What should be included in the Genre?

[C.S. Splitter]

I admit to liking some "romantic" movies that the unwashed would call "chick flicks." I draw the line at books though.

Splitter

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I think on the internet it's sort of six of one half a dozen of the other...unless you're using a mic and headset.

(scratches and does a few pushups)

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

<--- (needs to go work on his Boy Scout Stoic Badge some then come back.)

[Alex]

I got on this RS rant because of my frustration as a reader.

It is tough to find top notch action/thriller along with a solid dose of intriquing romantic elements, a couple licks of hot sex and an unpredicatble ending in the same book. Very tough. But I really want it. Especially if the story is not detective/spy based.

Lee Child almost got there for me in his book where Reacher and Jodi are living together, but split at the end of the story. It just needed about 10 more pages of romance/sex/date scenes to be the epitome of the book I'm looking for in my dream combo RS/AA/Thriller world.

I don't care what genre you call it, I just know I want it.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Sherri...pssst...try Ice Hunt by James Rollins. It's action adventure, the lead female is a sherrif, but that figures very little in the story. She's more fun as a pilot (see, splitter see..pilot hot sherrif girl too)... and I think the romance is pretty good too.

If I were a girl...but since I'm not.. things blow up too!

[C.S. Splitter]

Ae, heck, now I want to read it.

Splitter

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

It's currently my favorite non Sigma Force James Rollins...there's some cool flyin'...lots of shootin'...some S P O Naj...and a whole lot of things going bang boom pachow and other noises that only boy of a certain age seem to know how to make from birth (you know, gun sounds).

And even a speed skater!

and I'm not sayin this but I Heard somewhere that the romance between the two lead characters (if you can single them out...it's kind of protaganist by committee) is pretty sweet.... though it starts with a little tension...(well, this time around anyway).

and as single book, it's better than any single Rollins Sigma book, though, as a whole, I like the sigma book, series better than his stand alones...which, I know is strange.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I don't think you said anything offensive or that was judgmental, Sheri.

I appreciate your explanation, and I can see where you're coming from. I have to say I like a tidy ending when I read romance, meaning we are staying together. But that's personal tastes. I have read plenty of HFN in romantic suspense and it can work. It's not generally my preferred ending, though.

As a huge fan of romance and action/suspense, a good combination is definitely a win.


As far as men liking romance, I don't see the problem with that or think it's unmanly if you do enjoy romance. Men and women have romances together all the time. Therefore, romance is not just for women. On the other hand, if you don't like romance, that's fine with me. I just don't like when people judge people's reading tastes. That's a big, huge pet peeve of mine.

[Alex]

I loved Ice Hunt, so thanks for the book tip, keep 'em coming. Ice Hunt could have used about ten more pages of romance/sex to really make my high-octane RS bell ring but I LOVED the story for the AA it was meant to be.

I think those '10 pages' would help some not-to-be- named super-successful writers' AA-thrillers from becoming stale formula reads after they've cranked out number 5+ in a series.

I know all you dudes out there could care less about romance being in your AA/thrillers. I agree - sometimes. We need plenty of straight-on AA/thrillers cuz I love 'em too. I want to be Jack Reacher in my next life!

It's just that there are times when a person wants a good mix of both and it's too hard to find. It shouldn't be. Maybe we can get Lee Child and Nora Roberts to team up on one. I'll buy it for sure.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I had a pet peeve once but the blasted thing was so hard to house break!

I think everyone who's read any of my reviews knows that in general (with a few notable exceptions)I don't care for romance (which is sort of odd as I'm actually a romantic). Still I'm a big believer in everyone going with their own taste.

In my case...that's in my case, I generally just don't want a romance to overwhelm the rest of the story. Others I know will love it (get it, love it?) if the romance is the main subject of a book. To each their own.

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Then maybe you might like subterranean.....another jollins read that is different than the others in some way. It is reminiscent of a popular mo ie from an under impressing book, but I will let you figure out which one because I likeRollins book better.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I just wanted to add that when I'm not reading a romance book, I am fine with none or little romance. When I am reading romance, I want a good one!

Mike, I am well aware of your dislike for romance, and that's fine with me. To each their own.

[Alex]

Curmudgeon wrote: "Then maybe you might like subterranean.....another jollins read that is different than the others in some way. It is reminiscent of a popular mo ie from an under impressing book, but I will let y..."

