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Friday, August 8, 2014

Guest Blog: Berengaria Brown: Lesbian Romance Doesn't Sell...So Why Write It?

It was Georgette Heyer who addicted me to Regency romance, and my first Regency-set romance was dedicated to her. But I have also always been fascinated by the strong women of history. In a time when women had almost no rights at all, every now and then a woman overcame every obstacle to guide her people.

One of those was Queen Elizabeth I of England to whom my latest Regency-set erotic lesbian romance, has been dedicated:
In memory of Queen Elizabeth I of England—a woman who refused to let her gender stand in the way of achieving her hopes and ambitions, and who ruled her country better than any man of her time could have done.

Other women who come to mind are:
Marie Curie, Queen Victoria, Joan of Arc, Cleopatra, Mother Theresa, Eleanor of Aquitane, Aspasia of Miletus, Boadicea, Catherine the Great, Sappho, Florence Nightingale, and in our own day, Aung San Suu Kyi. Of course, you will all have your own lists.

My only female cousin was thirteen years older than me, so by the time I was old enough to know she was my cousin, she already seemed completely grown up to my little girl self. One by one my cousins got married but Bron didn’t. I longed for her to tell me she was engaged because I planned to ask to be her flower girl, but all that happened was that she took a job in a state a long way from where we lived. I was much older before I understood that she and her female best friend were closer than that. And it as even longer before I understood that where she and her lover had chosen to live was a state that accepted lesbians.

It was Bron who opened my eyes to the obstacles that two women face in finding their own happy ever after even today. I’m so glad she and Nancy found theirs in the end.

People say that lesbian romance doesn’t sell, that it’s stupid to waste my time writing it when my male-male and ménage stories will earn me more money. But every now and then I write another lesbian romance. All my lesbian erotic romances are based on the idea of women overcoming difficulties to achieve their happy endings. Because all women deserve to find their happy endings.

And, just to prove everyone wrong, “Women in Love” was an All Romance ebooks best seller.


BLURB:
Tammy has been lusting after Lydia for ages. They attend the same gym and Tammy makes sure she’s there when Lydia goes. Lydia recently turned forty and has realized that there’s more to life than a career. She’s aware of Tammy’s interest in her and decides it would be good to get to know Tammy better and see what develops.

Damaris has loved Larnie for a long time, but Larnie’s unwilling to commit to a true relationship. They end up joining the gym together, and Larnie’s very nervous about taking this step.

Will these women deny what's in their hearts or will they find love?

Buy link:
http://www.evernightpublishing.com/women-in-love-by-berengaria-brown/

BIO:
Berengaria is an award-winning, best-selling, multi-published author of erotic romance with over one hundred published digital, print and audio books. She writes contemporary, paranormal (magic, ghosts, vampires, fairies, dragons, and werewolves), futuristic, medieval, and Regency-set historical. She loves to read all different kinds of romance so that is what she writes: MMF, MFM, FMMM, FFM, MM, FF, and MF. Whatever the characters need for their very hot happily-ever-after, Berengaria makes sure they get it.

http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/
http://berengariabrown.com/

17 comments:

Fran Lee said...

Thanks so much for an interesting and provocative post!

Berengaria Brown said...

Thank you, Fran. Berengaria

teresa said...

I'm happy for you aunt and best wishes to you. I believe we should follow our hearts and HEA is just around the corner.

Berengaria Brown said...

Thank you, Teresa.
Berengaria

E.A. Reynolds said...

I have heard lesbian romance didn't sell well too. I took the chance and wrote one as well. I think strong women do get overlooked too as we are so focused on strong men.

Sam Cheever said...

Sometimes you have to write the book of your heart, even if you know it won't sell. Being a writer isn't all about the money. Keep writing what speaks to you. If the market catches up, all the better. In the meantime you'll have a body of work that your're proud of.

Kayelle Allen said...

Write what you love and the book is its own reward. And isn't a hoot when other good things come with that? :)

Paris said...

The book of your heart will always remain a favorite, even if it doesn't sell well. Who people choose to love isn't as important as how they love. I hope to one day see a market where the designation of romance is all that is needed to sell the story.

Molly Daniels said...

My family wasn't happy with me when they learned I was writing my bi-curious book, Searching For Love. I felt it had to be included, since homosexuality was still 'hidden' in the late '80s, and felt my roommate's story needed to be told. Even though my others are doing better, I'm still happy I wrote it.

Melissa Keir said...

I think it's funny to say that Lesbian stories don't sell. If you talk to Lucy F., her books are all top sellers. Also my one Lesbian story still sells better than my m/f romances.

My aunt was a surgeon and I didn't get it until I was older either that she lived with her girlfriend. It wasn't talked about. I'm glad she took the chance to be happy in a time where it was frowned upon. Thanks for sharing your post. I loved it!

jean hart stewart said...

You gotta write what you care about..No way else will you write well..

Cara Marsi said...

I really like your post. Very inspiring. I'm glad your cousin found happiness and someone to share her life with. I love the cover of your book.

Berengaria Brown said...

E.A., I'm glad you wrote the story you wanted to. And I hope one day it does sell well for you.
Berengaria

Berengaria Brown said...

Thank you, Sam, Kayelle, and Paris for your good wishes and good advice.
Berengaria

Berengaria Brown said...

Molly, I'm so glad you told your roommate's story.
Berengaria

Berengaria Brown said...

Melissa, I'm so glad your aunt found her happy ending just like my cousin did.
Berengaria

Berengaria Brown said...

Thank you, Jean and Cara.
Berengaria

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