FAVORITE ROMANCE NOVELS

February is the month of love, and that brings romance novels to my mind. What are your favorite romances? As and author, I know literally hundreds of people who write and whose books I read. But there are books that I hold as sterling examples of the craft I love. There are several books I reread - to study and for pure pleasure - at least once a year. Here are five of them:

The first is THE PROMISE OF JENNY JONES by Maggie Osborne. It’s out of print now, but is probably the most unusual romance I’ve ever read. For starters, the heroine is almost six feet tall, cusses, smokes cigars, and works as a muleskinner. (For you contemporary readers, that means she drives a freight wagon pulled by mules). Early in the book we learn what makes Jenny tick. She is stuck in a Mexican jail for killing a soldier who tried to rape her. She explains why she wouldn’t lie to save herself from a firing squad.


"Honesty is all I’ve got . . .I don’t have family. I don’t have beauty, or a man. I don’t have money, and I sure as hell don’t have a future. All I’ve got to prop up my pride is my word . . . When Jenny Jones says something, you can bet your last peso it’s true."


But she does have a future because a dying woman trades places with her, and so begins her eventful journey. All of Maggie Osborne’s heroines are unusual women.

LORD PERFECT and MR. IMPOSSIBLE are by Loretta Chase. Choosing between these books would be difficult, but I lean toward the former. What is better than watching a perfect man’s world crumble because of a strong yet unsuitable woman? I love all of Loretta Chase’s books for her wonderful descriptions and unusual characters. And what lovely names she uses! I love the way Loretta Chase introduces the hero in LORD PERFECT.

The artist heroine, Bathsheba Wingate, watches the hero in the book’s opening. The setting is a London museum and the hero is Benedict Carsington, Viscount Rathbourne, heir to the Earl of Hargate (and Lord Perfect).


He leant against the window frame, offering those within the exhibition hall a fine rear view of a long, well-proportioned frame, expensively garbed. He seemed to have his arms folded and his attention upon the window, though the thick glass could show him no more than a blurred image of Picadilly.

 Supremely assured. Perfectly poised.

Immaculately dressed. Tall. Dark.

It was clear in any case that the exhibition within—of the marvels Giovanni Belzoni had discovered in Egypt—had failed to hold his interest.


The woman surreptitiously studying him decided he would make the perfect model of the bored aristocrat



He turned his head, presenting the expected patrician profile.


It wasn’t what she expected.


She couldn’t breathe.


In the next scene, the hero describes the heroine in such delightful detail that I believe it's perfect:


She was the sort of woman who made accidents happen, simply by crossing the street.

She was the sort of woman who ought to be preceded by warning signs.
From a distance, she was breathtaking.


Now she stood within easy reach.


And now . . .


Once, in the course of a youthful prank, Benedict had fallen off a roof, and briefly lost consciousness.


Now, as he fell off something and into eyes like an indigo sea, he lost consciousness. The world went away, his brain went away, and only the vision remained, of pearly skin and ripe plum lips, of the fathomless sea in which he was drowning . . . and then a pink like a sunrise glowing upon finely sculpted cheekbones.


A blush. She was blushing.


His brain staggered back.



 Sigh, can you blame me for studying Loretta Chase’s writing?

PRINCE CHARMING and FOR THE ROSES are by Julie Garwood. These are her only forays into western historicals. PRINCE CHARMING begins in England, but moves through the U.S. to Montana. I love both the heroine Taylor Stapleton, and the hero Lucas Ross. FOR THE ROSES has a group of ragtag boy heroes who raise a young baby they find in a New York dustbin. Sounds impossible? Unfortunately, it still happens every day in America. These characters come alive for the reader.



Rereading these books still brings me pleasure and helps me understand the structure that keeps me engaged. None is the first romance I read, but they continue to be my favorites.


What are your favorite romances?


Thanks for stopping by!

WHY DO I WRITE? BECAUSE I'M LUCKY!

