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Sub-genre Challenge: Romance (Revised & Revisited for 2014!) Feel free to do it for 2018.
SUB-GENRES: ROMANCE
♥ Action-Adventure Romance: This first sub-genre blends genres: The Romance of Adventure, and the Adventure of Romance and the storyline contains these elements, as wonderfully explained by Stuart Voytilla:• The Lovers are place in an exotic locale, often with a backdrop of a world in crisis.(Examples may be found under GRs’ shelf Action-Adventure Romance.) [Contrast with Romantic Suspense.]
• The Lovers have two goals: Adventure (Higher Cause) and Love, and they eventually need to achieve both. By facing these ordeals, the two discover their love for each other. Love is their Reward earned. They now have to fight for both goals by journey's end.
• The Lovers need to accomplish the goals together. Their romance will be tested throughout, and so will the roles of man and woman when placed in a heroic adventure. The man will try to push the woman back and out of harm's way, and the woman will show her strength, patience and ingenuity to step up to the challenge.
• The Higher Cause and Love triumph in the end. In fact, it's their love that helps them triumph over evil. Without love, they would fail.
♥ African-American Romance: African-American romances tend to focus exclusively on relationships between African-American or black heroes and heroines, and are commonly set in urban areas. The stories are often written by black authors. (Examples may be found under GRs’ genre African American Romance.) [Contrast Multicultural/Interracial Romance.]
♥ Amish Romance: The Amish are known for simple living, plain dress, and reluctance to adopt many conveniences of modern technology. This sub-genre used to be lumped in with the Inspirational / Christian / Religious category, but the interest in the culture has become so popular it has been broken off into a sub-set often referred to as “bonnet rippers.” May be either Historical or Contemporary. (Examples may be found on GRs’ shelf Amish-Romance.)
♥ Amnesia Romance: One of Lisa Kay’s favorite sub-genres, despite the medical implausibility. An enigma that baffles even her. Always fun to find out if their faking or not, and when - or if - the amnesiac will remember. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Heroes and Heroines with Amnesia (Historical Romance); Amnesia themed Romance; A Memory Away... - Harlequin Intrigue. Also, here is GRs’ Popular Amnesia Books shelf, but you’ll have to search through the list for the Romance ones.)
♥ Antebellum / Civil War / Reconstruction Romance: Antebellum is the period prior to the Civil War in America, especially the pre-Civil War culture in southern states. Be advised, slavery is an issue in these. The American Civil War, also known as the War Between the States, was fought from 1861 to 1865; these Romances may be placed in the North or the South. The Reconstruction period was from 1865 to 1877. (Examples may be found on GRs’ shelf Civil War Romance or on GRs’ listopia Antebellum, Civil War & Reconstruction Christian Fiction.)
♥ Baby Love Romance: A sub-genre where a baby plays an important part in the plot-line of the Romance. It may be either the male or female lead that has a baby or child - by birth, adoption, or guardianship. Often Contemporary, but not necessarily. Could be the heroine is pregnant, and the hero is not the father. There are even sub-sub-genres within this one, such as the now politically incorrect, but delicious “Secret Baby” theme. You know, where the mother doesn’t tell the father immediately that his seed took. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Sex, Love, & Babies; Pregnant Heroines in Historical Romance; Increasing... Romance Novel Style; Secret Baby Trope; Historical Romance with Children in the Plot.)
♥ BDSM Romance: Stands for “bondage, discipline, submission, dominance.” This sub-genre runs the gamete from playful to hard-cord. It is not for the faint of heart. (Examples on GRs’ listopia BDSM.)
♥ Bodice Ripper / Old School Romance: Romance books have been around for eons; however, this sub-genre -- containing novels written in the 1970’s & 1980’s -- is credited with starting the explosion of more explicit Romances. Their name is due to their bookcovers depicting the scantily clad heroine being grabbed by the hero. These run the gamete, with varying degrees of quality and eye-rolling; nevertheless, don’t be surprised to find alpha-heroes, un-politically correct action, forced seduction, eep! - rape, sold into slavery plot lines, mistresses, and - aack! - cheating. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Best Bodice Rippers.)
♥ Cabin Romances / Road Trip Romances: According to All About Romance, Cabin Romances and Road Romances are “kissing cousins” of sorts.
Road Romances devote large sections to journeys, either by land or by sea. They are filled with adventure, danger, and excitement. Often the hero and heroine travel alone, allowing them to know one another intimately and in unique ways. Some romance are both Road Romances and Cabin Romances - for instance, a romance featuring a sea voyage where the hero and heroine are then marooned on a boat or a deserted island.
Cabin Romances devote large sections to isolation of the hero and heroine. Sometimes they are isolated as a result of a journey. In other instances, the hero/heroine lives alone in the wild and rescues the other from danger, the elements, or injury, forcing them be together or hide out together. They have to come to grips with one another and their attraction in a (relatively) small place. As an added benefit, the Cabin Romance may be the ultimate romance for those readers who don't like separations between the hero and heroine.
(Examples, beside the AAR link above, on GRs’ shelf Popular Road Trip Romance Books and GRs’ listopia Cabin Romances.)
♥ Category Romances: AKA series romances; major publishers are Mills & Boon/Harlequin/Silhouette, but don’t forget Kensington (Zebra). These have come a long way from when Dell’s Candlelight Ecstasy line made the daring, but controversial move, in 1980 that their heroines didn’t require virginity. (Examples found on GRs’ listopia Best Harlequin Presents Novels; Harlequin Blaze; Favorite Silhouette.)
SUB-GENRES: ROMANCE ...continued.
♥ Celtic Romance: Strictly speaking, this one includes Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. However, please note that we also have a Highlander Romance sub-genre below. So, although usually set in these places, we’ll allow the hero or heroine to be Celtic. This one allows room for Roarke from the In Death series, but I’d save him for Futuristic. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Romance in Ireland and/or Irish Hero(in)es; Romance in Wales and/or Welsh Hero(in)es; Best Irish Historical Romances.)
♥ Chick-lit Romance / Women's Fiction Romance / Family Saga Romance: Addresses issues of modern womanhood, sometimes - but not always - humorously & lightheartedly (Chick-lit); involves family matters. Whereas Women’s Fiction often delves into deeper, more serious conflicts and utilizes a more poetic literary writing style. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Favorite Chick-Lit; Best Chick-Lit I've Ever Read; Chick Lit for the Beach; Best Women’s Fiction.)
♥ Classic Romance: Written at least 50 years ago; think Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, etc. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Best Jane Austen Novels; Best of Brontë Favorite Georgette Heyer Book!. In addition, while we have no control over how people “tag” a book, you’ll find some on GRs’shelf entitled Popular Classic Romance Books.)
♥ Colonial America / Pre-Revolutionary War / Revolutionary War Romance: These are all about the setting. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Colonial, Revolutionary, Early American Romance and Colonial/Revolutionary War Novels. Also, All About Romance Colonial Romance U.S. Search.)
♥ Contemporary Romance: Romances with a contemporary setting. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Contemporary Romance and GRs’ listopia Best Ever Contemporary Romance Books, to name just a few.)
♥ Courtesans / Mistresses / Gigolo / Prostitutes Romance: Whether by choice or necessity, these heroines (and the occasional hero) have sold their bodies in exchange for money to someone OTHER THAN the hero (or heroine). Their situations and circumstances vary. (Examples found on Best Courtesan/Gigolo Romances and also at All About Romance Search Courtesans, Mistresses, Prostitutes.)
