Extra Plot

[A]

When reading a romance novel, do you like the story only to be concentrated on the romance or do you like other plots in the book too?

Like, me, I like it if authors writing love stories keep it only a love story and don't add other background plots to the novel. Sure, if an author can pull it off, I'd read the book, but many-a-times, authors try to bring in suspense in romance novels and it just doesn't work out.

What do you like?

[Erica]

I like for their to be backstory, take the black dagger brotherhood for example, there's romance, AND a war going on at the same time. I love when there's a problem or threat hanging in the distance. It just makes the book all that better. What I don't like is more than one love. story in the package. I don't need 2 only 1. I find that sometimes the second love story is better than what the book is based on, and when that ends? I'm left with a bad taste in my mind.

[A]

Erica wrote: "I like for their to be backstory, take the black dagger brotherhood for example, there's romance, AND a war going on at the same time. I love when there's a problem or threat hanging in the distanc..."

Yeah...2 love stories is a no-no for me too. Even if there is one, the 2nd one should be given way less importance than the main love story about which the book is...because sometimes authors may try to give us two love stories in one book but it just ruins it somehow...

[Ipshita]

I agree! If the secondary romance should not take precedence over the main love story. Susan Elizabeth Phillip's novels consist of many sub-plots, but she never lets them distract the readers from the main plot.

[A]

Ipshita wrote: "I agree! If the secondary romance should not take precedence over the main love story. Susan Elizabeth Phillip's novels consist of many sub-plots, but she never lets them distract the readers from ..."

Elizabeth Phillip...a name I've been contemplating for long...I think I should finally start reading her books:P

[Ipshita]

You should start with her Chicago Stars series, Ruchi :)

[A]

Ok...:)

[Kritika]

I do like stories to have sub-plot in them but the sub-plot should never distract the reader from the romance. I hate when that happens. Also while a 2nd romance as a sub-plot is acceptable, suspense as a sub-plot is not acceptable to me. In cases of suspense, I find myself very much distracted from the romance and that just ruins the book for me. I end up giving the book a lower rating than originally planned.

[Ipshita]

I agree, Kritika. BTW which book are you referring to, the one with suspense as a sub-plot?

[Kritika]

Ipshita wrote: "I agree, Kritika. BTW which book are you referring to, the one with suspense as a sub-plot?"

I can't remember anything specific, just some past ya reads.

[M.J.]

I am the queen of subplots! Because real life is like that. There's always more than one story going on. But there have been times when there was just too much going on, which detracts from the overall picture, so my editor has helped me to pare things down. And I love romantic suspense! In my eyes, you add a little danger and everything gets hotter! That's the great thing about reading. There's something for everyone.