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future trends in romance? + Giveaway!
Steampunk was kind of a flash in the pan last year – some authors in the romance genre have written stories & have done well, and others . . . well, have crashed and burned.
Trends — they are around us – everywhere! Trends in clothes, food, cosmetics – even nail polish colors !!!
Believe it or not, trends in romance start with you – the reader – really? You betcha! Publishing guru’s around the world watch what you are reading, buying & your reaction to those stories.
Right now, readers are buying lots of Contemporary — oh yea, that is what the market shows! Robyn Carr, Linda Lael Miller & Mariah Stewart are some of authors that you may have read in this sub-genre.
Historical regency’s are still a favorite (Georgian period too); Paranormal is alive and well & even though we say we are tired of vampires we are still buying them ????
Time travel romances are apparently more niche, as is Futuristic. Suspense romances have their ups and downs.
Military romances, seem to be on the uptick, and Sports — oh my . . . or is just because of the covers?
So, what makes you read what you do — we’re talking genre here, FOR EXAMPLE: why is the straight contemporary story so hot & the time travel contemporary so not? What do you think?
remember, every week 5 randomly chosen commenters win a free book – winners announced on Sunday – good luck!
I read (and write) straight contemporary romances. The enduring popularity of this genre, in my opinion, stems from a very simply premise: contemporary romances give the reader a chance to enjoy love overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles in today’s world (and not some fantasy or future world).
I agree Paula – good insight
Really it all depends that it is really not out there but closer, in story. But I really do like contemporary at least you can actually enjoy.
Hard to say because I am not a fan of either. I prefer historical and if I get bored I move on to paranormal and then I go for suspense. I am a mood reader and switch according to my mood
I do that too – but always come back to contemporary — must be why those books are so hot today?
I love contemporaries, but I can’t believe it’s a trend–it seems as if there are hardly any of them being published. Everything is paranormal, paranormal, paranormal. As others have mentioned, I like the straightforward, true-life aspect of contemps.
Of course, I also like romantic suspense, which isn’t straightforward or true to life at all! But that’s because of the thrill ride.
Suspense is kind of believable in a James Bond sort of way . . . ok, it’s not LOL
Paranormal is definitely the genre with staying power right now it seems, not only Laurell K Hamilton and Yasmine Galenorn, but Sherrilyn Kenyon et al too.
I *thinks*, looking at cover requests, Steampunk as a *vehicle* for romance novels had its time but maybe people went too steampunky and less romance.
Looking at the stuff being discussed amongst SWAG, there’s still interest but the pendulum seems to be swinging back towards dramatic rather than romantic.
Paranormal’s pretty much entrenched now as the vehicle, I think Steampunk’s not going to reach that mystique level.
My favourite kind of book could be any genre but I love it to be action packed. I have enough dullness in my life I like lots of action lol.
I prefer suspense and paranormal. If I get bored like Debra G., I just switch it up a little and will read something completely out of my box like historical. I read what I’m in the mood for.
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When it comes to this genre I think that I am, re writing my own lives in a way things we could have done and may do so in the future.
I read paranormal, contemporary and historical romance, but mention the word spaceship or steampunk and you’ve lost me. I wouldn’t even crack the cover–book or Nook. When it comes to what I write, I have written some paranormal, but I really prefer contemporary.
I’ve never thought about it, but they’re both awesome.
It’s a little harder to relate to steampunk, something that never, ever happened, than it is to relate to the world of today. Sure, it is fiction and written with the intent of the reader to escape, but it’s easier to escape into the world you know than some world you have to learn…like historical fiction, it helps to know what was going on at the time. It is far easier to step into a fictional life you are acquainted with than one you have to study.
I write contemporary stories, use real places for the setting. You can just slide right into the story for the sake of the story. Nobody needs to wonder about the particulars of the time or particulars–mechanical or historical.
I read so many different subgenres of romance, it’s hard to give an answer to that. Mostly, I prefer romance with some sort of magical twist. Getting out of the real world is my reason for reading, so I don’t want to read about something that could happen here.
Sounds like you just like a good story no matter the trend – Thanks Karin!
One genre I abhor are vampire stories. I just find these ewwwwwey. I like historicals and regency, especially with older heroines. Always on the lookout for well-written BW/WM stories without too much angst over racism (I read romances for romance, not racism).
I write and read contemporary romances but also LOVE the historical genre as well. I tried writing a historical romance but I felt my voice was not suited for the genre.
And boy of boy am I glad the sports romance is alive and well since one of my books is one!
