Posted by Carly at Mar 14, 2013 6:00 am
Here’s something you didn’t know – I knew Jennifer before she became a big deal New York Times Bestselling Author. Yep, we’re in the same local chapter, HUDSON VALLEY RWA, which means: I know she’s not just a talented author but a super nice person! So please give Jennifer a warm jungle welcome!!
**********
The Lure of the Contemporary Novel…by Jennifer Probst
First off, a big thank you to the amazingly talented Carly Phillips for allowing me to hijack her blog today. I’m a big fan and have been reading her books for many years and they never disappoint!
I always knew I was going to be a romance writer. I also knew I’d always write contemporary romance.
Sure, I adore reading in different settings and genres – it keeps me fresh as both a reader and writer. But nothing can come close to a good romance amidst current times – whether it’s the busyness of a major city, the idyllic setting of a hillside in Italy, or the backdrop of a quaint, small town. I’m a sucker for the here and now and I never get bored of what an author can accomplish in the contemporary romance.
Why? There are certain elements that pull me back again and again, beyond the vampires and steampunk and fantasy. There’s enough angst and emotion and drama in today’s world, and I don’t need to go any further to get it all.
I’ve taken a few key fundaments to break down and analyze why this genre works and is so popular.
1. Setting – I love getting to know new places in the world, especially when I know it’s in current time. The small towns are a perfect backdrop to creating a family within a real world, and getting to know characters well enough to move them into their own stories. I can close my eyes and see the quaintness of Lucky Harbor in Jill Shalvis’ series, or feel I just visited Serendipity in Carly’s books. The charm of meeting the local baker or retailer, the pull of main street, and the interconnection of people who have grown up and lived together their whole lives is rich and full of drama.
In my newest release, All the Way, my setting is an Italian restaurant in the heart of Manhattan, NYC. I’m able to bring in the classic chaos of a major city, have my characters attend an opera at the Metropolitan, and sketch out an ice skating scene in the park.
Using every day settings gives readers a sense of the familiar, and adds rich layers to a novel.
2. Realism – Certain authors have incredible talent in building worlds that feel vivid, but I love the concrete realism contemporary romances offer. In All the Way, I pit a restaurant owner with a food critic in real time rivalry, combining a revenge plot. When my heroine trashes my hero’s restaurant, he sets his goal on gaining a new review and getting her back into bed. Incorporating interesting careers educates and entertains, giving readers a glimpse into a new occupation. Whether it be a bed and breakfast, a yoga studio, or a matchmaking agency, readers love to imagine themselves as part of the character’s journey. Popular tropes can be twisted into realism with contemporary books, from the best friend’s older brother crush, marriages of convenience, bad boy coming back to town for redemption, and second chances at love.
3. References – I love to pepper my books with references to pop culture to ground the story in the here and now. I also have tons of fun doing it. In The Marriage Mistake, I mentioned Fifty Shades of Grey in a particular scene for a bit of humor and to give the reader a sense of reality. For All the Way, my hero’s father sits with his cronies in the back of the restaurant, playing poker, drinking grappa, and talking about the Rat Pack. They revere Frank Sinatra like a God. Popular music, songs, or trends are fun for the reader to come across and bring something fresh to the book.
4. Conflict – There’s enough conflict in today’s times to fill a million books. The heroine or hero who has to decide if she’ll choose her career over the love. The wounded military veteran who has to re-connect with society. The struggle for ambition or money or power. The broken relationships of the past which carve out the characters. In current times, day to day life is full of struggles that are perfect for the backdrop of conflict in contemporary romance.
Contemporary romance is my passion for all of these reasons, but most of all, because I can imagine the love story taking place today. And it always comes down to one critical element: the romance. Add all these elements to a contemporary romance and readers will clamor for more.
What do you love about contemporary romance? What are some of your favorites? Come by and share – I’m giving away a copy of All the Way to one reader! Check back Sunday to see if you won!
Buy at Amazon
Buy at Barnes and Noble
Buy at iTunes
Biography:
Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.
She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons, one 5 and one 7, keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.
