Guest Author, Maya Banks & Giveaway!
by sue on Jun.15, 2010, under Book Chat
I was reading a book by one of my favorite authors and was struck by how much less romance there was compared to her earlier works. It got me to thinking about some of my other favorite authors and how as they progress in their careers, the romance seems to lessen.
No, I’m not going to point fingers, nor will I speculate as to why their books start to veer away from the heavily romantic, feel good, heart squeezing books that made me fall in love with them in the first place. Maybe it’s just me who feels this way.
But in talking to other readers and listening to my mom and other women her age, I’ve often wondered if we outgrow romance. Even typing this made my eyes widen and I flinched. Do we become less tolerant of really romantic, awwww, “sigh” books as we age? Or do we become more cynical?
I’ll be the first to admit, I love romance. I mean not just a light smattering here and there. I want it pouring off the pages. I want to feel the emotion between the characters. I don’t want it glossed over and mentioned in passing. Basically, I don’t like being TOLD the characters are in love and will live happily ever after. I want to be shown. And lately…well, I’m not being shown much by some of my favorite authors that I’ve loved for years.
This makes me sad.
I’m pushing 40, and I can honestly say that I love romance every bit as much as I did when I was sixteen. But I wonder if I’ll feel that way at 60? I like to think so. I don’t want to become intolerant and roll my eyes at the notion of romance and happily ever after.
Romance novels…make me happy. What else could I ask for in a book?
What are your thoughts? Do you find that some of your long time favorite authors ease up on the romance the longer they’re in the game? And do you find as you grow older that you become more cynical of heavily romantic books?
3 book (print) GIVEAWAY from Samhain to 3 randomly chosen commenters — GOOD LUCK! & Free ebook backlist to an additional 5 randomly chosen commenters, winners email contests@samhainpublishing.com directly for your book!
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Sue G - Borders True Romance Host - Borders Romance Buyer, reads romance. For her JOB. No, really. You can email Sue at sgrimshaw at bordersgroupinc dot com.
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June 19th, 2010 on 7:29 pm
I don’t think I’m more cynical now at 43 than I was at 13, when I first starting reading romance. While I still love romance, I just think that my tastes are more refined. In other words, it is no longer enough that certain scenes might be hot (and that definition has changed over 30 years, let me tell you!). Now I want a book that is actually well-written. I want heroines who are strong and intelligent and heroes who are heroic and no, I no longer find men who act like rapacious jerks as they often were in the late 70s and early 80s to be “heroic”.
As for whether or not my favorite authors have eased up on the romance over the years, I’ll just say that I’ve found myself a bit disappointed in the very latest books by not one, but three, of my favorite them. All of them have been writing for decades and have so many books that I guess it isn’t too surprising if some aren’t as strong as the others, but I felt let down. After reading your post, I’m wondering if the problem wasn’t exactly what you said — not much actual romance included and more telling that the couple are perfect for each other and not enough showing. I don’t have to have hearts and flowers and turtledoves flying off of each page, but I do want to believe that the main couple is together because they belong together and not because the plot says so and that requires more showing than some of these books are giving me.
June 19th, 2010 on 4:26 pm
i Maya,
I believe in one thing; no matter how old you are everyone enjoys a little romance in their lives. It’s a part of human nature!
June 17th, 2010 on 5:37 pm
I think my favorite authors continue to write good romances as the years progress, but there are some authors that drag on a series way too long and there is no change that amkes me want to continue. I don’t think I’ll become cynical because romance novels are read for fun and a perfect HEA can’t happen to everyone.
June 17th, 2010 on 1:14 pm
I am in my mid-thirties and I like romance in my books as much as I did in my teens. I have found that some authors’ books are not as romantic when they start to focus more on the suspense than on the couple.
