Are Romances still Romances??

For years, literally, I have read romances, since I was around fifteen or so. The first book I picked up was Judith McNaught’s, Whitney My Love. That book was loaded with emotion. I keenly felt every fear that Whit had when she thought her first love, Paul, would not see her as a grown woman, one that he might love forever. I also felt the joy whenever Whit emerged in Paris society and took them by storm. Even the instant attraction and interest that Whit felt for Clayton sang through my veins just as Judith expressed it did for Whit. Every word of that book was poured over intricately, even now when I do a re-read I still take my time with it. But not for the love scenes, although I will admit they were nice and very well explained J, not even for the humor, I took my time because of the complex emotions that seemed to SING between Whit and Clayton. I can’t tell you how many times I have re-read that book for that reason alone, that unexplainable SOMETHING that happens between those two characters.


In the past five years or so I’ve noticed that some of the books labeled romances aren’t really romances at all, they are more like sexual manuals, books that show everyone just how many times two characters can do everything to each other in every position known to man. That particular SOMETHING is gone. Now, I will admit that I’m no PRUDE. I enjoy sensual, high intensity, and high tension romances. I also enjoy writing them, but that is a totally different thing than what I’m seeing. The books that I love to read, and write, are satisfying (hopefully) on an emotional level, one that also makes the reader foam at the mouth to see something of value between the H/H. I want those scenes that caused my heart to stop, or the ones that caused me to sigh with pleasure, or even the ones that caused my fingertips to tingle as I read.


Remembering the scenes between Clayton and Whit, there are quite a few memorable ones, but some of them that stand out as pure chemistry are, the chess game at his country estate whenever Whit thinks he is nothing but a country gentleman who finds her attractive, another is the scene at Whit’s father’s house when Clay teaches her how to cheat at cards. There is a sweetness, a vulnerability between these two characters that resonates to the reader, and at that moment we catch the ‘real’ quality of the story. And just in case you missed the EMOTIONAL quality that I told you about, the guilt that Clay felt when he hurt Whit, and the feelings that he speaks with in the wedding toast will be enough to remind you that this is truly a classic novel.


It isn’t the love scenes, it isn’t the secondary characters, neither is it the historical quality of the book…it’s the EMOTION of the story, the part that reaches out and grabs you, the part that makes you re-read a story that is almost over thirty years old! That is what I find intoxicating about WHITNEY MY LOVE.


Have any of you noticed this trend that I’m speaking of? Are you also missing the true quality of what is supposed to be a romance novel? What are some of your classic favorites?


HUGS
Trish aka wackycajun

New Guys on the Block

America is experiencing a wonderful gift from Australia that just keeps giving. Actors (oh, ok, actresses, too, but let's not mention them here). It seems every time I find a new favorite, turns out he's from Australia.

There are: Alex O'Loughlin ("Hawaii Five-O"); Simon Baker ("The Mentalist") bottom right; Hugh Jackman, center bottom; Hugh Laurie (I though he was English!), Mel Gibson (former favorite ;-), Rufus Sewell ("Eleventh Hour" on TV and the handsome bad guy in "The Knight's Tale" which starred another Aussie, Heath Ledger); Russell Crowe, above right; and the "new guy" on American TV, Dustin Clare, ("Spartacus")-upper left. Paul Goddard is at right. I don't know what he plays in, but he's worth adding to the group.

And you all may know even more.

Now these guys are great looking, but some of them shine especially in costume (or lack thereof) drama.

No, Jake Gyllenhaal, left, isn't Australian, but he does a really good costume drama.

And Dustin Clare. Again. But then, all good things are worth repeating. :0

Do you have favorite costume drama heroes?

NerdSexy

Nerdsexy:

His fingertips skimmed her body, each feather-light touch sending shivers over her skin. Though his touch was gentle, she felt as if she had been marked—claimed by him in some primal way. Her body arched into his as his tongue ran soft lines along her throat, cool breath pulsing quivers of passion through every fiber of her being. Never had she felt such power-- such raw, animal power. It might have frightened her if the man hadn't been . . . him. She let her eyes paw down the length of him, a feast of sensation. Silky dark hair, deeply tanned skin that smelled of coconuts, smooth well-muscled chest, like clay formed by the gods themselves. But, by far, the thing that made her heart pound, her core tremble, her body run wet with desire, was the sheer size of his beautiful, hard, massive. . . INTELLECT?

That's right, ladies. Dr. Ruth said it loud and proud, the most important sex organ is the brain. I'd argue that squirmy gray thing might be a man's sexiest feature, as well. Even when I think of the men I'd want to possess for a mere weekend, most of them boast conversational skills beyond that of a cantaloupe. And humor. Ah yes, what is sex without humor? The man who makes me think, laugh, question, and wonder is also the man who can make me scream. . . in the best way possible.

This post goes out to all those wretchedly sexy men who didn't get laid as teenagers. They were too busy working on their science projects, composing their arias, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, and publishing their opinion pieces in the school paper. Ted Dekker and Neil Gaiman, both brilliantly talented writers, are the two (above) I've chosen for you today.

