Picked up an Interracial Romance book lately?

When the tag ‘interracial’ is seen on books, it is assumed that the book is has a black heroine and a white hero, because truthfully, that is the most popular theme and it is rarely the other way round, with a white heroine and a black hero. Another rarity is a black or white lead against a lead that is Asian, Indian, Latin and other races. Examples of such rare books that I’ve read with a Latin/white and Latin/black are the Hot Latin series by Delaney Diamond with a black heroine and Latin hero, M.J. Kane in Butterfly Memoirs with black, white and Latin characters and Star Bright by me with a white hero and a Latin heroine.

I strive to write books with a whole mix of races because it’s different from the norm and tying your laces the same way every time tends to get boring. And also, I believe it makes them more interesting to the readers because there is more than one culture being explored. In real life, and though interracial relationships have been around for a few decades, people still ask this very popular question, ‘how does your relationship work when you are both so different?’

Yes, we do like to proclaim that we are a racially tolerant world- even though in some places and a few times in our day to day lives racism still exists- the color of our skin is still a gigantic determinant in whether or not a relationship will survive the long hall. ‘How are people going to react to us’, ‘I don’t believe in what you do’, ‘how will our children look like’, ‘what will my family say when I bring a black/white/Asian/Latino guy home’, ‘how long will it take before we face prejudice’.  Then all in all, they begin to feel that love just isn’t enough to keep a biracial couple together.

But just like couples facing financial problems, childlessness, homophobes and sadistic in-laws (yes, we all have that one in-law you would like to ‘forget’ to invite to your Christmas dinner) whatever is holding those couples together- I’m a romantic so I’m going to say love and it is the same thing that will hold biracial couples together. People do need to understand in a relationship, any romantic relationship is to survive, their number one concern should be their partner.

So why do authors like to write IR romance books? One, is because it’s the new fairy tale and people love fairy tales. Second, I think it’s because it is one of numerous ways to say falling in love with someone who isn’t of your race is okay. And why do readers read it? Again, it’s the new fairy tale. And second, I think it’s because they are looking for answers for the questions I pointed out earlier. Great authors bring solid authenticity to their books by bringing in an element of ‘real life’ in their books for those who write fiction and readers feel a familiarity with the book. Those who write non-fiction of IR romances based on their own life become inspirations. Authors end up being ‘therapists’ to their readers, answering questions and helping them sort through their own problems.

Here is an interesting fact, very few readers have heard of IR romance books. And yet the bestselling romance books are IR and of course featuring black women and white men. Which begs the question, why don’t IR authors receive the same attention as authors of other romance?

I have a suggestion for you readers who have never read an interracial romance novel. Pick up an IR book and find out why people love them so much. Spice up your libraries people!

The best place to find the best IR authors and books is Romance Novels In Color . They have the best IR books listed and they also have reviews of a large number of IR books out there in the industry. Let them help you make an informed IR decision.

 

My books reviewed by Romance Novels in Color:

Star Bright http://romancenovelsincolor.com/review-of-star-bright-by-christina-ow/
Love Forever After http://romancenovelsincolor.com/review-of-love-forever-after-by-christina-ow/

Have a great Furahi-Day!!