Recently, I visited my local Borders with a thirty dollar gift card and a ten dollar off a purchase of twenty five dollars or more coupon in my wallet. An avid readers dream, right? I searched the new releases table and scanned the shelves of the romance section, (literally from A-Z) reading the backs of dozens of potential purchases, and could only find one book that interested me. This is shocking, BECAUSE I LOVE BOOKS. (In fact they're stacked so high at the head of my bed, any robust activity puts me at risk for a paperback induced head trauma.)
Do I read too much? Have I read all the good ones? Has my brain become saturated by so many similar plotlines?
Thank goodness for Harlequin. Earlier in the month, prior to my Borders visit, I placed a rather large order at eharlequin.com, and received the newest releases from Robyn Carr, Victoria Dahl, and Kristin Kiggins in the mail, along with assorted other books that have been keeping me busy when I'm not writing. Even the book I traveled to Borders to buy was from Harlequin, Leslie Kelly's Play With Me. (Sounds good doesn't it? I read about it at Plotmonkeys.com)
Anyway, back to my point: Where have all the enjoyable, single title contemporary romances gone? I have my favorite authors, but at one-to-two books a year, that's a lot of down time. So I did some investigation and found several blog posts where authors and agents were chatting about a decline in the popularity of contemporary romance, and how they are harder to sell to publishers at this time. (Please take a moment to imagine my dramatic rant at the inopportune timing of this news......as contemporary romance is what I write, and what I love to read.)
So I'd like to know: What are you reading right now? Or....What are you thinking about reading? (And if you aren't reading something, or thinking about reading something, you should be!)
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I read and write contemporary also so I am disappointed to hear this news. Can you give links to the blogs where you read this? Right now I am reading Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz.
ReplyDeleteHi Linda!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Jayne Ann Krentz recently. Doesn't she write mostly paranormal now? Re: the blog link you requested. Go to Romanceuniversity.org and scroll down to Contemporary Romance - Hot? Not? It's an interesting interview with Carly Phillips and literary agent Laura Bradford. I can't remember other links off hand.
Welcome Alena!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to have you as a regular visitor!
I love contemps and this is terrifying. Have you read Jill Shalvis? She's a fave of mine. Try Instant Attraction or Double Play. Or her Slow Heat hits the shelves this weekend. I found her through her daily blog, which is hysterical.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy!
ReplyDeleteI love Jill Shalvis! I've read both of the books you mentioned and am looking forward to her new one.
Thanks for visiting!
Hi Wendy!
ReplyDeleteAs an avid follower of your blog, it was so nice to see a silent follower leave a comment. I hope it encourages other silent followers to reveal themselves. I know how much you love writing, and feedback is always welcome and encouraging.
Hi Wendy!
ReplyDeleteLOVER AVENGED by J.R. Ward. I'm not so crazy about the Black Dagger Brotherhood as heroes -- too much hepcat jive talking and too many piercings, you feel me? But she writes great action and great villains, especially her Lessening Society fiends!
Outside the genre, I am reading BLOOD'S A ROVER by James Ellroy, the man who wrote LA CONFIDENTIAL, which later became the Russell Crowe movie. Ellroy writes violent, twisted stories of dirty cops and corruption, but he has an incredible knowledge of crime and police procedures. Not for the weak stomach, but a great author!