I’ve got my cranky pants on today.
First of all, I’ve always loved contemporary romance. And there are many – many – writers of contemporary romance I love. Really love. Welcome to Temptation is my touchstone for all that is perfect in contemporary storytelling.
Still, I’ve been burned a bit lately and I could use a little help in identifying the books I want to read.
In historical romance, we’ve got handy code words to help readers know what they’re going to get when they open a book: Wallpaper or Not Wallpaper. Though some may define what constitutes a true Wallpaper a bit differently, I think most of us would agree that we know one when we see it. (Clue: If a 19th century heroine uses “whatever” as a snotty response, you’re looking at a Class A Wallpaper.)
In contempories, however, we’re swinging out there in the breeze. There’s no way to tell between a …say, a Rachel Gibson-smart small town book or a “contemporary” romance featuring a setting straight from the turn of the century. And I’m talking the 20th century.
Well, these things happen, don’t they?
Last week’s Washington Post featured a 
