Barbara White Daille | My Top Four F’s of Romance
July 29, 2015
Hi, readers! I’m celebrating the debut of A RANCHER
OF
HER OWN, book 2 in the Hitching Post Hotel series. Getting involved in
the
three connected stories in the series has only reinforced why I enjoy
writing
and reading short contemporary romance.
While this is my short list, I hope it includes some of the reasons you love
the genre, too.
1. Family
In many romances and mine for sure, family plays a big role in the story.
Whether the family members assist the hero or heroine or only cause more
problems for them…well, that’s open to debate! ; )
At the
Hitching Post Hotel, the three unmarried heroines are cousins,
family but not quite the best of friends yet. They help and support each
other
but aren’t shy about pushing and prying, either. The owner of the hotel,
their
grandfather, Jed, is determined to see them all hitched, preferably to the
three reluctant heroes he’s handpicked for them. Jed knows he’s doing what’s
best for his girls—so how can anyone argue with that?
That’s the thing about family. No matter how much they interfere, they
usually
have the hero and heroine’s best interests at heart.
2. Friends
Friends include family members, best buddies, co-workers, passing
acquaintances, and even the villains of a story. They come in all shapes and
sizes, meaning no two are alike. A newborn baby can play as big a role in a
romance as a seventy-something matchmaker like Grandpa Jed does. And no
matter
their part in the story, they add something extra to keep us turning the
pages.
3. Fun
It’s terrible to admit, but watching the hero and heroine struggle through
their story is fun! They’re thrown into all kinds of situations. Why?
Because
complications and conflict are what romance is all about. And we get to sit
back and observe how they attempt to work their way out of their problems.
In some cases, we know more than they do. Having that insider information—
and
waiting for the hero or heroine to learn the truth—makes the story even more
exciting.
4. Forever
We’ve saved the best for last…because the last thing that happens in a
romance
is the hero and heroine reaching their happy-ever-after. Some books wrap up
with a “happy for now” feeling or a “potential for happiness” in the
characters’ futures.
My favorite books are those that end with the promise of forever. While we
know
this isn’t always possible in real life, we’re talking fiction—your bonus
“F”. And in our story worlds, we know love will triumph.
~~
Unfortunately, in A RANCHER OF HER OWN, Pete and Jane certainly don’t look
headed for forever. Let’s jump into the middle of a conversation:
“Ah…,” Jane said thoughtfully. “I’m beginning to see where all this is
coming
from.”
“All this what?”
“This resistance. This rebellion. This ‘I’m not doing it and you can’t make
me’
defense.” She laughed. “Yet you call me stubborn?”
“I’m not defensive. And as I already told you, ma’am, I’m not shy.” He ran
his
fingertips down a strand of her shiny black hair. “I’m just a good ol’
cowboy,
a rancher at home on the range. Anyhow, what’s wrong with good, old-
fashioned
cowboy values?”
“Maybe some of them are outdated, just as your father said.”
“I’d rather talk about your dad. And you.”
She shrugged. “Why not? I’ve got nothing to hide.”
His heart tripped a beat at the image that statement brought to mind. Nobody
in
his right mind would walk away from an offer like this one. Maybe that was
why
he planned to take her up on it. To prove he wasn’t crazy and to show he was
in
control of his emotions—even if he couldn’t swear to either of those at the
moment.
GIVEAWAY
Your turn now. What’s your number-one reason for reading romance, and
why?
Leave a comment below for a chance to win a print book and swag. (2 winners.
US
and Canada mailing addresses, please.) Winners will receive their choice of
Barbara's available backlist titles.
Barbara White Daille lives with her husband in the sunny Southwest.
Though they love the warm winters and the lizards in their front yard, they
haven’t gotten used to the scorpions in the bathroom.
When she was very young, Barbara learned from her mom about the storytelling
magic in books—and she’s been hooked ever since. She hopes you will enjoy
reading her books and will find your own magic in them!
Barbara’s new series, The Hitching Post Hotel, features a matchmaking
grandpa
determined to see his three granddaughters wed. The series began in April
2015
with The Cowboy’s Little Surprise and continues with A Rancher of Her Own in
July and The Lawman’s Christmas Proposal in December.
She loves to chat with readers.
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Harlequin
A REASON TO STAY
Ranch manager Pete Brannigan has no interest in playing tour guide to a city
slicker like Jane Garland. But spending a few days with the headstrong
photographer is a small price to pay for everything her grandfather has
given
the single dad. Though Pete's drawn to Jane's sharp wit and striking beauty,
he
won't hurt his young children by falling for another woman who puts her
career
before family.
Jane's seen the world through her camera…and used it to shield her emotions.
With Pete, she can finally let her guard down. If only he could do the same.
Despite their powerful bond, Pete still can't trust Jane with his kids or
his
heart. But if he keeps pushing her away, he may ruin any chance their
relationship has to develop.
Comments
56 comments posted.
