The Gift of Romance Novels by Jan Scarbrough

A romance novel or romantic novel is a type of novel and genre fiction which places its primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and usually has an “emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.” Wikipedia

A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work. A writer can include as many subplots as he/she wants as long as the love story is the main focus of the novel. Romance Writers of America

I don’t want to concentrate on the plot of a romance novel, but an emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending. We all know how the novel will end—the guy gets the gal. We feel good about their struggles when they end “happily ever after.” My first editor told me to make my ending more emotionally satisfying. I went back and wrote another ending.

In Kentucky Flame, Mel and Jake reunite after ten years. During the story, Jake learns Cory is his daughter.

“We need to tell Vanessa. Cory is her responsibility.”

Jake frowned. “Isn’t that a cop-out?”

“It may be,” Mel said with a shrug. She climbed down from the fence. “But maybe we can’t make a happy ending out of this.”

Looking thoughtful, Jake put a fingertip under her chin and lifted it. “I don’t know about that. I’m all for happy endings, remember? Dreams do come true.”

“If you make them come true,” Mel finished for him and walked away from him toward the barn.

He hurried to catch up. “I think we can begin to make this turn into a happy ending if you’ll say you’ll marry me.”

She stopped and turned to face him. “This is not time for one of your jokes, Mr. Hendricks.”

“I’m not joking.”

“You can't say that to me in the middle of the driveway.”

“I can ask you to marry me anywhere I please. Remember, I love you.” Jake laughed and cupped her face into his hands. His lips descended upon hers in a liquefying kiss. “I love you, you stubborn woman.”

“Oh,” Mel sputtered, hardly able to think.

Jake lifted his head. “I’m assuming you love me too.”

Mel’s response was breathless. “Of course.”

“And I'm assuming you’ll finally marry me.”

Mel threw her arms around his neck. “Of course, I will.”

“Terrific!” Laughing, Jake scooped her off her feet in a powerful embrace and performed an awkward pirouette.

Her blood rushing in her ears, Mel savored his exhilaration, the safety of his arms, the very thrill of the moment. When she came down to earth, she pushed away ever so slightly and turned her gaze up to touch his face.

“We still haven’t solved our problem,” she told him seriously.

Jake took a deep breath. “Yes, I know. You’re right about talking with Vanessa first, but I think someday Cory has to be told the truth. Besides, whatever happens from now on is our problem, one we work on together.” He hugged her. “Bargain?”

Mel nodded her head. “Bargain.”

With his arm around her shoulder, Jake drew Mel toward the wide entrance of the barn only for them both to be brought up short. High above them in the hay loft with her legs dangling over the side of the opening and an irrepressible smile on her face sat Cory. Had she heard them talking?

Jake squeezed her shoulder and grinned up at Cory. “What are you doing up there, kiddo?”

“Watching you guys.”

Mel’s breathing quickened. “Did you hear what we said?”

Cory’s face fell. “No. You all were too far away. But I saw you kissing.” She brightened. “Are you going to get married?”

Mel and Jake exchanged guilty glances. “Yes.”

“It’s about time,” Cory said with a matter-of-fact little nod.

Mel’s shoulders sagged with relief. “So, why would do you want us to get married?”

“Because you’re my family,” she told them.

Mel’s mouth went dry, and she really thought her heart would crumble. Once more Jake squeezed her shoulder for support.

“How do you figure that?”

“You’re part of my barn family. You know, Vanessa and Pop and Major.”

“I see.” Jake nodded his head.

Her blue eyes were serious. “Besides, if you get married, you’ll stick around.”

“You’d like that?”

“Yep.”

His gaze rested on Mel like a blessing. “We’d like that too, wouldn’t we, Mel?”

She looked up at him. “Yes, we would.”

Jake turned back to Cory. “Well, kiddo, if you plan to show in Kansas City this November, you’ve got a lot of work to do. Hop down and the two of us will give you a riding lesson.”

As Cory scrambled down from the hayloft, Jake kissed the top of Mel’s hair. “It’s going to work out,” he said in a hushed voice, so Cory wouldn't hear. “Thank you so much for giving me my daughter.”

Tears clouded Mel’s eyes and joy caressed her heart. Whispering close to his ear, her response was like a kiss. “You were right. Sometimes dreams do come true.”

I contend that romance novels give us hope.

Hope: desire accompanied by expectation of or belief in fulfillment

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hope

If you have hope, you think everything will turn out okay—something good is going to happen.

Without hope, we’d have despair.

Despair: utter loss of hope

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/despair

I argue that without hope, we humans are lost. We’d be unable to survive the trials and tribulations of life. Sure, our earthly problems teach us lessons. There’s probably a reason for them in the long run, but without hope that life will get better, we’d be bogged down in our troubles. We’d have no optimism.

Right now, I’m optimistic Christmas holidays will be better than Thanksgiving. My husband and I ate dinner alone without our family. I have hope I’ll be able to see my grandchildren at the end of December. 

After all, my online shopping needs to be delivered!