December 6, 2006 • Print This Post
I somehow stumbled upon an argument from September where BBC commentator Daisy Goodwin put forth her theory that men can’t write romantic books. An article in telegraph.co.uk sums up her theory this way:
So now it’s clear. The reason Anna Karenina and Madame Bovary were such unromantic flops is because both books were written by men. Big mistake. There was nothing wrong with the writers. They were good enough in their own ways. It’s just that the balance of their chromosomes wasn’t up to the job.
An overstatement, yes, but you get the point. The article’s author, Ray Connolly, didn’t buy Goodwin’s theory. His response made me laugh. If you don’t want to read the entire thing - and I can’t really blame you since it’s six pages long - Connolly’s theory on the subject is best described by this passage in the article:
It seems to me that we’re all romantics, and the idea that one sex is simply emotionally incapable of understanding the way the other thinks is to deny everything men and women share – and, worryingly from a creative point of view, to deny all authors the possibility of understanding anyone of the opposite sex. And I can’t believe that.
All this arguing got me thinking. Can you name a modern-day male romance writer and a book by him that you loved? Nicholas Sparks jumps to mind for many folks. I read an article once where Sparks said he wrote love stories, not romance. By his own definition, we’ll count him out of the race. Other than Sparks, can you think of a book you loved that was written by a male romance author? I actually can’t.
If you have a recommendation, let me have it. For your help, I’ll pick a random recommendation and give the person commenting a copy of your choice from my backlist. If no one has a recommendation or can think of one, I’ll pick from those who do comment and that person will get a choice from my backlist. Good luck!
Posted by HelenKay Dimon @ 6:30 am • Filed under: HelenKay Dimon
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I’ll be honest, I’ve never read his books, but I’ve seen Leigh Greenwood’s name quite a few times in RT for his historical western romances. Maybe someone could comment on them. I can’t think of any reason that I haven’t read them other than I’m not a big fan of westerns.
Don’t know if this is modern enough, but I like Andrew M.
Greeley. To me his books have enough romance in them.
I don’t think that I have ever read a romance written by a man. I would not be opposed to it, but I haven’t come across one yet. However, isn’t Tori Carrington a blend of a husband and wife team. Does that count as a male romance writer? Their books are great, very steamy and very romantic.
Ken Casper writes for Super Romance. I haven’t read him, but he continues to publish so he’s obviously doing well.
I’ve heard about Adam Nevill but haven’t read any of his books. He is the author of nine erotic novels under the name Lindsay Gordon.
Unless they actually tell in the author bio that’s it a man…sometimes I don’t think you would be able to tell.
Humm! Can’t say that I have read a romance book by a man but everyone uses different names anyways so unless they tell, you may not know.
The one that comes to mind first is K.N. Casper who writes for Harlequin under the Super Romance Series. He has written quite a few, and I have read some of them. They are really quite good…….or at least the ones I have read from him were.
have not read any romance by a man but i have read the combination of mayer and cruise, and that was good. other than that i do not have any recomendations
I can’t remember reading one by a man either.:sad:
Hello Helen,
It’s good to see you here with us
I just looked on my bookshelf and I have a book called Mr. Commitment by Mike Gayle. I’ve never read it yet, actually got it on the discount table at B&N. Anyway,in the inside cover they compare the main character, a man, to ”a male Bridget Jones.” It has a very chick lit like cover and from skimming through it, it definetely sounds like romance/chick lit to me.
Happy Holidays To You All.
Hugssss
Linda.H.
I read alot of mysteries and chick lit novels so alot of authors came to mind for me. I am having trouble thinking of any male romance writers though. I love someone else’s mentioning of Tori Carrington because yes that is a husband and wife team, so technically there is a man involved! The authors that came to mind for me are actually classified as mystery authors but they put romantic aspects into their books. My first thought was Harlan Coben. Some of his books have revolved around a story with a woman that the character was involved with. In fact, Tell Noone had a huge romantic aspect in it. I wouldnt say he’s a romance writer but he does use romance in his books.
I forgot about Leigh Greenwood and the husband half of Tori Carrington. Didn’t know about either of the SuperRomance authors referenced but it’s interesting that they both write for the same line. I wonder if there’s something about that Harlequin line that is a natural match for a male writer versus other lines. Don’t know.
Lindsay Gordon? I had no idea. Will have to go check that one out. Erotica written by a man under a woman’s name intrigues me.
And, Deborah probably is right. There may be even more but we don’t know because the authors don’t “advertise” themselves as male. A marketing decision, I guess??
Can anyone recommend a specific title? For example, I see Tori Carrington all the time but never read one of hers/theirs. At least I think that’s true. Anyone know a good title to try of any of these guys?
Tori Carrington writes the Sophie Metropolis books. The first book is Sophie Metropolis and then the second is Dirty Laundry. They remind me of Janet Evanovich’s books in a way and I love them. They also write a ton of romance books for HQN I beleive but I havent read any of those.
Both of the Sophie books are great. Very funny.
They’re working on more books in the series. I can’t wait to read the next one.
I think if there are more male romance authors out there, they are being classified under fiction or mystery and that is why we don’t realize they write romance. I guess it would be embarrasing for a man to be classifyed as a romance writer.
