by K. B. Robb

Created on: August 12, 2009

Hi, my name is Kim, and I am addicted to Harlequin romance novels: specifically, romance novels about cowboys. I am not quite sure how it happened. I was on my way home one day from work and stopped at a local second hand bookshop. I have always been a murder-mystery type of girl, but I scanned through the romance titles and the rest is history. It didn't start off as cowboy-only romances, but after reading about a hundred or so, I found my romantic niche. I know, weird, huh?

I average about one book a day. I can read the 250 page novel in 4-6 hours depending upon font and print size. I am not kidding when I say that I have read well over 400 books in the past year and oddly enough each story is pretty much the same. The two main characters are instantly attracted to each other, although they may not like each other. One or both of them have no family, have had a terrible past relationship and have decided to never again take a chance on love, and they spend 90% of the novel sure that the other person does not love them.

So how does this appeal to readers? For me, I like the simplicity of the stories, the quick read and the idea of tormented love. Of course, in my own life I prefer the happiness and stress-free life I have with my husband. Each novel is kind of like the fairy tales we read as children, but directed at an adult audience with a little sex thrown in. Each book is like my favorite show; the characters and names may change, but everything is nicely resolved by the time I finish reading and I enjoy a happy ending.

My friends don't all understand the addiction or say, "Read Nora Roberts, she's a real romance writer," but I love my Harlequin books. They offer a number of series so there is something for everyone. They are a great rainy day or day at the beach read. I don't expect my romance novels to be considered among fine English literature, although personally I prefer them over classic literature any day. I expect them to entertain me, make me smile, make me laugh, make me root for two people to figure out how to get together and follow their hearts.

So how do Harlequin romance novels appeal to me as a reader? I'm a reader and they make me smile, laugh and sometimes cry. They entertain me: isn't that appeal enough?

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