Kindle Love Stories discussion
Introduction
Hi Mary Anne, nice to meet you. I'm derelict in introducing myself as well. I'm an author and a reader. I love the old gothic romances as well, and vampires need to be alpha characters rather than love interests (in my way of thinking). Monsters equal horror, not love. But I love a good monster. Although I do generally include a sex scene in my books, when I'm reading. I actually prefer books without them for the most part. I also read regency romance, I like "horror" and suspense. My books include a supernatural element, although usually downplayed, and I enjoy reading that type of thing as well, but not as a matter of convenience to the plot.I'm a mother of two and grandmother to one (and one on the way). Married twice (took two tries to get it right) and juggle a full time day job in addition to the author gig (that's the way it works for most of us).
Nice to meet you all and excited to be part of the group!
Hi Mary Anne and Karla! My name is Kristy and I'm just a reader, not an author. When I was younger I wrote "romance" stories so I have quite a few spiral notebooks that will stay in my closet buried where they belong. I read a variety of genres; romance (of course), mystery, horror, fantasy, science fiction ocassionally. I usually don't read non-fiction, inspirational, or anything involving the military/war except for romantic suspense. I will read erotic novels as long as they have a plot besides just sex sex sex. I can't think of a gothic romance that I have read, but I think they would be something I would like due to the horror/eerie element they seem to have to them. My favorite author is Stephen King, not romance I know, but his stories do have some elements of romance sometimes if you look for them.
I'm a "mother" of three cats and a dog, no husband or kids but that gives me more time to read! I'm a Social Worker so it's nice to be able to come home, read a book, and not have to think about anyone's problems for a few hours :)
Nice to meet everyone and I am really enjoying the group so far!
Mary Anne wrote: "Hi there, fellow Kindle Love Stories group members! I just posted my first comment on this discussion board, and got a pop-up asking me to introduce myself. So here goes: I'm a reader and no-nam..."Mary Anne, what are some good gothic novels that you would recommend?
Hi kristi - stepping on toes (sorry Mary Anne) but I love the old Victoria Holt novels, and one of my favorite new voices is Erica Ridley in gothic novels.
Hello ladies! My name is Veronica Brannon and I'm a very new 'wannabe' writer. My genre is contemporary romance, I simply love love. I have one book out and currently working on my second one. I love a good cat and mouse chase it just speaks to me. I like to read different stuff so I'm not too picky. If any of you ladies that write have an author or fb page that would like to have an extra 'like' go check the tread on authors swaping pages likes (if I'm correct) and get some of those. Hope to hear more from you! :)
Hi Ladies! This is Laura Roppe, the host of "Kindle Love Stories!" I wanted to drop in and say hello and thank you for listening. :) I am really enjoying reading your comments and suggestions and conversations. Please keep them coming! We really ARE listening to what you have to say. This is so much FUNNNNNNN! xoxoxoxo
Thank you for adding to this discussion, Karla, Kristy, Veronica, and Laura! It's great to learn more about you.To answer Kristi's question: I haven't yet read enough gothics, classic or neo, to give recommendations. The ones I've enjoyed most are some long-out-of-print oldies by authors you've probably never heard of. Books like this are difficult if not impossible to find on Amazon.
So instead of listing titles and authors, allow me to note what I think a good gothic romance should feature. The most important element, the one I enjoy most, is a woman in jeopardy. LOTS of jeopardy!
In the midst of imminent danger, the heroine is confused, bewildered, terrified. There are perils on all sides. The story is full of strange, even bizarre, characters, events, and situations. All this throws her off balance and adds to her terror.
What ratchets the tension up even higher is the fact that the heroine doesn't know whom to trust. Even the man she loves might be trying to kill her. In this subgenre, love and death, or at least the threat of death, are inextricably intertwined.
I mentioned above that I don't care for power fantasies. Gothic romances, the best ones anyhow, are the opposite---lack-of-power fantasies.
The heroine is no match for the overwhelming forces unleashed against her. Yet somehow she must survive. And more than that, attain the fulfillment of love under the most unfavorable circumstances.
