After reading a vintage book from a contemporary romance author who had written a massive backlist, I felt like reading some more of her work. I had read all of the titles available at the library and … [Read more...]
Not a Romance
The other day I watched a sitcom and it was revealed that one of the characters was a romance author. The writer was very successful but was ending the book series by killing off the heroine. I … [Read more...]
Romance in Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Too often, I see people regard the Romance and the Sci-Fi/Fantasy (SFF) genres as oil and water. They just don’t mix. SFF focuses on world building, exploration of galaxies or kingdoms, rag tag … [Read more...]
The Sexual Double Standard for Romance Heroines
Readers occasionally contact me and ask, “Why can’t you write a virginal heroine?” I’ve written a few, but a virgin doesn’t really work with the stories I tell. I have no problems reading romance … [Read more...]
Embrace Your Clinch Covers
Years ago I was buying a stack of romance novels at my local bookstore. I set the books down on the counter and the male sales associate decided to mimic the poses on the covers. He really got into … [Read more...]
Is a Romance Heroine Required to be Smart?
What is the most important quality of a romance heroine? When Maya Rodale surveyed romance readers for her Dangerous Books for Girls study, a whopping 89% said the most important trait … [Read more...]