Redeeming Romance: Choose the light by Kieran Kramer
June 17, 2011 
25 Comments
Please welcome Kieran Kramer to Book-Addicts today as we continue our love affair with romance in our Book-Addicts’ Redeeming Romance event, where romance isn’t a dirty word!And don’t forget to check out the end of the post for a little something special…
Why do I write AND read romance? It’s simple, really. I think my purpose on this planet is to choose light over darkness, which is another way to say…I want to celebrate love. Reading and writing romance supports me on that journey.
It’s so easy to be cynical, to hide, to give into despair. Too easy. We could write a list of at least a hundred things that are depressing, wrong, and sad about the world at this very moment. What’s really hard is digging in your heels and saying that even though you’re well aware of the bad stuff, you choose not to give it power. You choose to accentuate the positive. You choose to focus on what’s right, to celebrate smiles, hugs, sacrifice, generosity, teamwork, enlightenment, progress, tenacity, courage, loyalty, beauty, and joy.
The earth is parched for joy.
In my own little way, by writing stories in which people reach beyond their fears and show the courage to love, I’m making that elemental choice to choose the light. What I contribute to the world might be paltry compared to the abundance of blessings I’ve received. But I hope that my romantic tales will bring ease to a stressed reader—maybe even comfort, laughter, and joy.
And I read romance for the same reasons. There are moments where I struggle to sift through the daily drudgery and have trouble connecting with the positive. It’s at times like that that a great romance novel really helps. Every romance on my keeper shelf somehow reminds me that we can all break through our dark times if we tap into the healing, illuminating power of love.
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I’m so glad you joined me here today and would love to give away a signed copy of my latest release, CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MARRIAGE, along with a set of my four Impossible Bachelor romance trading cards, to someone who leaves a comment. I’d especially like to know why you read romance and the name of a keeper on your shelf. I can tell you I have every Jennifer Crusie and Susan Elizabeth Phillips on mine, as well as everything by LaVyrle Spencer and Mary Balogh. I could go on and on and on naming my keepers, but please tell me some of yours! And have a great day.
Hugs from Kieran :>)
Thanks to Kieran Kramer for being with us today and I’m totally jealous about someone else winning the cards. Anyway, quick note: Any comments up until next Thursday, June 23rd at 11:59pm will be entered to win. Winner will be picked at random. Multiple commentors will be entered only once, so don’t be afraid to discuss things amongst yourselves. 
I’m new to Romance so my only keepers are by Kieran Kramer. I just love the FUN that comes through her books, and I can only imagine how much fun she had in writing them!
I love romance and romantic suspense. My keeper shelf includes Kristin Higgins and Anne Stuart. I agree, keeping in “the light” and writing “the light” is important.
Great post, Kiernan! You summed up the way so many of us feel in such an eloquent way. I write and read romance for the same reasons. The world needs more “happily ever after”. I read all kinds of romance, but my favorite hands down is Nora Roberts for her ability to create memorable characters that you really care about. I am also a romantic suspense fan and love Wendy Corsi Staub and Tess Gerritsen, among others.
Oops. Sorry I spelled your name wrong KIERAN!
I read romance because I love the escape it brings from stresses of life or as a break when I’ve read a lot of sci-fi/fantasy and I just want “fluff.”
Some of my favorite that I look for every time I want a romance are Mary Balogh, Jocelyn Kelley, and Danielle Steel. And Kieran Kramer is niw on that list.
I love being able to escape to another world and fall in love.
My favorites are Eloisa James, Julia Quinn….
I do love when Harry Met Molly too.
I was laughing so hard when I read it. 
I read romance for fun, and I write it so (hopefully) readers will have fun too. I love the sentence, “The earth is parched for joy,” and I’m now thinking you are right. I might be subconsciously reading to engage in the struggles of those who get a happily-ever-after. I guess that means I read for hope, too! My keepers are Judith Krantz, Iris Johansen Loveswepts, Anne McCaffrey, Barbara Samuel, Pam Houston, Louisa Edwards and JR Ward.
I have been reading romance since I was about 12. They are great “mimi” vacations. I have a great immagination and its wonderful to go to a new place everyday. I love a wide variety of authors and am always adding new ones, but a few of my most favorites are Stephanie Laurens, Christina Dodd, Lyndsay Sands…I could go on and on. I rarely read a romance I don’t like.
I’ve been reading romance since about sixth grade … and writing (and trying to get noticed) for years now. (And as a 2011 RWA Golden Heart finalist, I’m starting to get that notice.) Like you, I like reading stories that end happily ever after (or at least happily for now) — there’s too little joy in the real world.
Some of the authors on my keeper shelf are Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Julia Quinn and Christina Dodd. I also like Cathy Maxwell and Stephanie Laurens … and I just recently discovered Heidi Betts’ knitting series.
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I love hearing from all of you!!! Thanks for supporting romance, either as a reader, writer, or both. And best of luck to those of you trying to get published. Arlene, I’ll be cheering you on at the GH/Rita ceremony! And thanks for the lovely support for my own career. Those of you who’ve read my books–well, I am indebted to you for taking that chance and spending that money to do so. I will strive to keep bringing you that “getaway” feeling that we all need now and then!!!
