LDS Romance Novels and Why We Love Them!


chelseacurranauthor
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My name is Chelsea Curran and I'm a newly published author! My first book "Unseen Road to Love" comes out April 11th, and I wanted to have the chance to connect with all my fellow LDS romance readers about the books we love so much, and why they make our hearts sing.

I'm a young single adult and spent the last six years trying to figure out the ins and outs of love. At 18, my parents decided to divorce. It wasn't messy, but it struck a raw nerve that forced me to see that growing up, the evidence of their love wasn't consistently present, especially later in their marriage. It was when my mother had agreed with the quote, "Love is what's leftover after the passion and the romance dies" that I wondered if love was even worth pursing. My parents were grieving over so much emotional heartache that it left me with very little hope for myself.

At the time I wasn't much of a reader besides enjoying the "Harry Potter series" or "Twilight", and my friends took it upon themselves to introduce me to the wonderful world of LDS literature. Over the past six years, I've read roughly 450 romance novels. Most LDS, others Christian themed or morally based. During this time of intense romantic study, I gained the perspective of literally dozens of authors and their take on what love is truly about. It's one thing to watch a movie where actors portray a feeling on behalf of the writer, but it's another to dive deeply into the thoughts of someone who truly believe love does exist and can be found.

Over time, I started gaining my own dating experience and began to apply what was real and what was fantasy based on what I read. What's amazing is that I was able to relate to LDS romances, not just for the obvious reasons, but because each story contains a certain amount of realism in love. If anybody knows of Anita Stansfield, then they know her content contains a lot of trials that people overcome not just in love, but in life. They are stories that people can relate to, such as dealing with divorce, infidelity, death, illness, etc., specifically in the church. These topics are disheartening, but real and allow people to feel a certain empathy in a situation where they lack emotional support. What's even better is that she applies gospel teachings in a realistic example to show how people can heal from it.

Of course there others that are just plain fun and put a comedic twist on issues that are my entire life. Living in the single's ward, my lifestyle is every bit as cheesy, dramatic, complicated and awesome as the books are. Finally, I was able to relate to something in bigger ways than "Twilight". Not to bag on "Twilight" but I think you know what I'm talking about.

Overtime, as I obtained my own philosophies and writing skills from education and observation, I decided to write my own novel. Gradually I gained more experience in life, refining my ways in how to deal a good story, but more importantly, I learned how to tell a real story directed to the hearts of people who feel the things as I do. I didn't have a big voice growing up, but this was my chance to say something that I learned from all my fellow authors out there. LOVE IS REAL AND ITS FANTASTIC...IF YOU WORK FOR IT. As a teen, I had little hope for it as I blossomed into adulthood, but I had authors willing to share their voice, who gave me what I needed to move forward with confidence and understanding in finding someone to experience it with. I wanted the chance to do the same for others, and so I wrote a story inspired by real events and people who have changed my life for the better. Cedar Fort Publishing felt I did just that!

If you want to know more, check out my website chelseacurranauthor.com or search my LDS romance novel "Unseen Road to Love" on Amazon, available for preorder. My friend and I also have a web show on YouTube called "Words on the Rocks" where we talk about dating in the singles ward and even reenact the awkward dating stories people send us. So tell me...what is your favorite LDS romance novel, and why?

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I can't really say I read romance novels, the closest probably would be either the Work and the Glory series, or the Yorganson's Bishop's Horse Race series (The Bishop's Horse Race, Brother Brigham's Gold, Seven Days for Ruby).  My wife's favorite romances are all Jane Austin stories (I think she favors Emma more than the others though).

I think it's awesome that you are getting a book out.  It looks like it takes a LOT of effort and dedication to get a book written.  Congratulations on writing it and getting it out there to be bought!

I am curious as to what all you did to get published on Amazon.  What are the steps.  Does one fill out a form, are there costs, what is involved with it?  I would like to write a book someday (but not a romance book, more like a children's book) and am curious how one would go about getting it out there, published, advertised and all the rest, along with what options are available.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

It's been quite a project, but the process I went through was with the LDS based company, Cedar Fort Publishing. I sent them my information, a query letter explaining what the book was about and a little about my background. Every publishing site will require one and there's a lot of 'how to' sites that will tell you the proper format in writing a query letter, which is much like a cover letter requesting a job interview. So a lot goes into it. I also sent a sample of the book I wanted published, and waited about six months for a response. After they expressed their interest, a contract was signed and the publishing process commenced. A lot of awesome people came together to come up with a title, cover, and give me marketing ideas. It was my job to give them all the requested info they needed to come up with it, and also get my name out there. My advice to do so some research, after writing your children's novel, search for a company and editor looking for your content, and go for it! And keep trying. It took dozens of submissions to get picked, but if you go the self publishing route, that's great too. I can't say I know much about it, but this is an option I highly recommend.

On 3/28/2017 at 1:16 AM, JohnsonJones said:

 

I am curious as to what all you did to get published on Amazon.  What are the steps.  Does one fill out a form, are there costs, what is involved with it?  I would like to write a book someday (but not a romance book, more like a children's book) and am curious how one would go about getting it out there, published, advertised and all the rest, along with what options are available.

 

 

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I'm more of a fan of romantic comedy relationships that aren't about conflict between the man and woman, but about the couple having conflict with others, and they have to work together to get over the conflict.  Mad About You or Undercover Blues are perfect examples.  It's romantic comedy, but it is much more about the comedy and pretty consistent in the love part, without so much "tension" in the relationship.

Most stories that center around romance are about creating tension or conflict between the couple and having them fall in love in the end.  I don't appreciate those stories like I did when I was a kid.

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