Who else has been humming the soundtrack from The King & I all morning? Anyone? Anyone? Okay, must just be me.
Enough of my madness! Let’s talk romance, shall we?
The beauty of the romance genre is there’s something for everyone. In love with Regency-era England? No problem. Do men in kilts or vampires make your heart flutter? You’re not the only one. Thankfully, there are plenty of plaid-clad hunks and sexy suckers to keep us satisfied. Even if you crave contemporary settings, inspirational stories or a little intrigue, romance has you covered.
There are times when being a romance writer is a little like going straight from a stint on Survivor to an all-you-can-eat buffet. Too many choices for an over-active imagination. It’s hard for an author to know where to start, and even harder to keep from gorging on everything.
As a reader, I like a wide variety of stories, and troll a wide cross-section of sub-genres. As a writer, I’m mainly contemporary, with a little light paranormal thrown in thrown in to keep things interesting. My biggest challenge is knowing when to turn up the heat.
The question is, how hot is too hot? I’ve read many, many books where I’ve come away wishing I could see more of the hero/heroines’ relationship. There are times when I wish the author had kicked the heat up just a notch. Or two. Maybe three. I can honestly say I’ve never wished a book hadn’t “gone there’, but that may just be me.
How about you? Do you like your romance sweet or spicy? Extra spicy with a side of “whoo-hoo’? Have you ever read a book so much heat it made you run from the kitchen? I’m practically panting to know!
0 COMMENTS
Julie
14 years agoMe mind on fire, me soul on fire, feelin’ hot, hot, hot! There, that should replace The King and I for a while.
I am a big fan of heat. I don’t go for the mild salsa, my friends. Oh no, I am medium all the way. But we’re not talking about salsa here. When it comes to smut, I prefer scorching, blazing inferno kind of heat. Heat that makes me wanna stick my head in the freezer to cool down.
I have one basic rule in regards to smut. If I don’t see any by page 37, I’m out. However, that’s only if the writing is mediocre. If it’s Margaret-caliber writing, I’m in it no matter what … at least until page 82. 😉 I kid, but here’s the bottom line: smut is amaaaaazing!
®Smutaholic
Margaret Ethridge
14 years ago AUTHORUh… So, you’re saying you LIKE the sexy books. Right? LOL I think you may indeed be a ®Smutaholic. I am more than happy to be one of your enablers. Thanks, Julie!
MichelleKCanada
14 years agoI love romance books and I am addicted. To me the Kindle is the best invention since chocolate. (and I love chocolate)
I seem to collect books. I have probably 15 right now on my Kindle that I have downloaded but not read yet. I can’t pass up a good deal either so when I see a paperback at a great deal at a used book store, I buy. I have a tower in my closet waiting to be read and I keep purchasing more. The beauty is that I love all kinds of romance so I have built myself quite a collection.
I really do love all kinds of romance, steamy or sweet. I don’t really care to read a book just for the sake of it having sex and hot love scenes. What I mean is the sex/smut can’t be the entire plot. For that reason I’m not such a fan of the “quickies” or novellas. I need character development and a great story line. I need a connection. Even if that connection is hatred towards a character. At least there is an emotion.
My favourite is historical. I just adore the Regency books and I love when authors come up with an awesome twist to the romance. When I find a book I love, I eagerly seek out the author’s web page and buy up more of her stuff. I love series books too. Generally I get so invested in a couple or family I want more of them so I love to focus on books that have a series attached.
I find that when I am into a book and I love the couple, to read steamy love scenes is an absolute bonus.
To far for me would be anything with children or when rape is written with the intent of turning it into a love relationship. Pretty much everything else I can remain open for and I will read it once. One little pet peeve I do have about erotica books is when a book is not properly labeled. When I pick up a book or read about it on a website, I want to know if I am reading hot erotica or implied sex. I’ll read either but I do like to know. I love it when it is rated.
Margaret Ethridge
14 years ago AUTHORMichelle, I agree with you on the rating thing. I like to know up front how much steam I can expect in a book. I’m okay with sweet romance, but I want to know things aren’t going to get any hotter. That way, I don’t feel let down when the smexy stuff doesn’t develop. Thank you!
Jennifer
14 years agoInteresting!
My pet peeve is in a romance novel when a character uses sex to dominate rather than as a mutual expression of love.
Margaret Ethridge
14 years ago AUTHORAh yes. The old, ‘I am dominant’ bit. The way I see it, if the person has to say it out loud, they aren’t really. Thanks for sharing your (coffee) thoughts, Jennifer!
Heather Brewer
14 years agoHey Margaret,
Your book left me wanting more. I loved Paramour!!!!
I read all kinds of books but my favorite books are paranormal and erotica. I’ve read a few really good contemporaries lately like Melissa Eckers Memory Grove Series, JM kelley’s Drew in Blue and Inez kelley’s Sweet as Sin. Along with yours these are some of the best books I’ve read in awhile.
I am looking forward to reading more your books, I really enjoyed your writing style and can’t see what you are going to throw our way.
Margaret Ethridge
14 years ago AUTHORThank you, Heather! I’m so happy that you enjoyed Paramour. I’ve read Melissa Ecker’s Memory Grove Series and J. M. Kelley’s Drew In Blue, and I have to agree, they are great reads! I look forward to reading Inez Kelley’s Sweet as Sin soon!
Laurie
14 years agoI have to say, I am a fan of the romances that are set in a small town, whether it be by the sea or in the midwest. Usually the gal is there for one reason or another when she runs into (sometimes literally), the handsome sheriff/gardener/artist/widower, well you get the picture.
Margaret Ethridge
14 years ago AUTHORI like the small town quirkiness too, Laurie. There’s something to be said for the anything-goes anonymity of the city, but a small town setting gives a story a little edge sometimes. Thank you!