Gothic romances allow the reader to experience a catharsis, a purging of her fears---if not her paranoia---brought on by real-life terrors. She can deal with what worries and frightens her in the safe context of fiction.
Of course, romantic suspense does the same. But today's romantic suspense heroines are far more formidable than their gothic counterparts.
These are strong, tough, courageous, assertive, confident women. Often they belong to a dangerous profession, such as law enforcement or the military. A far cry from the vulnerable heroines of past generations.
Often when I read today's romantic suspense, I feel the villains have much more to fear from the heroine than she has to fear from them. Is she ever really in danger? She might get in a life-threatening situation, but right away her training will kick in and she'll shoot her way out.
I can't worry about her the way I did the old gothic heroines. Hence the catharsis is missing. And though there are other reasons why I read and enjoy today's romantic suspense, sooner or later I'll want to pick up an old or old-style gothic, and experience its particular types of thrills.
Other readers might have other reasons for digging this subgenre. And if it's revived in a big way---already there are isolated examples---it will be interesting to see which directions it will take, what the readers will demand and the authors will provide.
Keep up the good work!
Hi all! My name is Val and I live in VA. I'm just a read who has always loved to read. I like romance novels that have challenges or drama innthe beginning but have a happy end but I will read pretty much anything that someone recommends.
Hello!I'm an Australian romance fan. To me slipping into a e-romance is like a bubble bath for my brain. They shift me out of the day to day and remind me of how joyous life can be.
BUT I'm joining this group to help me find well written books. So many are just awful, so I'm hoping this group will help me stick to intelligent reads in the future. I like regency and contemporary, happy with a bit of smut if it helps the character development and I avoid paranormal - although who didn't enjoy the twilight series!
I have actually published a couple of cookbooks, and after reading some appalling romances I'm enjoying having a play at my own title. But perhaps it will never see the light of day - and that's fine.
Looking forward to getting to know more of you.
To answer Kristi's question: I haven't yet read enough gothics, classic or neo, t..."Hi everyone, my name is Elf Ahearn, (strange but true)I'm new to the group and I'm an author. When I saw your postings about Gothic novels, my heart went pit-a-pat because my tagline is "Regency romance with a Gothic twist." You see, I like my fantasies steeped in danger and adventure, with lots of life or death situations. You can't imagine the heck I put my heroines through! I was attracted to the Regency era because I didn't want my heroines to press a button on their cellphones and summon the police.
The plot of my first novel, A Rogue in Sheep's Clothing, is so intense, my critique partner, Janet Lane Walters (who's authored about 30 novels) said, "You write Gothic-Regency romances." So that's how the tagline was born.
I also really want a great climax in a romance novel -- something more than the guy kissing the heroine, or the two of them deciding to get married. So I threw a lot of drama into A Rogue in Sheep's Clothing, as well as the subsequent books in the series (there will be four when I'm done, but only Rogue is available now.)
There's a lot of intensity in paranormals and mysteries, and I'm hoping Regency readers won't mind being lifted out of the parlor and into a darker, more dramatic setting.
I'd really appreciate hearing from romance readers as to whether a "Gothic" sensibility is something they're interested in.
A Rogue in Sheep's Clothing
Hello, hello everyone! It's great seeing all of the different opinions already posted here. It amazes me just how versatile romance books can be...there are so many different aspects of romance, and quite the variety of subgenres to support all of our reading addictions!!!My name is Nicole...Duchess is just to separate me from the crowd a little, and is a play off of my last name, which is Duke. I read every kind of romance out there, but I don't like dark romance...anything disturbing...disturbs me ;) So that trend will likely never take up residence in my ereader.
That being said, I tend to love the gamma heroes, the irredeemable, lonely souls, both male and female. I like to have children in my romances on occasion, which I'm seeing a lot less of these days. (Have you guys noticed that?) I love reading love stories in which two people bring out the best in each other, or make the other see how great they really are. That's the ultimate for me.