June 17th, 2010 on 8:45 am
Hi Maya,
Love your writing. I read so many Authors that I really haven’t found too much romance diminishing to make me worry.If I live to be 100 I will always look for romance and lots of love in my reading. I will never tire of it. Besides , some of the nicest guys and gals I’ve met have been in those pages. lol lol
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
June 17th, 2010 on 12:54 am
Maya Banks books rock! count me in p lease great post
June 17th, 2010 on 12:16 am
I’ve noticed the same thing, Maya
In fact, one romance author I’ve read since I was a teen now seems to be writing books that are more Women’s Fiction… not that I have anything against those books, but I just want more romance.
I do feel a bit more cynical now then when I was younger… but, I still crave more romance in the books I read. They take me away from the real world for a bit and give me hope.
June 16th, 2010 on 8:32 pm
I am over 40 now and I can’t imagine not having a heavy romance in my books. Granted I like to read a variety of genres and some are lighter on the romance than others but most of the books I read must have some romance or it won’t keep my interest. I hope that I never get to the point where romance becomes optional. I find that thought too sad.
June 16th, 2010 on 6:44 pm
I don’t know if I noticed the difference one way or the other. Sometimes I want a solid hot romance but other times I’m fine with a lighter one, maybe more mystery or whatever is prompting the plot. Maybe I haven’t read enough of any given author to notice the difference.
June 16th, 2010 on 5:37 pm
I haven’t really noticed any of my tried & true authors toning down the romance if they did I’d probably stop reading their work. I don’t need over the top romance it just has to ‘feel’ real. I DO hope that I will still love romance novels when I’m old & grey.
June 16th, 2010 on 2:45 pm
Maya: Thank you for your post. In addition to your explanations for romance writers getting less romantic as time goes on, and those of other responders, I have one of my own.
I suspect once a writer hits the big time, once she’s gathered a huge and commercially reliable readership, she and her publishing company tend to let others do her work for her. Not just researching, but also writing.
These books might be mostly if not entirely ghostwritten. These hired writers imitate (or try to) the well-known author’s style and write about the themes that made her popular. But something’s missing, and sharp readers can and do pick up on it.
That which isn’t there might be whatever made her romances so romantic in the first place. These elements are hard to define, equally hard to imitate. If not impossible.
We can’t even be sure the author of record came up with the plot. Perhaps her editor or the head of the publisher’s marketing department did.
I can’t exactly prove all this in court. However, it would go a long way toward explaining why with so many big-name romance writers, the bloom is off the rose.
June 16th, 2010 on 2:41 pm
Congrats Maya!!!! Haven’t really found my favorite authors guilty of easing up on the romance. I did take a break from romance novels a few years ago but I resumed reading my favorite genre, have become more selective with what I read, and am a happy camper!
June 16th, 2010 on 2:41 pm
When I much, much younger, I read a lot of Regency and some contemporary romances. Then, I became bored and changed genre and started to read a lot of mysteries and classics.
Now, I have “rediscovered” romances, in the form of fantasy, urban fantasy, sci-fi, and paranormal.
June 16th, 2010 on 1:39 pm
Maya, you are one of my favorite authors. Certainly, I am a die hard romance novel reader. And I find that as I get older I *demand* my love scenes and HEAs. I find that it keeps me frisky.
June 16th, 2010 on 8:29 am
I haven’t noticed any authors straying yet. I really hope not I read romance for the same reasons you do I want to feel the emotions!
June 16th, 2010 on 7:04 am
Yes, I love my romance - that is 99% of what I read.
Yes, some of my favorite authors have strayed from romance and have gone into rom suspense, suspense or paranormal or dark books and that makes me sad as there was nothing like their “old” romance books of years ago. I like to stick with the m/f relationships.
Thank goodness there are other new and lots of my fav other authors around writing the kind of books I love.
I am a contemp gal and hope the authors keep writing and writing and writing them.
PS - would love to try a Samhain book but in print form please.
Pat L.
June 16th, 2010 on 6:49 am
I have also found that some of my favorite romance authors are light on the romance in their writing. It’s very sad because it’s such an important part of the story. I’m a huge fan or romance and HEA and I hope to be as long as authors are writing good romance stories!!
