I read many genres, and I find that even when I am not reading a romance novel I appreciate a romantic subplot in a book.  Many novels in the mystery, fantasy, paranormal, and women’s fiction genres do include elements of romance, although the romance is not the focus of the plot.  The Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards even include a category for this: Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements.  Although these novels lack the typical plotlines (and covers) of a romance novel, they should please romance readers looking for something a little different without branching out too far.  Request one today!

Every year, I write a blog about the nominees for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA© Awards, and it’s that time again.  For those that are unfamiliar, these awards are given in 12 different categories (historical, inspirational, paranormal, etc.)  to the best of romance published in 2011.  Some of my favorite authors are nominated this year, and it will be interesting to see who takes home the prize.  Awards will be given out on July 28th; be sure to check back here for the complete list of winners.

The full list of nominees can be found here, but here are some of my favorites:

One of the biggest new trends in fiction is steampunk, a sub-genre of fantasy and science fiction.  Important elements of the genre include steam power (which usually means a historical setting), technology ahead of its time, and some elements of alternate history and fantasy.  Steampunk is often set in Victorian England, but because of the alternate history elements romance heroines need not be protected society misses and the world around them can be close to reality or whatever the author can imagine.  Steampunk is perfect for readers who love both fantasy and romance or for historical romance readers looking for something different.  If you are looking for something different and creative, try a steampunk romance!

Like many people around the world, I spent last Sunday evening watching the Academy Awards with friends.  I often question the winners, but I love the celebration of filmmaking and the glamour of the celebrities that attend. (Personally, I think Angelina Jolie’s right leg stole the show this year.)  The same love I have for movies and theater extends to romances featuring actors.  They feature talented and creative personalities, and it’s interesting to see how the perception of actors has gone from low class in historicals to the most sought after and famous people in the world in contemporaries.

Football season might be over for now, but if you love sports romance any time of year is a great time to read a football romance.  Surprisingly, there are not as many football romances as one might expect when compared to hockey or NASCAR, but HCPL has many romances that feature current or former NFL players.   If your type of hero is a professional athlete, give a football romance a try!
 

Popular Football Titles:

Celebrate the New Year with a new title!   HCPL has many new and upcoming romances that you can place on hold before they hit our shelves.  Personally, I’m really looking forward to Shannon Hale’s Austenland sequel, and I know many paranormal readers who can’t wait for the new Kresley Cole.  What are you most excited about reading?

New December & January Titles:

Every year our library does a display of holiday books, and every year these books practically fly off the shelves.  Reading holiday titles help many people (including myself) get into the holiday spirit as we do the many things necessary to prepare for the season.   Holiday romances are always plentiful on the display and in the library, and there really is something for every romance reader, no matter the subgenre you prefer.  So if you are in the mood for novels full of merriment and families, both old and new, coming together, check out a title today.  Have a wonderful holiday season!

Recent Holiday Titles:

The upcoming releases of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol have turned my mind to spies in fiction and film.   Over the years, I have enjoyed many romance novels featuring spies, both male and female.  Spies in romantic fiction are extremely common in both historical and contemporary novels, so whether your fancy is a regency lord hunting a French double agent or a CIA officer infiltrating a terror cell or drug cartel, we have a spy romance for you!

Great Spy Romances, Historical and Contemporary:

The popularity of culinary mystery authors such as Diane Mott Davidson and Joanne Fluke has often made me wonder if similar themes were popular in romance.  The drama of working in a restaurant kitchen or the romance of having that special someone cook a meal for you makes a food theme ideal for all kinds of romance novels.  To my surprise, there were many romances in our collection that either featured chefs, bakers or restaurant owners of both genders (and even vampires!)  So if you’re

While reading the blog GalleyCat, I found the results of an interesting study done on Harlequin romances.  For their book, A Billion Wicked Thoughts, researchers Ogi Ogas and Sai Gaddam studied over 15,000 romances to find out the most popular professions of romance novel heroes. Here is the list: