Thanks for stopping in to comment at my guest blog and, grazie mille, Teresa, for hosting me today. This event is marvelous and you’ve worked so hard organizing it. Please extend mine and the Bellas’ appreciation to the UYS team for a job well done.

Santa, RIF and the Sendak! What great memories! I didn’t realize you were a relative newbie to romance as I am also. Isn’t it amazing how once you get hooked, you can’t help but immerse yourself? And I agree about the community. The women I’ve met online and IRL through romance have changed my life. I feel so lucky! Thanks for stopping to say hi!

I’m not sure exactly what the cause and effect is–all those HEAs make us happier, more positive people or happier more positive people enjoy the HEA.

I suspect that it works both ways to some extent. And it is great when we can bring all that positive energy together to make a difference for the rest of the world.

Thanks to everyone for your support!

And that’s why I read romance. Life, as short as it is, can be a trial at times and I am the ultimate escape artist. Romances, MGM musicals, romantic comedies. Bring ‘em on. It takes a great deal of talent to craft the gems of my heart and these authors, screen writers and such have my respect.

I also happen to think the romance writing and reading community is like no other. It is a tight knit community that welcomes everyone and anyone. It comes together to support causes such as this and so many others. In essence, the romance community is its own HEA.

Ciao for now!

MorganO, when I’ve praised e-books for their ability to allow one to read hands-free, I wasn”t really thinking knitting… I love how you share that you fantasized your own take on the story. That may be the difference between folks who love reading, and those who do it because they have to — the idea that we can manipulate the story in our minds after we’ve read it, make it our own as we keep it for years to come, as it affects our lives, or changes them. It’d be cool if there were a way to turn kids on to that aspect of it. Silly me, of course there’s a way, I’m just not an educator.

But first and foremost, I’m a reader. It makes me feel good, makes the ugly part of the world disappear for a bit, and I get to see things in a whole new way or learn something. Reading time is never wasted time. Especially when you read on the computer and knit at the same time!

That brings back memories. If anyone ever doubts to power of words they should think about how many lives have been touched by that simple book.

Then along came the kiddos and I was busy reading “Goodnight Moon” and “Pat the Bunny.”

I discovered romance novels a few years ago and it rekindled a long-abandoned dream of writing. I’ve met so many wonderful women through RWA, including the very lovely and gracious Michelle, and my dream is beginning to come true. I sold my 26th short story recently.

But I still read and love the feeling of hope that comes with a happily ever after ending to a book. It keeps me believing in the goodness of people and that love truly can conquer all. Of course, now that I’m a grandmother, I’m back to “Goodnight Moon” and “Pat the Bunny.” But as soon as she’s old enough, she’s getting the autographed copy of “The Princess Diaries” I got for her when Meg Cabot spoke at RWA. And when she’s even older, I’ll loan her some of my favorite romances and hook another generation on HEA.