Palmer couple turns back the clock on romance

A Palmer couple is turning back the clock on romance, and helping others do the same.

Joe and Cheryl Homme are the authors of a new book, "Retro Romance: Classic Tips for Today's Couples." The release comes on the heels of their first book, "Storybook Culture." The Hommes emphasized that "Retro Romance" isn't a how-to book, however.

"Cheryl and I aren't people who want to give advice to others, so that's the way we approached the book -- from a research angle," Joe Homme said.

Cheryl Homme said one word puts people at ease when discussing "Retro Romance."

"When people would ask us what we were working on and we told them a book about romance, they would almost get embarrassed," Cheryl Homme said. "But we would tell them that it was a 'wholesome' book, and it put them at ease."

The husband-and-wife team spent months researching old storybooks for their first book. For "Retro Romance," the best research turned out to be average people from everyday walks of life. Each chapter has a "True Romance" section, which are stories told from average people. It's the favorite section of the book for Cheryl Homme.

"I still chuckle every time I read the True Romance in the chapter about having a sense of humor," Cheryl said.

Research also led to the Hommes dispelling a myth about romance, and guys will be appreciative.

"There is a universal stereotype about men not being as romantic as they are supposed to be, and it's not true," Cheryl Homme said. "When we talked to women, they just opened up and were very warm with their words when talking about their husbands."

The book is divided into several sections, each with a "retro" title. "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" obviously pulls from the famous Aretha Franklin song, and the chapter discusses things such as manners and chivalry. "Ask not what your spouse can do for you, but what you can do for your spouse" is a chapter that deals with the division of labor in a relationship, and "Whatcha got cookin?" is a chapter that deals with food and romance.

"This book got us listening to a lot of older music, which we really like," Joe Homme said. "And it goes back to that myth about men not being romantic. Just look at the real crooners -- they were the men who came up with real romantic songs, like Frank Sinatra and Elvis."

The book, published by Collectors Press, started as a project from their publisher. He sent the Hommes a collection of images he had collected, as well as eight romance books "that he didn't want this book to be like," Joe Homme said.

From there, the Hommes developed the idea, researched the book and wrote it. They are happy with the way it turned out.

"Our publisher gives us free reign," Joe Homme said. "We submitted a proposal with three sample chapters, and he told us that was exactly what he had in mind."

The book is available at book stores throughout the Valley, including Fireside Books and Alaskana Books in Palmer. The Hommes are signing copies of the book at Fireside Books Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. They will also be at Title Wave Books in Anchorage on Nov. 22 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and the Anchorage Museum of History and Art on Nov. 28-30.