Is it Worth It?

By Katie Harper

I am a connoisseur of romance novels. I have boxes and boxes of them taking up space in my basement and I’ve read every single one. Why do I love them? Why are they so popular? The answer is simple, because we want to believe that romance novel life, those experiences are actually within the realm of possibility. But when you really think about it, do you really want that life?

The typical romance novel couple has more baggage than a house full of sorority sisters on Spring Break. The heroine’s heart has been broken, crushed, and literally trashed to the point that Ryan Gosling in full on ‘Hey Girl’ mode couldn’t penetrate her rock hard exterior. Of course the men don’t make it easy. They’ve been so crapped on by life, they make a sad country song seem like an appropriate option for hold music on a suicide hotline. Do you really want to endure all that they have prior to page one just for a happily ever after? Is it really worth it?

HELL YES! It’s totally worth it. I know, I’m living a romance novel. My first husband died on Christmas Day six years ago. I was 27 and had an 18 month-old daughter to take care of. After a lot of tears, why me’s, and several less than stellar life choices, I got to the point where I thought I was perfectly happy being single. I didn’t need anyone. I was fine on my own thank you very much (sound familiar). Then I met Mr. Perfect. I’m not kidding. He’s absolutely perfect, like he was built just for me. He’s kind, caring, helpful, patient, a wonderful father to my daughter, and holy crap he’s sexy as hell. He’s from Brazil. Do I really need to expound on anything after that? I think not. But I will. Not only is he all that and a case of chocolate wine, he had the balls to propose to me on the anniversary of my first husband’s death, Christmas Day. Some of you might see that as a little creepy. I saw it as raw courage. Sexy.

To answer the would you really want that life question, I will ask another, Would I change any part of my life? Not a single scene. I would endure having my heart ripped out a million times over if it meant I’d end up with my hero. I’d shed tanker trucks full of tears just for the chance that I might get him in the end. So, is it worth all the heart ache necessary to be a romance novel heroine? Abso-freaking-lutely.

Katie Harper started writing when two people showed up in her head and wouldn't leave until she told their story. They had a party, invited a few friends over. Now she spends her days doing the bidding of imaginary people. She lives in a city made for sin on the edge of a desert with her husband, two daughters, no pets and enough lemon bundt cake to give a refugee camp an obesity problem. Her first novel, Never Say Just, is available through Decadent Publishing.

Never Say Just

Haunted by her past of murder for hire and skinning people alive to gather vital intelligence, Kat Boudreaux wants nothing more than to hide away in her sprawling mansion with the love of her life--her daughter. But then Private Gump and his band of Bubbas land on her doorstep. Her brother and his unit of misfit Marines insert themselves with the misguided need to protect her from someone hell-bent on vengeance.

For Shooter, it's love at first sight, though he wouldn't be caught dead admitting it. When Kat is nearly fatally injured while saving his life, he knows he's found the woman for him. Together, they fight side by side to get to the bottom of the threats. Kat's daughter is kidnapped and this ex-assassin mom reverts back to old habits to save her. Saving Kat and her daughter is easy, taming the shrew that is Hell Kat Boudreaux might mean losing his favorite appendage.