Cheesy and Predictable or Richly Soul Satisfying?
I’m driving home at 5 in the afternoon from a series of irritating errands – dropping off a favorite blouse at the dry cleaners that I have once again stained – picking up a lush and heavily verdant basil plant at the nursery to replace the one I over watered and killed.
At the same time, I’m kinda ruminating about The Sopranos – a series I have been feverishly binge watching again for the last three weeks. I am enthralled with Tony Soprano’s wife Carmela – played by Edie Falco. I am fascinated by how Carmela vocalizes strong disapproval for Tony’s criminal lifestyle, often expressing a desire for a more conventional existence. At the same time, she fully enjoys the trappings of his success, his power base, the material benefits afforded her and her financial security.
And, at the same time I’m ruminating over Carmela’s reactions, I’m kinda half listening to a segment on NPR’s “Florida Matters” when the phrase “Steamy Lit” catches my attention.
What in the heck is Steamy Lit?
Steamy Lit is a type of story that features romantic or erotic themes, has intense emotional connections, provocative storylines and explicitly sexual content. And that’s not all: Steamy Lit prioritizes passionate relationships, sensual experiences and intimate encounters between characters.
I’m starting to squirm. I turn up the volume and fine tune my hearing aids.
Apparently, unbeknownst to myself, there is a store almost within walking distance of my house bearing that same name: Steamy Lit. I make a reckless U turn, double back the way I had just come, and quickly pull up to the store front. I snap a quick picture, vowing to come back soon for a visit.
In the meantime, I start researching romance genre in general.
In the 1990’s, I had a face-to-face interview with American author Nora Roberts, who has written more than 225 novels, including many in the romance arena. She assured me that every book she had published or would publish would always have a happy ending.
There is a plethora of dramatic headlines since Covid – most portending doom and gloom. In conjunction with this fact, the sales of romance novels has been surging. Many attribute this to people’s desire for escapism, particularly during times like this – when the world is riddled with stress, violence and uncertainty. It’s no wonder: romance novels guarantee happy endings – which in turn provide comfort and reassurance to readers.
Another contributing factor to the growing popularity of romance novels is the influence of social media platforms like TikTok. Tik Tok showcases book recommendations, allows authors to actively share their insights, fosters a sense of community among romance readers and is credited for promoting wide breadth of romance subgenres including LGBTQ+. Story lines that are inclusive and diverse naturally attract a wider readership.
Growth is also affected by the prolific numbers of BIPOC authors –Black, Indigenous and People of Color (Asian, Latinx, Middle Eastern and Pacific Islander) churning out romantic fare.
When I hear the two words “Steamy Lit.” I immediately conjure up a bodice ripping male and a swooning defenseless female enveloped in an endless circle of sex, romance, intrigue and illicit pleasure. Kinda like this book cover:
Today’s best-selling romance novels are a greater sum of parts than that. These sizzlers incorporate characters who are also dealing with real life challenges – Alzheimer in a parent, loss, second chances, mental health issues, and finding the way back to one another after facing tragedy. They are stories that question belief systems and pre-conceived values and present varied perspectives. They focus not just on heavily rippled bodies and voluptuous body parts, but also character development and growth.
I remember shame-facedly reading Fifty Shades of Gray by E.L James on a long cross country plane flight in 2011 – nervously looking around to make sure no one I knew was sitting nearby. Those days are over.
I’m flying out next week. And I’ve got two romance novels carefully packed in my carry-on. I can’t wait to read them both – IN PUBLIC! I’ll let you know if they are Cheesy and Predictable, Richly Soul Satisfying or a little bit of both!
Keep Preserving Your Bloom,