Love to all!! :>)
I love your philosophy of joy and the celebration of light over darkness. The media in general puts so much focus on the darkness that it drags me down. A good read on the other hand lifts me up, and relaxes me. On my keeper shelf I have Julia Quinn, Julie Miller, Julie Garwood, Lisa Kleypas, Amanda Quick, Teresa Medeiros, Christina Skye, Heather Graham, Candace Camp, Lynn Kurland and J.R.R.Tolkien. The new ladies on my keeper shelf are Stephanie Sloane and yours truly Kieran Kramer. So many books that I am in the market for another book shelf.
I read romance novels because, for that short time when I’m between covers, I feel like everything is right with the world. Even twists and turns don’t worry me because I know that, in the end, everything will work out and I can put the book down with a more positive attitude than when I’d started. The first romance novels I read were my mother’s copies of Nora Roberts, and years later I still have one of her books on my shelf.
Wow, thanks for putting a book of mine on your keeper shelf, Gayle, and I’m glad you’re a kindred spirit about celebrating the light over the dark!! And Galen (cool name), I know just what you mean, that feeling you get that everything is right with the world while you’re reading a great book. And even though you know the story is fiction, it CAN restore hope. The HEA reminds us that anything is possible in our own lives and that we should stay open to all good things!!!
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
I love reading romance! I love reading anything, but romance keeps me from dropping of the cynical cliff ledge *g*
I have many, many keepers. Eloisa James, Amanda Quick/JAK, Julia Quinn, Lynn Kurland, Karen Ranney, Karen Hawkins, Stephanie Laurens, Victoria Alexander, Julie Garwood, Lynsay Sands… I have ALOT of books…. and Kieran has now been added to that list. Things I love in a book are humor, mystery, suspense, romance, history or all of the above!
Thank you for sharing your love of reading/writing with us, Kieran!
Thank you for your posts and giveaway, Kieran. I read romance because it celebrates the power of love. It’s hard to find that anywhere else. And I write it for the same reason.
As for my keeper shelves (in the plural; I have quite a few), it probably wouldn’t mean anything if I list the names of the authors. That’s because whereas most romance readers pick their material based on author, I pick mine based on theme. And my favorite theme is—you guessed it—the power of love.
Good luck with your new and upcoming releases!
Kieran–
I wish I could meet you– you sound like such a happy person! Unfortunately, I cannot attend National so maybe Nancy can invite you up here for a meeting!
I, too, try to view the world in a positive way and have always been one to smell the flowers. I love flowers almost as much as I like romance. I like the phrase you used, “the earth is parched for joy!” What a wonderful motivation to live by. And you’re right– have you ever tried to find a picture of Jesus laughing? Yet he is the most joyous person to ever live.
I love your message…People choose to look for the positive. Being snide and negative is easy. Being positive and optimistic can be hard at times. Sometimes it takes a lot of work to find those positive elements but it’s worth it.
Can’t wait to meet you at National!
I have only been reading romance for about two years and I love it. Definitely gives me hope and usually laughter when I am feeling down. My keepers are Kieran (love the series) and Julia Quinn and Christine Feehan’s Sister of the Heart series. I know Feehan is in the supernatural realm, but the Sisters are witches with good hearts that help people.
Oh my gosh!! I have so many ‘Keepers’ that I couldn’t begin to name them all. I could start a used book store with my collection.
A few off the top of my head…
Johanna Lindsey, Susan Elizabeth Philips, Dakota Cassidy, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Jude Deveraux, Rachel Gibson, Sandra Hill, Lynsay Sands…
OK… more than a few…
)
I love reading romances in all its forms: historical, contemporary, suspenseful and more. At the end of the story, I trust in romance authors to leave the characters in a happy place. Romance is embracing love; overcoming obstacles, facing fears and trusting with your hearts. Every love story is unique but rooting for the characters, connecting with them and celebrating their triumphs are things I will never get enough of.
Some beloved keepers on my shelf include Lisa Kleypas’s Blue Eyed Devil, Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’s Ashes in the Wind, Katherine Stone’s The Cinderella Hour, Kristan Higgin’s My One and Only. Plus many, many more.
I also have to add, I’m seeing an emerging trend with romance trading cards. At first, I was unsure but am quickly warming up to the ideas. I’ve seen so many showcased on author’s webpages and they are lovely. To think I can have all my heros/heroines with snippets about them al in one hand.
Why do I read romance?
They are always different from one to the next, and still the same. The one big thing I love the most is the happy endings. Always a happy endings. Well written ones will make me smile 
, probably bring me to tears a time or two, make my eyes bug out once or twice and suddenly make me read really really fast during certain parts. haha Love love love them! Rarely do I read anything else.
I have seen Kieran titles on the net and have added them to my wishlist, they look so cute and funny
I like to read romances because I am a romantic at heart. I love to have my daily HEA and because through romance novels I can visit old time periods and settings which are always enchanting and very entertaining
My favourite authors are: Highlander: Monica McCarty and Diana Gabaldon, contemporary: Nadia Lee and Erin Nicholas, historical: Lorraine Heath and Lavinia Kent.
Thank you for the wonderful giveaway, the title of your newest release always makes me giggle
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com
Our bookshelves match perfectly, Kieran! Though I’d add Julie Garwood, Eloisa James, Judith McNaught, and we musn’t forget Kathleen Woodiwiss. And Jo Beverly. And I’d better stop now.
I’ve been reading Romance as long as I can remember. The teen ones and then the grown-up ones starting around 14yo maybe. I’ve learned about everything from diving to glass blowing to wine making from Nora Roberts. Love, tragedy, drama, laughter, satisfaction. Romance has it all.
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