In Defense of Romance

Romance is so much more than the stereotypes suggest. Yes, I write spicy romances with erotic love scenes, but ALL my romances have actual plots and compelling storylines.

Sex in my stories is always secondary to the romance and to the plot. It’s the crescendo of my books, not the whole symphony — the icing, not the whole cake.

And you’ll never find those stereotypical covers on any of my novels. Romance has evolved far beyond the clichéd imagery that dominated the genre decades ago.

Real romance novels feature:

The key to any great story, but especially romance, is interesting characters. You have to have appealing heroes and heroines because the entire storyline centers around them. If you have poorly developed romantic leads, the book’s over before it even begins.

I write my heroes as strong, masculine men who reveal tender sides for their women, children, and animals.

My heroines are old-fashioned ladies who are strong but soft and feminine — relatable and lovable, not hard or coarse. They’re highly engaging people you’d want to know in real life.

I’m a romantic girl to my core. I’ve always loved the fall and winter months because of how romantic they are. But I didn’t turn to romance stories until I was an adult.

As a kid, I devoured mysteries and what I guess you’d call thrillers — at least… that’s how I’d classify R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike.

But I grew up watching the romance movies of Old Hollywood because my mom loved all things vintage and classic. Those old movies were my foundation.

In junior high, I had a teacher who wanted me to expand my reading interests beyond mysteries and thrillers. He would give us tests where he’d pull text from various books and ask what was happening.

I’m embarrassed to admit I cheated my way through one specific book because I seriously couldn’t handle the assigned reading.

As an adult, I felt awful about that dishonesty, so I decided to atone by reading books outside my comfort zone.

Because I judge books by their covers (yes, I admit it!), I searched my local library until I found a cover that appealed to me. It turned out to be The House of the Seven Gables, which I loved.

That led me to read more and more literature, eventually discovering Jane Austen, Anne Brontë, and Georgette Heyer. These authoresses showed me what romance could be: intelligent, witty, emotionally satisfying, and utterly compelling.

Here’s the truth that romance critics don’t understand: Life can be incredibly difficult. The further we get from solid moral foundations, the worse everything becomes — including our love lives.

Romance itself has almost become a fairy tale in our modern world.

We confuse love and lust constantly. We have “romance” books that glorify unhealthy relationships, making it seem acceptable for people to be treated as subservient playthings who need to be controlled and constrained.

This is exactly why good romance novels are so important. It’s imperative for these stories to end on a happy note, giving readers that “ahh, all is well” sigh of satisfied relief.

Romance is an escape — and no escape is worth it if it ends the same way real life often does, with disappointment and heartbreak.

When I finish reading a great romance, I get that wonderful feeling: “Ahh, that was so nice.”

That’s the magic of the genre. It reminds us that love is possible, that good people exist, and that happy endings can happen.

Romance novels serve a purpose far deeper than entertainment. They provide hope to readers who may have given up on love. They show healing is possible after betrayal or loss. They demonstrate that two imperfect people can create something beautiful together.

In my own writing, I tackle real-world issues within the romance framework. I’ve written about characters overcoming rape, dealing with family dysfunction, facing racial prejudice, and working through trust issues. But I always — always — provide hope and healing through love.

Good romance novels also serve as examples of healthy relationships. They show readers how real love looks: respect, communication, sacrifice, and commitment. They demonstrate how partners should treat each other and what standards we should maintain in our own relationships.

In a world where many people have never seen healthy love modeled, romance novels can actually be educational tools that show what’s possible when two people truly care for each other.

One of the things I love most about writing romance is the incredible variety within the genre.

I write in multiple subgenres because I enjoy exploring different settings, time periods, and story types.

I love historical romances and plan to write them when I can start traveling for research. I enjoy mysteries, so I have a romance/mystery series planned. I’m drawn to crime stories, fantasy, and even superhero tales — all with romantic elements.

The only genre I don’t particularly enjoy is science fiction, though I think I have a couple of romances with sci-fi elements planned anyway!

This diversity means there’s truly a romance subgenre for every reader:

The variety ensures that no matter what your other reading preferences, there’s probably a romance that will appeal to you.

Critics often dismiss romance as “unrealistic,” but I’d argue that romance shows us what’s possible rather than what’s typical.

Yes, real life is often messy and disappointing. That’s exactly why we need stories that remind us of what we should strive for.

Romance doesn’t promise that life will be easy or that love solves every problem. Good romance novels show characters working through real difficulties together, supporting each other through challenges, and choosing commitment even when feelings fluctuate.

I’ve heard from readers who credit romance novels with inspiring them to raise their standards in relationships, to believe they deserve better treatment, or to work harder on their marriages.

These stories can motivate real-world positive changes.

When readers see fictional characters refusing to settle for less than genuine love and respect, it can inspire them to demand the same in their own lives.

I write romance because I believe in love. I believe in the power of two people choosing each other and working together to build something beautiful. I believe in redemption, second chances, and the transformative power of unconditional acceptance.

Every romance I write is essentially a declaration of faith — faith that love exists, that it’s worth fighting for, and that it can overcome any obstacle when it’s real and true.

I also write romance because I want to reach people who might be hurting, who might have given up on love, or who might think they’re not worthy of a happy ending.

Through my characters’ journeys, I want to show readers that everyone deserves love and that everyone has the potential for their own happily ever after.

For me, writing romance is almost a ministry. I want to reach people right where they are — in their pain, their loneliness, their disappointment — and show them that love is still possible.

God is love, and every story that celebrates genuine, committed love is essentially celebrating Him.

So this August, I encourage you to celebrate Romance Awareness Month by picking up a romance novel. If you’ve never read one, start with something highly recommended. If you’re already a romance reader, try a new subgenre or author.

Share your favorite romance reads with friends. Recommend books that touched your heart or changed your perspective. Support romance authors by leaving reviews and spreading the word about books you’ve enjoyed.

Most importantly, remember that celebrating romance isn’t just about books — it’s about celebrating love itself.

In a world that often feels dark and divided, romance reminds us of what unites us: the universal desire to love and be loved.

Every time someone reads a romance novel, they’re giving themselves the gift of hope. They’re spending time in a world where love wins, where good people find each other, and where happy endings are not only possible but guaranteed.

That’s not escapism — that’s inspiration. That’s a reminder of what we’re all working toward in our real lives.

Romance novels aren’t just entertainment; they’re beacons of hope in a sometimes-difficult world. They remind us that love is real, love is powerful, and love is always worth fighting for.

So here’s to Romance Awareness Month, to the authors who craft these beautiful love stories, and to the readers who keep the faith that somewhere out there, their own happily ever after is waiting.

Because in the end, we all deserve a love story worth celebrating.