As you know, I have been bringing you so much goodness with my Love in Everton Series, and I still have MORE coming your way from this gang! I love these romance novels, and they have quickly become a favorite cast of characters for me. Knox, Axel, and Harris are just the beginning of book boyfriends.
Continue to scroll for all the details!
More of this small-town romance series is coming this spring and through the fall. Take a look before at my release schedule.
MAKE YOU MINE (Enemies to lovers romance): Coming this spring on 4/9; Cover reveal on 3/8!
Porn: Man sees woman, undresses her (with hands, not eyes), and they instantly engage in sexual acts. No names, no story behind their meeting or relationship. It’s raw and dirty. (I think this is how it works, I haven’t exactly watched porn. Did I just admit that to the internet?)
The stigma associated with romance novels (and their writers) is a continuous clash between those who know the difference and those who think they know the difference. Many people truly don’t know the difference. So I’m here today, as part of the hundreds of people who have already discussed this topic, to hopefully clarify some misconceptions about romance novels.
Romance, noun: a (1) : a medieval tale based on legend, chivalric love and adventure, or the supernatural (2) : a prose narrative treating imaginary characters involved in events remote in time or place and usually heroic, adventurous, or mysterious (3) : a love story especially in the form of a novel
b : a class of such literature
I grabbed this definition from Merriam-Webster. As you can read, romance is a love tale that involves events, chivalry, adventure, etc. in the process of finding that person who you want to spend your life with. Romance is about the happily ever after, not just the happy ending. (wink, wink)
We all hope to find that special someone in real life. I know I do. The person you can laugh and cry with. The person to hold you tightly, and the person you push away when you’re angry. It’s all part of romance. Like any true love story (real or fiction), sexuality is a part of it. Say what?! I know, I know; how dare I speak of such things in public? But that’s just it. We live in a world where we are fighting to become more open and accepting of the truth we live, and having sex is normal.
I understand it’s been a taboo topic in the past. I know romance novels have been looked down on with snooty noses as not good enough literature, allowing people to look away instead of being educated on the topic. The thing is that everyone desires to be wanted. Everyone desires to have a connection with another person. That is what romance is about—the bond between two humans, who find in each other a connection that allows them to grow and move forward together.
It isn’t all about the sex. That’s porn. They’re very different. Porn wants to excite the viewer/reader quickly to get the job done (again—wink, wink). Romance is about the journey—the tale of coming together, overcoming struggles, and living your life with another person.
Now, let me tell you how our society works. Sex sells. A lot. So when we bring in marketing (for romance or anything else), sex is a big factor. Considering romance novels, most times, do include some kind of sexual activity, teasers and excerpts may be geared towards that because it hooks readers. It does raise emotion, entices them, and makes them want more. We’re human after all.
Just because something has a sex-geared advertisement doesn’t constitute it as porn. Let’s take a perfume commercial for example (oh, those can be hot!). A lot of perfume commercials entice the viewer with a good-looking man, a woman in lingerie, or a couple engaging in a steamy kiss. Does that mean the perfume company sells porn? What it does is sell the product. It hooks consumers. That’s their ultimate goal.
Nicholas Sparks has sex in his novels. Does that make him a writer of porn? You have sex in your life with your partner. Are you a porn star? (Role playing idea?)
When I first started writing romance, I was hesitant to answer people’s questions about the genre I wrote. I would think to myself, Oh God, they’re going to know I write sex in my stories. Yet, I love writing romance. I love writing about the bond between people, their struggles (this is my favorite—it shows their true character), and having balance in life. So little by little, I became more comfortable telling people who knew me before I was a published author that I wrote romance. (My mom was the hardest. Like, Mom, I wrote sex into my story. I still remember the day I told her I wrote a book, and it was explicit. Kill me now! She’s probably reading this. Hey, Mom!) I had that stigma attached to me until I said, fuck it, and owned it. Now, I giggle when people mix up the true romance meaning with that of porn. I don’t get offended; I get it.
I strive on making my stories about more than just the romance. I add topics that sometimes are difficult to read about, and other times I add humor and good nature. It’s a balance, or I’ll sink into this dark oblivion of heavy emotions. Regardless of the tone of my novels, I want to get a message across, so when people think I write porn it defeats the purpose of trying to convey this meaningful message. It also confirms that sex sells, because if what you remember most about my novels is the teaser you saw about some heavy kissing, then I’ve left a memorable (whether it was my intention or not) hook in you. Now to reel you in and catch your full attention. (Horrible fishing symbolism—I promise I can write better symbolism than that.)
