Lately, I’ve seen blog posts and comments and whispers that have felt a little like kicking someone (or in this case, something–a genre–when it’s down.)
I’m talking about the light, funny contemporary romance.
Everywhere I turn, I hear they’re dead. Nobody’s buying them, people are slamming them, readers are sick of them. And I just sit here with my mouth hanging open, going, “HUH?!?!”
I guess it’s harder to take because they’re my favorite kind of romance! Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Rachel Gibson and Jennifer Crusie and and Kristan Higgans and Jill Shalvis…oh, and not to mention Carly Phillips, all write such fun, entertaining books. How can they be a dying breed?
I need smiles in my romance. Even if they’re not lol funny, I need to feel warm humor when I read. That’s one reason Blaze (and before it Temptation, Duets, Flipside) has always been my favorite category line–I like the laughs.
I am someone who just can’t read “soft” romance–hearth and home books are extremely popular with some people, and are supposedly the hottest new thing. I certainly don’t begrudge them and am thrilled that a newer type of romance is gaining ground. But why does that mean the light, funny contemp has to die?
So today at Plotmonkeys, I really want to show the light contemp authors a little love. Here are five I strongly recommend. Please jump in and comment about what you love about light contemps, and name a few of your favorite authors & books. I’ll pick a random commenter to win a copy of my personal favorite of all my Leslie Kelly single titles, KILLING TIME. This one’s hard to find and I don’t have many copies, so hopefully you’ll enjoy it!
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All of the following books are available and in-print. So, if something strikes your fancy, how about helping a genre out?
In no particular order, may I recommend…
JUST ONE OF THE GUYS by Kristan Higgans.
This one’s a very funny boy-next-door story about a very down-to-earth heroine who’s always been in love with the firefighter hero. Higgans’ books are always populated with really fun, interesting characters. Lots going on, lots of witty banter and great heroines.
INSTANT ATTRACTION by Jill Shalvis.
A lot of you probably visit Jill’s warm and witty blog. ill is exactly that way in person, and her books all have that delightful warmth. Jill’s heroines are women just-like-us and the heroes my favorite kind–not alpha, not beta, something in between. Always charming, always strong, always sexy. This is one of her best.
TAKE A CHANCE ON ME by Susan Donovan.
A vet and a cop team up to catch a killer…and the main witness is a dog. It sounds kooky but it really works. Donovan creates great characters and the laughter is genuine. This one was recently re-released at a lower price point…great bargain!
CAN’T STAND THE HEAT by Louisa Edwards. This one’s the first book by a new author with a terrific, witty, sexy style. If you like to watch cooking shows on Bravo, you’ll get a real kick out of this SEXY, funny story set in the restaurant world! (Doubly good if your hubby/b.f. is good in the kitchen. Fortunately, mine is! 
I would hope that anybody who visits this blog reads our books, but in case you’ve been holding out for some reason, and haven’t read one of Carly’s books, can I suggest you start with this one? The Hot Zone is my favorite of Carly’s series, and HOT NUMBER is my favorite of The Hot Zone. I adored Micki, the heroine, who, as a tomboy, was such a breath of fresh air. She’s the perfect match for baseball star Damian and the story is warm and funny, the humor subtle, never silly or over-the-top (which is one thing that’s so great about ALL of Carly’s books.) Something about this one, though, never left my mind. It came out a few years ago, but is being reprinted THIS WEEK with this amazing, fabulous new cover…first cover was cute, but this one is definitely easy on the eyes. 
(Why do you think I left it so big?)
Okay? That’s 5. Now let’s hear from you…. Let’s give the light contemporary some love here!
Leslie Kelly used to say she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but then she discovered Nancy Drew books. Being a flashlight-under-the-covers-nose-in-book reader throughout her childhood, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do as an adult than continue to lose herself in fictional stories. Her real life marriage of 20 years to the man of her dreams is a constant reinforcement that happily-ever-afters really can happen…and that they’re worth writing about. Living in Maryland, Leslie spends her non-writing time laughing a lot with the above-mentioned romance hero and their three daughters. Though an author of more than thirty sexy, contemporary comedies, she has recently branched out to write dark romantic suspense under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish.
