My Name is Tony, and I Have a Problem
My problem, it seems, is that I'm enjoying romance/chick lit novels. My first romance offering was Deeanne Gist's A BRIDE MOST BEGRUDGING last year. Since then I've read others, including Marilynn Griffith's PINK and now, A FAMILY FOREVER from Brenda Coulter.
The setup for Brenda's latest has a nice, built-in hook: a woman's fiancé dies just before their wedding. She discovers she's pregnant, and her late fiance's brother offers to marry her. Good conflict, right? Especially when you consider this is an inspirational romance. That tiny bit about the protaganist being pregnant before getting married--well, that's a detail that brings extra angst and conflict to the main character.
Okay, now we get to Tony's problem. Normally, this isn't the kind of book I read--unless, for instance, the young woman in question has telekinesis (shades of Carrie, no?). Or maybe everyone turns into zombies. Or, um, a serial killer starts stalking our heroine.
Okay, so maybe I have much deeper problems than a recently-discovered affinity for romance fiction.
But I digress yet again. Even though Ms. Coulter's book lacks many of the classic supernatural/horror elements I love in stories, it really isn't lacking anything as a novel. Coulter's writing is tight and crisp--and downright playful at times. The story moves along at a brisk clip. And (this is a big one for me) I actually cared about/identified with the characters.
If the recent books I've read are any indication, inspirational romance is a diverse and, yes, enjoyable genre.
Just don't tell anyone I said that.
Posted by TLHines at March 2, 2006 09:06 AM
Congratulations. You now have a competitive edge over your peers and an excellent advantage with women.
I've always thought that men who want to better understand and please women would do well to read romance novels.
(I say that as a capable, independent feminist.)
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We're praying for you Tony. Someone needs to get a football into your hands, pronto!
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I'm not laughing at you. I'm laughing with you. Because, I've got shame of my own at writing in that genre, let alone reading. Heh.
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It's a stage, Tony. It will pass. Like zits and cliffhangers.
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Tony: My husband was going to read my book on an airplane ... until the Drilling Superintendent sat down next to him. *Bride* quickly went back into hubby's briefcase and out came his hunting and fishing magazine.
When he did finally read it (during the dark of night on a drilling rig), he emailed and said how "surprised" he was that he liked it. LOL!
I've offered him several other titles of romances that I have particularly enjoyed, but I have as yet to see him read them. Perhaps I should sent those recommendations to you???? ;-)
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Bride was my first official Historical Romance and I thought it was fantastic.
Now I haven't read any others since. But I do plan to buy and read all of Deanne's work.
Maybe when you're both big and really really famous you can double-team a novel and have the 'chick' fall in love with a ghoul or something.
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