♥ Dark Fantasy Romance: A fantasy story with not only a strong Romance, but with a pronounced horror element. (Examples may be found on GRs’ shelf Popular Dark Fantasy Romance Books, but be advised - personally, I think some of these are too light-weight to be considered “dark.” **shrugs**)
♥ Dystopian Romance: Sub-genre of science fiction, just add Romance and stir. According to GoodReads, dystopia is a society where societal perfection or societal transcendence is obtained at the expense of something else. That “something else” could be a devalued class of people, the loss of a fundamental freedom, or the surrender of some aspect of human nature. Literary dystopias often arise through a slow process of societal change, or more abruptly as the result of some cataclysm. In either case, the dystopia represents society in a stable state, albeit a state most of us find appalling in some manner. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Dystopian Romance Books; Best YA Dystopian Romance and Dystopian/Apocalypse With Romance. [Contrast with Post-Apocalyptic Romance.]
♥ Early 20th Century Romance / Turn of the Century Romance: Catch all sub-genre for Romances set from 1899-1950 that don’t fall under Western Romance-Historical or Americana Romance below. (Examples found at All About Romance Turn of the Century Search and on GRs’ listopia Historical Romance Novels Set in the Early to Mid Twentieth Centuary.) [Also contrast with Roaring Twenties Romance and World War II Romance.]
♥ Enemies to Lovers Romance: Make love, not war. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Enemies To Lovers Books and Popular Enemies To Lovers Opposites Attract Books. On GRs’ listopia Enemies To Lovers; Enemies to Lovers: Adult Romance.)
SUB-GENRES ROMANCES: ...continued.
♥ Erotica Romance: A hard sub-genre to define, as everyone defines erotica and graphic sex differently. Nevertheless, for our purposes we’ll say Erotic Romance novels are stories written about the development of a romantic relationship through sexual interaction. The sex is an inherent part of the story, character growth, and relationship development, and couldn’t be removed without damaging the storyline. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Erotic Romance Books and check any one of these out.
♥ Exotic Locales Romance: Who wouldn’t want to fall in love in an exotic local? The sun. The fun. All that exposed skin. Plus, the whole “What happens in… stays in...” confidentiality thing. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Exotic Locales Historical Romances.)
♥ Fantasy Romance: These are romances that have an other-worldly setting, with characters who may or may not have special abilities. While the fantastical setting is important, the romance is still what takes center stage. Some publishers distinguish between “romantic fantasy” where the romance is most important and “fantasy romance” where the fantasy elements are most important. Here, we mean the former. Although you’ll find other sub-genres on our list that fall under this category, we put this here as a catch-all. (Example on GRs’ shelf Popular Romantic Fantasy Books and on GRs’ listopia Best Romantic Fantasy Books.)
♥ Fairy Tale Romances: Fairy Tale romances resembling the plots of well-known fairy tales enough for the original tale to be recognizable.(Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Fairy Tale Romance Books and on GRs’ listopia Best Romance Novel: Fairy Tale Retelling. Also All About Romance Search: Fairy Tale Romances.)
♥ Fooled Around and Fell in Love Romance: This can be as simple as a “One Night Stand” that becomes more. Or buddies who plan the relationship to be “No-Strings-Attached” hook-up. Ultimately they discover their twosome has what it takes to go the distance. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Favorite One NightStand stories by Decadent Publishing and One Night Stand with Unplanned Pregnancy & Love and Girl Loves Him Then Leaves Him 1 Night Stand.)
♥ Friends to Lovers Romance: Title says it all. (Examples may be found on GRs’ listopia When Friends Fall in Love and Best Friends to Lovers Romance (MF) - and many more on listopia.)
♥ Frontier Romance / Americana Romance / Mail-Order-Bride Romance: Frontier Romance or American Romance may or may not necessarily fall under Western Romance-Historical, so we gave them their own category. While the focus is on forging a new frontier or homestead, there may be nary cowboys in sight, and the location may not be right for a Western. These are set between 1880 and 1920 in the United States, with Americana usually in a small town or in the Midwest.
Mail-Order-Bride is another one of Lisa Kay’s favorites. The lure of the West was not just found in males of the era; the women willing to marry men who advertised in the classifieds - sight unseen - were surely as courageous as their male counterparts. As explained by Kaye Dacus: “I’m not sure why, but there’s just something about watching the hero and heroine fall in love after they’re married that enthralls me.”
These are found across all historical genres—and even pop up in contemporary romances from time to time, such as with Linda Howard’s wonderful book Duncan's Bride. It doesn’t matter where the frontier is, Australia to Alaska, as long as the couple is forging a homestead.
(Examples found on GRs’ shelf Frontier Romance; Popular Americana Romance Books; Popular Mail Order Bride Books; Popular Mail Order Brides Books. Also on GRs’ listopia Mail Order Brides; Mail Order Brides and Arranged Marriages (careful, that one has some Contemporary Romances); Love Inspired: Mail-Order Brides.) [Contrast with Small Town Lovin’ Romance, which, per our definition, is mainly Contemporary.]
♥ Georgian Era Romance: Not the most popular sub-genre, as some women don’t like their heroes in high-heels. It is set during British history, after kings George I-IV [1714–1830]. (Examples can be found on GRs’ genre Georgian Romance and Popular Georgian Romance Books.)
♥ GLBT Romance: Stands for “gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender.” (Examples on GRs’ genre GLBT.)
♥ Glitz or Glamour Romance: Featuring actors, actresses, supermodels, or anyone on the world stage. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Hollywood Romance Novels and Romance with Actors/Actresses/Acting.)
SUB-GENRES ROMANCES: ...continued.
♥ Gothic Romance: Actually the grandmother of Romantic Suspense, these tend to be Historical in nature - but not always. As Jennifer Brannen tells us:• Gothic Romances are about atmosphere, uncertainty, and the idea that a certain element of creepiness makes the eventual romance that much sweeter. What isn’t seen may be more important than what is and what doesn’t happen may be as important as what does.(Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Gothic Romances Books; also on GRs’ listopia Gothic Heroine Covers (Or heroines running scared on the covers.).
• Heroines are usually fish out of water, having moved to a new (often isolated) place where the people around them -- such as the hero -- are unknown quantities and she is equally unknown to them.
• Next, there is a series of unexplainable events that happen to or around the heroine, when she is the only witness.
• The question develops: Is she really seeing these things or is she going crazy? Is it someone or is it something doing this to her?
• Another common theme is “does he love me or is he trying to kill me?” where the hero and heroine misunderstand each on an almost catastrophic scale yet truth and love will out with the protagonists often saving each other literally and metaphorically.
♥ Heroine in Pursuit Romance: As defined by All About Romance, a “Heroine in Pursuit” knows the man of her dreams when she sees him, and she is confident enough to act on it, with eventual success. Such a heroine takes the initiative in furthering the emotional and physical relationship with the hero, for example by asking him out, seducing him, compromising him, even proposing to him. She either pursues him for greater parts of the novel, or she shows her love in a major, decisive step towards true commitment. She won’t put up with anything less. In the rare cases she sends him packing for a time, it’s never because she feels she is not good enough for him or that he may feel at some point in the future that he was coerced - she knows she is the best thing that has ever happened to him, and that their love is worth fighting for. (Examples, beside the above AAR link, are on GRs’ listopia Heroine in Pursuit: She Gets Her Man. Also, try: Heroine in Pursuit in Contemporary Romance - GRs listopia; Heroine in Pursuit: She Gets Her Man - GRs listopia; Smart Bitches, Trashy Books: Heroines Going For It; Cat's Books: HIP.)
