Single in Sydney: Romance novel writers give Sarah some saucy tips on finding love
WHEN the folks from Romance Writers Australia offered Single in Sydney’s Sarah Swain some tips on finding love she said ‘yes’ faster than a heroine in one of their steamy books unlaces her corset!
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JOURNALIST Sarah Swain has been single (but dating) for longer than she cares to remember. That’s because it’s tough out there, as any single will tell you, so to bring hope to others across the city, she’s sharing her no-holds-barred adventures on the Sydney single scene every week.
Love Tips from Romance Writers
I’m always open to love advice.
So, when the folks at Romance Writers Australia got in touch to say some of their authors were keen to offer some me some tips, I said yes faster than a heroine of one their books unlaces her corset.
They’re the folk behind such delights as Christmas with the Boss, and The Long Paddock (yes, I said paddock).
From romance set in the unlikely location of the Antarctic (Maid for the South Pole) to classic Outlander-style historical romps (Her Rebel Heart) there’s something for everyone on their current book list.
There’s even such as thing as gay romantic horror, did you know, with Daniel de Lorne’s Beckoning Blood, as well as the Fifty Shades-style Husband Sit, about the rather unlikely job of minding husbands while wives go on holiday.
Here’s what the writers had to say ...
1. Demand old-fashioned chivalry
Go for a man with a cavalier attitude, who will sweep you a courtly bow, kiss your hand and, if
you are lucky, teach you how to wield his sword.
Alison Stuart
2. Stick to your guns
How do you find Mr Right? Compromise — up to a point. There are some things you can agree to disagree on, such as his fear of the wood section in Bunnings. But when it comes to
compromising your values there’s little room to wriggle.
Daniel de Lorne
3. Go with your gut
Don’t let appearances or fancy titles fool you. Trust your instincts, listen to your heart and you’ll
ferret out a good one in no time.
Ebony McKenna
4. Work up a sweat
If you can’t afford a ticket to an exotic destination, then hitting the Latin bars is an excellent way to immerse yourself in a new culture and meet an array of people with sexy accents and hot
dance moves.
Alli Sinclair
5. Hit the road
There’s something utterly romantic about falling in love while travelling. So my tip for a single
city-dweller is to book a plane ticket to an exotic destination, let go of expectations and any
failed relationships of the past, and be open to the adventure and romance that a little
wanderlust can offer.
Vanessa Carnevale
6. Give him the boot
Boys love confidence — and boots. Try rocking a pair of cowboy boots to grab his attention. He’ll spend the night imagining you wearing nothing else.
Lena Lowe
7. Look him in the eye
It’s all in the eyes — soft, swift glances; lingering, longer looks and electric eye-contact that
stimulates the senses and communicates interest. And if eye contact doesn’t come easily or feel
natural, focus on the bridge of the nose of the person you’re talking to.
Alissa Callen
8. Quit while you’re ahead
Don’t waste months or years on the wrong man. If they start out wrong, time will never make
them right. They aren’t like wine — they get grumpier, not finer. The longer you’re with them the
more wrong they become.
Suzie Jay
9. Trust your animal instincts
Penguins. These birds mate for life, so they know all about lasting love. Take your prospective
partner the zoo or the aquarium. If he’s as entranced by the penguins’ antics as you are, he’s well on his way to becoming Mr Right.
Demelza Carlton
10. Broaden your horizons
If your search parameters only include single guys, you could be missing out on some serious
sexily-ever-after action with husbands who are ready to leave their cheating wives. In my novel
Husband Sit, the main character, Jill, meets her true love through her unlikely job of
‘husband sitting’ — minding husbands while their wives skip off on vacation.
Louise Cusack
11. Work it
If you think your boss is Mr. Right, my tip is get him away to a secluded beach by fair means or foul.
Annie Seaton
12. Ask the big questions first
Never trust a man who doesn’t like dogs. Ask him upfront where he stands on man’s best friend
and, if he’s not a fan, run far away. Not liking dogs is tantamount to hating Christmas or turning
your nose up at chocolate.
Laura Greaves
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