While checking out the CNN website, I found an article (I forget the specifics) about a romance novelist and her outlook on her stories and her profession. She mentioned that many people assume that the words "romance novelist" equates to an awkward and celibate cat lady that sits alone in her house fantasizing about robust and well endowed men that will fall all over themselves to treat her like the queen that she is. In all honesty, I think I have had the same awkward assumptions.

Through the article though, it was revealed that the novelist in question is a fairly normal woman, with a happy married life, numerous children, and a successful career - a career that she is proud of because she believes that, amidst a "hook-up" culture, it is reminding people of what a relationship and a romance should be. Typically, the heroines are attractive, but more brains than beauty, unafraid to speak their minds and more than willing to give men a hard time because they know they are worth it. In comparison, the men are typically unaware that this soul mate is right under their noses, but they eventually seem to figure it out, and then treat them like royalty. True, the soft core porn is a perk, but at the same time, these romances are a funny breath of fresh air. Rather than a sex charged physicality, there is a connection on other levels as well, and there is a respect between the lovers in question. Maybe this novelist has the right idea.

I think she should take this and run with it, because maybe it's junk novels like these that should be recognized more often as something desirable. We should be reminded that connections should happen in the form of honest relationships rather than sex charged one night stands.