♥ Highlander Hero Romance: The eternally popular Highlander Romance, because who doesn't like a hero in a kilt? Or maybe it is that delicious accent? We’ll allow these ruggedly handsome heroes to be found anywhere, not just their natural backdrop - and not just in Historical. The hero is usually the laird of the clan. They hate the English, though they sure seem to marry them in vast numbers, as the heroine is almost always English! If you want to repeat this sub-genre, you might place some under the Renaissance Romance/Tudor sub-genre, if you can find them. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Best Highland/Scotland Romance Novels; Best Scottish and Highland Historical Romances; Hot Highlander Romances.)
♥ Historical Romance: The old reliable, a Romance Novel in a historical setting. (Over 100,000 examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Historical Romance Books.)
♥ Holiday Romance: Setting is during one of the major holidays [Christmas, New Year’s, Valentine’s Day, St. Patirick’s, Easter, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, etc.]. Your favorite author surely has one of these! (Examples on GRs’ listopia Favorite Holiday Romance Reads; Historical Christmas/Winter Romance; Best Valentine’s Day Themed Books. And much more on listopia.)
♥ Horror Romance: There are other novels out there within this scary literary sub-genre that don’t typify the heroine as frail and innocent - and the evil antagonist as beyond brutal - but, you’ll have to search for them. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Horror Romance Books and GRs’ listopia Awesome Zombie Books For Girls/Women. [Contrast with Dark Fantasy Romance.]
♥ Inspirational / Christian / Religious Romance: Romance that is spiritually based. One or more characters generally have a crisis of faith which is resolved during the course of the novel. The romance follows strict religious guidelines such as no drinkin’, dancin’, gamblin’, swearin’, or premarital sex for Christian characters. There’s also no graphic violence. They feature relationships that emphasize emotional intimacy rather than sexual desire. Usually, even after marriage, the love scenes are “one foot on the floor” (view spoiler). Harlequin has three lines: Love Inspired; Love Inspired-Historical; and Heartsong. The difference between Love Inspired and Heartsong is word-count, with Heartsong being the shorter. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Inspirational Romance Books.)
♥ Love & Laughter / Humorous Romance: Title says it all. If you like to smile, giggle, or laugh out loud during courtship, this is the sub-genre for you. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Funny Romance Books and GRs’ listopia Humorous Romance Books.)
♥ Magical Realism Romance: An aesthetic style/genre fiction where magical elements blend with real world. Best know authors are probably Sarah Addison Allen, Laura Esquivel, Joanne Harris, and Lisa Kleypas, who recently delved into this sub-genre. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Fun/Playful Magic Realism. Some that may have Romance might be found on another listopia Favorite Magical Realist Novels.)
♥ Marriage of Convenience Romance: These may be Historical or Contemporary. One of the key elements of this sub-genre is that one or both characters have no choice in the marriage (usually the heroine, though the hero is typically reluctant, even if the marriage is the heroine’s idea to begin with—such as if she needs to marry someone to keep from being forced to marry someone much less desirable or to hold on to her family’s property/wealth). (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Marriage Of Convenience Books and on GRs’ listopia Modern Marriage of Convenience Romances; Historical Romance: Marriage of Convenience/Arranged Marriage; Arranged Marriages/Marriages Of Convenience.) [Contrast with Shotgun Wedding Romance / AKA Compromising Positions Romance.]
SUB-GENRES ROMANCES: ...continued.
♥ Medical Romance: Someone is born to cure: a doctor, medics, nurse, healer, etc. Certainly not as popular as they were during Dr. Killdare’s reign in the 1960’s, they’re still around. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Doctor/Medical Romance Heroes and Non-Harlequin Medical Romance.)
♥ Medieval Romance: Set during the 5th to the 15th century (476-1453), or the “dark ages,” these Romances will surely have knights, barons, vassals, castles, tournaments, armor, and usually a visit to Court. (Examples on several GRs’ listopias here.)
♥ Ménage à Trois Romance: Not your typical love-triangle, this sexually explicit relationship usually falls under Erotic Romances, but involves three people for a little more kink. (Examples - tons - on many GRs’ listopias Menage Book Lists.)
♥ Multicultural Romance / Interracial Romance / International Romance: Hero and heroine come from different cultural or racial backgrounds. Sure, the world is getting smaller, but these lovers will still have obstacles to overcome. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Popular Interracial Romance Books; and many more here. [Contrast with African-American Romance.]
♥ Native American Romance: Romances feature someone of Native American ancestry. Does not necessarily have to be Historical. (Examples found on GRs’ listopia Best Native American Romance; Historical Native American Romances where both the hero and heroine are Native Americans; Native American - Harlequin & Mills & Boon Romances; Christian Fiction about Indians or Native Americans; and Native American Romance. You’ll also find some on Native American Historical Fiction and Western and Native American Romance, but you’ll have to peruse the lists. Plus, there is more on listopia.)
♥ New Adult Romance: New Adult (NA) fiction is a developing genre of fiction with protagonists in the 18-25 age bracket. New Adult fiction tends to focus on issues such as leaving home, developing sexuality, negotiating college, education, and career choices. The genre has gained popularity rapidly over the last few years, particularly through books by self-published bestselling authors. Like, Jamie McGuire’s Beautiful Disaster, Colleen Hoover’s Slammed, and Cora Carmack’s Losing It. (More examples found on GRs’ listopia New Adult 2013 and New Adult Literature - and many, many more!)
♥ Non-fiction Romance / Memoir Romance: The name says it all. This might be a challenge to find, but try looking under Biography.
♥ Paranormal Romance: Paranormal Romance involves going against scientific laws. It is extrasensory phenomena (beyond the physical senses). From Daphne Shadows:1.) Supernatural refers to a creature while Preternatural refers to an ability that exceeds the bounds of what is scientifically proven to be possible.So, if you want to put something that appears under Supernatural Romance here, who are we to argue with you? (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Paranormal Romance Books.) [Contrast with Supernatural Romance and Urban Fantasy Romance.]
2.) Supernatural and Preternatural are listed, used, and considered in general opinion to be synonyms for one another.
3.) Paranormal is used interchangeably with Supernatural and Preternatural and they all loosely mean the same thing.
♥ Pirate / Sea Captain / Sheikh / Sultan Romance: Love on the high seas or in the hot desert. Appealing to the lovers of swashbuckling adventures, these were once very popular. The pirate or sea captain may be female, too! You’ll definitely find some “Bodice Rippers” among theses. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Historical Pirate Romance Books; Pirate/Swashbucking Romance; For The Love Of A Sailor-Historical Hero Who Is Sailor, Ship's Captain Or Seafarer; Best Pirate and Privateer Romances; Sheikh Romances.)
♥ Post-Apocalypse Romance / Apocalyptic Romance: Post-apocalyptic literature, in contrast to Dystopian, focuses on the instability during and/or following a cataclysmic event that shatters society both in form and headcount. During the story, whatever society exists is typically small, isolated, and highly threatened. Often there is little or no hope for any meaningful future. Although it is true that post-apocalyptic events can lead to the formation of dystopian societies, it is the immediately endangered nature of the society that interests the reader. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Best Post-Apocalyptic Romance Books; Dystopian/Apocalypse With Romance.) [Contrast with Dystopian Romance.]
SUB-GENRES ROMANCES: ...continued.
♥ Regency Romance: Time period in the United Kingdom between 1811 — when the Prince Regent ruled by proxy — and 1820’s defined by Kaye Ducas:“Regencies are very much focused on the social scene of the era, the rules of society—though in recent years, the trend has been to write heroines who are far too modern in their attitudes and who constantly and flagrantly ignore/purposely disobey the societal norms (much to the frustration to those of us who love the actual historical era).(Examples found on GRs’ shelf Popular Regency Romance Books. Also GRs’ listopia Traditional Regency and many others found here.)
