Romance Reader's Advisory
The Romance Genre
What is a romance novel? A romance novel is, in its
essence, a love story between two people. But romance novels are more than just
that. They are tales of people in search of the most basic of human needs:
companionship. As in real life, finding true love isn't easy. An excellent
romance author creates a story and characters that are compelling in their
search for happiness and draws a reader into their fictional world, and allows
the reader to share in the characters' triumphs, sorrows and
frustrations.
Romance novels tend to be fast paced, easy reads, although
there are variations depending on the author. As for plot, there is often some
sort of misunderstanding between the two main characters that must be resolved
before they can truly be happy. The misunderstandings and problems reflect the
genre in which the story is written. The two main characters tend to fall into
general types, attractive but conflicted or flawed men, beautiful, strong and
intelligent women. The language is often flowery with overwrought euphanisms for
sexual acts and physical descriptions.
Sub-Genres
As
in all genres, there are many different romance sub-genres. The most popular
are:
- Contemporary Romance - Stories that
take place in the modern world, with modern or conventional values.
- Historical Romance - Stories that
take place in an earlier time, such as the Regency era or Medieval era. There
is some focus on historical accuracy, although the story is more important.
- Alternative Reality Romance - Paranormal, fantasy, science fiction or horror are thrown into a basic romance plot. Vampires, ghosts, time travel, other worlds all exist in this genre.
- Romantic Suspense - There are
elements of mystery, espionage, thrillers and suspense novels woven into a
romance plot. There is often subtle violence and a heroine in danger.
Romance Authors
Some of the most popular authors in the romance genre
are:
Nora Roberts (also writes
under the pseudonym J.D. Robb)
Debbie Macromber
Jude Deveraux
Barbara Delinsky
Catherine Coulter
Bertrice Small
Barbara Taylor Bradford
Amanda Quick (pseudonym for author Jayne Ann Krentz)
Suggested Reads
Contemporary Romances
Historical Romances
Alternative Reality Romances
Romantic Suspense
Learn About
Romance
Books on the genre
- Bouricius, Ann. The Romance
Reader's Advisory: The Librarian's Guide to Love in the
Stacks
American Library Association, 2000
Ann Bouricius approaches her book from the standpoint of both a librarian and a romance author. She
discusses the romance genre in general as well as its varied sub-genres, offers reading suggestions for
both old and new romance readers and discusses collection development.
- Ramsdell, Kristin. Romance
Fiction: A Guide to the Genre.
Libraries Unlimited, 1999
Kristin Ramsdell defines the genre and offers advice on collection development and reader's advisory before
going into different sub-genres, popular authors, recommended reads and information for research.
- Saricks, Joyce G. The Reader's
Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction.
American Library Association,
2001
There are two chapters, one on the romance genre and one on romantic suspense. Each chapter discusses the
genres
as well as their sub-genres, gives definitions, characteristics, recommended
reads and popular authors.
Articles on the genre
- Alesi, Stacy. A Fine Romance:
Good Reads for Men
Library Journal 129 no2 148 F 1
2004
The article discusses romance
novels aimed at men.
- Chittenden, Meg. Paranormal
romance
The Writer 116 no4 34-5 Ap 2003
Author Chittenden discusses her experiences writing
paranormal romance and the burgeoning popularity of the genre.
- Danford, Natalie, Lucinda Dyer, Karen Holt and Judith Rosen. Toujours I'Amour
Publishers
Weekly 250 no48 26, 28, 32-6 D 1 2003
The article discusses new developments in the romance genre, including new sub-genres and the impact of the internet on the romance publishers.
- Grossman, Lev. Re-Writing the
Romance
Time 161 no5 64 F 3 2003
This article discusses the writing of author Julia
Quinn and the new type of post-feminist romance fiction.
- Harris, Monica. Women's fiction
vs. Classic Romance
Black Issues Book Review 6 no2 52-3 Mr/Ap
2004
This article reviews of a number of romance and women's fiction novels of interest to an African-American audience.
Romance Links
- All About Romance
This website offers book reviews, author information, discussion boards, contests and
advice for writers.
- Escape to Romance
This website offers book reviews, a book store, author interviews, reader contests,
and a special section for authors.
- Essence of Romance
Database of authors, psudonyms, series and anthologies, publication dates, genres,
author websites, book resources and more. [Subscription Only]
- Good Ton
This website is specifically for readers of Regency romances. It offers reviews, book and publication
information, discussion boards and awards.
- Historical Hearts
This website is specifically for readers of historical romances. It features reviews, author
information and recommended reading lists.
- Paper and Lace
This website is specifically for readers of paranormal romances. It features information on the
different types of paranormal romances, reviews and author information.
- Road to Romance
This website offers book reviews, author news and information, stories, new releases and
more, with a special emphasis on new writers, all in the romance genre.
- Romance Reader
This website features reviews and information on different sub-genres, and news.
- Romance Writers of America
The official website of the organization the represents romance writers in the U.S.
It has information
on authors, release dates and specific pages for librarians, book sellers and
the press.
- Romantic Times
This website is the official website of the
Romantic Times Book Club Magazine. It has book reviews, author information,
information on the genre and industry news.
- Wax Romantic
Online magazine for romance readers. [Subscription Only]