Mimi Barbour

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Who still likes the light-hearted romances?

January 13, 2012 By Mimi Barbour 30 Comments

Enter the Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop

I have a question?
Does there seem to be a big swing to the dark side in the
paranormal, contemporary and suspense books? I mean – it’s to be expected that
the vampire, zombie and other world creature stories will be bloody and gory, I
accept that. But where are those light-hearted romances, the cutesy tales that
were so endearing and popular not long ago?

Good heavens…even the covers seem to be more gloomy and
depressing.

Could it be the state of our economy, which reflects this
preponderance for grim tales?

Or is it just me?

After all, I write the funny, light-hearted style of romance
and am praying the readers still wants those type of books.

What do you think?

Leave me an answer to my question and your e-mail
address and one of you will win a copy of your choice of book featured on this
blog.  All your e-mail addresses will be automatically entered on my newsletter which will give you a chance to win a free copy of any of my books with each issue…which I only release when I have news!!

Hugs Mimi

My Favorite story to date and newest release for The Vicarage Bench Series
Night Owl Choice

Available at Amazon
Available at Barnes and Noble
Available at Wild Rose Press

Excerpt:

Maybe it was the eagerness in her voice, or maybe just her words, but whatever she said made him smile. Up till then, he’d seemed like a stranger looking back at her. Then his smile changed everything. Unfortunately, it didn’t last too long. But she’d seen enough and decided right away that he had a dear face. Not what one would call handsome, more like interesting. She’d bet that his full head of messy hair cut short and worn close to his head normally didn’t look so scruffy. That wouldn’t be his style at all.
His piercing green eyes didn’t have the same sparkle as his mother’s. They were ruthless and compelling, slightly haughty and intense, and the shrewdest stare she’d ever come across. She felt as if he were trying to find her inside of him by staring into his own eyes.
“Can you see me?” She teased.
“I do believe I can. I went slightly crossed-eyed for a moment, and I have no doubt that was you sneaking a peek.” When he grinned, dimples appeared on both sides of his mouth and created a whole different impression. This man devastated with his attractiveness, his charisma.
Unequivocally, Abbie knew at that moment, not only had her spirit joined with his, but also her heart now faced a challenge. She’d never believed in love at first sight, more fool her. She shut down her corridor to him and curled up into a small ball lodged inside his body. This needed a great deal of thought. She had to talk herself out of this nonsense, and quickly.

1st in my new series Angels with Attitude 

Available at Amazon

Available at Barnes and Noble
Available at All Romance

Excerpt:
Every time he closed his eyes, a strange image of Annie in trouble took on such realistic tendencies it seemed surreal. Sick of his own company, Tyler decided a walk would do him a world of good, clear his head, and help to get his mind off his tomboy gone rogue.
Once the idea appeared, it became a fixation. No choice, no dragging his feet, he had to get out of his apartment. Either he needed hallucination treatments or a curt, gravelly female had taken up residence in his brain and urged him to hurry and get his butt moving.
The elevator, not ever on his floor, awaited him with the door open and no one else inside. He shivered. Strange and stranger! The ride down lasted only seconds. When it slowly opened, a nightmare unfolded. One look at his Annie clinging to her evening’s escort and his rage superseded common sense. Without thought, he ripped her from the scumbag’s groping fingers and shoved the conceited-looking, puffed-up character against the wall. All Tyler’s six feet two inches of anger intimidated. He watched the coward evaluate, then shrink back.
Within seconds the smooth prick spoke. “Anna had a bit too much to drink. I was seeing her safely home.”
“Not a problem. I’ll take her up,” he growled. By this time, Tyler had a supportive arm around the wobbly woman. He looked down at her. “Say bye-bye to your date…Anna.” His spitting out her newly chosen name would have set worry bells ringing, if she’d been in her normal state of mind. Blitzed out of her head, she just jiggled her fingers and said, “Bye-bye, date.”
With everything happening so fast, Tyler knew Annie hadn’t had a chance to fully appreciate the change in her situation. One minute she was leaning drunkenly against the slimy character whose hands were all over her body, while her unfocused eyes gazed at him adoringly. The next minute, Tyler had taken over.

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Related

Comments

  1. pmh says

    January 13, 2012 at 10:43 am

    oh, it is def not just you. I still absolutely love the light hearted romances. It makes for great reading on a cool morning, sitting in the swing under the pecan trees while sipping a cup o joe. thanks so much for the opportunity to win. hydepennym@gmail.com

    Reply
  2. marybelle says

    January 13, 2012 at 12:54 pm

    Light hearted romances certainly have a place on my bookshelf. Sometimes there is way too much angst in the dark tellings.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    Reply
  3. Anne says

    January 13, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    Even if the contents aren't dark, the covers are. I like to mix up what I read, a little dark, a little light. Too much of the same gets boring.

    acm05atjuno.com

    Reply
  4. Unknown says

    January 13, 2012 at 9:51 pm

    i'm all for the uplifting positive stories…thanks for the giveaway!

    catherine0807 at hotmail dot com

    Reply
  5. MeghanGa says

    January 14, 2012 at 1:08 am

    I have to agree with you! but I like both the dark and the light lovey books 🙂
    meghangale@rogers.com

    Reply
  6. I.S. says

    January 14, 2012 at 6:47 pm

    Eh, I think you are right… All dark stuff starts to get depressing after a while…
    cigam9(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply
  7. Sara says

    January 14, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    Now that you mention it, there is a swing to the dark side. Seems like it went that way around the time of Twilight (mot that this is what started it). I like the light-hearted stuff most of the time. I don't stay with one genre too long, but like to switch back and forth.

    skovach717@gmail.com

    Sara Kovach

    http://sosimplesara.blogspot.com

    Reply
  8. NGS says

    January 14, 2012 at 9:36 pm

    I think it's just the publishers and authors finally recognizing that young adult fiction can tackle edgier, harder, more realistic topics. At least that's my take on it!
    cheatingpiggies at hotmail dot com

    Reply
  9. Rachel Vessar says

    January 15, 2012 at 7:26 am

    I enjoy both the light and dark side books.

