I'll Take Romance

Valentine’s Day, the ultimate holiday for the romance fan is Thursday. (Don’t forget to get your contest entry in. See the side panel for details.) Valentine’s Day celebrates many of the same things that we do in our stories and books, so I thought that this would be a great time to explain why I choose to write romance.

What are those things that both romance novels and Valentine’s Day celebrate? Let’s consider the greeting card rack at any store. There are Valentine cards you can send to your friends, your children, your family, your spouse, and your sweetheart. Valentine’s Day acknowledges all the special and significant relationships in our lives. Granted, you can find cards meant for those same people on other holidays, but those cards celebrate the holiday. Valentine’s cards celebrate the relationship. Romance novels celebrate the relationships in our lives.

Of course, the lion’s share of Valentine’s cards are aimed at sweethearts and spouses. Although we can celebrate all types of loving relationships on Valentine’s Day, romantic love is at the heart of this holiday (no pun intended).

Why is romantic love so important? In Genesis 2:24 it says “…a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.” Parents, siblings and other relatives are important, but we are not meant to stay with them always. Friends are also important, and a spouse is meant to be the ultimate friend. A spouse is the person you build a life with.

Those who don’t read romances sometimes mistakenly think they are all about sex and passion and hot steamy love scenes. Unfortunately there are a number of book covers out there that reinforce that impression. But the truth is that even the wildest of couples end up committed to each other in a true romance. This is what we consider “happily ever after.”

Reading and writing inspirational romance has been a great blessing to me. It reminds me where God’s place in my life should be - at the center. It reminds me to be thankful for my husband and the partnership we share and prevents me from taking my family, and my friends for granted. One of the greatest blessings of writing romance has been the many wonderful friends I’ve made. Our White Roses in Bloom group has been a special joy and a great source of support and encouragement. Getting to know these incredible women, if only through email, has been even more satisfying than seeing my work in print. Who would have thought?

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!

Kara Lynn Russell
Spend a year in Orchard Hill
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Entertaining Angel

Visit Orchard Hill for free in this Valentine story
A Long Silly Love Chase