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In case you all don’t realize it, light contemporaries ARE in serious danger of extinction, ARE a hard sell to editors and AREN’T selling to readers like they used to. I’m no exception. So if you love the genre, show your love by BUYING the books before they’re gone and bookshelves are ALL paranormal, historical and RS. I always thought contemporary romance (the kind I write) was the staple of Romance. Not so much. Not anymore.
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Oh I love the light contemporary romance! Some of my recent favorites would be Double Play & Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis, and the 3 releases by Victoria Dahl: Start Me Up, Talk Me Down, and Lead Me On. And of course there’s Julie James, most especially her Practice Makes Perfect. I have Louisa Edwards’ book already.
Would love more suggestions.
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Btw, I recently had a contest for those 2 books of Jill’s I mentioned. So I’m trying to help by buying more than 1 copy!
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Talk Me Down and Start Me Up- Victoria Dahl
Bending The Rules , Cutting Loose, Hot & Bothered-Susan Anderson
Susan Mallery, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Rachel Gibson and Jill Shalvis. I buy all of their books!
Just a Taste, Chasing Stanley, Fair Play- Deidre Martin
Smart Girls Think Twice- Cathie Linz
Two other auto buys are Susan Wiggs and Debbie Macomber
I like reading about the present time period. I can relate to what’s going on in the world. I like humor and chemistry!
I love all of the Plotmonkey authors!
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Laurie, thanks so much for listing my book SMART GIRLS THINK TWICE – you made my day! I have a new book out in a week called MAD, BAD AND BLONDE. Cathie
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Robin Kaye is another one! I have enjoyed all 3 of hers – Romeo, Romeo, Too Hot To Handle and Breakfast in Bed.
I think that Heidi Betts would fit into this category too with Tangled in Love, Loves Me, Loves Me Knots and Knock Me for a Loop.
I will have to look at my bookshelves after I get the munchkins to school b/c I know I have more! I will say that although I am a fan of certain paranormal authors, the market is saturated right now and I am really fed up with not being able to find as many light “normal” reads as I want!
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One of my favorites is Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie! Also, love Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgans and anything Carly Phillips!
When you have a life full of drama, suspense and heartbreak (3 teenagers) who wants to sit down and escape in more drama, suspense and heartbreak! Give me a romantic comedy anyday!
So all of those editors can just
Tami B.
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I love the lighter contemporary romance genre. That’s how I started reading romance and I’ll always love it. I read Carly, Leslie Kelly, Rachel Gibson, Susan Mallery, Jill Shalvis, Donna Kauffman, Sherryl Woods, LuAnn McLane, Kristan Higgins, and too many more to mention. I really hope this genre doesn’t die out, I would be sadly disappointed.
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I love all genres of romance, but contemporaries will always have a big place in my heart. My first romances were contemporaries and I try to buy as many as I can each month. Many of my favorite authors have already been listed(Carly Phillips, Jill Shalvis, Robin Kaye, and Julie James) , but I’ll look on my bookshelf when I get home tonight to add to the list.
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Came back to add Susan Donovan – I love Knock Me Off My Feet – and Kate Angell. Also some of Joann Ross’ books!
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I have wondered (yes, I am a little slow, since I am a reader and not a writer) why I have been having trouble finding contemporary romances. I love (well, this is a duh moment) Carly’s, Janelle’s, Leslie’s and Julie’s contemps, but I have just discovered Kristan Higgins and Rachel Gibbons (seriously, I have laughed out loud with those authors). I have read some of Jill’s Blazes, but didn’t know she also wrote others (again, slow to the party). Contemps are my favorite, favorites!
Janelle…let us know when your new books come out. I am eager to read a Janelle book (don’t know if you saw my post because I forgot to post until late).
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oooh, forgot about Sherryl Woods (just discovered her) and Debbie Macomber’s. Sometimes, I just want a little ‘lite’ romance and not so steamy.
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oh and Jennifer Cruisie!
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Hi, Leslie!
I’ve read Instant Attraction and Hot Number. Loved both. Just One of the Guys is in my TBR pile. I have a bunch of light contemporary romance authors I follow. Laurie G. named most of them above. I’d add, Robyn Carr, Helen Kay Dimon, and Jennifer Cruise to her list.
