Please welcome author...Gina Ardito

What the World Needs Now Is Love, Sweet Love

A couple of decades ago, The Police had a hit song with When the World is Running Down, You Make the Best of What's Still Around. I don't know about everyone else, but with all that's going on these days: soaring gas prices, global warming, endless war, I sometimes feel the world is running down. So how do I make the best of what's still around?

I reach for a romance novel. Now, contrary to popular belief, I don't read romance because I'm some desperate housewife who believes that someday her white knight will pop off the Ajax bottle and whisk me away to a land of endless sex, wine, and chocolate. Though the idea does hold some appeal...

...Where was I? Oh, yeah, right. Romance novels amid the world's turmoil.

I've never understood the derision the genre creates in non-readers. There are plenty of things I don't enjoy that others do. The Three Stooges come to mind. But I don't automatically consider Stooge fans so out of touch with reality, they believe it's perfectly acceptable behavior to smack their friends on the heads with a ball-peen hammer.

Some of the greatest stories and legends in the world have a romance at the core. Ditto the most popular movies, theatrical productions, and songs. Yet the snark level is much lower in those versions of media. So why is romance acceptable in every other forum except printed on pages?

Is the cover art to blame? Then how do you explain advertisers using clinches and bare skin to sell everything from cars to cologne to sports drinks? We still buy the products, don't we?

Maybe it's the love scenes. After all, no one makes love, right? Okay, scratch that.

What could the naysayers know the rest of us don't?

Is it so totally unbelievable that two people might meet, overcome an obstacle or two, and become a united couple after the experience? God, I hope not. Because I think I've just described how most of us came into existence.

Reality check: In real life, I've never seen men who fight crime dressed as bats or spiders. Last I heard, no planes have gone down on a deserted island, stranding dozens of passengers (or just one passenger who likes to talk to a volleyball.) There has never been a dragon, an alien invasion, or a zombie. Except in our imaginations. And the advertisements on the back of comic books do not accurately depict the sea people you can buy and grow in your own sea-quarium.

But love? Love is what makes us people rather than humans. Love is what binds us one to another. Love is our creation, our ultimate gift, our hope, our future. Nowhere is love depicted better than in the wide spectrum of romance novels. And when the world starts running down, it's the best of what's still around.

Naysayers, take notice.

Fall in love...with your laugh! www.ginaardito.com
THE BONDS OF MATRI-MONEY available now!
A LITTLE SLICE OF HEAVEN available 6/27/08

* * * * * *

Disclaimer (because we don't have a choice): The views expressed by the guest blogger do not necessarily reflect those of The Deadly Vixens.

Please Welcome Author...Cynthia Rayne

The Deadly Vixens would like to welcome guest author Cynthia Rayne. Thank you, Cynthia for joining us this week.

Without further ado...


The Appeal of the Bad Boy

Romance novels are peppered with bad boy heroes. I think it may have started with Jane Austen's Willoughby. Technically, he was the villain, because he leaves the heroine high and dry but sometimes men like this can be irresistable. Willoughby had several bad boy characteristics: charm, recklessness, unpredictability, and a wicked sense of humor.Remember though, he ultimately wanted to marry her, but he would have been cut off completely. What kind of bad boy could do without his family fortune? Don't tell anyone, but I much prefer him to the dry (and let's face it) kind of boring Colonel Brandon. I always thought she should have had an affair with Willoughby at least.

Note: Now, I know to many Jane Austen fans, those are fightin' words, but it is just my opinion. :)


This bad boy phenomenon happens across the board in the romance genre. Most historicals are peppered with reformed rakes, lecherous lords, and irrepressible highwaymen. Paranormals have vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural studs that are brimming with bad boy behaviors (including some killers -- with a purpose of course!). This list goes on and on.

So why do we like these bad boys?

1. They don't make you fall asleep (see above!). Things are always exciting with a bad boy. Now, this excitement may include running away from the police, but...hey, at least you won't be bored, right?

2. Alpha Male Characteristics. They are "mad, bad, and dangerous" to know, just like Lord Byron (who is another bad boy) and he still thrills women today (just read his poem, "She Walks in Beauty, Like the Night" to find out why). They don't always do the right thing. They are aggressive, a little domineering (but in a reaaaallly sexy way), and do whatever the hell they went to do.

3. They Need You. Underneath all of this masculine behavior is a deliciously soft and almost completely hidden vulnerable side. Maybe they were hurt in the past by some woman (mothers, lovers) and are wounded. Nothing brings out a woman's nurturing side more.

The downside? They don't call when they say they will, they may not bring their wallet with them to dinner, and they may make "booty calls" late, late at night. Not to mention the risk of a heartache for you.

Maybe that is why women are so fascinated with them (safely within the pages of a romance novel of course). It is good to observe them from a distance and see a heroine ultimately reform them.

So...what about all of you? Who are your favorite "bad boy" heros? Why do you think women are so captivated by them?"

* * * * * *

Disclaimer (because we don't have a choice): The views expressed by the guest blogger do not necessarily reflect those of The Deadly Vixens.