Bitten by Books
Because Romance is Healthy
Vampire and werewolf bites are not the only way to transform a romance reader’s life! My life was literally transformed by reading romance at a young age. I saw heroes in the pages of books I wasn’t seeing in real life, but it gave me a set of standards for my own hero down the road that helped me to end up with my very own wonderful “alpha at the end of a book.” Later, reading and writing romance helped me to change both my life and the lives of others. I did lay counseling (both with couples and individuals) for almost two decades and I used romance books to help people change their perspective on love, sex and hope.
Through the written word definitely, but our industry is profoundly powerful beyond merely reading like minded books. We support one another. We communicate, care and touch each other’s lives and it’s amazing. Truly amazing, because honestly? Other fiction industries are nothing like ours.
So, is it any surprise when I decided to work as hard to be healthy as I do to write the best books possible, I turned to the same support system? My family and my readers.
In April, I hosted my very first Reader Fitness Challenge and the results were astounding! There were 72 entrants, 9 author coaches and 1 coordinator (Lucy) in the challenge. 52 actively participated to lose a combined weight of 655 lbs! But the most impacting stories came not in pounds lost, but in lifestyles gained. We lost sizes and that was cool, but even more wonderful? We saw people struggling with long term illnesses find balance and renewed energy. We saw participants grow in their sense of self and contentment with life. I can get on the floor and play with the babies, tie my own shoes without turning red and run up my stairs without getting winded. It’s incredible! Other participants shared even more astonishing and moving ways their lives were impacted.
We encouraged each other and believed in each other and the results showed just how justified those beliefs were.
I strongly believe that romance can change the world, one book…or one life at a time!
How about you? Has reading a book, or participating in this amazing industry we call romance had a positive impact on your life in some way? Share your story because just in the sharing, you are encouraging someone else to make a positive change in their own life.
Lucy will be giving away a copy of Dragon’s Moon to one lucky reader today!
Author Bio:
USA Today bestseller and award winning Lucy Monroe’s love affair with books and reading began at age 4. She often climbed her mother’s book stacks to pull down the novels on the top shelves. When she was caught reading the Reader’s Digest Condensed Version of “The Godfather” while still in Kindergarten, those books got moved. Although she’s always loved mysteries and suspense, romance has been her passion since she kyped her first Presents from her oldest sister’s bedside table (again way too early).
She began writing after a conversation with God in the bathtub; as a homeschooling mom until her children were in middle school, the only place she could find any peace for many years was the bathtub. Her path to publication was not strewn with rose petals or even pavement!
Lucy wrote more than one million words of romantic fiction before selling her 13th manuscript to Harlequin Presents, nine years on from that fateful bathtub conversation.
You can find Lucy at:
Read reviews of Lucy’s work here.
http://www.lucymonroe.com/
http://lucymonroeblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/LucyMonroe.Romance
https://twitter.com/lucymonroe
Mailing List: http://lucymonroe.com/contactpage.htm
As a teenager I was so shy that I only had a very small group of close friends, crowds totally petrified me. But as a reader I was aware of all of these kickass people with the snappy comebacks. While I never rally totally embraced my inner bitch, these books did help me come out of my shell and allow me to function both one on one and in larger groups.
Lisa…I so relate to that. I put on the confident girl, but was really shy inside (still am lol). I love that romance books brought out your inner feisty even if only inside of you.
I can unequivocally say that romance books changed my life. I started reading them when I was younger and after my first stint in college I went through a period of depression. I am an only child, so I don’t have a very large support system, and at the time I didn’t have a lot of close friends when one day I ran across a romance novel again. It did change my perspective on what was going on at the time, and it gave me hope, and the escape gave me a moment of happiness. Before I knew it I was starting to look forward to something again when I hadn’t been looking forward to anything in a very long time. It encouraged me to leave the house, even if it was just to go to the local store to find a new book. Before long, I needed a job to support my romance habit. LOL It was a tough economy then too and I had trouble finding something stable and I was shy so it wasn’t easy but I eventually became a temp for a local bank. That one job set the direction of my career. So really that first romance novel is responsible for where I am today. LOL When things were bad, I’d go read a book that night and feel better. So yes, romance books can change your life. I have learned so much from the different topics and gained different perspectives on numerous topics which I would never be able to attain from anywhere else.
