Fantasy books with a strong "Feel Good" romance subplot?

[Chris]

Hey guys, I originally (and mistakenly) asked this question in a PNR group. I got a bunch of people suggesting really campy, shallow spaghetti romance novels - You know, the kind of book that has a guy's bare chest on the cover? That is not was I was looking for, so I backed away from that group slowly and reposted here.

Here's what I'm looking for:

1. A single protagonist - One main character only please
2. Fantasy Setting
3. Strong, "Feel Good" romance subplot - We're talking bunnies and sunshine here people. Sad endings need not apply.
4. NO RAPE - A book that features the rape of a main character is a deal breaker. As soon as I start reading about how the main character's sister/mother/wife/GF got raped, I just close the book and throw it in the trash.

Here are some books I've already enjoyed that more or less fit the aforementioned criteria. Some have less of a romance plot than I'd like, but you'll get the idea:

1. Dresden Files - Jim Butcher
2. Kingkiller Chronicle - Patrick Rothfuss
3. Alex Verus - Benedict Jacka
4. Courts of the Feyre - Mike Shevdon
5. Eddie Lacrosse - Alex Bledsoe
6. Ravirn - Kelly McCullough
7. Curse Workers - Holly Black
8. The Curse of Chalion - Lois McMaster Bujold
9. Iron Druid Chronicles - Kevin Hearne
10. Lumatere Chronicles - Melina Marchetta
11. Codex Alera - Jim Butcher

So yeah, I'm looking for a fantasy story that has substance, features one main protagonist, and has a strong romance subplot.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[Dawn]

The no sad endings part makes it a little tough, but I went through my shelf and this is what I came up with...

The Princess Bride
Elantris
Mistborn: The Final Empire

[Dennis]

The Understanding:The Jump-Clones,probably has all you are seeking.

[Snail in Danger (Sid)]

Tam Lin
Summers at Castle Auburn
War for the Oaks
The Blue Sword

Some of those have sad middles. Sorcery and Cecelia is great if you're willing to bend on the single-protagonist thing.

[Traci]

This might not be what you're looking for. But it's one of my favorite books. Definitely happy. But it's young adult. But please don't think like Twilight or anything. More like The Princess Bride (another fav already mentioned). Howl's Moving Castle. If you've seen the movie ignore it. Very different. It's cute. Funny. Reminds me of an old fashioned screwball comedy.
Another choice, with the same pitch, is Stardust.

[Kerry]

Your criteria are interesting. How did you come about them, esp. the requirement for one main protagonist?

What comes to mind is Diana Gabaldon's work, the first book is called The Outlander. I had heard about the book a couple of years ago, but resisted since I got the impression it was mainly a romance novel. Recently I broke down and read it. I was surprisingly pleased. Yes, the story is mainly a romance, but the character and plot development are very strong. One note of caution, don't know if this is a deal breaker for you, but sort of not completely consenual sex occurs, but it is not gratuitous and fits very well into the storyline.

I would love to hear how you can to develop your list of criteria!

[[deleted user]]

I'm not trying to be obnoxious, but given the touchiness of the subject, I feel compelled to add my interpretation of that scene in Gabaldon's book. I feel it is full on rape, I found it disturbing, and because of that I wouldn't have finished the book if it hadn't been a gift.

[Kerry]

I agree it was definitely disturbing---partly because of Gabaldon's abilty to get "inside" and emotionally describe the situation. As far as was it rape?---the character knowingly sacrifice himself to the situation.

Anyway, I was just trying to give fair warning to Chris. I find it interesting that some would reject a book because of this content. I don't like certain type of subplots which are thrown in to attract a certain segment of the population. For example, many movie sex scenes feel totally unnecessary to me. Foul language can also be gratuitous. But some negative scenes help to create the story's tension and conflict. In The Outlander after this event occurs, I wondered if the character would adequately recover and if the romance would survive this trauma. It added to the story rather than took away from it.

I appreciate your comments, Moira. Thanks for the insight. You made me feel alittle guilty in that you read a book because it was a gift. A friend recently gave me a book as a gift and it is still on my shelf untouched. Hmmm. Maybe I should do something about that!

[B.P.]

Damon: The End

This one is about a guy working for this secret orginization to prevent the apocolypse and in return they resurect his wife. The flashbacks to their former life is where the romance lies. #romancesubplot lol

[[deleted user]]

Kerry, I can definitely see where you're coming from with your interpretation of that scene. Also, intellectually, I recognize the value of addressing such events. They happen in real life, after all, and one thing I did enjoy about the work was all the historical detail. I think I've read too many books with rape in them, though, because I've come to the point where I really can't stomach such scenes. And a recent book, I put down even though it was a gift.

