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First and foremost the stories are romances. They have a relationship at the core, a man and woman meet, fall in love and live happily ever after. Love is a universal theme and its packaging applies to all people.
"Why wouldn't you buy it for yourself?" I finally began to ask these people. "Well, of...of course, I'd read it too," they stammer and falter. No one would admit they hadn't considered reading the book to my face. Yet I have the distinct feeling they think there's something hidden in the book they won't understand; something that only the ethnic group would know. If there is, why aren't they curious enough to see what it is or learn about it? I've had people tell me they have read non-romance novels with ethnic characters and enjoyed them, identified with the characters and situations, yet when it comes to romances, they hadn't thought of buying one. Why is the line being drawn?
Romances with ethnic characters as the major players are relatively new. The Arabesque line only came into being in 1994. Prior to that romances with ethnic characters consisted of Indian romances and if you want to stretch it, those with Greek and Spanish heroes (notice it wasn't the heroines). Black characters were few. Between 1980 and 1992 I believe there were four romances with black characters: Entwined Destiny by Elsie Washington, Adam and Eva by Sandra Kitt, A Strong and Tender Thread by Jackie Weiger, and a Candlelight Romance whose title I cannot remember.
Lacking any other choices African American women went to the stores and bought the available romances with blond, blue eyed people. We enjoyed them, convinced our friends to read them, shared our opinions on the plot and characters, drooled over the heroes and returned to the book stores for additional purchases.
Picture this: two women standing in the romance section of the book store, one blue-eyed and blond, the other with brown eyes and dark-skin. Several books are already in their arms, the ones recommended by friends, others by their favorite authors, without whom they cannot leave the store. But, there are still finances available and the need for at least one more book. Each woman scans the shelves, picking up books, checking out the cover, reading the back blurb, sometimes the teaser page, and either adding it to their pile or rejecting the title. The difference between these two women is the brown-eyed woman is thrilled to find books with characters who look like her, but she has not limiting herself to only those books.
With the choices available today, it's time for the light bulb to go on. Don't pass over these books. You'll be missing out of some really good writing, endearing characters, sensually appealing and wonderful romances. African American women read and enjoy books with Black characters and books with white characters. The enjoyment comes because, beyond the ethnic backgrounds, these books are romances.
Of course every ethnic group wants to find themselves portrayed in all forms of the entertainment culture, books are no different, but that isn't the only requirement for reading. If it were we'd deny ourselves the enjoyment of discovering Sandra Brown, Jill Jones, Jane Ann Krentz, Nora Roberts, Linda Howard and other wonderful writers.
I was happy to hear of the Arabesque line when it was being developed. I was ecstatic when my book was chosen for publication during the inaugural year. When I spoke to other authors who'd also sold to this line, our collective hope was to be part of a series of good stories, not good ethnic stories, but good romances. I think that is what has happened, but it's a secret that only the black community is finding out. There is a decidedly chocolate flavor to the characters, as it should be, otherwise we're falling down in our ability to do characterization. These fully rounded, ethnic characters enhance the novels, giving the reader incite into another culture without providing them with a history lesson.
The next time you stand in the romance aisle browsing the titles don't judge these books by their color.
