I was recently reviewing lists of potential interview questions for my upcoming
blog tour for my debut, NO
COWBOY REQUIRED, which released on May 14th (woohoo!). One of the
questions was: what do you do when you get stuck writing? That got me
thinking. I don't really have something I "do" when I get stuck, except, I
guess, stop writing until I feel like it again (thank goodness this isn't my
full-time jobโฆyet!).
But I do have something I do when I get overly stressed in general, whether
about my writing or my day job or my kids or when my mother-in-law is coming to
visit and the house is a wreckโฆ you know, those every-day sort of stressors.
What do I do? I cocoon and watch a romance movie in my bedroom. I invite my
daughter to watch with me, and she used to agreeโuntil, over time, we'd watched
my selections each twice and she realized the selection list was finite and
very small. Because, you see, I can't watch just any romance
movie. I have my go-to list; those movies I can watch over and over without
getting bored โ and without the urge to recite the lines along with the
characters because that would totally mess the mood!
So here are my top 5 go-to romance movies, in no particular order because I
tried to order them but kept changing my mind and gave up. Everyone is a winner
and gets a gold star on this list!
The Lucky One. If you haven't seen this movie with Zac
Efron and Taylor Schilling, do it. Now. The outside shower scene. Enough said.
Under the Tuscan Sun. Okay, I can hear the moans from hereโฆ
that it's really not a traditional romance. We don't even find out that guy's
name that she ends up with at the end! So who, really, is the hero? Yet it's a
love storyโabout learning to love yourself, about creating and loving a new life
(or, maybe just "your" life)โand ultimately, finding loveโฆ though, what
IS that guy's name? Doesn't matter! The ending is a satisfying love
story ending. (And, come on, be honest, who doesn't dream of buying a villa in
Italy and moving there?)
Dirty Dancing. Patrick Swayze is amazing. So is Jennifer
Grey. And the dancing. I want to dance like that. I've tried to get my husband
to take lessons to dance like that. Guys, if you're reading thisโlearn to dance
like that. Seriously, there's nothing sexier.
Again, with the moans. Come on, people. It's an engaging story. I couldn't
put the books down when I was reading them. I never really got into the whole
Edward/Jacob thing; Jacob never had a chance in my mind. But I still couldn't
put those books downโand, yes, the movies (in particular Twilight, the first
movie) is still a go-to soother.
Medicine Woman. Yes, my husband bought me the entire
seriesโall six seasons in a special series container! But that's not a movie,
you say. True! But since this is my blog, I'm changing the rules. Why? One word:
Sully. I like to think of hubby as a present-day Sully. *swoon*
So there you have it: my go-to de-stressor romance movies. What are yours?
As a photographer in NYC, Grace Harper is a pro at handling the unexpectedโwhich
comes in handy when she inherits the ranch home she ran away from seven years
agoโฆalong with a young, autistic stepbrother she's never met. And because
nothing ever goes easy for her, Grace finds her frustrating, sexy ex-flame,
Noah, taking care of JJ. But she's getting out of this nowhere town fast, so
she'll have to find a way to keep from throttling Noahโwithout kissing him first.
Noah Taylor may be enemy number one to Grace, but she needs his help. He knows
the girl he used to love is still there, beneath the heels and fancy clothes, so
he'll help herโand keep his distance like she says she wants. Only the more time
they spend together, the closer he wants to get. Grace has no intention of
staying, but she belongs in his armsโhe just has to prove it to her.
Romance Contemporary
[Entangled Bliss, On Sale: May 14, 2018, e-Book,
ISBN: 9781987625950 / eISBN: 9781640635012]
JoAnn Sky has written for years as part of her job (business and marketing
plans and the like). One day she tried her hand at writing for funโand liked it.
Now she authors adult contemporary romance and young adult romance with a
magical twist as well as children's books. She is a two-time Golden Heartยฎ
finalist. Originally from the Midwest, JoAnn currently lives in northern Nevada
with her husband a.k.a. love of her life, three teenage children, and three
crazy rescue dogs. No Cowboy Required is her debut novel.
Mine are more lugubrious......Remains of the Day, Mr. and Mrs. North, Room with a View, and the like. I'll have to look at The Lucky One. Thanks. (Kathleen Bylsma 4:31pm May 22, 2018)
And congratulations on your debut! It sounds SO good. (Kathleen Bylsma 4:32pm May 22, 2018)
© 2003-2026