June 16th, 2010 on 6:38 am
I just started a few years ago reading the romance novels. I really love them they give you a chance to hope for that kind of love yourself someday.
June 16th, 2010 on 12:24 am
i just started readin g too and i love it
i am stil young at heart lol
congrats on teh book hot cover
June 15th, 2010 on 11:17 pm
I was getting tired of romances at one point, but at that time I was only reading Harlequin and Silhouette books. The stories just sort of starting blending together for me.
But then I discovered paranormal romance. Have always loved sci-fi and fantasy long before I got into romance. Now I can get both fixes in one read if I want. And with paranormal there are so many more different factors that can be used to keep a story from becoming boring.
By reading a lot of different authors in several different genres and sub genres I keep my reading from becoming all the same.
I hope I never grow tired of romance and I hope I never run out of new books to feed my reading addiction.
Love Maya’s books. Thanks for the great contest.
June 15th, 2010 on 10:28 pm
my romance authors really keep dishing the romance but i’ve noticed I am reading more uf and fantasy with romantic elements. Not sure why cause I still love romances. i Lurve maya’s books. BTW I am almost 44 and i’ve been reading romances since I was 12 so I don’t think I’ll quit anytime soon.
June 15th, 2010 on 10:25 pm
I am also n my 40’s and still love romance in my books. I find my taste have changed and I like stuff a little spicer than I used to. I can’t hardly stand the teen books now.
June 15th, 2010 on 9:16 pm
I am 50 and I have been hooked on romance books since I found some Harlequin Present books in a 2nd hand store when I was 12. I am a romance reader and I want romance in my books. I have seen the trend for some romance writers to move toward less romance in their books and I find myself reading less of their newer books. I feel the same way you do about wanting to feel the hero/heroine’s emotions. I want to go through what they go through. I want those emotions and I don’t think I will ever stop wanting those kinds of books.
June 15th, 2010 on 8:56 pm
I have to agree that there are some authors and readers that do lose interest or feel that the romance is not as important anymore. Personally, I still love a wonderful romance. My Mom, on the other hand, has moved well away from the romance genre for the most part. I don’t really understand as I still love to feel like there is hope for everything to come out right for a person.
The thing that romance gives me is characters that I can sympathize with and a depth of character that many other books seem to be lacking. Even when I do read books in other genres, they almost all have some element of romance. Without that warmth and relationship, Books are not worth reading for me.
June 15th, 2010 on 8:08 pm
Oh I do love die hard romance readers :)) Y’all are totally my kind of people! Thank you for popping by and for your kind words.
June 15th, 2010 on 6:48 pm
Maya,
You are truly my favorite author and I haven’t missed one of your stories yet. I love them either in print or on my kindle. During my spinal surgery, it was the one thing that kept me going. Colter’s Woman (which I have in print) has been read so many times it is truly one of my favorites and I was so excited to read Colters Lady - downloading it on June 1 and staying up way into the night to finish it. I can’t wait until Callie’s story. Thank you for your wonderful storytelling and for letting us into your world.
June 15th, 2010 on 6:23 pm
Hello,
Yeah, I have noticed that some authors cut down on the romance in their books after they have been writing for a while. I’m especially aware of this in the romantic suspense genre. Since this one of my favorite categories, I’m often a little disappointed when the stories concentrate so much on the action/suspense portion and don’t leave enough time for the romance to develop between the main characters. As for becoming more cynical, I can’t say its happened. I still reach for romances because I know at the end there will be a happy ending and that is quite comforting.
June 15th, 2010 on 6:00 pm
Hi Maya!! Big big fan of your work. As a 33 year old married mother of two. Romance novels have become my escape from the day to day struggles that, I’m sure, like everyone else we face everyday. Whether it’s paranormal, romantic suspence, erotic or just a good they just love each other book. They make me happy. I know when it’s a good story when you can just close your eyes and see what is going on and feel it too. I haven’t read a lot until this past year so I guess I have nothing to compare to, but when I close the book at the end I just want to smile because it just made me happy.
