What Do Women Want? by @JoanReeves #RomanceGems

I've been thinking about a married couple who are perilously close to splitting apart—except the husband doesn't know this.

No, I'm not talking about me and my husband. *g*

**Giveaway Alert**

**Details at End of Post**

Actually, the man and woman whose relationship is on the skids are imaginary—fictional characters who are enticing me to write their story.

You see authors think about characters as if they're the people next door.

Back to my story idea. When dense hubby learns he's skating on thin ice, he's bewildered and asks, "What is it you want?"

This made me laugh because I immediately thought about what Sigmund Freud famously said, "The great question that has never been answered, and which I have not yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is 'What does a woman want?'"

I'm pretty sure Freud never asked his wife that question even though he and she had been married 53 years.

If he had, Mrs. Freud could have told him precisely what she wanted whether it was "Pick up after yourself, Siggy," or "Romance me into bed."

What Women Want

The women characters we create have wants hidden deep inside. Allowing her to voice her wants and needs is part of her growth from the beginning to the end.

In my novel Romeo and Judy Anne, high school principal Judy Anne Palmer wants to stop being the oldest virgin north of the Rio Grande.

Her attempt to accomplish that kicks off the story action, but what she really wants is a real life. To do that, she needs forgiveness. From herself.

Luckily, her one-night Romeo isn't one-night material, and that's when Judy Anne's life gets very complicated.

What Women Say About What They Want

"Every woman wants a man who'll fall in love with her soul as well as her body." —Rainbow Rowell

"What women want is what men want. They want respect." —Marilyn vos Savant

"Women want to see the truth. They don't want to see some perfect girl." —Reese Witherspoon

"Women want love to be a novel, men want it to be a short story." —Daphne du Maurier

"Women want to talk first, connect first, then have sex. For men, sex is the connection. Sex is man's language of intimacy." —Esther Perel

"Women want to be treated as equals, not sequels." —Kathy Lette

"Many men honestly do not know what women want, and women honestly do not know why men find what they want so hard to comprehend and deliver." —Deborah Tannen

"I don't think any woman wants to be known for being beautiful or busty. I think you want to be known for who you are." —Jamie Lee Curtis

"Every woman wants to be first to someone, sometime in her life and that desire is the explanation for many strange things women do." —Eleanor Roosevelt

Dave Barry sums it up very nicely.

"What women want: To be loved, to be listened to, to be desired, to be respected, to be needed, to be trusted, and sometimes, just to be held."

Judy Anne doesn't know she wants that, but she definitely needs it. Romeo and Judy Anne, ebook available on Kindle and audio on Audible.

Popup Giveaway

Right now, what do you want? Leave your answer in Comments along with your email addy written out. (Keep it PG 13.) *g*

All of the eligible comments will be entered in a Random Drawing. The winner will be contacted by email.

This Giveaway is open through midnight, Thursday, January 23, 2020. Winner will be announced by January 25, 2020.

The Prize if Winner is in Continental U.S.A.

A spiral bound journal in which you can write a list of what you want and show it to your honey. Forget hints. Just show your sweetie the list. Or not. *LOL*

The Prize if Winner is outside the Continental U.S.A.

An ebook copy of Romeo and Judy Anne.

Oh, I need to finish the Dave Barry quotation. Being one of the greatest humorists ever, he ended his answer to what women want with what men way: "What men want: Tickets to the World Series."

A Quiet Hero by Kara O'Neal

Growing up, I've had many people in my life who became heroes to me. In my childhood, I stood in awe of police officers and firemen, soldiers and EMT personnel. And I am still moved by their sacrifices and courage.

But as I matured and went through many ups and downs, I discovered heroism exists in others, as well. There's something to be said for the person who listens quietly while you fall apart. Or those who speak for you when you can't find the words. Those who encourage you, even when they are suffering with their own troubles.

And there are those who have trials greater than your own, who manage to handle these problems without resentment or anger. Not that people who are having difficulties can't show their anger and frustration. But I'm always amazed by the person who stands as a lighthouse in the midst of their storm.

One such person was my brother...

                                         My brother          My husband



He is the youngest of four children. His older siblings are all girls. Can you imagine that? All the drama he had to deal with? All the silliness and the talking?

When we were growing up, I never thought any of the above might bother him. He always seemed happy to go along with us, falling into whatever what we got ourselves into. But at some point in my growing-up years, I realized strong emotions, when dealt with regularly, can irritate even the best of us.

Still, knowing this, I can count on one hand the number of times I've ever seen him lose his temper or his patience. He is thirty-seven. I am forty-three. That's a lot of years and a lot of suffering that has gone by without a word of censure from him.

