We Want it All
Great news! I heard from one of my publishers yesterday. Seems my paranormal romance novels (The Witches of Dixie and What Witches Want) quadrupled in sales for the second quarter of this year (April – June). Yay! Nothing better than an ecstatically happy publisher, let me tell you (grin). And I have all of you to thank for it. Yes, I do. So I’m sending out a big hug to my readers and fans today. Many, many thanks to all of you. Like I always say…You are AWESOME!!!
Now I want to talk about a topic that comes up from time to time with my readers and publishers. I have always thought it’s a wonderful thing for women (of any age) to read romance novels (and erotica, if you’re into that). Why? Because I think of these novels as a form of romantic and sexual healing. Really, I do. Novelists create heroes who give us what we want in a man. And what do we want? We want it all! Of course we want a yummy man and mind-blowing sex. That goes without saying. But more important we want a man with high self-esteem, someone who’s not afraid to be affectionate and to give those feelings a voice. I think we teach our readers to set a higher standard for the men they allow into their hearts. And that’s a very good thing.
We encourage you in novel after novel not to settle for just any man who pays attention to you. Especially some Alphas, and we all know a few. Those guys who won’t even commit to saying, “I love you.” They might demonstrate their love through their actions, but you know what? If you’re honest with yourself, actions aren’t enough. We need to hear it, and the man you love must be able to say it. And say it often. Not just once or twice a year, and not only after intense prompting from us. Words and actions. Women want it all, and we deserve it.
My friends at Goodreads know how I feel about this. I don’t care if a hero feels deeply for the heroine. If he can’t tell her that with his words, whether it might be an expression of his love or an apology when needed, what good is he? It gets really old trying to guess what a man feels in his heart when he won’t make himself say it. That’s why I always say you can tell a good man by his actions AND his words. If you don’t have that, you only have half a satisfying relationship.
Okay, men, I know lots of you out there read my blog. Today is the day to turn over a new leaf. Dig down into your hearts and tell your sweeties just how much you love them. Do it. And do it today. Then make a commitment to yourself to keep doing it once a week. Or more. Let me tell you, women love MORE, and you’ll love the rewards. *naughty grin*
Thank goodness for the yummy heroes in romance and erotica novels! They teach women to reach for the very best in a relationship. We want it all. And you know what? That’s okay.
xoxo
Laura Stamps
Author of Paranormal Romance and Erotica Novels
http://www.LauraStamps.blogspot.com (to read excerpts from my novel series)
http://laura-stamps8.livejournal.com (my Author blog…updated daily)
Laura Stamps
Author of Paranormal Romance and Erotica Novels
http://www.LauraStamps.blogspot.com (to read excerpts from my novel series)
http://laura-stamps8.livejournal.com (my Author blog…updated daily)
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July 15th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
First, let me say CONGRATULATIONS on your book sales. That is just astounding! I’m so happy for you.
I liked what you have to say about heros in romance novels and what we should look for in a good man. I consider myself a very lucky woman. Barret is very alpha, I’m not going to deny that and he is not going to deny that. He is very much the type of guy is more action than words…
But I’ve noticed lately that he has been getting better at the words. I hear the “I love yous” a lot more than I was.
Do I have a nicely trained alpha or what?
July 15th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I have to say my hubby is very good at not only showing me how much he loves me but he tells me too. It truly is blessing to have that. I can’t imagine what it would be like if I was still trying to guess what he felt. I do feel like I have it all with him. There are moments, but for the most part it’s still bliss
And there has to be something said for a man that always makes sure that I get my needs met first!
I think I heard once that women who read romance have better sex lives. I can’t recall where I heard that, but it’s probably true…I mean what man can resist a woman with a crazy oversexed libido
July 15th, 2008 at 7:19 pm
Thanks for the congrats!! Yup, “training” is the key word. *grin*
xoxo
Laura Stamps
Author of Paranormal Romance and Erotica Novels
http://www.LauraStamps.blogspot.com (to read excerpts from my novel series)
http://laura-stamps8.livejournal.com (my Author blog…updated daily)
July 15th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I heard about a survey earlier this year that said the same thing. Plus, something about Southern women and romance novels. I can’t quite remember what it said, but was very complimentary about us in that respect. But that is kind of a no brainer, isn’t it? Like you said, erotica and romance novels keep us “frisky” all the time, and our men reap the benefits over and over and over….
In fact it would be to their advantage to finance our book-buying addiction, wouldnt it? Makes sense to me! *wicked grin*
xoxo
Laura Stamps
Author of Paranormal Romance and Erotica Novels
http://www.LauraStamps.blogspot.com (to read excerpts from my novel series)
http://laura-stamps8.livejournal.com (my Author blog…updated daily)
July 15th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
My hubby is the same way. Sometimes, I feel bad tellingother womyn that my man does the dishes, laundry, cleans house, cooks AND tells me to sit down and relax.
I guess after thinking about each other for the last 28 years and finally getting back together has it’s perks!