Fun Friday – Why Romance? with Christine Ashworth

We are continuing with the month long Birthday Bash with the wonderful Christine Ashworth! Christine is here to tell us a little bit about why she writes romance and her DEBUT novel, DEMON SOUL. Congrats, Christine. It is so exciting to see your first book come out.

Christine is also being kind enough to offer a giveaway of a copy of DEMON SOUL to one person who leaves a comment on this blog. Just post the comment by midnight EST tonight.

Why Romance?

First off, thanks so much to uber-talented Caridad Pineiro for hosting me on her blog! As a 2011 debut author, this is such a thrill for me to be here (more about my book later, lol).

When I tell people I write romance, most of them are polite, but some not so much. One guy actually asked me why I chose to write about romance when there were “so many more important things in the world to write about”.

We were sitting in my favorite coffee shop at the time. So I made him get me a refill before I explained my reasoning. I’ll cut the chatter, and get down to the nitty gritty for you all.

Why romance? Because I firmly believe that love, or lack of it, drives the world. That everyone, deep down inside, is looking for love and a place to belong, especially in the deepest dark of night when the world looks its bleakest and you just can’t get to sleep. As I write paranormal romance, even the “bad guys” are in search of love. And guess what? This need doesn’t go away as you age.

There is a certain power inherent in love both given and received that enhances each person, human or otherwise. That power can raise us to the heights, or cause us to take desperate measures. Love and the power it wields is far greater than any other force in the universe. Love shapes destinies and kingdoms and can destroy as easily as it builds. Its dark side is as dark as it gets; it’s light side, the lightest. Love is the greatest power in the world. The question shouldn’t be why do I write romance; it should be why WOULDN’T I write romance?

My debut release, DEMON SOUL, should be out from Crescent Moon Press by the end of March and I am SO excited!

…to retrieve his soul, she’ll become fire…Gabriel Caine stands on the edge of the abyss. A vampire has stolen his soul and if he doesn’t get it back soon, his next step will be into Hell.

Rose Walters has been sent back from the dead to complete one task – save Gabriel Caine. She’s drawn to Gabriel on the most basic level, but restoring his soul may cost Rose her life.

Rose has touched the whole of Gabriel, making him yearn for a love he believes he can never have. Her willingness to put her human life on the line for him forces him to bring all three parts of himself – demon, human, and Fae bloodlines, and the traps and strengths of each – into harmony, and into the fight that will decide their fate.

For more on upcoming books, check out my website at http://christine-ashworth.com, or follow me on Twitter @CCAshworth.

Happy reading!

49 Replies to “Fun Friday – Why Romance? with Christine Ashworth”

  1. It would be a MAN who questioned the need for romance in published fiction. It is exactly that type of man that ensures there is a wide market of readers for all romance authors. If he’s smart he’ll run to the book store (after having discussed all of this with you) and grab a copy of your book when it’s released. Maybe he’ll get a few hints and the woman in his life will reap the benefits. 😛

  2. Nice Response! And good points. I wonder what his response was. Some people have never read a romance and just don’t know what they’re missing.

    1. Noreen – he was flabbergasted at the dressing down I gave him – in public, no less! He’s not one to tap into his emotions frequently. But he did say he was grateful for his wife, that he’d never known how strong love could be until he held his daughter in his arms for the first time.

      I think he gets it – he just doesn’t prefer to read about, or think about, love – it’s too important!

  3. Thanks for such an uplifting blog post! That’s totally why I write–because love has the power to transform us, to restore our faith, and sometimes, even redeem us. Your book sounds like a great read.

    1. Janelle, thanks so much! I agree – love is all-transforming, if we’re willing to give ourselves over to it. And when we’re not, it turns into something else entirely…but that’s a different novel, lol!

  4. Nice article, Christine! I think love is the subject people want to explore the most … but there’s also a stigma attached to enjoying romance. But I’m sure you’ll be converting quite a few people with DEMON SOUL.

    Congrats on your debut!

  5. ROFL I have a key chain that says, “I peddle romance” with a pretty rose on it. Never realized someone would think I was a hooker. Gotta go tell Hubby that one.

  6. Well done Christine.

    I agree with you 100%. The world needs more love.

    I’m looking forward to Deamon Soul. It sounds amazing.

  7. Congrats on your release! Demon Soul sounds intriguing.

    I agree with the other posts…don’t give us looks or sneers when you know you’re looking for that HEA too!
    It’s exciting to watch people overcome obstacles and conflict to find happiness in the end.

