  Romance/Love
This week: There's more than 1 Kind of Romance Edited by: StephBee  
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Romance is one of the most popular fiction genres to date with a long history. The genre was given life in 1740 with "Pamela" or "Virtue Rewarded," by Samuel Richardson who wrote about a courtship from the woman's perspective. Jane Austen helped to further the genre with Pride and Prejudice, a book that made her a "master" of romance. There are many sub-genres in romance. Let's explore. |
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Romance continued to be very popular into the 20th Century and shows no sign of slowing down in the 21st. Popular sub-genres of romance include historical, paranormal, contemporary, erotica, regency, category, and romantic suspense.
Historical
Georgette Heyer was the first to explore this sub-genre in 1921 with a romance set in the Regency period. (See Regency a little further down.) Historical romance explores romance that are set in the past. History is used in varying degrees - from setting to becoming an intrigual part of the plot. When writing historical romance, its important to do a lot of research to remain authentic and true to the romance.
Contemporary
A contemporary romance takes place in a modern day setting. Currently, its the most written about sub-genre. This also includes the recent popular trend known as "chick-lit." Contemporary isn't afraid to tackle modern issues such as a woman balancing a career and love. Keep in mind endings must be emotionally satisfying. If a contemporary novel or story ends with a principal dying or a sad ending, then its published as women's fiction, not romance.
Regency
A Regency romance takes place during a set historical time frame. It is usually in England between 1811-1820 when Prince George (the future George IV) ruled as regent during his father's (George III) illness. An interesting note: Jane Austen wrote regency romance, but remember - to her it was contemporary romance. She was writing during these years. Regencies focus on society and dialogue over action and sex to capture the essence of the time period.
Paranormal
Paranormal is a sub-genre that is trending well right now. The biggest aspect of this sub-genre is that the romance takes place in a fantasy-like world. This included werewolves, vampires, and more fantasy type beings such as pixies and nymphs. The focus here is romance first, fantasy second.
Romantic Suspense
This sub-genre trends stories dealing with good guys (law enforcement) and bad guys (drug dealers, smugglers, etc.) Oftentimes it adds a 3rd character narration, such as the villian to help heighten suspense. Romantic Suspense is seen as a bridge from the romantic genre to the mainstream, best selling market.
Vintage
These stories take place between 1900-1970. The more popular ones are during the world wars.
Romantic Comedy
These romances add a twist of comedy to them.
Fantasy
These stories are usually set in a high-fantasy setting. (Think Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones). What makes this sub-genre successful is that there is usually a journey that the characters take which naturally plays into the emotional journey the characters are on.
Erotica
These stories feature highly charged love scenes which prove the catalyst that draws the main characters together.
Steampunk
These stories are set in Victorian tiems when steam ruled the world before electricity. (Between 1837-1901) Think rivets, steel, rust, and leather. Add a paranormal twist. Plots can involves mysteries or adventures. HG Wells and Jules Verne wrote "steampunk" as contempories (like Jane Austen wrote regencies as a contemporary).
Question for you: Do you have a romantic sub-genre you prefer to read? Why do you like to read that sub-genre?
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Enjoy these stories!
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Feedback from my Romance/Love Newsletter DTD: 30 April 2014:
Writemaster 
The cover is very important. If there isn't a beautiful, curvy woman on the cover, I probably won't buy it. I like being able to look back at the cover as I read.
That's why I like an attractive cover, too. Oftentimes, I flip back and stare at the cover, letting my imagination roam.
blunderbuss
Thanks for the newsletter Steph. The cover is enormously important, really, especially if you are not looking for an author you already know. It's probably why you pick the book up in the first place. Colours are important, too - especially anything particularly striking or unusual in this category - well, for me, anyway!
You made a very good point. Only someone like Nora Roberts or Danielle Steele can sell a "blank" cover. If you're up-and-coming, you really do need a cover that catches the eye to draw new readers in.
Elle - on hiatus 
I would have to say that the cover isn't particularly important, but this is a growing trend thanks to ebooks. With printed books, I'm drawn to the cover first then read the blurb. If I'm in the mood for a Scottish historical, one with tartan will grab my attention, that sort of thing. With an ebook, I'm drawn by the title first, then read the blurb and rarely look at the cover. Mostly I only notice the cover of an ebook if it looks decidedly amateurish. Overall, the cover doesn't affect my choice of whether or not to buy/read the book, it's just a starting point to pull one out of the masses.
You hint at something that a reader sees often - an amateurish cover. You know it when you see it. If I spy a books with an amateurish cover, I tend to stay away, thinking, perhaps, well maybe the text is "amateurish", too. You may have written a great book, but without a polished cover that shows you put some care and effort into it, a reader might never pick it up because of a poor quality cover.
Joy 
You said it, Steph! I shy away from many romance books because of their covers, especially when I get the impression that the prose inside might depend more on baring what is tasteless than a well-thought out plot and characters.
Another great point! I think readers "imply" the cover is a reflection of the story inside. If there's a lot of "skin" on the cover, a reader might shy away from a romance thinking there might too much "skin" on the inside, too.
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling 
It all depends on the book.
I wish you would have added some more here! A cover should always "reflect" the story. Without the story to support the cover, you feel like you got cheated after reading it. A good example is a movie. The Percy Jackson stories are great! But the movies, "The Lightning Thief" and "Sea of Monsters" (it was a little better) Don't accurately follow the book and a lot of readers who went to the movies felt let down by the movies. A cover shouldn't let a reader down.
StephBee is a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. Her latest release is a science fiction romance, "Dark Shadow" set on the Borealis space station.4 Stars, Rose, Long & Short Reviews: "The characters are well drawn and likeable. I especially liked Sally the Spine cat." Dark Shadow is avail as an ebook on Amazon, B&N, and other retailers.
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Romance/Love: May 28, 2014 Issue [#6328]
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