When Small Gestures Mean Big Things…
I’m a big fan of small gestures in romance. For example, J.D. Robb fans can’t forget the button that fell off Eve’s suit in her first meeting with Roarke in Naked in Death. The button that Roarke found and – for reasons unbeknownst even to him at the time – kept in his pocket during his day to day business. A small gesture with big meaning. Then there’s the scene in the latest film adaptation of Pride and Prejudice in which Darcy is handing Lizzie into the carriage. In Regency times, men and women didn’t shake hands. In fact, direct hand-to-hand contact was rare between members of the opposite sex in polite society. So the effect of this close-up of seemingly simple skin on skin contact is downright electric – aided by the flexing of Darcy’s hand moments later. What would otherwise be perceived as a gentlemanly gesture strikes the audience with the same yummy, tingly sensation our hero experiences.
Often in romance, the climax leads to the grand declaration, and/or gesture, of love. But my favorite element of the story is the lead-up to that moment where attraction goes head-to-head with conflict and the characters feel not just heat but the beginnings of romance. This is when small gestures such as these are given the utmost significance. In Quantum of Solace, it was Bond offering his dinner coat to Camille in a chilly cave. In Sense and Sensibility, it’s Edward picking up the edge of Eleanor’s fallen shawl or Colonel Brandon reading to weakened Marianne. Even in the television show The Office, it’s Jim easing the workload of Pam, the receptionist, by making his own copies.
In my first western romance, Blackest Heart, I relied quite a bit on gestures such as these, thanks to the hero’s disability. Despite being mute, silent cowboy Judd Black offers his heroine, Stella, the solace she seeks in a series of small but significant gestures that become the foundation of their relationship and – as an added bonus – set off a whole kaleidoscope of intriguing sparks! Blackest Heart was awarded 1st Place Novella in the 2009 More Than Magic Contest, was chosen for a trade paperback anthology, The Way Back Home, by The Wild Rose Press and recently has been published as an audio book from AudioLark. Tomorrow, its sequel, Bluest Heart, debuts in audio where hero Casey Ridge, too, shows his heroine that small gestures can mean big things. The complete Wayback Ridge Trilogy will be available from AudioLark on September 21, 2010 with the release of Book III, Bet It On My Heart, in audible.
In conclusion, I’d love to hear some of your favorite small gestures in romance. Also a big thanks goes out to Casey for letting me be a part of your blog!
“Williams has brought the romantic back to romance!” ~ Long & Short Reviews
BLACKEST HEART ~ 1st Place More Than Magic Novella
FOREVER AMORE ~ LASR Best Book of 2009 Nominee
September 13th, 2010 at 11:12 am
Amber,
I agree that the little gestures can convey so much. In my first book, Anam Cara, the hero waters the heroine’s kitchen garden during a dry spell. That does more to win her heart than anything else he does.
September 13th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
Thanks Amber for a great and thought provoking blog! Congratulations on your audio debut! That’s got to be super exciting. I love the idea of small gestures. In HUSTLER’S DREAM, my hero remembers the herione is a Univ. of Alabama fan so when she cuts into her white icing birthday cake she finds it to be red velvet – Bama colors. Keena nailed it when she said it’s the little things that make women fall in love.
September 13th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Oh, lovely post.
Yes, those little things are so important and when you read about them in a book, it gives you that ‘aaawwwwww’ feeling.
Valerie
in Germany
September 13th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
@Keena – Thanks for stopping by! Anam’s gesture reminds me of an occurence two years ago when the DH and I moved across town. He went back after the house had been closed on and asked the new owners if he could dig up the daffodils I’d planted. It was a lovely surprise and did my heart good!
@Casey – Thank you so much! I love your site – it’s so pleasant! Keena’s gesture sounds so thoughtful…though can I just say War Eagle!!! LOL
@Valerie – Thanks for stopping by! I’m with you – I love that “aawwwwww” feeling
September 13th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Wonderful post and I totally agree with you.
September 13th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Amber:
In Picking Cotton, my couple met by accident. He got lost around the University of New Orleans campus looking for the football stadium. When a cheerleader gave him directions, the hero fell in love the moment he laid eyes upon her. At that point, he knew coming to the quarterback camp was his destiny. He found the girl of his dreams. It was, as they say, ‘love at first sight.’
September 13th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
I think one of the most romantic gestures I’ve ever seen was when JFK Jr, kissed his bride’s hand coming out of the church the day they married. That one pictures says so much.
September 13th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
Hi Amber,
Very interesting and informative blog. Little gestures certainly do mean a lot.
Cheers
Margaret
September 13th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
I had forgotten you are as big of a fan of Roarke as I am! I love that small gesture! It’s one of my all time book favs! And I love that she kept the diamond he gave her even though she is embarrassed by it. I love those series! Great blog Amber! And great site Casey, it looks great!
September 13th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
@Beth – Thank you for stopping by!
@KT – Thanks for sharing a bit of Picking Cotton with up!
@Doona – I love that image, too! The essence of romance
@Margaret – It’s good to see you here, thanks for stopping by!
@Sayde – Ah, Roarke! <3
September 15th, 2010 at 7:21 pm
Thanks everyone for stopping by and great job Amber!! We are proud of your audio debut!