I think both kinds have their merit - and we certainly have seen evidence of both in great literature. My favorite romance of all time, Pride and Prejudice, was certainly a slow burn. Lizzy and Mr. Darcy did not have instant burn at all. lol Their love and admiration grew over time ~ and I like to imagine it continued to grow after their marriage.
Yet another of my favorites (much more contemporary) may be argued either way. In Julie Lessman's A Passion Most Pure ~ Faith may have had a crush on Collin practically her whole life - but once they are grown and he's back and dating her sister - they meet by the water and the chemistry there is instant and... well rather intense. :o) I think it counts in the "Spontaneous Combustion" category despite her childhood crush.
Those are two of my favorite books - which shows I can go either way. Which kind of romance do my characters have in my book? I guess you'll have to read it to find out. {wink}
How about you? Do you have a favorite? Any examples of your favorite books that show either style you'd like to share? How about your own romance - was it instant or a slow burn? My dh would say instant - I would have to say slow burn. lol I had trust issues, but he more than won me over.
Either way ~ I just love the ending: and they lived happily ever after. I think that's why I love inspirational romances so much. The real world needs to know that message is actually true (in heaven).
Hey Lee,
ReplyDeleteWow, thank you SO much for saying A Passion Most Pure is one of your favorite novels!
And, grin ... I guess you can tell that I tend to be a "spontaneous combustion" kind of gal over the "slow burn," but I am forced to change that in my next book, A Heart Revealed, which is Sean O'Connor and Emma Malloy's story. Because Emma is married, it will be friendship that deepens into love slowly, and I'm thinking that I may just like it ... :)
One of my favorite "slow burns" is Francine Rivers' Mark of the Lion trilogy -- amazing novels!
Hugs,
Julie
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ReplyDeleteoops! I made a mistake and hit the wrong button... sorry.
ReplyDeleteJulie,
I love the Mark of the Lion trilogy as well. That's another one that has been read and re-read. Right now they're loaned out to a friend that I hope falls in love with them as well.
Thanks for stopping by.
I guess I prefer the slow burn type. I really love stories where they both like each other but don't think the other one does. Or where one of them likes the other but the other one is unaware. One of my favorites is The Dowry of Miss Lydia Clark by Lawana Blackwell.
ReplyDeleteBut at the same time I loved A Passion Most Pure so I guess I like both types. :)
As for my own I would say my hubby and I had a slow burn...we worked together four about three years and then one day we started talking and truth be told I always had a bit of crush on him. Anyway, once we both admitted that we liked each other we were married about seven or eight months after our first date! lol
Slow burn.
ReplyDeleteI am a romantic at heart and love the woeing and cerebral tension that builds with a gradual romance.
Happy writing!
Angie, I haven't read that first book. I'll have to look it up. My hubby and I worked together too. :o)
ReplyDeleteTamika, Thanks for your well wishes and following my blog. That tension does make for good reading.
Looks like the slow burns have it for now! :o)