RomanceRomance

WhatWhat’’s wrong with love s wrong with love and happy endings?and happy endings?

QuotesRomance novels are the last genre that librarians feel comfortable censoring. – Shelley MosleyRomance offers a guarantee to the reader…You are going to feel good. Characters are going to receive emotional justice and villains will get their due. – Charis CalhoonFew people realize how much courage it takes for a woman to open a romance novel on an airplane. – Jayne Ann Krentz

Characteristics

• Love story is most important facet of the novel

• Optimistic ending• Emotional appeal• Strong female characters• May be read for other characteristics:

historical setting, adventure, humor, etc.

Romance FormatsRomance Formats

Series or Series or ““CategoryCategory”” –– shorter romances shorter romances that are released in order and by month, that are released in order and by month, with a series number on each title. with a series number on each title. Typically published by Harlequin or Typically published by Harlequin or Silhouette.Silhouette.SingleSingle--title romances title romances –– longer romances longer romances released individually.released individually.

Evolution of the Romance Evolution of the Romance NovelNovel

Jane Austen, Charlotte BronteJane Austen, Charlotte BronteGothic NovelsGothic NovelsSentimental Domestics and Dime Sentimental Domestics and Dime NovelsNovelsCategory RomancesCategory RomancesBodiceBodice--RippersRippersGenre BlendingGenre Blending

What a Difference 20 Years MakesWhat a Difference 20 Years Makes

Romance SubgenresRomance Subgenres

ContemporaryContemporaryRomantic SuspenseRomantic SuspenseHistoricalHistoricalRegencyRegencyAfricanAfrican--AmericanAmerican

““Chick LitChick Lit””InspirationalInspirationalParanormalParanormalTimeTime--traveltravelScience FictionScience Fiction

Contemporary RomanceContemporary RomanceRomantic novels set after the World WarsRomantic novels set after the World Wars

Series: Harlequin, Silhouette, MIRASeries: Harlequin, Silhouette, MIRA

Popular authors: Jayne Ann Krentz, Susan Popular authors: Jayne Ann Krentz, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie, Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie, Christina Dodd, Diana Palmer, Catherine Christina Dodd, Diana Palmer, Catherine AndersonAnderson

Website: Website: www.eHarlequin.comwww.eHarlequin.com

Romantic SuspenseRomantic Suspense

Romantic novels containing mystery Romantic novels containing mystery and intrigueand intrigue

Most popular subgenreMost popular subgenre

Popular Authors: Nora Roberts, Sandra Popular Authors: Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Karen Robards, Elizabeth Brown, Karen Robards, Elizabeth Lowell, Linda Howard, Julie Lowell, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, Suzanne BrockmannGarwood, Suzanne Brockmann

Website: Website: www.rwamysterysuspense.orgwww.rwamysterysuspense.org

Historical RomanceHistorical RomanceRomantic novels set before the world Romantic novels set before the world

warswars

Settings are vitally important to this Settings are vitally important to this categorycategory

Popular Authors: Kat Martin, Lisa Popular Authors: Kat Martin, Lisa Kleypas, Johanna Lindsey, Kleypas, Johanna Lindsey, Candace Camp, Jodi Thomas, Candace Camp, Jodi Thomas, Heather Graham, Madeleine Hunter, Heather Graham, Madeleine Hunter, Amanda QuickAmanda Quick

Website: Website: www.historicalhearts.comwww.historicalhearts.com

Regency RomancesSet in England between 1811 and 1820Traditional Regency – “comedy of

manners,” mainly category (Signet Regency, Zebra Regency)

Historical Regency – longer, more complex, more sexual tension

Website: www.thebeaumonde.com

AfricanAfrican--American RomanceAmerican RomanceRomances featuring primarily Romances featuring primarily

AfricanAfrican--American charactersAmerican charactersSeries: Arabesque, some Series: Arabesque, some

SilhouetteSilhouettePopular Authors: Donna Hill, Popular Authors: Donna Hill,

Rochelle Alers, Roberta Gayle, Rochelle Alers, Roberta Gayle, Brenda Jackson, Gwynne Brenda Jackson, Gwynne ForsterForster

Website: Website: www.romanceincolor.comwww.romanceincolor.com

““Chick LitChick Lit”” RomanceRomanceModern, realistic and humorous Modern, realistic and humorous

romancesromances

Children of Children of Bridget JonesBridget Jones’’ DiaryDiary

Popular Authors: Patti Berg, Popular Authors: Patti Berg, Julie Ortolon, Susan Julie Ortolon, Susan Andersen, Carly Phillips, Andersen, Carly Phillips, Rachel GibsonRachel Gibson

Website: Website: www.chicklitbooks.comwww.chicklitbooks.com

Inspirational RomanceInspirational RomanceRomances containing spiritual themes, Romances containing spiritual themes,

predominantly Christianpredominantly Christian

Series: Steeple Hill, Love Inspired, Series: Steeple Hill, Love Inspired, HeartsongHeartsong

Popular Authors: Lori Copeland, Robin Popular Authors: Lori Copeland, Robin Jones Gunn, Linda Windsor, Tracie Jones Gunn, Linda Windsor, Tracie Peterson, Gayle RoperPeterson, Gayle Roper

Website: Website: www.faithhopelovewww.faithhopelove--rwa.org/rwa.org/

Time Travel & Futuristic RomanceTime Travel & Futuristic Romance

Romance novels with characters Romance novels with characters traveling between different time traveling between different time periods or in a futuristic setting on periods or in a futuristic setting on other planetsother planets

Series: Timeswept, 2176Series: Timeswept, 2176

Popular Authors: J.D. Robb, Jayne Popular Authors: J.D. Robb, Jayne Castle, Susan Grant, Robin D. Castle, Susan Grant, Robin D. Owens, Susan Krinard, Karen Marie Owens, Susan Krinard, Karen Marie Moning, Dara JoyMoning, Dara Joy

Website: Website: www.sfronline.comwww.sfronline.com

Paranormal RomancesParanormal Romances

Romantic novels containing Romantic novels containing ““otherother--worldlyworldly””elements, such as magic, vampires, elements, such as magic, vampires, werewolves, fairieswerewolves, fairies

Series: Luna, Love Spell, HeartSpellSeries: Luna, Love Spell, HeartSpellPopular Authors: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Popular Authors: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine

Feehan, MaryJanice Davidson, Lynsay Feehan, MaryJanice Davidson, Lynsay Sands, Maggie ShayneSands, Maggie Shayne

Website: Website: pnr.thebestreviews.compnr.thebestreviews.com

General Romance Websites

The Romance Readerwww.theromancereader.com

Romance Writers of Americawww.rwanational.com

Romantic Times Book Clubwww.romantictimes.com

Linda’s Three Must-ReadsUndead and Unwedby MaryJanice DavidsonSeize the Night by Sherrilyn KenyonFool for Love by Eloisa James