Re: Barbara White Daille | My Top Four F’s of Romance
HEA (Marissa Yip-Young 5:53am July 29, 2015)
I like Romances because when you're done with the book, you usually end up feeling good!! They're the type of book that helps you to relax. You can get carried away with the characters, and sometimes the plot takes you away to places you've never been before - sometimes even exotic places, where you can relax, and read about other people sharing some happiness together. That in itself makes you feel good. Your latest book sounds good, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the story unfolds. Congratulations on your book!!! (Peggy Roberson 7:56am July 29, 2015)
Hi, readers! I'm looking forward to chatting and will be in and out for the next few days. Thanks for stopping in. (Barbara White Daille 9:22am July 29, 2015)
I'm with you, Marissa. BTW, I love your name. In fact, it's the name of my heroine in the first book I sold (though the second that was published - Court Me, Cowboy). (Barbara White Daille 9:24am July 29, 2015)
Hi, Peggy - good to see you here! Thanks for the compliment and congrats. All my books are special to me, and of course, Pete and Jane's story is, too. ;) Glad you like the sound of it.
And I agree. Those feel-good emotions are what I want to take with me when I finish a romance! (Barbara White Daille 9:27am July 29, 2015)
Romances are a feel-good read. They also give hope that it's possible to work through problems, and that the end result is well worth working towards. (Deb Philippon 9:46am July 29, 2015)
Love that response, Deb.
I also love that romances teach us how to see both sides so we can solve those problems.
Thanks for stopping by! (Barbara White Daille 10:22am July 29, 2015)
For the feeling it gives me when seeing the characters finding love and happiness. (Colleen Conklin 12:32pm July 29, 2015)
Good one, Colleen. That's what it's all about. (Barbara White Daille 12:50pm July 29, 2015)
Vicariously enjoying the fall into love. (G. Bisbjerg 1:29pm July 29, 2015)
I love the ones that have kids in them (Jeri Dickinson 4:48pm July 29, 2015)
I'm reiterating the 6th F word: Feel-good. ;) I know, I know....Peggy, Deb and Colleen already said it but it bears repeating. That's why I read romance. Whether it's angsty new adult, adventurous suspense, world-building paranormal or urban fantasy, or sweet, funny contemporary bottom line is how it makes me feel in the end. It doesn't matter whether I laugh or cry, it matters whether my heart is filled with hope and love. (Daniela Caldarola 5:39pm July 29, 2015)
Another good one, G. (Barbara White Daille 7:56pm July 29, 2015)
Jeri - virtually all my stories do have kids, and they really lighten up a romance - or add a lot of conflict! (Barbara White Daille 7:59pm July 29, 2015)
Daniela - feel-good was going to be one of my top choices, too, but I thought I should rein myself in before the list got too long. ;) It's amazing how many F words we could come up with.
And yes, that uplifting, there-is-hope feeling is a wonderful thing to be left with when you close the covers of a book. (Barbara White Daille 8:03pm July 29, 2015)
me ilove to read how the book goes and then see how the story goes and then if the book is great it will go on with other family members (Desiree Reilly 8:10pm July 29, 2015)
I love the way they make me feel, like anything is possible. (Vicki Clevinger 8:51pm July 29, 2015)
Would love to read and review this. Thanks for the great opportunity (Sherry Cockerham 12:53pm July 30, 2015)
Congratulations on the book Barbara and Best of luck to all who entered. The reason I enjoy reading Romance Novels is because I can escape to a different place whether its a different city, state, or in my case Province or Territories, Country, and even time/setting. I can go back to the 1980's all the way back to Regency times. I love the conflict of the protagonist (hero and heroine), how they work together and make it all work out together in the end. I love Happily Ever After and I love that Love Conquers All. Thank you for the chance :) (Holly Loch 5:05am July 30, 2015)
Desiree - isn't it awesome when we get hooked on the stories of the secondary characters, too? I love reading about them in future books - AND being able to see how the previous heroes and heroines are doing. (Barbara White Daille 8:39am July 30, 2015)
Me, too, Vicki. I learn so much from reading romance. (Barbara White Daille 8:40am July 30, 2015)
You're very welcome, Sherry. And thanks for the compliment.
Reviews are always appreciated. They're a wonderful way of getting the word out about stories. (Barbara White Daille 8:42am July 30, 2015)
Holly - you're so welcome, and thank you very much, too, for the congrats. I'm always so thrilled to have a new book out! ;)
You've hit on several great reasons readers love historical romance. They love being swept back in time and (even in contemporary books) to different settings.
We really have no boundaries when we read, do we? And isn't that just awesome! (Barbara White Daille 8:46am July 30, 2015)
i love the escape and the happily ever after. i also like that depending on the genre~ category of romance you read there are no rules to how the story or series can go so there is almost always a surprise or what i call the "OMG i did not see that coming!" moment. LOL!
tammy ramey [email protected] (Tammy Ramey 2:02pm July 30, 2015)
love cowboys (Emily Stemp 4:03pm July 30, 2015)
Reading is like adventures, going places and seeing things that I'm no longer able to physically do.It also allows me to escape the burdens of reality, for a while anyway. (Nancy Luebke 5:14pm July 30, 2015)
So many books about killngs, so the romance novels is a welcome change. Like happy endings. (Vera Wilson 6:19pm July 30, 2015)
Love those twists, Tammy! They keep us turning pages waiting for them to happen. (Barbara White Daille 6:22pm July 30, 2015)
'NUFF SAID, Emily!! lol (Barbara White Daille 6:23pm July 30, 2015)
Thanks so much, Elaine. I love to talk books.
