what is your favorite genre of romance?
As you know, I just finished reading Killer Takes All by Erica Spindler, a romantic suspense that was just fabulous. A little lighter on the romance than I prefer, but it had just enough to satisfy me. *g* Really enjoyed it.
Of course, as soon as I finish any book, I immediately start trying to decide what to read next. (I cannot be bookless; not for a moment, & not even with a couple other books already started throughout the house. :-)) And as you also know, I ended up grabbing The Vampire Who Loved Me by Teresa Medeiros. There were a few tense moments deciding between that & Sandra Brown's Chill Factor, though. (Which I will probably end up reading next, unless something else distracts me.)
But what I realized while weighing my options is that I don't gravitate toward historical romances nearly as much as I used to. I'm not sure why; there are tons of historicals I've loved over the years & tons of historical romance authors I adore. I still buy them...just maybe not as much as before. And I still read them...though definitely not as often, & it seems like other books easily take precedence when I go looking for what to read next.
So why is that?
I think one of the reasons may be that I'm writing contemporary romance myself now instead of historical. It must be a mood & mindset thing. Because when I was writing historical, I'm pretty sure I read historicals more often.
Another reason--which may be connected to the mood & mindset thing--is that I really like romantic suspense & lighter contemporary, so when I'm weighing my options, I tend to lean in those directions.
And maybe, just a tad, it's because when I look at a historical these days, I don't seem to have that feeling in my gut that says, "Ooh, this looks good." Maybe I subconsciously think that it will be just another story with a duke or earl or marquis...or a lord & lady. I honestly don't know. And even if that's the case, I realize consciously that it's a silly reason not to be reading them as much as before, because some of my favorite books have been Regencies or Medievals, with lords & ladies & earls & dukes, etc.
In fact, having started The Vampire Who Loved Me, that's exactly what I'm reminded of. Setting aside the vampire/paranormal aspect of the story & thinking of it only as a historical, I'm enjoying it as much as anything else I've picked up. I've been drawn immediately back into that world, & even though I don't seem to gravitate to historicals as often as in the past, I haven't had any trouble starting it, sticking with it, getting grounded in the historical setting & feel of the story.
So maybe it is just a phase, & one of these days I'll suddenly get on a giant historical kick again. Actually, I'm kind of hoping. :-)
But what about you? Do you tend to read one type of romance more than another--contemporary, historical, paranormal? And if so, why is that? Is it because the market is flooded right now with one type of story over another? (I'm thinking of paranormals, which are huge right now, but weren't always...& may not be down the road.)
Or do you read across the board & mix it up on a regular basis?
Is there anything you don't read? I read a little bit of everything, but I do know people who only read historical or only read category. And if that's the case, why do you only read that one small portion of the genre?
No matter what your answer is, no one is going to throw snowballs at you. :-) I'm just curious & wondering if I'm the only one who's reading habits are following this type of pattern these days.
Of course, as soon as I finish any book, I immediately start trying to decide what to read next. (I cannot be bookless; not for a moment, & not even with a couple other books already started throughout the house. :-)) And as you also know, I ended up grabbing The Vampire Who Loved Me by Teresa Medeiros. There were a few tense moments deciding between that & Sandra Brown's Chill Factor, though. (Which I will probably end up reading next, unless something else distracts me.)
But what I realized while weighing my options is that I don't gravitate toward historical romances nearly as much as I used to. I'm not sure why; there are tons of historicals I've loved over the years & tons of historical romance authors I adore. I still buy them...just maybe not as much as before. And I still read them...though definitely not as often, & it seems like other books easily take precedence when I go looking for what to read next.
So why is that?
I think one of the reasons may be that I'm writing contemporary romance myself now instead of historical. It must be a mood & mindset thing. Because when I was writing historical, I'm pretty sure I read historicals more often.
Another reason--which may be connected to the mood & mindset thing--is that I really like romantic suspense & lighter contemporary, so when I'm weighing my options, I tend to lean in those directions.
And maybe, just a tad, it's because when I look at a historical these days, I don't seem to have that feeling in my gut that says, "Ooh, this looks good." Maybe I subconsciously think that it will be just another story with a duke or earl or marquis...or a lord & lady. I honestly don't know. And even if that's the case, I realize consciously that it's a silly reason not to be reading them as much as before, because some of my favorite books have been Regencies or Medievals, with lords & ladies & earls & dukes, etc.
In fact, having started The Vampire Who Loved Me, that's exactly what I'm reminded of. Setting aside the vampire/paranormal aspect of the story & thinking of it only as a historical, I'm enjoying it as much as anything else I've picked up. I've been drawn immediately back into that world, & even though I don't seem to gravitate to historicals as often as in the past, I haven't had any trouble starting it, sticking with it, getting grounded in the historical setting & feel of the story.
So maybe it is just a phase, & one of these days I'll suddenly get on a giant historical kick again. Actually, I'm kind of hoping. :-)
But what about you? Do you tend to read one type of romance more than another--contemporary, historical, paranormal? And if so, why is that? Is it because the market is flooded right now with one type of story over another? (I'm thinking of paranormals, which are huge right now, but weren't always...& may not be down the road.)
Or do you read across the board & mix it up on a regular basis?
Is there anything you don't read? I read a little bit of everything, but I do know people who only read historical or only read category. And if that's the case, why do you only read that one small portion of the genre?
No matter what your answer is, no one is going to throw snowballs at you. :-) I'm just curious & wondering if I'm the only one who's reading habits are following this type of pattern these days.
