elainec: Nathalie,
Have you read Joanna Bourne’s “The Forbidden Rose”?

You can also check out Anne Stuart’s latest, “Ruthless” (1760s), and Susan Squires “Time for Eternity” (Revolution).

Nathalie T: Historical Romance: I love books set during the 18th century. If I can find a book set in 18th century Paris then I’m in heaven.

Nathalie,
Have you read Joanna Bourne’s “The Forbidden Rose”?

Contemporary: Nora Robert’s is my goddess. I prefer non virginal heroines and heros that’s not jealous all the time.

Paranormals: I like strong heroines who can kick ass. Favorite? Karen Chance’s books about Dorina Basarab the damphir.

Guilty Pleasure? – Harlequin Presents

Given the increased level of carping about “standard” or “mainline” romances by people who absolutely do/don’t want a book where the heroine is a virgin, do/don’t want a book in which the hero or heroine had a prior serious relationship, do/don’t want a book in which the heroine is feisty, etc., I can see why their marketing departments may be reaching the conclusion that there’s no such thing any more as a book that a significant portion of their middle-of-the-road readers will enjoy.

Your commentary was very interesting. The readers’ comments have been, too.

In the past week I’ve read a Martha Grimes mystery, “Dust”, “Wicked Intentions”, “A Kiss at Midnight”, and “Last Night’s Scandal”. “Dust” was cerebral with the roots of the murder going back to the SS and Jews in Germany. “Wicked Intentions” was a dark historical and a bit sexy for me. “A Kiss at Midnight” was a fairy tale , but with great, down-to-earth characters. “Last Night’s Scandal” was very humorous and left me feeling quite wonderful! This was a fantastic week for reading for me.

I guess I like historicals with characters who find the “light”. even when most of the story is dark.

Earlier in my life, I read every depressing classic there was to read. Then I settled on mysteries and non-fiction. I’m relatively new to romance. I started reading them ten years ago when I retired and they are my most frequent and most enjoyable reading choices.

Right now I’m concerned about publishers moving from print books to ebooks. The blogs and Internet articles on that have been distressing.

When I was in my teens and early 20s, I loved the fairly tale type books. I read lots and lots of category (presents, desire, special edition, intimate moments and some superromance) and lots of fairy tale type historicals or contemporaries. I loved Judith McNaught!!

As I got older, I read a lot less category (mostly just superromance) and started to understand the appeal of non-fairy tale stories. For example, I didn’t “get” Nora Roberts until my mid-20s. I even avoid the fairy tale type stories now.