series and I can honestly say that I would read the next one. Even if you are not a fan of steampunk or the Victorian Era don’t discount this one. The romance and mystery alone make it a good read!
In steampunk Victorian London, where airships dot the sky and tinkerings abound, Lady Phoebe Hughes develops an herbal elixir, Viridis, unlike any other. London’s elite flock to her club to experience the euphoria and heightened senses the drink brings, an orgasm brought on by a single kiss. But when Lord Hawthorne is murdered after leaving her club, Phoebe is shocked to find that not only was he working for the Special Services to infiltrate the Cause, a movement fighting for the city’s poor, he was also in possession of her secret formulation for Viridis. Adding to her difficulties is the unexpected return of Mr. Seth Elliott, a brilliant tinkerer who stole her heart and imagination, only to abandon her when she needed him most. Unable to ignore all that is between them, Phoebe finds herself falling for Seth once again, only to have a powerful rival for her affections wrongly accuse Seth of attempted murder. As Phoebe struggles with a way to free her love, revolution, conspiracy and murder threaten to ruin it all.
Romance LiveStream!
A+
Saturday, October 29 at 11am PT/2pm ET, I’ll be hosting a Livestream from the Emerald City Writers Conference with authors Elizabeth Boyle, Laura Lee Guhrke, Elisabeth Naughton and Karina Cooper. I’m going to attempt to moderate. I predict very little will be in moderation. I hear rumors of cupcakes. And also possibly cocktails.
You can watch live here! Or, tune in after the merriment is over.
The topic is “Heroes we love” and I’ll be asking all the authors about heroes they’ve written and heroes they’ve read. I’ll also be taking questions during the event, I believe, but if you have any suggestions of questions you’d like me to ask, please do suggest some in the comments.
I hope you’ll tune in. I bet there will be mayhem. I’d put money on it, actually.
Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels: Pre-Order Information
A+
Good morning! This post is all about the book I wrote that is coming out 4 October, and where you can pre-order a copy, should you be so inclined.
Why Should I Preorder This Book?
Well, if you’re at all curious and are on the fence, let me tell you something about EIKAL. I am so proud of this book. I know every author is proud of her books (at least, I hope so) but I am so very, very proud of this one, and I will tell you why. This book is much more than just me talking about romance novels.
Romance readers and authors shared stories and lessons and reasons why romance is important to them, and each one is amazing. This book helps represent the romance community at its best: describing how positive, powerful, and amazing romances really are.
Ahoy! Here be preorder information:
If you’re in the US of A:
You can order it from a whole mess of different places:
Books-a-Million, known in my home as BAMM! ZOOM!
You can use IndieBound to search your local independent bookseller.
But there are a few independent booksellers who are wonderfully romance-friendly, and if you’d like to order from them, here are some handy-pants links:
WORD Brooklyn | Posman Books | Anderson’s Bookshop |
(Is there a romance-friendly independent that you love and would like me to link to? Please email me at sarahATsmartbitchestrashybooksDOTcom.)
And finally, if you’d like to borrow it from the library, and you’re not sure if your local branch has a copy, you can use WorldCat to look it up and see which copy is nearest to you. Inter Library Loan is some hot sexy business, isn’t it?
Note: not all libraries are part of WorldCat, but many are.
Have a look where copies are near you, and then you can ask your librarian to ILL a copy if you’d like.
OH CANADA:
If you’re in Canada, well, you know I have a raging girlcrush on Canada, right? So if you have me over to dinner, I’ll tell you how awesome you are. Oh, and you can order from:
Elsewhere AROUND the WORLD:
This book should be released worldwide on 4 October, so copies will be available digitally and in print wherever you happen to be. No guarantees if you’re on the space station, though. I sure there’s extra DRM involved if you’re orbiting the earth.
There is nothing more sexy than Book Depository’s free worldwide shipping.
All About EIKAL
Early reviews have been very positive, which gives me giddypants like holy hell.