Not shown, my black cat
and black dog, plus
stacks of papers on desk.

Why do I write novels? Mostly because I can’t stop. LOL There have been a few times when I became discouraged with my career path and decided to quit writing. I couldn’t. It appears I HAVE to write. In addition, I'm blessed with good author freinds who encourage when I'm feeling in a deep purple funk. (You know that a deep purple funk is lower than the blues, right?)

Hope

Seriously, I believe romance novels offer hope to readers who face what seems like insurmountable problems in their own lives. Reading about characters who overcome challenges and achieve happily-ever-after offers readers the dream that they too can achieve their dreams. In fact, I say romance authors sell hope.

Since I’m an eclectic reader, I’m an eclectic writer. I write paranormal, contemporary and historical romance. I also write cozy mysteries, although I’m only beginning to seek a publisher for those. (Hard to type with fingers crossed for good luck.)

I write the kinds of stories I enjoy reading. As a theme, I want readers to find hope in my novels. Another theme is family in various forms, but always that family support one another--even if family is bonded friends rather than blood relatives. Finally, I think a second chance or redemption is a continual theme. Don’t we all wish we had a second chance to right past wrong decisions?

I don't claim to
be Shakespeare or
Ken Follett

I want readers to sigh with pleasure at the outcome of the characters at the same time they’re sorry the book is ended. Also, I want readers to feel hopeful after one of my books. Let’s face it, I’m not Ken Follett and I don’t write books like PILLARS OF THE EARTH. I love Follett’s books, but that’s not at all what I want to write. Romances and cozy mysteries are what a lot of people mind candy...novels intended to entertain and provide escape from worldly cares. Otherwise, why not watch the evening news? Talk about depressing!

My Dad

One of my big passions is genealogy and family history. I’ve always loved history, and learning about family brings history alive for me. My brother and I are compiling a book on my father’s family and hope to have it completed and printed by the end of summer. My dad is no longer living, but he asked me to do this book, so my brother and I are trying to honor the request. I also love the old family photos and am collecting those for the book and for my own family. Both of my daughters are interested, so I’ve made copies for each of them and we’re placing them in acid free albums.



Antique
Bottle

 Another passion is browsing antique malls. My younger daughter and I used to have booths in a couple of antique malls, but the time required to maintain a good selection was too much for us. We loved it, though. If either of us won the lottery, that’s probably what my younger daughter would do with her life. Maybe we should remember to buy a lottery ticket.

Out TV is old, but not
this old.

My husband and I like to watch movies (thanks, Netflix!). However, most of my free goof-off time is spent reading. My husband’s an avid reader, too, so some evenings we read instead of watching TV or a movie.

I appreciate so much the readers who have told me they like my books and my writing. Positive feedback fuels my progress on the next book. I appreciate my family for their support and assistance. My husband maintains my website. Both daughters help in various ways. Every day I get to do what I love. Consider me a lucky woman!

And speaking of lucky, I'm fortunate to have my backlist on Kindle and Smashwords. My historical set in 1885, THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE (Kincaids book one), is on sale this month for 99 cents. The other three books from my backlist--which include the historical THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND (Kincaids book two), a contemporary with a bit of suspense BE MY GUEST, and the contemporary SNOWFIRES--are only $2.99 each. For less than $10 you can own them all. What a deal!

TREATS FOR VALENTINES

Happy Valentine’s Day! What are your plans for today? I hope you find chocolate, flowers, jewelry, a good book, a dinner invitation--and/or whatever suits you--from your significant other. Emphasis on the good book, of course! You can understand why I'm partial to books given as gifts. Wouldn't any writer be?

Do you remember the first Valentine you received? The first Valentine's gift? I have a couple of Valentines Hero received in grade school that his mom had saved. I don't remember my first Valentine, but I do remember the first box of candy. What a surprise when I discovered a boy had slipped a heart-shaped box of candy into my school locker in seventh or eighth grade! I hadn't even realized he thought I was special, but I think I still have the box saved somewhere. Yes, I'm a pack rat. LOL Now that I think about it, I think the box contains some old Valentines I'd received.