  8. Christine, Major congrats on your upcoming debut release! Love the cover and enjoyed the book’s description… thank you for sharing it with us today! 😀

  9. Congratulations Christine on your DEBUT novel, DEMON SOUL.

    I’m enjoy reading romance and like very much your reasoning for writing romance as it is spot on :mrgreen:

    Ohhh Gabriel sounds like my type of guy 😳

    1. Rita, I kid you not, Gabriel is DEFINITELY your sort of guy! Especially if you like them hunky, slightly tortured, and extremely protective, lol! And he’s got two brothers, and a cousin, all built in the same mould…

  10. Great stuff Christine! It’s completely unfair that the romance genre should be so devalued and that so many authors have to “justify” or defend their writing. But life isn’t fair, except for when we get our HEA!!! Which is why romance rocks in sales! Congrats on Demon Soul!

    1. Donna, at least the romance business is more acceptable now than it was 20 years ago, and I have to believe that happened, in part, to the growth of the industry. So thank YOU for all that you do to bring fabulous books to the public!

  11. You got it, Christine! Wow! Your book sounds fantastic!

    It is funny you had that talk about romance with a guy in a coffee shop! I had a guy friend once tell me, in a coffee shop, no less– my ‘business cards’ made me sound like a hooker! (At the time, my card had a tag that read, ‘romantic adventures laced with sensual pleasure’) Well, I told him to get over it!

    Congrats on standing up for romance and for the release of your intriguing book, Demon Soul.

    1. Kaye,
      Thank YOU for being here! I had to laugh at what your friend said about your business card…and if he ever reads your work, he’ll look at you TOTALLY differently, lol!

  12. I love writing romance. To create another world with all those obstacles to the hero and heroine getting together….LOVE It. But yeah, I so need the HEA!!

  13. Hi Christine! I’ve been asked if I write “trashy romance”. I’ve been reading romance for ten years and I have yet to finish a book and think “That was trashy.” Unfortunately, I find that most people who use the word have never read a romance. On the other side of that, I’ve had a few male friends surprise me. I tell them I write romance and their response is “Cool!” I guess when we get constant negative reactions, we start to assume everyone will be negative. But I’ve found supporters out there, too.

    Great post! I love romance, especially of the paranormal variety. 🙂

  14. Absolutely. If we removed love from history, there wouldn’t be much to write down.

    That person owed you more than a refill – he should have been the one doing the explaining! :mrgreen:

    Looking forward to your book.

  15. Christine,

    First, congratulations on the new release. I can’t wait to read Demon Soul!

    Isn’t it funny how people snicker or give you a look…but I bet if they were honest, they’ve read a romance novel or watched a “chick flick” some time in their life. EVERYBODY wants love. Some people are just more open to possibilities…which is why we write paranormal romance. We not only accept but create infinite opportunities for love!

  16. AND, aren’t there more romance books than any other in the bookstores? That’s because we love romance books :>)

    1. Karin, I’m not sure if there are MORE romance books than any other, but there sure are a LOT of them in the bookstores! Always a good thing as there is always some new HEA to read!

  17. For me, romance provides hope. There is so much in the world today that takes away hope that believing in a HEA for two hours refills my soul. Thanks for sharing and putting the guy in the coffee shop in his place! 🙂

    I love the cover of your book and the storyline sounds really interesting. Can’t wait to read!
    Melissa

  18. Hi Christine!
    (Hey Caridad..I’m baaaack *waving*)

    Ok, the guy at the coffee place? I would have made him buy me a triple mocha latte with extra whip…but that’s just me!!

    I’m looking forward to reading this as I was raised a rather conservative midwestern girl and when I told my mother I was working on some demon/angel stuff she nearly choked! Hahahahahahahah! (some people take things entirely too seriously).

    Looking forward to Demon Soul!

    1. Autumn, I think I was on my third (or fourth) cup of coffee, so drip worked for me at the time, but I’ll definitely keep that in mind!

      The religious aspect of the whole demon/angel thing was one I decided to completely ignore, and I think it works for the book. We’ll see!

  19. hey the book sound great and what you write in what you want to write and the
    book look great i read and b log on every thing

  20. Hi Christine,

    Love your blog.

    I tell people that reading and writing romance is cheaper than therapy. In a crazy world I need my HEA.

    Thanks for bringing it home!

  21. Christine, I get this! I’ve not been questioned about why I write romance, but I have been sneered at. But you get it. I get it. Romance is for hope.

Comments are closed.