Friday, January 21, 2011

Discovering Romance

Hey all,

It's Friday again and this week's blog comes from another Samhain author, Shona Husk.  She's new to my blog, but her work is some of the most intriguing I've come across.  Let's learn a little about her, shall we?

Blessed with a lively imagination, Shona spent most of her childhood making up stories. As an adult she discovered romance novels and she hasn't looked back. 

Always fascinated by dark fairy tales and the paranormal, it's not uncommon to get to know spirits, vampires, were-creatures and demigods through her books. 

In her free time Shona likes to keep fit and get creative in the kitchen...Toblerone brownies anyone?
When she relaxes with a glass of wine at the end of the week she likes to lose herself in a good book.

So, let's take a look at what she has to say about her journey into Romance Land!

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I was a late starter when it came to reading romance. I was 27. I didn’t find a stash of Mills and Boons in my grandmother’s cupboard, or even fall over historical romances at the library. Nope, I stumbled over romance in a ‘how to write’ book list of genres.

Tragic, but true.

I then rectified the deficiency in my reading experience by buying scads of romances of all types and, again by accident, discovered paranormal and fantasy romance.

While I’d always read fantasy and sci-fi, I’d always wondered what was missing…now I knew. It was the romance. The day might be saved but usually at the cost of love. Why couldn’t the hero defeat the villain and get the girl. Why couldn’t the heroine study magic and get the guy?

In fantasy romance she can.

That was when I knew what I wanted to write. I wanted to indulge my love of fantasy and the paranormal and have a HEA.

When did you discover romance novels?

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I can't remember ever NOT reading a romance.  I grew up on Harlequin, Grace Livingston Hill and Barbara Cartland.  When I hit my teens I swiped bodice rippers from my friend's moms (sorry guys) and then moved into what became my favorite romances--anything by Norma Roberts.  Then much later I discovered sensual romances and once I found those I never looked back. Though La Nora will ALWAYS be my number one favorite.

So, tell Shona when you became a romance fan in the comments below.  And find out more about Shona at her WEBSITE.  And don't forget to check out her newest release at Samhain.  How To Breath Fire is an awesome story that takes place on a fiery world where emotions heat up as quickly as the action does! 


I'll be back on Monday with another blog about my world and the magic in it!  You all have a wonderful weekend!!!!

CJ England










Follow Your Dreams
http://cjengland.com/secondchances/lifesadance.htm

http://cjengland.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Question. I'm noticing the term "bodice rippers" returning to the discussion in several places and I'm not sure I agree with the usage. In days past, romance writers were cautioned against propogating the term because it appears to denagrate women and imply roughness. I could easily have missed the loop where it was garnered a good phrase again, but I'm still wondering why it's resurfacing and what background images it conjurs. Please don't get defensive. I'm asking a question because I'm not aware of something perhaps and just want to know. I'm not condemning anyone or dis-appreciating your work. I congratulate you on the perseverance and effort it takes to publish a novel. I'm just opening a dialogue hopefully without being yelled at in the bargain.
Joy Held

Shona Husk said...

I have only come across the term ‘bodice ripper’ when people are referring to older style romance novels—which I never read. Since I don’t write historical romance my heroines don’t have any bodices to rip…in fact my heroines are more likely to be ripping off the heroes clothes :)

lesleyinfreo said...

How to Breathe Fire is a gripping and very original story.
My own discovery of romance came in university breaks. After doing 8 3 hour exams in five days I needed something that would take me into the story quickly and discovered romance.

CJ England said...

Joy,

This is CJ and I'm the one who used the term there at the end. And I'm not angry at all.

IMHO, the term isn't bad, it just is. It's the term we used when I was a kid and I'm not one for "political correctness" just for the sake of "political correctness".

Like Shona said, to me the term refers to the old style historical of the 70s and 80s. I loved them and though I don't read that type so much any more (no time), I have no problem with the term and have never thought it negative.

As I said, it's just a term to describe a certain type of book, and, IMHO, having read hundreds upon hundreds of them...an accurate one.

:-)