Love Harlan Coben. I guess I think of him primarily as a mystery writer, but you’re right in that many mysteries include a romantic thread. I know the part of Sandra Brown’s ALIBI (I think it was that one) I enjoyed the most was the backstory of two secondary characters who dated back in college and broke up on a very bad note. When the book opens, the guy is now a tough, somewhat jerky cop and the lady is this rich messed up woman. They’ve moved too far apart to get back together, but the chemistry between them is amazing. It’s a what-could-have-been situation.
Mike Gayle? The titles sounds familiar but not the author name. Have to check that one out too.
I love Harlan Coben too. Great books.
I agree with Rachael. I don’t think any of the male authors would feel right about being classified as a romance writer so they are under Mystery or Fiction.
Mike Gayle book does look good can’t wait to read it though.
Hugssss
Linda.H.
Well, the only romance I can think of currently that was written by a man that I liked was The Bridges of Madison County.
I used to LOVE Jennifer Wilde (Love’s Tender Fury and all that) and I recently found out that she is actually a pseudonym and those books were written by a man. Does that count?
I did like The Bridges of Madison County By Robert James Waller. I have read K.N. Kasper and Leigh Greenwood. They are ok.
I love the Tori Carrington books. They are an awesome writing team.
The only person I could think of that I have read is Sophie Metropolis by the husband and wife writing team that goes by the name Tori Carrington. I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. Can’t think of anyone else that I have read that I know of since alot of people use pseudonyms these days.
I have read several books by the husband and wife team of Tori Carrington but I can’t think of any romances I’ve read written by a man alone.
I like HEA books and Sparks books at least Message in a Bottle definitely wasn’t. Life has too much sorrow in it already. Humor in life is important. OK I got side tracked. I really can’t think of a male romance author.
A bit of trivia, Alistar MacLean was an action/suspense writer from years ago - Guns of Naverone, Force 10 from Naverone etc. He wrote that he never put romance in his books because it slowed down the pace of the action.
Leigh Greenwood’s Seven Brides series and other western series (The Cowboys) were the first ones I thought of. I enjoy his western romances.
Also, K.N. Casper who writes SuperRomances.
I also recently received a book called One Last Dance: It’s Never Too Late to Fall in Love that was started by Mardo Williams (deceased) and finished by his
daughters, Kay Williams and Jerri Williams Lawrence.
WoW Jennifer I just looked on my bookshelf after you had mentioned about One Last Dance Never Too Late to Fall in Love. I just received that book as well. This book does sound very good. I am really interested in reading it soon. The titles they have in this book on different stories sound very interesting.
I thought the idea of the father starting the book and the two daughters finishing it was very good.
Happy Holidays Everyone
Hugssss
Linda.H.
I have to say I really enjoyed anything by the husband and wife writing team of Sharon Curtis.
Sharon Curtis! Forgot about that one too.
Never heard of ONE LAST DANCE: IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO FALL IN LOVE. The title sounds romantic. Can’t imagine how romantic the book must be.
Joyce - Thanks for the trivia. The quote goes along with the problem often found in romantic suspense - how to realistically mix the suspense and romance without having a lame “let’s stop hunting down the killer and have sex right here” moment. But, anyone who thinks romance isn’t fast paced isn’t reading the right ones
How about ebooks? I know that there are a few male ebook authors… although the stories aren’t just romance, they are more erotica.
I’ve been editing for an ebook publisher, and recently finished a story by a guy and will soon be working on a story by a different guy. For those interested, it’s StarDust Press and the story that is available is “The Christmas Fairy” by Phillip Sweeney.
My roommate and I were just discussing the fact that there arn’t a lot of prominate men authors in the Romance section. I have read a couple of books about men being romance authors but I dont normally see many Romance novels by men. I have read a few but most of the are by British men and I cant think of the titles off the top of my head. I will try to sort through my piles of books to see if I can find them.
My favorite is The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller. To me, that is pure romance no matter what genre he writes under. Love the book and the movie.
ONE LAST DANCE: IT’S NEVER TOO LATE TO FALL IN LOVE is about a couple who are in their 70s and 80s that meet and fall in love.
The book, “The Color of Water” by James McBride was a romance/adventure book and was pretty good too! I have also read Harlan Coben’s books and I loved them! Nicholas Spark’s books are my favorite by a male author though. I loved “The Notebook”. Harold Lowry is also a romance writer. I haven’t read any of his books yet but I read some reviews that said his books were good. Even James Patterson has had some romance woven into his stories like the Women’s Murder Club series, 1st To Die, etc. has some romance in it.
Don’t believe I have ever read a romance by a male writer. I’m not opposed to them—just haven’t found one.
HelenKay, Michelle Buonfiglio just had Aaron Nevill on her blog this week:
http://www.romancebytheblog.blogspot.com
ADAM, I mean ADAM. I keep calling him Aaron LOL.
Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve checked around on websites and Amazon. There are even a few books headed my way…
WINNER: Rachael (RachaelfromNJ). Congrats! Email me with your choice.
HelenKay
YAY! Congrad’s RachaelfromNJ. WooHoo
Happy Holidays To You.
Hugssss
Linda.H.
Yes, James Patterson’s Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas and Sam’s Letters to Jennifer.
Congrats Rachel.