Promising start, disappointing finish

Well to pick up where I left off, I finished Love's Portrait (Historical Erotic Romance) by Monica Burns.  In the end, the author tried to get the reader to see how a bondage situation can go from degrading to enjoyable  with the right person in the right situation.  It didn't work for me.  I just found it hard to believe that a woman who'd been as victimized as this character was supposed to be would put herself in that situation, regardless of the man.  That is not to say, that a woman who's been victimized in the past can't learn to let go and learn to love and enjoy again but those types of scars are not easily overcome and so the situation wasn't a believable one for me.

Passion Remembered or Wished for?

The best stories are those that evoke a strong feeling in us whether good or bad.  They disturb something inside us.  The word disturbs often carries with it a bad connotation but in this case that would be false.   If a stories does not move you in some way then it was merely words on a page.  A good romance novel will also evoke some sort of emotional reaction as well.  Granted those emotions tend to be on a lighter or more uplifting tone but it's an emotional response nonetheless.
I have found, though, that the emotion a good romance inspires can be put into one of two categories.  (Feel free to disagree.)  Either the story will have you remembering your own similar experience or it will having you wishing or yearning for such an experience.  I believe that this can also have an effect as to which romance books you tend to gravitate too.  (Which ones do I gravitate to?  Well that would be like kissing and telling now wouldn't it!)  For example,  I would say that those who generally reach for the more innocent and simplistic romance of say a Pride and Prejudice are probably going for the remembrance of a feeling, while those who gravitate  to say the Fifty Shade of Grey trilogy are more apt to be looking to vicariously live such an experience.    This is not to say that one can't enjoy both. But merely, the reading experience is at opposite ends of the spectrum.
The book currently on the kindle is Love's Portrait (Historical Erotic Romance) by Monica Burns which tries to straddle the line and incorporate both a side that many would wish for while trying to maintain the simple purity of love at it's core.  I'm about half way done and aside from getting annoyed at the mistakes a mediocre editor should have caught (red sheets on one page are suddenly white on another), the story is still intriguing enough to keep my attention.  At this point, it has me feeling...reckless is the word that comes to mind. But we'll see, the night is still young!  

Excuse Me While I Climb Onto My Soapbox

We interrupt this blog, so I may say a few words about a romance related matter.  I LOVE romance stories.   However, I recognize that, at least the ones most featured on this blog, are FICTION.  That means not real! Most, if not all of you, are probably now thinking, "well, duh!" and "What's your point?".  The point is this:  If we recognize that these are beautiful but fictional stories, why do we approach are real life relationships as though they should mimic fiction?!?  Many women believe, or behave as though they believe, that the relationship should always be about the passion and/or sexual attraction.  There is no such thing as a perfect man, but you can have a wonderful beautiful relationship as long as your willing to put forth the effort.  Relationships take hard work!  There will be dark times in every relationship.  The trick is to get through it TOGETHER!  How often have we heard someone say they have fallen out of love??  That's crap!  What it means is I no longer want to put the effort into making this relationship work!  It takes two and it takes a dose of reality mixed with even bigger helpings of hope and prayer.   Trust and Communication are the biggest factors in determining how well a relationship will hold up under pressure.  We need to stop expecting some man to magically know what we are thinking and to have all the answers and start being real with ourselves and acknowledging that we all have a responsibility and role that we play in our relationships.  To all the young ladies out there this is not intended to make you despair but rather to encourage you.  There is a prince charming out there for everyone but he won't come without flaws and it'll take hard work but if you are both willing to put forth the effort you can have the kind of relationship that romance writers write about.  

