Thursday, August 30, 2012

Food of Romance – Romancing-the-Hop



Flowers. Chocolate. Champagne. What does romance mean to you? When dating, often an amour showers a date with gifts … decadent and delightful. Think Valentine’s Day with a plethora of treats, and everyone acts on their best behaviors, right?

Does romance change over time? How about those displays of affection? For me, my husband brought me a glass of water before bed, in case I woke up thirsty. While I simply thanked him in the beginning, over time I became a bit more comfortable telling him that I didn’t care for the water quite as laden with ice as he did. He likes it so cold that my teeth hurt with each sip. So he made it with less ice, and then over time the glasses got fewer and fewer between.

*sniffle* Now I miss it. Hmmm … from champagne to water with little ice. Isn’t romance funny?

Here’s what we’re giving away on the hop:

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $130 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Large Swag Pack (U.S. only shipping)


In order to enter, please leave a comment with a valid email address. Each time a person comments on a blog, they are entered. Meaning they can comment on ALL blogs. Contest ends midnight, Sept. 3, and Carrie Ann will choose the winners from all the participating blogs.

And, here’s a peak at my new release, a 1Night Stand with Decadent Publishing:

A Date with Death

Death sucks. It’s boring, and there’s no chance of getting laid. Stuck in the waiting room of Heaven, Maise fantasizes about all the pleasures of the flesh she didn’t get to experience. When Maise discovers a business card for the dating service, 1Night Stand, she wonders if there’s still a chance.

Reece normally wouldn’t consider being set up, but after his brother buys him a certificate, he feels obligated. A romantic night on the Southern California coast, with the full-of-life Maise leaves him wanting more.

Will a 1Night Stand be enough to overcome death?

Available via Decadent Publishing, Amazon, Nook.

Tell me: Has your view of romance changed over time? Make sure to leave a valid email address to enter into the Blog Hop prizes, and make sure to visit the other stops on the hop. One person commenting on my blog also will win an electronic copy of “A Date with Death.”


49 comments:

  1. My view of romance has definitely changed over the 20 years I've been with my husband. It used to be flowers and chocolates (since I'm on a perpetual diet I wouldn't want the chocolates now). Now romance is time alone with the hubby cuddling on the couch after the kids are in bed (or at least after they're in another room - the teenager usually puts us to bed now).

    kesummer69 at gmail dot com

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  2. Ah, that's awfully nice Kelsey! I like those cuddle times, too!

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  3. That is a sweet story, water can be romantic

    fencingromein at hotmail dot com

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  4. That story is cute! I love romantic gestures that are not once in a blue moon but something little that makes your life a little better. A Date with Death also looks great and it is on my wishlist already!

    susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

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  5. What a fun hop! Thanks for sharing such a sweet story! delphinareadstoomuch at yahoo

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  6. I think it's inevitable that a view of romance changes with time and age and experience...I don't think it's bad, but it may require a bit more searching for the "bright spots". Thanks for participating and sharing

    glhince@gmail.com

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  7. Oh definitely it has changed, not so much hearts and flowers anymore, but a more solid and comfortable feeling. Though we do still manage to surprise one another every so often.
    skpetal at hotmail dot com

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  8. Yes my view on romance has changed. While flower, chocolate, or jewelry are nice, having another person know your true self is so much better.
    bituin76 AT hotmail DOT com

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  9. As I've gotten older my views of romance have changed. I appreciate the little romantic gestures more than the big ones.

    koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

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  10. My views have changed since I first 'knew' what romance was. Small things that show they care mean more to me but I also believe, at least in my age group, that romance is dead. I'm waiting for them to either mature and learn it or for my prince to come. Until then I have my books :)
    Thanks for the awesome & amazing giveaway!
    cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

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  11. It absolutely has. Before I was a writer, I was a snob when it came to romance. Since I've started writing more romance geared things my views have changed and so have my reading preferences.
    Jesse
    jesse.kimmelfreeman@gmail.com

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  12. I have come to realise that romantic gestures can be small, they don't have to be huge or expensive!
    sqwalker2@hotmail.com

