Renee Regent's Blog

If you ever write a romance novel, you will at some point experience the disdain and condescension of those who dislike the genre. Every seasoned Romance Author has had it happen, and unfortunately, this phenomenon will probably follow the genre forever.
Again With the Stigma? Really?
It could be as benign as an off the cuff remark from a friend or family member. “I read your book and it was great, and I don’t even like those types of books!”
Wow, thanks. Glad I could provide the exception to the rule for you.
Tip #1: If you like a book, say so, regardless of genre. Don’t qualify your statement. Don’t worry about someone judging you for what you read. What are they going to do, take away your reading privileges?
Or, it might be a snarky comment on a social media post. I recently saw a post where a woman wanted to organize a book club, and immediately the romance-haters came out, complete with their arsenal of trash-terms, such as “mommy porn” and “Fabio”. When I politely mentioned that Fabio has not been associated with romance novels for over twenty-five years, I got no response from the poster.
Tip # 2: If you don’t read a genre, don’t insult the people who do. I never read horror novels, but if you enjoy them? I am happy for you. It does not detract from my reading enjoyment at all.
Romance Author Pride
Sigh. Despite the prejudices, and at the risk of being ridiculed by a certain portion of the population, I chose to write steamy Contemporary Romances. Why would I do that?
I chose to write romance novels because Romance is my favorite genre to read (and I have read widely, in various genres), but it goes much deeper than that. The following list details the reasons why I write romance, and I say this proudly and without reservation. I even posted a series of videos on Tik Tok recently, describing them (follow me at @reneeregentauthor).
9 Reasons Why I Love to Write Romance
1. I love hearing how real-life couples got together, especially when there is an element of fate to it. When you meet people, doesn’t that question ever come up? “How did you two meet?” As an author, I get to make up all sorts of karmic love matches!

2. I love first kiss scenes. You always remember your first kiss as a couple. Whether it was awkward, funny, or magical, it is a milestone moment. Describing that moment for each couple, and making it unique to them, is awesome.

3. I love the push and pull of the characters trying to resist one another, either physically or emotionally. Usually both! The snarky banter, the flirting, the buildup of tension. It sounds easy, but to do this with the proper pacing takes skill, leading up to the big moment when they finally give in.

4. I love pairing different people with opposite goals. It is more than just “opposites attract”, though that is a worthy trope. Both the internal and external differences must be explored and overcome. Slowly, the relationship between the characters becomes more important than the other obstacles, as they bond and share a common goal—being together.

5. I love writing that moment when they finally…become as close as they can be. Just as memorable as a first kiss, with a lot more heat. I write steamy romances, so the “door” is open, but mine are not overly graphic. Romances are written with varying heat levels, from no spice to extra spicy. That way, readers can find the level of intimacy they are comfortable with. And as a side note—the spicy scenes in my books are part of the character’s growth arc, and happen in the story organically.

6. I love exploring the emotional baggage and having the couple find their way through it all, to be with each other. The emotional journey is the heart of any romance novel. My readers have told me the emotions shown are what they love about my books, even when the characters make them want to throw their e-reader across the room! I have always naturally tried to figure out what motivates people to do the things they do, and this gives me an outlet for that curiosity.

7. One of the criticisms of the romance genre is the rule that romance novels must have a happy ending. And how that is bad? Other genres have conventions—in a mystery novel, you know the mystery will be solved at the end. Even sad-ending stories in other genres can be enjoyable to read, but the reader may not know it will end that way. However, the payoff in a romance novel is guaranteed. Yes, we absolutely know the main characters will end up together, but it’s HOW they get there that makes the story. And that is the challenge of writing a romance novel—how to get them to the HEA.

8. Tropes and subgenres—the romance genre has many common tropes and subgenres catering to niche readers, and the list evolves and grows over time. Tropes are like a template of situations—enemies to lovers, second chance, fake fiancée, etc. Using that structure, an author can imagine all sorts of variations while still meeting reader expectations. And the subgenre niches change in popularity, providing more fodder for story ideas. Outsiders see Romance as one genre, but it has many layers. The genre as a whole has grown exponentially and has been the best-selling genre of all for many years now, and authors catering to these changing tastes is one reason why.

