Dec
14
    
Posted (chief) in General, Literature, Romance on December-14-2006

Romance Novels

Romantic stories are one of the best selling genres. They are mostly written and read by women. If a man reads romance novels, he’s not likely to admit it. The first ones were written by celebrated 19th century authors, such as Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice) and Charlotte Bronte (Jane Eyre). Emily Bronte wrote the wonderfully Gothic Wuthering Heights. These novels were of course, considered to be literary classics whereas most modern offerings are not.

The modern romantic book, as published by Mills and Boon etc., is pretty formulaic. Boy meets girl, boy loses girl and boy gets girl again. There is nearly always a happy ending and there are no graphic descriptions of bedroom scenes. The protagonists tend to be middle or upper class. There are often doctor and nurse scenarios and men have chiseled jaws and muscular arms. Historical romance is also popular, with opportunities for a lot of genteel courtship and brave fiancées marching to war in their neatly pressed uniforms. It’s easy to poke fun but these romance novels give pleasure to thousands of people. Fans want a bit of harmless escapism at the end of a busy day.

The English writer, Barbara Cartland was probably the most prolific of all the romance novels scribes. She famously dictated thousands of words a day, with her little dog on her lap. She only dressed in pink and prided herself on chaste heroines. We shall never see her kind again.

More recent novelists have tried to keep the genre alive but brought it into line with contemporary values. This has been dubbed chick lit and its leading light is the Bridget Jones books. She is a character for a modern generation, an independent career woman but one who freely admits to wanting a man in her life. There are shades of the Pride and Prejudice story in there, which brings romance novels full circle. It’s probably what Jane Austen would be writing, were she alive today.

Fans don’t seem to mind that they can guess what’s coming. They find it comforting in an unsettled world. The setting and time period probably don’t matter very much. It’s the relationship between the man and woman (it’s always a man and woman) that counts. Modern standards of behavior have changed significantly but there is still a demand for old-fashioned romance novels with clearly defined plots. Mr. Darcy is alive and well.



 
Dec
13
    
Posted (chief) in General, Romance, Travel on December-13-2006

Are you married? If there is one thing that is imperative in any marriage, it’s time together. Now, before you say anything, I just want to be clear on this issue. Time together does not involve family reunions; time together does not consist of family vacations; finally, time together does not involve the children at all. I am addressing time only spent with each other. Two people are involved total. Am I being clear enough on this one? Okay, I thought so. Anyway, this special time together may involve walks on the beach or in the park, weekends without the kids, cheap romantic vacations, or even a day at the spa. How does this all strike you? Yep, that’s what I thought; you can’t wait to ditch those kids now. It isn’t difficult finding getaway spots in this day and age. All you need handy is your laptop. Pop it open and punch in “cheap romantic vacations.” Google or Yahoo will take you all over the place. In fact, you might be pretty surprised at how far your dollar will go. Especially at the right time of year. Seasons make all the difference. Now, first of all; where would you like to go? Are you interested in a quick jaunt off to the big city for a weekend, or do the mountains tickle your fancy a bit more? It’s all a personal thing! When I think of cheap romantic vacations, I typically think of a drive up through a nearby state. My wife and I can pack a few things and head down to the Carolinas or up through New England. This is an utter blast; trust me. The main issue at hand is that you’re doing things together. That’s the way it should be. Cheap romantic vacations are the key to a successful marriage or relationship. Well, at least one of them anyway. Then there’s that whole communication thing, but that’s debatable. Or so I hear. Stop hitting up cheesy travel agents for cheap romantic vacations. They play no part in this scheme of things. In fact, I think they may have become obsolete. The World-Wide-Web is all you need in 2006. Let a massive search engine find you everything you possible need. Take a gander at the latest and greatest deals on cheap romantic vacations right now. Isn’t it time for that couple’s getaway?



 
Dec
12
    
Posted (chief) in General, Romance, Travel on December-12-2006

When we think of bed and breakfasts romantic packages relaxing images immediately pop into our minds. Choosing the right romantic vacation for you and your mate is not the most complicated task but it does take some consideration. Following are some ideas to help you find the bed and breakfast romantic getaway that is ideal for you.

The first thing to consider is location. Are you a couple who likes to spend hours snuggled up by the fire or do you prefer sandy beaches and hot, sunny days? Choosing bed and breakfasts romantic packages that suit your preference is easy if you choose the right location. After all, you don’t want to spend the entire time at the inn.

You definitely want to choose bed and breakfasts romantic packages that offer great dining options in the area. Whether you are a fan of fine dining or whether you prefer a picnic basket on the beach many bed and breakfast inns offer great ideas for their guests. You might opt for a simple meal in a quaint restaurant or you might find an inn that offers meals as well.

