Retro Reads - Romance discussion

Happy November, Retro Readers! We hope you had an excellent Halloween :)

This month, we’re bringing things a little closer to home and going twentieth-century with Sandra Kitt's Close Encounters . Sure to please fans of contemporary romance, Kitt masterfully weaves the story of an interracial relationship between a divorced cop and a newly single professor. Though they meet under violent auspices, their romance blossoms—yet it must also undergo trials and tribulations. With finely drawn characters and an undeniable emotional core, this tale is thoroughly modern yet timeless.

As an added bonus, Sandra herself will participate in discussion and answer questions this month. Stay tuned for updates!

This is the first time we've featured a romance set in the late twentieth century. Do you like contemporary romance? How (besides the obvious) does this subgenre differ from historicals?

This title deals with the reality of racial and class conflict in the context of an interracial romance. How did these thematic elements influence the plot and the relationship between Lee and Carol?


Sandra Kitt

Historical romances are my all time favorite and probably always will be, but I also love Contemporary romances. Contemporary romances allow us to relate in the here and now to issues we face everyday ourselves.

As for question two, I will have to get back with you since I got a late start on the book and am only about a quarter of the way through.
So, excited to have Sandra Kitt here!!! I'm thinking on some questions right now.

I think that (question one) it depends largely on personal preference. I tend to read a lot of historical books, but also a lot of contemporary romance. I can often feel closer to a character in a more contemporary setting because I can identify with them more easily, but I also find value in the things I learn from a well written historical setting.

As for question two, there was definitely an automatic tension in this story that is not found in many others. Rather than there having to be a contrived issue barring an easy road to romance, the characters started out with a difficult situation to overcome. Since the author used real issues that happen in the everyday world, I felt closer to the characters.

It's really interesting -- almost all of our picks for Retro Reads have been historicals. It's nice to shift gears a little bit! And of course a lot of this has to do with personal preference, but I'm enjoying venturing into a different territory.

- Isabel

Open Road wrote: "It's really interesting -- almost all of our picks for Retro Reads have been historicals. It's nice to shift gears a little bit! And of course a lot of this has to do with personal preference, but ..."

I agree Isabel. This one was an excellent pick! I loved it.

Just finished, and I'm looking forward to the discussion!

I prefer contemporary, I think because of what Ionia mentioned - I can easily identify with the characters. But that's kind of funny because what I like about historicals is that you find yourself really relating to characters who are in completely different circumstances than you. They're not just obscure historical figures, they become real people. I like how historicals let you travel back in time. And even though Close Encounters was relatively contemporary, I still got that sense to some extent: I travelled back to a time when interracial relationships were still seen as odd and even a bit threatening, which seems crazy to me now. Oh, and people used beepers. Totally made me think of 30 Rock. Which I think is another way contemporary differs from historical: it can age really quickly if references to songs or technology or such are too current, rather than classic and timeless.

I have to think about the second question a bit more. My first impression was that racial conflict was almost an undercurrent to everything, rather than a huge influence on the plot. But I just finished the book and I still have to process it all. (So...why am I posting now? Oh well.)

-Lila

Just finished. Review here. my link text

I don't read contemporaries as much as historicals. I like the pseudo-world-building thing in historicals, and I'm more often disappointed in contemporary plots. I guess it's because to have an interesting plot they have to be more outrageous than a historical.

I get what the previous posters have said about identifying more closely with the characters in a contemporary, but, honestly, I find too often that the lives are either glammed up (Normal-Looking Person Meets And Marries Billionaire..) or depressingly awful. Either way, my life is far too boring to be of interest to anyone else, so I prefer to bury myself in a bit of fantasy while also indulging my love of history.

But having said all that, well-written storylines with characters who are credible and develop in a multi-dimensional way, are always worth reading IMO. This was one of those.

Here is the link to my review of Close Encounters.
http://www.cluereview.blogspot.com

Awesome reviews! I'm excited to take a look at all of them.

-Isabel

Julie of Clue Review posted a wonderful, honest and thoughtful review of CLOSE ENCOUNTERS at http://www.cluereview.blogspot.com. Thank you Julie!

When I first began reading women's fiction and romances the books were almost exclusively historical...or gothic (remember those? Very English!). I loved the stories for the sense of history, of course, and the introduction to various cultures by way of the history. But when I began writing I only ever considered doing contemporary.

I'm very interested in the dynamics of modern day relationships...what brings a couple together, and at what point does that spark begin when they know...and the reader knows...that it's developing into something deeper and meaningful. Someone on this discussion board made the observation that CLOSE ENCOUNTERS is character driven, and that's right on target. I'm interested in the people/characters, how they change and arc over the course of the story. As a writer I truly feel that the 'journey' of their story should find them some place different at the end, than where they began on page one. The characters need to grow. I absolutely love creating the characters that truly arc.

Ruth, thanks for taking the time to review CLOSE ENCOUNTERS. The best part? You enjoyed the story.

I've finally posted my review: http://wp.me/p2MJls-hp

And I'm absurdly excited about the next read. I look forward to being surprised every month. A mini Christmas morning every time!

Lila

Thanks for the thorough review, Lila. Happy Holidays!

Thanks so much, Sandra. (And for the RT!) You too.

Here's my review, better late than never

http://achickwhoreads.blogspot.com/20...

Just returned from a trip and just got your review. Thanks for taking the time to read CLOSE ENCOUNTERS, and writing a review. Belated Happy New Year.