I read across the board but only if the story grabs me. I will read Regency… but what I want to see is an American story set in the 1800′s. Maybe a fascinating War of 1812 with someone in the “west wing of the White House”, political intrigue, spies, all set in Baltimore. Regency’s bore me a bit. I want to be swept away and forget mortgages, credit card bills, political races. Take me away, Random House!
LOL – thanks Tessa – historicals it is! check out Pamela Clare’s McKinnon series – yum!
I read mostly paranormal and suspense. After those two it’s contemporary. Very seldom do I read sci-fi. Time travel is ok. I almost never read historical.
I just like good stories. I really don’t care the subgenre. Give me great characters with heart, put them through their paces to make them earn their happily ever afters. Tug at my heartstrings and make me gasp…and you’ve got me. The rest is just trappings.
I hear ya, I’ve found authors I totally loved in sub-genres I don’t typically read -
I read and love all genres. I am not quite sure if I return to one more or not. I love steampunk, historical, contemporary, paranormal, time travel. Sometimes the authors are what makes the trend. A good amount write in the different genres under psuydenems, it is the characters they develop more, the storyline, and which one genre the have more books in. I also think that in todays time it might be easier to read the contemporary to escape what is happening individuallly in a persons life.
good point – characters and the story can create trends, like Stephanie Meyer -
Having started on romances with Georgette Heyer, I will always like historicals but I enjoy a good contemporary. It’s nice to read something that you can relate to a little more easily and that may have a theme that means something to the reader. I enjoy paranormals but have never been into the vampires.
I think it depends on the reader and author. We all have our likes. Contemporary appeals because a lot of author and readers like to picture themselves in the now, while steampunk, parannormal and such appeal to those who like an escape. I think there is something to be offered by all though I personally don’t care for historical and sport well that one you showed hooked me and I just had to get because of the cover alone.
LOL – good point, covers definitely sell books.
Contemporary is more real life and what most of us can grasp. I enjoy them all though and when one wanting to escape from real life, I just pick up a book and start reading away, traveling off to where ever the book takes me.
My first love is historical romance. However, I do like to switch to other types of romance also. It would be great to win this book! Thanks for the opportunity.
I actually enjoy almost any type of romance. I look at the cover and read the blurb or an excerpt and decide from there if I think it will be worth reading. I will also try a book if a friend recommends it or if it has gotten good reviews. Don’t get me wrong, even if it doesn’t have the best reviews, I will still try it if I like te blurb. I used to read strictly paranormal, but recently have branched into military, contemporary, urban fantasy and several others. I have yet to read a time travel one though. Can anyone recommend a good one? Thanks.
The blurb is the main thing that either pulls me in or puts me off a novel.
I love contemporaries, but my collection much more Historical and Paranormal. Because i choose book with author, cover and title. But I really do like contemporary at least you can actually enjoy.
I’m hooked on contemporary also, I think because I can relate to the storyline easier. Love Suspence though also, such as Suzanne Brockmann, Brenda Novak, and Carla Neggers to name a few. Recently I found myself reading Coreene Callahan’s Fury of Fire, Wow! And J. R. Ward’s Brotherhood series so now I guess I’m into paranormal also, lol. Anything romance!
Oh my gosh, J. R. Ward – AMAZING!!!
JR in particular because it is Urban so there is something real to grasp.
I like contemporary romances because I can relate, I can fantasize, I can feel like I am there.
definitely has to be the appeal – I think so too
You lose me at the outset with some of the space travel and paranormal stuff that seems so off the science grid of possibilities.. and I’m open to a lot…
I think that you read what you’re comfortable with and familiar with… so I wonder that if in some 20-30 years, there will be more of a shift to what was more popular for a brief period of time when a group of readers first started reading… History repeats itself.. and if you keep something long enough… it will return to fashion – oh god, that means the 80′s big hair is on it’s way back!!
I most often prefer paranormal romance because contemporary isn’t enough of an escape for me. I also LOVE time travel novels. If I read historical, I don’t have a favorite period… Although, with regards to contemporary, I have to say that I have found a new love in military romance. Gotta love all that muscle in uniform ;D
I read contemporaries, romantic suspense, contemporary sports and military. I agree with Laura above, I think paranormals, vampires and werewolves are the majority of books I see out there. Wish there were more GOOD contemporary books out there.