I get that society, as sex-driven as it is, also scolds people for being so open about their sexuality. Again, many people don’t know the difference, come across a teaser about a man running his hands down a woman’s bare hip before cupping her behind, and think the story is sex-driven. There is so much more to romance novels, and I hope that each of us that know about it can continue to educate people on the difference because it is such a wonderful genre to get lost in.
We watch romance movies and don’t think twice about questioning if we will be watching porn. We eagerly schedule a girls’ night to watch the latest Rom-Com whilst drinking a glass of wine, yet doubt the morality of romance novels.
I ask that you don’t let the label of what people think the romance genre is to limit you from reading some fantastic literature. I have read novels that have stayed with me for years. Romance novels are real, raw, sweet, and flirty. They encompass so much life. As humans, we want to feel intimacy with another person. Romance is that. It’s the story of intimacy, trust, and opening our hearts.
With the way the world is nowadays, I’m glad I have a Kindle full of romance novels to show me hope. To prove to me love still exists, because if we, as writers, can come up with stories about love, then love must still be alive, right?
Ultimately, that’s what romance is about. It’s about love, the journey to get there, the strength it takes to overcome loss when love goes awry, and the power of relationships (friendships and more).
I’ll raise my glass to all of you romance readers and writers, for believing in love. I’ll raise it to all of you who are not familiar with it and hope you’ll indulge a bit in this beautiful community. While I’m at it, let’s be open to all types of romances and love stories. Romeo and Juliet is a classic tragedy that still remains very much alive in our world, and they ended up dead. (Spoiler alert)
In all seriousness though, I do hope we can come to an understanding about the essence of romance. I hope this helped to better understand the difference between romance and plain ole sex in a written form. May we all live a life full of love, intimacy, trust, and strength, like my favorite heroes, and not shy away from a topic that is human nature.
Three years ago I published my first novel. In 2009, I wrote one of those Facebook Notes that were the craze back then—25 Random Facts About Me. The fifth fact was: I want to publish a book sometime in my life. I’ve told the story before—bucket list item I wanted to check off. However, it always seems unreachable. Two reasons why: 1. Up until that point, I had only written poetry and a few shorter stories. Dialogue and elaborating a plot were, in my mind, not my thing. 2. How was I going to get a publisher? All I wanted was to write a book to share and move on. It seemed impossible.
I was living in Spain during this time and shoved the idea to the back of my mind’s bookshelf, focusing on my work there and my college degree when I was back home.
Fast forward a few years, and I still had a story idea I began in 2009 running through my mind. Needless to say, I opened that file and began what is now PERFECTLY IMPERFECT with no idea how to publish.
It has been a unique journey these last three years, meeting new people (many I call friends now), learning the ever-changing ropes in this business (I am less business person, more creative), finding my voice in a world where many times we are encouraged to stay silent as to not stir society’s pot. My books are not liked by everyone, and I am perfectly okay with that. Writing is a part of my personal journey, a skill I use to express myself.
I never thought I would be okay with sharing my writing with anyone, let alone an entire audience. I’ll tell you one thing, publishing my first book is one of the most empowering things I’ve done. I went against my self-preservation tactic, against my comfort zone, ripped off my security blanket and shared pieces of myself to a world willing to know me. If that isn’t scary, I don’t know what is. I am a quiet observer in this community, in this world really, and turning the role of the observed on myself has been an interesting experience.
It has made me vulnerable, open, and accepting of myself. Writing novels, publishing them, has made me look at my reflection and learn more about who I am. When I write, I get into a sort of zone. Many times I don’t remember what I write. When I go back to re-read and prepare for edits, it’s as if I’m seeing myself for the first time. Every book is different; the mood is set according to my experiences and emotions at that moment in my life. I’ve always said writing is my form of therapy. It’s why I began in the first place—a safe way to express my emotions without the world judging me for feeling certain things.
So as I approach my third year of being a published author, I reflect on my experiences. I confess, more than once I have considered no longer publishing my work. I have two amazing friends to thank for staying in the game. It’s not always easy, especially for an introvert who bleeds onto pages to then be judged. I get it, it’s part of the package deal. The irony does not go unnoticed.
I’ve learned to not take things personally (read #15 in that FB note), and understand that people’s judgment of my work is their perception. Perception is everything in life. How we live and what we experience will influence our thoughts and emotions. If I can provoke emotion (positive or negative) through my writing, my job as a writer is complete. Reading is about feeling things, stirring things we have long buried within us, and travel to different places and be someone we may not dare explore in real life. I know when I read I want a book that stirs me. A book that leaves me feeling stagnant does nothing for my growth.
