Seeking Romance
July 2, 2012 | Filed under: Stuff
There’s been a lot of discussion on the net lately about what constitutes a romance. Personally, my criteria is simple:
Sexy hero (notice I don’t say gorgeous, he doesn’t have to be gorgeous, he just has to be magnificent, and I mean from the inside, flaws and all).
Strong heroine.
Fun times. Adventure is a bonus. Maybe some angst. Enough plot to keep me rooting for the good guys. Oh and sizzling sex.
And the best part, the happily ever after.
That’s it. I guess I’m easy to please in my fantasy life. :yes:
You?
p.s. I’ll be in Cosmo Magazine’s September issue as the Red Hot Read with FOREVER AND A DAY, so excited! 
Posted by Jill @ 3:30 am | Make a Comment
Karen B says:
I’d have to agree with you on those points Jill and your books always give me that and more. I have to say I recently discovered a HEA is very important to me as I finished a book recently where the two main characters didn’t end up together and didn’t get their HEA and it honestly left me stunned for days…..really kind of ruined the book for me.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 3:41 amDiane Engelhardt says:
Congrats on Cosmo!! I agree about the looks. They are great but the inner amazingness is key to a super hot man!!
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 3:42 amJillian says:
A romance doesnt have to be a fairy tale, it just has to be something I can relate to, with the characters flawed an all. I do require a happily ever after in my romances. And hot sex.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 4:32 amMaryAnne says:
I agree. Hero has to be magnificent in heroine’s eyes only – that’s what makes him ‘the one’ for her and her alone. They have to fix each other’s needs like puzzle pieces and have hot sex
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 5:15 amTammy says:
Obviously a lot of people agree with you! Just ask Cosmo, they must love your criteria since you’ve been in there before. Congrats, there’s a reason we love Jill Shalvis book so keep to your criteria!
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 5:43 amJen C says:
I like your definition, but basically I think of a “romance” as a love story. It can be innocent and sweet or hard and hot.
I’m glad this is your post today. Lately my friends who don’t read romances have been asking me about “Fifty Shades” and I’ve got to say that it’s a romance. Yeah, it’s got lots of sex (more so than the usually 2-3 scenes in most commercial romances), but at heart it’s a love story. I’ve read some hot love scenes in books that don’t get nearly enough attention (like 50 Shades got). **Ah-hum. Sawyer/Chloe shower scene! Ah-hum.**
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 6:46 amDiane Engelhardt says:
Sorry one more comment…I have breast cancer and take estrogen knock out drugs and I need to say that great romance books somehow keep my interest in things going that would otherwise be kaput. I have lots of issues from the drugs but keeping the love alive is not one of them. I am trying to get my best buddy to read Lucky Harbor series since it’s such an amazing series…but the only books she reads are self-help books. A wonderful romance is the best self help out there ladies. Even for menopause! Kind of a wacky post but this is a big deal for me!! 💘💘💘
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 6:52 amAmy P. says:
And that is why your books are so GREAT – you have the perfect recipe for a romance book!
Just the right balance of sexy, fun/laughter and adventure without too much angst!
Keep them coming!!!
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 6:57 amCarrieZ says:
I need to feel that connection between the hero and heroine. Technically it’s still a romance if I can’t feel it, but it’s not a good one/one I want to read again.
And I have to have the happy ending. Bonus material are hot love scenes that provide that “extra oomph” Diane mentioned above. 
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 6:59 amDani Koff says:
Yes, sexy hero, lovable heroine, great chemistry, happy ending, and to me, the main focus of the book must be the romance.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 7:04 amMarcieR says:
It’s too early for me to give a really good in-depth answer, so I’ll just say this:
I ordered AT LAST from Amazon and it should arrive on Thursday!
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 7:05 amAllie says:
For me, romance is interesting people falling in love with complications along the way, and at the end I want to be confident they will be happy together regardless of other things they might encounter. Some great secondary characters and a dog (especially if it is border collie!) thrown in don’t hurt.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 7:18 amMary W. says:
For me, the appeal of the romance genre has always been that no matter what crap the characters have to deal with, there’s always a happy ending.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 7:33 amSteffi K says:
congrats on the Cosmo deal and I do agree that is a perfect criteria for romance
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 7:35 amPamela says:
Got to have a HEA. Sexy hero is a definite. Prefer a strong heroine (not physically). Got to have that chemistry. Sex is great but not a deal breaker for me.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 7:54 amMarijayne says:
For me romance is a type of escape and a celebration of love. There needs to be some kind of attraction at first (often fought by one or both characaters), some issue to resolve in either one or both lives and often something that would stand in the way of the relationship (though nothing too “hairy” or sad (never sad), both characters need to help each other out of their issues and come out stronger for it together. Of course, some good hot sex along the way is great (though not always required). And in the end (as Sir Paul for fittingly sang)…it’s about love and the HEA. You are right on target with your formula for your stories (loving AT LAST). Your books are easy to lose yourself in and always a little sad to finish.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 8:56 amLisa Hutson says:
Exactly right! Now, see Jill, thats why we all read your books!
