The Curse of Romance. What do you hate about Romance novels? What do you love?

[Suenammi Richards]

As a romance novelist I find it very difficult to get reviewed.  It seems writers, bloggers, and everyone else have preconceived notions about what to expect in a romance novel.  Generally these expectations are not very positive.  I personally am a very selective romance reader.  Currently I read only about 4 to 5 authors religiously, and have a hard time getting through a story that is poorly written. I also have had several people who only read "Sci-Fi", "Murder-Mystery" and even YA claim that they enjoy my novels.

I love romance because of the scion of love defying all odds.  When done right it is the ultimate feel good story.  I want to write good romance that tells a captivating love story.  But it's very hard to do without any feedback from writers of other genres.

So I'm wondering how many people decide to not read a book just because it's labeled as romance?  And if so please share with me why that is. What are your 'terrible' romance experiences, and what has actually worked for you.

 

Thanks,

 

~Sue

[Kay Springsteen]

I dropped you an email to the address at your site, hoping to catch your interest for a review of my work.

[Joseph Arellano]

The sex scenes that drop in out of nowhere.  I have no problem if there's a proper context set up for the events, but when the scenes in which the characters are having sex just seem to drop out of the sky, then I do.  In other words, the adult scenes should be part of the plot; the book should not be simply a device to hook together multiple sexual escapades.

[Suenammi Richards]

It's true Joseph.  That style of romance just creates a disjointed story.  I don't think you should see the sex coming from a mile away either.  It should read naturally.  If the story is moving along well it will be natural.  I think the issue stems from what Kay has been referring to throughout this discussion about the expectations of literary agents and publishers. Romance authors feel like they have these 'quotas' to meet in a story before it is considered publishable romance.  This is another reason why I am grateful that self-publishing is an option.