This year is the 60th anniversary of the foundation of the Romantic Novelists' Association (RNA), an organisation that champions writers and their romantic fiction novels. Over the years the genre has broadened as authors writing styles and reading tastes have evolved but the central ingredient at its core romance/love is ever present.
As part of their celebrations the RNA has designated February as Romance Reading Month, well it is the month of love after all, so I've decided to join in the celebrations today by hosting a romance-inspired giveaway bundle. I'm not sure yet what I'm going to buy to include, apart from a romance novel or 2 of course & maybe some sweets or chocolate, but I've got until the giveaway finishes on Valentine's Day to decide 😍
As a teenager I can remember enjoying reading the Sweet Valley High books featuring twins Jessica and Elizabeth Wakefield, and then progressing onto romance novels from bestselling authors such as Danielle Steel, Nora Roberts, Maeve Binchy, Patricia Scanlan, Jackie Collins, Jilly Cooper, Carole Matthews and Jill Mansell to name but a few. Although in the last few years my reading tastes may have veered more towards the darker side with psychological thrillers and crime fiction novels, I still enjoy nothing more than curling up and escaping from the stresses of everyday life with a good romance novel.
*Terms and Conditions* – As with all giveaways on the blog the giveaway is open to existing followers. The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by email and/or Twitter. Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties and will be deleted once receipt of the prize has been confirmed. NB. Please do not add details of this giveaway to other sites without my permission.
a Rafflecopter giveaway All book or author links in bold are Amazon UK Affiliate links which will earn me a few pence if anyone clicks through and makes a purchase - any money earned will go towards buying books or gifts for giveaways.
Like you, I love psychological thrillers and crime fiction but my favourite author of romantic fiction is Sarah Morgan. I liked her book Moonlight Over Manhattan - it was a nice, light-hearted read - but I haven't read any of her other books. I hope you include a book of hers in your giveaway bundle.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sharon,I used to also enjoy the Sweet Valley High books! I've always been a reader but when I bought my first house in 1993 I started to read more as I spent most evenings alone due to my husband-to-be working night shifts. I remember being really into Jackie Collin's books,too, particularly the Lucky Santangelo series. And like yourself I read Danielle Steel's books and I remember really enjoying Heartbeat. It was more difficult in those days, without social media and lovely book bloggers like yourself and I relied on my local librarians and even my clients for book recommendations. Or seeing a book in a shop that caught my eye. It was love it or hate it. I also read Jill Mansell, Fiona Walker,D Gabaldon, Emma Blair, Mary Jane Steeples, Joan Jonker, Katie Flynn and Catherine Cookson. My taste has certainly changed over the years and I also enjoy thrillers, particularly psychological thrillers but I also enjoy some Romance, and we are very lucky and so spoilt for choice these days. I love Milly Johnson, Heidi Swain, Victoria Walters. I can't possibly choose! As they're all wonderful 😃❤️ Thank you very much for giving us the chance and Happy 60th Anniversary to the Romantic Novelists' Association xxxxx
ReplyDeleteFirst proper romance books I remember reading were the Sweet Dreams books, an American series. I think that's what they were called anyway. The first in the series was called PS I Love You. Not the Cecelia Ahern book - PS stood for Paul Squire! I also remember reading the Across the Barricades series set in Ireland at the time of the troubles and featuring Kevin and Sadie. Maybe by Joan Lingard?
ReplyDeleteI've never read a Sweet Valley High - but the youngsters I taught did! I'm not sure what my first romantic read was...
ReplyDeleteI can't remember the first romance fiction I read, it must have been back in the 1970s - probably a Jackie Collins one. I like a lot of romance authors, such as Sarah Morgan, Carole Matthews and Zara Stoneley.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading some Sweet Valley High back in the day. Pretty soapy.
ReplyDeleteI am most drawn to historical romance. Some on my current tbr/wish list:
ReplyDeleteThe Widow of Rose Hill - Diana Biller
What the Wind Knows - Amy Harmon
A Scarlet Woman - Lorna Peel
Brotherly Love - Lorna Peel
The Blue Rose - Kate Forsyth
Beauty in Thorns - Kate Forsyth
The Glittering Hour - Iona Grey
I remember reading and loving the sweet valley high books. My favourite authors are Sarah Morgan,Paige Toon and Sophie Kinsella so I always look forward to their new releases
ReplyDeleteIt was probably one of the Sweet Valley High books as a teenager.
ReplyDeleteHi, I’ve never been into romance til one of my friends introduced me to Carole Matthews, I adore her storylines and the magic! She has lives/writes not far from where I used to live and miss very much :) Lacy Morris
ReplyDeleteI’m looking forward to reading the boyfriend bracket
ReplyDelete