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Sara Daniel | 3 Decades of Reading Romances: What I Loved Then…And Now
August 28, 2013
Let me preface this post by saying I am a child of the 80s. I devoured Sweet
Valley High books and the ragged copies of teen category romances on the turning
metal stand in my local library. A couple years later a friend handed me a
Johanna Lindsay book, and I discovered adult romances. Back then, I knew of only
two romance genres: contemporary and historical. Having no interest in history,
I naturally gravitated toward contemporary stories. In so many of those early books, the heroines tended to be sweet, innocent,
passive, and unfairly maligned. Jenny in Led Astray by Sandra Brown
(1985) was one of my favorites, despite continuously needing the hero to rescue
her and take care of her. Not only that, she was pregnant with his baby but she
was naïve enough not to realize the baby was, in fact, his. Lisa in Fever by Elizabeth Lowell (1988)
was as innocent and pure as a person can possibly be. Yet, the hero was positive
she had ulterior motives. Caught up in the emotion, the angst and, of course,
the fairy tale ending, I read these category romances over and over. As time went on, I gravitated toward longer books with hundreds of pages
spanning years and sometimes decades. Paradise by Judith McNaught
(1992) was a treasured favorite full enough angst and emotion to fill 700 pages. First Lady by Susan
Elizabeth Phillips (2000) was one of the first books I read where the
characters were a bit snarky and the heroine was proactive in creating and
taking responsibility for her own destiny. Suzanne Brockmann brought me onto the romantic suspense bandwagon in a big way
with Out of Control in
2002. Let me just say that I am still (and forever) in love with Kenny Karmody.
Swoon! With several contemporary and historical plots woven throughout this
book, I was invested in multiple couples at once. In 2011 I bought an e-reader and discovered the many digital-only books, most
notably erotic romances and shorter-length novellas. The heroines of today’s
romances recognize they are shaping their own destinies and are more likely to
rescue themselves and the hero than vice versa. They’re smart and savvy and in
charge of their own sexuality. The books might follow a traditional plot line or
blend genres and conventions. I can choose whether to pick up a long or short
story, depending on my time constraints. Everything has changed in the past thirty years. Yet, nothing really has. When I
pick up a romance today, I read for the pure emotion of the story, to root for
the heroine and to experience the thrill of falling in love alongside her, and
for the satisfaction of happily ever after. I know that three decades from now
I’ll still count on those same constants when I read a romance, whether it’s a
brand new story or a beloved favorite from the 80s.
Comments
30 comments posted.
Re: Sara Daniel | 3 Decades of Reading Romances: What I Loved Then…And Now
I was a little too young for the sweet valley high books but my mother saved her books so I could read them. I know have a ton of books for my kids if I ever have kids. I love a good murder mystery but there is nothing that beats a romance book. Falling in love with the characters to see them fall in love is special.
(Lynne Pearson 9:54am August 28, 2013)
Looks like a great book!
(Maria Proctor 10:23am August 28, 2013)
Romance novels were the last thing I would read as thought I was too
"educated." Then at the age of 40, I discover romance novels! I owe that
to my co-worker (now my friend). I fell in love with romance novels!!!
(Susan Mahaffey 10:44am August 28, 2013)
Enjoyable and lovely post. Romance is my ultimate escape.
(Sharon Berger 10:50am August 28, 2013)
I enjoyed your journey as an author.
(Anna Speed 11:51am August 28, 2013)
Oh my goodness! I LOVED the Sweet Valley High books. They
came right after Nancy Drew & the Hardy Boys for me.
(Karin Anderson 12:06pm August 28, 2013)
I never was old enough for Sweet Valley High but I would always stand in the
library and stare at the covers on the shelves. HAHA!
(Jackie R 12:09pm August 28, 2013)
I like this book give away, thank you.
(Charlotte Wills 12:28pm August 28, 2013)
Wow, Congrats on your new book: LOVE HIM OR LEAVE HIM. I
love the cute book cover too. Yes, Life is a great journey
and books have changed through the years with the digital
age but great authors like You make the journey a fun and
great one too. Your book sounds like a wonderful romance to
win and read this summer. Thank You very much. Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 1:22pm August 28, 2013)
Your comment about Sweet Valley High books brought back a ton of memories (and made me feel decidedly old!). I went straight from SVH and Nancy Drew to the Harlequin's that were always hidden in the back of the library! Romance, in any form, is always a pleasure to read. I can't wait to read about your war-torn sheriff and the love of his life.