9. Which brings me to my final reason for loving what I do. The readers! Romance readers are voracious, many reading a book or more per day. They are loyal to authors they love, and have been more than willing to take a chance on indie authors (independently self-published, and no, it is not the same as vanity publishing.) They also tend to leave reviews, share book recommendations, and support their favorite authors on social media. I cannot speak for authors of other genres, so comment if you like about your experience with readers. But knowing my books have been enjoyed by others is an important part of being an author, and romance readers are a very responsive group.

So there you have it—I am out, loud and proud. I plan to explore other genres at some point in my author career, but for now, having that central relationship between two characters in the backdrop of the plot/setting/subgenre is the thread that keeps the story moving. If you are a romance reader or author, I’d love to hear why romance is your chosen genre.
“Sizzling heat, surprise twists, and all the feels” is my Romance author tagline. And I could not agree more!

If you ever write a romance novel, you will at some point experience the disdain and condescension of those who dislike the genre. Every seasoned Romance Author has had it happen, and unfortunately, this phenomenon will probably follow the genre forever.
Again With the Stigma? Really?
It could be as benign as an off the cuff remark from a friend or family member. “I read your book and it was great, and I don’t even like those types of books!”
Wow, thanks. Glad I could provide the exception to the rule for you.
Tip #1: If you like a book, say so, regardless of genre. Don’t qualify your statement. Don’t worry about someone judging you for what you read. What are they going to do, take away your reading privileges?
Or, it might be a snarky comment on a social media post. I recently saw a post where a woman wanted to organize a book club, and immediately the romance-haters came out, complete with their arsenal of trash-terms, such as “mommy porn” and “Fabio”. When I politely mentioned that Fabio has not been associated with romance novels for over twenty-five years, I got no response from the poster.
Tip # 2: If you don’t read a genre, don’t insult the people who do. I never read horror novels, but if you enjoy them? I am happy for you. It does not detract from my reading enjoyment at all.
Romance Author Pride
Sigh. Despite the prejudices, and at the risk of being ridiculed by a certain portion of the population, I chose to write steamy Contemporary Romances. Why would I do that?
I chose to write romance novels because Romance is my favorite genre to read (and I have read widely, in various genres), but it goes much deeper than that. The following list details the reasons why I write romance, and I say this proudly and without reservation. I even posted a series of videos on Tik Tok recently, describing them (follow me at @reneeregentauthor).
9 Reasons Why I Love to Write Romance
1. I love hearing how real-life couples got together, especially when there is an element of fate to it. When you meet people, doesn’t that question ever come up? “How did you two meet?” As an author, I get to make up all sorts of karmic love matches!

2. I love first kiss scenes. You always remember your first kiss as a couple. Whether it was awkward, funny, or magical, it is a milestone moment. Describing that moment for each couple, and making it unique to them, is awesome.

3. I love the push and pull of the characters trying to resist one another, either physically or emotionally. Usually both! The snarky banter, the flirting, the buildup of tension. It sounds easy, but to do this with the proper pacing takes skill, leading up to the big moment when they finally give in.

4. I love pairing different people with opposite goals. It is more than just “opposites attract”, though that is a worthy trope. Both the internal and external differences must be explored and overcome. Slowly, the relationship between the characters becomes more important than the other obstacles, as they bond and share a common goal—being together.

5. I love writing that moment when they finally…become as close as they can be. Just as memorable as a first kiss, with a lot more heat. I write steamy romances, so the “door” is open, but mine are not overly graphic. Romances are written with varying heat levels, from no spice to extra spicy. That way, readers can find the level of intimacy they are comfortable with. And as a side note—the spicy scenes in my books are part of the character’s growth arc, and happen in the story organically.

6. I love exploring the emotional baggage and having the couple find their way through it all, to be with each other. The emotional journey is the heart of any romance novel. My readers have told me the emotions shown are what they love about my books, even when the characters make them want to throw their e-reader across the room! I have always naturally tried to figure out what motivates people to do the things they do, and this gives me an outlet for that curiosity.

7. One of the criticisms of the romance genre is the rule that romance novels must have a happy ending. And how that is bad? Other genres have conventions—in a mystery novel, you know the mystery will be solved at the end. Even sad-ending stories in other genres can be enjoyable to read, but the reader may not know it will end that way. However, the payoff in a romance novel is guaranteed. Yes, we absolutely know the main characters will end up together, but it’s HOW they get there that makes the story. And that is the challenge of writing a romance novel—how to get them to the HEA.

