Pierce Mattie Public Relations New York

I have been a romance novel fan for quite some time. I continue to always hear rumors that the publishing world is going soft, but was interested to recently learn that Harlequin Enterprises reported a 32% increase in their sales from the year prior. They crank out over 1,200 titles with 130 million in print. That is a little less than half the US population owning and reading one romance novel a year.

I am often asked as a Lifestyle PR firm owner, with a focus on beauty and fashion, why I read romance. It’s not "chic-lit" per say since I am not a chic, rather I tend to read historical romances because of their prose, backdrop setting and the courtship is quite enjoyable. I often find myself drawn to a few key authors; Loretta Chase, Susan Johnson, and Mary Balogh. But why do I like them so much? They don’t involve politics and the economy for one. And they always have a happy ending. I guess I don’t mind the formula and find the routine rather comforting.

So if you are a little stressed this week may I suggest you pick up a romance novel? If you have a favorite book or writer that is helping you take your mind off the world’s stressors, I would love to know what it is, please shoot me an email.