“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. 

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. 

by Beverley Kendall

I have some very exciting news! As of June 2, I will go from writing part-time to writing full-time!!! For me this was one of those decisions I knew I’d have to make but once I did, one I felt completely comfortable with. Yes, it’s a bit scary. I’ve worked all my life and have be dependent on a regular pay cheque and benefits. Throwing my financial future into publishing, which comes with many many uncertainties, took lots of thought and consideration. What it came down to was my ability to get out books in a timely fashion. My full-time job was very demanding, allowing me little time to do everything else I needed to do in my life–take care of my son, write, clean my house and then there was the matter of sleeping. Well as of June 2nd I will be freed up by 40 plus hours a week. I’m ecstatic to say the least and expect to put more books with greater frequency.

To me that’s reason enough to celebrate. Madison has created a new Facebook page for The Season Blog visitors. I personally think it’s lovely page. To help her populate it, everyone who likes the page will receive one entry for the iPad 3 drawing. And if you want to know how close I am to giving that away, here’s an update:

The goal is to reach 15,000 books sold of AN HEIR OF DECEPTION.
Current # books sold = 10,456
# books needed to reach goal = 4,544

I have no idea how much longer it will take to reach the 15k goal but I hope it doesn’t take much longer (another 4-6 weeks would be great). And if you’re not on Facebook, don’t worry, there will be other ways to enter the drawing for the iPad 3.

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And now, the winner is…

Maggie Robinson’s MASTER OF SIN and Zoë  Archer’s DEMON’S BRIDE

PAM DUKE

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

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. 

HER BEST WORST MISTAKE by Sarah Mayberry

EBONY M.
MELISSA M.
KC

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WHY DO YOU READ ROMANCE? OR NOT post

MELODY MAY
WILLAFUL
AMY MEDEIROS

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Congratulations, ladies! It’s first to respond, first gets to choose for the winners of the Why Do You Read Romance? Or Not? post. Don’t forget to indicate the title of the book(s) you won or want. Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com. You have one week to collect your prize.

My belief is that either you’re born a reader or you’re not. I was definitely born a reader. I read the moment I could recognize words. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of having a Beverly Cleary book clutched in my hands after a visit to the library where I pretty much tried to clear out everything she had on the shelves.

As I grew older, my tastes grew along with me–as right they should. I distinctively remember my years devouring Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, Trixie Belden and The Bobbsey Twins (okay, that may have been when I was a bit younger). I was into the teen love books at the age of 12 and 13 when my sister introduced to Harlequin Presents(yeah, I was way young for them). That was my true introduction to romance…and I was hooked. I’ve read them every since even as I became a die hard Agatha Christie fan and read Stephen King, Scott Turow and dabbled in Mary Higgins Clark for a bit. I even read one or two Danielle Steele novels–not more me as I didn’t feel like they read like a true romance.

There was a time, however, that I stopped reading romance. My life was crazy and for ten years I was off romance. Those were my cynical days. I don’t think I believed in HEAs anymore. But all is right with the world and I do now. I’m an ardent believer that there is someone (or even several someones) for everyone. My love of romance novels has–as you know–led me to take it up as a career, as a writer of romance novels.

What about you? When (age) and how did you start reading romance novels? Why do you read romance? If  you don’t read romance, why not? Comment and enter to win 2 of the six books below (3 winners). Click on the covers for book review and details. 

**U.S. Residents only

9 books, 3 winners, 3 books each. Click the covers for book review, blurb and buy links. Comment to enter to win! 

**U.S. Residents only

ANTICIPATION – ANY KINDLE MMPB BOOK

LAURA HARMS

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IF I FALL by Kate Noble

RHIANNON ROWLAND

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9 BOOKS, 3 WINNERS, 3 BOOKS EACH

DEANNA SCHULTZ

AURORA

KAREN H IN NC

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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. For the 3 winners, it’s first to respond, first gets to choose. 

Comment to enter 3 of the 9 books featured below. Click on the covers for book details.