By Patricia Bradley
Don't you just love this month's covers? I do. And all of the books are on my TBR table, which is groaning. I will get to all of them, hopefully, sooner rather than later.
The Heartwarming titles are at the top of my pile and do you know why? They are feel-good stories. Stories with depth and characters you care about. Plots that are believable and the stories take you to towns you'd love to live in.
I asked a few people I know who read Heartwarming books why they read them, and I got one answer over and over. They make me feel good.
So, I'd like to ask a question. If you're a Heartwarming author, why do write for this line? And if you're a reader, why do you like Heartwarming?
I learned to write romance from Victoria Curran and Kathryn Lye, and the excellent editors at Heartwarming are one of the reasons I love writing for them. The wonderful group of writers who make up the Heartwarming authors is another reason--they are some of the most caring and compassionate writers I've ever met.
Now it's your turn.
The Heartwarming titles are at the top of my pile and do you know why? They are feel-good stories. Stories with depth and characters you care about. Plots that are believable and the stories take you to towns you'd love to live in.
I asked a few people I know who read Heartwarming books why they read them, and I got one answer over and over. They make me feel good.
So, I'd like to ask a question. If you're a Heartwarming author, why do write for this line? And if you're a reader, why do you like Heartwarming?
I learned to write romance from Victoria Curran and Kathryn Lye, and the excellent editors at Heartwarming are one of the reasons I love writing for them. The wonderful group of writers who make up the Heartwarming authors is another reason--they are some of the most caring and compassionate writers I've ever met.
Now it's your turn.
As both a writer and a reader, I love Heartwarming for the way the stories get to delve into emotion.
ReplyDeleteSo agree, Liz.
DeleteI love to write stories with characters who have to sort out the problems or issues in their lives in order to fully love, not only the other person, but themselves. And you’re so right, Patricia, when you say that Heartwarming books are about ‘real’ people, struggling to find that kind of love. Having a great editorial team and being part of such a supportive group of authors.....the icing on the cake, right?
ReplyDeleteLove the editors at Heartwarming! And Heartwarming stories are definitely about 'real' people!
DeleteI surprised a non-romance reader with the range of emotions she experienced while reading my first Heartwarming novel. She admitted to crying over a scene. I thrive on delivering a huge rollercoaster of emotion, and I count on my editor, Adrienne Macintosh, to challenge me to pack a bigger and better punch with each novel. Best!
ReplyDeleteDon't you love it when people realize our romance novels are not these shallow stories critics make fun of! If romance novels are so bad, what are they at the top of the fiction line?? :-)
DeleteI've been a happy, lucky Harlequin author since 1989. I've written for various lines and found each one special in its own way. The covers are always appealing as are the back copy blurbs. That takes a talent we're blessed to have in the Harlequin editorial staff. I do my best to read across the lines as well as books outside of romance. I always feel like I need more hours in a day. The Heartwarming staff and writers are very special people.
ReplyDeleteThe Heartwarming covers are ALWAYS so spot-on, Roz! I wish I had enough time to read all the books I want to.
DeleteI heard about Heartwarming in a blitz. My entree didn't get too far, but it introduced me to the line which I've devoured ever since. I love Heartwarming because they're long enough to make complex plots, and because the no sex means the stories build emotion in other, more subtle ways. I can always relate to the characters. The stories are satisfying to read and to write.
ReplyDeleteYes, I like the complex plots in Heartwarming, Beth! And I think it's harder to write sexual tension than to write sex scenes. :-)
DeleteI'm so proud to be a Heartwarming author. I originally tried to break into the inspirational market. It was an editor at Harlequin Love Inspired (she's no longer there) that suggested my voice might be more suited to Heartwarming than LI. So I took my story, revamped it and it became my debut Heartwarming novel. I love that the stories are so emotional and there's nothing in there that makes me uncomfortable. I also love how much support I get from my fellow Heartwarming authors and editors. Now...if they would just lower the word count to 55k, my world would be perfect, lol. :)
ReplyDeleteNo, no, no. I couldn't possibly tell me tale in 55 K, lol! As it is, my novels always need to be trimmed by 2-3 K.
DeleteAnd I struggle to get to 70K!!!! You could toss your extra words to me! ;)
DeleteI agree, LeAnne! I'll take any words M. K. doesn't need!
DeleteI love Heartwarming books because they are wholesome, emotional, contemporary reads that contain realistic characters and situations. I can just sit back and enjoy them without gratuitous violence, sex scenes or profanity. They’re the ultimate feel-good reads.
ReplyDeleteSo agree, Laurie!
DeleteI love to write Heartwarming novels because they are about families, about home and hearth and the wonderful things that happens when love begins.
ReplyDeleteYes, Shirley! Families...and the wonderful things that happen when love begins!
DeleteMy favorite books have always been those that fit under an umbrella called "family drama/love story. Heartwarming books deal realistically with both. We all know that families can be a source of pain and frustration as much as joy and love. Heartwarming addresses those realities while at the same time offering hope in happiness and love. I believe in possibilities, and I love reading and writing books that reinforce that belief.
ReplyDeleteVirginia, I like that you have so much room to develop a story, too.
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