What's The Appeal?
The smell of the greasepaint, the roar of the crowd…there's nothing like the backstage bustle of a Broadway theater or the cheers of thousands at a concert to set the perfect mood for excitement, drama, and romance. The glamour of shiny costumes or exotic locales offers a unique experience for the average reader to savor after the kids are put to bed, or during a rushed lunch break.
Show biz romances offer readers a glimpse at another kind of lifestyle, often a more dynamic, exciting, and exclusive existence promising fame, fortune and happiness. The recent surge in reality television shows is a prime example of our celebrity-obsessed culture, with many average Joes and Janes hoping for
a shot at the big time or at least their requisite 15 minutes of fame. Though insiders know the television, film and music industries are more about hard work, discipline and sacrifice than glamour or glitz, the illusion of these industries is that that person you see on stage or screen lives the same charmed life as the character they're portraying. The idea of escaping into a perfect world where the bills are never due and the house doesn't need cleaning and Prince Charming is just waiting to sweep you off your feet is surely a tempting one.
There's a great line uttered in the 1993 film "Sleepless in Seattle" by a pre-TV talk queen Rosie O'Donnell to Meg Ryan's character, who is rhapsodizing over the romance of the classic film "An Affair to Remember." Rosie says to Meg, "You don't want to be in love. You want to be in love in a movie." And don't we all? Isn't that the reason why we love romance novels? The heroes are manlier men who sweep us off our feet (and never forget to put the toilet lid down), the women are gorgeous with nary a hair out of place or makeup smudged, and every romance is "the one," guaranteed to deliver a happy ever after.
Authors' Thoughts...
Nancy Bartholomew:
"I figure, if you're going to have an adventure, live large! Go for all the gusto you can get! I don't want a romance set at my neighborhood pool!
I want the limo, the glitz, the gown, the cameras, the lights, and baby, I want the action with a capital A!" Nancy recommends Midnight Hour by Mary Saums, about a Nashville sessions singer, as well as anything by Kinky Freidman.
Tracy Cozzens:
"What is it about actors that captures our imagination? Our most popular male stars are masculine, yet vulnerable—Harrison Ford, John Travolta, and David Duchovny are a few of my personal favorites. Like romance heroes, these men spark our fantasies." Tracy recommends The Girl in the Mirror by Mary Alice Monroe, a story about a community theater director who becomes a star.
Nikki Holiday (AKA Hailey North):
"I enjoy writing about the movie/TV world because it's so magical. Do you remember the first time you went to a theatre and all around you was darkness and suddenly the curtains part and the screen lights up and you are ushered into a make-believe world larger than life? I find the business fascinating." Nikki recommends Honey Moon by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
Life Upon the Wicked Stage
Show business settings add magic, excitement and drama to any romance. Incidentally, many of the authors listed below have dabbled in the television, film or music industries themselves, before becoming an author, so these ladies know their stuff!
-Constance Martin
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