And oh yes, it’s by reading romance novels.
Since all you men out there โ okay, not ALL you men โ if you’re reading this and you read romance novels, raise your hand.
::crickets::
And thus my point is made.
Did you know though, that the hunkiest guys in romance novels win the girls not because of their big-a$$ed muscles or their ability to lift them up with one hand. It’s not because they have loads of money or drive the latest Ferrari. Nope. NONE of those things. It’s not material stuff that win’s a woman’s heart.
It’s heart that wins a woman’s heart.
How do I know?
First, let me take you to a Man’s perspective, to the Epic Black Car blog wit this article: Romance novelists are secret, epic army of man boosters
And now for my take … since I’m a woman and all. ๐
What percent of writers of romance are women?
Come on … guess.
99%?
99.9%?
99.99%?
And do the guys always win their girls?
(Come on boys, the answer to that one is ALWAYS yes.) And … why do the romance novel heros always get their girl?
This might take some thought … (hint: because a true romance novel has a happily ever after.)
We women want our guys and girls to get together, so we women writers make sure they can by creating the perfect, flawed, but unadulterated man for our perfect, flawed, wonderful women characters! (Caveat:ย we don’t make it easy for them to get together, but have clearly laid out the points on how to do it.)
Don’t believe me? Let’s take 10 romance novels and prove it. What do women see? What can men DO to win over their women’s hearts?
10 stories.
10 men.
One line per story.
They all won.
Now you can, too.
Wyatt Moreland says, never give up.
โI have loved you since the day I met you. And not some stupid high-school love everyone knows is fleeting. A love so deep-down painful, I never thought Iโd find a way to make it go away. Everything I have done for nearly sixteen years has been because of that.โ |
Trace Coburn says, show empathy.
โIt would be dumb for me to contradict you, but I want to go on record as the guy who loves every inch of you, no matter the external appearance. That doesnโt mean Iโm not worried as all hell about the stress.โ |
Chad Masters, Earl of Gilchrest says, be strong.
โHush now. No more tears, Nicole. We will work this out,โ he promised, stroking her back. โIโm your protector now, and Iโll see you safely out of London.โ |
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Sean Holloway says, be sincere.
“I’ll happily carry you to bed every night of the week if it means you’ll be with me when I close my eyes.” |
Lord Ben Doreรฉ says, be charming.
โYou might have had anyone you wanted,โ she said upon a sigh.
โI wanted you.โ
โI was no one.โ
โYou were beautiful. Your smile, your laughter, the words upon your tongue.โ
โBen.โ
โYour eyes and glance,โ he murmured above her lips. โYour touch.โ |
Quinn Dawson says, be encouraging
โThereโs nothing in the world like gliding on the ice. Trust me?โ Quinn asked. He stepped onto the ice and held out his hand. โCome on, Hellon. Just try it.โ |
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Sam Newton says no regrets … ever. He fought the urge to snatch her up and escape. And the need to apologize overwhelmed him, but he wrestled the words back. He wasnโt sorry for getting involved with her. A fool he may be, but he wasnโt ever going to regret loving her. He wrapped his arms around her tighter. โI love you.โ |
Elliot Anderson says accept a weakness. “My biggest flaw?โ He gazed at Lexie, as if she should know. โI loved you too much. I loved you too much.โ |
Zach Michaels says be direct. โCan I get you some wine?โ I asked. He gazed at our hands intertwined and smiled for a long minute. โNo,โ he said. โIโve already had wine with you. I want more of this.โ He placed a finger under my chin and raised my lips to his. |
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Nick Bancroft says be truthful. โThatโs right, it wonโt be perfect. Weโll fight. Weโll argue. Sometimes Iโll really piss you off. Youโll get sick of me leaving my socks on the floor and Iโll get tired of you leaving the cap off the toothpaste, but right now what Iโm asking for is a little faith. Iโm asking you to believe that you and I are meant to be together. I know itโs true, and deep in your heart, you know it, too. Youโve known it all along.” |
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Now don’t you think you should read a romance novel? I mean, the last one was even written by one of your own kind. Male.
Happy reading!
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Aimee Laine is the author of Little White Lies, a paranormal romance.
For Charley Randall, time is her greatest enemy. Wyatt Moreland’s love is her ultimate reward.
Buy it at ย your local bookstore | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | AllRomance | BooksOnBoard
Oh men DO write romance, but some do it under a female pen name OR their works are categorized as “literary fiction”, despite having all the elements of a romance. (Sorry to be so cynical.)