I read a variety of genres. Contemporary because this was my introduction into the romance genre and I still love the stories that the authors I fell in love with are writing. Erotic because the stories are well developed and give insight into the characters. I’m still finding authors in this genre and still adore it. Paranormal romance is something I enjoy because the stories engage my imagination and open my mind to the stories.
I love suspense and mysteries and some of the others that I’m forgetting because the stories combine elements that I’m interested in and make for great entertainment.
I love my historicals!!! Have more favorites in this genre than any other. Suspense especially millitary, and some paranormal. The paranormal has to have like some basis in someting like urban legend or better yet ancient mythology to hold my intrest.
Contemporary is pertinent to the here & now, it’s easier to imagine myself in the heroine’s place. Would like to see more older heroine’s. Historicals were my first love and while I have to relate to the heroine they’re more escapism than a contemporary. (My modern sensibilities are the culprit.) Love the paranormals & time travel. The ghost stories are some of the best. The Ghost & Mrs. Muir w/ some twists. If you started vampires w/ Chelsea Quinn Yarbro today’s are no biggie. Can’t do sparkly vamps though. Military & sports are testaments to the times imho. Know a lot of women who follow sports now..me, the covers snag me & it’s just what the guy “does” as a job. Not what I focus on. Military, army brat so I love these, especially authors like Jessica Scott. My first attempt at steampunk, first words p.1~The zombie…Can’t do zombies. Didn’t get any further..
I was always a historical romance reader; but the past few years I have added contemporary to the mix. I love Jaci Burton’s “Play by Play” series & have March 6th marked on my calendar. Also Lori Foster is one of my favs; Carly Phillips, Janet Evanovich, Erin McCarthy & Susan Mallory. I like my books to have a little humor in them as well as “grab” me to the point that I have a really hard time putting the book down.
It seems like contemporary is definitely a trend now — even based on the comments here — just interesting how we all seem to gravitate the same direction -
Being a writer of contemporary romances, I’m so relieved to read how many commenters still like this genre. I’d started to feel my books stood no chance against all the paranormal/vampire/werewolf/shapeshifter/fantasy romances. But maybe these are ‘trendy’ for a short time, until something else takes over, whereas contemporary romance has a much longer-lasting appeal.
Never really thought about why time travel isn’t that popular before since I’m a huge fan of Diana Gabaldon. I don’t know… I feel a bit hesitant to try out other time travel novels just because my standards are so high.
I agree with you there — although Lynn Kurland does a darn good job
I read for escape so Contemporary is what I like. I can get lost in the story and the characters.
I like to mix up my genres so I don’t get bored. For some reason, I like paranormals, but not time travel or other planet type stories….
I enjoy contemporary but rarely straight contemporary. Most of the ones I enjoy have some sort of them, like sport (including Nascar), suspense, even food. I think part of that is because reading is a way to escape everyday life and if I’m reading contemporary, it has to have that additional layer to differentiate from everyday life.
Okay, I’m late to this party, but was hoping someone could assist me. I’m not well versed on the definitions of the genres and sub genres. For example, It took a lot of time for me to grasp the difference between paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Is there a standardized definition listed somewhere for some of the terms you used in your article? Thank you!
Good question – I googled & came up with this list http://kayedacus.com/2011/08/23/romance-genre-definitions-part-2/ — gives you something to go by — Romance has a lot to offer!!
I’m fairly new to romance & erotica. I tend to like contemporary, but I’m reading a wide variety of things to discover what I might like. I’m attracted to authors who have a strong online presence–ones who are active on blogs and online book tours. If I feel I get to know an author, I’m more likely to read the work. I would also like to see some more mature women–40s & 50s–with men the same age (or younger!).
I prefer historical romance. I read a few contemporary if they are by author’s I like and I like certain paranormal (again… it’s the author) But, by and large, I love historical. I see the book like a movie in my mind and love the clothing, travel, castles… *sigh* Of course it’s all glorified… it all smelled awful… but a girl can dream, can’t she???
I like reading historical, paranormal, comtemporary and suspense. I have to be really in the mood to read steam punk and time travel. By the way, really into sports romance right now.
I am a mood reader. It just depends on what mood I am in. I love all the sub-genres(I don’t know what steam punk) A good story is a god story no matter the sub-genre. I love series books too:)
Depends on the mood but mostly read contemporary, historical, suspense and some women’s fiction. Not much on paranormal or the science fiction.
You & Gail – you moody people LOL – I think that is a factor too — I like the variety I guess.
I read contemporary romance because it is reality. It deals with everyday hero/heroines who face many challenges while dealing with love and romance. Yet they manage to find solutions to their problems and make life work for them. Majority of them have happy endings.