She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of both sexy and erotic contemporary romance including The Marriage Bargain, The Marriage Trap, and The Marriage Mistake. She has been published with Gallery, Entangled, Decadent, The Wild Rose Press, and Red Sage Publishing. She has also written a children’s book, Buffy and the Carrot, co-written with her niece, along with a short story about a shelter dog, “A Life Worth Living.” Look for her upcoming release, The Marriage Merger in July 2013. All of her books are available at her website: www.jenniferprobst.com
.
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer Probst
A Little Bit Naughty…A Little Bit Nice
Website: http://www.jenniferprobst.com
*****************************
The Marriage to a Billionaire Series:
The Marriage Bargain – #1 Bestseller
The Marriage Trap – October 2012
The Marriage Mistake – November 2012
I love contemporary romance stories. Some of my favorites are friends to lovers, opposites attractions, and a ‘damaged’ hero or heroine being changed by love. Of course the most important part for me is the HEA.
Oh I do adore those damaged heroes, Eileen! And with a HEA, you can be tortured throughout the book and know the payoff will be worth it!
I like contemporary romances because they are set in a time period I can relate to. The woman are strong and independent, capable of taking care of themselves but still susceptible to love and willing to share themselves with someone else seeking a HEA!.
Favorites:
Jill Shalvis, Rachel Gibson SEP, VLT, Elizabeth Lowell, Jayne Anne Krentz, Susan Wiggs, Susan Anderson, Alison Kent , Debbie Macomber, Linda Lael Miller, Sheryl Woods, Victoria Dahl, Robyn Carr, Kate Hoffmann andall of the Plotmonkeys of course!
LOVE the list Laurie you nailed all the greats!
am away, glad I caught this giveaway. love her books.
I just love the present times and love Susan Mallery, Robyn Carr to name 2.
I love contemporary romances because I can relate to them. Don’t get me wrong, I love historicals but sometimes you read about how a woman is being and I think, such a wimp…get a backbone!
Can’t wait to read one of your books. I usually love the authors that Carly recommends.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you so much, Sue! Yes, I do love matching a strong, feisty heroine with my alpha males – so much fun.
I think part of it is that I can relate better to the characters and background action. I get tired of the focus in historicals on getting married, which I understand is true, but enough of that to this single, contemporary woman.
I enjoy the contemporary books by all the authors of this blog, Jill Shalvis, Allison Kent and a ton of others. I’m reading my first Anne Marsh book right now, Burning Up, and enjoying it.
Welcome to the jungle. I’m a contemporary romance reader. I like to be able to “visualize” the story.
HI Katie, I’m loving it here in the jungle! Also love your UP avatar – one of my all time faves. You can hear me in my office sometimes quoting Doug – “Squirrel!” I also love to visualize my romance and in current times it’s much easier and more vivid for me.
I like stories with a contemporary setting. I think modern setting provides a greater variety in choice of characters.
Agreed Sandy! And the possibilities are still endless! Thanks so much for stopping in!
I love a spicy contemporary romance. The Marriage series is one of my favorites. The magic element makes them extra special.
Thanks so much Lauren!!
I love all romance, i’m not picky, but i do like when the female is strong and has a mind of her own, doesn’t take any stuff from her man. Lol
:yourock
I can say I remember Jennifer way back when. I have her very first book, autographed and sealed. Keep up the great writing. Jo
Thanks for stopping in Jo!
I love the realism of contemporary romance with characters and situations I can relate to. I love when a book warms my heart one minute and has me laughing the next….which is what your books do!!!
HI Wendy! Love seeing you here – you’ve been with me since the first book and I adore you contemporary romance just as much!!
I love contemporary romances mixed with suspense are my all time favorites. The Eve Duncan Series by Iris Johansen or the the sisterhood by Fern Michaels. Also love 50 shades.
I love contemperary romances because I can relate to them better. I love a hot Alpha Man and a spicy female who keeps him on his toes. I love books that can make me laugh and cry and not wanna put it down.
HI Alina, You pretty much covered all the bases of what I love to write and read!!
I read alot of contemporary and it’s hard for me to pick a favorite. I like contemporary because I feel like I can put myself in the heroine’s situation. Living vicariously through books! :-)
Speaking of which, I already have All the Way, so don’t include me in the contest.
Abbi :-)
Thanks for stopping by Abbi!!!
Love contemporary romances… they have so many great storylines to enjoy… such characters that we can imagine as everyday people.
Welcome to the Jungle Jennifer. I have to confess to not having read any of your books.
