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Romance Reads

A guide to Romance books and literature.

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San Antonio Public Library's bookshelf: read

The Name of the Wind
Links to Library records: The Name of the Wind Hardback copy The Name of the Wind Paperback copy The Name of the Wind Downloadable eBook
tagged: fantasy and tricia
Leviathan Wakes
Link to Library record: Leviathan Wakes
tagged: dan and science-fiction
The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead
Links to Library records: The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead eBook copy
tagged: dan, self-help, and humor
Morning Glories, Vol. 1: For a Better Future
Link to Library record: Morning Glories Vol. 1
tagged: graphic-novels and tricia
Bend-the-Rules Sewing: The Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew
Link to Library Record: Bend-the-Rules Sewing : the Essential Guide to a Whole New Way to Sew
tagged: maria and crafts

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Welcome to Romance. . .

      Every romance novel has two basic elements:  

  • A Central Love Story: The main plot centers around two individuals falling in love and struggling to make the relationship work. A writer can include as many subplots as he/she wants as long as the love story is the main focus of the novel.

  • An Emotionally-Satisfying and Optimistic Ending: Usually the story ends with the lovers living "happily ever after". The reader is left with the belief that whatever else happens the two lovers will remain together and happy with their relationship. (So while Romeo & Juliet may be romantic it's not a Romance.)

     Romance novels may have any tone or style, be set in any place or time, and have varying levels of sensuality—ranging from sweet to extremely hot.

Sweet or Sexy?

   Do you prefer a chaste love story, with nothing more explicit than holding hands? Or do you prefer something more sensual, even erotic? Or perhaps you prefer something in-between depending on your mood.

   Most readers have a definite preference regarding the explicitness and development of the physical relationship in a Romance. So, sensuality ratings for suggested titles are provided on this guide. The rating system is based heavily on the system created by a website called All About Romance

   Below is a complete explanation of each level of rating from All About Romance:

Kisses Kisses only. Many of these books are quite simply "sweet." Most traditional Regencies fit this category, as well Harlequin Romance and Silhouette Romance titles. Authors who tend to write "Kisses" romances include Betty Neels, Nicole Burnham, Lisa Wingate, and Donna Simpson.
Subtle No explicit sensuality. Kissing and touching, but physical romance is described in general terms or implied. The emphasis is on how lovemaking made the characters feel emotionally, and not on graphic description, although this does not equate to the use of euphemism or only "petting." Rather, if lovemaking occurs, it is alluded to rather than described, so that the reader's imagination becomes paramount. Many Harlequin American Romances are written with "Subtle" sensuality. Authors who write at this level of sensuality include Pamela Morsi, LaVyrle Spencer, Debbie Macomber, and Deborah Smith. Traditional Regency authors who tend to write books with "Subtle" sensuality include Patricia Oliver and Karen Harbaugh.
Warm Moderately explicit sensuality. While our lovers do make love, and the reader is there with them, physical details are described, but are not graphically depicted. Much is left to the reader's imagination and/or possibly the use of euphemistic "code words." But what's most important are feelings and emotions, not body parts. While there is sexual tension, there may not be more than one or two love scenes in the whole book. The vast majority of single title romances feature "Warm" sensuality. Series lines that are generally "Warm" include Harlequin American Romance and Silhouette Special Edition. The vast majority of single title romances fall in either the "Warm" or "Hot" category. Authors who often write at this level of sensuality include Nora Roberts, Susan Wiggs, Rebecca York, Judith Arnold, Mary Balogh (trads and single titles), Edith Layton, and Candace Camp.
Hot Very explicit sensuality. There is an expanded focus throughout the book on sexual feelings and desires. The love scenes are longer, and there are at least two or three of them. The characters often think about their sexual feelings and desires, and making love is graphically depicted, and there may be strong use of euphemistic "code words." Both the emotions of the hero and heroine and the physical feelings of both are important during love scenes. Most Harlequin Temptations and Blazes, as well as a good number of Silhouette Desires, are "Hot." Authors who tend to write "Hot" romances include J.D. Robb, Leanne Banks, Stephanie Laurens, Gaelen Foley, Karen Marie Moning, Linda Howard, Lisa Kleypas, Susan Andersen, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and pre-romantic suspense Julie Garwood
Burning Extremely explicit sensuality - these books are often considered "romantica," a hybrid between erotica and romance.. Sexual feelings and desires are strongly focused on and some books in this category have sex as the primary focus. The details are thoroughly graphic, and may include what some readers might consider kinky. Many Harlequin Blaze titles are "Burning," as are many of Kensington's Brava line. Authors who are writing Burning romance include "old-line" authors such as Susan Johnson, Thea Devine, and Bertrice Small (who never met a manroot she didn't love), and newer authors to romantica such as Alison Kent, Emma Holly, Cheryl Holt, and Angela Knight

Sub-genres of Genre

    Lords and Ladies, Sheiks and shapechangers, Witches and Warriors, Romance offers a little for everyone no matter what time or place interests you.

    Ancient Scotland, Regency England, modern-day Colorado, and Victorian Egypt offer the settings for our lovers. The challenges to True Love? Feuding clans, corporate spies, demons, and each other!

Perennial Favorites

     With so many options, choosing a romance novel can quickly get overwhelming. Here are several titles that are perennial favorites of Romance Readers:

Romantic? Certainly. A Romance? Well, maybe . . .

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