Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Being Thankful - Guest Cynthia Eden (Win a Book!)

Hi, everyone! I’m very excited to be guest posting at Riding With the Top Down—convertible ladies, thank you!

Wow. I’ve got to say, I’m just in a very thankful mood today. Thanksgiving (for those in the U.S.) will be here VERY soon, and I guess my mind is focused on all the great things I have to appreciate. Like my son, my husband, my home…and my books. Oh, yes. You see, I am very, very grateful for my books.

Books have gotten me through lonely days. Through sad days. Through days that never seem to end--and even those days in-between. So, today, I thought I’d do a little post about why I am thankful to read (and write!) romance novels.

I’m thankful for romance novels because…

1. In real-life, if I had an alpha hero for a husband, I might go crazy. But I can read about those guys all day long and keep a big smile on my face.

2. I would make a TERRIBLE kick-ass heroine. The sight of blood makes me nauseous. But, hey, when I open a romance with a heroine who knows how to knock out the bad guys, I get to pretend—for a few hours—that I could take ‘em down, too.

3. I don’t have to settle for just one man. Seriously—I have a thousand (no joke) romance novels on my shelves. I’ve enjoyed a thousand heroes. Could NOT do that in real life. Not without being the topic of some serious gossip in my city.

4. In my everyday life, I don’t run across medieval knights, dragon shifters, all powerful demons, and angst-filled vampires. If only…Good thing I get to read about them, and write about them, in my books.

5. Romance novels let me get lost in a new life. Sure, that life might involve demons and murder, like my soon-to-be released paranormal, MIDNIGHT SINS, but that adventure is exciting. When I’m writing about a succubus and the detective who thinks she’s a murderer, I have so much fun as I work at the job I love. Doesn’t get better than that. No way.

6. I’m pretty much guaranteed a happy ending in my books. Real-life—um, not so much.

7. When I write, I can create the perfect hero (perfect to me, anyway). I can control him, 24/7. Such a sweet deal. No back-talk, and the guy always thinks I’m a genius, because, well, I’m writing him.

8. Every time I read a romance novel, I remember what it’s like to fall in love.

But what about you? What are you thankful for? Or, if you’re like me, why do you enjoy romance novels so much? Leave me a comment and you could win an autographed copy of MIDNIGHT SINS, my paranormal romance from Kensington Brava . (I like to think of this book as Basic Instinct meets The X-Files.)

Thanks again for having me here, ladies! Happy Thanksgiving!

Cynthia Eden

http://www.cynthiaeden.com/

MIDNIGHT SINS—Available 11/25/08 from Kensington Brava

Let your inner demon out…

40 comments:

Debra Dixon said...

Cynthia-- Thanks for hanging out with us! I'm so glad your here and really thankful you brought the men with you.

We like men here at Top Down!

Hey, folks, MIDNIGHT SINS is *brand* NEW. Run right out and get a copy. I made the cover link to Amazon because I felt it was my patriotic duty to stimulate the economy.

Anonymous said...

Romance has always been my one selfish pleasure- since I was about 12! I have always been a big book lover but romance has the ability to "take me away". I have a great life- Flyboy and the kids etc etc- but everyone needs that escape hatch to keep them sane. Just today I finished a fantastic anthology about witches/hunters, angels and aliens- one was funny and made me smile, one had a really sexy love scene that involved flying, and the other two involved the quest for salvation/humanity/empathy that was both touching and beautiful. I enjoy the depth of character that romance writers create.

Lori T said...

I have always loved romance! I have read several genres, but I really always come back to romance.

I am thankful that for my family and the fact thaty we all get alonge really well even when we don't see eyet to eye.

Congrats on your release day!

Jane said...

Hi Cynthia,
Congrats on the new release. I enjoy romance novels because of the HEAs and it also provides great entertainment and escapism.

May said...

I love Romance because of the happy ending and the story about love, which is always a great escape.

KylieBrant said...

Welcome Cynthia! Romance rocks because of the guaranteed HEA. When I invest in characters I expect them to end up together, not to die, ride off into the sunset alone or get hit by a bus, LOL!

The guys on your covers are HOT!

Let us give thanks (wink)

Unknown said...

Great covers Cynthia!! I'd be thankful for those too.

And I'm thankful you joined us today.

Cindy Gerard said...

Welcome Cynthia and thanks for riding with us today. Congrats on the books and the HOT covers. I'll echo Kim. Be thankful!!!

Cynthia Eden said...

Hi, Debra! Thank you so much for having me here today. And wow--your patriotic duty. Lady, I think you just went above and beyond! Thank you for the link!

lunaticcafe--I absolutely love your description: "my one selfish pleasure." That is such an apt phrase. Because I didn't think of it before, but reading my romance books--yeah, that is my selfish pleasure. And I'll keep being selfish for a very long time to come!

