Guest Post
Top 5 Reasons to Read a Romance from Harper St. George, Amanda Heger, and Tara Wyatt
In celebration of Read a Romance month, we couldn’t pass up the chance to talk about our favorite genre. From the sexy heroes to the fierce attraction that can leap off the page when the hero and heroine first meet, there are so many reasons to love reading romance. We’ve pulled together our top five reasons to read a romance this summer (or all year!)
1. Attraction – That intense chemistry when the main characters first meet is a trademark of romance. Whether it’s love at first sight or the hero and heroine hate each other from the start, that flame builds to an all-consuming wildfire by the end of the story. Each couple will have their own unique brand of chemistry.
2. Sexy heroes – We already mentioned this one, but the heroes in romance are so sexy it’s a subject worth delving into. Whether they’re billionaires, Navy SEALS, small town sheriffs, or Wild West outlaws, the heroes in romance are strong, capable, and know how to get things done. No hero represents these qualities better than the blue collar hero. Rachel, the heroine from Revved in our anthology, gets a taste of that when she first meets the hero.
From ‘Revved’ by Harper St. George
“You lost, princess?” he asked as he started fastening the buttons from the bottom up. His hands were strong with thick, graceful fingers. His voice was so deep and rumbly, she felt it as she heard it. It was too dark even with the streetlight to see his eyes clearly, but she felt them on her.
She blushed because it was weirdly intimate, the way he was dressing while talking to her, but she liked it. For the first time in a long time, she was scared and nervous and doing something she wanted to do. “I’m Rachel. Are you racing?”
He kept watching her until he’d finished the last button and stepped forward, coming further into the circle of light. He had a smudge of dirt or oil on his right cheekbone. It didn’t detract from his good looks at all. It made him seem gritty, maybe a little rough, and so much more real than anyone she knew. Like he knew all about life’s hard edges and was willing to take them in his hands and smooth them out.
“Why? Wanna ride with me, princess?”
From ‘Nailed’ by Tara Wyatt
“Hey! Get the hell out of my backyard!” Charlie appeared in a second-floor window, a deep frown creasing her pretty face.
He held his hands out at his sides. “Charlie, I’m sorry. I’m an asshole.”
She sighed and shook her head, her voice losing some of its sharpness. “I’m sorry you’re an asshole, too, Adam.”
“Let me do this. I want to fix this,” he said, gesturing around her backyard.
“And I want you to go. How many times do I have to ask you to get off my property?”
“Charlie, I just—” But he didn’t get the chance to finish his thought because he was too busy dodging the sneaker that came flying at him from the window. “Hey! What the hell’s wrong with you? I’m trying to help you out here!” He was being nice, attempting to make amends, and she was chucking Nikes at him.
And fuck if the twisted part of him didn’t like it, just a little. Her anger was about her being hurt, yes, but it was also about protecting herself. She was strong. Gutsy, and nobody’s doormat.
It was really fucking appealing, flying sneakers and all.
4. Pets! – This might actually be our favorite reason to love romance as a genre. Romance is a reflection of our lives and all the different characters in it. Pets are important members of our families, and you’ll find them in romance. They add depth and character to stories while, usually, bringing the hero and heroine together. Just take a look at Cormack from
From ‘Uprooted’ by Amanda Heger
“Who do you think gave him that dog of his?”
“You? You gave him Cormack?” Natalie furrowed her brow, but it worked. Her lips turned up at the edges, just a fraction of an inch. Someone who didn’t know her would have missed it.
He didn’t.
“Found him wandering at an old job outside of town. Was going to drop him off at the Humane Society or something, but first I had to stop by your grandpa’s house and cut the grass. One look at the dog, and Benjamin Green was in love.” Chris grinned and leaned against the car, her grandfather’s old woodie station wagon. The thing looked like it had more years on it than the dinosaurs. “How is Cormack, anyway?”
“Awful.”
“Awful? What’s wrong with him?” Maybe this was like one of those Lifetime movies his sister always tried to get him to watch, where the dog died of heartbreak from missing his owner.
“Let’s see.” Natalie began ticking off her fingers. “He hates me. He refuses to eat anything but people food. And he thinks he’s a goat.”
“A goat?”
“Stands on every piece of furniture and just stares at the wall.”
5. Happily ever after – The happily ever after is the one thing that sets the romance genre apart from all the others. You’re always guaranteed that everyone will live happily every when you read a romance. When you’re feeling stressed, or a little overwhelmed by how much the world sucks, you can pick up a romance and everything will seem just a little bit better. It’s therapy in a book, only better because you get to have wine.
Convinced romance is the best genre ever? Check out Dirty Work, available now!
Nothing can keep a Hennessy from what he wants, even if it means getting dirty… And these men are good with their hands.
When an inheritance forces Natalie Green back to her hometown, she finds herself knee-deep in family heirlooms and unwanted memories. And some of those memories involve landscaper Chris Hennessy—the guy whose virginity she took all those years ago. As the two begin rekindling an old flame, Natalie realizes her entire life is about to be Uprooted.
When lawyer Rachel Cambridge’s life falls apart, she should be heartbroken. So why can’t she drag her thoughts from the bad boy she walked away from years earlier? Sexy mechanic Sage Hennessy isn’t interested in forgiveness, but he won’t say no to a night in his bed. Will it be enough, or will Rachel get back the one man who’s ever Revved her engine?
Cynical sports journalist Charlie Grant isn’t looking for love, especially not with smartass carpenter Adam Hennessy. But when Charlie hires Adam to rebuild her deck, she can’t seem to keep her hands to herself. When smoking hot sex turns into something more, she’s worried she might get Nailed.
Follow the rough-around-the-edges Hennessys and the women who snag their hearts in Dirty Work, an anthology with novellas by Amanda Heger, Harper St. George, and Tara Wyatt.
Catch all of these fantastic authors on social media!
Amanda Heger:
Facebook
Twitter
Harper St. George:
Facebook
Twitter
Tara Wyatt:
Facebook
Twitter