With the introduction of twitter and facebook (love it!) authors and readers have become even closer. Now we have a lot of book conventions where we can meet fellow readers and authors galore and it is a phenomenal experience. We have a genuine love and compassion for each other, and we are able to reach across state and national boundaries to connect with other people. It is one of the most amazing and awe-inspiring experiences I have ever been involved in. As humans the one driving need that tops all others is our need to feel that we are not alone. Romance readers and authors know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that WE are NOT alone.
Valerie - what an amazing story! I never knew that. How absolutely cool and thank you for sharing
Can I say that Romance books kept me from peer pressure on drinking, smoking, partying? My mother had no problem supporting my book habit because every weekend she knew where her daughter was.
While other mothers complained their daughters and sons were out partying, drinking, smoking, doing drugs and sex, my mother breathed easier knowing her teen daughter preferred to spend her money on books and read.
How fantastic, Raonaid! What a neat way for romance to impact your life! Good job Mom and you!
Lucy, you inspire me to continue on my own battle of the big butt. I’m a really bad yo-yo dieter, so I’m working at just being consistant. And I’m working out no matter what I do!
Why is it when I eat bad, I don’t want to work-out? It’s kind of like I want to blow the whole day off. I don’t do that anymore.
I hope you will have another challange again soon, and I’d love to join in!
Thanks for the boost!
Geri…you can do it, I know you can! It isn’t easy, but it’s worth it and exercising is half the battle. So, you’re halfway there.
I’ll be hosting another fitness challenge in February 2013 to commemorate my mom’s birth. 
Hugs!
My life has been pretty much sedate and a 9-5 working life. I dont like parties, clubbing and so. My only companion is my books. B4 buying books for myself I pretty much finished reading all romance books in 2 libraries.
I used to write poems as long as I know. My poems are all based on romance and inner feelings. I fell into a rut after college, when I entered the busy software industry. But later it was the romance books that I read which enabled me to write. When I read, I involve so deep in the books that I read, that I am to feel what every character in the books feel. From then on it was easy to put in words what I felt. It was a success when every one told me “You should have experienced those in ur life to write something so powerful.” My thanks are to the authors who gave me those feelings.
Am back in the rut again. But am trying to write more, which I will. Soon.
You cannot believe how exhilarating it is to chat with authors I love most and when they reply.
Sunandha…I find that when it is hard to write, simply forcing words onto paper, even if they are poorly chosen words helps me to a place where the feelings and stories flow again. I love that romance helps you get in touch with your inner poet. Maybe you need to try a different type of romance from what you usually read.
Happy writing! And reading! 
Thanks Lucy . . . You are absolutely right. I should force myself to write until I am back in from.
Maybe I shld try different romance but this is what I luv.
Reading opened a new world of nice people who don’t abuse a child. I was blessed with a quick mind but big mouth and that was soon beat out of me. I crawled into books and learned to live a safe or safer life until I was older and could stand up to the abusers. When I say books saved my life I really mean it!
Lisa…that’s such a powerful story. Thank you so much for sharing it! Hugs!
Hi Lucy,
For me romance books helped when I was going through a divorce that took two years. I would try not to burden my family with a lot of the details, and keeping these things to myself could drive me around the bend. Luckily I had romance books to help me escape. Also, in 2004 I was laid off, then in January 2005 I unexpectedly lost my dad. Thankfully I had books that I could turn to, which got me through these trying times. Numerous authors got me through many of these troubling issues and I could never thank them enough. Romance authors will always have my support.
Ginger…books have always been my friends. I understand this on such a deep level. I’m so glad you found solace in romance!