Pamela, I think you’ve summed up the ongoing popularity of contemporary romance – real people in real situations, who manage to work through or overcome their problems to earn their happy ending! That’s what IO strive for in my books anyway!
I do “kicks”. I’ll find an author that I like then read all their books then lOok for other authors/ books in the Sam sub-genre. For example, I read a Gena Showalter in mid-2011. I hadn’t read her before. LOVED her books, then focused on paranormals for several months, read most of Sherrilyn Kenyon. At the beginning of January, I read Grace Burrowes’ “The Heir”, loved it, so read the rest. So I’ve been on a regency kick lately… Nicole Jordan, Eloisa James, etc. Time travel is fun, but haven’t seen a lot out there.
I love to read contemporary books. I just love the real life situation of now in the story. Sports themed books gabe me right away! But, I do like to switch it around as well and read a good historical romance too. It keeps me not in the same topic and feel like Ihave read the same thing over and over again. I like to be treated to new authors in either category.
I like a little bit of everything, but what I read the most is paranormal and historical romance. I do love steampunk still, and urban fantasy, straight scifi and scifi romance, contemporary, cosy mystery, time travel and military romance. The genres I don’t read much of are suspense, horror or thriller, but occasionally I will, especially if it blends paranormal or something else that I love in with it.
I mostly read suspense and mystery but I also read contemporary and historicals. I don’t care as much for military and sports and I dislike steam punk.
I love suspense and a romantic suspense author said it’s not as popular right now. I do like sports romances because I am a sports fan and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of them on the shelves.
For me it all depends on the author–I’ll read just about anything.
But I love contemporary novels (write them,too!).
IMHO authors of straight contemporary romances have a big challenge of making a reader feel like their book is a fantasy or an escape from their everyday life while keeping it grounded in modern sensibilities.
Rachel Gibson, Carly Phillips, Susan Mallory and Lisa Kleypas are some of my favorite contemporary romance novelists.
Really – Rachel? I would never have guessed – LOL – hugs!
Great comment, Marquita – an escape from everyday life while keeping it grounded in modern sensibilities – I LOVE that description.
I like to switch it up with the genres and hop from one to the other as the desire takes me. While I do enjoy contemporary romances, sometimes the conflicts and plots are too real and close to my everyday life. I don’t always want that and will jump to a genre that can give me real escapism.
I can only say that for me I read to escape so I don’t read a lot of contemporary novels. I like historicals because they take me away. Even though it may not be popular, I love time travel romances. I have been with my sweet hubby for over 20 years. The newness for us has worn off but I still like to read about that rush you get when love is new. It takes me back to those great days in the beginning. The fact that I am reading it in a world different than the one I am living in day to day keeps me grounded in the fact that life and love do not stay that intense. I can appreciate the comfortable love we have now.
I think historical will continue to be popular – or at least with me – because of Downton Abbey. I am also wondering if there will be some additional fairy tale stories since the two Snow White movies are coming out and Once Upon a Time has been popular.
hmmmmmmm good point — there always seems to be some correlation – look at Buffy & all the vampire books — or is that coincidence?
I don’t believe this is a subgenre, but I enjoy romance in fantasy. Often times they end up under paranormal, because of the magical elements in the story.
Like CL Wilson?
I read many genres – what arracts me to a book is that it is well written and engages my interest.
Historicals have always been and probably will be my favorite. I am really enjoying the mixed genres too. But I do like a variety and changing things up.
I read almost anything. But I do focus more on PNR and historical. I love strong, new voices and they seem to be more focused in these genres.
I find about 75% of my new authors from book review blogs that I read and 25% from the “if you liked this, you’d like this” features of Amazon and Goodreads. Which could also explain this year’s “Trend”. Authors are becoming a lot more present on FB, twitter, blogs etc. and maybe these are the authors that are standing out of the crowd right now.
You know what is interesting — none of us commented about book groups driving trends or what we read — we all really seem to choose our own books based on what we like – do you think that is the norm?
I never read romance until my cousin gave me “The Gift” by Julie Garwood, then I was hooked with her historical romance then her suspence romance. Then a friend lead me to Lisa Klepyas. I love both contempary and historical romance.I’ve read a few paranormal, I like the time travel more than vampires/werewolves. Robyn Carr is a favorite author as is Catherine Anderson, Joan Johnsotn, Linda Howard and Elizabeth Hoyt and Lorriane Heath.
