Special Guest: Kelly Jamieson Back to Blog
Breaking the “romance rules”
I recently read a survey done by fellow author Cara McKenna at Naughty Author Chicks which identified several topics that are seen to be “forbidden” in erotic romance. Well, three of those topics — birth control, sex for conception and infertility — are in my book Lost and Found, out tomorrow with Samhain Publishing.
I broke a lot of other “romance rules” in this book, including the big, supposedly sacred romance “rule”: the heroine is married. And there is marital infidelity – although not the way you might think. There are also moral issues in this story that aren’t black and white, but rather shades of gray.
Since I broke so many rules, does this story even meet the definition of romance?
The Romance Writers of America defines romance as:
A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around two individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work. A writer can include as many subplots as he/she wants as long as the love story is the main focus of the novel.
An Emotionally-Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: In a romance, the lovers who risk and struggle for each other and their relationship are rewarded with emotional justice and unconditional love.
It’s the “struggle” that make each romance unique. According to the “romance rules” we know there is going to be a happy ending, but it’s the obstacles the characters face and how they overcome them to get to their happy ending that makes each romance unique. The obstacles that can stand in the way of a couple falling in love and being together are endless. In this case, I chose to write about a very difficult one: one of the characters is already married.
Few people would ever agree that infidelity is okay. It’s a pretty black and white issue, right? Infidelity is wrong. But are there shades of gray? Are there powerful desires and emotions that compel people to make the choices they do? Can good people make bad decisions? Do they still deserve to find happiness?
Although I broke the “romance rules”, there is a romance in this story. Is there a “happy ever after” ending? Well, I don’t think I could write a story without that. But you’ll have to read the story to find out how it ends, and to see if I broke too many romance rules!
Kelly Jamieson
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This book sounds really good. I like when books are differant. That’s what makes each one unique. I really like the cover too.
Hi, Kelly! Thanks so much for guest posting with me. I love hearing about rule breakers. 🙂
I all about rebels and rule breaking- sounds good to me!
Aren’t rules made to be broken? Hehe!!!
I think it’s great to read a book that is different and defies certain ‘rules’. Why not, I say!!! Have to add this to my ever growing list of books to get soon!!!
Valerie
in Germany
Loved your blog and the controversy over what is or isn’t romance; I can’t wait to read your book.
I enjoy books that are outside the box. And I break a few rules myself. Wishing you excellent sales!
This book sounds different then anything I have ever read before and I would love to read it! Thanks for sharing!
Testing the limits of “forbidden” is where all the fun is, isn’t it? At least in fiction, anyway. 😉 I think good people make bad choices all the time. It’s why they did it and what they do afterward that matters. Really looking forward to reading this book!
Everyone of us makes bad decisions! This is called human nature 🙂 I believe it is how we go about correcting the bad decision, or just living our life correctly when we do make a bad decision!!
But, I do love reading the books with the gray areas and how the author goes on with the story line!! This looks like a fantastic read!!
When it comes to fiction, I enjoy seeing where a books leads… being outside the norm or pushing limits can make for interesting reading!
Hi, Kelly 🙂
This one is definitely on my list to buy now… I once read a romance where there was infidelity in the marriage. It was very emotional and I loved it.
Hi, Kelly! Congrats on this latest–it sounds like a heart-wrenching story! Sometimes broken rules really make a story all the more real, since so often life really doesn’t follow all the rules! As for your story, if it’s got an HEA, I’m in 😉 Adding this to the TBB!
Congrats on your latest. It sounds like a very interesting and very emotional read.
Sometimes, to bring something different to romance, you DO need to bend or break the iron-clad rules. Generally people have done things to exhaustion, and so, to bring something different, you have to think outside the box
Interesting post! Sounds like a very emotional read. And I’m glad in some way, there is an HEA 🙂 I can’t read a book without that!
I have read erotica books and sometimes wondered, they’re not using protection? As a matter of fact, I’ve read only one book (and its sequel) where the partners did use protection and I like it.
I’m glad you have introduced topics like birth control, sex for conception and infertility to your book; I look forward in reading it.
I don’t believe in rules for books. Obviously there’s a market, because Samhain is publishing it. And selling tops following rules any day.
Fabulous cover! I’m going to check it out.
I have a feeling this books is going to be a tear-jerker.
Congrats on the new release. Can’t wait to see how many romance rules you broke.
Wow thanks for all the comments, everyone! I’m glad to hear so many like something that’s different or that “breaks the rules”.
And thanks for having me here this week Cynthia!
Hi! Your book sounds like a good read! I love shades of gray 😉
Don’t they, whoever the ubiquitous they are, say rules were made to be broken? I like that in a story-unpredictability draws me in more than formulaic “boy meets girl, they fall in love and live HEA.”
Bad things happen to good people. Good people make bad decisions. We can learn from our mistakes, and try our best not to make the same mistake over again. When we hurt other people, we are truly hurting ourselves. Forgiveness is healing.
I think it’s interesting sometimes when rules are broken.