Unlike Mary Anne, I tend to like most romance tropes...heroes redeemed by love, marriage of convenience, triangles, and so on. Honestly, there is not much in the romance world that I can say that I just don't like...as long as the author engages me and makes me BELIEVE in her characters...regardless of their situation, I'm usually on board with the plot.
@ Kristy...have you read any of the old favorites such as Wuthering Heights, Rebecca, or Jane Eyre? I have mixed emotions about gothic romance, as it tends lean toward the "not-so-happily ever after" endings. But you can't go wrong with the much loved classics!!!
Hi Duchess,Thanks for your honest response to my question about Gothic romances. My books always end with happily ever afters, but they do have darker, scarier aspects to them than most Regency romances.
A friend of mine, Jennifer Probst, wrote a novel you might enjoy. It's called The Marriage Bargain. Jennifer really struggled to get this book published because it's about a marriage of convenience. The industry said no one is interested in reading that trope anymore. Now, The Marriage Bargain is on the NY Times and USA Today bestseller lists. Plus, a studio bought the movie rights!
The Marriage Bargain
A Rogue in Sheep's Clothing
Elf wrote: "Hi Duchess,Thanks for your honest response to my question about Gothic romances. My books always end with happily ever afters, but they do have darker, scarier aspects to them than most Regency ro..."
Thank you so much for the rec, Elf!!! I think I actually have the second book in that series in paperback here at home.
You know, I think that I tend to like the older tropes...the ones that got me interested in romance to begin with. I think I can read so many romances because there are just so many different plot points to choose from. Those tried and true tropes are always there, and the newer indie authors bring more new ideas to the table, so I'm always interested.
Hey Duchess,Here's another recommendation -- The Mudlark by Dell Jacobs. It's one of my favorite Regency romances. You'll love it!
The Mudlark
A Rogue in Sheep's Clothing
Awesome, thank you so much Elf!!
My pleasure. I hope you enjoy both books. They're two of my favorites. What are some of yours?
Hello All and Happy June! It's a little hard for me to believe, but we're at the midway mark already. This year is going by too quickly for me.Like all of you, I love a good love story. Romance novels have always been a favorite genre of mines. If it's a romance book, I'll usually read it. I'm not partial to any specific themes, though, I do prefer heroines that are relatable or likeable. I have to like the heroine of the story before I can recommend it.
I look forward to discussing and reading about everyone's recommendations.
Elf: The Marriage Bargain was a great read. I love the banter between Nick and Alexa and their steadfastness to what they believed. :)
-See
Hello to everyone my name is Shirley Long and I too agree that this year is going by really fast. Before we know it the Holidays will be here soon. But I wantto say that I love reading Romance novels, I love different kinds of romance, deceit, love, suspense, fantasy, all of it is love to me and it helps awaken the readers at least I know mines, imagination.
I have also published a romance novel with Barnes and Noble called Romance With Doc, I recommend that those
of you who enjoy romance and love to read it and inform me what you think about it. It is a short story
and is about a young lady who had met nothing but jerks in her lifetime but now she meet a professional
man who is a Doctor and she can't believe he want to date a young lady like her who hasn't attended college and is applying for a maid position at his office. She is stunned and shocked when he ask to take her out. She can't believe what she is hearing.
It is so fun to read all the different types of Romance novels that is circulating in the world today. We have so much to look forward to, especially the different perceptive that each Author represents when writing his or her Romance novel. I love reading them, so I say to every Romance novel reader there is a books out there for all of us to read. I hope I can recommend some good reads to everyone.
Elf wrote: "My pleasure. I hope you enjoy both books. They're two of my favorites. What are some of yours?"Sorry for the late reply, Elf...hmmm...some of my faves...
In keeping with the Historical Romances, I'd say Judith McNaught is one of my top authors. Until You made me cry happy tears. I also love anything by Lisa Kleypas or Julie Garwood...I just finished The Prize a couple of days ago.
Ooo, I'll put them on my to-be-read list. In what era to they place their novels?BTW, Shirley and See, it's good to hear from you. I'll read a good contemporary romance, but mostly I love historicals -- especially the ones taking place during the Regency. There's something about that time in England that gets to me.