And watching him, I learned a great lesson.

There is no reason to treat anything with anger or resentment. You can get better results by being patient. By listening. By waiting.

Perhaps he discovered this as a child, when he had to work so hard to learn to talk and walk.

My brother had Febrile Convulsions as an infant. Also known as seizures. His doctors said he'd never walk or talk, but that's not what happened. Oh, it took him longer than others, but with a quiet and solid strength, he overcame his illness. And he's extremely successful now and played 13 years of soccer and graduated from Texas A&M, gaining a degree which allows him to make more money than I do.

All this said, he was the inspiration behind one of my favorite heroes, Thomas Miller. Thomas is the brother of three spinster sisters in The Miller Brides. It's quite obvious Thomas longs for peace from his very chatty household, but he never loses his temper with his sisters. In fact, he is their protector, their support. It might make him cranky -- crankier than it ever made my brother -- but Thomas gives all to his sisters, and walks each of them down the aisle.

My brother and my character, Thomas Miller, are heroes without putting their lives on the line daily. They support and care and protect with a quiet, steady demeanor and allow their sisters to be the ladies they choose to be. I love my brother, and I will always appreciate what he has taught me.

You can purchase The Miller Brides here:

Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Kobo
Google Play
iTunes 
Book Bub

You can find me at the following places:

Website: www.karaoneal.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KaraONeal84/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KaraONealAuthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7278350.Kara_O_Neal
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/karaoneal7/  

Besties by Kathryn Hills #RomanceGems

I’ve spent a great deal of time this month thinking about wonderful people as we celebrate heroes and she-roes here at Romance Gems. All very inspiring! And I must say, I’m truly blessed by the number of great people I know and have loved. But it got me thinking about how our relationships and friends change over time.

As a kid growing up in a suburban neighborhood, my best friend was Diane, the spunky little red-headed girl down the street. We attended the same elementary school, walked there together every day. Goofy kids that played for hours until someone’s mom called us home. She was my first sleepover (I didn’t make it through that first night; my dad had to pick me up) and my first business partner.
(Our lemonade stand rocked because our street was busy) There were many best friend firsts for us, so I was heartbroken when her family moved away.

Eileen was my next close friend. We swore allegiance, drawn together by an undying love for David Cassidy and Donny Osmond, and our hatred of dodgeball. (Hey, that was important stuff back then) Yet Eileen moved on to one school and I to another, and we grew apart.

Fast forward to when Karin was my soulmate. We loved all animals—dogs, rabbits, (Karin had two bunnies she walked on leashes!) and especially horses. It was alongside her I became an avid rider. Together we faced Jr. High and High School and stuck like glue, surviving boyfriends, proms, Driver’s Ed, and graduation. College led to our first jobs, careers, houses, kids... Until long distance and life took their toll on our “glue.”

Yet special friends and relationships found me again in the most wonderful ways. I met a dear friend on a business trip to California. (We bonded over chocolate and wine) I gained a great friend through my daughter’s school when our kids shared a cookie. (I’m sensing a trend here 😊) Later, things I love led to friendships. My writing, for example, led me to a community of outstanding people. Same with the paranormal community. From road trips, conferences, and weird encounters in NYC elevators to discovering history’s mysteries, calling aliens, and exploring haunted locations—we’ve shared some wild adventures!

It’s no surprise friendships play an important role in my novels. Amelia Pennington and Rose Bartlett from Hellfire and Handbaskets are a great example. These best friends confront the challenges of medical school in 1895 Boston—a daunting task for any woman of that time period. All society—even their loving family members—have a distinct notion of how women should behave, and these two defy all of it. Or, do they? Plus, talk about a long-distance friendship! Amelia and Rose become separated by the most unforgiving of all obstacles. Time. Here’s a link if you’d like to read more: Hellfire and Handbaskets – A Time Traveler’s Journey 

So, here’s to best friends, our inner circle, our soulmates. Those “like-family” folk we choose to hang out with. Our tribes and kindred spirits. Schoolmates, workmates, alter egos, partners-in-crime… Whoever you call your BESTIES. Let’s raise a glass (or two) in their honor. Friends truly are awesome Heroes and She-roes worth celebrating!

~Kathryn~

Don’t forget to enter our Monthly Giveaway. This month it's a Heroes & She-Roes Contest for a chance to win a $20.00 Amazon Gift Card and Bundles of Ebooks. Click to enter our RAFFLECOPTER But hurry! There's less than one week left to enter.