The hero is usually very wealthy, most likely titled. The heroine can be wealthy/titled, or she can be the daughter of a poor but genteel family. Neither comes from the “working class.” Regular Regency readers are as familiar with barouche, spencer, pelisse, pin money, the Pump Room, and Almack’s as contemporary-romance readers are with Cadillac, blazer, pea coat, allowance, the gym, and the prom (or the club).
There is a specific cadence to the language—both in narrative and dialogue—and the little niceties of social interaction, such as bowing and curtsying, are observed.”
♥ Renaissance Romance: Spanning the years 1485 - 1603, typically set in Europe and usually involves a visit to Court.Tudor: 1485 - 1558 (if set in England) All About Romance Search.♥ Roaring Twenties Romance: The “Roaring Twenties” was a time of great change, when women raised their hemlines and bobbed their hair - and Women got the vote! The First World War was over, the second still yet to come. Prohibition in the U.S. gave birth to an underground industry of speakeasies and bootleggers, all while a new music called jazz sang a siren tune nobody had heard before... It was a time of independence, courage, and adventure.
Elizabethan: 1558 - 1603 (if set in England) All About Romance Search; Popular Elizabethan Romance Books.
(Examples: There’s not a lot to choose from, as this is an emerging sub-genre (since the 100th anniversary approaches), but here are some suggestions: Vixen, Ingenue, Moonshine, Bright Young Things, Beautiful Days, Strong Spirits, High Spirits, Hungry Spirits, Though Waters Roar, Torch Song, A Woman of the World, Girl in the Beaded MaskMalice Domestic 10, The Bad Behavior of Belle Cantrell, The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc, and Death at Wentwater Court has a bit of matchmaking.) [Contrast with Early 20th Century Romance.]
♥ Rock ‘n Roll Romance: Gaining popularity in the new millennium, this sub-genre full of talented musicians...well... rocks. (Examples found on GRs’ listopia Epic Rockstar Stories and a few more on The Most "Talented" Rock~n~Roll Lover!.)
♥ Romantic Suspense: Per Kaye Dacus, here there is a suspense element (one or both the hero or heroine is personally in jeopardy) that is almost to equally important as the romance plot. Take out either thread, and the story falls apart. One of the characters may be involved in law-enforcement in some manner (an FBI agent, a police officer, a homeland security agent, etc.). Harlequin has a couple of lines for Romantic Suspense: Harlequin Intrigue and Love Inspired Suspense. Dee Henderson has probably written the most popular series of Romantic Suspense novels in the Christian market with the O’Malley series. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Best Romantic Suspense; Romantic Suspense Full of Action; Indie Romantic Suspense/Thrillers; ;) Romantic Suspense.) [Contrast with Gothic Romance, the grandmother of this sub-genre.]
♥ Royalty / In Line for the Throne / Dukes Romance: Protagonist is of royal blood, be it legitimate or not. May be from the real world, or a fictitious one, as long as the hero or heroine is king/queen, prince/princess, tzar, emperor, or any other type of royal. In addition, since dukes are technically in line for the throne, we ’ll put them here, too. (For examples, try GRs’ listopia Royalty in Romance; The Best Romanov Books, The Russian Tsars and Russian Royal Family; Dukes... Bring 'em on!.)
♥ Science Fiction Romance / Extraterrestrial Romance / Futuristic Romance: We put all three of these together for obvious reasons. Example on All About Romance Sci-Fi Search (two pages), and GRs’ listopia HOT Extraterrestrial and/or Extraordinary Guys; Young Adult Alien Books; Best Sci-Fi/Futuristic Romance; and GRs’ shelf Popular Futuristic Romance Books.)
♥ Shape-shifter Romance: Be they humans that can shift into werewolves or dragons... or something a bit more unusual, as long as the romance is front and center, they count. (Examples on All About Romance Shape-Shifter Search (four pages), and GRs’ listopia Werewolf & Shifter Romance; Hot Shapeshifter Romances; Dragon Shifters; Best Dragon Shapeshifter Romance Novels; and Unusual Shifters in Romance.)
♥ Shotgun Wedding Romance / AKA Compromising Positions Romance: According to All About Romances this sub-genre theme are marriages that are brought about either because the bride is pregnant or because she has been hopelessly compromised. A third party may force the protagonists to marry (with or without weapon in hand), or the protagonists may be forced by their own sense of honor, and the knowledge that repercussion on themselves and their families would be severe if they did not marry. Marital relations are assumed since this is a regular marriage, only coerced. (Examples found at the AAR link above and on GRs’ listopia Compromised Historical Romance.)
♥ Small Town Lovin’ Romance: We are looking for the charm and ambiance of small town life, in search of the old-fashioned intimacy of knowing all one’s neighbors... and them knowing all about the heroine’s love-life! We’re going to flex our muscle and deem these only Contemporary, as this close-knit environment in Historical Romances may be found in the Frontier Romance / Americana Romance sub-genre above. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Small-Town-Lovin’. Also on GRs’ listopia Best Small Town Romance and Small Town Romance.)
SUB-GENRES ROMANCES: ...continued.
♥ Sports Romance: These Romances feature characters heavily invested in the sports world. They may be players or retired players, amateur enthusiasts, or those with careers revolving around sports, such as a sports agent, publicist, or spin-doctor. (Examples found at All About Romance Sports Romance Search. Also on GRs’ listopia Sports Romances; Touchdonw: Romance & American Football; Love on the Pitch: English Football/Soccer; Best Hockey Romances; Romance with Hero/Heroine are Athletes; Romance with Athletes other than American Football, Baseball, & Ice Hockey. Plus, Harlequin has a new NASCAR line.)
♥ Steampunk Romance: Add Romance to the Wikipedia definition and you might discover a fun new sub-genre: “Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that typically features steam-powered machinery, especially in a setting inspired by industrialized Western civilization during the 19th century. Steampunk works are often set in an alternative history of the 19th century's British Victorian era or American “Wild West,” in a post-apocalyptic future during which steam power has regained mainstream use, or in a fantasy world that similarly employs steam power.
Steampunk perhaps most recognizably features anachronistic technologies or retro-futuristic inventions as people in the 19th century might have envisioned them, and is likewise rooted in the era's perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, and art.” (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Steampunk Romance Books and GRs’ listopia Steampunk Romance.)
♥ Supernatural Romance: The difference between Supernatural Romance and Paranormal Romance and, therefore, Urban Fantasy Romances, is very much debated. For our purposes, Supernatural Romances concern things “not existing in nature or subject to explanation according to natural laws; not physical or material.” Here is another catch-all category, as we have some of these listed on their own. Books would include romances involving ghosts, psyches, telekinesis, religious miracles, angels, and yes, witches. (Examples found at All About Romance Ghost-Romance Search (three pages); All About Romance Witch-Romance Search (two pages); All About Romance Psychic-Romance Search. Also All About Romance Search for Angels, Demons, Gods.
♥ Time-Travel Romance: Why let a little thing like time separate soul-mates? Whether purposeful or accidental, traveling in time and falling in love with someone from another century holds a definite appeal. It may be either the hero or heroine who gets stuck in another time period and must make it back to his/her own time. Whichever way it works, the time travel has a major impact on the development of the romantic relationship into a timeless one — not to mention where they’ll end up living! (Examples on GRs’ listopia The Best Time-Travel Romance Novels; Best Time Travel Romances; The Best Time-Travel Romance; Best YA Travel Time Time Travel Romance.)
♥ Two-Hankie-Read Romance: More than a little angst-y. These are the romances that make you cry, not just a tear or two, but those that tend to be cathartic and intense. (Examples found on All About Romance Search for Tears.)
