Jayne brings you Deborah Schneider

Jayne, here, to introduce a friend and Seattle-area author, Deborah Schneider. Deb is the author of historical Western romance. We haven't seen a lot of Western romance lately. It's good to have a new book in that wonderful sub-genre. Deb is also the 2009 Romance Writers' of America Librarian of the Year and the 2009 Stella Cameron Book Goddess award — yes, that Stella Cameron. Who knew? Visit Deb's website at www.debschneider.com

Please give a warm RWQ welcome to Deborah!

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I’m delighted to be invited to blog today by all these amazing authors. I’m a huge fan of all of them, and like the stars of Wayne’s World, you should visualize me on my knees, bowing down and repeating, “I’m not worthy”.

It’s Valentine’s Day, the one day each year we set aside to send cards, flowers, candy and various other things, (apparently a cell phone is the new “it” gift), to express our love to our significant other.

In a romance novel, we use subtle hints to the reader to explore the couple’s feelings as they move through various levels of intimacy. We build a relationship step by step.

At the first meeting, whether they’re seeing each other across a ballroom, being introduced by a family member, forced to work together to solve a crime or save the world, it’s understood the couple experiences an immediate physical attraction to each other. You convey this to the reader using sensory details.

In my recent release, Promise Me, the hero and heroine meet for the first time late at night, in a hotel kitchen. Amanda can’t sleep and Sam offers to make her a hot toddy.

He was standing far too close to her. Only inches separated them, and she felt a tremor of delight when their fingers touched as she accepted the mug. She was acting silly as a besotted schoolgirl. As she tried not to stare at the chiseled features, golden eyes that sparkled with good humor, and the dark, thick hair that he wore too long to be respectable, she thought perhaps she might discover another use for her bed rather than sleep.

After the first flash of attraction, the couple spends time together, learning more about personal interests, tastes, hobbies and pastimes. The level of intimacy deepens and they begin to trust each other, sharing hopes, dreams and secrets.

At this point, the couple might move to sexual intimacy, with touch, kissing and making love. They could now be expressing their feelings openly or one of them might be holding back, because of fear, misunderstandings, or external circumstances.

Ultimately, the couple reaches the point of unconditional love, when they are willing to make a sacrifice and put the needs of the one they love above their own.

From the shiver of excitement when a couple meets for the first time to the end of the story, a reader picks up a romance novel because they want to follow the relationship that develops between this couple. It’s the slow kindling of love that brings the reader back, book after book to the genre.

Imagine all the small things your loved one does for you, the moments of quiet companionship, the joke when you’re feeling a little down, the movie or song you talk about all the time because it’s so meaningful to you. Whether you are in the early stages of a relationship, or celebrating a silver wedding anniversary, it’s shared memories and experiences that create true romance.

Do you have a favorite romantic memory of “True Romance”? (A Rated G one, please!)

Sincerely,

Deborah Schneider

www.debschneider.com