So tell me, who are the brains that turn you on?

My Most Inspiring Men

This month, I'll make it short and sweet. (Kind of like me...hehehe) I'm re-posting the real life men who inspire me, and giving everyone a teaser of what's to come in the next couple of months. I'm so privileged to have met these guys, and share their life philosophies with the world.

Theo Theodoridis - "Just remember while we keep our hearts open humanity, kindness, tenderness, compassion, and unselfishness thrive. They make us civilized, they exceed over any law or social rule, and make our world a better place. Express these to everyone."



Stephen Black - “To truly be happy and living as we should, I believe we need to hold onto what our soul tells us to hold onto. It is the food or fuel, if you will, for our happiness.”




Jei Douglas - "In life, relationships, journeys, and careers, sometimes we need to take a chance. The outcome may not be as we expect, but it will surely be memorable."




Nick King is the February sweetheart. "I think of other people first because I think its the right thing to do. The world doesn't revolve around just me. Life is what you make of it. If you strive to do your best you can accomplish anything you put your mind to."








Matt Gulakow - a cutie I'm privileged to call family. I've known this guy since he was 8 or so... He'll be playing College ball for a university in Montreal. You'll hear his story in March. He believes that if you don't take a chance on something, you'll never know.






I've met Mr. April - Charlie Junior Settee - he's a University of Winnipeg graduate and Powwow dancer. Have yet to interview him but if he's anything like these guys...well, women in the world are in good hands when there are real life heroes around. Nobody says they're perfect, but then aren't the heroes we write about flawed, too? That's what makes a good person - someone who doesn't pretend to be perfect but strives for it. So far, all of these guys, with the exception of Theo, have agreed to be in my calendar for charity. Aren't they awesome? :) You can visit them all on my blog at www.kelliejwin.com

PHYSICIAN ADDITIONS!!

Okay, I'm watching Grey's Anatomy right now, and Jessie Williams is so gorgeous! How did I miss him?



Also watched the new series "Off the Map" last night and really liked what I saw there. Looks interesting.

The Doctor is IN!!!!

What is it that women find so sexy about male doctors? Is it the way they look in those baggy scrubs? Is it the white lab coat? Or is it their ability to accessorize: stethoscopes looped casually around their necks, pen light at the ready to check your eye’s dilation reaction, tongue depressor in hand, or the way they look coming out of surgery, with the fashionably snazzy head coverings, masks, and those little slipper things over their shoes? Maybe it’s all of that power at their fingertips as they feel for lumps, swollen glands, stiff joints, etc... I hear the God syndrome runs pretty high in doctor’s circles…no matter how much we all know that nurses are just as important in the medical profession and get far too little credit from some doctors. I have to admit that I’ve pretty well lucked out when it comes to doctors. Although my GP is a woman here in Kinder, my three specialists in Lake Charles are all men…and extremely good looking men, at that. Since a couple of my novels center around medical professionals I’ve decided to dedicate this week’s blog to my very own Men of Medicine.

First up is Dr. William C. Moss, a surgeon in Lake Charles, La. Well over six feet tall, I've seen this guy go from capable, young, handsome "Billy Boy" (His dad is also a doctor) with dark hair and dark brown eyes, to the older, distinguished looking doctor with salt and peppered hair. Still extremely attractive, but more important, a wonderful doctor. Caring, efficient, listens to what I have to say and never rushes through an examination. He's ordered breast biopsies, removed cysts, and performed my lumpectomy almost two years ago.
Judge for yourselves...aint he purty?



Next up is Dr. John Noble, an orthopedic surgeon in Lake Charles who has perfomed carpal tunnel surgery on my hand as well as arthroscopic surgery on my knee. He's a little under six feet tall, has blond hair and blue eyes, the best bedside manner and very skilled as a surgeon. Doesn't hurt that he's verra nice to look at, ladies. Aren't I lucky?


How about other real life doctor’s? Here’s a couple I watch on television quite often:
Dr. Oz – made famous by Oprah – Also a nice looking man.



My newest favorite doctor to watch on t.v. is Dr. Travis Stork from The Doctors. Incidentally, the hunky six feet, four inch hunky doctor also appeared as The Bachelor on season eight. I just found out about that...did anyone else know that?
What a dish!



I ask you…HOW SEXY IS THAT?

Let’s just throw in some Grey’s Anatomy hunkies, for good measure.
Patrick Dempsey (Derek Shepherd), Justin Chambers (Alex Karev), Eric Dane (Mark Sloan), and my personal favorite, Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt)

Good Morning Angels!

Hey Angels, this is the blog site of Silvia Ney. She appeared at our Bayou Writers' Group Conference in December, but I didn't get to go. Winners of this contest get a free critique of the first 1000 words of a manuscript. All you have to do to enter is be a follower of the blog. How easy is that?

http://writinginwonderland.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-year-new-contest.html

Have a great day!