♥ Urban Fantasy Romance: Urban Fantasy (UF) usually include vampires, werewolves, zombies, shape-shifters, and witches -- some of which you’ll find elsewhere in our list; we wanted to add a catch-all category, for argument’s sake. See the chart we posted above contrasting Paranormal Romance. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Urban Fantasy Romance Books.) [Contrast Supernatural Romance & Paranormal Romance.]
♥ Vampire Romance: Someone’s a blood sucker! Supposedly this cultural phenomenon is on the wane; but personally, I think bloodthirsty creatures are here to stay. These evolutionarily perfect specimens - with all that chiseled handsomeness - are too dangerous, too forbidden, too rich, too strong, and too tortured by battling their warring impulses to harm and to protect, to fall by the way-side. (Example on GRs’ shelf Popular Vampire Romance Books.)
♥ Victorian Romance: Set during Queen Victoria’s reign: June, 1837 until her death January, 1901. And typically set in England. An expanded definition can be found at AllAboutRomance.com. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Victorian Romance Books. You’ll have to watch these, as they are notoriously “miss-tagged” with the wrong era.)
♥ Viking Romance: To quote Anna Bowling, “Over a thousand years later, what’s the appeal of these ancient adventurers? For one thing, Vikings have the market cornered on the tall, blond and handsome angle. Vikings stand head and shoulders (literally) above the competition.” (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Viking Romance Books. Also GRs’ listopia Best Viking Romances.)
♥ Virgin Hero Romance: There aren’t a lot of this rare breed around, but they do exist. They are either saving themselves for marriage, or they just haven’t had the opportunity to sow their wild oats. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Virgin Heroes.)
♥ Wallflower / Bluestocking / Spinster / Governess Romance: Most people love to root for the underdog, and a wallflower or spinster was certainly that in Historical Romances. And governesses were often the odd woman out. Although we won’t restrict you to the past, we hope people are a little more enlighten in the new millennium. (Examples on GRs’ listopia Best Romances With Spinsters, Wallflowers, Or Old Maids; Historical Romances Featuring Bluestockings, Scholars, & Independent Misses; Governess & Teacher Romance Books.)
♥ Western Romance-Contemporary: Set in the western part of the U.S., but Contemporary with Cowboys and Ranchers. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Contemporary Western Romance Books.)
♥ Western Romance-Historical: Set in the American West, an era defined as 18th century to 1890 that stretches broadly to the end of Mexican Revolution in 1920. Most definitely with Cowboys. (Examples on GRs’ shelf Popular Historical Western Romance Books.)
♥ Witch Romance: The heroine is the witch. These also fall under Supernatural Romance and Paranormal Romance, but are popular enough to have their own category. (Examples on All About Romance Witch-Romance Search (two pages) and there is also GRs’shelf Witch Romance and GRs’ listopia Witchy Women.)
♥ World War II-Era Romance: There’s nothing like falling in love with a war going on, with the uncertainty of life and death on the line. This is a small but growing sub-genre set during World War II. (Examples found on GRs’ shelf Popular World War 2 Romance Books; Popular WW2 Romance Books and GRs’ listopia World War 2 Romance. In addition, check out Shefari’s Great WWII fiction (many with romance).)
♥ Young Adult Romance: While marketed to adolescents and young adults, Wiki tells us that recent studies show that 55% of young-adult fiction is purchased by readers over 18 years of age. Authors and readers of young adult (YA) novels often define the genre as literature traditionally written for ages ranging from sixteen years up to the age of twenty-five, while Teen Fiction is written for the ages of ten and to fifteen. (Tons of examples of these are on GRs’ listopia, but here’s a start: Best YA Romance.)
♥Ava~Rose
♥Bab
♥Bookcrazy
♥Elisha
♥Gea
♥Gigi
♥Gwnhwyfer
♥Hanita
♥Hayley
♥Ipshita
♥Joann
♥Judy
♥Karen
♥Kristy
♥Kritika
♥Lindy
♥Lisa
♥Lisa Kay
♥Logan
♥Maggie
♥Nichole
♥Nicole
♥Patty
♥Poongothai
♥Susan (susayq)
♥Teresa
♥
♥
♥
As mention above, this challenge originated here in RLftCI way back in August, 2011. (Eek! Time flies.)I just revised it for the Nothing But Reading Challenges group, and I thought I'd bring it back home.
Works out well for our Sub-genre of the Month Reads.
Ok i'm in. I'm going to work on my list and then decide on the duration.27/0
♥ Amish Romance:
♥ Baby Love Romance:Angel's Peak 19/04/14
♥ BDSM Romance:
♥ Chick-lit Romance / Women's Fiction Romance / Family Saga Romance:
♥ Classic Romance:
♥ Contemporary Romance:The Fault in Our Stars 28/01/14
♥ Dark Fantasy Romance:
♥ Dystopian Romance: Crossed 24/03/14
♥ Early 20th Century Romance / Turn of the Century Romance:
♥ Enemies to Lovers Romance: The Indigo Spell 27/01/14
♥ Erotica Romance:
♥ Exotic Locales Romance: Conduct Unbecoming 13/03/14
♥ Fantasy Romance:
♥ Fairy Tale Romances: Scarlet 03/03/14
♥ Friends to Lovers Romance: Shock & Awe 10/03/14
♥ Frontier Romance / Americana Romance / Mail-Order-Bride Romance: Maybe
♥ Georgian Era Romance: Maybe
♥ GLBT Romance: Shadow Soldier 20/02/14
♥ Glitz or Glamour Romance: Champion 06/01/14
♥ Holiday Romance:
♥ Horror Romance:
♥ Inspirational / Christian / Religious Romance:
♥ Love & Laughter / Humorous Romance:A Lot like Love 05/05/14
♥ Magical Realism Romance:
♥ Medical Romance:Maybe
♥ Ménage à Trois Romance: Maybe
♥ Native American Romance: Retribution 17/03/14
♥ New Adult Romance:
♥ Paranormal Romance: Up From the Grave 11/04/13
♥ Post-Apocalypse Romance / Apocalyptic Romance: Matched 01/03/14
♥ Roaring Twenties Romance: The Great Gatsby 25/05/14
♥ Rock ‘n Roll Romance:
♥ Romantic Suspense: But For You 23/03/14
♥ Science Fiction Romance / Extraterrestrial Romance / Futuristic Romance: Cress 05/03/14
♥ Shape-shifter Romance: The Guardian 25/03/14
♥ Small Town Lovin’ Romance: Leaving Home 17/03/14
♥ Sports Romance: Home Sweet Home 21/03/14
♥ Steampunk Romance: Timeless 30/01/14
♥ Supernatural Romance: Dead Silence 27/02/14
♥ Two-Hankie-Read Romance: Eleanor & Park 13/03/14
♥ Urban Fantasy Romance: Finale 19/02/14
♥ Vampire Romance: The Fiery Heart 18/02/14
♥ Western Romance-Contemporary: Home Sweet Home 22/03/14
♥ Witch Romance: Hidden 20/01/14
♥ Young Adult Romance:Revealed 25/01/14
Great, Elishia! Welcome to the challenge.
My apologizes, Elishia, I discarded ♥ Thriller Romance from the line-up. There are still 75, though. ☺
I'm in, too. I don't think I'll try for all the sub-genres, though. I think I'll pick and choose and double them.
RLftCI: Sub-genre Challenge: Romance (Revised & Revisited for 2014! - Part IDuration: Let's see how long this takes.