June 15th, 2010 on 5:58 pm
I have been an avid reader for over 55 yrs and about 48 have been romance books reading. I hope romance books never go out of style. I love mystery, suspense and humor in my romance books but I still need the romance. I love HEA and Cinderella was my first favorite book and is still my favorite. lol Pls continue to write romance books so we can read and enjoy. Thanks for the giveaway and opportunity to enter.
June 15th, 2010 on 5:34 pm
I do not think either item is true. I most certainly have not grown more cynical. As time passes I think I have become more easy going and open minded as a reader. I hope that authors do as well.
June 15th, 2010 on 5:18 pm
I have been reading romance for over 55 years and I don’t think I will ever tire of it.
June 15th, 2010 on 5:00 pm
I’m not a lifelong romance reader, I’ve more recently eased into it, so I can’t say I have seen that trend. However, I think people’s reading tastes change over time so maybe an author’s writing tastes change too. My question would be what is the romance being replaced with?
June 15th, 2010 on 4:17 pm
I can’t say I’ve noticed a trend from my mainstay authors. I certainly hope the level of romance doesn’t dip. I live for the emotional ride romances offer. Love your book Maya, hope I win!!
June 15th, 2010 on 4:14 pm
I’ve definitely noticed this trend with a few authors too. I see it a lot with romantic suspense authors or romance authors who switch to romantic suspense…the romance part seems to get thinner and thinner.
I’ve only really been reading romance for 5 or so years and I guess I could see how my tastes have shifted during that time. So maybe one day they’ll shift to less romance…who knows?
June 15th, 2010 on 4:11 pm
“Do you find that some of your long time favorite authors ease up on the romance the longer they’re in the game?”
YES! I’ve stopped reading some of them altogether because I feel they’ve moved out of the Romance genre into genres I don’t read.
“And do you find as you grow older that you become more cynical of heavily romantic books?”
Gosh, I hope not. It’s hard for me to tell because I’m in a reading slump right now. I think not, though. When I do read, it’s usually something quick like a Harl. Presents.
June 15th, 2010 on 3:42 pm
God…I hope I never become cynical and disenchanted with romance novels. *knock on wood and all* I have been reading romance since I was like 7/8 years old…my love has only grown and not faded…my genre selection has broadened…I read a lot more paranormal, romantic suspense and erotic romance…I still read historical romances and contemporary (I started out on these two genres). I love my HEAs’; I happen to like knowing that a story will have a good ending even before reading the book. Books are my source of escape from the tensions and stress of everyday reality so a HEA is such a crucial part of the whole experience. I’ve been reading many authors consistently over the years and thankfully they’ve stuck to keeping romance in their writing…if they did drop romance from their writing…I’m pretty sure that I would discontinue reading their work.
June 15th, 2010 on 2:36 pm
I love romance but I agree with all of you…I was thinking maybe the authors are getting burned out of writing the same scenes. How many ways can you say we went to bed and what did we do while there??? Or maybe it is us that is tired of it all!
Donna
June 15th, 2010 on 2:34 pm
Hi Maya!
I have to agree. I look back at the authors that got me addicted to romance in the beginning and the books they write now just aren’t the same. The writing is still awesome, lots of action and suspense, but the romance is lacking. They are still auto-buys for me, just in case they write another sigh-worthy book, but I don’t hold out a lot of hope.
As I get older, I actually crave the romance more. There is too much bad crap in the world and I want that escape more than ever now.
June 15th, 2010 on 1:42 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more! It seems like the books that I used to read were more in depth and as publishers try to shorten novels to keep the price point the same and authors still need to deliver a compelling story that the “romance” in romance is not as prevalent as it used to be. Not in all cases, but it seems to happen more than I felt it used to. I recently wrote a blog about this…about wanting to feel why the H/h are falling in love not just told and wonder how and why it all happened.
