I don't know about most romance readers, but aside from society-approved books like Jane Eyre and Pride & Prejudice, the first romances I ever read were categories. Whenever my grandma came to visit, I'd sneak them out of her suitcase, take them to my room and read them ny flashlight on the floor of my closet. I was about ten, and yes, I was literally in the closet with my love of romance novels.

Thank the good Lord, things are different now. We can come out of the closet. We no longer have to hide our love of secret babies and oil tycoons and virgin stable girls! There's even a contest going on, all about how cool it is to love category romance.

Today is the final day to enter Jane from Dear Author and SB Sarah's contest on their joint site devoted to straight contemporary romance. I've blogged Save the Contemporary before, and I'm bringing it up again now because if you go to the site and enter the contest, you have the chance to win the LUSH True Romance gift set, which, as a big fan of LUSH from way back, is well worth a few mouse clicks and a tweet or two. Check it out! And while you're there, revel in the fun of a dedicated forum for discussing everything from faked orgasms in Jennifer Crusie novels to make-believe mistresses.

Posted by Louisa Edwards at 8:34 AM 1 comments  

Labels: #stc, Dear Author, Save the Contemporary, Smart Bitches

I'm heading off to RT for the first time (yes, I'm a virgin, insert inappropriate joke here). My wardrobe is going to consist mainly of khakis, cotton tops, sundresses, and bathing suits. I'm not planning to attend any costume balls (although I very much look forward to seeing those who do) so that makes life easy.

What's not so easy is choosing which of the many books on my currently-reading pile to bring. I've gotten into a bad habit of starting more than one book at a time, which means it feels like I never finish anything. Check out my GoodReads box at the bottom of the page. According to that, I'm reading like nine things right now! And when I look at it? There aren't really any I'm willing to take off the list. So what do I bring to RT? Especially knowing I'll be picking up books there!

Beyond Heaving Bosoms is on my Kindle (shut up, I preordered it before #amazonfail) so I think that's definitely coming. I've got a couple of manuscripts from friends to read, also on Kindle, and the newest Suzanne Brockmann. What else? I'm thinking Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl, maybe Flat Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy. And my cooking magazines: Gourmet, Saveur, Food & Wine, and Cook's Illustrated. That should cover me on my travels, right?

I should mention I have a pathological fear of being caught in some horrible travel snafu, like being stuck on a runway for three hours, and not having enough to read. I'd much rather overpack. What about you? Do you go for the mindless entertainment of People magazine and Us Weekly? The latest novel you've been meaning to try or the periodical you try to get through every quarter? Or do you like to sleep or listen to music. Share your travel strategies.

Posted by Louisa Edwards at 10:00 AM 1 comments  

Labels: Erin McCarthy, Kindle 2, Smart Bitches, Suzanne Brockmann, Victoria Dahl

Those crazy kids, Sarah and Jane, of Smart Bitches and Dear Author fame, are running a super cool contest right now on their genius site, Save the Contemporary. Check it out!

I admit to bias and ulterior motives, for sure. Also to a little bit of eek! that contemporary romances need saving. Contemporary romance was my first love, all the way back to the Harlequins I stole out of my grandma's suitcase whenever she came to visit. And even though I don't write category, I know I was influenced by those stories set in the real world (if the real world were full of tycoons and desert princes and secret mistresses--which it TOTALLY is, I'm sure. In some parts of the world. Shut up.) and featuring heroines who were secretaries or school teachers, rather than superheroines who can, like, breathe underwater or have laser eyes or something. Not that I don't love a good paranormal--I absolutely do! But still, I can't help but feel that contemporaries give us romance in its purest form.

So to help keep this once thriving subgenre alive, forward the Save the Contemporary contest to all your friends! Blog about it! And above all, buy and read Lisa Kleypas's fabulous new book. You might surprise yourself by not even missing the bloodsucking and shapeshifting...

Posted by Louisa Edwards at 9:45 AM 6 comments  

Labels: Dear Author, Save the Contemporary, Smart Bitches