Friday, August 31, 2012

Romancing The Hop Blog Hop: I'm Fluffy & I know It (my romance tastes! What are yours?)

Hey beautiful people!

Once again, I am joining Carrie Ann’s hops; when I saw the topic for this one, I couldn’t resist! I mean, romance, in all it forms? How and where do I sign up ASAP?

I think lots of romance authors had the same reaction, because will you just look at the turnout for this blog hop? 200+ authors!!! And check out the prizes – that’s enough to send your mind reeling.


1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: The following Swag Pack!
(US only for the swag pack)
 



But yeah, romance... I love romance, in any form. And yes, the fluffier, the better – I’m fluffy and I know it. *grin*

I started reading romance when, in an effort to get me to read the classics and big-name British authors, my father (to whom I credit my life-long love of reading and my love affair with words and writing) started a library membership for me and for the first few months afterwards, already told the librarian what to add to my card every week. These authors’ names were Jane Austen and Barbara Cartland. Yes, I know – my father made me read romance! I couldn’t have been older than 10 at the time... and thus, for the past 20 years, I have been gorging on romance books.

Over the years, I discovered there were tons more types of romance, not just genteel, historical types. And though the heroes were not the exact definition of Austen’s and Cartland’s gentlemen, they were all noble men with beautiful hearts. Action, adventure, humour, tours of the world through exotic locations and settings, fantasy worlds that totally blow away at your imagination – who knew there was all this hidden away behind those racy, make-me-blush covers that had Fabio on them?

And then I discovered chick-lit, and a whole new world of romance opened up to me. Here I was, a young and single gal, looking for love & Mr. Right... and I loved designer clothes and shoes and handbags and... you get my drift. At the same time, life was getting harder, and I needed an escape. Chick-lit, and light romance, became this escape for me.

To this day, I still love a good fluffy book – I’ll pick this over dangerous heroes and dashing doctors and far-flung worlds anytime. But anyhow, give me romance, and I’m set.

Try as I wish to emulate my favourite genre, I can never write light or humourous. I have thus resigned myself to committing by some deep themes and dark characterization... But someday, somehow, I will write my very own fluff... and scream to the world how I’m proud of having done it!

In the meantime, check out my unfortunately-not-fluffy romances:

TRANSIENT HEARTS: A Western Escape foodie romance, from Decadent Publishing, Coming Soon!

Wills, dreams, and desire clash and come together when two transient hearts meet in the town of Freewill, Wyoming. Indo-British chef Shayne Morea and prodigal son & New York Forex broker Grayson Warner discover they have much more in common than they thought... but both are in transit in this town. Can they both make Freewill their final port of call?

ONCE UPON A SECOND CHANCE: A 1NightStand story, Coming Soon!

Leila & Khalid Al-Nadir, an estranged Muslim couple, must come together and face the turbulent, dark, and devastating past that brought them together before it tore them apart. Could Madame Eve’s meddling work here, when she sets these two on a blind date?


ONCE UPON A STORMY NIGHT:  A 1NightStand story

Two people who live their lives as lonely ships in a tumultuous ocean are set for a collision course when Madame Eve pairs them together for a one-night date.  Lars Rutherford, a British shipping director, and Simmi Moyer, a Mauritian corporate lawyer, signed up for one night of pleasure with a stranger. But they end up finding much, much more than they expected. Can this spell the start of a brand-new future for each of them?




CALLING HOME (A Destiny’s Child Book)

Margo Nolan, a cold and rational forensic pathologist from London, slams right into a wall named Emotional Chaos when she lands custody of a tween girl. Completely at a loss as to how to deal with another human being, let alone a child, Margo feels the jaws of Hell close in on her. She is so not cut out to be a mother, or even a woman... But Jamie Gillespie, the sexy young doctor from next-door, has a different opinion. Can he convince Margo to take a chance on impulsive emotions, and on him?