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  13. I read just about anything, so I can't really say my tastes have changed over time. What HAS changed is the incredible variety of romance easily available

    Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
    elizabeth @ bookattict . com

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  14. I know my views have changed but I still appreciate the flowers.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    beckerjo at verizon dot net

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  15. I think my views have changed dramatically I used to think flowers now I think new brakes LOL, when my husband does things to help me out to make sure we are safe then I know that I am loved. Carin
    mawmom at gmail dot com

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  16. No, I still read the same. I love a variety of genres.
    magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

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  17. I love this blog hop :) It's so fun to read everyone's comments and the bloggers stories!

    I always wonder if my views on romance will change, but I have a guy who loves the classic romance stuff :) Flowers, candy, poetry... they're staples here!

    Thank you for the giveaway opportunity! :)

    songbird1613 at yahoo dot com

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  18. I think everyone's view on romance changes as they age and get new experiences! I know that mine has.

    thanks for the contest!!
    forettarose@yahoo.com

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  19. Yeah, it has definitely changed for me. I used to think that getting flowers and gifts was romance. Now, I realize that romance is the things you do for someone to show them that you care about and love them. :) Thank you for being a part of the hop!

    Crystal Craig
    craigcrystal(at)ymail(dot)com

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  20. Thanks for being part of the hop

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  21. Romance is about building a lasting relationship :-) Fun hop! Great blog!

    krystalshannan@yahoo(dot)com

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  22. It has changed for me. At 16 I thought romance was teddy bears, roses, and hearts. Now at 26 and a mom I think it is romantic for my hubby to let me sleep in. Romance is the little things for me. Plus roses are expensive. lol
    kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com

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  23. Romance changed definitely over the years! Now I like the little gestures more.
    verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

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  24. Romance has definitely changed over time. Chivalry used to be common. Now, it is unusual to see a man hold a door for a woman, or open a door for her. Let alone pull a chair out for her to be seated. Now, romance is considered to be hearts and flowers, candy and gifts. That's not romance. Romance is the little things, the sweet thoughts and courtesies that have gone by the wayside mostly.

    Barbara
    bbsbooknook@aol.com

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  25. As a kid {I was 11 when I picked up my first romance novel} I thought it was about the HEA.
    As an adult I know HEA takes a helluva lot of work!
    There are two keys to making it work. Communication is the biggest one. Secondly, It's about all of the little gestures we do for our partners to show them how special they are to us. A stroke of a hand on a cheek, fingers through the hair, a kiss on the temple. That's the good stuff.
    Thanks for participating in the hop and giving us all a chance to win.
    bidelia78@yahoo.com

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  26. Romance changes as we get older, I know it has changed for me through the years..

    ronnkelly3@aol.com

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  27. Yes because as I got older I noticed that it is the little things he does that really matters.

    mythic021@gmail.com

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  28. Even though I am sure romance has changed for me I always saw my parents view the little things as being romantic and not the money makers...I have always had that view as well.
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

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  29. I agree with Vanessa. It is the little things that he does that matters now. No flowers or unexpected gifts but a kiss and a pat on the hand makes my day.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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  30. Thanks for participating! Really like the hop so far!! I love reading, especially romance. I love reading contemporary, historical and erotic romance. I love the happy ending that is garenteed at the end. My favorite book is Lover Mine by JR Ward! I love John Matthew and Xhex. My favorite romantic moment was when my fiancé asked me to marry him! We meant two years ago right around when summer was ending when my friend and I went out for our last big night out before classes started again. I think it is romantic when he brings me flowers because no one else has ever done it! Thanks so much! Hope everyone else is having a great long weekend!!

    prettyunicorn78@yahoo.com

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  31. What a great hop! Grand prizes, old friends to visit and new ones to meet… and chances to win at each stop too. I’m in Blog heaven! :-}
    I have been married 22 years and my view of romance has changed a lot. I appreciated the little gestures much more now, and think it's very romantic when the hubby has a glass of wine waiting for me when I get home from work cause he knows I like it. <^_^>
    Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win.
    reneebennett35(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  32. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  33. Thanks for the awesome hop and giveaways! This is so much fun! Thank you! My favorite thing about romance is the romance. lol I love the characters, the plots, the HEA's, the love. I love it all!
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