Billie at the Book Goat reviewed EIKAL and wrote: “It’s a small book, and not very long, but if you read it through and still come away in any doubt as to how amazing both Romance Novels and the people of the Romance Community truly are, then I do believe your heart and soul and possibly brain may be made of stone.”
The Library Journal reviewed EIKAL and wrote: “Wendell has convinced this reviewer: romance novels are not mere frivolities designed to convey guilty pleasure to their devoted readers…. Readers of romance novels will especially enjoy this engaging book; general readers will appreciate its reflective nature; and it may even cause those who have dismissed romance novels as worthless pabulum to think again.”
AWESOME use of the word “pabulum!”
Linda Banche reviewed the book and said in part, “Written in her witty, upbeat style, Ms. Wendell, with numerous comments and excerpts from romance novelists, dissects the attraction that has made romance the best selling, as well as the most vilified, fiction genre. Romances give us permission to value ourselves and show us the types of men to slaver over and the ones to avoid. In these novels, we can solve our relationship problems, learn how to ask for what we want, and even (gasp!) find out about sex—what we like, what we don’t and what we didn’t even know existed.
Ms. Wendell’s most important point is that in a romance, the woman counts. I came to romance for that very reason.”
And Holly’s Goodreads review made me happydance in my jammies: “I sent a friend a text message that said “this book is validating my entire existence.” And then I tweeted the same sentiment to both Sarah and every one of my Twitter followers. This is it, I thought, this is the information and explanation I needed for those teenage douchecanoes all those years ago. She knows all the ways that being a romance fiend has made me a better person, a better friend, and quite a catch, frankly. Yes, it was probably dramatic of me, but there was a great deal of truth to it. Wendell is offering something fantastic to romance readers in EIKAL. ”
I’m being self-indulgent here, but I also loved Alina’s Goodreads review.
EIKAL also has its own Facebook page where I am posting information about the authors and readers featured in the book. And you can always find me on Twitter if you want to suggest a book store to link to, or to tell me you pre-ordered so I can send you awesome textual thanks and accolades.
And now, back to your regularly scheduled man-titty.
Is that Romance in the Air?
I didn’t really become an avid reader until junior high school. I cut my teeth on Sweet Valley High, some Normal Klein novels … basically any teen book that had romance in it. I gobbled them up. I remember that there just weren’t enough “romance-y” YA books to satisfy me back then.
Then it happened!
One weekend when I was about twelve or thirteen I was at my grandmother’s house. I didn’t have a lot to do. I think she had three channels on her television. I could only take so much of that artist guy on PBS painting “happy little” trees. Remember him? So. There I am. Bored. Until I spotted a book on my dear Grandma’s nightstand. I remember picking it up and staring at the cover. There was a woman in this gorgeous lush gown clutched in the arms of an attractive guy. Needless to say, I was enticed. And once I read the book – I was hooked. My love affair with historical romance novels was born. Each story was unique … but always delivered on tension, chemistry, and emotion! That’s the unspoken guarantee you get when you pick up a romance novel. And the historical setting just adds something magical to the story. I read them for years, branching out to other genres but always coming back home to the historical romance genre. I guess it was fate that I would eventually publish in the genre some day. Every time I sit down to start a new historical romance, it’s with the same anticipation. I get to tell another adventure of two people finding each other – love – against immense odds.
Then it happened! Again!
I picked up a really gripping “romance-y” YA. And then another! And another! It was at once familiar and new. Almost immediately, an idea for my own young adult romance popped into my head. After all, I knew a thing or two about writing romance. Soon my Firelight series was born.
Whether you pick up WICKED IN YOUR ARMS (my latest Avon title) or VANISH (my newest young adult release), you can expect to find the same tension and chemistry and emotion. You will always find strong, empathetic heroines and brave, good-hearted heroes. Whenever anyone asks how I can write in such two different genres my reply never changes: What’s so different? I write stories of love and hope.