I dont read paranormal often, I usually like the start to finish of love. I like to feel Im in the book. Like you can feel the romance between the 2
I read mostly historical, but I also read paranormal and time travel. I don’t read much contemp, but the one’s I have were carefully selected because the plot/blurb sounded interesting.
I think I am biased against contemps because I think morality in them is a bit different then in a historical. I also have a hrader time relaxing with the contemp especially if the author makes a mistake in environment or even regarding the job one of the characters are supposed to have (it’s why I tend to stay away from legal fiction of any type).
I also tend to find that even when I read outside the romance genre, the books I select have romantic undertones (Amelia Peabody, Anget Pendergast, Bones series etc) within the overarching plots of the series. WHen I finally realized that was when I dove back into the romance genre and not looked back.
With that, I will cross over romance genres and follow an author and then again I won’t.
As for finding books, I browse print books (library/bookstore) but I buy mostly ebooks (space considerations). I get hooked by either a series I have liked, an author I have previously read that I liked, or a really interesting blurb on the back. I have also found a lot of authors from an amazon freebie or $0.99 book (like Zoe Archer Anita Clenney, Caroline Linden, Anne Stuart). I am more than willing to drop a dollar and take a chance on a decent sounding book.
Because i read so much, it is easy to get wore out on a genre. I will often find myself hunting down a good paranormal or time travel even when I have a bunch of historicals to read. Or to hunt down a Scottish historical instead of an English one. It’s all about my mood and what I have been reading recently.
Erin – I’m the same way – when I read Mystery or General Fiction types of stories — always, ALWAYS, a romantic element — Thanks for your comment!!
I read whatever book’s story sounds interesting, regardless of genre.
Hm. I don’t think I follow any of the trends. I’m a random reader and am always bouncing from one thing to the other. Contemporary, suspense, time travel, paranormal of any kind really. I can get into any of them and read a mix of all the above each week.
The cover, my mood, the author, a review, so many things help me decide what book to pick up when I am starting a new one. I have an enormous tbr selection. So sometimes it is hard to choose, sometimes easy. I like a lot of genres. But I do not do vampires, shape shifters, sci fi, witches, etc. Nothing wrong with them of course, just not my deal.
Thank you for your question, Sue. Frankly, I don’t know why some romance subgenres and themes are hot, and some aren’t. All I know for sure is what I like and what I don’t.
I was hoping that by now the vampire romance craze would have died out. But nobody’s pounded a stake in its heart yet.
There are several current trends in romance fiction that I don’t care for. But obviously I’m in the minority. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be trends. Anyhow, I know that one reader’s stereotype is another reader’s archetype.
But I will say this: I wish there were at least a few romances in which the hero DOESN’T have to be saved! Redemption romances just aren’t romantic to me. I don’t see anything romantic about redemption.
Clearly plenty of readers do. But there should be some romances for the rest of us, stories in which the heroine doesn’t save the hero from himself.
Just my opinion, but I prefer heroes who are truly heroic—not to mention lovable. I don’t see how a hero in need of redemption can give love or deserve to receive it.
What’s more, avoiding the redemption bit would free a writer to focus on themes and plots that haven’t been used so much, but provide more interesting possibilities. And I can’t think of any that don’t.
Well, you asked for our opinions, and here’s mine. Hope I don’t make you or anyone else too angry. Different strokes for different folks, and all that.
Keep up the good work!
I think that trends don’t necessarily start with avid romance readers in general. For example the vampire crazy can probably go right back to twilight, which, isn’t a book that is limited to a romance genre.
SO as things become hot in the mainstream (ie overall in the general population, not just romance) publishers respond to try to jump on the bandwagon and thus push out these stories.
I have read a few were the hero didn’t have to be redeemed, but generally they are much older heros (almost 40). The 2 I think of off hand are Sinclair from Candace Camps he Courtship Dance. I would also include Stephanie Laurnes heros, Devil Cynster and Royce Varisey as men that didn’t need redeemed. Good strong women but not redeemed.
Thank you, Erin S. I’ll have to check out the books you mentioned.
I don’t read much contemporary. I prefer historicals, paranormal and urban fantasy (give me a good time travel romance anyway, throw in a kilt and it’s perfect!). But I agree contemporary is king right now, just not with me I guess. But all my girlfriends are nuts about it!
I like just about all types of romance, historical, paranormal, and contemporary. for me the setting has to be believable and the heroes well they have to be alpha males If it has a good story it will keep my interest!