8. Tropes and subgenres—the romance genre has many common tropes and subgenres catering to niche readers, and the list evolves and grows over time. Tropes are like a template of situations—enemies to lovers, second chance, fake fiancée, etc. Using that structure, an author can imagine all sorts of variations while still meeting reader expectations. And the subgenre niches change in popularity, providing more fodder for story ideas. Outsiders see Romance as one genre, but it has many layers. The genre as a whole has grown exponentially and has been the best-selling genre of all for many years now, and authors catering to these changing tastes is one reason why.

9. Which brings me to my final reason for loving what I do. The readers! Romance readers are voracious, many reading a book or more per day. They are loyal to authors they love, and have been more than willing to take a chance on indie authors (independently self-published, and no, it is not the same as vanity publishing.) They also tend to leave reviews, share book recommendations, and support their favorite authors on social media. I cannot speak for authors of other genres, so comment if you like about your experience with readers. But knowing my books have been enjoyed by others is an important part of being an author, and romance readers are a very responsive group.

So there you have it—I am out, loud and proud. I plan to explore other genres at some point in my author career, but for now, having that central relationship between two characters in the backdrop of the plot/setting/subgenre is the thread that keeps the story moving. If you are a romance reader or author, I’d love to hear why romance is your chosen genre.
“Sizzling heat, surprise twists, and all the feels” is my Romance author tagline. And I could not agree more!

It’s always exciting to release a new book, but even more so when it’s the first in a brand-new series. I’ve had the idea for the Love Grows series in the back of my mind for a few years now, and on January 8, 2019, I can finally share my vision with you.

The Love Grows Series
The theme of this series ties in with my author tagline, which is, “Love Grows in Unexpected Places.” I love hearing how couples met, don’t you? Especially when there is some element of fate. Call me crazy, but I still believe in love that was meant to be.
If you like stories with strong, protective heroes, feisty, independent heroines, plenty of emotion and a good dose of heat, then you’ll enjoy this series. I’m exploring some of the usual tropes, but with a twist. I love writing about mismatched people who fight the odds to be together, whatever those odds may be. You can count on some twists and turns before they finally get to their happy-ever-after!

Not So Broken
Book 1 is entitled Not So Broken. Two unlikely lovers, Gibson and Sacha, are facing the biggest decision of their lives.
Here’s the cover blurb:

A billionaire in hiding. An independent woman. When they collide, love grows in a most unexpected way!
Gibson
After losing my wife and child in a devastating accident, I turned my back on everything—including my business empire. I was unworthy of anyone’s trust, convinced I would never find love again, let alone have a family. Then I met her—Sacha. One perfect night of passion forged a connection between us we never expected.
How can I convince her we are meant to be together?
Sacha
A bitter divorce left me reeling, but I forged a new life on my own. Now on the verge of a promotion, everything I want is in reach—except a family. I’ve all but given up on ever having a child.
Then one wild night changed everything. I was swept away by Gibson—now he and I are forever connected. But we barely know each other, and it seems we both have secrets.
How can I convince him we are better off apart?

The Love Grows Series- Strong, protective heroes. Feisty, independent heroines. When they meet, Love Grows in unexpected ways.

Are you one of those people who dreads the holiday season, while everyone else around you is making merry? Do you look forward to New Year’s Eve most of all, because it means all this holiday nonsense and commercialism will finally be over?

You’re not alone.

How and why one chooses to celebrate or not celebrate the holidays is an intensely personal thing. It may be cultural, it could be religious, or it may simply be personal preference. But when something is as pervasive in society as is our annual ramp up to the grand finale of New Year’s Eve, and all the hectic activity in between, it can take a toll on a person’s attitude.

Holiday Overload

I must confess that as I’ve gotten older, I am less interested in the holiday hubbub. Decorating feels like a chore; shopping for gifts becomes a race against time. Endless holiday-themed commercials become even more annoying than pharmaceutical ads, and I swear if I hear “Winter Wonderland” one…more…time…

But then, when Christmas is almost here, a yearning comes from somewhere deep inside, and I find myself searching closets for that old DVD of Rudolph or the Grinch or Charlie Brown. I actually look forward to exchanging gifts, because the pressure to find and wrap them is over. Seeing little kids getting all excited over the lights or going to see Santa melts my irritation away, and I find myself enjoying the holidays once more.

So now I try every year to not let cynicism take over, and enjoy the little things.

