Do you read category romances?

brainstorm77 · Jan 31, 2010

san_remo_ave · Jan 31, 2010

Only on occasion. I'm mostly a single title reader.

brainstorm77 · Jan 31, 2010

I swing between both.

shameless · Jan 31, 2010

Nope. I read Susan Gable's book, but I tend to avoid category. I do, however, like to laugh at the Presents line titles. The Well-Endowed Sheik and his Virgin Secretary's Secret Daughter. :roll:

bclement412 · Jan 31, 2010

Not at all. Category romance isn't really my thing.

Jersey Chick · Jan 31, 2010

Occasionally. I have a few Blazes in my TBR pile (bought them 2 or 3 years ago and just haven't gotten around to reading them yet.

)

jennontheisland · Jan 31, 2010

I've tried in the past but couldn't take it. So my answer is:

Never.

They're the reason people think romance is formulaic.

brainstorm77 · Jan 31, 2010

shameless said:
Nope. I read Susan Gable's book, but I tend to avoid category. I do, however, like to laugh at the Presents line titles. The Well-Endowed Sheik and his Virgin Secretary's Secret Daughter.

The Presents line wasn't always like that. When did they start with the super silly titles and such?

Stlight · Jan 31, 2010

I tried a few Presents, but I kept hoping the heroine would push the hero off a bridge. When she got together with him I was really disappointed in her and actually seriously pissed that she’d settle. Can't trust a bully's apology, ever. I can't believe they really change.

If Silhouette Nocturne counts I read several of them.

But I lost interest after they dumped the Bombshell line. I got a bunch of those, loved them.

Jersey Chick · Jan 31, 2010

I have a handful of Silhouette Desires because I had an idea for a category and wanted to see if it would fit what they're looking for (this was about 4 years ago and I just haven't gotten around to finishing the ms. It's thisclose, but I just can't seem to finish it). I bought the Blazes because my love scenes tend to run steamy, so I wanted to know which of the two lines my project would fit.

Turns out, if I ever finish it, Desires is probably my best bet.

ScotchBonnet · Jan 31, 2010

Not usually...but it's not out of the question for me!

I prefer classics (Pride and Prejudice, Gone With the Wind) and
YA romance.

mlhernandez · Jan 31, 2010

I love categories! Presents, Desire, American--I can't get enough of these lines. I love the cheesy titles and covers too. Pure Velveeta! And exactly the escape I need some evenings once the baby and husband are zonked out and my daily writing goal is met.

Deb Kinnard · Jan 31, 2010

I will read categories if the byline is:
Susan Gable
Carolyne Aarsen
Eileen Wilks if she ever quits writing paranormals and goes back to straight contemporary
Blythe Gifford

And no, I've never bought one of those with the Onion type titles like The Pregnant Sheikh's Virgin Scoutmaster or whatever.

Jersey Chick · Jan 31, 2010

Some of those titles make me feel better about my own titling skillz.

sunandshadow · Jan 31, 2010

Not usually, because I prefer to read a book with original worldbuilding, subplots, complex thought...

Haupe · Feb 1, 2010

My purchase of a category would depend on the author, or a very unique-sounding premise.

In the autobuy slot, I'd include Kathleen O'Reilly. Bet she'll move to single title soon.

AllieB · Feb 1, 2010

No, way too formulaic for my tastes. I tried last year, but I couldn't make it through the first chapter of either one I picked up.

brainstorm77 · Feb 1, 2010

Speaking of category... I WON a free book on HQ from the Steeple Hill line.. YAY ME!!

Cathy C · Feb 1, 2010

I've read a few of the Nocturne books and a few of the Intrigue--when they're friends of mine. Haven't been able to find Susan's book.

On the plus side, it was because it was sold out and is now backordered.

brainstorm77 · Feb 1, 2010

Cathy C said:
I've read a few of the Nocturne books and a few of the Intrigue--when they're friends of mine. Haven't been able to find Susan's book. On the plus side, it was because it was sold out and is now backordered.

Susan's book you can get as an ebook on EHarlequin for anyone interested.

brainstorm77 · Feb 1, 2010

Cathy C said:
I've read a few of the Nocturne books and a few of the Intrigue--when they're friends of mine. Haven't been able to find Susan's book. On the plus side, it was because it was sold out and is now backordered.

Intrigue is a fav line of mine. I've noticed many of them lately have a paranormal storyline to them.

Robin Bayne · Feb 1, 2010

I order several holiday titles every year.

xccorpio · Feb 1, 2010

My favorite lines are Intrigue and HQN. Anything written by Julie Miller, Paula Graves, Delores Fossen, Gena Showalter and/or Lori Foster.

Remember that not only Harlequin publishes category romance, I also read historical and paranormal romances from Avon.

sunandshadow · Feb 1, 2010

Stlight said:
I tried a few Presents, but I kept hoping the heroine would push the hero off a bridge. When she got together with him I was really disappointed in her and actually seriously pissed that she’d settle. Can't trust a bully's apology, ever. I can't believe they really change.

Haha, I've read books where I was thinking this too. Well actually I usually imagine the heroine poisoning the abusive hero. But, this isn't limited to category romances, I've read several standalone historicals and a few sff romances where I had this reaction.

Kasey Mackenzie · Feb 1, 2010

sunandshadow said:
Not usually, because I prefer to read a book with original worldbuilding, subplots, complex thought...

Not to pick on just one person, but could we please keep this discussion civil and not take potshots at category romance seeing as how we have several members here who write it in addition to reading it? I only occasionally read categories but they are great if you're in the mood for a certain type of book (quick romance with a happily-ever-after) at a certain time.

Anyway, I'm not mad personally or anything, I just cringed when reading some of the comments on this thread on behalf of our members who write in this genre.

Do you read category romances?

Do you read category romances?

Yes

No

Occasionally

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