You really need to read more! Try to get over your bias against them - Really, they aren't all bad. It's true that romance novels generally follow a specific set of tropes, but a lot of books don't rely on tired cliches. And there are lot of just plain good things about romances. For example, romance novels are usually very supportive of women exploring their own sexual desires - Rather than condemn women for being sexual beings, romance novels are generally supportive. Also, in the sexist - if not misogynistic - world of publishing, romance novels stand out as a genre that's written by women, for women, about women.
I was going through my book shelf and I have some more recommendations. In all of these three, the male lead is unconventionally attractive - Not wish-fulfillment-ly (just made up a word there, heh) hot. They're scarred, one's lost a leg, they're all pretty weird. And the female leads aren't models, either. Wild at Heart by Patricia Gaffney. The main male character in Wild at Heart was raised by wolves, eventually caught as a science experiment by the main female character's father. She's returned to her father's home following the death of her husband, and she and Michael (the MMC), help each other adapt to their new situations. Michael's a complete sweetheart - not at all a ridiculous alpha male - and Sydney (the MFC), is independent and smarter than her Victorian society is willing to admit.
Ravished by Amanda Quick. Another historical. What I love about this book is the main female character. Harriet is a complete dork: She's devoted to the study of paleontology, and her relationship with the MMC never eclipses that. She's a no-nonsense woman who maintains her identity during a difficult time period.
Castle of the Wolf by Sandra Schwab. Yet another historical! Castle of the Wolf is interesting because the MFC is aware of the tropes in gothics and fairy tales. It's also a good verison of the "forced into marriage" plot that romance novels use a lot. She adapts and then excels in her new life, despite her broody and aloof MMC. What I also liked about this book is how adventuous she is sexually. She's not a wilting lily - She's a real woman with real desires.
Aliens and dryads aren't against the rules at all! Again, I don't read paranormal/fantasy romance, but those sub-genres are rife with werewolves, elves, vampires, demons, angels, what have you. In The Sorceress by Claire Delacroix, which is a historical romance published by Harlequin Historicals, the main character is the daughter of a mermaid/lamia. So even in the historical sub-genre, you can include the supernatural. And don't think that the sex has to be conventional - Threesomes, BDSM, anal, toys... It's all good. Romance novels aren't as limited as you seem to think.
And definitely definitely DEFINITELY read Smart Bitches! I can't recommend them enough. They break down their reviews by grade, which is pretty damn handy. Dear Author is another good blog/site, with more helpful reviews. DA also has a feature in which an author is interviewed about her first sale.
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Re: Poor abused romance novels
Date: 2009-08-26 03:59 pm (UTC)I was going through my book shelf and I have some more recommendations. In all of these three, the male lead is unconventionally attractive - Not wish-fulfillment-ly (just made up a word there, heh) hot. They're scarred, one's lost a leg, they're all pretty weird. And the female leads aren't models, either.
Wild at Heart by Patricia Gaffney. The main male character in Wild at Heart was raised by wolves, eventually caught as a science experiment by the main female character's father. She's returned to her father's home following the death of her husband, and she and Michael (the MMC), help each other adapt to their new situations. Michael's a complete sweetheart - not at all a ridiculous alpha male - and Sydney (the MFC), is independent and smarter than her Victorian society is willing to admit.
Ravished by Amanda Quick. Another historical. What I love about this book is the main female character. Harriet is a complete dork: She's devoted to the study of paleontology, and her relationship with the MMC never eclipses that. She's a no-nonsense woman who maintains her identity during a difficult time period.
Castle of the Wolf by Sandra Schwab. Yet another historical! Castle of the Wolf is interesting because the MFC is aware of the tropes in gothics and fairy tales. It's also a good verison of the "forced into marriage" plot that romance novels use a lot. She adapts and then excels in her new life, despite her broody and aloof MMC. What I also liked about this book is how adventuous she is sexually. She's not a wilting lily - She's a real woman with real desires.
Aliens and dryads aren't against the rules at all! Again, I don't read paranormal/fantasy romance, but those sub-genres are rife with werewolves, elves, vampires, demons, angels, what have you. In The Sorceress by Claire Delacroix, which is a historical romance published by Harlequin Historicals, the main character is the daughter of a mermaid/lamia. So even in the historical sub-genre, you can include the supernatural. And don't think that the sex has to be conventional - Threesomes, BDSM, anal, toys... It's all good. Romance novels aren't as limited as you seem to think.
And definitely definitely DEFINITELY read Smart Bitches! I can't recommend them enough. They break down their reviews by grade, which is pretty damn handy. Dear Author is another good blog/site, with more helpful reviews. DA also has a feature in which an author is interviewed about her first sale.