What Lures You as a Romance Reader by Gina Conkle and Giveaways!

We have author Gina Conkle and she is asking a question.



Gina’s a lover of history, books and romance, which makes the perfect recipe for historical romance writer.  Her passion for castles and old places (the older and moldier the better!) means interesting family vacations.  Good thing her husband and two sons share similar passions, except for romance…that’s where she gets the eye roll.  When not visiting fascinating places, she can be found in southern California delving into the latest adventures of organic gardening and serving as chief taxi driver.


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Over to Gina now...
 

What Lures You, Romance Reader?

You crack open a book, or your eReader, with one purpose in mind:

Take me away…entertain me.

As an author, I aim to please and meet those needs. You deserve that slice of heaven found in a book.

But, it sure squishes my insides to read things like “Historical romance is dead.” Ugh!

Despite such ominous statements, I’m an optimist. That’s really saying something considering I write Viking romance, a very niche sub-genre to be sure.  Yet, three factors give me hope for historical romance.  Here they are:

1.      Thank You Television

Last season, Downton Abbey drew 24 million viewers. History Channel’s Vikings attracted 6 million viewers (that niche sub-genre thing at work).  And there was nary a paranormal creature in sight.  Pop culture tends to replicate itself in the nooks and crannies of our world.  What we like to see, we like to read (and vice versa).

 

2.      Young Adult to New Adult to ???

Have you wondered where this new sub-genre, New Adult, came from?  Could it be YA readers are growing up, and they hanker for characters in their age group?  Today’s New Adult reader is likely tomorrow’s other genre romance reader. I cut my romance reader teeth on Barbara Cartland before moving on. A sliver of those NA readers are bound to reach for historical romance.

 

3.      Trends

It was 1972 when Kathleen Woodiwiss’s The Flame and the Flower catapulted romance to the publishing force it is today. For two decades, the men readers craved: knights, pirates, warriors, and cowboys.  The 1980s brought a shift with Julie Garwood’s humor in historical romance. I’m just saying…if the TV show Dallas, the VW Bug, and wedge shoes can make a comeback… It’s all about trends recycled.

 

At least I sure hope so, since I write Viking and Georgian romance (to balance out the Norse hammers in my head).  Both sub-genres take me away to another time and place. It’s what entertains me, gives me a brain vacation. Now, it’s your turn.

 

What time and place entertains you?





  Gina has a new release:


Norse Jewel


A stolen woman of rare qualities...
 Seized by marauders and taken to the icy northlands by the wolf-eyed Viking warrior, Helena will do whatever it takes to earn her freedom and return to France.

A mighty Viking Chieftain…
Betrayal has turned Hakan’s heart to ice, but the spirited Frankish maid warms him in a way he’s never known. The spell she weaves leaves them both breathless, but can he keep his promise to return her home even if it means he’ll lose his precious jewel forever?
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28 comments:

  1. Suze7 October 2013 at 12:37

    Whenever anyone says a particular genre is dead, I just interpret that to mean that the publishing houses aren't acquiring it. That used to matter. With self-publishing, now it simply doesn't. The only genre that's dead is one writers refuse to resuscitate.

    Great post.

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    Replies
    1. Gina Conkle7 October 2013 at 19:54

      Hi Suze,
      You're right. Self-publishing's opened up so many doors. I see that every time I turn around. I believe we'll see medievals again and pirates but with some kind of twist. I also write Georgian, but I haven't dipped into the self-pub world yet. Have you self-pubbed?

      Glad to "meet" you here!
      Gina

      Delete
  2. Unknown7 October 2013 at 13:03

    I loved reading about you and your genre-niche, Gina! I read a ton of Barbara Cartland when I was young, too. I've never met anyone who writes Viking romance, and I think it's so cool. Be true to your passion. I wish you huge success! :-)

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    1. Gina Conkle7 October 2013 at 19:57

      Hi Lexa,
      Thanks! I also read my share Harlequin romances before moving onto the "bigger books." I appreciate your kind words. The Viking alpha males are fun to spend time with, as long as I find their soft side to share with readers.
      Have a great day-
      Gina

      Delete
  3. J.L. Campbell7 October 2013 at 13:38

    Hi, there,
    Like you, I read a LOT of Barbara Cartland novels in my youth. Sadly, that could be why I don't read much historical romance anymore. Fascinating statistics as it relates to television viewership. I see why you're encouraged to continue writing in your genre of choice.