So although quitting this business has crossed my mind more times than I care to admit, you, my readers, keep me going. It’s your notes, messages, words of encouragement that remind me why I decided to share my words in the first place. This is a way for me to allow the world to know me, and for the opportunity and hope that you read my words and soak them up. I hope that you resonate with my writing in one way or another (for the good and bad), and can take a piece of it with you wherever you go.
Thank you for three of the best years of my life. For the opportunity to follow my passion and share it with you. Thank you for allowing me to be myself and share my voice when it can be so scary to do so. What turned into a fun challenge became so much more, and without any of you to share it with, this experience would have less meaning.
Connect with me and join Fabiola’s Fab Reads to stay up-to-date with my writing, chat book and life stuff, and hang out with the best group of people: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FabReads/
Hi bookies! I just got done with Just Another Book Signing this weekend and had a BLAST! Jill from Love Affair with Fiction and Yessi Smith put together a great event. It was so great meeting new people and hanging out with friends! Signings are always bittersweet because I love seeing my friends and meeting new ones, but it’s always sad to leave or see them leave in my case this weekend. I am, however, so grateful to have finally met so many people this weekend and for the opportunity to spend time with some of my favorite people.
There are so many more people than pictured below that I am so happy to have met in person! I need better photographing skills. 😉
Mostly, this weekend served the purpose of getting an amazing group of people together. We had authors, bloggers, readers all in one hotel making so many memories. During a time where there is so much negativity out there, it’s great to praise the positive. I love this community and this weekend made me fall in love with it even more. I also wanted to keep everyone in Miami and make sure they stay here forever.
I hope you all had a fantastic weekend and read great books! XOXO ❤
Hello lovely bookies! It’s hard to believe it is already August. This summer break has just flown by. I was rather busy with a few personal things, as well as writing a new story. When things finally calmed down, I was able to write The End on Whiskey Nights. I had some time to ponder on life, but I won’t bore you with that. Basically, I realized just how much I love what I do and how grateful I am that I can follow my dreams despite how hectic life can be. Sometimes it is easy to lose perspective on the things that make us whole. I am also very lucky to have such a great support system, whether they live near or cross country.
This summer I was also able to catch up on my reading. It felt so great to just relax and read—having the time to be able to do that. I learned that with the right balance and determination anything is possible, and so it is. I will be publishing my fifth book in September. At the beginning of last school year, I had one book published, Perfectly Imperfect. It amazes me that a year later, I have four books out for the world to read and one in queue to be released. It is still for surreal. Am I dreaming? Don’t wake me up if I am.
Whiskey Nights is book two in the Sweet on You series. This Series will probably {because you never know where life will lead} be a duet. It starts with Sweet on Wilde with Savannah and Parker’s southern, love story. Whiskey Nights follows Jake and Beth and it was fun to deeper explore these characters. Read the synopsis here:
One kiss. That’s all it takes to captivate me. Although I fight the emotions that surge through me when I feel his lips touch mine, I am too far gone. It’s impossible to hide from the truth; Jake sparks a fire that burns life into me.
Our passion ignites the southern nights, but when our wishes for the future put us on separate paths, I am forced to imagine a life without him. Fun whiskey nights turn into emotional whiskey escapes as I find myself alone and questioning what I truly want out of life—settling for less than perfect to acquire a life I imagined or chasing my happiness and giving up part of my dreams.
**This book is a standalone novel featuring characters that were introduced in Sweet on Wilde.**
My reading list this summer has included The Girl in the Comfortable Quiet by Susan Ward. This is the final installment of the Half Shell Series and the ending was perfect, but I know Ward has some twists up her sleeve with her next series.
I have also been reading the Wanted Series by Kelly Elliot and I’m in love! I’ll confess that Elliot’s books have been on my TBR for over a year. I have no idea why I hadn’t dug into them earlier, but I am so happy that I have had the time to get lost in the Texas countryside with my cowboys. I love all of them, and I am a major book whore at the moment. Of course, I’m going to have to jump to her Love Wanted in Texas Series next. My TBR keeps on growing and I am determined to read as many of them as I can this year.
Some exciting news: Restoring Us is on sale for .99 cents for a limited time on Amazon and B&N.
Join my group on Facebook, Fabiola’s Fab Reads, to talk books, my future releases, book boyfriends and giveaways!
Thank you all for being such amazing readers, supporters and friends. Enjoy the rest of summer and add some spice to it with your favorite book boyfriends {or girlfriends}.
Fabiola Francisco 