Clean Romances discussion

Hello. I am new to the group. It is nice to find a home for clean literature, and I am reading the discussions on this group about what can be considered "clean" with interest. I have written a novel, Me & Georgette, which I call my gentle homage to the late, great Regency romance author, Georgette Heyer. My novel contains no profanity and only a single kiss. Even so, readers have called it a fun, enjoyable read. You can read some reviews about Me & Georgette on Goodreads or check it out at http://www.amazon.com/Me-Georgette-D-....

Hi, I just released my first sweet romance "Jane and Austen" this month.

It's a romantic comedy and the first in my line called Hopeless Romantics. Right now I'm attempting to get to know others in the sweet romance community. I'm hoping to network and find ways to spread the word to those who enjoy clean romance as much as I do.

Hi, I'm just learning my way around goodreads though I've been a member a while. I'm an author who writes sweet/clean romantic suspense, young adult crossovers. I don't know why I never checked for clean before but I'm excited to find others that believe it's the story and not the other stuff that has to be there to make the book. I'm excited to see what you're talking about and looking for.

Yes, it's fantastic to know that there are some of us still out there who don't need that stuff.

Nice to hear from you Lynne. Are you also a writer along with reader?

Yes, I am. I've written a YA sci-fi trilogy called The Verindon Trilogy. The last book was released in May. It's been fun writing them, that's for sure.

I'll go take a peek. I also write YA but haven't ever tried to publish any of them yet. I actually started writing with YA adventure with light romance then moved to romantic suspense. I still love YA.

I love YA too. It seems to have the best books for me.

I also like suspense with my romance. Everything I write has adventure or intrigue.

Me too. I have written a manuscript that is a fairly normal romance, but it's the only one so far that has been, and my publisher hasn't accepted it, so maybe she prefers the others too!

Hi Guys, I'm Tamara!! I'm so glad I found this group. I've been trying to find regular romance to read and its actually getting harder to find them. so yayyy to this group!! I'm also a writer with my debut novel recently released (don't worry it's definitely a clean romance :))

I read all types of genres as long as it looks interesting too!! it'll be great to meet you all. xoxo

Hi, Tamara! How long have you been writing? Do you have any more novels in the pipeline?

Hi, I'm Canda, and I'm new here! I love reading and am so excited to find a group that shares my interest in romances. I'm already receiving great recommendations for books to add to my reading list.

Hi Canda!

Hi Canda and Tamara, I've been a member of this group for over a year now and it is good to find people who like a story that keeps moving along. I hope you enjoy your time with the group.

Hi everybody! :)
My name is Rachel, I'm a newbie to GoodReads and am really glad I found this group! :) I love sweet and really funny romance books. My favorite author is Lynn Kurland (she rocks!), and I can't wait to find more authors who write in the Sweet-and-funny category! :) Oh, and happy endings are a must for me -- sad endings make me feel unhappily ever after, lol. ;)

Hi, Rachel!

Hi Lynne!

Your books look really interesting! I've added them to my to-read list! :)

Thanks. :-)

Good Monday to everyone. I'm Mary Blayney and I've been following this group for months as I prepare my backlist for publication. I'm getting closer and have to be more proactive. What blogs do you all favor besides checking out this spot?

Hi Mary,

I'd suggest checking out The Long and Short of It, Clean Reads (blog) and groups on Facebook that feature clean reads and sweet romances. There's several.

Good luck with your books!

Danielle

Hello, everyone
My name is Groovy Lee, I'm a romance writer on Amazon's Kindle. I am so glad that this discussion group exists. Although, I write clean romances, I thought the genre was slowly dying away. But when I came upon this board, I was so thrilled.

I look forward to reading your posts, talking about writing for this genre, answering any questions, or reading any tips you may have.

I have two recent clean romance novels out (just to let you know, only my married characters make love, but no graphic scenes) You can read about them on Goodreads or Amazon. Or just check them out on groovylee.com.

Invitation to Love Under The Harvest Moon

thanks everyone

HI there, Groovy!

Hi, I just joined this group today and though I initiated my own "Hello everyone, really happy to be here! :-)" discussion thread, but felt like greeting everyone individually too! 

Well, looking forward to great recommendations and wonderful friendships :-)

Thanks and Happy Reading! :-)
--Ramla Zareen 

Hi Ramla! :)

Rachel wrote: "Hi Ramla! :)"

Hi Rachel, I also like sweet and funny romances with happy endings, and am looking forward to checking out the author you recommended :-)

Hi everybody, happy to be a member of this group. I really like English Novels but it is difficult to find a clean and proper english novel to satisfy my greed to read novels that suits my protective environment, I have joined you for a wish that you will help me to find the ones that I need.

Huda wrote: "Hi everybody, happy to be a member of this group. I really like English Novels but it is difficult to find a clean and proper english novel to satisfy my greed to read novels that suits my protecti..."

Welcome Huda :-)

Hello all, and I am glad to be here.

I'm a male author that believes in and writes about true romance.
As a reader I will be watching the recommendations and suggestions closely, especially since what is written and sold under the romance genre is actually quite shocking.

