Imperfect Women

Romance Junkies

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romance books

By Avery Flynn

Hi, my name’s Avery and I’m a romance junkie. It all started in middle school with purloined copies of my mother’s V.C. Andrews and Jackie Collins. So brazen did I become that my sixth grade teacher – oh, she of the see-through blouses – sent my mom a note ratting me out for bringing The Thorn Birds for my independent reading time.

That wasn’t enough to rid me of my demons. No. I scoured used book stores for dogeared Harlequin novels. The sweet and sheltered heroine whose innocence reels in the arrogant and demanding hero (who later in life I realized was often a total prick). I’d devour the books in one marathon session in the tub, refilling it with hot water as necessary. Then I discovered Joanna Lindsey’s regency romance novels. Independent, smart, spitfire heroines out to right a wrong. And the heroes? Oh, yeah. Brawn and brains – and a title to boot.

The list goes on an on, there’s rarely been a romance novel I didn’t caress with lust, eager to rip open the cover and loose myself in the pure joyous high of the happily ever after, the adventure, the intrigue, the mystery, the black moments, the rediscoveries, the plot twists and the laughter found within a romance novel’s pages.

Until recently, I had no idea I had a problem. Sure, it wasn’t unusual for me to burn dinner because I was too engrossed in the tale to pay attention to my cooking. At the romance junkie house (AKA the bookstore), the pushers knew me by name. Then, they started sending me e-mails recommending other romance authors they thought I would enjoy. I’d buy the romance books unable to resist their heady charms.

Then a life coach took to the Internet to explain that romance novels are addictive and as horrible as porn (I clutched my pearls at the thought because everyone knows only dirty men like to watch porn *sarcasm alert*). Romance novels can cause major problems in a person’s life. She even had the pseudo-science to back up her claims.

The news hit me like a thunderclap. Crack! And here I thought I was doing OK. I graduated from college, own a business, married a devastatingly handsome and smart man, am raising three kids, have good friends, volunteer for local non-profits and donate to charities. But no, I am a romance junkie and it’s time I faced facts.

Fact One: I experience a thrill when I read a romance novel. Goosebumps. Butterflies in my stomach. An overall feeling of happy.

Fact Two: For years, romance novels and their required happily ever after ending have been one of my major stress relievers.

Fact Three: Sometimes, I am so drawn into the lives of the characters that I cry (cry!) when misfortune befalls them.

Fact Four: The heroines in romance novels have taught me to stick up for myself, to fight for the underdog, to be willing to take risks and to not settle for anything less than I deserve.

Fact Five: Romance heroes have taught me that not all men leave, that strength and intelligence are sexy in men and women, that even boys get scared and that they, too, should not settle for anything less than they deserve.

Shame is welling up within me as I type these facts. No jury in the world would fail to convict me.

I am a romance junkie.

And I’m off to take another hit.

Happy reading and don’t forget to enter the High-Heeled Wonder Shoes, Swag and Books Extravaganza Giveaway (see rafflecopter below) for your chance to win a $100 DSW Shoes gift certificate, books from Entangled Ignite authors releasing in January (Avery Flynn, High-Heeled Wonder; Jody Wallace, Angeli; Julie Rowe, Molly Gets Her Man; Caridad Pineiro and Cathy Perkins, Love International Style box set) and more!

High-Heeled Wonder by Avery Flynn

High heel wonder cover“When a fashionista and her bodyguard get tangled up together, watch out for sizzling sex and surprising plot twists.”  New York Times best seller Rebecca York

Tony Falcon, an investigator from the other side of the tracks, is the olive oil to fashion blogger Sylvie Bissette’s Evian water, but it’s not just her temper he’s inciting. When Sylvie’s stalker almost runs her over in broad daylight, Tony must pose as her boyfriend to infiltrate the close-knit fashion community. In a world full of overblown egos and cutthroat ambition, Sylvie and Tony must work together to find her stalker before she ends up with a literal knife in the back.

 

 

 

About Avery Flynn

Avery Flynn loves a hockey-addicted husband, has three slightly wild children and is desperately wishing someone would invent the coffee IV drip. Find out more about her on her website (www.averyflynn.com), Twitter (@AveryFlynn) or Facebook (facebook.com/AveryFlynnAuthor). She posts all sorts of fashion, reading and hero inspiration pictures on Pinterest (pinterest.com.AveryFlynnBooks).