I have read all of James Rollins stuff - in fact I have re-read all of his pre-Sigma stuff at least five times each. LOL on Sahara reference.

[Jonathan]

Personally to throw in my thoughts I hate reading a book and having the author throw in a vividly described sex scene. I don't need to read all the details of what the heck is going on and frankly I don't care to. It comes across as voyeuristic. Not to mention that they're trying to play with an intensely powerful chemistry set inside a guy's head.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Same, I agree. I can take a little graphic sex if it's necessary for the story...and I can usually skip through it. If it gets too common I usually leave the book.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

I think a good action adventure with a core of emotional intensity and character development/growth is the ideal.

[Eileen]

Welcome to A/A, Pam!

Pam and Lady D, you both have written the perfect action adventure book.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Now we just have to come up with a plot and storyline! :)

[Eileen]

Well, we know the protagonist will be a female! The rest will just have to figure out.

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Exactly!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Maybe she needs a grumpy old guy side kick?

[Eileen]

Have anyone in mind? lol

[Mike (the Paladin)]

Depends on what type character she is.... Is she a "swordswoman" a sniper or an assassin, a tough private detective, an ex-marine or special forces troop who's now a mercenary, maybe she commands a pirate ship or runs a private body-guard agency????? After her role is defined then maybe Curmudgeon can be the model for the side-kick?

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

IS she gonna be "Hot"? ...not that that matters of course... (cough)

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

Pam, I like it! I like a thinking action heroine!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

In that case, a Curmudgeonly tipe might not be a bad choice to accompany her... (I do not kick the sides... what does this side kicking mean?)

So, she sounds like a modern lady? Maybe an Local Sheriff, or Sherif's deputy?

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

I think the words to avoid are "You can buy my book at..." Followed by a link. Other than that speculatively discussing potential characters and storie ideas has always been fun for me. (My mother and I have spent hours doing such a thing. I've got an idea in my head, now all I have to do is build up a year of leave/vacation time, send the wife and kids to the inlaws hire a dog walker and lawn care specialist then write it.)

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

My only other thought is, Lady D, would a thread or sub broup of pages titled "The Sounding Board" set aside to discuss potential story ideas be a good thing, or just do that where they come up? (the unwritten ones.)

[Eileen]

Pam wrote: "Of course she's hot, but not so hot that you'd go HUH! totally unbelievable ... she's the quiet, fighty type who doesn't care too much what she says cause ... you know ... she's got the (you know w..."

She sounds fantastic looks and brains!

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Pam, author, is it alright with you if I add you to our list of "members who also are authors" and if so, what do you have out there?

[Danielle The Book Huntress , Literary Adrenaline Junkie]

You had me at charismatic Russian. I have a weakness for Russian guys in books and movies.

@Hugh, the 'sounding board' thread sounds like a good idea. Did you want to set it up?

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Vengeful CIA Director?...now I know where the Curmudgeon fits in.. (sigh) we are so mis understood as a life style choice.

This never happened to Grumpy.

{B-{/>)

(just kidding it sound swonderful. I like spy Vs spy stories)

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

Lady Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "You had me at charismatic Russian. I have a weakness for Russian guys in books and movies.

@Hugh, the 'sounding board' thread sounds like a good idea. Did you want to set it up?"

I can, but it will be a few hours. (I'm sneaking posts inbetween work and more work.) If you wanted to put it up that would be cool. I'm thinking a sub group heading with individual threads for each idea that someone wants to pitch to us. If it's not already up, then I'll put it up once I get home and get comfortable.

Pam wrote: "Curmudgeon wrote: "Pam, author, is it alright with you if I add you to our list of "members who also are authors" and if so, what do you have out there?"

Well, you can put me there but I am not ..."

I think the effort is worth some inclusion. Lots of people tell me I should write a book but I just can't find the time to concentrate on one. So if you have two completed, it's more than most people accomplish, though, to be fair I think we need to but an astrisk by those people yet to publish. (And maybe a + by those who have sold more than... x number of books, some mark of mastery if not that.)

[The Pirate Ghost, Long John Silvers Wanna-be]

The "Sounding Board" is up if you wanted to create a thread for your ideas.

And, I think I know what she does. The CIA guy and the Russian confused me, but, I'm catching up. Some days my elevator doesn't make it all the way to the top.