1. Romance
What’s wrong with love
and happy endings?

2. Quotes
Romance novels are the last genre that librarians
feel comfortable censoring. – Shelley Mosley
Romance offers a guarantee to the reader…You
are going to feel good. Characters are going to
receive emotional justice and villains will get their
due. – Charis Calhoon
Few people realize how much courage it takes for
a woman to open a romance novel on an airplane.
– Jayne Ann Krentz

3. Characteristics
• Love story is most important facet of
the novel
• Optimistic ending
• Emotional appeal
• Strong female characters
• May be read for other characteristics:
historical setting, adventure, humor,
etc.

4. Romance Formats
Series or “Category” – shorter romances
that are released in order and by month,
with a series number on each title.
Typically published by Harlequin or
Silhouette.
Single-title romances – longer romances
released individually.

5. Evolution of the Romance
Novel
Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte
Gothic Novels
Sentimental Domestics and Dime
Novels
Category Romances
Bodice-Rippers
Genre Blending

6. What a Difference 20 Years Makes

7. Romance Subgenres
Contemporary “Chick Lit”
Romantic Suspense Inspirational
Historical Paranormal
Regency Time-travel
African-American Science Fiction

8. Contemporary Romance
Romantic novels set after the World Wars
Series: Harlequin, Silhouette, MIRA
Popular authors: Jayne Ann Krentz, Susan
Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Crusie,
Christina Dodd, Diana Palmer, Catherine
Anderson
Website: www.eHarlequin.com

9. Romantic Suspense
Romantic novels containing mystery
and intrigue
Most popular subgenre
Popular Authors: Nora Roberts, Sandra
Brown, Karen Robards, Elizabeth
Lowell, Linda Howard, Julie
Garwood, Suzanne Brockmann
Website:
www.rwamysterysuspense.org

10. Historical Romance
Romantic novels set before the world
wars
Settings are vitally important to this
category
Popular Authors: Kat Martin, Lisa
Kleypas, Johanna Lindsey,
Candace Camp, Jodi Thomas,
Heather Graham, Madeleine Hunter,
Amanda Quick
Website: www.historicalhearts.com

11. Regency Romances
Set in England between 1811 and 1820
Traditional Regency – “comedy of
manners,” mainly category (Signet
Regency, Zebra Regency)
Historical Regency – longer, more
complex, more sexual tension
Website: www.thebeaumonde.com

12. African-American Romance
Romances featuring primarily
African-American characters
Series: Arabesque, some
Silhouette
Popular Authors: Donna Hill,
Rochelle Alers, Roberta Gayle,
Brenda Jackson, Gwynne
Forster
Website:
www.romanceincolor.com

13. “Chick Lit” Romance
Modern, realistic and humorous
romances
Children of Bridget Jones’ Diary
Popular Authors: Patti Berg,
Julie Ortolon, Susan
Andersen, Carly Phillips,
Rachel Gibson
Website:
www.chicklitbooks.com

14. Inspirational Romance
Romances containing spiritual themes,
predominantly Christian
Series: Steeple Hill, Love Inspired,
Heartsong
Popular Authors: Lori Copeland, Robin
Jones Gunn, Linda Windsor, Tracie
Peterson, Gayle Roper
Website: www.faithhopelove-rwa.org/

15. Time Travel & Futuristic Romance
Romance novels with characters
traveling between different time
periods or in a futuristic setting on
other planets
Series: Timeswept, 2176
Popular Authors: J.D. Robb, Jayne
Castle, Susan Grant, Robin D.
Owens, Susan Krinard, Karen Marie
Moning, Dara Joy
Website: www.sfronline.com

16. Paranormal Romances
Romantic novels containing “other-worldly”
elements, such as magic, vampires,
werewolves, fairies
Series: Luna, Love Spell, HeartSpell
Popular Authors: Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine
Feehan, MaryJanice Davidson, Lynsay
Sands, Maggie Shayne
Website: pnr.thebestreviews.com

17. General Romance Websites
The Romance Reader
www.theromancereader.com
Romance Writers of America
www.rwanational.com
Romantic Times Book Club
www.romantictimes.com

18. Linda’s Three Must-Reads
Undead and Unwed
by MaryJanice
Davidson
Seize the Night by
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Fool for Love by
Eloisa James