Finding fun things to do during the day might pose some challenges if you don’t read up on the bed and breakfasts romantic locations in addition to information about the inn. You might love the accommodations but find that there is nothing to do for miles around. Some may find that appealing but most like to have a scheduled activity when they vacation.

The next thing that you want to consider when organizing your romantic vacation is the style of the inn itself. Some couples prefer an old-fashioned inn that boasts all of the comforts of the classic home while other prefer cutting edge architecture and modern amenities. Bed and breakfasts romantic retreats should be determined by what appeals to your personal style.

The ideal location along with great dining, entertainment and comfortable accommodations work together to make some of the bed and breakfasts romantic packages too good to be true. Finding a wonderful destination is not always simple but the efforts you put into it will pay off.

No matter what you can be sure that any of the bed and breakfast romantic getaways will be perfect if you do a little planning in advance. You might find that there is more than one destination that appeals to you or you might find the one romantic inn that you return to year after year.



 
Dec
11
    
Posted (chief) in General, Relationships on December-11-2006

The infidelity rate in this country is getting out of hand. No wait; I take that back. The infidelity rate in this world is getting out of hand. After all, cheating is not necessarily an American thing. I’ve traveled to other countries, and I’ve certainly picked up on a few things here and there. Heck, in the Asian country I visited, it was practically socially accepted. However, in the good old U.S. of A, no one really accepts infidelity. Well, that is unless they’re nuts or married to someone filthy rich. Even the rich ones tend to ditch the relationships eventually. Anyway, the point is that this has become quite the pandemic. So what do we do about it? Do you know how to catch a cheating husband or wife? Would you stay in a relationship after you found out that they were unfaithful? This is a big issue that deserves extra attention because it isn’t going anywhere.

Okay, so you want to know how to catch a cheating husband or wife? This is not a difficult task in this modern age of technology. There are several routes you can take. First of all you could simply follow them yourself and see what’s up. If this is not at all convenient with your schedule, you could always turn to a professional. Have a private investigator do the dirty work. This is the ultimate way to get the facts and get them quickly. These folks know how to catch a cheating husband or wife. It’s what the do on a regular basis. Now, just a little warning; this will cost you some bucks. So be prepared to fork over some cash. Not everyone can afford the professional route. If this is the case for you, maybe you should consider planting a few devices. Ever heard of mini cameras and microphones? These nifty little innovations can really do the trick. Stick them in his/her vehicle, on a suit, in a brief case, or on a cellular phone. Heck, where ever you can. Just as long as it goes unnoticed. Find out what’s really going on when you’re not around.

I know how to catch a cheating husband or wife and I’m not even a professional. If you are in need of more tips and pointers on how to catch a cheating husband or wife, I suggest a few recent online articles. Find out all you need to know about infidelity on the web. You may be surprised at the current statistics concerning married couples. Over 50 percent admit that they cheat. That’s truly sad and pathetic.



 
Dec
10
    
Posted (chief) in General, Relationships on December-10-2006

So you realize you have a few relationships problems. This is the norm, my friend. I mean come on; we all have to realize this at some point in our lives. Maybe you and your spouse don’t agree on everything. Well, welcome to the club called everybody. Okay, I may have stolen that bit from Drew Carry. Anyway, this is the way it has to be. It all stems back to the fact that no two individuals are exactly alike. Hey, this is a good thing. We want diversity in our world. One thing I can tell you regarding relationships problems is that you can get assistance and advice from professionals. These days you can even acquire this online.

I personally have relationships problems. I don’t deny it one bit. I have some trouble with each of the girls in my household. Whether it’s my wife, my teenage daughter, or my seven year old daughter, there’s always something wrong. Now I know what you’re thinking at this point. In fact, the thought probably running through your head right now goes something like this; “You live with three girls? You poor bastard.” I know, I know; it can definitely be a challenge at times. In all honesty, when it comes to relationships problems for me, it typically concerns my wife. She is not exactly into compromise. This is what usually fuels our arguments. She certainly likes to have everything her way, and she has no trouble admitting it. That’s just the way it is for her. And she’s not satisfied until she has her way. Well, on the bright side of things, there is no passion if there is no anger. Am I right on this one? I think there has to be one for the other to exist. Or at least that is what a psychology professor told me. He claims that couples who never fight are either closing themselves off completely or simply not in love. You come to your own conclusions.