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  34. Romance changes the longer you are together. Many people just stop being romantic.
    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  35. Thanks tons for the hop! I only read romance. My fav is Lora Leigh! Going to parade Monday with brothers and sisters! Should be FUN!
    swkimbell@yahoo.com

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  36. My idea of romance has changed since I first started reading them. Then I liked the strong men and the passive women. Now, I much more prefer strong female characters and men who can handle them. Romance is all about the trust and respect built between the characters. Since I write BDSM, these elements are very important.
    Thank you for participating in the blog hop!
    qwilliarain(at)gmail(dot)com

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  37. I have basically been saying this on each blog. Yes, I believe that romance changes over time, depending how long you have been in your relationship. In the beginning its all about wining, dining, and gifts. Later its about the little things cooking dinner and cleaning when he knows you have had a long day. Rubbing your back or feet for the same reasons. Those are the things that are romantic to me now after being with my man for 13yrs married 11yrs, with 4 kids.

    sam1slim1@gmail.com

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  38. I like the happily ever after.
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  39. My view has changed with 15 years of marriage, 5 boys, and a full time career. Romance is what you make it. Sure the roses, champagne, and chocolates are nice, but sometimes it is just the thought of knowing that the other person is thinking of you that makes everything worthwhile.

    mel
    bournmelissa at hotmail dot com

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  40. My view of romance has changed after 18 yrs of marriage. I used to be sad if he didn't get me a gift, now I'm happy if he does the dishes instead. This year he made my birthday cake for me as a surprise.

    Last year he made me a Tardis birthay card from bits of cardstock. Very cool.

    AnnaM.
    doxisrcool at aol.com

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  41. I like the blurb of A Date with Death.
    Thank you for being part of the blog hop. :)

    yazmin.z.rangel(at)gmail(dot)com

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  42. My views have changed in the type of romance that I read, but my views of romance in general haven't much.

    tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  43. I absolutely think views change, what I thought was romantic 10 years ago with the hubby is no more, lol, I think its romantic if he does the dishes now a days.

    blinkysthebest at aol dot com

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  44. As I get older my views on romance has changed and it's also changed on pretty much everything.
    sstrde at scrtc dot com

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  45. I'm still looking for my own romance but I have to wait longer! Thanks for the great giveaway!
    red_tigergirl2(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  46. Why I like Romance Novels….The reason I like Romance Novels so much is because it is one place where I can be anywhere like England, Scotland, Rome, Ireland, or anywhere in the US. I can also be in any time like 1200’s Scotland, 1500’s England, 1900’s Chicago. I can be anyone like a princess, a servant, a werewolf, a duchess, a vampire, or a lost soul. But no matter what I get the privilege and the experience to overcome many different obstacles and find love. I am a mother of three teenagers as well and there are many days when I need an escape and my heart needs a rest from the trials of being a parent and trying to do what is best for everyone but yourself. I have overcome cancer, loss, and financial problems and Romance Books let my heart soar and feel free. Let me tell you in this world, and during this time where life can have so many struggles it is great that you can be, have, and do so many things to find love and romance and still be yourself!

    angelheart618@gmail.com

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  47. My view on romance has changed from light to more serious, darker and open minded stuff. I remember not wanting to touch some things and now I read those things and don't care what others might think. Thanks for being a part of the hop. I hope that you had a great Labor day weekend!
    jessangil at gmail dot com

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  48. My view has changed as I've become more experienced and open minded thanks to my relationship with my husband and constantly reading and learning new things. Thanks for being part of the hop!

    snhoveln(at)gmail(dot)com

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  49. Thank you to everyone for participating. I've been reading all the comments, and it definitely seems like all see love and its little showings change over time. The official winner of my contest is Kaylyn. I'll be sending you an email about "A Date with Death."

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