Deep As Snow

But some people have more serious issues with the holidays, and that is what prompted me to write the short stories that comprise my novella, Running In Snow. Sometimes past trauma can make it difficult for some people to enjoy the holidays. I’ve had a few unpleasant holidays in my past, so I wondered what it would be like for someone who refused to celebrate, but was in a situation where they had to?

What on earth would make them go through with it?

That was the basis for Noelle’s Promise, the first short story. Noelle had some serious trauma around Christmas from her childhood, to the point where she would not participate at all. Not with friends, not at work, not in any way. She simply avoided it.

But when she fell in love, her life changed. Should she continue to ignore the holidays, or try to join in her boyfriend Logan’s family celebrations? She makes a valiant effort to do so, but things don’t go as planned. Noelle discovers that sometimes the way past your fears is to go right through them.

Eve’s Hope, the second short holiday story, is about a woman who believes she is cursed. Every New Year’s Eve, something goes wrong. When her heater goes out in a rare Atlanta snowstorm, her handsome neighbor rescues her and invites her to his party. She makes the best of it, hoping to get through the night without her bad luck kicking in. Let’s just say there’s a few surprises in store before the clock strikes midnight.

I enjoyed writing these emotional holiday tales because I was able to explore those feelings of dread I get every year, but still end up on a happy note. Do you ever experience negative feelings around the holidays? How do you cope?

Running In Snow is available now on most retailers. I hope you enjoy the holidays, however you choose to spend them!

I'm so excited, y'all!
My Holiday Novella, Running In Snow, is now available for Preorder on Amazon, with other retailers to follow shortly. These are two short holiday stories, full of emotion and holiday angst, but they end on a happy note.
Here's the blurb:

Two heartwarming tales of love and redemption. And snow.
Noelle’s Promise
Does your past define the future?
Noelle has one cardinal rule─never, ever celebrate the holidays. But now she’s promised to spend them with her boyfriend, Logan, and his extended family. As the festivities begin, bad memories surface. She manages to suppress her anxiety and join in the celebrations, until an unexpected incident sends her fleeing into the night. Can she overcome her past before it ruins her future?
Eve’s Hope
Can a holiday be unlucky every year?
When her heater goes out in the middle of a rare Atlanta snowstorm, reclusive Eve accepts the invitation to her handsome neighbor’s party. Expecting to be bored to tears, she encounters a few surprises before the countdown to midnight begins. Can she survive just one New Year’s Eve without her bad luck kicking in?

If this sounds like something you'd like to read, add it to your TBR list.

Thanks for reading! Ebooks and Paperbacks available on release date of November 7, 2017.

The Higher Elevation Series has a brand new look!

Rebranding a book or a series is more common now than ever before. From Indie Authors to small presses to large publishing houses, changing the cover of a book is a marketing strategy which can breathe new life into sagging sales. It can also cause the book to appeal to a different audience, bringing in new readers. Some authors or publishers do this periodically, just to keep their product packaging fresh and on trend.

While I loved the original covers of my Higher Elevation Series, I feel these new covers better convey the supernatural suspense and mystery of the books without detracting from the romance. And now the colors really pop!

Also, for a limited time, all three books, Unexplained, Untouched, and Undeniable, are available on Amazon only and can be read for FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription.

I hope you enjoy these new covers as much as I do!

“I will never regret kissing you, Amanda. But I won’t be responsible for breaking your heart.”

That is one of the most memorable lines from my second novel, Untouched. It perfectly sums up the poignant relationship between the two main characters, Zac Daley and Amanda Bresky. From now through May 30, 2017, I’m doing a Goodreads Giveaway for two signed copies of this Romantic mystery story, so I’d like to tell you all a little bit about it.

Although Untouched is the second book in the Higher Elevation Series, it can be read alone. Zac was featured in Unexplained, Book One of the series, as the best friend of Sarah McKenn, the heroine of that book. Zac was a favorite character of many readers, and I couldn’t wait to write his story. He is also a photographer, and he has a journalist’s curiosity. But his story is set in 1978, and like many college students of that time period, he’s a bit of a free spirit. In Unexplained, he met a girl named Amanda, and his life would never be the same.

