Neuroscientists have found that watching films has a powerful psychological and physical effect - we can actually feel a character’s pain in our own muscles. I say that romance novels also elicit the same kind of feelings in the reader and I say they’re more satisfying because we get to visualize and live along with the character as they’re falling in love.
Good writing involves people’s emotions and good writing should do that. Why read a story if you don’t care about the characters? The fun part about reading is becoming involved in the story, correct?
Emotions more than the sex in a romance novel is why one sells every 5 seconds. The good romance novels I’ve read convey that pure, raw emotion. If could NOT put down a book and it left me crying for hours, I feel all the more satisfied at the ending. When I get sympathy pains for the characters and I find myself extremely moved by the characters… that’s the good stuff.
Crafting a character to live and breath is the goal of all writers. Making the reader care is the number one priority. It’s why the romance industry is mostly supported by women. Women thrive on emotion. It makes their lives meaningful. They’re nurturers and make everyday life for the people they love work. Give that good friend a romance that you loved or your mom, or the co-worker in your office. They’ll thank you for it.
Have you ever given a romance novel as a gift? What kind of response did you get? I’ll give away one of my backlisted books to one poster.
See you next time around!
Karen
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Sure have and they were thrilled.
by Pat L
on September 18th, 2007 at 6:37 am
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I have given romance books and also received them as gifts. I get a lot of THANK-YOU’S & HUGS for them. I always know what they are reading, what authors they like so when a birthday come along and a new books comes out I make sure I get it before they do and will have it in hand wrapped for them. Amazon is really good about getting books to you when they first come out, a lot of times I will have them before they hit the shelves in the stores.
by Tammy G.
on September 18th, 2007 at 6:44 am
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Romance books make wonderful gifts for friends who I know also love to read and for relatives, especially those older and less active who love to relax and enjoy a good read. I have recently found that some of the younger females of our family have also started to read since their mothers or older sisters do and when I know what they like I love giving them books as presents. I don’t care what age a person is, reading is great for young and older minds…keeps our brain and imagination active and gives us hours of fun and enjoyment. Book and the love of reading is a great gift to pass on to family and friends. I have also given books or gift certificates from bookstores at parties if I know the person well enough and even a few really sexy and romantic books at a bridal shower which she really enjoyed (made up a gift basket of some really sexy items including the books).
by Shari C
on September 18th, 2007 at 7:46 am
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Books are one of my most favorite gifts to give. (and to receive)
The Golden Rule (of book giving) , “Give Books You Would Like To Be Given” ~ lol
I really do like to pick out books that I know the other person likes, favorite authors, etc.
by Christy
on September 18th, 2007 at 7:54 am
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I don’t usually give books as a gift, because the other person might not like the same kind of books as I do. I’ve been given way too many books that I haven’t liked, so I rather give a gift cericate to a bookstore.
by Minna
on September 18th, 2007 at 8:06 am
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Yes - BIG THANKS!!! Also given other types of books to those I know love them and GCs.
by Karen B
on September 18th, 2007 at 9:29 am
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I gave my mom romances, that I know she would like. And she always liked them
by Danny
on September 18th, 2007 at 9:47 am
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I have given romance books as gifts and the recipients tend to be thrilled. Several of my friends and a few family members share views on books regularly so it is easier to find the right type of romance or any book for them.
by Little Lamb Lost
on September 18th, 2007 at 12:26 pm
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Actually, no since I don’t know anyone who reads romances in the offline world. Which I guess works out pretty well so that way I don’t have to worry about wanting to keep them instead of giving them to someone. 
Lois
by Lois
on September 18th, 2007 at 12:59 pm
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Sure! Usually the people I give them to are thrilled. I would probably not chance it with someone whose taste I don’t know.
by Cherie J
on September 18th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
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yes alomost every christmas. thy love it. 
by kim h
on September 18th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
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I give romance novels to my friends and family members frequently. I would not give a romance novel to someone I didn’t know well.
by Estella
on September 18th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
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Books are one of my most favorite gifts to give. They were thrilled to get them. And I get a lot of thank you for them.
by Emma
on September 18th, 2007 at 3:14 pm
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Not usually since most of the people I know don’t read romances. However, I did give a friend a Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel and she loved it… so perhaps I converted someone.