Are they print or ebooks? I only read print books at this time. :D Contemporary romance is easier to relate to. The way women were treated get me frustrated in historical romance. Despite that, I do read one from time to time! Thanks to the Plotmonkeys I have “discovered” numerous new to me authors here. They are wonderful to share with us.
Thanks so much for welcoming me to the jungle Donna! All the Way is just digital BUT my marriage to a billionaire series are all in paperback. The Marriage Bargain, The Marriage Trap, and The Marriage Mistake are out in all bookstores so let me know if you read one how you like it! I like my feisty heroines so you may really enjoy!
I enjoy contemporary as they are in the here and now. There usually is always something you can relate to as a woman in today’s society, but I do love a Stephanie Lauren’s or Sabrina Jefferie’s historical once in a while.
A few of my favorite’s I am reading right now are:
Jane Porter, Jill Shalvis, Susan Elizabeth Phillip
HI Renae, Love those authors and have read them all!
I am relatively new to contemporary romance. My first draw was historical, then paranormal then contemporary. I love getting lost in an adventure/journey. I read romance because I HAVE to have a HEA. I feel cheated and lost if it doesn’t (hate Titanic). My first draws to CR was through military/black ops themes (Leigh, Gerard, Ward, Adair, Laurenston…). From there I found small towns (Janet Chapman & Carly & Jill Shalvis among others). It’s easier to get lost in the reality of the story with contemporary but traveling through time with a wonderful kilted highlander is awesome too :batteeyes:
Ah, we can have it all!! That’s why romance completely rocks – the genre has everything to offer for all tastes. I read widely also but my fave is contemporary – of course I have been known to really enjoy a sexy vampire or paranormal too! Thanks for stopping in!
I think what I love most about contemporaries, is that it’s easy to put yourself in the heroine’s shoes. You can so easily immerse yourself and picture the scenarios because it’s “right now”. And, if it’s in a place you’re familiar with, it can be even more fun. (Not contemp. rom., but PC Cast’s House of Night series is set in Tulsa, which I loved, because I know every place she mentions and can visualize it!)
It’s probably my favorite genre of romance to read and probably why the first novel that I’m working on is a contemp. rom. too!
Some of my favorites: Jennifer, of course. Laura Kaye. Robin Covington.
What do you love about contemporary romance? What are some of your favorites?
HI Stephanie! I totally agree, it is easy to identify with the characters in the modern world and with today’s struggles. I read so much contemporary there aren’t enough to list, and I’m always finding more, especially in the series romances. I do adore Carly, Jill Shalvis, and SEP big time. But if you ever saw my Kindle you’d see SO many more you wouldn’t believe it! Thanks so much for stopping in!
I love the variety in contemporary. So many settings and storylines. I read a number of different authors. Some favs are Lisa Kleypas, Susan Mallery, Donna Kauffman, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, and of course, the Plotmonkeys. Thanks for sharing today, Jennifer.
I love that they’re mainly set in smalltowns and are very family oriented! Some of my favs are the Serendipity series by Carly Phillips, Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis, Lauren Dane’s Petal series, Donovan brothers by Victoria Dahl!
I have Jennifer’s 3 Marriage books in my TBR pile. All the Way sounds good too.
Thanks Tammy hope you enjoy them!
Have all your Marriage books and just ordered All the Way for the Kindle- can’t wait for Merger in July! Was glad to find you- love contemporaries- all I read these days!
Thanks so much Beth! Thrilled you enjoyed the marriage series and Merger will be coming quick!!
I read all kinds of books but what I like best about Contemporary Romance is that the female lead is allowed to be strong and tough. My favorite Contemporary author is Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I recently read The Marriage Bargain and really liked it! I wish you much success with your new book, it sounds great!
Thanks Renee I’m so happy you enjoyed Bargain!
I love contemporary romances. As you were explaining your steps, I was nodding and going yes, yes, YES!!! Those are the reasons I love reading contemporary romances. The series, like Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor & Carly’s Serendepity, helps because you see yourself there as you read. You get to meet the “village” that helps create the series. You almost feel like you are there. WIll definitely be checking out your books. Yay for me!!! A new author to read. :partygroup:
Aww thanks Eileen! And double yay for me for finding a new reader to entertain! Hope you enjoy the book!