Now days you can acquire answers to relationships problems just by getting on the web. This is such a convenience, and I think everyone should take full advantage of it. Hop online and see if you can find valid answers to your queries. Although relationships problems will never cease to exist as long as humans are around, that doesn’t mean we have to live in the dark.



 
Dec
09
    
Posted (chief) in Dating, General, Relationships on December-9-2006

I think it’s safe to say that I’ve learned quite a bit about relationships in my 30 years. Granted, this is not exactly considered old and wise, but I have some data to offer. In fact, I think I can offer advice to either gender. What do you want to know about; relationships with men, or relationships with women? Although I’ve only been in relationships with women, I can offer some valuable advice to all the women out there regarding my testosterone-driven species. So, are you listening ladies? I am about to drop some serious relationship bombs on you. Afterwards you’ll know men a tad better.

Okay, when it comes to relationships with men, all you ladies should know a few things about our belching and gas-passing gender. It’s actually crucial to know these things if you truly expect your relationship to last the tests of time. First of all, we like to say what’s real. This mean that we hate to beat around the bush. Translated, if you have something to say or ask, just do it. Get right to the point or we may just avoid you out of spite. So, for example, if you want your man to get you a glass of wine, then don’t say something like “Wow, a glass of merlot sure would be nice right now.” Your boyfriend or husband is probably just going to nod with a “That’s great” look on his face and then go back to whatever it was he is doing. This is an imperative factor when it comes to relationships with men. If you need something from us, just spit it out. Then there is the whole communication issue. Now, no offense to all the females out there, but girls are notorious for keeping quiet and holding a grudge. If something is ticking you off, just say it. If you don’t, your guy will never know. He’s not a medium or mind reader. Communication is imperative!

So, there may be a few ladies out there who insist on more data concerning relationships with men. This is not a problem to say the least. There are oodles of articles online that address relationships with men. Find out what your man like and dislikes. Discover whether or not he is truly satisfied in the relationship. Hey, all of us men have to do this kind of stuff. It goes both ways.



 
Dec
08
    
Posted (chief) in General, Love on December-8-2006

Finding Love

Some people have no issues when finding love. Others seem to search their whole life and cannot find the one that makes their heart sing. Why it is so easy for some and so hard for others is a mystery. Because people are unique, their problems are just as unique, and finding love might be a matter of knowing where to look, or not knowing what you really want in the first place. You can meet a lot of people, but if you truly don’t know what you are looking for in another person, you can’t possibly know when you have met someone who could indeed be the one you want to love for the rest of your life.

Finding love used to be a matter of knowing the right people. Friends are often great ways to meet new people. When friends introduce you to someone, the battle of finding love is half over. If your friends know you well enough, they are going to hook you up with people they think you are going to like. If they keep striking out, however, you need to strike out on your own. You can go to bars, but finding love this way is hard. Many people in bars are looking for something less than a lifetime, and quite often the atmosphere in a bar is not conducive to finding love meant to last a lifetime.

There are many finding love on the Internet today, and the choices you have are more numerous than ever. It used to be something no one talked about, but today, people are more open about finding love online, and they are encouraging their single friends to do the same. The shame once associated with finding love this way is gone, and some very attractive and successful people are going about finding someone this way. If you sign up for an online dating site, you aren’t going to run into a pack of losers. You may find exactly what you are looking for in another person.

If you want to find love, look through a few dating sites before you commit. Some sites are free, but you might find more security in a site that has a subscription fee. Look through some of the profiles, and see how the site works before you sign up, and don’t be afraid to sign up for more than one if you so choose. Be honest about who you are when filling out your profile and don’t use someone else’s picture. Finding love has everything to do with honesty, and if someone contacts you based on false information in your profile, it is never going to work out.



 
Dec
07
    
Posted (chief) in General, Literature, Love on December-7-2006

Romance Publishers

Romance books are quite popular, even if most people won’t admit they read them. There are two different categories of romance, and most people have a preference. There are longer more detailed romance stories that stand on their own, and shorter books that are part of a line, like Harlequin. If you write, or want to write, romance books, you have to decide which type of romance publishers you want to submit your work to. If you get it wrong, you are going to get a rejection slip. A great resource for romance publishers is the Writer’s Market book. This book is put out yearly, and contains the names and information on all types of publishers. You can find most romance publishers listed in Writer’s Market, along with their contact information, what they accept as far as submissions, and all the other details you need to make sure you are submitting your manuscript in the proper form and to the proper person. This information is also available online if you don’t want to buy the book, but there is still a fee involved. For any serious writer, this is a wise investment.