I hope I keep my love of romance as I get older too. Like you I’m approaching the big 4-0 and find I’m even more in love with romance than I was even just a few years ago, despite my sometimes frustration with the lack of love which seems to be just lust in romance (however I do love my romances steamy…the hotter the better!)
Have a good one and I love your books Maya! I can’t wait for your KGI series and your next Sweet book!!!
June 15th, 2010 on 1:41 pm
I’ve got to answer your questions as yes and yes. I’ve also noticed there tends to be some romance in almost all books.
June 15th, 2010 on 1:37 pm
I started reading romance novels in the sixth grade and now I’m in my mid twenties. I used to read a novel a day for a quite a few years and lately I’ve felt pretty burnt out by the genre and have had to branch out to different kinds of romance than the standard boy meets girl = love forever and ever. Its a great plot line, and I still love the romance at the end, but so many novels are just re-tellings of the same things over and over again…cue amnesia, orphans, running away from bad uncles/step-fathers/etc. That’s why I love the M/M/F, M/M/M/F, or any combination that deviates from the “norm.” Its my favorite genre in a whole new way. It makes me just a giddy to read one of these now, as it did when I started reading back in the day.
June 15th, 2010 on 1:31 pm
I find that I enjoy my romance novels and I don’t find that their is less romance in romance novels. I find that as I grow older that I truely love romance.
June 15th, 2010 on 1:26 pm
Hi Maya,
I would have to agree with the statement, I’m 24yrs old and a Pisces so I’m big on the romance front. Reading some of my favorite authors early work and comparing it to their latest you can tell that their is a huge difference in the writing and the romance. So if I’m looking for romance I see that I tend to go to different genres of romance. If I can’t find it in erotica I’ll go to main stream contemporary then historical. But I’ve notice that if I really want romance I tend to ready books published in the 80’s and 90’s doesn’t matter the author or genre. It just seems that novels published during that period have to romance I crave.
As to your second question I don’t know if I can say that I’ve become more cynical of heavily romantic books but I have become more cynical of the heroins they seem to come off weak. Then again that JMO.
Oriela
June 15th, 2010 on 1:20 pm
Hi Maya. I love your books. I love books with lots of romance that touch my heart. I don’t think that has changed in all the years I have been reading romance novels.
June 15th, 2010 on 1:17 pm
I love romance in a novel. Even as I get older it still appeals to me. Found you on a blog that some friends and I go to one Monday’s. Checkout your books, grabbed one and am now waiting to read more.
June 15th, 2010 on 12:37 pm
I love your stories. You are an auto-buy for me!
June 15th, 2010 on 12:32 pm
Sinec I’m only in my 30’s, I can’t speak to how I would feel when I’m 60, but like you, I’m hoping I never fall out of love with romance.
I have noticed that many of my favorite authors are sexing their books up more. Most of the time in a good way, but a few have felt forced. Almost like they are being asked to write outside their comfort zones. I’m all for the sexy, but want it to come naturally to the author.
Great post!
June 15th, 2010 on 12:31 pm
I really love reading my romance novels and connecting with all the great charactors. Maya is my favorite auther and she knows whats in every womans fantasy and heart. I cant wait to see what she comes up with next!
June 15th, 2010 on 12:30 pm
Hi Maya.
I think authors do change over time but most of the ones I love still write with either the same amount of romance or they have more romance now. I find that as I get older I still have to have the romance and HEA in my books. That hasn’t changed at all and I really don’t see it changing. One thing that I love is all the different directions that romance books have gone over time. Gives me so much more to read.
Larena
June 15th, 2010 on 12:30 pm
Jen X, I know what you mean. I laugh at some of the stuff I LOVED in my teens because it was so…high drama and flashy, so of course my teenage heart loved it hehe. I do love subtlety and maturity in my romances, but I still do love the big, emotional romances. They still make me sigh and close the book with a smile.