When I started reading romance novels again, I was mainly historical, but my friend was telling me I was missing out. So, I read a really sweet one and thought “man I’m missing out.” I love them, because they have things I would have in real life. I also able to relate to them easily.
Welcome to the jungle! Sounds like a great read, can’t wait to get my hands on a copy :biggrin:
Thanks so much Rachel I do love it here!
Well, since you are a local, I have no problems adding your stuff to my list. Wonder how I missed it all this time? And I didn’t know that we had a Hudson Valley RWA. You guys keep it kinda quiet.
I love all genres of romance, but contemporary feels much closer to the everyday life. It’s very easy to connect with the stories as happening to you or someone you know.
I have not read any of Jennifer’s books yet, but I love finding authors that are new to me. A few contemporary authors that I love reading are Nora Roberts, Cherry Adair, Catherine Mann, and Erin Nicholas. Although this list could go on with many more fantastic authors including these wonderful ladies here.
I agree Tina another great list of authors!!
Congrats to Jennifer on the new release! I love contemporary romance
Some of my favs have been Lani Diane Rich, Jennifer Crusie, Susan Elizabeth Phillips. You hit the nail on the head with this post. This is *exactly* why I love contemporary romance 
So happy you agree with my list lol!! And thanks for the congrats – having a new book is just like having a new baby! Well…close!
I have read your first 3 books in the Marriage to a Billionaire series & loved them! I also have read a few of Carly’s series, Robyn Carr, Jill Shalvis, Kristan Higgins & Susan Mallery. I also love Laura Florand’s chocolate series, Hope Ramsay & Emily March. All of the above are really excellent reading. I find you can relate more to contemporary, but I also love historical romance.
HI Sharlene! So happy you loved the marriage series – I have not read the chocolate series must check that out now! Thanks so much for stopping in!
Like recent times and hot books,
Love the au tours, Leslie, Jill shlvis, Megan hart
Congrats on te book, whioo :yourock :cooldance:
I switch between contemporary, historical, paranormal and suspense. I like all the romance genres. I like when there is humor in the books and contemporary seems to have more laughter in them. I agree with the others that it’s easy to relate to stories set in the here and now.
There are so many authors that I could list as favorites. Rachel Gibson who was my very first romance book, Susan Mallery, Bella Andre, Christie Ridgeway, Carly and many many more. I do have the Marriage Bargain on my Kindle and will be adding the others soon
HI Pamiam! I hope you enjoy the marriage series and thanks so much for stopping in and hanging with me today!
Jennifer, thank you. I read almost exclusively contemporary romance for all the same reasons you do and if I ever have to defend myself for it, I will be quoting you.
Thanks
Aww, thanks Bobbie, that made my day!
I love contemporary because of the great romance and chemistry between the characters. I love the Chicago Stars by Susan Elizabeth Phillips and the Chinook Hockey series by Rachel Gibson
My favorite contemporary books are stories based on realism like you said. The background scenery doesn’t always affect me so much as the characters themselves. The feels more real to me if the characters do things or behave a certain way that is logical or realistic to today. It is very rare to have arranges marriages in this day and age. 50 or 100 years ago definitely that’s why it works in historical romances. In You book The Marriage Bargain it worked. You brought an antiquated concept and made it plausible in contemporary times.
Other authors have ended their books with happily for now instead of happily ever after. Sometimes a story leads to that or the characters have so much depth that a pat answer of I love you isn’t enough or doesn’t feel right. Ruthie Lnox’s Ride With Me shows that. Ironically when the heroine admits she loves him that moment becomes the crucible not the end of the story. Therefore it becomes a more powerful book to me.
I do enjoy a good happy ending and lots of steam like Jill Shalvis, Victoria Dahl, Christie Ridgway, so many more. But it’s the powerful ones that stay with me
I enjoy Contemporary romance because I think I can relate more to it. I like the friends to lovers, second chance at romance, tortured heroes, and strong male and female characters. I enjoy Susan Mallery, Jane Porter, Jill Shalvis, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Lisa Kleypas, Carly Phillips and really all the plotmonkey women.
:hothot: I just like to read books. I love Jayne Anne Krentz-Susan Anderson-Linda Lael Miller-Robyn Carr. I also like myseries. I like a change once in a while. :irish2: :flag:
the characters- don’t have any favs