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Actually to my 23 yr. old daughter. She picked up reading early and books have always been around for her to read but she’s graduated college, got engaged and moved 5 hours away and now we both buy each other books (of all kinds) and we also borrow each others. It seems strange for her to be buying me books instead of always the other way around lol. I’ve also done this with my mother and sister and best friend. And like the others, GC’s are always a safe way to give the gift of the book for those you are not sure about.
by catslady
on September 18th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
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Yes I have bought my mom many books and she always loves them! Her and I are both avid readers! She inspired my love for romantic stories.
by Michele L.
on September 19th, 2007 at 12:05 am
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I love giving books as gifts! Usually I try to get the person something I definetely know they want. A good friend of mine loves romance and she’s usually happy with the books I suggest to her. 
by RachaelfromNJ
on September 19th, 2007 at 12:35 am
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I give romance novels to my friends and family; very well accepted.
by RobynL
on September 19th, 2007 at 1:51 am
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I love giving books as gifts and receiving them also. It’s always fun to share books with friends & family. I gave romance books to my step mother and she was very happy with the books I gave her. I also gave romance novels to my friends and they were very happy & got addicted to reading romance books now I love reading romance novels.
Hugssss
LindaH
by Linda
on September 19th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
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I have always given books as presents. During Christmas I am now know for my gift baskets. I always include tea, coffee, hot chocolate and books. I put in books that will work with the person receiving the basket. I will also include snacks and normally some type of blanket or throw, I’ve even been known to slip in a robe or pjs. I figure the gift basket would be the perfect gift for me, so everyone else should enjoy it. LOL
by Patty L.
on September 19th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
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My mother reads romances so I know that she enjoys them and I’ve given her books but mostly I give gift cards to book stores to people who love to read because I never know what they’ve read and what they haven’t.
by Maureen
on September 19th, 2007 at 6:15 pm
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I’ve given lots of books as gifts, but only if I am really sure what the person reads. We are heavily into reading in my family, so books as gifts are really common. But Minna is right — reading taste is a very personal thing, so I tred carefully with people I don’t know as well. It’s disappointing to give a book to someone who won’t read it. But when they DO like it, it’s great. I recently lent a romance novel to a friend and she loved it, and has now passed it on to her daughter. I might never get the book back, but I feel so glad that I introduced them to a new author. 
by Gail Barrett
on September 20th, 2007 at 4:38 am
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I have once given my best friend a romance novel. It was Outlander by Diana Gabaldon which I had adored and read in one day, I remember that I had even forgotten supper and my children where in the kitchen asking for their meal! So, I was very proud of myself and gave it to a friend who had never read a romance novel and she told me that she could not even finish it because she found it distateful. I was so hurt and so I have never done the same mistake again. I keep my books for myself.
by Maggie
on September 22nd, 2007 at 5:51 pm
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I have never given a romance book or even recommended one because my friends always laugh at me when I tell them I enjoy reading romances. They say it is not real litterature - how stupid and narrow-minded they are!
by Lily
on September 22nd, 2007 at 5:53 pm
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My mom and I always swap books… and we love romance novels, so it is common that I give her a book, which she usually enjoys, so she tells me!
by Nathalie
on September 22nd, 2007 at 5:54 pm
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Hi all - I’ve just poked my head out of deadline hell and realized that I haven’t chosen a winner. It’s Lois. Thanks all for commenting. Lois, send me your snail mail. Best, Karen
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wtg lois
by kim h
on September 24th, 2007 at 9:41 pm
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I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100% regarding It’s All About Emotion, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong
by Daniel
on October 2nd, 2007 at 3:29 am
