Well, this is different. Here I am writing to you from Daytona Beach Florida where I am attending the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Romantic Times conference.
Boy, the beach here goes on forever- and what an inspired choice of venue by the Romantic Times staff… It isn’t every conference where you can take a long, refreshing walk by the ocean. And I love paddling. I get a smile on my face the moment my feet get wet. I love it. And the ocean here is a lot warmer than back home in the UK!
Do catch up on my conference Blog at www.susanstephens.net, I want to share it with you.
OK, this is where it gets interesting…
I wrote that piece before having a rather dramatic fall in the shower in my hotel room… so I shall be appearing at conference from now on with a hugely swollen lip and nose. Don’t let that put you off if you see me there! It’s still me beneath the gargoyle mask!
(Only me! Sigh!!)
I’ll try not to frighten anyone away from the panel I’m speaking on on Thursday! I will be talking about Harlequin Presents and here’s a preview . ..
Why do I love writing for Presents???
I love the fantasy, I love the escapism… I have always loved fairy tales, they were my first reading passion, and so I love writing about sheikhs and Greek tycoons and Spanish grandees… and let’s not forget my Italian Stallion, Roman alpha of alphas, Santino!
(Santino Rossi will be in a book store near you sometime early in 2007. )
Santino’s story is entitled, One-Night Baby , and to begin with Santino really is an alpha male at his rampaging worst, but there is a very special Presents heroine who has to tame him and the strength of the heroine Kate is crucial to the journey Santino must take from brute to caring lover.
This journey is what makes the writing satisfying for me as I hope it makes the reading a pleasure for you. I want you to be cheering for Kate just as I did!
Our competition question this time is:
Why do you love reading romance?
It’s that simple, so please do enter and share your thoughts with us.
I can’t wait to hear from you.
(I can’t wait for the swelling on my nose and lip to go down either!!!)
Love to all, and happy reading everyone!
Susan
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Hi Susan,
I haven’t found you in Daytona so far, but I guess I will see you tomorrow at the book fair. I love to read Romances for relaxation, to dive into another world
by Danny
on May 19th, 2006 at 6:14 am
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I read romance to relax and know that no matter how bad things look there is going to be a happy ending.
by Maureen
on May 19th, 2006 at 6:37 am
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To fantasize, to dream, to escape from my troubles…A break, a vacation from one’s everyday life…
Romance even romantic suspence has the ultimate “Happy Ending”! I get enough bad news just reading the newspaper or watching CNN.
Historical romance, Harlequin Presents etc … offer me exposure to different countries..their cultures, values…
by Laurie G
on May 19th, 2006 at 7:12 am
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The happy ending! I love reading about the attraction, the butterflies, the yummy hero, the intelligent and fearless heroine, the sexy stuff - it’s all good.
by Stacy ~
on May 19th, 2006 at 7:27 am
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Hi Ladies!
Great to hear from you.
Yes, come and find me at the Book Signing, Danny.
The weather here is just extraordinary, I’m loving it!
Looking forward to hearing more of your comments on why you love to read romance…
Sx
by Susan Stephens
on May 19th, 2006 at 7:53 am
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I hope you feel better real soon, you poor thing. I bet your sore and embarressed sorry that happened there or anytime really would be horrible!
I like reading romances because I escape to other times, places, planets, etc…and get to experience other people’s lives and adventures whether their in this century or not.
by Dena
on May 19th, 2006 at 9:17 am
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I love reading romances because they provide an escape from every day life . In real life, the girl doesn’t always find the love of her life and it is nice to read romances where couples find true love. :)
It is painful to injury yourself in the shower. I wish you a speedy recovery and I hope you are able to have a great time at the conference.
by Crystal B.
on May 19th, 2006 at 9:47 am
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I hope the swelling gets better for you. I love reading romance because I enjoy seeing how the relationships develop and there is always a happy ending.
by Karen G
on May 19th, 2006 at 9:52 am
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A romance novel is like Calgon inside a book cover — it takes me away from the dirty laundry, the red mud stain on the carpet, the fact that my cat peed on the dining room rug and everything else that’s annoying me. I can get lost in the hero and heroine’s journey to the HEA and finish with a huge smile on my face, convinced that true love still exists in the world.
Ouch on that fall! As bad as the swollen lip and nose are, at least you didn’t end up with anything broken. Hope you un-swell soon.
by Marilyn
on May 19th, 2006 at 11:17 am
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So sorry about your fall and hope it doesn’t deter you from having a great time.
I can escape the world or life for a few hours when reading romance and forget the everyday ‘trials’. I learn about new and exciting places.
by Robyn
on May 19th, 2006 at 11:41 am
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I wish I were in Daytona! I hope the swelling goes down!
As for your question, I love romances because they allow me to escape the real world, they provide me with hope that maybe finding love is possible, and they almost always offer a happily ever after.
by Jennifer Y.
on May 19th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
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Happy endings, escape from the daily grind…
by Minna
on May 19th, 2006 at 1:38 pm
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i do love happily ever after so much:grin:
by KIM H
on May 19th, 2006 at 3:39 pm
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Romance is an escape from the real world to a world with a Happily Ever After ending.
by Carol
on May 19th, 2006 at 8:19 pm
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The books are my way of forgetting reality and entering into a place of mystery and romance….because as of right now I do not have any mystery or romance in my life:cry: I can depend on a book for a happy ending!!! And hopefully I am happy w/ how the book ends:smile:
by Kathleen
on May 19th, 2006 at 9:25 pm
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Escapism
by little lamb lost
on May 19th, 2006 at 10:33 pm
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I love reading romances - especially Harlequin Presents - for the emotional intensity they provide. Nothing hits home with me more than that. I love reading them for the sense of fantasy and escapism - where miracles can happen and dreams do come true. I read them for the plain and simple reason that deep down, I’m a romantic at heart and I like to believe that the power of love (and a gorgeous, hot alpha male) can curl a girl’s toes and chase away the blues and make ‘Happily Ever After’ very possible.
Susan, so sorry to hear about your fall. I hope you feel better soon. And it certainly sounds like you’re enjoying the beach! :) I’m heading over to read your diary at your website now. Thanks for sharing Daytona news!
Lee
by Lee
on May 20th, 2006 at 2:17 am
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Thank you all for your warm wishes. I really appreciate them. There’s nothing worse than something going wrong when you’re far away from home, but the warmth I have experienced here from friends old and new is so typical of the US.
Your comments enforce my own reasons for both reading and writing romance. When I was a little girl and things weren’t too happy I was able to escape into a fairytale. When I grew up nothing filled that gap until I discovered Harlequin Presents. I adore Presents. I can’t wait to get into my study each day and lose myself in the hopes and dreams of my latest heroine.
Kathleen, your entry touched me and I’m sure all the other ladies here will agree that we should put romance back into your life and make you our winner.
Wishing you many happy days ahead.
Please mail your details to SusanStephensContests@gmail.com
or to susan@susanstephens.net
I look forward to hearing from you
Susanx
by Susan Stephens
on May 20th, 2006 at 7:57 am
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congrats Katleen, I hope you find your happiness:smile:
by Dena
on May 21st, 2006 at 9:03 am