Filed under Romance | Tags: Romance | Comment (0)Stephanie Laurens Kicks Off Romance Writers of Australia
RWAustralia 2011 celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, and I’m honored to participate in the festivities. Kicking things off was an inspiring keynote address from Stephanie Laurens, who advised that an author is only as good as his/her last book, so keep writing!
Also in attendance were Anna Campbell, Terri Garey, and Denise Rosetti, amongst others I’ve yet to meet. But give me time!
Filed under Romance | Tags: Australia, Kicks, Laurens, Romance, Stephanie, writers | Comment (0)FUNNY WOMEN #52: Literary Classics Summarized As Trashy Romance Novels
To Whom It May Concern Regarding the Freelance Writer Position for eHarlequin.com:
Hello. I noticed you hadn’t gotten back to me regarding the freelance writer position, but I am writing to assure you that I am still very interested in writing back cover copy for eHarlequin.com. To demonstrate my ability, I have taken seven novels you may know and rewrote their summaries to address your target demographic. In an effort to make your reading experience more authentic, I’ve even taken the liberty of renaming the book titles to more accurately reflect the literature you typically publish. Please let me know what you think.
Best,
Rhoda Belleza
Symptom of Obsession by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
(Love in the Time of Cholera)
Fermina is headstrong, sexy, and totally unpredictable. While her father insists she choose a husband, she’d rather spend her time seducing village boys along the Magdalena River. Left in her heartbreak trail is Florentino, a mysterious man with whom she spends one steamy, unforgettable Caribbean night. In the years that follow, Florentino’s affections grow into a dangerous obsession that threatens to jeopardize her present life with the handsome Doctor Urbino. Florentino’s dirty letters and irresistible body put Fermina between a rock and his hard place, and she loves the way it feels. In the tug of war between the two men that want her, only one will come out on top…on top of her, that is.
Bonds and Bondage by Vladimir Nabokov
(Lolita)
Dolores Haze is a young woman trying to outrun a terrible family secret, but the reappearance of an old flame makes her feel like the naughty schoolgirl she once was. Mr. H is a mysterious, older man with a distinguished academic career…whose appetite for knowledge is only surpassed by his appetite for her body. He forces her to confront the intensity of that hot summer spent together…as outlaws and as lovers. In recalling their journey of lust and manipulation, she unravels a twisted secret that neither of them are ready to face. Before long, Dolores will have Mr. H on his knees…and doing a lot more than begging for forgiveness.
Derailed by Desire by Ayn Rand
(Atlas Shrugged)
Dangy is a sexy, high-powered railroad executive who always gets the job done. But when her employees are kidnapped by a radical leader, she’ll need all the muscle she can get her hands on. Enter Hank–the strong, sexy owner of “Rearden Steel,” who definitely knows how to yield some steel of his own. Using their combined knowledge of motors and explosives, they’ll embark on a dangerous mission: to release the hostages and blow up the compound–but temperatures will have to get very hot first. Dangy has to focus on task at hand…if she weren’t so distracted by Hank’s expert use of large tools. This far in the game, can they risk getting caught in a compromising position?
Unbearable Lust by Milan Kundera
(The Unbearable Lightness of Being)
Tereza is an ambitious photo journalist who’s as sexy as she is talented. But after the Czech beauty takes a dangerous assignment, the Russians mark her as a dissident and nowhere is safe. To the rescue is Tomas, a distinguished surgeon who is very skilled with his hands. As he aids her perilous escape to Switzerland, the question (and other things) will arise: Can he be trusted? Tereza isn’t sure, but she knows the doctor administers one hell of a physical exam. In this exciting journey across international territories, they’ll be heading south of the border—in more ways than one.
Heights of Passion by Emily Brontë
(Wuthering Heights)
Catherine Earnshaw has always been a wild child, doing whatever (and whoever) she pleases. But life at the wealthy English manor has lost its luster, and now she’s listless and hungry for action. Perfect timing for Heathcliff, the newly arrived bad boy from Liverpool. He works as a field hand and as Catherine soon discovers, he knows a thing or two about hoeing. As their youthful lust and secret rendezvous build in intensity, he mysteriously disappears—only to return after her marriage to the wealthy Edgar Linton. Heathcliff wants her back but harbors a dark secret, and she’ll have to tease it out and tame his inner beast to get some answers.