Do you have Valentines you made your parents or that your children made for you? Yes to both for me. I have several my mom had saved that I discovered after she died and we were going through her mementos. My efforts showed a devotion to way too much glue, but my mom lovingly saved the result. Thank heavens my children are more talented than I am.

Vintage Valentine

We treasure those things given with love, don't we? No matter how poorly the gift looked, the love behind it stays with us. 

That's what romance is about. Not the cost of a gift, or how elaborate it is. We value the fact that a person we love returns the love and gives a tangible symbol of that love in return. 

My Hero has a special gift I'm not supposed to know about hidden in his office, plus he’s already announced he's taking me to dinner. When we became engaged, he warned me that he usually forgot special days and that I shouldn’t be upset if he forgot my birthday, our anniversaries, and other special occasions. Hey, he’s a true Hero, and he has never disappointed me by forgetting anything important. 
 

Since I’m a writer, you understand why I have to emphasize that there is no better gift than a book instead of candy or flowers. After all, books are not fattening and they won’t wilt. And what better book to give for Valentine’s Day than a romance? Romance offers hope that each of us can overcome obstacles to achieve our happily ever after just like the characters in our favorite novels. Art imitates life; sometimes life imitates art. 

Bold hint: If you wish to purchase my new books, the historical THE TEXAN’S IRISH BRIDE, contemporary time travel OUT OF THE BLUE, and my novella in the Civil War anthology NORTHERN ROSES AND SOUTHERN BELLES, you can do so at The Wild Rose Press at www.thewildrosepress.com/caroline-clemmons-m-638.html.

My backlist books of contemporary SNOWFIRES, contemporary BE MY GUEST, and the linked historicals THE MOST UNSUITABLE WIFE and THE MOST UNSUITABLE HUSBAND are available at Smashwords at http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/CarolineClemmons. My Kindle books are at http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=node%3D154606011&field-keywords=Caroline+Clemmons. Why not give a tree-friendly gift to someone you love?

How do you plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day?


To see my post on the history of St. Valentine's Day, check Anna Kathryn Lanier's blog today at http://annakathrynlanier.blogspot.com/
Please come back on Wednesday, February 16th when A. J. Nuest will be my guest as the third part of the Roses Valentine Blog Tour with more prizes to offer. Be sure to comment so you will be entered in the drawing for our prizes!

 Have a great Valentine's Day!

Highland Heroes

The winner of the ARC of WILD WICKED & WANTON: 101 WAYS TO LOVE LIKE YOU'RE IN A ROMANCE NOVEL is Monique. If you'll send me your email and your mailing address, Monique, I'll send you your prize.

My husband asked me, "What is it with all these Highland heroes in romances?" I couldn't think of a quick answer, so I've pondered it.

The Highlands represent free spirit, clan loyalty, and so much more. One reason they're so popular among Americans is that so many of our citizens trace their ancestry back to Scotland and the Highlands. We believe them to be fiercely proud--like William Wallace, Rob Roy, and Sean Connery. Wait. I got carried away for a minute.

Who wouldn't love a man brawny enough to wear a kilt to war? And that's only after they were civiilized. Before that they went to battle wearing nothing but paint. That really took a brave man! Whew! It's a wonder there were any children born after some of those battles.

Coming from a strong Scot-Irish heritage, I find Scottish history fascinating. Supposedly, my father's family traces back to both Duncan and Macbeth. Probably anyone with British blood has the same line in his or her family tree. Is that why we're so enthusiastic about Scotsmen?