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I love contemporary romances…just something about getting lost in a sweet romance without all the paranormal stuff and suspense. Now don’t get me wrong, I like those too…but Contemporaries have a place in my heart too.
All the authors mentioned in the comments are favorites of mine and I try to get their new releases as soon as they are available.
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OMG! Who says that “Light, Funny Comtemporary” romances are a dying breed!!! Let me at them!!!
I SO can’t get enough of them! I’ve fallen in love with them since my teens when I read “Loveswept” series. I’ve found authors that way and have been a follower of the authors ever since. Nora Roberts, Iris Johansen, Kay Hooper. Although for the most part these authors write intense, action-packed romances. Sometimes an author will change her style a little to keep things interesting like Nora Roberts’ new Bride series. Now, I subscribe to “Blaze” and lovin’ every page of it!
Over the years I’ve gravitated to action/adventure romances and now paranormal romances. I just love sinking my teeth into ‘em. (pardon the pun!
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BUT when I need a break from the intensity, I go back to these wonderful authors who write to make me smile! Rachel Gibson, Susan Andersen, Susan Mallery, Leslie Kelly, Louisa Edwards, Victoria Dahl, Julie Leto, Carly Phillips…I could go on and on!
I need these romances and authors like I need to breathe!!!! My heart swells just thinking about the stories these authors wrote! The minute I see their names on a book cover in the store, my heart skips a beat and I pray that I haven’t read it already!
So please, please, please keep on writing!!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE LIGHT CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES!!!!
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I read Carly Phillips, Susan Mallery, Debbie Macomber, Kristin Higgins and Jill Shalvis all the time. I can’t believe readers aren’t buying as many romance books by these ladies. I always enjoy their books.
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I love comtempary romance I just cannot get into paranormal and some of my fav authors are: Danielle Steel (new book today) andriani Trillino ( Brava Valentine) Deb Macomber and amny more why there is a problem I have no idea…keep them coming
donna
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I read those 5 books and indeed LOVED them. Love and Lough make a fantastic combination. Some of my other favortes :
- Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins
- Natural Born Charmer by SEP
- Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie
- Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye
- Divorced, Desperate and Dating by Christie Craig
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I forgot about Christie Craig I love all 3 of the desperate books and also Gotcha.
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I have heard that the light contemporary is the “kiss of death.” I love contemporaries. Most agents on their web sites state they are looking for contemporaries among other sub-genres. Most of what I’ve written is contemporary with a little RS thrown in. The book I’m finishing now is contemporary. I have another in line to write that is contemporary. After that I want to write my first paranormal/urban fantasy. Then I have a historical I want to write.
It is very disheartening to hear the contemporary is going by way of the Dodo. I love SEP, Rachel Gibson, Jennifer Cruisie…
Why would contemporary romance totally disappear and leave nothing for the reader but a steady diet of paranormal and historical? I love historicals but that isn’t what I want to read each time I pick up a book. I just read my first J.R. Ward and LOVED it but that isn’t all I want to read. I am now a card carrying member of the Brotherhood of the Dagger fan club btw.
What about HQ? They publish TONS of contemporaries!
I believe that everything is cyclical. A few years ago they said historicals were dead. Before that paranormals were given the thumbs down. Now it’s contemporaries on the chopping block. Paranormals are hot, hot, hot and historicals are back.
All we can really do is write the best books we can write with of course an eye on the marketplace. But some things I don’t want to write just because in order to write them you have to go to a really dark place. Like thrillers for example.
At the very first conference I ever attended I went to a group editor appointment with Paula Eykelhof. She said something that I’ll never forget. She said, “A good book is a good book is a good book. Editors want to buy good books.”
Write a good book. Send a query. If the editor says send, SEND!!
The rest is up to the publishing gods.
BTW, does anyone know the difference between paranormal and urban fantasy?
Cher
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Cher, I’m no expert, but I think the distinction is that “paranormal” is a word that applies only the romance novel. If there are otherworldly creatures in the book (vamps, weres, ghosts, etc.) but the main focus of the book is the romance, then it’s a paranormal.