Moby-Dick by ghostwriter “Moby Dick”
This one writes itself.
Pamela by Samuel Richardson
No changes.
**
Please submit your own funny writing to funnywomen AT therumpus dot net. See first: Funny Women Submission Guidelines.
To read other Funny Women pieces and interviews, see the archives.
Related Posts:
Filed under Poetry | Tags: Classics, FUNNY, Literary, Novels, Romance, Summarized, Trashy, WOMEN | Comment (0)Today at Kirkus: Dark Romance
About three-plus years ago, author Colleen Gleason emailed me to ask what folks meant by “dark romance.” I came across her question a few days ago while digging through my files (a text document called ‘Write about this stuff’ dated 2007 is hard to pass up, yo) and found that a combination of pondering, Twitter, wikipedia, and everyone else’s wisdom makes for a good exploration of what it means to write “dark romance.”
So today’s column at Kirkus, The Dish Behind Dark Romance, explores the topic, because interestingly enough, it’s often easier to give examples of what constitutes ‘dark’ in our genre than a succinct definition of what it means:
The term is often used exclusively with paranormal, apocalyptic and urban fantasy romances, and that is not always the genre in which you find dark content. Anna Campbell, for example, writes dark emotionally gripping romances that are set in Regency England. Inez Kelly’s new contemporary romance release, Sweet as Sin, (Carina Press, 2011) which has received some amazingly positive reviews, features a hero with a terribly haunting emotional past (which is, alas, the reason I have some trepidation about reading it. I want to, but am honestly scared of my own emotional reaction). Author Jaci Burton recommends Larissa Ione and Lara Adrian as two authors who write “twisty, angst, heavy, deeply emotional” dark romance as well.
But I think author Jessa Slade said it best, that dark romance is “when love doesn’t ‘save the day.’ Just saves their souls. Day is still f’d.” Yup. That could sum it up well, regardless of genre.
So, as I asked over at Kirkus, what dark romances do you adore, and, more importantly, how would you define the term? Do you like dark romance? Or are you like me, craving it when in the mood for it, but feeling a bit of trepidation otherwise when confronting a book that might hurt a bit?
Romance of yesterday…romance of tomorrow
Don’t be laughing at this picture!
I have a really soft spot for the novels of yesterday, especially the novels for younger readers. Just look at these two–nothing stronger than a Coke and some hand-holding. My teen years sure weren’t like that, and I wonder if anybody’s was.
But a girl could dream, and dream many of us did. Last night my friend and author Wendy Corsi Staub were bubbling over with love for the books we read as teens. For all the Judy Blume we devoured, with the intently-read scenes in Forever, we loved books from a generation before (or, even a century before!). That made us wonder, was there something us that longs for a more idealistic time? And do teen girls today still have that longing?
I’m reading a lot of “books for young readers’ lately. They are amazing–the writing just overwhelms me it’s so good, and I love that these authors talk about anything and everything. The hot topic now is “dystopian,” which is too distressing even for me. But when it comes to the real world, well, it can’t get much “realer” and I’m riveted. I’ve read, in succession, novels about:
A girl who’s father catches her going all the way in her boyfriend’s car; a girl in a coma who has to decide to ‘stay’ or ‘go’; a girl who leaves a wild party and witnesses a tragic accident; a girl who’s boyfriend decides to shoot up the school.
This is all strong stuff. And it makes me wonder, since is what teenage girls are reading now, are they going to grow into romance readers? And, if they do, will they be reading the types of romances that are getting published right now or is the entire landscape going to change? What do you think?
(Oh, and if you do want to travel back in time, this website is a lot of fun. http://www.imagecascade.com/)
Filed under Romance | Tags: Romance, tomorrow, yesterday…romance | Comment (0)