This week: Make it Modern! Edited by: StephBee - House Targaryen  
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“And the idea of just wandering off to a café with a notebook and writing and seeing where it takes me for a while is just bliss.” – JK Rowling
“The art of writing is the art of discovering what you believe.” – Gustave Flaubert
Can you believe that June is here? Where has the year gone? The Summer Solstice will be upon use on Wednesday, 21 JUN. When I think of summer romance, I think of easy days, fun times, adventure in the outdoors, and falling in love over BBQ, the beach, and camping. Summer is a great time to disconnect a little (hopefully you’re able to get out) and get in touch with your vibe and nature.
Father’s Day is coming up and I’d like to wish all those Dads out there a great day. 
Last month I offered a poll, “Why do you buy a Romance Story?”
The top answer was: “I enjoy the characters and like watching them fall in love.”
Coming in 2nd: “I love daydreaming and visualizing the scenes.”
Thanks for taking the poll, it’s much appreciated.
I have a new poll for you this month and I can’t wait to see what wins.
As I was researching this newsletter, the thought of summer kept teasing me and brought me back time and again to the genre of contemporary romance. So this month I thought I’d look at contemporary romance and those little hints that signal he (or she) just may be into you.
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| ASIN: B07YJZZGW4 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 19.99
Not currently available. |
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WHAT IS CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Well, the first thing that comes to mind is that it’s a modern romance. What is modern? Well, there’s different views. One website I visited stated it was a romance set after World War II. Most websites will tell you any romance set after 1970, and Romance Writers of America will tell you anything 1950’s and after with a focus on the romantic relationship. I would venture to say a contemporary romance is a story with a focus on the modern day. The story should also focus on current conventions and take a modern approach. Contemporary romance are always a favorite with readers.
DEMOGRAPHICS
The target age of a contemporary romance reader used to be 35-54, but now it’s 18-54. I’m always curious why it tops out after 54. According to https://authorcygnetbrown.com/tag/demographics-of-romantic-readers/
As of 2015, 64.6 million readers read romance. In the referenced article, she tops out at 64. But if you apply the same concept, then 70 percent of romance readers are between the ages of 18-54.
Interestingly, as of 2017 Romance Writers of America show the following:
82 percent of romance readers are female. Romantic suspense, Erotic, and Historical are the most popular subgenres, and 86 percent of readers are heterosexual, 9 percent are bi-sexual, and 2 percent are gay/lesbian.
WHY DEMOGRAPHICS MATTER WHEN IT COMES TO APPEALING TO READERS
As a romance writer, the wider your target audience, the wider your appeal, and the appeal of a contemporary romance is how a couple, falling in love, tackle modern problems, as well as older romantic problems (think Romeo and Juliet) with modern day twists. Applying theory, you’ll catch 70 percent of fish, ah, readers in the 18-54 age range.
HINTS
So when you’re reading a romance, what are those little hints that tell you the characters are attracted to each other? Those subtle little hints include the girl turning her body toward the guy, the guy making eye contact, a gentle touch of the hair, reaching out to squeeze a hand, a light touch on the arm/elbow. Those little gestures mean a lot.
Question for you: What was that first hint you detected when you met your significant other? Was it lingering eye contact. A gentle squeeze of the hand? Write in and I’ll share in my next newsletter.
References:
https://www.rwa.org/Online/Romance_Genre/About_Romance_Genre.aspx#Romance_Reader...
https://authorcygnetbrown.com/tag/demographics-of-romantic-readers/
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| ASIN: 0910355479 |
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Amazon's Price: $ 13.99
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Feedback from my Romance/Love Newsletter Dated: 16 MAY 2023:
Elisa the Bunny Stik 
Honestly when it comes to romance stories blurbs don't really get me to buy a book. I'll usually first consider a book based on something I hear about either the character(s) or a concept that is explored (such as a romance that actively details consent). I'll read a blurb more to get a sense of the plot I'm stepping into, but I'm more interested in other stuff pertaining to the story.
Thanks for sharing. I appreciate more complex characters, but sometimes, I just want to escape. A blurb helps in that area, especially if I’m not familiar with the author or the period. Consent is important and it’s something I prefer as well.
Siobhan Falen 
Book Blurbs absolutely help me decide if I'm buying the book. I've been reading a lot of Indie Horror and if the blurb is a mess, I have a hard time believing they did well at writing their story. The blurb is your bait and if you can't figure out the bait, how are you gonna be a good fisherman?
Good obs. I’ve seen some of the books my husband picks up on Kindle (mind you not romance, he’s more sci-fi or fantasy) but if that blurb is a mess it’s usually indicative of the content.
Lilli 🧿 ☕ 
Actually, I do read the blurb, and if it sounds enticing, I am more likely to read the book.
Princess Megan Rose GOT Fox  
I guess a blurb tells you what a story is about. It gets the reader's attention. I had to write what my published books were about and I hope it enticed readers. Good info in this letter. Informative and holds the reader's interest. Thanks for including my Contemporary romance story in this Newsletter.
A good blurb should get the reader’s attention and entice them to buy the book. Glad you found the newsletter informative.
s 
BBQ recipe:
Chicken thigh fillets cut up into bite-sized chunks. Marinate them overnight in rice bran oil, crushed garlic and a little ginger. (My son also adds a little fresh chilli.) BBQ them so they're cooked through. Serve on BBQed "plates" of capsicum. These are just large hunks of capsicum that are quickly heated and charred without being burnt.
Great BBQ finger food, like a BBQ entree.
Wow, that sounds really good! I’m going to try that soon!
StephBee - House Targaryen is a 911 Dispatcher for LAPD. Her summer romance, "Arrow Through the Heart" is now avail on Amazon. Ella is a tennis pro who wants to win. Logan is the hometown boy who enjoys his easy-lifestyle. When danger thrusts together, can Logan keep Ella safe from a stalker?
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| ASIN: B07K6Z2ZBF |
Product Type: Kindle Store
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Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
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Romance/Love: June 14, 2023 Issue [#12012]
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