For romance readers - what kind of romance do you love?

[Leigh D'Ansey]

Last year I veered away from writing contemporary romance to try a short Regency. I thoroughly enjoyed the writing and research and it made me wonder what kind of romance do readers most enjoy?

 

Today I blogged about this and put a poll with the post. The answers are interesting already, showing that most people enjoy paranormal/fantasy and a 'spicy' rating. I'd be interested to see what you think www.leighdanseyromanceauthor.blogspot.com Any other thoughts?

[Marian Perera]

I like any romances that are different from the norm in some way - the latest one I read is Mary Balogh's A Precious Jewel because the heroine is a working prostitute who meets the hero when he becomes a client of hers. Those circumstances seemed unusual, to say the least, and I had to give the book a try.

 

Heat levels can range from mild to spicy for me, but there has to be sexual tension between the leads even if they close the bedroom door. And on the whole I'd rather not read anything where the heroine is a virgin but the hero has tons of experience - it just makes me wonder if he has a STD.

 

Romantic fantasy is another favorite (not into vampires, werewolves or zombies, but anything else goes). And chick lit. I read Watermelon a long time ago, but it was my first chick lit and I never forgot it.

[Erin Lonsford]

I like young adult and chick lit and christian romances.

[Addison Westlake]

Me too! I'd like to recommend my new romantic comedy "Christmas in Wine Country" by Addison Westlake. Just published last week, it's currently #8 on "Hot New Releases" in Single Women's Fiction (that's chick lit to you and me!) 

It's the perfect read for the holidays. I invite you to curl up with a glass of wine or mug of hot chocolate, give it a read and get ready to smile :) 

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-in-Wine-Country-ebook/dp/B00A9I292U...

[Leigh D'Ansey]

Hi everyone

Thanks so much for all your thoughtful replies. 

In the poll on my blog Fantasy/Paranormal kept the lead in the romance sub-genre and Spicy won over the other heat levels. I also prefer spicy but am also happy to read novels with no sex at all. I'm not very keen on pure erotica. I'm presently writing contemporary and Regency romance, which came third equal on the poll.

You can see the results at www.leighdanseyromanceauthor.blogspot.com - thanks again, I can see being involved with Book Blogs is going to be wonderful.

[Gareth Wilson]

To be honest if its got a good plot I'm pretty hooked.  I really enjoyed the Goddess Summoning series by PC Cast and if you want the Werewolf Romance there's Lori Handeland's NightCreature series.  The only type of romance I detest utterly is one where its literally all sex and no plot. 

[Leigh D'Ansey]

Hi Gareth. I agree with you about 'all sex and no plot', although plotting is one of the trickiest things for me as a writer. I'm learning though.

[Sharon Redfern]

I love all types-huge fan of Georgette Heyer, Mary Balogh, Lauren Willig., enjoy the historical detail they include as well as a tightly written plot. Also like the UK authors, Katie Fforde, Trisha Ashley, Jill Mansell, Fiona Walker. Sometimes it's romantic suspense-Linda howard, Julie Garwood, Catherine Coulter, Karen Robards. Love Susan Elizabeth Phillips type of humor in a romance so when I'm done  I think- that was nice. I like paranormal but I'm not a big vampire fan-too creepy for me. I' don't mind spice as long as it's a "condiment" not the whole meal- the plot must drive the book not the sex scenes. In my library patrons come to me for recommendations, so I try to keep up with the new things as well as old favorites and in a variety of genres.

[Leigh D'Ansey]

I love Georgette Heyer too. I still re-read her novels from time to time. There's such a lovely sense of humour running through her work. I'm not a vampire fan either - too creepy for me. I'm scared of the dark and too susceptible!

[Samantha Jo]

I like the paranormal and historical (regency) mostly.  I really do not care for contemporary but sometimes one will just get me hooked.  I seem to really stick to the Historical, bodice rippers type though and a good vampire book.

 

[Lucy Burke]

I agree with KW, any romance as long as it feels real. I do love historical romance though, the  17^th and 18^th Centuries are my favourite at the moment. I read my first 'erotic romance' for my blog last week and while I did enjoy it I don't think it compares to the Historical ones! I just love the escapism and learning about a different way of life.

 

http://lily-bookhaven.blogspot.com

[Leigh D'Ansey]

Thanks, Lucy - I also enjoy writing that feels 'real'.

Two historical periods I'd like to try writing in are the Elizabethan era and late Medieval but I have a lot of WIP at the moment and am in danger of never finishing one of them! The 'next book' is always a lure.