June 15th, 2010 on 12:29 pm
I hope I won’t grow out of reading romance but I do know that my tastes change. Some of my teen favorites just don’t cut it for me anymore. Too naive? Or even saccharine? These days I need some snark to make me happy, and I enjoy a kick-ass heroine more than a doormat. (I had a high tolerance for TSTL and doormat heroines in my teens.)
June 15th, 2010 on 12:28 pm
Kaetrin, I couldn’t have said it better!
June 15th, 2010 on 12:28 pm
Debra, I’m so happy you enjoyed the Colters
And right now I don’t have any plans to write a story for AJ, however, you will get a brief glimpse of him and the gang again in the Four Play anthology coming out this October.
June 15th, 2010 on 12:27 pm
I guess I’m okay with books that aren’t that romantic anymore. I think it’s come with age . . . I enjoy the urban fantasies out there and they don’t focus so much on the romance.
Maya, thanks for stopping by today and offering such a great contest!
June 15th, 2010 on 12:25 pm
I’m a reader who needs romance. Action and adventure are fine as long as there is still a nice bit of romance involved in the plot as well
Continued success
June 15th, 2010 on 12:24 pm
Oh it makes me happy to see that so many of you still love those sigh worthy books out there :))) I love, love, love romances.
June 15th, 2010 on 12:23 pm
Actually, no. The authors I read, the older their writing becomes the most passion I find they have in the story. The more drive is in the story… The push the envelope just a bit farther on the next one.. The give more in the next one. Thank you for the chance!
June 15th, 2010 on 12:19 pm
Dear Maya,
I am a “lady of a certain age” and I still love romance. I’m only cynical when the romance is badly written….and there are some real clunkers out there!
I just finished reading “Colter’s Lady” and I loved it. You have shown that the emotions of the characters do matter and they aren’t just one-dimensional cutouts.
I do feel that some former romance authors have strayed too far off the path and their books no longer interest me, but that is only my opinion.
June 15th, 2010 on 11:51 am
I’m not very old yet, but I know I have changed my romance tastes a little since I started reading them. Before I wanted the hugecrazy love. Now I want something a little more realistic Even Though I also like the crazy scandal & drama that isn’t. I like my romantic couple to feel Real. He/she gets jealous or makes mistakes or Something that makes them human. I still want romantic gestures but I want Doubts & Worries to make those gestures Mean more when they happen. I don’t think it’s cynical, just wanting something more real.
June 15th, 2010 on 11:51 am
I have noticed that a few times. The worst is when it is in the middle of a series and the first ones were so focused on the main characters and their romance and then all of a sudden in future books it’s all action and very little romance. I’m all about the romance in my books.
I hope I never become cynical or disenchanted on love or romance, no matter how old I get and whether that HEA ever happens for me.
June 15th, 2010 on 11:00 am
I haven’t been reading romance novels long enough to be jaded, yet. The same enjoyment is fond in all of the books that I’ve read and I hope that doesn’t change anytime soon.
June 15th, 2010 on 10:45 am
I love romance and still read the pure romance books. I have to admit read the other as well, but sometimes nothing works but a good feel good romance. Where you just feel all the emotion love and hope.
June 15th, 2010 on 10:40 am
Romance has always been my choice of reading. I agreed with you that I like to be shown happily ever after not just told. Was at the book store last night and unfortunately they didn’t have any of your books available but will be ordering on-line. There are so many romance books out there that my TBR is forever growing.
June 15th, 2010 on 10:12 am
I quit reading romance for a while after I got married because I was so involved in my own romance and, well life. But it never lost it’s appeal for me. I still love reading it and now I love writing it too! I can’t say I have noticed any long time favorites tailing off in the romance department, but I have broadened by scope by enjoying urban fantasy and some other closely related genres. None the less, I plan on reading romance until I die. DH may have to bury me with my book stash!
June 15th, 2010 on 10:03 am
For me, I sometimes find that my longtime favorite authors become a little formulaic in their romances. Sometimes I think that they get too caught up in churning out books at a regular interval that they loose that previous passion in their writing. As a reader, I find that time has made me more selective in my reading choices. Not necessarily more cynical, but more aware of what is considered a good romance.