WALKING THE EDGE (Corpus Brides: Book One)

Amelia Jamison wakes up after a car accident with amnesia, but the life she goes back to feels forced and unnatural. What secret is the man claiming to be her husband hiding? What secret does her buried memory hide? On a wild impulse, Amelia sets out for Marseille, where she is certain a man she remembers from her past will be able to fill in the blanks for her. But what she finds is more secrets, more danger, and desire so scorching she will be burnt before recovering her memory. Gerard Besson, the Marseille police commissaire, is the key to unlock her past... but will there be a chance for the two of them to have a future, once they discover who she really is?


BEFORE THE MORNING (Corpus Brides: Book Two)

For as long as she can remember, Rayne Cheltham has been in love with her childhood best friend, Ash Gilfoy. Her one dream was to marry him and bear his children. Yet, life didn’t turn out that way... and Rayne ended up becoming a ruthless assassin and efficient spy for a clandestine agency. But then she meets Ash again, and there’s a chance for them to have a future once more. Together again, married, in love, everything should be perfect... except that a spy cannot leave that life behind her so easily. And worse – Ash has no idea she used to be a killer. How will Rayne confess who she used to be, and how will Ash react? But worse of all – how does she keep them both alive in the cat and mouse game a rogue faction of her agency is playing with her?


What’s your romance confession? Are you fluffy like me? *grin*


Comment (with your email address! Or else we cannot enter you into the draw!) and you stand a chance to win a copy – your choice! – of one of my books listed above! You also enter the draw for the Grand Prizes this way.

Find the list of the 200+ authors taking part in this hop here! And special mention to Natalie G Owens, Jessica Subject, Sheri Fredricks, HC Brown, Dana Delamar, & Savannah Chase!

Thank you for coming over!

From Mauritius with love,


Zee

104 comments:

laurie said...

great blog post! for me i am one of those that LOVE a good erotic romance. can't get enough of them

parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

Zee Monodee said...

Lol, Laurie! It's true that good erotica can totally rock a reader's world! :)

Carin said...

Zee, I guess my "confession" is that love a good BDSM novel. I am a smut reader LOL! Carin
mawmom at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

Loved your post and I loved "Once Upon a Stormy Night." I've been in love with romance since I was a baby. When I was two I cried because of Snow White's happy ending. Now I read things a little bit more grown up (BDSM romance) and I still cry with happy endings.

kesummer69 at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

My confession is I love romances, not a lot of people know that other than my hubby. I read them in secret, shhh

fencingromein at hotmail dot com

Unknown said...

I love romantic suspense and contemporary Westerns. And vampires!

Good luck with all your books, Zee...

Flowerlady_23@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

My confession is lovin' the alpha's.What a fun hop! delphinareadstoomuch at yahoo

Zee Monodee said...

LOl Carin - love me some good smut too at times :)

Zee Monodee said...

Aww, thank you, Kelsey, for your lovely words! Lol, at 4, I cried when I watched Cinderella, so I totally know what you mean :)

Zee Monodee said...

Shannon, nothing quite like sneaking around with your guilty pleasure, innit? :)

Zee Monodee said...

Thanks Sara! Hmm, vampires, of course... :)

Zee Monodee said...

The Alphas *swoon* Totally agree with you, Delphina! :)

Gaele said...

I haven't found my "niche" yet.. I am admittedly indiscriminate (when it involves genres) promiscuous reader - my only requirement for a book I like is that I get something back - enjoyment, transported, entertainment....

thank you for sharing and participating!

glhince@gmail.com

Unknown said...

My confession is that I love a dark, brooding hero and Beauty and the Beast type plots...:))))

Zee Monodee said...

Lol, Gaele! I love your definition of 'promiscuous' :)

Zee Monodee said...

Aww, Nat! Don't we all love these tortured men... :) xoxo

JeanMP said...

My confession is that I have gone from reading fluffy romances to BDSM. Enjoyed your post.
skpetal at hotmail dot com

JanD said...

I'm into paranormal & historical romance.
bituin76 AT hotmail DOT com

Michelle Bledsoe said...

I always love a good paranormal romance. When I need to take a break from the action and suspense, I read a "fluff" romance...LOL

koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

Cassandra said...