Lisa Kleypas mostly does Regency or a bit later, but she doesn't write about the aristocracy all that much...more in her earlier novels, I think. Her books are all interconnected loosely through her characters, so if you're a stickler for reading order, maybe read by publication date? She starts in the regency period and moves slowly through the nineteenth century.Garwood does medieval romance mostly, so maybe she's not for you. McNaught does mostly regency...she is PHENOMENAL. Truly a master at her craft. I do hope you like some of them if you get a chance to read them. Please let me know what you think!!
Hi, I'm Poliana. I live in Brazil and to tell the truth I've recently discovered my love for love stories. I've always enjoyed reading but I must admit I had a hard time understanding why women loved this kind of books... I could understand the classics but not the new ones. Well, until I read one. I can't stop reading them now. I don't care what people around me says. I guees many of them are on the same level or even much better than the chick movies cable tv offers 24/7.So, right now, I really happy to have found out this group and keep exchanging info about Love stories.
I really feels nice to belong to such a big community and be able to discuss and share.
Hi there Poliana!!! How exciting for you to just be starting out with romance...woman, you have a whole bunch of worlds just waiting on you, lol. I'm sure all of these lovely ladies have tons of suggestions if you let us know what kinds of stories you like!!!
Wow, I'm going to have to order their books. Thanks so much for the recs. I just checked out Judith McNaught's list on Goodreads. She apparently INVENTED the Regency romance genre. Very cool. So can anyone tell me which book I should start with?
Veronica wrote: "Hello ladies! My name is Veronica Brannon and I'm a very new 'wannabe' writer. My genre is contemporary romance, I simply love love. I have one book out and currently working on my second one. I lo..."
Hi Veronica, what's the name of your book? I am also a new writer of contemporary romance, but have been an avid reader for years! I like to see what other new authors have put out there too (and support them). Thanks,
Elf wrote: "Wow, I'm going to have to order their books. Thanks so much for the recs. I just checked out Judith McNaught's list on Goodreads. She apparently INVENTED the Regency romance genre. Very cool. So ca..."
Veronica wrote: "Hello ladies! My name is Veronica Brannon and I'm a very new 'wannabe' writer. My genre is contemporary romance, I simply love love. I have one book out and currently working on my second one. I lo..."
Emily Duvall
Hi Veronica, what's the name of your book? I am also a new writer of contemporary romance, but have been an avid reader for years! I like to see what other new authors have put out there too (and support them). Thanks,
Elf wrote: "Wow, I'm going to have to order their books. Thanks so much for the recs. I just checked out Judith McNaught's list on Goodreads. She apparently INVENTED the Regency romance genre. Very cool. So ca..."
Veronica wrote: "Hello ladies! My name is Veronica Brannon and I'm a very new 'wannabe' writer. My genre is contemporary romance, I simply love love. I have one book out and currently working on my second one. I lo..."
Emily Duvall
I know right, Shirley. LOL. I swear, it feels like I just celebrated New Year not too long ago. Oh my, Lisa Kleypas, Julie Garwood and Judith McNaught are all big names in Romance. I gobbled their earlier works like nothing. I love historicals and the Regency period too Elf.
A favorite of mines from Lisa Kleypas is Dreaming of You. I’ve reread that book so many times the spine is falling apart. Derek Craven is a to-die-for hero. He and Colin from Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series are neck-in-neck in my all time favorite romance hero list. LOL…I want both of them! ;)
They are all masters at creating wonderful characters and as a writer, I hope one day to master that technique. I’m a little sadden that they’ve all moved away from writing historicals. Their contemporary novels are good too, but the love story isn’t as strong in some of them.
Oops, I posted without finishing my post. Is anyone a fan of Mary Balogh? Every time I want a heart-wrenching story and good cry, I read some of her earlier works. The First Snowdrop is a favorite of mines from her.
I love Mary Balogh. That's up the "redemption" alley. I'm excited to get the chance to meet her next spring at the Chicago writers convention!
