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Tuesday, March 05, 2013

Realism in Romance – by Lauren Dane


Each time I start to write a book, I think about realism and what, how much, etc to put in any given story.

What I mean is there are things I will always include in a contemporary romance like condoms. Some readers hate that. They want the fantasy without that sort of reality intruding. And there are authors who feel the same so it works out.

Some of my books are light, some are darker for a host of reasons.

So when I started to sketch out LOST IN YOU, I knew both my main characters came to the story with some heavy backstory.

Beth Murphy grew up in a toxic, abusive household. But she’s gotten past it. She’s very close with her siblings, who all banded together to survive what they had growing up.  It’s made her stronger and given her an appreciation for family.

And Joe, well, Joe wasn’t a great son really. He got into a lot of trouble. Partied hard and ended up in Iraq as an army mechanic because he made a choice in a stupid, drunken moment.

Each of them has stuff to get past. Things to prove and Joe is back in Petal to handle his ailing father, to prove he is a good son. Because he loves his family and in that he and Beth are a great deal alike.

Petal is a small town filled with love. The Chases and the Murphys are a close knit, loving unit and that is at the heart of all the books. But each of the books in both series has dealt with real life issues. Class, race, body image, stalking, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental illness. Because while romance does have a HEA, the characters in the books don’t always have an easy time of it.

Real life isn’t always easy or smooth. And sometimes a book will have those bumps in the road for the characters to struggle through, just like we do in our lives.

There are some dark moments in LOST IN YOU, but Joe and Beth get through because of one another, because they’re stronger than they would be on their own. I hope you all enjoy reading their story!

Thanks for reading!  Leave a comment for a chance to win a digital copy of Lost In You!

Lauren
Twitter: @laurendane

***Lauren's winner is Timitra! Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your mailing information. Thanks!***

15 comments:

Mary Kirkland said...

Oh wow, that's a lovely cover. It sounds like a great book, thanks for letting us know about it.

CrystalGB said...

Hi Lauren. I love your books. Lost in You sounds great. Awesome cover.
Crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

Pat Cochran said...

I'm with Mary on the cover, it's great!
I read a variety of genres & when I get
to something really dark, I take a deep
breath & just jump in! I may enjoy the
book, I may not, but I give it a chance!

Pat C.

girlygirlhoosier52 said...

I am in awe of the soldiers returning from overseas.. thanks

Martha Lawson said...

This one sounds really great! I'm like you, I like realism in my books, even though I want a happy ever after. Thanks for the chance to win.

Chrisbails said...

I love Laurens books and especially this series. I love the Chases and the Murphy's, especially Kyle and Marc. Definitely on my must buy list.
christinebails at yahoo dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I always enjoy your books so I'm sure I'll love this one. Great cover by the way. I like the family and hometown angle, that always works for me.

*yadkny* said...

Can't wait to read it, Lauren! I like it when both characters have issues to get over... makes for a more intense and interesting story.

yadkny@hotmail.com

erin said...

Thanks for a great post and congrats Lauren on the new release! I like realism in my romances, especially the more darker, grittier ones. I think b/c I believe the characters struggles are real and I get more emotionally invested in their HEA.

Timitra said...

I really enjoyed reading this post...thanks for the realism insight Lauren!


taccb(underscore)1981(at)yahoo(dot)com

mk said...

Totally awesome cover! And I love your books!!

Diane said...

Life is definitely a challenge and if you can get through it together, you will be stronger for it.

diane dot sadler at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

I love that authors add a touch of realism. Especially for younger readers who fall too far into the fantasy world that they think they can truly live like the characters. And for a story to be great everything can't just fall in the characters laps, it has to have lots of bumps and curves in the road. Thanks for the chance to win. I look forward to reading this. Adding it to my wish list.

Unknown said...

Forgot to leave my email sbereza22(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Henderson said...

My email is seriousreader at live dot com