(Heather Sterner 1:35pm August 28, 2013)
In a way it is a shame that the naive, nice, trusting heroine is looked down
upon. Don't get me wrong, I like the strong, snarky, self-confident heroines,
but not everyone can be that way. Naive shouldn't equate with weak and
unworthy and doesn't mean she won't stand up for herself when necessary.
There is lots of room for a variety of heroines,so lets enjoy them all.
Best wishes for a successful release of LOVE HIM OR LEAVE HIM.
(Patricia Barraclough 3:23pm August 28, 2013)
My daughter loved Sweet Valley High books so I always smile when I hear the name. Romance and happy endings are the wonderful "take me away" books that we all need from time to time. Thank you!
(Melanie Backus 3:31pm August 28, 2013)
I really enjoyed reading what you had to say on your blog post about some of the books you've read along the way. Interesting. Thank you for this chance to win your book, sounds really good, one I would love to read. All the Best to You.
(Esther Somorai 4:31pm August 28, 2013)
I read Sweet Valley High too. In the 90's I discovered Cassie Edwards and read Indian romances.
(Michelle Fidler 5:21pm August 28, 2013)
Sweet Valley High and Nancy Drew were my absolute favorite books and I devoured them all! Thank you for the memories!!
(Britney Adams 5:43pm August 28, 2013)
It is interesting how trends change in romance but the stories are still timeless.
(Maureen Emmons 5:49pm August 28, 2013)
Wow. You hit some of my favorite books and authors too!
(Laura Gullickson 7:05pm August 28, 2013)
I loved your post! Although I don't know the Sweet Valley High books, my
reading tastes seem to be quite similar to yours. I never really thought
about the changes I have gone through over the years with my reading
tastes. I just know I have a love of books, and I have to read a book of
some sort every day. I probably lean toward a good romance most of the
time, though. Congratulations on the book - the cover is beautiful! Thanks
for the chance to win!!!
(Linda Brennan 7:18pm August 28, 2013)
Well, I'm a child of the 60's and I cut my teeth on Woodiwiss, Rogers and a few others that I can't think of right now! I still love romance novels whether they are contemporary or historical. I'm also a big fan of paranormals. As long as the story is engaging and there is a happy ever I'm fine!!
(Martha Lawson 8:39pm August 28, 2013)
I'm always looking for HEA and romance stories have them. Life may not have a HEA for everyone but it does offer hope to have one.
(Kai Wong 8:47pm August 28, 2013)
This is one book I'd love to read. Thanks
(Bonnie Capuano 9:11pm August 28, 2013)
You just can't beat a good Romance!! Not only do they take you away from your everyday life for a while, but you walk away, so to speak, feeling so much better when you finish the book!! I don't care if the book is 100 pages or 1000 - the feeling is always the same, and you go through the same emotions with the main character!! I love my other genres as well, but Romance remains the 1st book I reach for!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:14pm August 28, 2013)
I was in college in the 80's so the only books I was reading were college text books!
I loved First Lady. Nealy and Mat together when they first met had me laughing out loud. It was awesome!
(Sue Galuska 9:34pm August 28, 2013)
Sounds like a great book. Would also make a good song title.
(Sheila True 9:56pm August 28, 2013)
I still like fairy tale endings too. It may seem old fashioned, but I a woman who could rescue herself but allows a man to help her.
(Amy Kincade 10:59pm August 28, 2013)
I love Historical, Regency and Contemporary Romances.
(Carol Woodruff 11:12am August 29, 2013)
I do love history, so Historical romances are a great
favorite. Contemporary romances are my next favorite.
(Mary Preston 9:57pm August 29, 2013)
The only romances I really read at a young age were Georgette Heyers, but if a book didn't have horses in it I wasn't very interested anyway. Today's romances are very varied and can be historical or suspense, a wide variety.
(Clare O'Beara 10:14am August 30, 2013)
I never read the Sweet Valley High books. I started out reading older Harlequin Presents books that I got from my Grandmother. LOL
(Marcy Shuler 7:03pm August 30, 2013)
So interesting and so funny as I was trying to remember which books I liked in the same time frame. My mother in law asked me what I recommended for her. There are so many great new books but there are so many I remember.......
(Marguerite Beal 8:34pm August 30, 2013)
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