Romance Readers and Love
Valentine's Day is coming up, as you may know. For some, it's a big day. For others, it's a big pain. Some are indifferent.
But for romance readers, in some ways, every day can be "Valentine's Day". Think about, we read stories about love and HEAs, marriage and dating, sex and commitments, and everything in between. Good and bad, up and down, romance novels have probably covered it!
Many of us know, either from fiction or real life, that it's not always the big HUGE gestures that matter. Sometimes it's the small things. It could be a simple text or message. Grabbing your hand, or kissing you just because. It could be your husband remembering to pick up your favorite toothpaste, because he saw you were running out. Love isn't measured by grand gestures or diamonds. Sure, when sincerely planned, these things are nice, too, but it's not necessary.
I'm not an expert on love. I'm not married, I've never been engaged. But I'd like to think that, between the wonderful romance novels that I've read and my own common sense, I have a good understanding of what real love is. It's not about someone who loves you only if you change, it's about someone who loves you for you, crazy randomness and all!
Now, if you'll excuse me, love calls. For now, I find it in a book. But someday . . . someday.
~TheBookQueen
As part of the hop, I'm giving away a great prize pack! Open to US readers only (sorry!)
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| See's Candy Little Pops! |
Open to US readers only. Giveaway ends 2/15. Winner will be announced on 2/16. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond or another winner will be picked. Winner will pick which retailer they would like the e-gift card from, as well as what "flavor" of See's Little Pops. The candy will be shipped from See's after the winner has picked. E-gift card will arrive via email.
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| Grand Prize! |
Share your thoughts on Valentine's Day -- perhaps the best (or worst!) one you've celebrated. Or, share your thoughts on love and romance novels; do you feel like, especially as a teen, you learned a lot about love and sex from romance novels?
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!
Those See's candy pops look so delicious. My rafflecopter name is Jane.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, they are! I've yet to find anything from See's that disappoints. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
I read a lot of m/m, so I don't think it'll help with my love life!
ReplyDeletevitajex(at)Aol(dot)com
valentines day is sweet but to close to my birthday lol.
ReplyDeleteindiansgirl9@aol.com
;) Double the fun?
ReplyDeleteLOL. Probably true! :)
ReplyDeleteI've only recently starting reviewing m/m on the blog, but you are more than welcome to check out the reviews I do have: http://tbqspersonalbookpalace.blogspot.com/search/label/M%2FM%20Romance
Enjoy!
TBQ
eh... I haven't had any Valentine's day be that memorable... I still have hope that the next man in my life will fix that :) I love romance in fiction but I quickly realized that it doesn't really translate to real life.
ReplyDeleteCredit for the best Valentines Day I've ever had goes to the Vday we had our wedding rehearsal simply because I got married the next day. :-D We've been married for 22 years on the 15th. My husband gets to 'celebrate' my birthday then Valentines and Anniversary a few days later.
ReplyDeleteAnd true love is about accepting your love silly weirdness and all and NOT trying to remake them. :-)
The worst was the year my husband brought me home a cookie he got from work.
ReplyDeleteliese1235 at gmail dot com
Happy Valentine's Day! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletejustjanhvi at gmail dot com
Thanks for having this very generous giveaway. I hope you have a wonderful Valentine's Day.
ReplyDeleteayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, and I hope you do as well!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
True, Insta-Love is one thing that's much more fiction than reality. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
Uh-oh! Was it at least chocolate?
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
Ah, congrats, and here's to many, many more happy years, Glenda! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
*sigh* You and me both, girl!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
Valentine's Day isn't really a big deal in our house, it's just another day. We get small gifts for the kids, the husband usually gets me a hilarious card, and we just hang out at home. I do, however, like having the holiday as an excuse to buy books. You can never have too many of those :) Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being a part of this great gift hop! Wishing you a lovely Valentine's Day! :)
ReplyDeletekalliopedamala@gmail.com
"I do, however, like having the holiday as an excuse to buy books. You can never have too many of those " <--- A girl after my own heart! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteI most definitely learned a lot about love and romance from books. My grandparents on my father's side were both avid readers. They would read anything they could put their hands on. They also did not feel the need to monitor or control what I read from their stash of books. My parents have no clue what I grew up reading. I learned to love reading from them and that is their legacy to me. Thanks. rameyer.nmb@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteValentine's day is a big deal for the hubby and I. We just try to spend it together if possible. Thanks for the giveaway. wcraig5432@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteHappy Valentine's Day!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com
:D Nothing beats quality time together -- especially considering how hectic life can get!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
*claps* That's wonderful, and very close to how I developed my love of reading, too. :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
TBQ
Thanks for sharing & Happy Valentines Day :) It's about all love not just couples (in my opinion) - send your best friend flowers, she'll love it!
ReplyDeletestaceyprice(AT)gmail.com
Thanks for participating.
ReplyDeleteVery true! Or chocolates. Chocolate is always appreciated!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
I feel like I learned a lot from romance novels as a teen, but also gained a few unrealistic expectations ;)
ReplyDeletedreammie_angel at yahoo dot com
Ooh, yes, they do tend to give us those in spades, don't they? I remember a great DearBitchesSmartAuthor podcast that mentioned all the unrealistic expectations. I couldn't stop laughing!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
I love them, that's kinda how I learned what it feels like to be in love.
ReplyDeleteMary
mary_reiss @ hotmail.com
I find my love from a book as well to me it's better than the real thing that I have found anyway. Happy V Day Thanks for sharing the hop and your giveaway. evamillien at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks for being on the hop and the chance to win. Happy Valentine's Days.
ReplyDeletewriteforward at yahoo dot com
The best valentines day was when my boyfriend showed up at my work and he was waiting outside by my car. He got down on his knee and asked me to marry him! Of course I said yes!
ReplyDeleteamybowens34@yahoo.com
Ah, how sweet! Lucky girl! :D
ReplyDeleteEnjoy,
TBQ
Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletencprincess96 at yahoo dot com
never had a good v day.. ever - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
ReplyDeleteHi! Happy Valentines! Nice post! Thank you for sharing and for the amazing giveaway!
ReplyDeleteshadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
don't have one
ReplyDeletebn100candg at hotmail dot com
I only pay attention to V-day just for the chocolate.
ReplyDeletebituin76 at hotmail dot com
Thanks for the great giveaway.
ReplyDeletemagic5905 at embarqmail dot com
Sees are delicious. My raffle copter name is Phedre.
ReplyDeleteMy best Valentine's Day was the romantic holiday weekend shared with my husband in San Francisco. Love See's candy. Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeletebhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com
We celebrate by staying home with our kids making dinner then cuddling while watching a movie!
ReplyDeleteshannonw1978@hotmail.com
My friends all it SIngle's Awareness Day or as one said," I prefer independently owned and operated."
ReplyDeleteHehe -- love that!
ReplyDeleteNever had Sees.... my rafflecopter name is the same :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeletejmcgaugh (at) semo (dot) edu
Thanks for participating in this awesome hop! Happy Valentine's Day!
ReplyDeleteprettylittlepages@gmail.com
Well, you definitely learned a lot about sex, lol. Love, on the other hand, is not well portrayed in books. The use of insta-love is overused (or maybe because I have never experience it, I don't believe in it). Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDelete