The question for today is:
Are multiple books with the same heroine true romance novels?
I know a lot of readers who would argue you silly that books like those written by Nora Roberts as J.D. Robb are pure romance and should be classified as such…because there’s romance in them. Some more die hard romance readers would say certainly not. There’s not the highly coveted happily ever after.
Where do you fit in? Do you believe that the industry is broad enough to accept that these are romance and not just mainstream type fiction? Or are they simply grouped into the romance genre because of the author already being established as a “romance” author?
I fall in the middle. Some of the books are true romances, in my humble opinion, and should certainly be considered part of the romance genre. I believe those that have two main characters who are truly “together” are definitely what I, as a reader and author, believe the romance industry is all about. There’s always that hope that HEA will be there for them just waiting in the next book. Books like Nora’s JD Robb series and Lori’s LL Foster series have two main characters that are more together than not. The heroine and/or hero aren’t out there shagging with other people. They’re with the ones we readers like to think of as their true loves, their soul mates.
Now, I’m not talking about women’s fiction or chick lit books where the heroine in a single book is exploring herself. I don’t know if there are any books of those type out there that are of the long-running series sort as I’m discussing with the books mentioned above, but if there are some out there, I’m not really talking about those. The readers I’ve talked with don’t take exception to the women exploration books (with either young or older heroines), but they do have a problem when they read what is labeled as a romance and are expecting an HEA and then they do not receive one.
So…where does that leave you? Which side are you on? Or do you even care as long as the books solid?
{ 5 comments }
I really think it depends on the author and/or series. In the case of the J.D. Robb books, I put those fully in the category of romance. The two main characters are living their HEA. They’re fully committed to each other and there’s no doubt that they’ll remain together. The beauty of the series comes from watching them struggle, as every real life couple does, to find their place with each other and adjust to sharing their lives.
In other cases, say, The Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, I’d have to say no on the romance. Those books are based on a love triangle with no signs of anything changing. Those aren’t romance, IMO. They’re comedy with romantic elements. (this is just an example, of course).
I don’t consider the In Death series romance. Yes, all the elements are there, but the focus of those books isn’t the relationship. That’s my definition of a romance, where a good portion of the book focuses on the growing relationship between the hero and heroine.
If having some focus of the book being about a romantic relationship would designate a romance label…then there will be a lot of mystery, SF, Literary authors who will be very upset to have written “trash”. ;)
Interesting question.
For what it’s worth, I agree with you. There are some series that are basically extended romances. An author can use the series to give us a better window into the development of the romance than we could get in just one book, if it’s done correctly.
Ladies,
Sorry to take so long approving the comments. I was away at an out of town doctor’s appointment that, unfortunately, took all day.
I so love the diversity of opinions. I have to be totally honest and say that I’m not positive about whether or not the J.D. Robb books should be considered “romances” because I’ve only made it through the first and have the rest in the TBR pile. Frankly, I’ve put them off because I had other sure thing HEAs waiting. :-)
But I have read Lori’s (LL Foster) books and believe that she’s using the series to build up Luther and Gaby’s relationship. They’re getting together slowly, building up their relationship blocks one by one…hopefully to build a better foundation.
And Melissa, I agree there might be some authors in other genres (SciFi, etc.) who are a bit prejudiced by our genre. It’s sad but true.
Why do people think all romance books are “trashy”? There are some WONDERFUL works of art in our genre!
Later!
Heather R.
I would consider J.D Robb’s In Death series as romantic elements, rather than romance. I’ve read most of them and love the series, but for me a romance has a traditional HEA. I enjoy all sorts of books with elements of romance in them, but I like to know whether a book is traditional romance before I start reading so I know what sort of ending to expect.