Perhaps that’s a rather pompous statement, but as we struggle through this recession and I know people who’ve lost their homes — lost their HOMES!! And lost jobs and seen a comfortable retirement go out the window, I’m reminded of why romance matters. When things are going well in my life, I can read lit fic with the best of them. Death? Madness? The hopelessness of existence? Bring it on. But when life’s road gets rocky and scary, I pull out my keepers. This summer, I reread every single Susan Elizabeth Phillips on my shelf (that would be every book she’s every published) most of my Georgette Heyers, all my Jane Austens and a huge shelf of fave category reads. (Thanks, fellow Blaze authors). Why, you might ask, did I plunge myself into unrealistic worlds where heroes are unlike any actual man on earth and the women are far pluckier than I am? Because I had the summer from Hell. A beloved aunt who is descending into Alzheimer’s. I’m the closest thing she has to a daughter, so I looked after her. She was sick, in hospital a lot, at the same time that people close to me were going through the Big Ones. Home loss, job loss, scary things. In my real life, I could be tough when I needed to be, could cope with hospital visits, hospital bureaucracy, an aunt who is very dear to me losing herself — oh, yeah, and a book deadline. But when I got home? I wasn’t going near any book that didn’t give me my Happy Place. And that would be romance. Sure, we can’t cure cancer, and we can’t prevent bad things from happening, but I know how many times I’ve received an email from someone thanking me for giving them a few hours break when they had a loved one who was sick or in hospital. This summer, I was one of those people. So thank you too all my fellow Blaze Babes for your wonderful books. You helped me get through a tough summer. I was reminded that our books matter.
Happy reading,
Nancy
Entries (RSS)
I SO agree with you, Nancy. A few years ago, my young, active, healthy brother-in-law was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) For 2.5 years my sister nursed him through being unable to build houses, to walking with a cane, to being wheelchair bound, to having to get a feeding tube, and eventually losing his life. In the midst of all this, my father was diagnosed with lung cancer and died within 6 months. And in the midst of all this, 911 happened. I admit, back in 01, I was more of a Mystery/Suspense reader, but I started reading Blazes and other Romance novels and have never gone back. Talk about a “happy place”! My family makes fun of me (in a loving way) for only wanting to go to lighthearted Romances at the movies–(Nights in Rodanthe? I don’t think so!) but life is painful enough sometimes, Romance makes me believe in Happily Ever After, and you’re right> That matters!
Thanks for a great post!
Oh, Juliet, that’s tough. Your poor sister. What a nightmare. I think it’s interesting that you moved from mystery/suspense to romance when times got tough. I can also only read mystery suspense when life is going well. LOL. The mind is a mysterious creature!
Nancy
What a lovely post and a beautiful reminder, Nancy – thank you!
Like you, I lose myself in stories. I don’t hide in them *g* as much as I might want to sometimes, but I do turn to happy, inspiring books to get me over the stressful times. I had my first “you got me through a tough time” reader letter the other day and I got all teary-eyed. It was such an amazing thing to see that I could give back to readers some of the same magic and solace so many wonderful authors had given to me.
Oh, Tawny, that’s so lovely. Those letters can really make your day, can’t they?
Nancy
Hey Tawny, you have gotten me through many times before too…I always look to the romances I have on my shelf because it is usually they closest thing to happiness I get on most days…I know, it sounds crazy, huh, but it is true. I know you guys probably don’t hear this enough, but I am gonna shout it out: THANK YOU ROMANCE WRITERS FOR MAKING EACH DAY A MEMORABLE ONE. NO MATTER WHAT GENRE OR SUB-GENRE I CAN ALWAYS FIND SOMETHING TO HELP ME MAKE IT THROUGH A DIFFICULT TIME!
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Awww, Paula, you rock!!!!
(F)
There have been times that I know reading has kept me from loosing it. Through two divorces, raising two daughters basically on my own and a few years ago getting diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and fighting to get better. After MANY failed treatments we have something that is working now and hopefully it will continue to work. Through my worst times before the treatments started working I couldn’t hold my books very well. My daughter bought me a book holder so I could continue to read. She knew how important reading was and is to me. She is a reader herself. So even though the times are bad, I’m still reading romance.
Wow, Linda, that is tough stuff. It sounds like you’ve got a great daughter. Family is so important when times are tough. Do you listen to audio books? It’s not quite the same as reading, but not a bad alternative. I’m so glad your current treatment is working!
Nancy
I am so sorry about your aunt Nancy, a very close friend of the family also has Alzheimer’s, she’s in the beginning stages and it is so hard ;-( . I only see her about once a year because we live on opposite ends of the country, but every time i go up to see her, i can tell how it’s changing her. She’s an amazing person, really smart with a great sense of humor, and it’s going to be so hard to watch the Alzheimer’s progress. Jillian is right, romance also makes me believe in Happily Ever After. I loved the ending of French Kissing and it has a place on my keeper shelf. I frequently sigh at the ending of romance novels, i love a happy ending! And i do tend to lose myself in stories when life gets rocky, but i also it when life is good too. Good post and a great reminder of why we read and the magic books can weave over us. I hope things get better Nancy and God Bless you, you’re in my prayers.
Lauren, THANK YOU. I’m so happy French Kissing is a keeper for you. I love that ending, too. Sometimes I have no idea where the story’s going until it unfolds. That was one of those books. I had no idea poor Kimi would end up in the bush somewhere
I’m sorry you’re having the Alz experience too. Blessings back at you!
Nancy
IA, Romance matters. I have a 46 YO Down’s Syndrome daughter, who has many health issues but is the love of my life. However, I have a different life than I ever envisioned, & much more responsibility for much longer. So, in reading, I just want to be “swept away”. About reading Romances, I always say, “if you are in a happy relationship, they make you feel lucky; if you were in one, but, aren’t now, they make you remember & hope for another; &, if you haven’t yet experienced one, they make you look forward to the possibility”. How can that be anything but wonderful?
Thanks to all the Romance authors who helped me get through some very tough times. Your work definitely matters.
&, my best to all those struggling with difficult health issues within their families.
Patricia
Oh, that’s lovely Patricia. Blessings to you and your daughter.
Nancy