One of my favorite cinematic scenes is from Remains of the Day when Emma Thompson corners Anthony Hopkins in his study and wants to know what he’s reading. He protests and refuses to show her so closes in on him, imposing her physical presence on him (which by now, you just KNOW they want each other though neither will admit it). While he’s somewhat overwhelmed by her, she snatches the book from his hand and whispers, with shock in her voice, “Why it’s nothing but a silly romance.” Wow! Powerful stuff that scene was to me and it definitely underscored how romantic men really are / can be.
Oh, I know they write them. That last book there was written by a male romance writer! ๐ But reading them … well, that’s what I want! More of that! And hey, with Kindles and Nooks and eReaders, now, there are no excuses! They can hide them easily! ๐ We just gotta make sure they know what they are missing.
Great post! Loved reading all the mini-snippets. ๐
COME ON, MEN! PICK UP A ROMANCE NOVEL TODAY! They’re not all mamby-pamby snoozling, ya know ๐
Even if they were mamby-pamby snoozling, if a man read a romance, the mamby-pamby would probably reach new heights of snoozling. ๐
Thanks for the link to my silly blog.
I did read a romance novel, and blogged all about it, though it was all about Men in Kilt.
One man. One romance novel. One bottle of bourbon.
https://epicblackcar.wordpress.com/2010/10/07/one-man-one-romance-novel-one-bottle-of-bourbon/
A different novel would have been more fun — especially a romance with Fabio on the cover and holding a sword. THIS MAY HAPPEN.
@epic! Men in kilts are a huge turn on to women. ๐ We should have more of them. ๐ Now to guys, I could see that as a problem, however, that’s yet another example of something men can DO! ๐ Proved my point again. ๐
Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
Great Blog, Aimee! Thanks for sharing this….My husband has had his eyes opened since I started writing romance. I don’t think he’s ready to sit down in the break room with a copy of Married by Morning, but at least now we can have intelligent discussions about Romance novels without snickering and bad puns! Keep up the good work…. ๐
Thanks, Olivia! No snickering allowed anymore! ๐ And I’d bet if he had a Kindle or Nook or whatever and you snuck one on there? Betcha it gets read. Or at least skimmed. The **good** ::winkwink:: parts at least. ๐ Thanks for dropping by!
This turned out wonderfully, Aimee! I love the different pieces of advice. So many of the characters in romance–both men and women–are brave enough to take that leap of faith, to take a chance on love. It’s the hope and possibility of a happy ending that draw me to the genre (Lord knows everyone can use a little hope).
And I must say that my husband loves it that I write and read romance. He particularly appreciates it when I read it out loud … Thanks for inviting your colleagues to participate!
Thanks, Becky! And thanks for participating! ๐ It was fun to write and fun to put together. Reading it aloud is not something I’ve done, but sharing some of it with hubby is a definite. Who else would validate certain scenes for me? ๐ Those need test runs, first! ha! (Wait, did I say that in my outloud voice?)
You’re a mathematician, right? And that’s sort of close to a scientist. And you’re an author, which means that the scientific method would work on testing theories in romance novels. It’s all relative!
Hehehehe. I have a math degree (very different than being an ACTUAL mathematician … just ask hubby). I like the ‘it’s all relative’! ๐ ๐
Aimee,
This is fantastic! I love all the comments and the tiny excerpts. Thanks for including Chad!
Lilly
Welcome! Thanks for letting me ‘borrow’ him! ๐
Sam loved being here today, Aimee…thanks so much for having him.
Thanks, Tess!
Sorry I’m catching up so late. It was a travel day today and we just got settled in our hotel.
I’ve had several guys read The Knowing and actually report back to me – one of them in his 20’s, one in his 30’s, and one in his 60’s. A varied group, not only in terms of age, but they are very different from each other in personality. The guy in his 60’s loved Lifethread, The Knowing, and The Calling. The thirty-something read the first chapter, loved it, bought the book and probably hasn’t looked at it since. The twenty-something dude I know nothing about. I’ve only actually met one of these guys (30’s), and got all of the reports second-hand from wives or girlfriends.
I’m pretty sure the one thing they all have in common – they won’t admit they read the book to anyone but their significant other.
Trace was honored to be included in this estimable group of guys.
Lucie j.
That’s great that you got male readers on The Knowing, LJ! Awesome! ๐
Fabulous recommendations for the gentlemen in our lives, Aimee! It was such fun to read. Thanks for including Ben. ๐
So glad you liked it, Katharine! ๐ And Ben was awesome to have in our mix! Many thanks to you! ๐
Great post, Aimee, I loved reading all of the other snippets! And thanks for including me, too!
Thanks, Kenneth! ๐