And I hope you enjoy Pete and Jane's story. (Barbara White Daille 6:24pm July 30, 2015)
Nancy - romances are definitely escapist literature in my mind, too. (Barbara White Daille 6:25pm July 30, 2015)
Vera - we all need a break from the gloom and doom once in a while. Though my books always have something the characters need to learn, the stories are always on the lighter side and I hope they're fun for readers.
And I'm so with you on loving happy endings. (Barbara White Daille 6:28pm July 30, 2015)
I love a good romance with a little mystery in it also . I can get into the book as one of the characters , so , therefore I go and do many things that makes my life so much more exciting . We all need a little excitement don't we ? And a good dream ? Thanks for this giveaway . (Joan Thrasher 10:11am July 31, 2015)
Reading romance is all about the happy ending. After reading the daily headlines and doing the dozens of daily and repetitive chores who doesn't need a little cheering up? (Flora Presley 11:32am July 31, 2015)
Joan - you're very welcome.
And you're right as far as I'm concerned - living vicariously through the characters adds lots of excitement to our lives. Mystery and romantic suspense stories can take that up a notch, too.
Thanks for dropping in. (Barbara White Daille 1:55pm July 31, 2015)
Flora - I agree 1000 percent!
Feel-good, escapist...whatever we want to call romance, it's a fabulous way to get a break from all the negativity out there. And to put smiles on our faces. :) (Barbara White Daille 1:57pm July 31, 2015)
I love to read romances because they take me to places I'd never go and make me feel good. (Carol Woodruff 7:06pm July 31, 2015)
Love to escape! (Nancy Ludvik 9:28pm July 31, 2015)
It gives a break from the hectic life that I live. The stories end happly. (Cynthia Cook 10:34pm July 31, 2015)
Reading a good romance can help you forget your troubles, inspire you in this moment and give you hope for the future! (Connie Saunders 10:53pm July 31, 2015)
It is a good pastime and helps me relax. (Wilma Frana 10:56am August 1, 2015)
A romance takes me to various places, many situations and the ending leaves me with a feeling of happiness. (Anna Speed 12:15pm August 1, 2015)
I am single and never been able to find the right guy. Romance stories allow me to live through these characters and not have to do the work in real life. I enjoy being single but I like reading about romance! (Denise Austin 1:14pm August 1, 2015)
I LOVE ROMANCE NOVELS, BECAUSE THEY ARE SEXY AND ALLURING. ESPECIALLY COWBOY ROMANCE NOVELS. WHOA!!! (Tiffany Miles 1:22pm August 1, 2015)
Carol W - both good points. Thanks for sharing. (Barbara White Daille 4:10pm August 1, 2015)
I'm with you, Nancy. (Barbara White Daille 4:11pm August 1, 2015)
Cynthia - those are such good reasons for reading romance. Stress relief is a big plus. (Barbara White Daille 4:12pm August 1, 2015)
Connie - great thoughts. This list could just go on and on! (Barbara White Daille 4:13pm August 1, 2015)
Definitely true for me, too, Wilma. After a stressful day, a warm bath and a good romance is all I need.
Well...okay, and a hug from my dh. :) (Barbara White Daille 4:14pm August 1, 2015)
Anna - you're not alone with any of these. I'm happy there are so many readers here who think along the lines we do. (Barbara White Daille 4:15pm August 1, 2015)
Denise - that's a great thought about not having to do the work in real life. Sometimes we just want to be swept away from all that and escape. (But don't tell my husband I said so. ;) ) (Barbara White Daille 4:17pm August 1, 2015)
Love your enthusiasm, Tiffany!! And love those cowboy romances, too!
I know it's hard to see the small cover above, but readers have told me Pete's a real honey and has them very excited. lol
Of course, the combination of sexy cowboy and loving single dad isn't hurting his reputation any, either. lol
Thanks for commenting! (Barbara White Daille 4:22pm August 1, 2015)
Leaving all the stress of the real world and enjoying a life with hot heroes. (Sharon Sommer 8:49pm August 1, 2015)
Congratulations on your new release! I read romance to escape my reality. And because I believe love can exist if you find it. (Cissie Patterson 11:30pm August 1, 2015)
Sharon - both of those are great reasons to read romance. (Barbara White Daille 1:43pm August 2, 2015)
Thanks so much, Cissie! It's always happy-dance time around my house when a new book debuts. ;)
And I love both your reasons for reading romance, too.
Hard to believe it's possible, but romances really do hit both sides of the same issue - escaping *and* finding/understanding reality.
Thanks for sharing. (Barbara White Daille 1:47pm August 2, 2015)
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