I Write Romance by Jennifer Dawson - Guest Post

Today Jennifer Dawson is stopping by the blog as part of the tour for her latest release, Crave! I finished this book last night and, guys, it's soooooo good. Crave is very different from her Something New Series, which I have previously swooned over (here and here). It's much darker, kinkier, and with a very different voice to her contemporary romances, but this erotic novel still has the sexiness (plus some) and wonderful writing that I expect from Jennifer Dawson's stories.

I'll be sharing my full review next week, but in the meantime, Jennifer is here to talk about Romance Pride - yes, those words are getting capitals because I kinda think they always should!

Thanks, Jennifer!

***

Hello Love Reading Romance! 

Thank you so much for having me today and letting me come steal your blog for the day. I love you guys and always have so much fun when we’re together. But, as much as I love you, I’ve been struggling on what to write for this guest post. I can write 100,000 words for a novel, but a short blog post makes me freeze. Crazy, I know! There are so many things I could potentially talk about… I could talk story inspiration, discuss my writing process, common romance tropes, my first foray into self-publishing, or about my new release… there are just so many topics to choose from and I felt a bit lost. But, luckily, over the weekend inspiration finally struck.

So, let me set the scene for you, I was at a party that was a mix of family, acquaintances, and people I didn’t know. I was talking to a group of women and my mom was there, and per usual, she can only stand about five minutes of conversation without telling everyone I’m an author. So then the discussion turns to my books and the fact that I write romance.  This is always an interesting turn in the conversation, because you never know how people will respond, but I have noticed that it’s one of those topics where people seem to lose their filter.  Here are some of my favorites…

“Oh, so you write porn?”
 
“Your poor mother.” 

“How many times do you write the words man root?  Do you use the word turgid?

“So after you’re published for awhile are you going to write a real book?

“Ohhh…” Voice drops to a whisper.  “I love those kinds of books.”

Or worse. “Ohhh, I don’t read those kinds of books.”

At another party I happened to be talking to a group of primarily men who were all making fun of romance novels.  It was lighthearted and meant to be good fun while they asked me ridiculous questions about heaving bosoms, while nudging my husband to ask conspiratorially if I used him for research.  And, being the helpful sort I am, I told them the next time they were scratching their heads wondering what they could do to make their wives happy; they’d be smart to pick up a romance novel to help lead the way since, according to RWA, 50% of all romance readers are married.   I can be a good sport, but I don’t really get the disdain.

So why does romance get such a bad rap?   I think it’s better than say, ten years ago, but it still persists. There’s that niggling desire to keep it a dirty little secret. But it’s a billion dollar a year secret.  We should be damned proud of doing more than our fair share to support the book industry.

I hate to admit it but sometimes I find myself getting sucked into the mentality without even realizing it. There’s always a bit of apology for my profession, especially if I’m around people I don’t know.  Say, if it comes up around a group of mom’s from school.  When asked if I work, I always very proudly say I’m a romance writer, but my voice still quavers a bit when they ask my pen name.  Then I can feel the justifications rise in my chest. ‘Cause, you know, I don’t want the PTA to know I write S-E-X. I don’t let that fear of judgment stop me, and over the years my spine has gotten straighter and my voice stronger, because the truth is I don’t write sex. 

I write romance. I write love. I write about triumph over adversity. Empowerment. Finding your voice. Embracing your sexuality. Changing your life. But most importantly I write about fighting for your happily ever after and not settling for anything less than you deserve. 

That is my message.  My quest.  And I hope, whatever romance novel you’re reading today, brings you happiness, makes you feel something, and helps strengthen your belief in happily ever after.

Warmly,

Jennifer

***

About the Author:

Jennifer Dawson grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and graduated from DePaul University with a degree in psychology. She met her husband at the public library while they were studying. To this day she still maintains she was NOT checking him out. Now, over twenty years later they're married living in a suburb right outside of Chicago with two awesome kids and a crazy dog.

Despite going through a light FM, poem writing phase in high school, Jennifer never grew up wanting to be a writer (she had more practical aspirations of being an international super spy). Then one day, suffering from boredom and disgruntled with a book she'd been reading, she decided to put pen to paper. The rest, as they say, is history.

These days Jennifer can be found sitting behind her computer writing her next novel, chasing after her kids, keeping an ever watchful eye on her ever growing to-do list, and NOT checking out her husband.

Social Links: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Website

A little about Crave: 

From the Blurb:

I vow. I crave. I give in.

I used to be a nice, normal girl. I had dreams. Good, happy dreams of a white picket fence, 2.5 kids, and a fairytale love that lasts forever. Nobody ever warned me that sometimes, the prince dies three weeks before the wedding.

Like any addict, I swear this time is the last….

Now, I go through my days, a shadow of my former self. I pretend I’m okay, and the people in my life pretend to believe me. But, sometimes, when I can no longer stand the craving, I roam an underground sex club looking for my next hit. It’s dirty and wrong, but I can’t stop, and my only line of defense between them and me, are the rules I’ve designed to keep me safe. Men always abide by my rules. Until I meet him.

And, like any addict, I’m wrong.

I don’t question the instincts that tell me to run. One look at him, standing there, power radiating off him in waves, tells me all I need to know. He will make me crave those happy dreams I’ve left behind. And that is not an option.

Crave by Jennifer Dawson is an erotic romance, released on June 1 2015.

Find this book at: Amazon | Author Website | Goodreads

More from Jennifer Dawson on Love Reading Romance:

Take a Chance on Me by Jennifer Dawson - Book Review
The Winner Takes It All by Jennifer Dawson - Book Review
The Winner Takes It All by Jennifer Dawson - Book Excerpt