If the book’s focus is on, let’s say, saving the world, then it’s Urban Fantasy. Buffy the Vampire Slayer would be urban fantasy. Traditionally, urban fantasy is shelves in fantasy or science fiction although much of it has migrated to romance (Charlaine Harris, for instance.)
That’s my understanding of it. Nephele Tempest of the Knight Agency spoke to my TARA chapter two weeks ago and that’s part of what she said. I’d tell you the other part, but I can’t remember!
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Thank you, Julie for explaining it to me. That really helps clear things up.
So, the book I want to write is definitely a paranormal and not an Urban Fantasy.
Thanks again
Cher
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My shelves are full of light contemporary among the many other genres… so many authors I have enjoyed… love Debbie Macomber, M. Ferrarella, Shirley Jump, Ann Roth, CJ Carmichael, and many many many more!!!
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Ooh, I love being mentioned in such fine company! I also have to second the recommendations of Victoria Dahl, Julie James, and Robin Kaye. Great writers with fun, sassy voices and characters you’ll totally fall in love with!
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Oh I can’t wait for your next book to come out they a are such great books. LOVE LOVE them…
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I don’t understand why light contemporary romances aren’t doing well. I absolutely love them.
All of Kristan Higgins’ books are on my keeper shelf. I especially enjoyed TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. Jennifer Crusie and SEP are auto-buys for me because I have enjoyed their books so much.
Other recent favorites have been Julie James’ PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT, Jill Shalvis’ INSTANT ATTRACTION, Carly’s LUCKY series, Rachel Gibson’s TRUE LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS, and the first 2 books in Nora Roberts’ BRIDE series.
Other delightful contemporary romance authors are Susan Mallery, Debbie Macomber, Kate Angell, Donna Kaufman, Sherryl Woods, Lori Wilde, and Stef Ann Holm. I highly recommend all of the authors that I have mentioned!
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While I’m not a regular reader of light contemporary…
… there are authors like our beloved Plotmonkeys, Jill Shalvis, Kathleen O’Reilly, Linda Lael Miller, and Maureen Child (yes, she does light contemporaries in addition to her outrageously funny paranormals) that are must reads on my list. Victoria Dahl is on my wish list. She’s so funny “in person”, I really want to read her books but time, budget, and the TBR pile are making me wait.
And just because it’s almost March…. :Irish1: :Irish2:
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Ooh…so many good authors out there…obviously Carly Phillips and Nora Roberts, also Jennifer Crusie, Susan Elizabeth Philips, Lori Foster, Susan Mallery, Susan Andersen, Lisa Kleypas, early Janet Evanovich, LuAnn McLane, Leanne Banks, Charlotte Hughes…and lots more I know I am missing. I like lots of genres and sub-genres. Among the most important things to me is the characters—Are they compelling? Believable? Interesting? Do I want to spend time with them? Contemporary romance is so very character driven; it would be a true loss to see this type of book suffer.
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I love Susan Donovan’s books. I’m also a big fan of Susan Andersen. She always manages to make me laugh.
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OMG! Why would light contemporary romance not be selling? Those books are a staple of my reading they are a wonderful escape from “life”!! Please don’t ever stop writing that type of book. I enjoy reading a variety it keeps things interesting. The Plotmonkeys, Jill Shalvis, Susan Elizabeth Phillips are among the many authors that write books I can depend on. I love a good romance that can make me laugh. Over the weekend I read Slow Heat by Jill Shalvis, it is a charming delightful read. Leslie, even in your Black Cats books I found something to occasionaly make me chuckle or laugh which was great as they tended to be intense. The world needs laughter, they can’t possibly consider not publishing light, contemporary romance. Some of the authors mentioned here are not familar to me, I’ll have to check them out.
Great discussion today. Thanks.
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Speaking of light contemporaries, I just pitched my WIP–a contemporary with a bit of humor and a lot of sizzle–to Lucienne Diver and all she said was “I’m not the right agent for this book.” Of course, this was before I heard that contemporaries were in the morgue. Otherwise, I would never have pitched it to her even though on the Knight Agency site it says they are interested in contemporaries.
Just not MY contemporary.
And now Tracy Farrell has retired–she is the editor who wanted to see this book when it was done!