First, I'm going for “Head Over Heels” with these sub-genres, double or tripling them. 12/39
Second, I'm going to read one each of the remaining, for “French Kissing.” 07/36
♥ Action-Adventure Romance:
1. ✔ Castaway Dreams, by Darlene Marshall ★★★★½ Kindle 5/31/2014
2.
♥ Amish Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Amnesia Romance:
1. ✔ Shadow Woman, by Linda Howard ★★★★½ SJLibrary-HC 4/30/14
2. ✔ Tempting the Bride, by Sherry Thomas ★★★★☆ SJLibrary-PB 5/17/14
3. ✔ Memory Betrayal, by Deborah Ann ★★★☆☆ Kindle 6/2/2014
♥ Baby Love Romance:
1. ✔ Worth the Fall, by Claudia Connor ★★★★½ Kindle 9/23/2014
2.
♥ Cabin Romances / Road Trip Romances:
1.
2.
♥ Category Romances:
1. ✔ The Italian's Wedding Ultimatum, by Kim Lawrence ★★★½☆ SFLibrary-eBook 5/27/2014
2. ✔ The Lone Wolfe, by Kate Hewitt ★★★★☆ SFLibrary-eBook 5/28/2014
3. ✔ Price of Passion, by Susan Napier ★★★☆☆ Kindle 7/12/2014
4. ✔ Naughty but Nice, Jill Shalvis ★★★½☆ SFLibrary-eBook 7/13/2014
5. ✔ A Royal World Apart, by Maisey Yates ★★★½☆ SFLibrary-eBook 10/10/2014
♥ Colonial America / Pre-Revolutionary War / Revolutionary War Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Contemporary Romance:
1. ✔ Rock Chick, by Kristen Ashley ★★★½☆ audible.com 7/27/2014
2. ✔ His Heart's Desire, by Julianna Douglas ★★★½☆ Smashwords 7/30/2014
3. ✔ When We Touch, by Brenda Novak ★★★★☆ SFLibrary-eBook 8/19/2014
4. ✔ The Gamble, by Kristen Ashley ★★★★☆ audible.com 8/23/2014
5. ✔ All He Ever Desired Shannon Stacey ★★★★½ SFLibrary-eBook 8/27/2014
6. ✔ When Lightning Strikes, by Brenda Novak ★★★½☆ audible.com 9/5/2014
7. ✔ It's in His Kiss, by Jill Shalvis ★★★★½ audible.com 9/12/2014
8. ✔ Crazy for Her, by Sandra Owens ★★½☆☆ audible.com 10/1/2014
9. ✔ Every Breath You Take, by Judith McNaught ★★★★☆ CD to iPod/Touch 10/2/2014
10. ✔ Lover's Lane, by Jill Marie Landis ★★★½☆ SJLibrary-ODA 10/8/2014
11. ✔ One Fine Fireman Jennifer Bernard ★★★½☆ Kindle 10/12/2014
12. ✔ He's So Fine Jill Shalvis ★★★★½ audible.com 10/14/2014
♥ Exotic Locales Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Fooled Around and Fell in Love Romance:
1. ✔ Mystery Man, by Kristen Ashley ★★★★½ audible.com 4/2
2.
♥ Friends to Lovers Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Frontier Romance / Americana Romance / Mail-Order-Bride Romance:
1. ✔ Redemption, by Carolyn Davidson ★★★★☆ PB 5/14
2.
♥ Heroine in Pursuit Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Highlander Hero Romance:
1. ✔ Honor's Splendour, by Julie Garwood ★★★★★ audible.com 3/17 “r.r.v.a.” LTJG-BOM
2.
♥ Historical Romance:
1. ✔ A Wife For Big John, by Lauri Robinson ★★★★☆ Kindle 3/13
2. ✔ How to Dance with a Duke, by Manda Collins ★★★★½ PB 9/11/2014
3. ✔ One Dance with a Duke, Tessa Dare ★★★★☆ audible.com 10/16/2014
♥ Holiday Romance:
1. ✔ Mail-Order Christmas Brides, by Jillian Hart & Janet Tronstad ★★★★½ SFLibrary-eBook 4/22
2.
♥ Inspirational / Christian / Religious Romance:
1. ✔ The Runaway Bride, by Noelle Marchand ★★★½☆ SFLibrary-eBook 8/8/2014
2.
♥ Love & Laughter / Humorous Romance:
1. ✔ Gnome on the Range, by Jennifer Zane ★★★★½ allromance.com 2/15
2. ✔ The Rosie Project, by Graeme Simsion ★★★★★ SJLibrary-CD-to-iPod/Touch 5/17
3. ✔ How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, by Kerrelyn Sparks ★★★½☆ SJLibrary-ODA 6/5/2014
♥ Marriage of Convenience Romance:
1. ✔ Imprisoned by a Vow, by Annie West ★★★★☆ SFLibrary-eBook 3/25
2. ✔ Fiancé by Friday, Catherine Bybee ★★★½☆ audible.com 9/15/2014
♥ Medieval Romance:
1. ✔ If I Had You, by Lynn Kurland ★★★½☆ PB 2/13 “buddy read”
2. ✔ This Is All I Ask, by Lynn Kurland ★★★★½ PB 3/18 “buddy read”
♥ Multicultural / Interracial / International Romance:
1. The Iron Duke, by Meljean Brook (PB & Loupe-audio)
2.
♥ Paranormal Romance:
1. ✔ How to Run with a Naked Werewolf, by Molly Harper ★★★★☆ audible.com 3/14 Pub
2. ✔ Lord's Fall, by Thea Harrison ★★★★☆ audible.com 7/10/2014
♥ Regency Romance: (UK between 1811—when the Prince Regent ruled by proxy—and 1820)
1.
2.
♥ Romantic Suspense:
1. ✔ I'll Be Watching You, by Tracy Montoya ★★★★☆ SJLibrary-eBook 2/28
2. ✔ Give Him the Slip, by Geralyn Dawson ★★★★☆ Kindle 5/15
3. ✔ Nothing To Lose, by Christy Reece ★★★★½ PB 6/3/2014
♥ Royalty / In Line for the Throne / Dukes Romance:
1. ✔ The Duke's Holiday, by Maggie Fenton ★★★★☆ Kindle 6/1/2014
2.
♥ Science Fiction Romance / Extraterrestrial Romance / Futuristic Romance:
1. ✔ Seduction in Death, by J.D. Robb ★★★★★ SJLibrary-ODA 3/21
2. Across the Universe, by Beth Revis (Library-CDs-to-iPod/Touch)
♥ Shape-shifter Romance:
1. Pleasure of a Dark Prince (audible.com) “r.r.v.a.”
2.
♥ Shotgun Wedding Romance / AKA Compromising Positions Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Small Town Lovin’ Romance:
1. ✔ Once in a Lifetime, by Jill Shalvis ★★★★½ Kindle-ARE 2/9
2.
♥ Steampunk Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Supernatural Romance:
1. ✔ Spellbound Falls, by Janet Chapman ★★★★☆ PB 6/23/2014
2.
♥ Two-Hankie-Read Romance:
1. ✔ The Governess Affair Courtney Milan ★★★☆☆ audible.com 10/21/2014
2.
♥ Urban Fantasy Romance:
1. ✔ The Mane Event Shelly Laurenston ★★★★☆ audible.com 8/27/2014
2.
♥ Vampire Romance:
1. ✔ Untouchable, by Kresley Cole ★★★★☆ audible.com 4/23 “r.r.v.a.”
2.