For reading I love it all but in life I'm secretly fluffy. I just love the sweet stuff :)
Thanks for the awesome & amazing giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

Jesse Kimmel-Freeman said...

I can be fluffy... but I can be distant and harder to convince with romance stuff. :0/

Jesse
jesse.kimmelfreeman@gmail.com

Liese2 said...

Thanks for the great post and thanks so much for the chance to win!
sqwallker2@hotmail.com

Mary Preston said...

I do enjoy light & fluffy Romance reads. Perfect reading at times.

marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

Foretta said...

Great post!!! I love romance books but they must have HEA’s! My favorite are series because I love seeing the characters again in other books!!

thanks for the contest!!
forettarose@yahoo.com

Zee Monodee said...

Jean, the line is not that thick between fluffy romance and BDSM. The emotions are still there :)

Zee Monodee said...

Jan, these are 2 of my fave genres too :)

Zee Monodee said...

Michelle, lovely to have another 'fluff' lover on here! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Cassandra, the sweet stuff is the best, innit? Like candy floss, Hmmmm! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Lol Jesse! You sound like a serious reader! :)

Zee Monodee said...

You're welcome, Liese2! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Exactly, Marybelle! Fluffy makes for perfect reading sometimes :)

Zee Monodee said...

Foretta, HEAs are an absolute must - totally agree! And right about series. I didn't like series before, but then I got hooked on finding out what happened to the other characters :)

donnas said...

Thanks for being part of the hop

bacchus76 at myself dot com

Cryscringle said...

Wellll, I like all the ooey-gooey stuff in romance, haha. I'm not sure I'm the type who enjoys the really 'hardcore' stuff like BDSM and the like. I've never really read it though. :) Thank you for the giveaway and for being part of the hop!

Crystal Craig
craigcrystal(at)ymail(dot)com

Krystal Shannan said...

Romance is about building a lasting relationship :-) Fun hop! Great blog!

krystalshannan@yahoo(dot)com

Kaylyn D said...

I like my romance books dark, emotional, and gritty. I do the lighter stuff but I have to be in the mood to do so. Thank you for the giveaway.
kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com

Patti said...

Thanks for participating! Really like the hop so far!! I love reading, especially romance. I love the happy ending that is garenteed at the end. My favorite book is Lover Mine by JR Ward! I love John Matthew and Xhex. My favorite romantic moment was when my fiancé asked me to marry him! We meant two years ago right around when summer was ending! My friend and I went out for our last big night out before classes started again. Thanks so much! Hope everyone else is having a great long weekend!!

prettyunicorn78@yahoo.com

Zee Monodee said...

You're welcome, Donnas :)

Zee Monodee said...

Hmm, Crystal - the ooey-gooey is plain lovely. I love it, too! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Krystal, how very well said! That's the essence of romance, indeed! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Kaylyn, I love me a good dark and gritty romance too, but for me it's a one-off beside all the fluff. :) But I know what you mean, LOL

Zee Monodee said...

Oh, Patti, who doesn't love romantic gestures? Funny, I have yet to get into JR Ward. Got all the books on my Kindle, but haven't delved in yet (despite most of my friends urging me to give in already) :)

Veronika said...

I love fluffy too :D Thank you for the post!
verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

Barbara B. said...

Nice post! My TBR list grows ever longer!

Barbara
bbsbooknook@aol.com

Kelly said...

I love all types of romance....Thank you for the chance to win..


ronnnkelly3@aol.com

Vanessa N. said...

Great post. I absolutely love a great erotic romance.

mythic021@gmail.com

booklover0226 said...

I like a bit of an edge with my romance... And I will leave it at that!

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I have read books since I was 3. Started reading romances at 11, it was and still is my escape.
Thanks for participating in the hop and giving us all a chance to win, and share our stories.
bidelia78@yahoo.com

Nay Nay said...


I love the erotic paranormal romances, especially the shifters. <^_^>
Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win.
reneebennett35(at)yahoo(dot)com

Shadow said...

Thanks for the awesome hop and giveaways! This is so much fun! Thank you! My favorite thing about romance is the romance. lol I love the characters, the plots, the HEA's, the love. I love it all!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

Brandi Slater said...