But I’m going to finish it anyway then sit on it I guess until contemporaries bounce back…
Cher
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I’m like a junkie when it comes to contemporary romance. I gotta have it! I especially love anything by Jennifer Cruisie. One of my favorite contemporary books is by Gena Showalter “Catch a Mate”.
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I’m doing my part for the genre! I just bought a Kristan Higgans, “Can’t
Stand The Heat” by Louisa Edwards, and Carly’s “Hot Number!”
Pat Cochran
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I had no idea. I love everything that everyone has mentioned, and both my Mom and I buy these books! Can you imagine how boring the selection would be without our “read- then smile-lower your blood pressure-laugh out loud-fall in love” contemporaries? Yikes!!
Send some editors our way. We’ll set them straight.
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I have to say that I’m scratching my head over this one. Its what I buy. Sure I buy lots of different things, but the funny warm stories you are talking about Leslie, are the ones I buy.
Just sitting with me right now on my desk I have your latest Blaze, Carly’s HOT Stuff and a few others under the papers. Shhhh…I have to clean up my desk but this head cold is kicking my butt.
These are the books that I love to read. I want humor, even if I’m not bending over laughing. Its the fun, little things that make life so much more fun. Which is what I need when I read. So, I say keep them coming ladies!
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Contemporary romance is about all I read. As someone else has already said, I prefer to read about present time.
I have to admit that its been difficult to find contemporaries in the stores here for a while – but I figured that was just a result of the choices that the stores were making. Obviously that’s not the only reason – but surely if stores are making a decision not to stock some titles then its going to push down sales.
I already have Instant Attraction and Can’t Stand The Heat on my list of books to buy. I already own all the Hot Zone titles but the reprint covers are so good that I’m tempted to buy them just because I can.
I’ve found my greatest challenge since it has been harder to find contemporary romance in stores is that it takes me longer to get titles because I want to have enough to order in a way that I don’t get charged shipping.
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Knock me off my Feet by Susan Donovan is one of my all time favorite books! I also love Catch a Mate and Animal Instincts by Gena Showalter! Not to mention all the fabulous SEP reads! Match me If You Can and Nobody’s Baby But Mine are my favorites of her!
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I love all genres including Contemporary romance. I actually went book shopping today.
I picked Carly’s Hot Stuff, Robyn Carr’s new book and a few other. I have so many favorites, it would be hard for me to choose just one author!!! It would be total mental chaos. 
LOL! 
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I Love light, funny contemporary romance. That’s what I really look for, but sometimes it is hard for me to find. It seems that romance has been broken into so many different categories and many books either fit into several categories or are put in a category that doesn’t seem to fit. I was just discussing this with my husband this morning when I looked on the bookshelf and noticed that “When a Man Loves a Weapon” by Toni McGee Causey is considered a Romantic Suspense. Huh? Really? The Bobbie Faye books are full of action, but suspense? I was laughing my butt off through most of the book.
As long as y’all keep writing, I’ll keep buying them whether I can afford to or not!
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I agree the Bobby Faye bks are all LOL funny! Have them all on my keeper shelves, ditto for many of the authors bks already listed here.
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Egads!! Say it ain’t so! Light, comtemporary is what brought me over to the “dark” side. As much as I love my paranormal and RS, I couldn’t handle it if I lost the fun in romance!
I just discovered Kristan Higgans over V;day weekend and bought them all. Just One of the Boys is set in nearby Lake George area and I fell in love with her stories right then and there.
If they stop publishing the funny, light, feel good books (hearth and home just don’t cut it for me) I will be in serious jeopardy of withdrawl and will not make promises not to hurt someone.
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I love the contemporary romances. Humor, romance, contemporary plots, what’s not to love. Loved the Hot Zone Books, read them when they originally came out–have them on my keeper shelf. I’ve read a lot of the authors already listed in other posts, and have some new to me ones I’d like to try. Hang in there ladies—we still love your books. :)
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Cristie Craig fulfills my need for light, contemporary romance. She’s great. I like to deconstruct her characters and try to figure out how she put them together that makes them seem to true to life.
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I LOVED Can’t Stand The Heat by Louisa Edwards! I can’t wait for On The Steamy Side to come out next week! One of the best new authors I’ve found recently.