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Disclosure: This website did not receive compensation for this giveaway. Facebook, Twitter, & Pinterest are in no way associated with this sweepstakes. Prize fulfillment will be handled by sponsor.

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Comments

  1. Terry says

    I can relate with a few of the Facts that you have listed. Fact 3 very seldom happens to me and I wish it would happen more often.

  2. Michele says

    Oh I can relate–just one look at my blog should convince you of that fact–I am addicted-and I admit it and love my addition. Of course I am also addicted to a couple of other genre as well! Long Live Reading Addicts!!

  7. Avery Flynn says

    I bet you’re a pretty crier too, Terry. Totally unfair. Some books make me do the whole red nose, puffy faced ugly cry thing. I was reading The Other Soldier by Kathy Altman while getting my highlights done and scared half the salon because I couldn’t stop crying. It took me a while to convince my stylist I loved the red highlights. 🙂

  8. Avery Flynn says

    Michelle – Yes! Long live reading addicts of all kinds. The Fab Mr. Flynn is addicted to military history books, and the three kids each have their favorites too.

  10. Avery Flynn says

    Emily – Totally true! There have been some amazing non-fiction books that I have not been able to put down. Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick is one of my favs, but In Cold Blood is without out a doubt my favorite non-fiction book. I pick it up and I’m lost to the world.

  12. Avery Flynn says

    Robin – Oh you just haven’t found the right book yet. Now I feel it’s my mission to find you the perfect book to get lost in. E-mail me if you want some recommendations: avery@averyflynn.com 🙂 Damn, I think I just became a book pusher. LOL!

  13. Donna Cheatle says

    Romance addicts of the world unite!! You have nothing to lose but your happy!! I stand before you a proud member of the romance addicts club. We happily surround ourselves with our book boyfriends and the women who share them with us! Sing loud and sing proud sisters!!!

  17. Avery Flynn says

    Liz – Another challenge! You should try out some non-smooshy romance. That is the best thing about the romance genre there is so much variety it is amazing. From inspirational Amish romance to super sexy erotic romance to action adventure to cozy mysteries to urban fantasy with kickass heroines who run the show. If you want any recommendations, shoot me an e-mail at avery@averyflynn.com with some of the books you like to read and we’ll see if we can’t match you up. 🙂

  19. Amber Edwards says

    HA! The way you described yourself; that is the way I feel about my Dystopian novels. lol. I’m a dystopian and YA Fiction addict. Every now and then I enjoy a clean romance novel. I just love getting lost in the world of books.

  20. Rosey says

    My sister-in-law is a romance junkie and we laugh at her when we walk in and she’s bawling like a baby with a book in her hand. 🙂 I do the same with movies sometimes. If I know I’m going to cry, I won’t watch it, lol

  25. Avery Flynn says

    Angie – My grandmas was addicted to westerns and I can’t see a Louis L’Amour books without getting a big grin on my face. This is the same grandma who had a *ahem* slight obsession with bingo and work a shirt that said: Kill The Bingo Caller

  27. Ronnie says

    Sexy cover! I too am a romance junkie.. it started with my mom leaving her books everywhere and I’d pick them up and read them page by page. So much romance, lust and excitement!

  29. Pam says

    I like romance novels, too. Especially ones where I can get caught up in them and they don’t require much thinking. Just a nice little escape.

  33. Avery Flynn says

    Tough Cookie Mommy – What you mean there were people who didn’t spend summer vacation with their noses in books? Who ARE those people? 😉

  34. Avery Flynn says

    Ronnie – Thanks for the cover compliment. The team at Entangled does a fabulous job with covers. And I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who picked up the ‘habit’ from mom. 🙂

  36. Avery Flynn says

    Pam – Yes. There is nothing wrong with a little escape and as crazy as our lives get, it’s so nice to have Romancelandia to escape into and wind down– or up, depending on the book!

  39. Avery Flynn says

    Sarah – That is exactly why I don’t think it matters how you get the story (print, digital or audio) it’s about the journey not the road you take.

  47. Avery Flynn says

    Amanda – I don’t know if there is enough time in the world to read all the books I want. But wouldn’t that be awesome? A girl has to have a dream and that just might be mine for the day.

  48. Courtney Pies says

    Being a romance “junkie” is definitely not a bad thing! I love reading, no matter the genre, because it’s a great stress reliever. I love delving into a story of other “people.” 🙂

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