I love romance novels! Most of them that I read now are erotica and BDSM. Thanks for being part of the blog hop!
flava_sava_chick@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

Why I like Romance Novels….The reason I like Romance Novels so much is because it is one place where I can be anywhere like England, Scotland, Rome, Ireland, or anywhere in the US. I can also be in any time like 1200’s Scotland, 1500’s England, 1900’s Chicago. I can be anyone like a princess, a servant, a werewolf, a duchess, a vampire, or a lost soul. But no matter what I get the privilege and the experience to overcome many different obstacles and find love. Let me tell you in this world, and during this time where life can have so many struggles it is great that you can be, have, and do so many things to find love and romance and still be yourself!

angelheart618@gmail.com

Kim D said...

Thanks tons for the hop! I only read romance. My fav is Lora Leigh! Going to parade Monday with brothers and sisters! Should be FUN!
swkimbell@yahoo.com

JoAnna said...

My confession is I like my heroes furry. Not the hairy chested kind but the animal kind. Shifters are my favorite parnormal hero.

beckerjo at verizon dot net

CrystalBee said...

I'm a fluff girl all the way. Love me some contemporary romance. My naughty side comes out often, though. :)

-Crystal (CrysTvsky@hotmail.com)

Qwillia Rain said...

For me, romance is all about the trust and respect built between the characters. Since I write BDSM, these elements are very important.
Thank you for participating in the blog hop!
qwilliarain(at)gmail(dot)com

Shan said...

I love romance. I am a HEA type of girl. It isn't a true romance to me without one.

sam1slim1@gmail.com

Shan said...

I commented can't remember if I left my email addy.

sam1slim1@gmail.com

Zee Monodee said...

Oh, Veronica!! So good to be in like-minded fluffy-is-awesome company *grin*

Zee Monodee said...

Aww, thank you, Barbara! Hope you get a chance to check out the books :)

Zee Monodee said...

Ronnkelly, true - why discriminate when romance is awesome? :)

Zee Monodee said...

Vanessa, I love my fluff, but I totally agree with you - a good erotica can rock your world. :)

Zee Monodee said...

Tracey, a bit of an edge sounds delightful :)

Zee Monodee said...

Wow, Kitty! Reading at 3? Now that's a feat - hat's off to you! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Hmmm, shifters... I like them too, Nay Nay (though vampires win every time with me...) :)

Zee Monodee said...

Shadow, that is just the perfect answer - love romance for the romance! Sums it up exactly :)

Zee Monodee said...

Brandi, a good erotica and/or BDSM can be riveting, I totally agree! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Mydurango618 - your answer totally made me pause and ponder... Yes, that is the true power of romance - to take us across time and ages, to put us into the lives and shoes of anyone, and to overcome any obstacles... There's a message of hope in romance, which I think we all search for... :)

Zee Monodee said...

Kim, if I had to choose, I would read only romance too :)

Zee Monodee said...

JoAnna, now you sound like a naughty, naughty girl *wink* :)

Zee Monodee said...

Lol, Crystal! Hi & mad wave to another fluff lover. Nothing quite beats contemporary romance for fluff, innit? :)

Zee Monodee said...

Qwillia, totally agree with you! In every relationship, trust and respect are essential, yet even more so in BDSM! Best of luck with your books :)

Michele said...

Some moments call for a good fluffy book!


Thanks for the giveaway

shermie40 at yahoo dot com

rubyswan said...

I love the feel the touch & sight of the magic of Romance! it's raw it's elctrofty,it bittersweet & each time it's brand New..I love 2 B posses by it's fires,passion lust love & desire..I can eat it up like dark chocolates & Never get enough..!! yummmm..:P.!
redz041@yahoo.com

rubyswan said...

I love the power that Romance has 2 simply take me away..I love the magic it has the way it comes alive..! with passion,lust,fire& desires u cant go wrong..Romance is a taste that 4ever stamp on my tongue..my bittersweet Chocolates! Now that soo sexy,wild,chock-filled with wicked magic & extremely therapeutic ta boot;D!!
thanQQQQQQ
redz041@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Romance is about putting another before yourself. Wanting to do the little things so that that other person is happy, thus making you happy.
mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

Zee Monodee said...

