When does a "Western" become a "Western-Romance"?

BUT ... traditional westerns were also romances - low key, guy gets girl after the bad guys are done in, and certainly no more than a gentle peck on the cheek. That was one of the basic premises.

So, my opinion, if a current writer avoids all the modern passionate kisses and roving hands, the story could probably still fit the classic western scheme. Think John Wayne movies - if your story could have become one of his movies, you're probably still okay as a western; if your male MC is more like whoever the "hunk" was who starred in 300, then you're probably more over to the romance side. Puma

If it is a genre-romance the romance is the main focus of the book. But that makes the genre label an option not a necessity.

But watch how you characterize your romance writing peers. Respect your fellow writer. Even those who write those terrible naked chest books.

I agree with Veinglory and as a writer of romance I think if you can take the romance threads out of the MS and still have a viable story then there's no risk of genre confusion.

When the female is the lead character, and the real plot is how they achieve a happily every after ending/