Walking in a character's footsteps

So I've been a tad lax on my posts as of late, so I was told.  However, I've been on vacation which has actually afforded me an opportunity to finish quite a few books.  Currently on the kindle though is a classic, Victor Hugo's Les Miserables.  I've decided to go back and re-read some of the classics.  This book, though reminds me of why I'm such a romance fan.  Probably for the same reason that I'm a Disney fan, it's the "Happily Ever After" part.  While Les Miserables is a great book, I don't need to be reminded about the pain and suffering in the world.  That's what the evening news is for.  Rather, books are my escape from reality.  Of course that's just my perspective and I know plenty of you like a little more realism in your books.  Which do you prefer?  Speaking of not stories that are not too realistic.  One of the books I've read while on vacation is a fantasy romance called "Suddenly a Bride" by Ruth Ann Nordin. It was a perfect vacation book in that it was short and sweet.  Coincidentally,  the story took place in the Florida pan handle which is where I went on vacation.  A book takes on a whole other dimension when you find yourself in the very places the story references.  I was in Pensacola which also happens to be where Ann Rice had a condo (she has since sold it) and wrote Blackwood Farm there.  Ever read a book in which you found yourself walking in the same places as the character?  I'll follow up with some of the other books I've read on this trip in the future, but for now the pool is calling!

Leota's Garden

Ever pick up a book thinking it's going to be one thing and when you read it, you realize it's not at all what what you thought it was going to be??  Well, that's exactly what happened to me when I downloaded Leota's Garden.  I thought  I was getting a free romance novel instead it's christian themed novel regarding a families relationship with each other.  Heavy emphasis on the christian part.  While I enjoyed the book I lent it to someone else who hated it.  Ok, maybe hate is a strong word, but found they could have done something more pleasing with the time they took to read this book!  The other reviews I've read seem to support this same either love it or hate it trend.

Books to Movies

With the recent release of the Hunger Games movie, yet another popular and well loved book comes to life.  Hollywood has long turned to books for their inspiration.  (Another blog I found had some interesting numbers on this.) However, there are millions of other beloved books, that for whatever reason, have never made it to the big screen.  Which book would you just LOVE to see made into a movie?  One that I would be interested in seeing is actually a sci-fi book.  Surprised?  I do read other genres besides romance!   Kindred by Octavia E. Butler is one of those stories you don't soon forget.  I could easily go on forever about the book.  It was very simply not what I expected and when I first picked it up.  It grabs you from the very first page.   I would love what hollywood  would do with it.

dependable authors

I can now safely say that while fan fictions are nice for a quick read there is nothing like the original!  I read Darcy's Voyage which was cute (that's about the only adjective I can really give it), however, it was predictable  and lacking the emotion of the original.  I dare say this was more for the writers amusement than the readers.

After being disappointed with such a book,  I decided to assuage my romantic reader's soul by picking up an author who rarely disappoints.  Stephanie Laurens books are always good for a good quick read.   Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue is the first book in her newest trilogy.  Yes, while the ending is  very predictable the difference between this one and the a fore mentioned one, is that the joy in these is the journey to the end.   I would love to know which author is your "old faithful".  Which author do you reach for when you want to read something that you know will not disappoint.

Fan fiction: artistry or cheap pandering?

So, I've recently started reading a remake of a classic.  I haven't finished it yet, so I'll refrain from mentioning the title yet.  However, I'm noticing that there are quite a few classic remakes out on the market.  I'm wondering how everyone feels about this though.  Should the classics be considered untouchable?  On the one hand,  I feel a good story line has the right to be told regardless of the whether or not the characters or theme is one that was created by someone else (as long as you give credit, where credit is due!).  Such as the Sherlock Holmes stories, which Sir Arthur Conan Doyle "borrowed"  (for lack of another term) from Edgar Alan Poe.  On the other hand it can be said that this an example of a "lazy" author, not taking the time to create a completely original piece?  I guess it can be summed up like this:  Fan fiction, is it artistry or cheap pandering?  For me personally, the jury is still out.  But, I would love to hear anyone else's view.

A New Year , New Opportunities

    With a new year, comes new opportunities.  A chance to read new books and to rediscover old favorites.   This year, try picking up a book you wouldn't ordinarily read and you may discover a gem in an unlikely place. Then again,  you could try finally picking up that classic you used to love and rediscovery it's genius. 
    I recently came across a book, that admittedly, is not a usual read for me.  However, it's been enlightening and troubling (then again, the really good ones usually are).  The book for those interested was The Light horseman's daughter, by David Crookes.  I will admit that I picked this up quite by accident and figured I might as well read it now that I had it.  I was surprised to say the least. 
    Whether it's this book or any other, may 2012 find you in the company of some unforgettable characters, and thought provoking stories.