If you asked me to name my favorite romance sub-genre, I’d immediately say paranormal romances (of course!). I write paranormals because I love to read them. Every month, I buy a stack of paranormals and greedily devour each one. I also love romantic suspense stories (um, that’s why suspense creeps into my stories), and those new releases generally go right on my TBR list.
But, I realized something…over the last few months, I’ve pretty much read exclusively in these two sub-genres, and because of that, I’ve been missing some awesome books.
So, I know it’s time for me to charge out of my comfort zone. I stared participating in a book club last month (a great way to get me out of the previously mentioned comfort zone), and this month’s read was a historical. Yes!!! One read–and I’m dying for more. And I’m thinking of experimenting. I won’t stick to my safe stories set in the Middle Ages (I used to love those!), but I’ll try westerns, regencies, whatever I can get my hands on. Because it is so time for me to find more great books.
I’m also vowing to read more sci-fi romances. More sexy contemporaries. I want to find new authors, and I want to find books that keep me up nights reading.
Do you have any recommendations for me? Or, are you like me…and are you ready to get out of your comfort zone?
I’m really hoping to see historical romance start to really branch out. I’d like to see a lot more really good romances set in ancient Greece or Rome. I mean regencies are nice, but seriously historical romance shouldn’t automatically mean “regencies” in people’s heads, IMO.
Hey Cindy!
I have to say I get stuck in a reading rut sometimes, but I do read a little bit of everything! I do a lot of book buying based on author or recommendations of writing friends and I have found excellent reads this way.
My first love is Contemporary RomCom which I sometimes have trouble finding. Of course I *heart* your paranormals and I have a few other favorites in that genre. I was actually introduced to paranormals when a friend had her first one published – talk about opening a new reading door for me.
Historical Romances are a total escape for me. I love them, but I’d really like to see more late 1800s, with American settings. Ah…
Every now and then I get on a “kick” where I read only one genre, but usually I read, well, everything! I read YA, mystery, paranormal, contemporary, suspense……*g* If you like YA try Bad Kitty and Kitty, Kitty by Michele Jaffe. Rosemary Clement-Moore is good, too. As is Maryrose Wood. *g* For mystery I like a bit of humor. Maddy Hunter, Valerie Wolzien, Jill Churchill, Leslie Meier and Joan Hess are good. Suspense? Hmmm, I’m all over the map there. *G* Cait London, Karen Rose and Kay Hooper are good. For Contemporary there’s Jill Shalvis (her books are hot AND funny), Jayne Ann Krentz, Nora Roberts and a few others. And then there’s J.D. Robb, not sure where those books fit in, but they are good! *G*
I know what you mean, Cynthia! I used to be a strictly contemporaries kind of reader, but I was missing out on a TON! I’ve recently read several westerns I’ve enjoyed, and some Highlander historicals (Stacey Kayne and Michelle Willingham respectively, write those for Harlequin; also Sarah McCarty for hot Westerns, Beth Ciotta for funny, sexy Westerns and also for some light, funny, hot contemporary suspense; Monica McCarty for delicious Highlanders). And I’ve enjoyed Sylvia Day’s stuff, too–you’re probably familiar with her paranormal stuff both as Sylvia and as SJ Day, and I hear she’s got something new coming out as Livia Dare. I personally liked her Georgian series
Sorry for such a long comment! Happy reading!
Well – I have to say historicals such as the one that we read for your book club are out of my reading comfort zone. Give my a paranormal, contemporary, romantic suspense, erotica romance and I’m happy.
That was one of the reasons I joined the book club was to break out of my reading comfort zone.
Zoe, I agree! I’d so love an Egyptian tale.
Hey, Rhonda! I’ve got a few contemporary RomCom in my TBR pile right now–I am definitely read for the mood pick me up that they will bring!
Hi, Brandy! Thank you very much for that most awesome list!
Fedora, thank you, too, for the great list! Now I can definitely branch out more!
Greta, I thought the book club would help with my comfort zone, too. I love finding new to me authors.
I’ve recently left my comfort zone to try and get into paranormals w/o vampires. It’s not easy, because some of of the creatures don’t interest me, but I’m trying, especially when I hear of a talented author out there.
Lisa Kleypas writes fab historicals and contemporaries. Julia Quinn is another fave historical writer. Good luck finding more authors that work for you
Cynthia,
How fun! I’ve heard a lot of talk about book clubs recently. I like to think I stay with comfort reads- and… possibly I do, but some of my favorite books/authors are in genres I say I “don’t like.”
I read historical, paranormal, contemporary, and some suspense. Sci-fi, however, I don’t really venture into. I also read a few category lines (esp harlequin) that can be quite good.
Stacy, I’m always excited to hear about folks branching out with paranormals.
They are so my comforts, no matter if I’m reading vamps or demons or werewolves. But I am trying really hard to start reading more historicals! I’ll definitely try Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas.
Hi, limecello! I like to read those category lines, too–they’re what I think of as my classics. LOL. Classics never go out of style.