I discovered historical romance as a teen! I fell instantly in love and devoured every Johanna Lindsay book I could get my hands on and then I discovered Julia Quinn. The rest, as they say, is history. Those books did lead me to falling in love with the whole romance genre and inspired me to write my own stories. But beyond my career inspiration, I think they’re really important.
We have a tendency to just talk about them as fun and escapist. But fun and escapism? They’re the essential stuff of life!
I’ll never forget sitting by my dad’s hospital bed as he went through his last days as cancer took its course. It was historical romance that held me by the hand and swept me away. Those moments of joy and fun? They allowed me to get through that time a lot better.
Ten years later my mom also had cancer and once again, historical romance got me through! I have been so lucky to have so many amazing authors in my life. From epic 80s classics by authors like Johanna Lindsay to modern takes on the historical romance like Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James, and Amalie Howard, we get taken into a whole other world where we’re always promised that everything will turn out!
I can’t imagine anything more vital.
Especially right now. It’s been a long year. Much harder for some than others. But the joy of slipping away to my stories? Or a friend’s book? It’s heaven. As I use my phone, tablet, or paper back, I whisk off to a land of beautiful gowns, amazing estates, ever green rolling fields, and sparking ballrooms. And of course, the hero! I’m guaranteed a fellow who, even if gruff and grumpy, always fights for his heroine. I love seeing a young lady of the ton step into her power and be herself. I love seeing her get the support of the man she loves. And boy ever do I love the battle of wit and sparks that usually happen along the way,
Sure, the hero and heroine argue. Sometimes fiercely. But I’m always okay with that because they will always sort it out. There’s no fear when I read a historical romance. Sometimes, I can’t put it down and I devour its pages into the late hours of the night, waiting to see how it all works out. And that is a rush, in itself.
We deserve joy. We deserve to be swept away. We deserve to escape to a place where it always, always works out.
Right now, things are often scary and uncertain. But when I open a Lenora Bell book, or a Lisa Kleypas novel? I know that the heroine will always find love and get herself out of the worst of all situations. And that’s what is so important. Because sometimes we do need reminding that dawn comes after night. And the heroes and heroines of our favorite novels show us that even after the blackest moment, happiness can await.
It’s tough. I know. I had a pretty strong struggle with Postpartum depression last year and then straight into isolation. But books are always our friends. And Historical Romance like the Mallorys and the Bridgerton families? They make us feel included. They give us an imaginary place to go when the world doesn’t make sense. They give us hope too.
Over this year, I wrote The Spinster and The Rake and every time I slipped away with Georgiana and Edward, I loved it. Edward has his own struggles, but he never gives up and he’s always lifting Georgiana up. And Georgiana gets put into a position she hates, but she finds a way. I wrote them because I needed their strengths.
So many historical romances show us the way.
With their plucky, fierce, tenacious hoydens, wallflowers, and diamonds of the first water, Historical Romance is the best for making us smile. They pick us up after a rough day too.
When people ask me about my job? I say, my job is creating happiness. And I think every time a reader picks up a romance, they’re choosing a moment of happiness too. And that? That is a powerful thing indeed.
Here’s to Historical romance. I’m so grateful for it and all its given me! Tell me about the most important moments it’s played in your life and a copy of The Spinster and The Rake could be yours!
Thank you for today’s post. You are so right. Whenever reality gets a bit too much, it’s so nice to be able to transport back to a different time and place. Stepping into the grandeur of the time and actively watching what happens with the characters is often the needed mini vacation that gets me through the week.
Hope you have a wonderful rest of your week.
It’s FREEZING, Lisa! But I’m having a great week and am lucky to have a fabulous blanket and my mini rogues to cuddle with. I completely agree with you! And I’m so glad the post resonates with you!
fun to relax
Absolutely! We need that so much!
During both of my pregnancies I had pre-eclampsia and was confined to bed laying on my left side for the last 2 months. Reading historical romances took me away from the worry and boredom. Especially the first time since the second one I had an extremely active almost three year old to try entertain. Not easy when she wanted Mom up and running around with her. Lol. I snuck in reading whenever I could then. I enjoy all types of romance, but really needed a different time & place, and loved picturing what was described.
Your new book sounds very interesting and look forward to reading it and taking me away again!
I so enjoyed reading your post and can heartily agree that I get swept away with reading historical romance. It has stood me in good stead for myriad situations when I need diversion to take my mind off of worries. Most recently, it has helped me in the period of caring for my mother-in-law as we lost her through dementia and then lost her to dementia. But one can need a break from reality even when one isn’t facing tragedy, like taking a break from study sessions in college.
It made me smile to see your description of your job. When answering the question, “If you could have one superpower, what would it be?” I have always stated that I would want the ability to grant happiness. It is the answer to every ill, personal or general.