Elf wrote: "Wow, I'm going to have to order their books. Thanks so much for the recs. I just checked out Judith McNaught's list on Goodreads. She apparently INVENTED the Regency romance genre. Very cool. So ca..."
I love Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught and A Kingdom of dreams. I reread them every few years and they never get old.Emily Duvall
I love Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught and A Kingdom of dreams. I reread them every few years and they never get old.Emily Duvall
Hi everyone,My name is Susan - I'm from the east coast of Canada :) I'm not a reader of traditional romance but I do like a good love story. I'm a fairly new novelist whose first series (Drifters) is doing amazingly well on Goodreads - so if you like a good heart-wrenching cry then you and I will get along very well :)
Looking forward to hearing about great love stories - and they don't necessarily have to have a happy ending (did I say / write that out loud?). As long as they are hard fought, then I'm there...
Cheers from a rainy PEI, Canada!
Susan in Canada---you mean I'm not the only romance reader who doesn't require happy endings? I've gotten in trouble in the past for wishing out loud that the genre would allow tragic endings. What I'd give for a good cry!
Karla wrote: "I love Mary Balogh. That's up the "redemption" alley. I'm excited to get the chance to meet her next spring at the Chicago writers convention!"Oh lucky you! The depth of emotion Mary Balough creates in her characters is inspiring. I love that about her writing. What is your favorite of her novels. I've only read one of them. Can't remember the title to save my life.
Susan, I perfer the ending to be other than happy all the time, that makes a good read and make the story comes to life. That is what a good writer do, makesthings interesting and tell it like it is. Life is not
always in our favor, sometimes life is good and sometimes bad things happen to good people, that is just keeping it real, we all want happy endings. Now
don't get me wrong sometimes I write and the story ending is happy but it is good to be creative not dwelling on the same plot, I always look for something different in an author. I am glad I am not the only one.
I have several, Elf. Irresistible, A Promise of Spring, the Temporary Wife, A Christmas Bride, A Christmas Beau, although I have to admit that the Christmas Beau did border unredeemable. I think I liked a Promise of Spring best because it dealt with "the one that got away" and don't we all have one of those?
Hi Mary Anne, and everyone else! I'm an author, but first and foremost a reader. I love the old-fashioned stories of love and alpha heroes, but I also don't mind a good tragic ending at times. Crying is a good catharsis. As an author, I almost hate to admit that I agree with you on the formidable women, but I absolutely do agree! Strong, independent women are fantastic, but it's better to have an even stronger hero. What woman truly wants a man she can beat up or redeem? I like to read about the adventure of love--what is keeping them apart, what is forcing them together--and the characters are what keep me drawn to the story.
I love to read many genres and am constantly looking for things I haven't yet read, or to read things I've already read that I could read over and over again.
Shirley wrote: "Susan, I perfer the ending to be other than happy all the time, that makes a good read and make the story comes to life. That is what a good writer do, makesthings interesting and tell it like it..."
Hey Shirley and Susan,
I agree that a dollop of reality never hurt a book, but believe me, you won't get a romance publisher to print a book without a happily ever after. Positive endings are actually what separates romances from literary books. A romance by definition must have a happy ending. But don't let that stop you from writing the book you want to read! If the book of your heart requires a box of kleenex, write it anyway. Lots of readers love to shed a few tears.
Elf wrote: "If the book of your heart requires a box of kleenex, write it anyway. Lots of readers love to shed a few tears. What a great sentiment, Elf!!! I do prefer happy endings with my romance books, but I read other genres and I'm good with whatever ending the author has in store for me with any other genre.
Oh, and I do like Mary Balough.
was a great series, and I also read and loved her Simply series
And you know what, ladies...I just realized that we are chatting in the introductions thread. I think we may want to move over to the book recommendations thread here:http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...
Duchess Nicole wrote: "And you know what, ladies...I just realized that we are chatting in the introductions thread. I think we may want to move over to the book recommendations thread here:http://www.goodreads.com/to..."
Oops, how do we move without losing all this wonderful information. Ladies, I'm getting an amazing to-be-read list from you all!
