So if you want to feel the love today, here are some sources I suggest you check out:
- Your first stop needs to be the website of the Romance Writers of America. Not only do they give out the prestigious RITA awards, but they also have a lot of information for librarians and booksellers about the genre.
- Romantic Times is the genre's best magazine and their website is full of essays and reviews.
- Prefer your romance with a side of the paranormal? Click here.
- All About Romance is a site where romance fans can congregate. It has reviews, author interviews, and messages boards. There are also many lists of readers' favorite books. When I am at a loss of what to suggest to a romance reader, I reach for these lists.
- I have mentioned it before but, Smart Bitches, Trashy Books is fun and useful. The women behind the Smart Bitches website, Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan, also have a great Romance Reference book: Beyond Heavinf Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels (Fireside, 2009). And you should not miss Sarah's reviews and articles in Kirkus. Her writing makes me wish I were more of a Romance fan.
Of course, this list is just a small sampling of the information you can find to help romance readers. These are just some of my favorites. Feel free to share some of your own.
But wait, before I go, as promised, I did go through everyone's Romance suggestions to me. For the records, I have read books by many of the authors listed. Also, I had to tear myself away from the historical suggestions because I have read many historical romances in the past and the point of this exercise is to educate myself. Although, I did place Lizzy's steampunk romance suggestion on hold (I couldn't resist).
But in the end, it came down to BeretBrenckman who gave me a solid list of the best contemporary romance writers. From that list, I realized I have always meant to read Lisa Kleypas, but never have gotten around it to. So today, I checked out Smooth Talking Stranger.
Stay tuned to see what I think. And Happy Valentine's Day!
3 comments:
Can't wait to hear what you think of the steampunk romance. And i'm happy to know that someone from your library is enjoying it right now!
I'm excited to hear what you think about Smooth Talking Stranger. It's one of my favorites. If you delve into Susan Elizabeth Phillips (who is hilarious) I would suggestion Natural Born Charmer. It's one of my top ten favorites of all time from all genres. Enjoy!
Jessi, I do like SEP. She is great and lived here in the Chicago suburbs.
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