What are editors looking for?

I was recently talking with someone who has published numerous successful historicals with Avon. Despite this she indicated that she'd recently had a proposal turned down because it strayed too far from what her editor felt to be a winning formula and what their readers expected. She indicate they wanted aristocratic marriages, balls and glitter, alpha males, traditional romance and a lighter tone etc. I knew they were acquiring historicals and I sent them a very dark nontraditional one before I knew. Oh well. My question is, does anyone know from experience who, if anyone is interested in dark historicals these days. Think MJ Putney, Laura Kinsale or Anne stuart?

Thanks for the input guys, and it's good to know some folk still like dark tales and tortured heros. I had a full manuscript at Triskelion. They said they liked it but they are soley romance and "We feel this story is more adventure than romance. While there is romance it is forced to the background by other events in the story." They basically wanted me to gut the second half which I'm not ready to do yet. My chapter of RWA is pretty good, several write erotica and historicals for Avon and Harlequin and I'm pretty familiar with what Harlequin wants. We have an executive editor coming in October for a workshop and pitch meetings. I'm going for the experience though I know my work won't suit any of their lines except maybe HQN or Mira ( I wish!)

I am trying to get an agent but I've had more luck with publishers than agents so far.Kensington, Medallion and Triskelion all asked for the full but only three of 20 agents did, and I don't have one yet. When I see people are looking for historicals I didn't realize how particular they are about what type or tone of historical, and wouldn't have know about Avon if one of their authors hadn't told me. At this point I'm thinking of turning my hero into a vampire and sending him to TOR lol. At least they tell you what they want.

Thanks Aubrey, the problem with werewolves is fleas and doggie breath when you're kissing. I appreciate the advice though. I've thought of trying nonromance agents and rewriting my query but not sure what to market it as. Does literary historical adventure with romantic and sensual elements sound too broad?