Lol, Michele! Indeed, some moments call for a fluffy read :)

Zee Monodee said...

Rubyswan, that description of romance made me swoon! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Mel, totally agree with you! It's the little things that make a difference! :)

Yazmin said...

It's always the little things that make a difference. Thank you for being part of the blog hop. :)

yazmin.z.rangel(at)gmail(dot)com

Emily said...

Yes, I am a fluffy, sappy romance lover. While I do read hardcore stuff, I'm all about the cuddling and the sweet talk and all the sappy stuff. They're all definitely pluses.

tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

Lona said...

I love anykind of romance, but I tend to read more BDSM and paranormal romance. All the better if its both,lol. Thx for giveaway.

blinkysthebest at aol dot com

bn100 said...

I like all genres.

bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

Sherry said...

I've been reading a lot of m/m books but don't tell my family what I'm reading.
sstrode at scrtc dot com

Jo said...

Definitely fluffy! I love romances that make me laugh - I don't need to read a lot of angst.

jochibi AT yahoo DOT com

Unknown said...

I like everything in romance! Thanks for the great giveaway!
red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Why I like Romance Novels….The reason I like Romance Novels so much is because it is one place where I can be anywhere like England, Scotland, Rome, Ireland, or anywhere in the US. I can also be in any time like 1200’s Scotland, 1500’s England, 1900’s Chicago. I can be anyone like a princess, a servant, a werewolf, a duchess, a vampire, or a lost soul. But no matter what I get the privilege and the experience to overcome many different obstacles and find love. I am a mother of three teenagers as well and there are many days when I need an escape and my heart needs a rest from the trials of being a parent and trying to do what is best for everyone but yourself. I have overcome cancer, loss, and financial problems and Romance Books let my heart soar and feel free. Let me tell you in this world, and during this time where life can have so many struggles it is great that you can be, have, and do so many things to find love and romance and still be yourself!

angelheart618@gmail.com

Beckey said...

Thanks for taking the time out & sharing about your books
Love blog hops cause I find more author to read :)
Love erotica romance books with HEA

BeckeyWhiteATgmailDOTcom

Krista said...

I just like any kind of romance as long as it's got a HEA, i'd rather a happy cry than a sad cry at the end.

kristakames@gmail.com

jessica said...

I'm both fluffy and not fluffy. Thanks for being a part of the hop. I hope that you had a great Labor day weekend!
jessangil at gmail dot com

Unknown said...

My romance confession? My husband is probably more of the romantic than I am.

snhoveln(at)gmail(dot)com

Zee Monodee said...

Right there with you, Yazmin! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Emily, I love the sappy, too! Definitely pluses in any book :)

Zee Monodee said...

Lona, it's good to be bad, innit? :)

Zee Monodee said...

bn100, right - why discriminate? :)

Zee Monodee said...

Oooh, Sherry, the deep dark secret... But hey, as long as you're enjoying yourself... :)

Zee Monodee said...

Jo, totally agree with you! The angst can be good sometimes, but I'll take the laugh anytime :)

Zee Monodee said...

Sarah, true - what's not to love in romance? :)

Zee Monodee said...

Mydurango618! Well, hello, you, fellow cancer survivor! Feels good to connect with people who've been through the same journey :)

Zee Monodee said...

Thanks, Beckey! I hope you'll get a chance to check out my works. And right, the HEA is an absolute necessity! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Krista, I love the happy cry, too! :)

Zee Monodee said...

Jessica, you're in the best of both worlds *grin*

Zee Monodee said...

Lol, Stephanie! Hats off for snagging a romantic man :)

Zee Monodee said...

Hey everyone!

I just did the draw, and.... Rubyswan is the lucky winner! She gets a copy, her choice, of one book from my backlist!

Congrats, Rubyswan! I'll be in touch shortly!

Thank you everyone for dropping by and sharing your romance confession with me. It's been lovely to meet so many of you. :)

XOXO