    Rachel V
    pefrw(at)yahoo(dot)com

    Reply
  10. Leah St. James says

    January 15, 2012 at 12:30 pm

    Hi, Mimi. Good question! I enjoy both. I look for a story to grab me and suck me into that world…whether it's to laugh, or cry, or pull the covers over my head. 🙂

    Reply
  11. Marina Adair says

    January 15, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    I like both, but I was pleased when I picked up a paranormal recently and the cover made it seem dark and brooding, but when I read the actual story it was funny, witty, and I couldn't put it down. It was a nice change to the books I've been reading lately. So maybe this is a sign that publishers are starting to go back to some of the lighter, funnier paranormal romance.

    The book was called Underwraps and it was by Hannah Jayne

    Reply
  12. BookAttict says

    January 15, 2012 at 8:52 pm

    I like to mix it up. As long as the writing and the story are good, I'm along for the ride.

    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

    Reply
  13. Simply Kayla says

    January 15, 2012 at 9:34 pm

    I like to read both. Sometimes paranormal romance covers are gloomy and dark but the story is totally different from what you though.
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    kayla.s.graham at gmail dot com

    Reply
  14. Judy says

    January 16, 2012 at 12:16 am

    I enjoy reading all the romance genres. I try to mix them up, if not reading a series. I find that the funny light hearted romances are getting a little scarce, so please keep them coming:)

    Judy
    magnolias_1[at]msn[dot]com

    Reply
  15. wihockeycall says

    January 16, 2012 at 12:43 am

    I think it is "twilight" aftershock… unless its been building since Buffy the Vampire Slayer??

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    wihockeycall@yahoo.com

    Reply
  16. ruthhill74 says

    January 16, 2012 at 1:02 am

    Honestly, I do not read any dark books. The darkest books I have read are the Book Thief and the Hunger Games. I love sweet romances!

    ruthaw_1974@yahoo.com

    Reply
  17. Linda Kish says

    January 17, 2012 at 2:18 am

    I don't want to read those dark books. Maybe it's because I am old. I think when the Twilight books came out and were such a big hit, everyone had to write their own version and now there is such a glut of them it's time to swing back again.
    Too much on TV, too.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    Reply
  18. Red says

    January 17, 2012 at 2:48 am

    They're still out there 🙂 I love both types. My favorite light hearted ones right now are Molly Harper's naked werewolf series.

    acade29@gmail.com

    Reply
  19. Helen says

    January 17, 2012 at 4:28 am

    I like both types but paranormals have always been my favorite. I just love the darkside I guess
    helldog3 at aol.com

    Reply
  20. Denise Z says

    January 17, 2012 at 7:54 am

    I absolutely love a lighthearted romance, but I also enjoy the dark action. I want to have a balance in my reading. There are books I will read when I feel like crying and when I am mad and would like to kick ### and when I want to laugh or swoon. They all have a place in my life. Thank you for participating in this fun hop.

    dz59001[at]gmail[dot]com

    Reply
  21. kswederski says

    January 17, 2012 at 7:51 pm

    I love lighted heart romances – I wish there were more.

    kayswederski@yahoo.com

    Reply
  22. Chris says

    January 18, 2012 at 3:56 am

    I definitely prefer the light hearted, fun romances. I am not a huge fan of the dark themes that have been popular lately.

    kissyjensen at gmail dot com

    Reply
  23. Krystal Larson says

    January 18, 2012 at 6:08 am

    I like to read both! edysicecreamlover18@gmailDOTcom Thank you!

    Reply
  24. geschumann says

    January 18, 2012 at 7:01 pm

    I like to read both. And I'm a writer of cont. romance so I'm on your side. My father-in-law read that vampire stories become more popular in economic down times. Why? Not sure. Maybe to focus on the imaginary instead of the mess reality is in. Thanks! Gloria

    geschumann at live dot com

    Reply
  25. latishajean says

    January 19, 2012 at 12:14 am

    I love to read both my favorite is Paranormal romance! Thank you for the great giveaway!
    tishajean@ charter.net

    Reply
  26. Tiffany says

    January 19, 2012 at 2:26 am

    I love to read paranormal but it is even better when you add romance to it.
    tpulliam@crimson.ua.edu

    Reply
  27. Lisa Richards/alterlisa says

    January 19, 2012 at 3:02 am

    I use the light hearted romances to cleanse my palate after an enormous meal of the paranormals.
    Lisa Richards
    (___/)
    (='.'=)
    (")_(")

    alterlisa AT yahoo DOT com

    http://lisaslovesbooksofcourse.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  28. MarthaE says

    January 19, 2012 at 3:11 am

    I love to include funny, light hearted romances in my reading each month! Thanks for participating in the Hop.
    mesreadsATgmail.com

    Reply
  29. Cindy says

    January 19, 2012 at 3:34 am

    I am so into light hearted romances. Just can't get into vampires, zombies and blood and gore. I want more funny light hearted romances.
    Thank you for the chance to win your giveaway.
    cindymacbeth at gmail dot com

    Reply
  30. Cindy says

    January 19, 2012 at 3:37 am

    Thank you for the chance to win your giveaway.
    I love light hearted romances. So not into all the blood and gore.
    Give me a funny light hearted romance anyday.
    cindymacbeth at gmail dot com

    Reply

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