Is anyone else into Mary Jo Putney? I LOVE her books. The Rake and One Perfect Rose are my favorites. These books are actually the reason I started writing Regency romances. You'll find similarities in my style if you read my book -- mostly in the intensity of the situations -- though I'm not going to even hint I'm as good a writer as Mary Jo Putney.
The Rake
One Perfect Rose
The info will still be in this thread, but if we move the conversation over to the recommendations thread, then other people will be able to see our recs to each other as well. I doubt they'll come to the Introductions thread to get book recs...lolol!!! In fact, I can go over and add the books that we've talked about so far to that thread for a quick fix.
Okay, I **think** I posted them all. If I missed someone's book, please smack me...
Elf wrote: "Shirley wrote: "Susan, I prefer the ending to be other than happy all the time, that makes a good read and make the story comes to life. That is what a good writer do, makesthings interesting and..."
Elf: Therein lies the problem. If an author writes a love story that ends tragically, she can't market it as a romance because of the "all romances end happily" rule. But if she tries to market it as mainstream, she'll get rejected because her work is about love. That's the domain of romance fiction.
So her book will up in the no man's land---er, no woman's land---of unclassifiable literature. No editor or agent will touch it. And let's not forget that with all the problems in the publishing industry, editors are demanding marketability now more than ever. A square-peg novel doesn't stand a chance.
Of course, the author can always self-publish it. But a zillion other writers are doing the same. How can she find her target readers? Or vice-versa?
It's an uncomfortable situation, one that I hope will change. As Bertholt Brecht put it, "Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are."
Hi!! I cant wait to get to know everybody!!!
Mary Ann "So her book will up in the no man's land---er, no woman's land---of unclassifiable literature." Here's a little inspirational tale for you, Mary Ann, and anyone else out there who's interested. I know the editor of the Wimpy Kid series (Alas, he doesn't publish romances). After receiving numerous rejections, Jeff Kinney approached my friend at ComicCon and handed him the manuscript. The Wimpy Kid books are obviously charming and fun to read and Jeff Kinney already had a large following online, yet my friend had to fight to get the book in print.
You're right, your book could end up in the "unclassifiable" pile, but that doesn't mean people don't want to read it. If you feel a certain way about literature then probably hundreds of thousands of other people feel the same way.
The great thing about ebooks is that publishers are now more open to new genres because the production costs are so much lower.
Give it a shot, Mary Ann. I'll buy your book.
Hallo. Just bought a Kindle myself and love it but don't have anything on it. Any recommendations?
Kindle Love Stories
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I pick my leisure reading mostly according to theme. My favorite romantic theme is what I call love vs. fate. Two people fall in love, but in order to fulfill it, they must face and overcome daunting obstacles, both within and without. I also dig women in jeopardy, unusual settings, chivalrous heroes, and beta men (though they're extremely rare). It's great to come across a romance hero who's truly heroic.
Some readers and writers have long lists of what a romance heroine must and must not be and do. I have only one requirement: she must be deeply involved in a situation I find interesting. Or better yet, fascinating. Only one requirement---but it's a doozy!
I'll read just about any romance subgenre except inspirationals (I'm not the right religion) and erotics (don't get me started). The subgenres I read the most are contemporary, fantasy, futuristic, and romantic suspense. Currently I'm really into old gothic romances, and new works in this tradition. I think it'd be wonderful if gothics make a comeback.
Some common elements of romance fiction that I don't care for include stories that are obvious power fantasies; plots that revolve around a marriage of convenience or the hero kidnapping the heroine; sex scenes (not because they offend me, but because they bore me); and paranormals in which the reader is expected to fall in love and/or identify with a vampire, werewolf, demon, or other nasty supernatural being.
But the theme I have the most trouble with in today's romances is redemption. I know how popular it is, how most readers demand it. But I simply don't want to read another story about how the heroine redeems the "unredeemable" hero. I can't put myself in her place or fall for a man like that. Call me old-fashioned, but I think romance fiction should be about love, not redemption.
Well, I've had my say. Does anybody else want to introduce herself?
Keep up the good work, Laura and everyone!