“They Lived Happily Ever After”; a sentence we have grown on hearing from the days we were kids. From the days we used to read fairy tales and presently reading romance books, and watching movies and TV. Most of them end with this common theme suggesting to the readers and viewers that everything always ended up, um, happily ever after.

When I was younger I dreamed of what my life would be like in the future. I was always looking for my happily ever after, prince and all. Problem was I seemed to always attract frogs. I have yet to meet the person or persons that would qualify, not sure if I ever will or if I believe in HEA anymore.  Does that sound cynical? I think I’m just being realistic, so much for my dream. But the big question really is, “Is it possible to still be hopeful even though we are living in a world that seems to suggest otherwise? Would do you think, can we have HEA, or is it just left for our romance books. Comment and be entered to win Larissa Ione’s LETHAL RIDER or Jennifer Bernard’s HOT FOR FIREMAN. 

by Madison

Romance readers do devour books. I’m one of them. I would read on my lunch hour, on the subway and bus coming home from work, even at my doctor’s office waiting for an appointment. But, usually engrossed in my book, somebody would glance over and inevitably ask me that familiar question, while breaking their neck trying to look at the cover. I usually with some embarrassment would mumble a lie, or even sometime pretend that I didn’t hear them. Most of the time I had the cover folded over so prying eyes couldn’t see. The few times I did answer honestly or actually let them look at the cover, I would see the veil of judgment slide down their face. I quite frankly just didn’t want the hassle of trying to explain. I could hear the question, why this articulate well educated person was reading those trashy books? I even was ashamed to let my boyfriend know what I was reading. Granted this was when I was in my early twenties, and I don’t know if women are still doing the same thing, but I could have sure used e-books back then.

What has been your experience? Are romance books a guilty pleasure for your eyes only? If they are, have e-books helped you become a guilt free reader? Comment and enter to win an advance copy of ALONG CAME A DUKE by Elizabeth Boyle or A BLOOD SEDUCTION by Pamela Palmer. 

THE TAMING OF A SCOTTISH PRINCESS by Karen Hawkins

PATTI P.

MINA DE CARO

CATSLADY

RHIANNON ROWLAND

TINA RUCCI

~~~

Congratulations, ladies! Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com and don’t forget to include the title you won. You have one week to collect your prize.

by Madison

Fifty Shades of Grey, the first in a trilogy, has been described as, um, well, “mommy porn.” In a nutshell it’s the story of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey. She’s a graduating college senior, an innocent virgin. He’s a young billionaire humanitarian who enjoys domination and bondage.

It’s hard to believe it started out as a self-published e-book, which by the way was inspired by Twilight, but written for grown folks. The erotic romance became such a hit that the British author reworked it into three books, which then were picked up by an Australian-based publisher last year. I believe Vintage Books a division of Random House picked up the American rights, and the rest they say is history.

If you haven’t at least heard of the book and the hype surrounding it, you’ve been living under a rock. From the Today show to, can you believe it? Ellen De Generes, has been promoting or discussing it on their show. The amount of free publicity it has gotten has been a publicist’s dream! I personally have not read the book, but yet I’m curious, but not so curious as to buy the book. I actually think I’m resisting because of the buzz.

What are your thoughts on this erotic romance phenomenon, that’s taken the world by storm? And in keeping with the erotic theme, comment and enter to win CAPTIVATED by Lauren Dane or BLOODRIGHT by Karin Tabke.

Click the covers for reviews and/or book details and buy links. 

A NIGHT LIKE THIS by Julia Quinn

BN100

Congratulations!!!  Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com and don’t forget to include the title you won. You have one week to collect your prize.

Today, The Season Blog is teaming up with Pocket Books to give away 5 advance copies of New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins’ THE TAMING OF A SCOTTISH PRINCESS. Comment to enter to win!

~~~

The Taming of a Scottish Princess

Author: Karen Hawkins
ISBN: 9781439175958
Price:$7.99
On Sale: May 22, 2012

The mystery of the Hurst Amulet is revealed! New York Times bestselling author Karen Hawkins pits a world-renowned explorer against his strong-willed assistant as they pursue a long-lost treasure.