♥ Victorian Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Virgin Hero Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Wallflower / Bluestocking / Spinster / Governess Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Western Romance-Contemporary:
1. ✔ Quinn, by R.C. Ryan ★★★½☆ PB 7/11/2014
2. ✔ Tex Appeal, by Alison Kent, Cara Summers, and Kimberly Raye ★★★★☆ SFLibrary-eBook 9/4/2014
3. ✔ Slow Hand, by Victoria Vane ★★★★½ Kindle-ARE 9/25/2014
♥ Western Romance-Historical:
1. ✔ The Best Man, by Maggie Osborne ★★★★½ HC 6/30/2014
2. ✔ Lucky Penny, by Catherine Anderson ★★★☆☆ PB 7/28/2014
3. ✔ Heart and Home, by Cassandra Austin ★★★★☆ Kindle 9/13/2014
4. ✔ Forever in Texas, by Jodi Thomas ★★★½☆ PB-special order 9/14/2014
5. ✔ Without Words, Ellen O'Connell ★★★★★ Kindle 10/3/2014
RLftCI: Sub-genre Challenge: Romance (Revised & Revisited for 2014! - Part III'm going to read one each of the remaining, for “French Kissing.”
07/36
♥ African-American Romance:
♥ Antebellum / Civil War / Reconstruction: Romance:
♥ BDSM Romance:
♥ Bodice Ripper / Old School Romance:
♥ Celtic Romance:
♥ Chick-lit Romance / Women's Fiction Romance / Family Saga Romance:
♥ Classic Romance:
♥ Courtesans / Mistresses / Gigolo / Prostitutes Romance:
♥ Dark Fantasy Romance:
♥ Early 20th Century Romance / Turn of the Century Romance:
♥ Enemies to Lovers Romance:
✔ In Bed with Mr. Wrong, by Katee Robert ★★★★½ Kindle 2/11/14
✔ Playing for Keeps, by R.L. Mathewson ★★★★☆ Kindle 6/26/2014
♥ Erotica Romance:
✔ The Principal's Office, by Jasmine Haynes ★★★★☆ SFLibrary-eBook 5/22/2014
♥ Fantasy Romance:
♥ Fairy Tale Romances:
✔ Scarlet, by Marissa Meyer ★★★★½ SFLibrary-BiLo 9/20/2014
♥ Georgian Era Romance:
✔ The Raven Prince, by Elizabeth Hoyt ★★★★★ Loupe's-audio 7/22/2014
✔ Duke of Midnight, by Elizabeth Hoyt ★★★★★ audible.com 10/4/2014
✔ Darling Beast, Elizabeth Hoyt ★★★★★ audible.com 10/19/2014
♥ GLBT Romance:
✔ A Reason To Believe, by Diana Copland ★★★★½ audible.com 2/14
♥ Glitz or Glamour Romance:
♥ Gothic Romance:
♥ Heroine in Pursuit Romance:
♥ Horror Romance:
♥ Magical Realism Romance:
♥ Medical Romance:
♥ Ménage à Trois Romance:
♥ Native American Romance:
✔ Mackenzie's Mountain, by Linda Howard ★★★★½ SFLibrary-eBook (bundle) 6/24/2014
♥ New Adult Romance:
♥ Non-fiction Romance / Memoir Romance:
♥ Pirate / Sea Captain / Sheikh / Sultan Romance:
1. Sea Change, by Darlene Marshall (Kindle)
♥ Post-Apocalypse Romance / Apocalyptic Romance:
♥ Renaissance Romance:
♥ Roaring Twenties Romance:
♥ Rock ‘n Roll Romance:
♥ Sports Romance:
♥ Time-Travel Romance:
♥ Viking Romance:
✔ To Sin with a Viking, by Michelle Willingham ★★½☆☆ SFLibrary-Axis360 9/16/2014
♥ Witch Romance:
♥ World War II-Era Romance:
♥ Young Adult Romance:
Lisa Kay wrote: "My apologizes, Elishia, I discarded ♥ Thriller Romance from the line-up. There are still 75, though. ☺"Ok. Its not something I generally read anyway
Lisa Kay wrote: "I'm in, too. I don't think I'll try for all the sub-genres, though. I think I'll pick and choose and double them."I can't work out what to do either. I've taken out the ones I definitely won't read.
Oh can I count the books i've already read this month?
I'm in - I'll start with Holding Hands and see where it goes...
Yay, Joann! Welcome to the challenge!
This looks interesting. I'm going to go for Out of the Ballpark and try toread 1 book from each sub-genre. I may go for a second part and double some of my favorite sub genres if its ok to decide that later.
Out of the Park 0/75
♥ Action-Adventure Romance:
♥ African-American Romance:
♥ Amish Romance:
♥ Amnesia Romance:
♥ Antebellum / Civil War / Reconstruction: Romance:
♥ Baby Love Romance:
♥ BDSM Romance:
♥ Bodice Ripper / Old School Romance:
♥ Cabin Romances / Road Trip Romances:
♥ Category Romances:
♥ Celtic Romance:
♥ Chick-lit Romance / Women's Fiction Romance / Family Saga Romance:
♥ Classic Romance:
♥ Colonial America / Pre-Revolutionary War / Revolutionary War Romance:
♥ Contemporary Romance:
♥ Courtesans / Mistresses / Gigolo / Prostitutes Romance:
♥ Dark Fantasy Romance:
♥ Dystopian Romance:
♥ Early 20th Century Romance / Turn of the Century Romance:
♥ Enemies to Lovers Romance:
♥ Erotica Romance:
♥ Exotic Locales Romance:
♥ Fantasy Romance:
♥ Fairy Tale Romances:
♥ Fooled Around and Fell in Love Romance:
♥ Friends to Lovers Romance:
♥ Frontier Romance / Americana Romance / Mail-Order-Bride Romance:
♥ Georgian Era Romance:
♥ GLBT Romance:
♥ Glitz or Glamour Romance:
♥ Gothic Romance:
♥ Heroine in Pursuit Romance:
♥ Highlander Hero Romance:
♥ Historical Romance:
♥ Holiday Romance:
♥ Horror Romance:
♥ Inspirational / Christian / Religious Romance:
♥ Love & Laughter / Humorous Romance:
♥ Magical Realism Romance:
♥ Marriage of Convenience Romance:
♥ Medical Romance:
♥ Medieval Romance:
♥ Ménage à Trois Romance:
♥ Multicultural / Interracial / International Romance:
♥ Native American Romance:
♥ New Adult Romance:
♥ Non-fiction Romance / Memoir Romance:
♥ Paranormal Romance:
♥ Pirate / Sea Captain / Sheikh / Sultan Romance:
♥ Post-Apocalypse Romance / Apocalyptic Romance:
♥ Regency Romance: (UK between 1811—when the Prince Regent ruled by proxy—and 1820)
♥ Renaissance Romance:
♥ Roaring Twenties Romance:
♥ Rock ‘n Roll Romance:
♥ Romantic Suspense:
♥ Royalty / In Line for the Throne / Dukes Romance:
♥ Science Fiction Romance / Extraterrestrial Romance / Futuristic Romance:
♥ Shape-shifter Romance:
♥ Shotgun Wedding Romance / AKA Compromising Positions Romance:
♥ Small Town Lovin’ Romance:
♥ Sports Romance:
♥ Steampunk Romance:
♥ Supernatural Romance:
♥ Thriller Romance:
♥ Time-Travel Romance:
♥ Two-Hankie-Read Romance:
♥ Urban Fantasy Romance:
♥ Vampire Romance:
♥ Victorian Romance:
♥ Viking Romance:
♥ Wallflower / Bluestocking / Spinster / Governess Romance:
♥ Western Romance-Contemporary:
♥ Western Romance-Historical:
♥ Witch Romance:
♥ World War II-Era Romance:
♥ Young Adult Romance:
Wonderful, Patty! And that is fine. Welcome to the challenge.