I also love the Hot Zone series. Carly is one of my favorite contemporary authors.
Susan Mallery’s novels are great reads too. I especially like the Bakery Sisters books and the Buchanan Family novels.
Catherine Anderson’s Coulter Family series is also amazing to read.
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It is sad to know that people think contemps are dead or dying. I love them alot…they help keep my hope alive you know. There are so many great contemp authors that I love, Carly is one of my top faves (picked up my copy of Hot Number today…woohoo…the cover art is delicious…yummy!!) Sorry, I got a little distracted…love Kristan Higgins, Heidi Betts, Jennifer Crusie, Rachel Gibson, Kelley St. Johns, Gena Showalter, Robyn Carr, Louisa Edwards (Thank you for introducing her to me Jules.) Debbie Macomber, La Nora, Susan Mallery, Sherryl Woods, Susan Wiggs, Jessica Bird. Les, I love your contemps too. I could go on and on about the ones I love. I don’t know what I would do if this genre did die out. You know, what I went to the store today and bought about 12 books, 6 of which were contemporary romance. I wouldn’t have found so many wonderful authors like you, Jules, Carly and Janelle, if I this genre wasn’t around. It will be quite a loss of wonderful reads, if it did end. There are so many fans of Contemporaries out there too.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I just remembered some more…Sandra Hill and her Cajuns are hilarious too and Christie Ridgway. What about Lori Foster’s Visitation series? Would they count, because I really found some moments in them that were laugh out loud, rolling on the floor funny. Suze Brockman has some pretty good contemps too.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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I’m probably in the minority when I say that I prefer light, funny contemporaries over any other romance genre. I don’t usually read historical romances, which are very popular. I like the current settings of contemporaries. To me, they’re more relatable. Some of my favorite contemporary authors are: Kristan Higgins, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jill Shalvis, Sarah Mayberry, Kathleen O’Reilly, and Alison Kent. Leslie, I’m also very fond of your contemporaries. I understand why Killing Time would be a personal favorite of yours. I love that book!
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Oh boy, I hope these negative comments don’t effect my fav authors!! I LUV con romance reads!! I bought 3 bks in the last week and they were all con rom. You named a few authors but Debbie Macomber is a HUGE con author. Linda L Miller writes some con and SEP seems successful. La Nora has written MANY con reads. I read all of you here on this site. I also read all of the authors everyone else has mentioned. I think there are more con authors than ever before. I can’t even keep up with all new con reads coming out. I have read every genre and this is my fav. I don’t think witches and vampires are for all of us or not all the time. Give me a funny read any time. I will continue to search out my Seals and cowboys and firefighters!! Please enter me I would LUV this book. Thanks, Sue
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Well, to add to others, Contemps are where it is w/me. (I never read Paranormals.) Other than the Plotmonkeys’ books (which I always buy), I love (& always buy) books by Robyn Carr, Sarah Mayberry, Jill Shalvis, Kathryn Shay & SEP, among others. Also, buy several authors’ books who only write Series Romances, specifically for the Blaze, HSR & SSE lines.
As far as Contemps not being “in vogue”, I remember Hq.’s intention to phase out the Hq. Historicals. Firstly, they would be gone altogether; then, they would only be available through Reader’s Service & wouldn’t be available in stores; &, finally, all this was moot–left as is, i.e., now available in all areas. I’m not dismissing the problem, but, it seems to me that phases come & go. However, it’s clear that most of the “ST Contemp series” have been stopped. I can name 10 just from my “auto buy” authors whose series were suddenly not continuing. I always buy new books from writers whose work I love. Hopefully, that’ll help.
Patricia
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I certainly hope they are not dead. I have heard this on diff blogs – but who is saying they are dead – just hearing that THEY whoever they are are saying they are dead. These are the types of books I like. I dont care for vamp, werewolf, paranormal – just straight contemporay – funny, light, non funny. And I have read all the ones you showed, finishing up the Edwards books now.