I don't know, but maybe our romance with Scots is the same as with the American Indian. We find intriguing those who resist being conquered. And as with the American Indian, we resent being stripped of all of our possessions and shipped off our lands--or forced to hide out to remain. Come to think of, I also have a Cherokee line of ancestors, so my family was robbed by two countries. LOL 

I first fell in love with Scots Highlanders from reading Julie Garwood's beautiful novels. Sigh. That lady knows how to write to steal your heart, doesn't she? Diana Gabaldon gave such great historical detail that she's received historical association awards. Diana Cosby, Sandy Blair, and Beth Trissel write great Scottish heroes, too. I loved Janet Chapman's time travels of Scotsmen carried to the U.S.  I seem never to get enough Scottish heroes.

Why do you believe we romance readers are in love with Scottish men? Besides Sean Connery, I mean. And Liam Neesom. And that "Highlander" guy. Oh, my. They are good looking devils, aren't they?
 

Reading, Writing, and . . . Magic

I've been reading a lot, spending time not dedicated to writing by pursuing reading my favorite authors. As well, I've been reading books by new authors and trying to analyze why that book sold. Sometimes I haven't a clue, frankly, other than perhaps the editor was in an unusually optimistic or cheerful mood the day the book crossed her desk. Other times I identify an element that propels me forward in the book, immersed and turning pages when I know I should stop and do a load of laundry, start supper, or go to sleep. Those are the books I think about, wondering how to craft mine with that degree of reader involvement.

I've had people tell me they'll give me a story idea if I'll write the book and split the royalties with them. Yeah, right. Coming up with story ideas is easy--I have enough to last me until I'm at least two hundred years old. Implementing the idea into a completed manuscript takes planning and perseverance. Achievein a completed work which entices readers requires magic. My magic wand is still beside my computer monitor. Hmmm, I hope my supply of fairy dust is sufficient.

My latest book, OUT OF THE BLUE, is now available from The Wild Rose Press or from Amazon. Cost is $14.99 for print (I have nothing to do with pricing, folks) and electronic download is $7.00. This is a paranormal time travel romance with suspense elements. Dierdre Dougherty is an Irish clairvoyant herbal healer who leaps from a cliff in 1845 to escape a dangerous man. She lands over 160 years later in a Texas lake beside the bass boat of police detective Brendan Hunter, who is out to solve the murder of his best friend and partner. Can Deirdre help Brendan solve this case?

Graphic by Webweaver

Which Character Are You?

Mel Brooks said, "Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities, and have them relate to other characters living with him."

People frequently ask an author, "Which character in your book are you?" The answer is, of course, all of them. Sure we want readers to identify with the hero/heroine, but each of the characters comes from within the author. The late Elmer Kelton said that on only one occasion did he use a real person in one of his books, and that he never put himself through that agony again. Everyone in his town recognized the character for who he was--except, fortunately, the man himself.

My characters are a fictional, but my heroes always have those qualities I admire most in my Hero Husband. They're also always tall, as he is. But he's never been a policeman or rancher or business mogul or con man. He's not able to leap tall buildings at a single bound--except, of course, in my heart.

Would that I could be one of my heroines! Nope. Not even close. After being a skinny anemic child, for most of my adult life I've battled my weight. So, my heroines are always in the enviable (by me) position of having terrific metabolisms that allow them to eat whatever they want and never gain weight. They have lustrous hair instead of fine, thin stuff that has a mind of its own. This is fiction, remember? Hey, it's my book, so I can make them better than real life!

Novelists write, we create. That's our job. How, you ask? We let our imaginations bloom and pull characters from a well deep inside our subconscious. If we're lucky, we don't have to dig for the characters--they just pop into our heads and speak.

Yes, our research has to be credible. A fictional rancher has to engage in actual deeds that a real rancher would. A police station has to appear realistic even if the detective is imaginary. If a character is ill, the disease's treatment and diagnosis has to make sense for the era in the book. I've tossed books which got those things wrong. At our house, we call books like that "wall bangers." We don't literally hurl them against the wall--think of the paint and furniture--but we don't finish them either. And we don't buy that author's books again.

So, who is all the characters in a novel yet none of them?  The author. No, it's really not a riddle. It's a writer's life.