SBD -- other stuff

[jmc_bks]

Okay, I updated my spreadsheet of books read and noticed a bunch of gaps and trends. The one that surprised me most -- that I read more straight romance than any other sub-genre this year. Because I feel like I spent a lot of time trying out paranormal, fantasy-lite, Luna-ish books, and a significant amount of time reading non-fiction (mostly in the history/politics section). Except, wait, when I sort by that column, the publication date for most of those straight romance books mostly predate 2000.

Not to knock the paranormally, Luna-ish books, but really, it occured to me this morning that I'm tired of adventure and suspense in my romance. Serial killers, threats to the alternate reality, etc....a little goes a long way. Suspense and action have their place, but must they be dragged into a romance novel at all costs? How many times have I picked up a book only to be disappointed by the contortions that author goes through to get to a suspense plot? I haven't actually counted, but I do think it is an increasing number. Is it safe to assume that editors aren't interested in straight romance without suspense? 'Cause it seems like a dying breed to me...although I may be looking for these books in the worng place.

Just my opinion and I could be wrong. I am often enough about other things.

Comments

[miladyinsanity.livejournal.com]

I agree, actually. You don't find a purely straight romance that easily any more, not in single title. The kind that are, for lack of a better example, what Jennifer Crusie used to write. Nowadays, there is some kind of subplot that is meant to be suspensy. It's not enough to have just a romance.

[eackerman.livejournal.com]

I don't mind the suspense if it moves the story along without bashing me in the face. However, as much as I enjoyed the characters in the latest Linda Howard (Cover of Night), the suspense plot was too over the top, and just dragged me out of the romance.

I'm wondering if the pendulum will swing back to where we get Regencies again that are all about relationships and not about crime solving or vampires.

[sarahf.livejournal.com]

Then again, JR Ward's BDB books are pretty much just about the romance. There's a small subplot in most of the books about the lessers and what nasty things they're doing, but the suspense is tiny and the romance is huge. So maybe the "straight" romances are showing up in the paranormals now. Hrm.

If you REALLY want straight romance, read m/m erotica. It's all about the sex, of course, but I can also point you to books where it's all about the romance. That's where I go for my "straight" (harhar) romance fix.

[eackerman.livejournal.com]

Good point. I'm in the middle of reading Laura Baumbach's m/m erotica A Bit of Rough and so far it's all about the relationship.

[sarahf.livejournal.com]

Not brilliantly about the relationship, I'll admit. It's got its problems, but they're such a CUTE couple! ;)