Romance, old-style?

veinglory · Apr 8, 2007

I would appreciate tips on where readers (and writers) could go for old styles of romance, particularly the super sweet and historicals with super-alpha males? I am thinking particulalry of the type of romance common from the late 70s to the mid to late eighties.

I have a feeling that there are smaller presses in particular may still produce these styles?

Jersey Chick · Apr 8, 2007

For historicals - one of the classic "Bodice-rippers" is Kathleen Woodiwiss's The Flame and the Flower. It's one of my favorites, though feminists today would shred it because the hero initially forces himself on the heroine (but it all works out in the end, of course

) A few of Johanna Lindsey's earlier books are probably considered the same type - with alpha-alpha males.

For sweet, maybe Georgette Heyer? I'm not sure. I have to confess I've never read one. Possibly Barbara Cartlandt as well.

I should probably go and read a few myself.

Dawno · Apr 8, 2007

Beverly Romance on Biblio.com - source for used books, listings by decade is one place.

eBay has lots (as in a group, not quantity) of the older numbered Harlequins for sale at $1.99 plus shipping.

There's an interesting abstract at JSTOR Gender, Popular Culture, and Curriculum: Adolescent Romance Novels as Gender Text by Linda K. Christian-Smith

that's about as far as my Googlefu takes me right now...

veinglory · Apr 8, 2007

Thanks for those suggestions

I was thinking more of publishers that are still producing new works in this mould?

Dawno · Apr 8, 2007

oops. sowwy.

veinglory · Apr 8, 2007

No problem, obviously I wasn't clear

Jersey Chick · Apr 8, 2007

My bad

dang, I thought I was being helpful, too...

Cathy C · Apr 8, 2007

They're calling these "Traditional" romances, ala Mills & Boon (although that's not the only thing M&B is publishing nowadays.) The RITA award has a special section for Traditional Romances. You might pick up this years finalists to see if they're what you're looking for (and if they are, checking out the past couple of years' finalists will give you the names of additional publishers/authors. In this year's award, it seems that Harlequin has the only contenders, but last year, Dorchester had two on the finalist list. Here's the 2007 list from the RWA website:

2007 RITA for Best Traditional Romance Finalists

A Woman Worth Loving by Jackie Braun
Harlequin Enterprises, Romance - (0373038976)
Stacy Boyd, editor

Claiming His Family by Barbara Hannay
Harlequin Mills & Boon, Romance - (373039077)
Kimberley Young, editor

Blind-Date Marriage by Fiona Harper
Harlequin Mills & Boon, Romance - (9780263849417)Kimberley Young, editor

The Doctor's Proposal by Marion Lennox
Harlequin Enterprises, Romance - (373038968)
Sheila Hodgson, editor

The Surgeon's Family Miracle by Marion Lennox
Harlequin Mills & Boon, Medical Romance - (9780263852196)
Sheila Hodgson, editor

Domesticating Luc by Sandra Paul
Harlequin Enterprises, Silhouette Romance - (0373198027)
Mary-Theresa Hussey, editor

Hope that helps!

Susan Gable · Apr 8, 2007

Yes, the Romance line has a lot of those Alpha males (sorry, most of the ones in those kinds of stories I want to just slap. <G>) in their stories. Presents, same thing.

I don't believe there has to be no sex though. Traditionals can have sex, so if you're looking for something strictly sweet, you'll have to watch what you choose.

Susan G.

veinglory · Apr 8, 2007

Thanks!

JanDarby · Apr 8, 2007

Avalon does the super-sweet stuff still. And I was going to say Presents for the hyper-alpha too, but they're contemporary of course, not historical.

Anne Stuart might qualify for the hyper-alpha, in both contemporary and historical, but her style has remained modern, despite the alpha heroes.

Oh, hey, what about Diana Palmer? She used to write hyper-alpha, very traditional May-December romances, and I know she's still publishing, but I haven't read one of her books in years, so I don't know if her style has changed at all.

JD

ccarver30 · Apr 9, 2007

Kat Martin is my goddess.

Namatu · Apr 12, 2007

Linda Howard's older work? Or am I thinking Elizabeth Lowell?

kikazaru · Apr 12, 2007

Georgette Heyer (my absolute favourite author of all time and queen of the historical romance) I don't think I would place in that category. She did historical (specifically Regency) but most are not traditional "alpha" male/subordinate female. They are quite light and frothy and the men are certainly masculine, but the women have substance - surprising for that time.

A similar author is Clare Darcy.

AnneWhitfield · Apr 26, 2007

Some of the smaller press will do those type of romances, as well as the larger publishers.
(Personally I don't read any book where the 'hero' rapes the heroine. You can have a strong hero without the need to have him be a rapist like in the old bodice rippers.)

Sweet romance doesn't mean the story has no strength or strong characters.

Try The Wild Rose Press, Highland Press, Vintage Romance Publishing, Enspiren Press and other small press publishers.

Romance, old-style?

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Jersey Chick

Up all night to get Loki

Dawno

Shiny!

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Dawno

Shiny!

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Jersey Chick

Up all night to get Loki

Cathy C

Ooo! Shiny new cover!

Susan Gable

Dreamer of dreams, teller of tales

veinglory

volitare nequeo

JanDarby

ccarver30

Nicole Castro

Namatu

Lost in mental space.

kikazaru

Benefactor Member

AnneWhitfield