You can also find romance publishers by looking in your favorite books. The publisher is listed near the front. You can then take that name and do an Internet search. The company probably has a website, and they may have their submission information listed there if you look. If they do not, you may need to get an agent. Some romance publishers only accept manuscript submissions for agents, and never directly from the author. If this happens, and you can’t find an agent, you may have to look somewhere else for romance publishers, or perhaps take a look at your work and see if you need to rewrite and polish your work. You will find that romance publishers operate just like publishers of any other written material. They expect you to follow their guidelines, and they want you to act in a professional manner.

Calling the company every day to see if they got your manuscript might not do you much good. In fact, it’ll probably have the opposite effect. If you really believe in your book, but keep getting rejections from romance publishers, you may just be submitting to the wrong people. This is where an agent can help you where you have failed in the past.



 
Dec
06
    
Posted (chief) in Dating, General on December-6-2006

Have you ever wondered what one of those online dating services was like? Well, now is your big chance to give one a shot. Heck, you might as well if you’re a single adult living in this day and age. In my personal opinion, it’s the best way to meet new and exciting people just like yourself. Just think about the countless possibilities. When you’re connected to the World-Wide-Web, you can basically put yourself in touch with anyone across the globe. Now that’s convenience and access at their best. The phenomenon of cyberspace dating services have blown up over the last few years. Everyone who’s single is getting in on the game.

It’s intriguing to ponder the possibilities of Internet dating services. Who could you possibly meet today? Maybe it would be some exotic beauty from a far off land. But don’t fret; a mere plane ticket can bring the two of you together in no time at all. Or, maybe you will use online dating services to pinpoint some amazing individual in your immediate or surrounding areas. This would probably be ideal. You could chat it up with them on IM for a while and then proceed with a date if you felt comfortable enough meeting in-person. That my friend is what’s so high-tech and awesome about Internet dating services. You only have to meet those you choose to meet. If there is clearly no spark between you, then simply click off your PC of Mac. It really is that easy. Probably one of the greatest advantages of online dating services is the narrowing process. How difficult is it to meet others who truly share your interests, goals and passions in life? I know that this is hard in the real world. However, with cyberspace dating services you can search for singles who share your views. Now that’s what I call having it your way.

To access new-age online dating services, just pop open Google.com and get started today. Punch in the key words “dating services” and you will be shocked by all the great and helpful results. We’re talking websites galore here. Isn’t it time you stopped hanging out on your own? Isn’t it time you found someone to share your life and dreams with? Delve into net-land and check out online dating services now. You’ll be glad you did.



 
Dec
05
    
Posted (chief) in General, Love, Relationships, Romance on December-5-2006

Love Story- A Romance Story of Your Very Own

When you want to write your own Love story, you have to remember that romance is never mapped out, and you have to let life take its course. It’s never easy to be alone, but you have to know that the right man or woman will come when the time is right. If you think too hard, and have a long, winding romance story in your mind of what things will be like, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. If you dwell too much on what you think is ideal, you may end up feeling cheated, and no one will ever measure up to your standards.

Your love story will be unique, just like you are. You won’t know how it will turn out until after all is said and done. So many people fall into dating with dreams of the ultimate romance. In reality, for a relationship to truly work, it takes hard work. Even the best romance story ends in compatible companionship, and a trusting love that is different from the initial rush. So many people think the initial ‘wild about you’, ‘can’t keep our hands off each other’ stage will last forever. It may seem this way when you read a romance story, but that simply isn’t reality.

If you are still single, but find your head full of romance stories, you should go ahead and write them out. This way, you get them out of your head, and you can see each moment in reality, not with the script in your mind. There are many people who love to write a good romance story, and this is because romance is something everyone craves, but even the most perfect relationships end up somewhat lacking in this department. It’s normal, and there is nothing wrong with you if this happens.

If you crave your own romance story, take your time and date before you commit to one person. You may know instantly that you have met someone who could be the one for you, but there is never any reason to rush. A good romance story is one that is full of faith, hope and understanding, and the main characters must trust and understand each other. Rushing down the aisle might only lead to disaster. You can’t push things, and if you are meant to be with someone, and your romance story is a keeper, you have all the time in the world. Enjoy getting to know each other so you don’t regret your decision a few years down the road.

In my case, after 8 years , I still hold firmly to the belief that Crystalis is the person for me. Now I don’t know if she is the perfect person for me, and I can never truly find out, except if I somehow experience each and every single one of the several billion women on earth. I however came to the decision that she is the one that I want to spend my lifetime making happy, and I am ready to do whatever it takes to have this dream come true.

Always remember, be patient in your situation too, life is not a dress rehearsal. Love like a child with innocence and sincerity, for if it is truly meant to be, your love story shall end up being all that you wanted plus more.