Love Maya Banks! Thanks for the contest!
June 15th, 2010 on 9:53 am
I love Maya’s work!
Many authors I like have written more into romantic suspense and I want more of their older style.
June 15th, 2010 on 9:16 am
I think as I get older I appreciate subtlety & nuance more, so maybe big declarative romantic actions may not float my boat one day. I’m pretty sure I’d still love to read romances though
June 15th, 2010 on 9:12 am
It seems to me that a lot of authors are embracing other genres of romance; paranormal, erotica and suspense.
I have not noticed a downplay in romance.
I’ve been reading romance since 1986. I love the books as much today as I did then. I look forward to an escape and a HEA!
June 15th, 2010 on 8:21 am
I still love the romance and can’t see myself ever wanting anything different. I see the level of the romance changing when the author writes a different genre of romance, which seems to be happening regularly. I’m happy with that because sometimes I want to read romantic comedy, sometimes I’m in the mood for romantic suspense, and sometimes I want the allure of an erotic romance.
I don’t think cynical is the right word but sometimes the plot is so bizarre I can’t suspend that much belief. There has only been a few like that for me though. With the diversity of ebooks we should all be able to find plenty of books that are enjoyable!
June 15th, 2010 on 7:40 am
Hi, Maya! Best wishes for your continued success. Thank you for posing such an interesting question. I will turn 52 next month, and I am just as enthralled with romance reads now as I was almost 40 years ago when I started reading Georgette Heyer, Barbara Cartland and Jane Aiken Hodge. Thirty years ago, I read “Ashes in the Wind” by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, and it remains my favorite book to this day. I did not have my own HEA, but I still beieve in true love and second chances. I pray that I never lose my youthful spirit and hopeful heart–two things that make me a devoted romantic fiction reader. If an author lost their “joie de vivre”–”joy of life/living”–then their work would suffer. Thankfully, my favorite authors (both old and new) have not lost their enthusiasm for life and love. Neither have I!!!
June 15th, 2010 on 2:53 am
Congrats on the upcoming release, Maya. I have noticed that a few of my favorite authors recent releases are light on the romance and heavy on the action and suspense. As I get older I don’t find myself becoming more cynical of heavily romantic books, I still want the romance.
June 15th, 2010 on 2:29 am
I’m in my 40s and romance is more important to me now than ever I think. I read a lot and I want to read romance. I’m not really interested in books that are light on the romance - I know I’m missing out on some great books, but romance is where I want to spend my time. I went through a phase many years ago when I read thrillers and then later, fantasy and I really enjoyed them, but I’m more interested in romance now. If an author starts to move away from the romance being central, then I’m likely to move away from the author I’m afraid. There are so many great books out there - my TBR pile is evidence - that I don’t have to “settle” for anything less than what I really want to read. I know others want something different - that’s excellent, I’m happy for them. But me? I’m all about the romance!
June 15th, 2010 on 1:50 am
I’m going to be 50 in a couple of weeks and I still my romance in books. That is why I read them. I want to see the people fall in love and know that they can’t live without each other. I love to see how the love grows between them, and Maya you do it so well! If it is only M/F or M/F/M you build it in a way that is so belivable. I had never read a M/F/M until you, now I can’t wait for them because you show how it works.
Have I noticed that some authors are pulling back, maybe just a little. But I know there are plenty of other authors who aren’t and I will look forward to their books.
Maya, I have to tell you I LOVED Colter’s Woman and Colter’s Lady. I was so happy to see that Holly and the boys were still happy after 30 years! I am a major fan of all of your books and can’t wait for Conner’s story, would also love to see one on Cole! I know you may have said it before, but are you doing a story for AJ from Seducing Simon? I would love to know how he is doing and if he got his own HEA. Well, I’m in a little bit of a reading slump so I am going to reread For Her Pleasure. Maya, thank you for all of your wonderful books and many hours of enjoyment!