I see the term frequently in the book description of sexy contemporary romances: off-limits. The hero meets the heroine but he can’t have her because she’s “off-limits”. The heroine has been in love … [Read more...]
By the Numbers: Romance is Very White and Very British
Go to the romance section of a bookstore and browse the shelves. How many romance novels show white couples on the cover? Chances are, all of them. The lack of cultural and racial diversity isn’t … [Read more...]
The Incredible Shrinking Romance Section
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...]