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Anna Hackett, Soul Stealer and Giveaways!

We have Anna Hackett with multiple giveaways! Over to Anna now...


Romance in Real Life

A recent survey showed that 40% of women say their husbands and boyfriends are not very romantic. However, 75% of men say they are always romantic.

I thought since I was stopping by the Romance Book Haven, that we should talk about real-life romance! So what’s going on with those statistics? I think the problem is that we all have a different idea of romance. I think some guys believe picking up their dirty laundry or hanging up their wet towels is romantic.

Us ladies, however, I think we let our minds wander and dream a little more. Especially the romance readers among us! We get to immerse ourselves in fabulous stories with the most romantic of heroes – millionaires, sheiks, vampires, hunky Navy SEALs, sexy doctors. And whatever the subgenre, the hero always makes some great sacrifice, some grand gesture to show his love. Maybe we set our expectations a little high for the guys in our lives.

Now, I’m not saying we lower our standards. No way will I ever believe picking up laundry is romantic! But we need work out what works for our real-life romance—for both sides in the relationship. The grand idea of a candle-lit dinner, flowers, chocolates and a luxurious bubble-bath sounds great but let’s be honest…it’s a little bit clichéd and not always attainable. I have a toddler, so most of that is not happening!

We all need to work out what we like to do together. For me and my man, the most romantic night ever is takeaway (often pizza from our fav pizza place), a nice bottle of red wine and the latest action movie! We talk, we laugh and we hang out together. The connection is the important thing, not the actual event. And every now and then, he does take me out for that dinner by candlelight!

I like to write fast-paced romance packed with action and adventure. My characters don’t always have time for a dinner with candles and music (they are usually on the run from a bad guy), but I think they still get LOADS of romance. The small gestures, the important gestures, the ones packed with feeling. Anyone who reads SOUL STEALER will see the hero Gage (despite being a scientist absorbed by his work) loves to take Cate little gifts to make her feel better. To me, that’s true romance. 

So, RBH readers, anyone want to share your real-life romance? What do you and your other half consider a romantic night out (or in)?

Anna Hackett loves action movies, sci-fi shows, short stories, writing her own romantic adventures, her wonderful husband and her little man. You can find her at the usual places: Anna HackettWebsite | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads. Her latest novella, SOUL STEALER, is out now.

Enter the SOUL STEALER Giveaway for a $25 Amazon Gift Card and 3 Carina Press ebooks of the winner’s choice:

The SOUL STEALER Giveaway via Rafflecopter
 

Soul Stealer Blurb

She just wants her life back. After being kidnapped and forced to kill by a vicious crime lord, Cate Hartmann is now a killer with an addiction to stealing souls. On the island sanctuary of Haven, surrounded by other anomalies with secret abilities, she fights to recover. But only one man calms the dark storm inside and makes her believe she can be whole again…Dr. Gage Walker.

Scientist Gage Walker has spent a decade helping anomalies. But every day, he’s haunted by his previous job for the CIA—where he crossed far too many boundaries and hurt so many anomalies. Including his brother. He vows he won’t fail again and will do everything he can to heal Cate—including fighting his attraction to her.

But when the crime lord comes after Cate again, it’s a race against time to find out why he wants her. Amidst the danger, Gage and Cate drawn to each other, even as they fear that one wrong step will send her hurtling back into the depths of her soul stealing addiction.

57 comments:

  1. romance to me is just know that the hour/afternoon/evening/day or what ever you have planned together is spent on each other 100%, ie no phones, no disruptions, no kids. OR a random bunch of flowers for no reason. Just being treated like you're the only person on earth for that hour/afternoon/evening/day :)

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    1. Hi TashNz - you description is *perfect* - no phones, no disruptions, no kids. Sigh, sounds great.

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    2. Welcome to Romance Book Paradise Anna!

      Hi Tash!

      Thanks for your comment!

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    3. Nas, thank you so much for having me and Soul Stealer. It is always a pleasure to visit here!

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks! I LOVED your review and am so happy you enjoyed it.

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    2. Thank you Anna, it was just amazing and sometimes I dont think my words can do justice to describe what I read, so I'm so happy you liked it. xx

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    3. I read your review on Fantasy Romance Reviews, Tash. And I agree with what you surmised, so true!

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  3. My husband is much more romantic than I am. I love it!

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  4. oooh, it's like Easter coming early this year :)

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  5. Great post, Anna. My husband is more romantic than me too. For a special birthday present he arranged a cruise. The entire thing was a surprise and I was clueless. Best holiday ever!

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    1. Wow, Shelley, your hubby really out-did himself. How romantic.

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    2. Oh, wow! Shelley!

      You lucky woman!

