romance
DEFINITION:
Romances appeal to the emotions of their readers who are drawn into the love story with its inevitable happy ending. Storylines feature misunderstandings between hero and heroine or outside circumstances that force them apart. In the end, all difficulties are overcome and the lovers are united. Both male and female characters are portrayed as strong and independent, and the ultimate fulfillment of their relationships is the focus. Settings may be historical, contemporary, or futuristic. Relationships may be portrayed gently, sensually, or even erotically. Romance series published by Silhouette and Harlequin are still important to the genre and popular with readers. Many series authors also write for other publishers, as well.
CHARACTERISTICS:
Resolution of story includes declaration of love, marriage, or decision to marry. Main characters are strong and independent or through the course of the book learn to be so. Even the anti-heroes in romances have some redeeming feature—usually their love for the heroine. Plots are fairly simple and easy to follow.
APPEAL:
The emotional force of the story. The reader follows the hero/heroine’s ups and downs, then has catharsis with their eventual declarations of love. Certain happy endings—this can be a comfort read for readers looking for an upbeat book.
READERS:
Mainly women, wide age range.
TRENDS: Self-publishing, digital-first publishers, and e-book-only novels are popular in romance and often push the boundaries of the traditional romance genre. The changes in the genre can be difficult to keep up with when it happens online, but it makes the genre exciting.
Romantic themes and conventions can be found in almost every genre -- science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, suspense, romantic suspense, gentle reads, mystery, and women's lives and relationships. Readers from those genres who appreciate the romantic aspect may also enjoy romances.
AUTHORS:
Classic - Jane Austen, Faith Baldwin, Marion Chesney, Georgette Heyer, Grace Livingston Hill, Johanna Lindsey, Kathleen Woodiwiss
Comedies: Jennifer Crusie, Christina Lauren, Sally Thorne
Contemporary - Susan Andersen, Alyssa Cole, Rachel Gibson, Jasmine Guillory, Helen Hoang, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts
Erotic - Lauren Dane, Joey W. Hill, E.L. James, Lorelei James, Sylvain Reynard, Bertrice Small, Elia Winters, Zane
Historical & Regency - Mary Balogh, Jo Beverley, Tessa Dare, Christina Dodd, Jane Feather, Eloisa James, Sabrina Jeffries, Stephanie Laurens, Mary Jo Putney, Amanda Quick, Julia Quinn
LGBTQIA - Melissa Brayden, Heidi Cullinan, Gerri Hill, Karin Kallmaker, Meghan O'Brien, Cat Sebastian
Paranormal - Amanda Bouchet, Cheryl Brooks (futuristic), Jayne Castle, Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Susan Krinard, Lynn Kurland (time travel), Robin Owens, J. R. Ward
Romantic Suspense - Suzanne Brockmann, Sandra Brown, Catherine Coulter, Laura Griffin, Linda Howard, Iris Johansen, Jayne Ann Krentz, Karen Robards, Nora Roberts, Julie Ann Walker
Romances appeal to the emotions of their readers who are drawn into the love story with its inevitable happy ending. Storylines feature misunderstandings between hero and heroine or outside circumstances that force them apart. In the end, all difficulties are overcome and the lovers are united. Both male and female characters are portrayed as strong and independent, and the ultimate fulfillment of their relationships is the focus. Settings may be historical, contemporary, or futuristic. Relationships may be portrayed gently, sensually, or even erotically. Romance series published by Silhouette and Harlequin are still important to the genre and popular with readers. Many series authors also write for other publishers, as well.
CHARACTERISTICS:
Resolution of story includes declaration of love, marriage, or decision to marry. Main characters are strong and independent or through the course of the book learn to be so. Even the anti-heroes in romances have some redeeming feature—usually their love for the heroine. Plots are fairly simple and easy to follow.
APPEAL:
The emotional force of the story. The reader follows the hero/heroine’s ups and downs, then has catharsis with their eventual declarations of love. Certain happy endings—this can be a comfort read for readers looking for an upbeat book.
READERS:
Mainly women, wide age range.
TRENDS: Self-publishing, digital-first publishers, and e-book-only novels are popular in romance and often push the boundaries of the traditional romance genre. The changes in the genre can be difficult to keep up with when it happens online, but it makes the genre exciting.
Romantic themes and conventions can be found in almost every genre -- science fiction, fantasy, thrillers, suspense, romantic suspense, gentle reads, mystery, and women's lives and relationships. Readers from those genres who appreciate the romantic aspect may also enjoy romances.
AUTHORS:
Classic - Jane Austen, Faith Baldwin, Marion Chesney, Georgette Heyer, Grace Livingston Hill, Johanna Lindsey, Kathleen Woodiwiss
Comedies: Jennifer Crusie, Christina Lauren, Sally Thorne
Contemporary - Susan Andersen, Alyssa Cole, Rachel Gibson, Jasmine Guillory, Helen Hoang, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Nora Roberts
Erotic - Lauren Dane, Joey W. Hill, E.L. James, Lorelei James, Sylvain Reynard, Bertrice Small, Elia Winters, Zane
Historical & Regency - Mary Balogh, Jo Beverley, Tessa Dare, Christina Dodd, Jane Feather, Eloisa James, Sabrina Jeffries, Stephanie Laurens, Mary Jo Putney, Amanda Quick, Julia Quinn
LGBTQIA - Melissa Brayden, Heidi Cullinan, Gerri Hill, Karin Kallmaker, Meghan O'Brien, Cat Sebastian
Paranormal - Amanda Bouchet, Cheryl Brooks (futuristic), Jayne Castle, Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Susan Krinard, Lynn Kurland (time travel), Robin Owens, J. R. Ward
Romantic Suspense - Suzanne Brockmann, Sandra Brown, Catherine Coulter, Laura Griffin, Linda Howard, Iris Johansen, Jayne Ann Krentz, Karen Robards, Nora Roberts, Julie Ann Walker