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    Replies
    1. Gina Conkle7 October 2013 at 19:59

      Hi J.L.,
      Yes, those Barbara Cartland books are long gone (they belonged to my grandma). I think it's interesting how Game of Thrones has also grabbed viewers. I'm going to guess you either read or write contemporary romance??
      Take care-
      Gina

      Delete
  4. Beverly Diehl7 October 2013 at 13:54

    I think readers go through trends, just like eaters do - for a while, they can't get enough Mexican, or sushi, and then they want French or Italian for a while. I like contemporary and paranormal and historical (and love Lisa Hendrix's paranormal historicals featuring hot Viking me) so will have to check you out. Feeling surfeited by Regency romance, mostly.

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    1. Gina Conkle7 October 2013 at 20:06

      Hi Beverly,
      Yes publishing, readers go through their "what's hot and interesting" phases like food. I will have to check out Lisa Hendrix's books. My favorite Viking author is Josie Litton (real name Maura Seger). She doesn't write under that pseudonym anymore...think her Viking trilogy was a one time thing. Check out Dream of Me/Believe in Me (a double book). My all time favorite and it held #1 for me for years. I hear you on the Regency!!

      Well nice to meet you here-
      Gina

      Delete
  5. Kelly Hashway8 October 2013 at 03:46

    Holy abs on that cover!

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    Replies
    1. Gina Conkle8 October 2013 at 13:59

      Hi Kelly,
      LOL! Yes, I hear *abs sell* but I didn't have much input on the cover.

      Delete
  6. Misha Gerrick8 October 2013 at 07:49

    Those are yummy abs. I like how the story sounds too. :-)

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    Replies
    1. Gina Conkle8 October 2013 at 14:00

      Hi Misha,
      I'm glad you like how the story sounds! My husband jokes the cover of my book was what he looked like *before* he started working out.

      Delete
  7. Bevimus8 October 2013 at 09:14

    Hey Kelly! Thanks so much for intriducing yourself and for your comment! It's always such a thrill to meet new writers!

    And what a great feature for Gina! "Historical romance is dead"? All evidence to the contrary!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sherry Ellis8 October 2013 at 09:43

    I'm not quite sure while the NA genre was created. Weren't authors like VC Andrews writing that style a long time ago? What was it called back then?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gina Conkle8 October 2013 at 14:07

      Hi Sherry,
      I don't know either. I've heard some editors say authors wanted to write more mature content that wouldn't work for YA readers. I also heard the explanation of a generation of YA readers growing up. I'm not familiar with VC Andrews, but I know publishing morphs with the markets. Is NA something you write?

      Delete
  9. The Armchair Squid8 October 2013 at 11:44

    Best of luck on your new release, Gina!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Cherie Reich8 October 2013 at 11:58

    Historical Viking romances ... sounds like a good time! :D

    And who says historical romances are dead? They're so much fun to read. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gina Conkle8 October 2013 at 14:12

      Hi Cherie,
      Check out this blog http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/we-should-let-the-historical-genre-die/

      Some sad facts in there about historical romance. But, I agree! I need my historical romance. It's almost exclusively what I read in fiction (I say that with the caveat that I work to branch out and find some nice surprises elsewhere).

      There's just something about historical romance that I crave. I'm glad you do too.

      Gina

      Delete
  11. PK HREZO8 October 2013 at 15:54

    I love the idea of a viking romance! And period pieces will never ever truly go out of style.
    New adult is that wonderful new category that lets teens take it to the next level. ;)

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  12. Gina Conkle8 October 2013 at 16:19

    So glad to hear your enthusiasm for Vikings and historical romance. My favorite movie has been "Gladiator" ever since it released. I love period pieces in books and movies.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com9 October 2013 at 17:18

    For a man with an icy heart, he's got an incredibly hot body. I've never heard of "New Adults." Sounds silly. Regardless, you've clearly found your groove and will keep entertaining the masses.

    Thanks for finding and commenting on my blog, Kelly. It's great to meet you in blogland.

    xoRobyn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gina Conkle12 October 2013 at 08:59

      Hi Robyn,
      LOL! Don't we love the challenge of finding the "soft spot" on the hard man? I love historical romance. Nice to meet you here.
      Gina

      Delete
  14. DMS10 October 2013 at 18:14

    This is my second time seeing Gina around the blogosphere today! So happy for her. I think her book sounds so interesting. I love HF and think that it is getting lots of good press lately. :) Lots of shows and movies seem to be promoting history. Yeah! Wishing Gina the best of luck!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Gina Conkle12 October 2013 at 09:06

    So nice to find another history buff. What time periods appeal to you? I recognize your avatar from another blog, too. And from that avatar, I'm guessing you write?? Historical romance? Or Historical fiction? Please share. I'd love to hear what era you love and why.
    Gina

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  16. Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy14 October 2013 at 01:57

    Vikings were definitely a great era and a fab setting for any story!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Leandra Wallace15 October 2013 at 18:25

    Yes! I want to be entertained by a story first. If you happen to make me think about an issue or l learn something new- great! But first I want to be entertained. =)

    ReplyDelete

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