Amanda Bresky is a sweet but feisty college student, who has always been a “good girl”. She has fallen for Zac, who insists on keeping her in the friend zone, though she wants to be much more. Unfortunately, Zac’s past is haunting him and he is convinced he is not the guy to be innocent Amanda’s first lover, despite their mutual chemistry which is off the charts. And her meddling mother, Peggy, who watches her every move, doesn’t help.

But when Zac sees a drowning woman in the lake, and only through the camera Amanda gave him as a gift, strange things begin to happen. The ghost appears, demanding he deliver her message. As Zac and Amanda work together to solve the mystery and prevent a tragedy, they discover they both have secrets in their lives that must be faced.

Love isn’t always what it seems to be…when you are living in the past.

I hope you enjoy reading Untouched as much as I enjoyed writing it!

There’s a growing trend in fiction, and it’s not grey, but almost. Silver is in, with older fictional heroes and heroines (not in their twenties) in romance novels, and even in some other genres, too. Which makes sense when statistics show a significant portion of readers who read books regularly are women, and over the age of fifty-five, as shown in a recent Book Bub study. Many readers enjoy stories with characters who are more like them, who have more life experience and are facing problems and challenges they can relate to.

Several social media pages or groups have emerged to provide a place for those interested in reading or writing romances featuring mature or “seasoned” main characters. For example, the “Seasoned Romance” group page on Facebook declares that it is a “place for readers and writers of love stories with heroes and heroines in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Sex and love can get better with age. So let's read, write, and talk about it!” They have already passed five hundred members as of this writing, proving there is interest in stories with older characters.

Perhaps part of the appeal of older characters is they have more to offer─more experience, more connections, and thus they often have more at stake. They may have children or a business, something significant to lose, more so than perhaps a younger, twenty-something character. They also may have more emotional baggage, since they’ve been around; second chance romances or widows/widowers are a common trope with older characters.

What about you? Do you enjoy reading stories with characters who are over 35?

I'll be giving away 3 signed copies of Unexplained, Higher Elevation Series Book1. This Giveaway ends on February 19, 2017, so sign up now, and find out why readers are calling this series "Undeniably addicting"!

Unexplained is a paranormal romance, with a bit of a different twist. Can a skeptical journalism student and an astral-traveling psych major investigate their weird psychic connection (and their scorching attraction for each other) before his talents put them in danger?

Here's what reviewers said about Unexplained:
"The connection between the two is hot and much more. There is mystery, some danger, pain, and a wealth of character study."

"Great start to a solid series".

Thanks, and good luck!

Anyone who reads Romance Novels knows that the Paranormal Romance sub-genre has been hot, hot, hot for several years. But has it begun to burn out?

Vampires have always been considered sexy creatures, even back in the “Dracula” days, so it is no surprise that Vampires (and their ilk) make up the bulk of Paranormal Romance Characters. Two huge franchises have found success with Vampire characters- first Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles Series, then Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight Series. There are uncountable other novels with Vampires or Vampire-like beings featured, and new ones are constantly being published. The sub-genre has splintered off into further sub- sub- genres, too- Vampire novels with an Urban Fantasy bent, a Comedic bent, a Thriller-Suspense bent….and on.
I personally never jumped on the Vampire bandwagon, but I know plenty of women who still cannot get enough, even with a plethora of books, movies, and television shows…many times I thought, “surely, the Vampire craze must be winding down,” only to find more and more of them everywhere I look.

Werewolves and Shape-Shifters seem to be the runners up in the Most Popular Paranormal Creatures contest. In fact, you can likely find a “were” creature of any type imaginable in Romance Novels today- bears, cougars, panthers, and even some you probably haven’t wondered about- snakes, anyone?

Ghosts, Witches and Wizards, Angels and Demons, selkies, mermaids/men, the fae, even monsters like Bigfoot and the Abominable Snowman (huh?!). Supernatural beings showing up in Romance Novels (and Erotic Romance Novels, to be sure) is now quite commonplace. But the beauty of the Paranormal genre is the fact there is no limit but the writer’s imagination. Authors can create worlds and characters using archetypes and mythologies, and spin it with their own twist.
That may be why even the Vampire craze won’t die (pardon the pun) – authors keep coming up with creative, interesting versions of their own, so we keep on reading. As a writer who leans toward the paranormal, I am glad there is an abundance of great stories out there, and I look forward to seeing what interesting trends develop in this genre.

So what is your favorite type of paranormal character? What would you like to see more of? Have you had enough of Vamps and Weres, or do you crave more?