Hi,Lori! Thanks for the congrats! A family that doesn't always see eye to eye, hmmm? I can relate!

Hello, Jane! I love those HEA. Life can be so depressing--it's nice to know you can count on a happy ending somewhere.

May--what could be better than love? I knew when I read my first romance novel (so many, many years ago) that I'd found something special.

LOL, Kylie--let us most definitely give thanks for those models!

Hey, Lois! Thank you!! :-) And I'm thankful to be here.

Thank you, Cindy! I'm happy to be here--and yes, I am most thankful for those covers!

SaturnMoonie said...

*sighs* Romance novels, I love them so much! You pretty much listed the reasons why.

1. I love being someone else for a few hours and doing things I wouldn't ordinarly do in real life.

2. I love the feeling of falling in love and having a happy ending...especially since MY love life is non-existent

3. I like to go different places and learn new things...and words! Books are VERY informative and educational :)

Edie Ramer said...

Great list! I read across the genres, but romance is my favorite. I like knowing there will be a HEA and the suspense of watching them get there.

Debra Dixon said...

I smile a lot when I read romance. That cannot be a bad thing.

Anonymous said...

wow-your books look great Cynthia! I'll have to go out and get one to read!

Personally-Im very thankful for authors..LOL....if not for ya'll-then I'd not have my books and like you-they get me through lots of long, lonely days as well!

CrystalGB said...

Hi Cynthia. Congratulations on the release of Midnight Sins.
I love your list. I love romances because you get to experience the couple's journey to a HEA.
I am thankful for my family, my friends and my good health.

Unknown said...

I just love romances because for that moment in time you get to feel those emotions, the ups and downs. You get to get away from the real world and all the stress knowing that at the end of this book there is that awesome happy ending :)

I'm extremely thankful for my wonderful husband and 2 kids. Have a great Thanksgiving Cynthia with your family and friends!

Cynthia Eden said...

SaturnMoonie, I love your list!

Hi, Edie! The "suspense of watching them get there"--that's the fun part for me!

Debra, I agree completely! I smile as I read and I feel good.

Thank you, Melissa! I'm glad you think my books sound good. :-)

Thanks for the congrats, Crystal! Wow--sounds like you've got some wonderful things to be thankful for.

Michele, I think slipping away from the real world for a bit can be great for a lady (and a guy!). And reading our books--it's the perfect escape.

Thank you all for the comments!

Pamk said...

Hi Cynthia I am thankful for two healty happy kiddos and a hubby I can still stand after 23 yrs lol. And especially for good friends and lovely hobbies especially all the fantastic paranormals books to read. And I must say when I got a gander at this blog name I got tickled I haven't heard that saying in awhile. You see it was my daddy's favorite saying if you asked him what he'd been up to. He say just riding around with the top down. lol. People thought he was strange but I got it. Hope everyone has a happy turkey day whatever part of the world your in.

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving everybody! Enjoy your day and maybe find a little romance:) I've got a book all picked out for while I'm cooking and who knows, maybe I can cop a cuddle with Flyboy to complete my holiday!

Fedora said...

Hi, Cynthia! I'm thankful for so many things this year! My family and friends (especially my incredibly patient husband) top the list! And not far behind is my enormous TBR :) Most of that is romance--like some other commenters said so well, it's a chance to be someone else, doing something else (and someone else ;)), and be somewhere else, if just for a short time. Plus I can do that anywhere with a book, assuming I can ignore the laundry and children demanding attention :)

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Brandy said...

Hi Cynthia! *G* I'm thankful for many things. My husband, my kids, my kitties and I'm also thankful for the wonderful people I've "met" online. They help me get through my days with a smile and sometimes a laugh.
And yes, I'm thankful for my books too! (They're cheaper than therapy! At least that's what I tell the hubs! *G*) Have a fabulous Thanksgiving!

Terry S said...

Happy Thanksgiving! Your list and covers are great, Cynthia. Congratulations and much success on your newest release.

I'm thankful for all the authors that give us details of all the h/h's journey's to those must have HEA's. I continue to be in awe of their talent and perseverance!

And,of course, I'm always thankful for good health, love and friendship!

Cathy said...

Hi Cynthia, your list totally nailed exactly why I read romance stories. Getting a chance to disappear into a world of romance and fantasy, is such a wonderful stress release, and definitely helps me handle everyday reality a wee bit better.

Unknown said...

Welcome Cynthia! Wow, i have to pick up one of your books-- the covers along are worth the price!