Now I'm trying to decide whether to back-date to January 1st, or just go with February 1st... Decisions, decisions!
LK, count me in as well!Duration : February 2014-February 2015
Level : Sparkin’ / Parlor Larkin’: = 15 sub-genres, 30-45 books
I'll post as I go through.
I'll do this one. I'm going to need some time to figure things out though. I do know that I will start at a small level: say "Meeting for Coffee." May add more later.
Lindy wrote: "How long does this challenge last?"You can set your own time
I still need to finish the first incarnation of this challenge, and I'm attempting breadth of subgenres on the NBRC page. For this one, I'm going to pick some favorites or the ones that interest me the most and double up. I may up my game to triple them later. :)Level: Love Birds (25 subgenres; 50-75 books)
Duration: Set your own pace
Completed: 2/50 books
♥ Action-Adventure Romance:
1.
2.
♥ BDSM Romance:
1. Club Shadowlands
2. Power Exchange
♥ Contemporary Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Courtesans / Mistresses / Gigolo / Prostitutes Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Enemies to Lovers Romance:
2.
♥ Erotica Romance:
1. The Siren
2. Backstage Pass
♥ Friends to Lovers Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Georgian Era Romance:
1.
2.
♥ GLBT Romance:
1. Cut & Run
2. Faith & Fidelity
♥ Highlander Hero Romance:
1. In Bed with a Highlander
2.
♥ Historical Romance:
1. Mine Till Midnight
2.
♥ Holiday Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Ménage à Trois Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Paranormal Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Regency Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Romantic Suspense:
1. The Darkest Hour
2.
♥ Royalty / In Line for the Throne / Dukes Romance:
1. Must Love Dukes
2.
♥ Shape-shifter Romance:
1.
2.
♥ Sports Romance:
1. The Perfect Play
2.
♥ Time-Travel Romance:
1. Beyond the Highland Mist
2.
♥ Urban Fantasy Romance:
2.
♥ Victorian Romance:
1. Heartless
2.
♥ Western Romance-Contemporary:
1.
2.
♥ Western Romance-Historical:
1.
2.
♥ Young Adult Romance:
1.
2.
Great, Hanita, Teresa, and Logan! Welcome to the challenge!
Wow! What a list, Lisa Kay! ;)What the heck... I'm in for Eternal Bliss tripled!
Duration: 1 January 2014 - ?
Read: 005/225
♥ Action-Adventure Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ African-American Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Amish Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Amnesia Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Antebellum / Civil War / Reconstruction Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Baby Love Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ BDSM Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Bodice Ripper / Old School Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Cabin Romances / Road Trip Romances: (view spoiler)
♥ Category Romances: (view spoiler)
♥ Celtic Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Chick-lit Romance / Women's Fiction Romance / Family Saga Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Classic Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Colonial America / Pre-Revolutionary War / Revolutionary War Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Contemporary Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Courtesans / Mistresses / Gigolo / Prostitutes Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Dark Fantasy Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Dystopian Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Early 20th Century Romance / Turn of the Century Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Enemies to Lovers Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Erotica Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Exotic Locales Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Fantasy Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Fairy Tale Romances: (view spoiler)
♥ Fooled Around and Fell in Love Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Friends to Lovers Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Frontier Romance / Americana Romance / Mail-Order-Bride Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Georgian Era Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ GLBT Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Glitz or Glamour Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Gothic Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Heroine in Pursuit Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Highlander Hero Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Historical Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Holiday Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Horror Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Inspirational / Christian / Religious Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Love & Laughter / Humorous Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Magical Realism Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Marriage of Convenience Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Medical Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Medieval Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Ménage à Trois Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Multicultural / Interracial / International Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Native American Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ New Adult Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Non-fiction Romance / Memoir Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Paranormal Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Pirate / Sea Captain / Sheikh / Sultan Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Post-Apocalypse Romance / Apocalyptic Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Regency Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Renaissance Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Roaring Twenties Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Rock ‘n Roll Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Romantic Suspense: (view spoiler)
♥ Royalty / In Line for the Throne / Dukes Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Science Fiction Romance / Extraterrestrial Romance / Futuristic Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Shape-shifter Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Shotgun Wedding Romance / AKA Compromising Positions Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Small Town Lovin’ Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Sports Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Steampunk Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Supernatural Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Time-Travel Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Two-Hankie-Read Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Urban Fantasy Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Vampire Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Victorian Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Viking Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Virgin Hero Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Wallflower / Bluestocking / Spinster / Governess Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Western Romance-Contemporary: (view spoiler)
♥ Western Romance-Historical: (view spoiler)
♥ Witch Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ World War II-Era Romance: (view spoiler)
♥ Young Adult Romance: (view spoiler)
Terrific, Ava~Rose and Gwnhwyfer! LOL! Yes, quite a list... and I could have done more, but I controlled myself. Welcome to the challenge!
I'm in! I will decide on the duration after I arrange my list.
Wonderful, Ipshita! Welcome to the challenge!
I'm in for this too! I just need to decide which way I'm going and if I'll back date for January....
Lovely, Nichole! Welcome to the challenge, too!
Great, Judy! Welcome to the challenge.
First update! ;) I'm backdating to January 1 (not that there's much to add, but still... ;) 003/225 - a hit each for witches, medical and non-fiction.
May add another one after this weekend - we're suppose to get 15 cm of snow!
*Also reserving this space for expansion of challenge - I wasn't thinking yesterday... ;)
I didnt' see any online or those from like Match.com
Lindy wrote: "I signed up, right?"I added you now, Lindy. Welcome!
Lindy wrote: "I didnt' see any online or those from like Match.com"Well, if you're asking about a specific Online Romance, there isn't one; however, I would say they would work for Mail-Order Bride, since the hero and heroine start corresponding first. Or you could put them under Contemporary Romance.
Love your set-up, Gwnhwyfer!
Tweaked the wording for Horror Romance, but not the essence of the definition.
Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired
Books mentioned in this topic
Night Hawk (other topics)Hot Point (other topics)
Highlander's Bride (other topics)
Winter's Passage (other topics)
A Hope Divided (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Samantha Young (other topics)R.L. Mathewson (other topics)
Elizabeth Hoyt (other topics)
Linda Howard (other topics)
Jasmine Haynes (other topics)
More...
As far as the definition of Romance having a “Happily Ever After” ending or not - or even a “Happy for Now” ending - we’ll let you make your personal determination on that score.
Rules: Select your level and then select from the seventy-six (76) Romance sub-genres listed below.
Afraid of commitment? You may choose one level to start, and when you finish, you may up your level to the next.
Will there be overlap? Of course! Have fun and pick a series and see how many categories you can slot it into.
You may use books you also used in other challenges. And re-reads. :)
Duration: You set the pace!
Remember to check out GR’s listopia (see “how to” screen under spoiler). (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]
Levels: More Help : A helpful website when searching for a particular type of Romantic sub-genre is All About Romance. There you can put in the “Book Type” and “Time Setting” to help you find a sub-genre. There is also a field for “Sensuality” so you don’t get anything too hot to handle - or too cool to rev your engine.
This is a revised and expanded version of a Romance Sub-genre Challenge Lisa Kay did for Romance Lovers for the Challenge Impaired back in August, 2011.
Definitions inspired by the following Websites: SPECIAL NOTES: We have separated some of our sub-genres, due to their popularity, that qualify as a category or theme of their own. Such as Witch Romances, that we listed separately, which could fall under Supernatural Romance or Paranormal Romance. Or even Urban Fantasy Romance.
Also, we’ve included Urban Fantasy - or rather Urban Fantasy Romance. Some people don’t consider UF Romance. However, some UF has the romance appear in the overall arc of a series. Also, refer to this simple chart for guidance:Also see definition under Paranormal Romance below.