Paranormals are low class?

[jmc_bks]

According to a letter to the editor in the November issue of the Romantic Times Book Review magazine, paranormals are vulgar and low class.  Because heroines use the "f-word", the books have graphic love scenes, and the h/h use "vulgar, low-class words to describe various body parts."

Well, color me as vulgar and low-class then, because I would much prefer to read a love scene that involves a pussy and a cock that one between a throbbing manhood and a gentle flower.  Gah! 

Other random thoughts I had while paging through the copy at the library:

LKH's A Lick of Frost is urban fantasy?  Why not just call it the porn that it is?  The reviewer gave it a 2 ("problematic, may struggle to finish"), which is amazing, since the average grade seems to be a 4 ("compelling, a page turner").

Rhett Butler's People is due out next month.  I'd managed to erase the thought of it from my mind.  Some sequels should never be written, and that is one of them.  I don't care how great the book may be, telling the story from Rhett's POV removes all the mystery from him; and that was a huge part of his draw both for Scarlett and for (some) readers.


 

Comments

[meljeanbrook.livejournal.com]

Now I'm curious -- I haven't gotten my RT in, but that sounds really similar to something the Smart Bitches talked about a little while ago: http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/advisories_on_romance_novels/

Is it the same author complaining about it?

[jmc-bks.livejournal.com]

Nope, it was just a letter to the editor. The reader-writer claimed to be a long-time historical reader (also a retired English teacher) who was disappointed and/or disgusted by the transition of one of her favorite authors to paranormals.

Thanks for the link! I missed that thread.

[(Anonymous)]

You know my favorite thing about complaints like that? There is always the "I'm not a prude" line. Sure enough, it's in that letter to RT. If you're not a prude why are you bitching about it then? Just saying.

All I ask for when it comes to character dialogue is that it feel authentic. What's more likely? The big bad vampire (Navy SEAL, cowboy, billionaire, take you pick) dropping the F-bomb or saying, "Well, fiddle-sticks." Bring on the F-bomb! Same goes for language in love scenes. Nothing pulls me out of a decently written love scene faster than a throbbing manhood or comparing the heroine's privates to a blooming flower. Bleck!

~Wendy The Super Librarian

[jmc-bks.livejournal.com]

There should be a list of "curse" words that SEALs, cowboys, etc., should NOT be allowed to use...unless there is an explanation woven into the storyline (trying to cut down on the swearing or not in front of the kids or something like that).

Fiddlesticks
Criminy
Jeeze-o-flip

flowers, oh my

[(Anonymous)]

Her delicate petals glistened with early-morning dew. In response, his stamen sought the sun, preparing its load of pollen as it bent toward her quivering pistil.

Hmm. If it's porn about a race of plant-people, maybe. Otherwise, NO.

RfP (http://www.readforpleasure.com)

Re: flowers, oh my

[jmc-bks.livejournal.com]

Your plant-porn would be a great start to a parody of a love scene :)