And here's to romance and BIG LOVE. . . not the HBO kind, however. . . the real, heart warming, pulse pounding kind. I've had love like that and it's more than special. And that guaranteer HEA. . . that keeps me coming back for more.

Cynthia Eden said...

Hi, Pamk! If you and your husband are still going strong after 23 years, that is definitely something to be thankful for! And now I'm envious! :-) I'm glad you liked the title of this blog--I love driving down memory lane.

lunaticcafe--I am so glad to know I am not theonly one who reads while she cooks. My husband is always worried I'm going to burn the house down b/c I get so into the stories that it often takes me a bit to hear the oven timer beeping!

Hello, flchen1! Sounds like you have a lot to be thankful for! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Hey, Brandy! I'm thankful that I met you online. :-) Enjoy your holiday with the family!

Thank you, Terry! I'm thankful for my favorite authors, too--and thankful that many of them have December and January releases so that I can use my gift cards to buy those books! LOL.

Cathy--I'm glad you liked the list. Without my romance, I think I'd be lost.

Hi, Betina! :-) I do like those covers! And I am so addicted to the HEA in romances.

ArkieRN said...

I'm thankful for my family who always understand when I ditch them to read the book that just came out that I have been waiting months to get my hands on.

All’sReads said...

Hi Cynthia, you are very busy (and everywhere out and about) today! I read romances (partly) to remind me to be romantic and loving with my guy. It usually gets me all sweet and sappy and missing/wanting to be with him. Or else it's just a good comfort when I'm angry with him!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm really thankful that my Mom's cancer hadn't spread so that she didn't need chemo or radiation.

Karin said...

Cynthia, some of the things you're thankful for in regard to romance novels are the exact reasons I love reading them. The ability to visit so many different places without leaving home has always drawn me to books, but it's the HEA that has made romance my number one. Knowing that there will always be a happy ending keeps me coming back for more, especially with so many bad things occurring in reality.

Unknown said...

Hello again, Cynthia!

I'm thankful for...

~my family (including my pets) and friends

~all of the authors out there... without whom we would not have books... which would make me sad...

~hot chocolate with LOTS and I mean LOTS of mini marshmallows... mmmm... just thinking about it makes me all warm and toasty inside...

~the internet without it i would not meet so many great new friends!

there are so many more things that im thankful for... those just being a few...

...so now I really want some hot chocolate... and we don't have any... which makes me sad... *sigh*

Estella said...

I am thankful for my friends and family, a roof over my head, food on the table and all the authors who write the books I read.

Cynthia Eden said...

ArkieRN--sounds like you have a great family!

LOL, Allison, I'm all about cyber traveling right now!

quiltingreader--that is definitely something to be thankful for right now.

Karin--you've just summed up my love of romance novels. I turn on the news every night and hear so many terrible things. It's nice to know I can get a HEA when I need one.

Ok, danie, now I really want some hot chocolate, too!

Estella--great list! Thank you for sharing it with me.

Susan B. said...

Hey Cynthia,

Loved your reasoning! I will use some of those answers the next time someone asks me why I read Romance!!! You said it beautifully!

I am thankful for the hubby of almost 20 years, the 7 year old son we waited so long to have, all our critters, & yes, my book collection both print & e-books.

Have a great holiday,
Susan

Unknown said...

First off I have to say that I love reading romance novals.

I am thankful that whats let of my family and me are in good health at this time and maybe get to spend another year together.

My son is in college and doing well.

Life is good as it can be at this time.

I am also thankful my TBR pile of romance books that I have to read.

Cynthia Eden said...

Susan--you've got a lot of wonderful things to be thankful for! Enjoy your holiday!

Hi, Virginia! Thanks for sharing your thankful list with me. :-)

I've had a great time visiting here today. Thanks for all the comments! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

Hi Cynthia! I love romances for their HEA endings and the chance to escape real life for awhile. I'm thankful for family , friends and good health. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Unknown said...

Hi Cynthia!

I'm thankful for family, friends, and hot books along with their authors. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan said...

Hi Cynthia!

I'm thankful for my family, old and new friends, my pets and getting to hang out with wonderful people like you.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

Hi Cynthia! I'm thankful for my family, friends , and the authors who write the books I love to read! Happy Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

Hi Cynthia,
Congratulations on the release! There are many things that I am genuinely thankful for, and romance novels are definitely on the list.
For me, I love being able to escape for a few minutes into someone else's world and feel a part of their lives. It's the ultimate vacations :)

Nikki said...

Hi Cynthia!
I am thankful for my family and all the health and happiness in our lives.
I am also thankful for my eyes because your covers are awesome! I've got to get me some of these books!
Happy Holidays!