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  6. My hubby would fall in the %age of those who think they're romantic, but really... well... you know :)

    The book sounds great! :)

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    1. You are not alone, Jemi (-: Hope you'll give Soul Stealer a try.

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  7. I think my version of romance is more like yours. We go out sometimes, but it's just the being together (and the wine) that feel special. Yes, books have much more action romance in them. In real life, we'd all keel over!

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    1. Hi Theresa, sounds like you guys have worked out what works for you (and wine is *always* good). Ha ha, you're right, most of us aren't fit enough for too much real life action!

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    2. Hi Theresa!

      Thanks for coming along to chat with Anna!

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  8. I'm with you. I love just the two of us, some wine, some appetizers, we talk, we laugh. Quality time. :)

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    1. Sounds perfect, Jennifer. Talking is key (and the wine!) I think too many people just don't talk, they simply co-exisit.

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    2. Hi Jennifer, so true!

      *nods*

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  9. Haha! That's great. The difference between men and women can feel like a million light years sometime. Excellent post!

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  10. So true, Emily. The whole Mars and Venus thing certainly sounds plausible. Glad you enjoyed the post.

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  11. I agree that it doesn't actually matter what you do, it's about the connection. My husband and I like to curl up on the couch and watch movies because our schedules are crazy and we don't get time to do that a lot.

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    1. Kelly, curled up on the couch is one of my fav ways to relax with hubby. You have to make the most of the time you have!

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    2. Hi Kelley,

      You painted a vivid romantic picture there!

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  12. Great post! Sometimes snuggling on the sofa together, watching a movie is all it takes for a romantic evening. Your book sounds terrific!

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  13. I really liked this post! Thanks for sharing.

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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  14. Yes! The connection is the most important part, you're right. And the small gestures... I love romances that start out that way!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Deniz, I think we sometimes forget the small things, especially when life gets busy. It's important to remember!

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    2. Thanks Deniz, for coming along to read and chat with Anna!

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  15. A Rafflecopter! Oh, Nas, how could you? I hate those things. Great prize, though.....well, I suppose you have to go with the flow....

    Anna, that's a great post. My husband is the most unromantic man on the planet. But we do stuff together like cooking when he's off work, which usually consists of him bossing me around the kitchen :( What a pain in the.....you don't want to know where.....

    Anna, I love your books and can't wait to read the final part of your anomaly trilogy. You've got a superb imagination and writing skills to die for. Best of luck to you....

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    1. Hey Maria, the Rafflecopter was all me, don't blame Nas! They are the way of the contest future!!

      Oh, your bit about your hubby had me giggling. Despite his lack of romance, sounds like you guys make it work (-:

      Thank you so much, Maria. You made my day!

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    2. Lol! Maria! The Rafflecopter was Anna's!

      Nothing to do with me!

      What a vivid picture you painted of your hubby bossing you around...er...in the bedroom, too?

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    3. Hey, ladies, I know Rafflecopter is the way of the future, but I'm stubborn and slow to change. You have to do whatever works for you, right?

      As for himself, well he has his moments. Don't they all....as for the bedroom, well it's fairly egalitarian there, believe it or believe it not. In some respects we are very together. But you see with Indian men, ego is very important.....LOL

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  16. Sounds like a wonderful (and exciting) romance! Great to know Anna and her books :)

    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by nutschell! Glad you like the sound of Soul Stealer!!

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    2. Thank you Nutshell! Soul Stealer is an awesome read!

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  17. Had to chuckle at the contrast in those numbers. I wonder if guys are more action oriented - like, I do this (pick up laundry or whatever) because I love you, and so this is how they show love.

    I consider it romantic whenever my husband makes an effort to spend time with me. Whether it's getting a cheap dinner from the dollar menu at the drive thru or whatever, I just appreciate the gesture. He has a busy schedule yet makes time for us. I love that! :)

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  18. Now that sounds like an exciting book - I love the part about fighting her addiction to soul stealing.

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  19. Anna and Nas, I made a complete mess of that Rafflecopter. I've probably broken it. I put my Twitter handle in where I was supposed to put my Twitter URL and that is all I remember. Ah well, I suppose I'd better get with technology now, or else get left behind.

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  20. It's the little gestures that are as romantic as the big ones!!! Every so often I'd like a big romantic soppy gesture ala Richard Gere in An Officer and a Gentleman where he sweeps Debra Winger off her feet - literally! - infront of her workmates...!! I can only but sigh!

    But yes, little gestures too work! LOL!

    Awww poor Cate!! Addicted to soul stealing! :-( I'm hoping Gage is there all the way when she goes cold turkey..!!!

    Take care
    x

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  21. What a gorgeous cover! I also like the description. I'm pleased to meet Anna.

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  22. The book premise sounds good, Anna, and such a striking cover!

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