Why Romance Novels, Leah?

 Now this is the question that I have heard quite extensively since I announced that I would be launching a blog dedicated in major part to regency romances that I have read or am currently reading/ listening to/ obsessing over. And the answer is quite frankly relatively simple. For those who have known me throughout my entire life, there has been one thing that has never let me down before in this entire world.  Books.

Historical regency novels in particular helped provide the perfect kind of escape for me. Both during my formative younger years, and today. I mean, just think of it. Dashing rogues with enough strength and character (as well as sex appeal) to melt the heart of even the most frigid of ice princesses. Heroines who at any given could be bold and daring, challenging the status quo of what women of the time should or shouldn't have been able to do. Or even absolute feather brains who occasionally became some of my favorite damsels in distress of their own doing. The appeal of the glowing glittering ballrooms and brightly colored gowns and tresses. Where the waltz is one the most scandalous things one could ever do and you had to get the vouchers from the Patronesses of Almack's before you could even consider thinking of waltzing with a man. The complete and utter denial that one could love another so whole heartedly or even at all that it almost jeopardizes everything that is being built upon, only to realize that that person is the other half of their soul. And the happiness that overcomes you when you reach the end of the book and the hero and heroine are perfectly intertwined both heart and soul.

With romance novels there is the stigma that they are nothing more than "lady books" or "mommy porn", but they are so much more than that. They provide an outlet in which the imagination can run wild. To live in another time and place and to fall in love with the characters (or hate some of them) as they fall in love with each other. And sure one could say that television and movies offer that same feeling. But does it really? A movie generally lasts an hour to an hour and a half, three at the most, and sometimes feel rushed because they had a time limit to work against. But with a book, the pacing is generally set to where not only can you visualize the scenery and almost hear the music, but you can feel every emotion being put before you as if they were your very own.

While I am tom-boyish most of the time, my love of romance novels have made me the biggest bleeding heart because they help me keep my fond notions of love, independence, and chivalry. They helped shape and mold me into someone who can see the beauty of any situation or of any person. Lead me to feel with more than just my physical senses and to feel with my soul in every situation. Romance novels in are in a nutshell: magical, powerful, masterful and enthralling. Something that should be given a second glance, or even a third. And that is why I have decided to share this love with you. To give you some of what I see.