And speaking of gifts, it's not like books spoil. You don't have to read them right away. ;)

[Contrarius]

There is both rape and the willingness to commit rape again in Outlander. Not only does the husband forcibly have sex with his wife while she is loudly telling him "No", the wife also clearly notes that she realizes her husband "would be gentle, but would not be denied" in the future. Bah.

Chris, I've answered your question previously when you posted it elsewhere (not in the PNR group, this must be the third time you've posted it!), but I"ll repeat here: if you enjoyed The Curse of Chalion, you should try Bujold's other fantasies. The Paladin of Souls is a very very good book, and her Sharing Knife series has a lot of romance in it.

[Chris]

@Kerry - Rape scenes hit me too hard. Do they add value to the story? Maybe, but they gut-punch me a little too hard.

Additionally, I prefer single protagonists just from a literary perspective. In my experience, I can connect with the character more easily if I'm reading his thoughts, instead of listening to someone read me his thoughts (Third person narration). It's just a way to remove the middle man. I also don't like the story to jump around between characters (Like in Game of Thrones). I'd rather focus on one person's journey than an epoch about 10 people.

@Moira - I share your sentiments!

@Contrarius - I subscribe to the shotgun approach of seeking book recommendations. For every 10 recs, I'll end up liking maybe 1 or 2 books. Rightly so, since almost all of the "PNR" suggestions were (imho) complete trash.

[Contrarius]

You know, another thought has occurred to me. You like UF, but it sounds like you want less angst and you want some romance. You might very much enjoy the Jesse James Dawson series. It's a young series, just two books right now (third coming this summer). The hero is an unabashedly Good Guy who follows the Bushido code, and his "shtick" is that he kills demons in order to free people when they have been tricked into selling their souls. He is happily married with a daughter, and he's a "regular guy" working in a record/clothing shop when he's not out killing demons. I've enjoyed the first two books, and I'm looking forward to the third one.

They're by KA Stewart, who I'm pretty sure is a Goodreads member.

[Kerry]

@Chris - Hey, thanks for the explanation. It is interesting how shift in narration can change the feel of a story. I just finished 1Q84 by Murakami. The story was written omniscient narrator point of view. I felt somewhat emotionally distant from the events that were occurring to the characters, yet it felt appropriate since it was Japanese novel with protagonists who were rather removed from their own interior emotional world.

Now I am listening to Zombie Fallout by Mark Tufo. He wrote it in first person narration. Due to the protagonist's personality, getting to hear his thoughts is hilarious. Really adds to the story.

Thanks for cluing me in on some of the reasons for your criteria. Good luck finding your next book!

[Peggy]

Hey, I just realized I get a chance to recommend Christopher Moore! His stuff is sort of "alternate earth fantasy/hard to catagorize," but it's light and funny and makes me laugh. My favorite is A Dirty Job, with Lamb being a close second. Moore has an enormous imagination and I like what he does with it.

Also, I've just requested the Jesse James Dawson books from the library, because that sounds like something I'd really enjoy.

[Snarktastic Sonja]

Your criteria sounds similar to mine, although I am not averse to lacking in romance, I tend to get so involved in my characters I find the type books I usually like involve some. And, I definitely require a happy ending. Sad books will have me crying for days.

Some first books in series I found interesting that I don't typically find recommended:

Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin
Resenting the Hero by Moira Moore
The Crown Conspiracy by Michael J. Sullivan
Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn

I don't really care for Urban Fantasy, so these books are not such. They are, with the exception of The Crown Conspiracy, fairly light and fluffy. In addition, romance is not the primary feature of each book. (at least to me :D)

HTH - Sonja

[Graeme]

Lord Chris

Interesting criteria. Do you think there's any conflict between the 'one main character' and the romantic sub-plot? Though I've known some both fictional and, sadly, non-fictional characters who would manage it just fine... :-).
OK. Teasing aside - there is a book I might suggest. It's told in an entirely First Person Voice, it's Fantasy, and I think it fits your other criteria also. But to offer it's title here might appear self-serving (and I suppose even to say that is potentially, um, self-serving also (blushes).
So I suppose that sort of stops me suggesting it :-( (chuckles at self - and strenuous efforts not to break The Rules).