;O)

Hi! Very happy to find this group as I really like reading the old-fashioned style of romance where the heavy stuff happens off stage.

I write fiction and nonfiction and have a a few teen romances that fell into that going-nowhere gap where they weren't "edgy" enough for one group and lacked the Christian inspirational theme for the other. I'm still am in hopes of finding the readership and after getting back the rights, published the first two last year. I've been greatfu for the comments from adults and teen readers who seem to enjoy the stories and characters.

I like writing about that window from the first meet to the first real kiss. I guess it's that "getting to know you" stage. My books are here and on Amazon (print versions, too).

In addition to clean romances, I enjoy reading romantic comedies and Amish fiction. It's so nice to find so many kindred spirits. Looking forward to reading the discussions.

Hi my name is Rose and I am happy to find this group. I enjoy reading a variety of books but it is hard to find clean reads in romance. I have just published my first book The WAYFARING SWAN on Kindle and Ingram is mailing the proof copy today. I am so excited and would love to participated anyway I can. I have learned a lot and am willing to discuss and share advice.

Hello! I'm Petie McCarty and I was overjoyed to find this Goodreads group. Sweet romance novels seem to be in the minority among romances made available online. I write sweet romance, i.e. Action-Adventure Romance and Contemporary/Paranormal Romance. The content of my novels I consider to be PG-13: no consummated sex, though there is some exciting sexual tension, and mild, low-volume profanity—no taking the Lord's name in vain [couldn't with the number of preachers in my family] and no F* bombs. Thought I should qualify the nature of my stories after reading several of the threads on content and language. So glad to be here!

Hi everyone, I'm Cece, a 20 year old Christian who loves to read and write romance. It's lovely to meet you all! :) It's great to be able to have found a group dedicated to the seemingly very rare, clean romance genre.
My book tastes are pretty specific; a fairly clean romance (kissing is fine), no violence, no deaths, no bad language, fairly minimal conflict, and nothing anxiety provoking.
My writing tastes are pretty well exactly the same although I tend to write fairly emotive stories, and on that note, if anyone ever wants a story looked over, I also happen to love editing! :)
Hope you're all having a wonderfully blessed day :)

Welcome, to all the new members! Aannndd, to my friend, CeCe! So glad you joined:)

Hello Ladies
I'm a young romantic male.
I love Outlander, Jane Eyre and Jane Austen.
I am hoping to write and publish romantic books.

Hey all! I'm Sara Blackard, author of toe-curling romances that keep it clean. I'm also a wife to my real-life hero and a homeschool mom to my 5 little daredevils. I'm very excited to be here.

Greetings one and all! My name is Beth Warstadt, and my sweet romance, Maisie's List, was released in October, 2020. I am so happy to find you guys. I work at an elementary school and have to consider what happens when the kids find my books.
My heroes are heroic but not perfect; everybody keeps their clothes on, though there is definitely attraction; and there is always a happy ending, but the journey to it is never easy.
I look forward to checking out other writers in this group!

Hi, Beth. Welcome to the group. I write historical romance set in England in the 1740s. I don't call my books "sweet", as sometimes a character utters an oath ("Zounds!" is not always an adequate expression of one's feelings, after all) but nothing worse--heck, nothing as bad--as you'd probably hear on a middle school playground. Sometimes there's murder, arson, shots fired, treason and miscellaneous mayhem. Also a happy ending; just no sex or clothing falling off. My most recent is Portia and the Merchant of London.

Kathleen wrote: "Hi, Beth. Welcome to the group. I write historical romance set in England in the 1740s. I don't call my books "sweet", as sometimes a character utters an oath ("Zounds!" is not always an adequate e..."

Thanks, Kathleen. I have always found sweet a misnomer, because it implies a naiveté about the challenges of life. Our characters go through plenty to get to their happy endings. Clean is much better.

Sara wrote: "Hey all! I'm Sara Blackard, author of toe-curling romances that keep it clean. I'm also a wife to my real-life hero and a homeschool mom to my 5 little daredevils. I'm very excited to be here."

Wow! You homeschool 5 children and find time to write. I am in awe!

I am writing to invite you to participate in an academic research study, focusing on the effect Goodreads has on the romance reading community. My name is Sarah Smith. I’m a student at York College of Pennsylvania and I am studying the Goodreads romance reading community to better understand the effect the platform has on romance readers, and fill in the gap present in current literature regarding Goodreads. This study is low-risk, and completely voluntary, consisting of a one-hour focus group conducted via Zoom.

There are four options for focus groups. The options are:

Session 1: Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 6:30 PM Eastern
Session 2: Friday, February 25, 2022 at 4:30 PM Eastern
Session 3: Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 10 AM Eastern
Session 4: Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 4:30 PM Eastern

To participate in this study, you must have a valid email address and access to Zoom. If interested, please reply to this message or contact me via email (ssmith117@ycp.edu) by [3/1/22] to learn more about this study and select a time for the focus group that is convenient for you.

Your information will be kept completely confidential and has the potential to expand our knowledge of Goodreads and the romance community at large. (This study has been approved by the York College of Pennsylvania Institutional Review Board, approval number 22SP010).

Sincerely,

Sarah Smith

Welcome to all the new members.