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 9:02 amAudri Cox says:
It’s funny you ask this.. M husband and I had a conversation over the weekend about ” the type of books I am reading”…I explained that I read romance.He wanted more explaination so I told him about the Lucky Harbour series and it’s characters..( and yes the hot sex too).. Much to my surprise, he asked me a question that I unfortunatly had to answer no to… My husband asked if I had ever read a book with the main male character was disabled like he is (my husband is an above knee amputee due to a rare cancer) who found the perfect woman to love him just the way he was.. He made me cry…We have been together since high school ( 27 years) and married for 22. His courageous fight with cancer came when he was 32 and amputation was our only hope of saving him..It worked!! My feelings never changed for him due to the amputation but he had given many hours of thought to “what if she doesnt love me like this”.. I never knew…. Seems like a plausable story line…Guess the guy doesnt always have to be the hero, he may been the wounded guy who needs the right woman to make him feel whole… My idea of romance..Hanging in thru anything and everything!! 22 years ago I promised to love him in good times and bad, in sickness and health….Nothing has changed..
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 9:31 amKimberly K says:
Romances are love stories that play out in front of you as you read. For me there has to be a connection between the characters in order for it to really be a romance. So everything you defined in balance with one another= a great read.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 9:33 amBrandy Bosquez says:
Im very simple when it comes to a romance. All I want is to be taken out of reality for a little while. To escape from everyday worries. If an author can do this (which you do very well Jill) then I am set. A sexy hero is just icing on the cake!!
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 9:56 amAmber says:
@Audri,
There are romances out there with heroes coping with disabilities. Lorelei James even has an erotic western one. A good place to start would be here: http://www.likesbooks.com/disabled.html
Jill, your recipe sounds perfect. I admit, for a book to be a romance rather than just romantic, it has to have a HEA in book 1. Not a 3 book arc. I don’t care how much you put the characters through, as long as I believe in their romance and their future.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 9:59 amDonna M says:
The requirements for romance in a book are all here. Each of us might have a slightly different expectation but we all want HEA. The connection & chemistry between H/h is very important, there must be a story for them. I like some suspense & adventure along with the romance. Your books always fulfill my reading fantasies.
Audri, I have read books that do have disabled hero, not many but a few. They are usually a military romance. Congratulations to you & your husband on being together through the good & the bad. I wish you continued happiness.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 10:51 amSusan says:
@Audri – I was going to post the same information on Amber. Shoulda Been a Cowboy is a great story about Cam and Domini.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 11:56 amBrandy says:
I’ve noticed a small trend lately where some romances don’t have an HEA and for me, that’s not a romance. So glad you have a formula, because you write some of the best romances I’ve read. I adored Lucky in Love and can’t wait to read At Last.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 1:56 pmBeth says:
Audri, Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series has a hero and a secondary love story with amputee’s.
I agree with good solid awesome heroes and strong heroines. I like some flaws thrown in for good measure. (not being perfect, it gets kinda boring to read about perfect people)
Good chemistry but the sex isn’t necessary if the love story is strong. Don’t mind it, but not a deal breaker.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 3:40 pmKelly W. says:
Over the last couple of weeks I have read two women’s fiction books. Even though the endings were good, they were not the ultimate ending I would’ve liked to see. So, I devoured Lucky in Love, and now I’m half way through At Last. I know you always make me laugh, and sometimes cry, but every book I read by you leaves me feeling…happy. (And unputdownable is quite possibly the most accurate word!) I’d say your concoction is pretty much perfect. Congrats on Cosmo! You just continue to rock!
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 5:25 pmKelly S says:
Congratulations!!
Romance contains a hero who the heroine is attracted to and likewise the hero is attracted to the heroine. There is wooing & good times. Sex can wait until the HEA has happened.
Posted on July 2nd, 2012 at 5:36 pmAudri Cox says:
THANKS LADIES!!
Posted on July 3rd, 2012 at 6:09 amHope says:
I like the adventure and a bit of angst but also, the hero being human and the heroine not being whiny…
PS LOVED Matt and Amy…it really took me by surprise…I really liked how human Amy was. Her background, so great!
Posted on July 3rd, 2012 at 6:11 amThanks again
Hope
PS Just ordered Forever and A day…
Kimh says:
Yeah. Whoo, can’t wait for that cosmo whoo
Posted on July 3rd, 2012 at 10:21 pm