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There are a boatload of contemp authors I love and here are some of them:
Carly Phillps – Your Hot Series, Chandler Bros, Lucky awesome – I have probably read almost all of your books
Roby Carr
SEP
Susan Donovan
Kristan Higgins
Robin Kaye
Deb Macomber
Susan Mallery writes awesome series – Bakery, Buchanan, Titan
Kate Angell
Toni Blake
Barbara Delinsky
Lori Foster
Rachel Gibson
Sherryl Woods to name just a few…..Keep writing ladies.
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hmmm… I love all romance books…no matter what “kind”. (BTW I own every Duets book ever published and was sad to see them end the line when they did.) And I love reading Karen/Carly and Jills books….and come on now….Carly’s The Bachelor was picked by kelly ripa as one of her book club books back in 2002…hello!!!!!how can it possibly be dead??? I don’t think it is….I think that due to the economy people have cut back on buying period so they are looking for a scape goat and that genre happens to be it. Next month it could be something else entirely. Alls I know is I go to the grocery store and I still see books by Carly and Jill and I still see people buying them….so how can it be dying??? Personally I consider Carly and Jills books to be “feel good” “Pick me up” books…. If I’m in a mood I can pick it up and read or even reread one and it brings a smile and makes me feel a little better.All books have a place and time….BTW….Carly is an autobuy…so I can’t just pick one….I honestly love em all. Same goes for the rest of you in this group….and people like Vicki LT, and Tori Carrington it’s not a what type of book thing for me…it’s more an author thing for me…. and heck….Nora Roberts and Lori Foster are in this catagory too…..and I don’t see them as a dying breed so to speak…ugh….I want to see the numb nut that started saying this in the first place… must be a real winner….NOT!!!!
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I love Cathie Linz and her humor! Her “Girls” series was great and she has a new series that I can’t wait to read! Mad, Bad and Blonde is out any day and I will be at the book store early!
Jill Barnett’s Bewitching is also one of my favorites.
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Nooooo! I love those types of books. Books I can pick up and read on the run. Read when I need something light after a long day of teaching. You mentioned 3 of my faavorite authors. There are others too. I saw someone mention Susan Andersen. Keep writing this fun books to read.
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I love the contemporary romance and that genre was the reason I started reading romance novels. Two other authors people should consider are Robin Kaye and Marie Force. On a side note, anyone that reads Kristin Higgins should know she only writes from the heroines point of view. In addition, those who are children of divorce should be forewarned that one of the plot lines in One of the Guys may make you uncomfortable. I share this as I wish I had known this before hand and had difficulty reading this plot line in light of my own history with the topic. Hope everyone is having a great day!!!!
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Thank you Lynne for the positive feedback on my books! I really appreciate it. I have some exciting news to share – MAD, BAD AND BLONDE just got a highly coveted Starred review from Booklist.
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forgot to say it’s in stores March 2nd and features a librarian who is a jilted bride.
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Still love to read whatever the story line
Ffrench
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To be honest I haven’t read a lot in that genre but Jill Shalvis is one of my favorites and I’ve read more than a dozen of her books – all good. Get a Clue is my favorite.
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Still love to read whatever the story line.
Ffrench
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Everyone has listed such great authors! Makes me want to run to me keeper shelf and reread some of them right now! I love Christie Craig, Jill Shalvis, SEP, Susan Mallery, and Lori Wilde.
Just started reading Kate Angell and bought my first Rachel Gibson book last week. Robyn Kaye and Louisa Edwards are two more I really like. (Can’t wait for On the Steamy Side!)
I read a book by Kimberly Fisk called Lake Magic that was very good. Wow, I’ve always considered myself more of a romantic suspense fan. Guess I didn’t realize just how many contemps I enjoyed as well.
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What a great blog! It doesn’t hurt to see my name, and the names of all my friends and heroes mentioned several times, either.
I was always a ravenous reader but I didn’t read my first romance until 2000. I remember discovering Jennifer Cruise, SEP, Susan Donovan, Carlie Phillips, Donna Kauffman, Maureen Child, Rachel Gibson, and Susan Mallery and it changed my life. I finally found books that made me feel good and laugh. I wanted to be part of that and started writing. When I began submitting Romeo, Romeo, everyone told me never to mention the words romantic comedy. *shrugs shoulders* I still can’t understand why that is. In times like these, I can’t think of one person who doesn’t need a good laugh.