A DETERMINED EXPLORER

When famed Egyptologist Michael Hurst discovers that the infamous Hurst Amulet is hidden in Scotland, he insists his trusted assistant, Miss Jane Smythe-Haughton, accompany him north. Strangely, the usually unflappable Jane seems perturbed by their destination—the mysterious Isle of Barra. A fascinated Michael watches as his staid assistant transforms, revealing intriguing layers of mystery and vulnerability. Could he be about to uncover not one, but two, precious treasures?

A DAUNTLESS PRINCESS

Once her clan’s princess, Jane fled Barra years ago to avoid a forced marriage. Since then, she has made her living as efficient Miss Smythe-Haughton—the perfect (and highly paid) assistant. Now she must confront her secrets . . . including her feelings for her irascible employer, too-handsome-for-his-own-good Michael Hurst.

A PERILOUS PLEASURE

Others are also searching for the missing amulet, however. Can Jane and Michael learn to trust each other in time to solve two riddles: the location of the Hurst Amulet, and the meaning of the vivid passion flaring between them?

To read a chapter excerpt, click here 

**U.S residents only. No PO Boxes

THE LAST BOYFRIEND by Nora Roberts

JEN at RtB

~~~

Congratulations, ladies! Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com and don’t forget to include the title you won. You have one week to collect your prize.

Good Morning All! The week is winding down and so far so good, I hope. I do enjoy the interaction and the interest of the questions I’ve posed and the well thought out answers for all who participate. Since I’ve come on board I’ve decided I’m going to shake things up a bit and expand our Season Blog to Facebook. I would love for you to follow me. Please look to your right about almost half way down and like our new Season Blog page on Facebook.

Everyone who likes the page and responds to the post on Facebook, re: Contest entries here. Tell me how you initially found the Season Blog website and you will be entered to win one of the following books below. Click the covers for book blurb and buy links. 

Thanks for your continued support and see you there!

In a word, yes. Mine certainly was. My romance role models in childhood were not the best. My parents have a very volatile marriage and I never felt they loved each other; just stayed together out of obligation. I discovered romance novels when I was 12, and between them and romantic movies I would say my views of love slanted toward a one man for me, view. For that reason, I was very picky about what kind of guy I liked and or dated. As you can imagine I didn’t date much…lol. My standards for relationships had increased tenfold, thanks to romance novels, and I wasn’t going to waste my time with anyone who didn’t at least meet those standards. If you weren’t ready to talk about marriage or weren’t interested in marriage I didn’t want to waste my time. What is ironic when I finally picked someone they weren’t marriage material; quite the opposite in fact. Maybe I got tired of waiting and went for the opposite of what I really wanted. I think for me it was the age I started reading romance novel; I was on the cusp of dating/puberty. Maybe if I started reading them at a later age I might be telling a different story.

What about you? What kind of influence did romance books have on your perception? Comment and enter to win an advance copy of Julia Quinn’s A NIGHT LIKE THIS.

Hello and Good Morning Season readers. I would like to start by thanking all who came by and welcomed me into your group yesterday, as well as answered or replied to my question. The drawing will be held on Friday, so make sure you stop by to see if you’ve won!

I was going through my endless books of one of my favorite romance novelist, Janet Dailey. I stumbled onto a somewhat memorable tittle called, LEFTOVER LOVE. Why did this particular tittle stand out? The hero was, butt ugly! Of course this book first came out in 1984; I hope I’m not dating myself…lol. I digress. It really was a great book, but I do remember being a little uncomfortable with the fact that the hero was, not plain, but ugly. I think it was because it was Janet Dailey that I continued and read the whole book. Now, fast forward to 2012, I’m not sure that an ugly hero would fly in this day and age. With provocative covers and slick marketing I’m not sure if an ugly hero has a place in this millennium of romance novels. What do you think, would you pick up a book knowing the hero was ugly?

Comment to enter to win Maggie Robinson’s MASTER OF SIN and Zoë  Archer’s DEMON’S BRIDE.