Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired discussion

I used to read almost exclusively romance. Now I also read a lot of other stuff - mystery, thrillers, general fiction. I like to mix it up.

Lately, it's paranormal romance, urban fiction and romance. But I usually read classics and murder mysteries. Not too much horror. I do read biographies and autobiographies but only if someone tells me they are really, really good.

I read romances only. I read a lot of different romance genres............Except Sci-Fi romance. Not a fan of that.

I typically only read romance myself also. However, I do branch out to some general fiction, fan fiction (like Jane Austen or Phantom of the Opera- which does have some romance in them), and I also enjoy a good non-fiction historical book from time to time.

Whenever, I go to Borders I always go straight to romance section. But, I can never leave without first going to the science fiction and mystery sections. I think its good for me to have a little variety.

Michelle wrote: "Whenever, I go to Borders I always go straight to romance section. But, I can never leave without first going to the science fiction and mystery sections. I think its good for me to have a little..."

I'm with you there. I do the same thing- go to the romance section first- always. Then I'll browse fiction for more of my fanfic! LOL- let me tell you- that fanfic is addicting!!

Romance is my first love, but also classic horror/weird tales, urban fantasy, and mythology/fairy tales. I will read an odd classic if it fits the above tastes in some way.

I used to think I wasn't a true "reader," since the only genre that has ever entertained me has been romance. Granted, that's pretty much every conceivable sub genre of romance, but I still used to be very hard on myself that I couldn't find murder mysteries or any other type of fiction that held my attention.

But, while I still wish that I wasn't so picky as far as my reading tastes are concerned, I have learned to not be so tough on myself. Romance is the one genre that captures my imagination like no other genre :-).

(Although, the one genre I haven't tried is fan fiction, and moocho appreciation to Megan for helping me out with suggestions in that arena! I can't WAIT to start reading Phantom fan-fic! Thanks Megan!) :-P

Jacqueline wrote: "I used to think I wasn't a true "reader," since the only genre that has ever entertained me has been romance. Granted, that's pretty much every conceivable sub genre of romance, but I still used to..."

LOL- I'm happy to help out Jacqueline! If you are a fan of Jane Austen- there is also some good fanfic for her out there too! :o)

I really love a lot of Austen's stories! Got any good recommendations for me off hand?

Oh geeze- you really know how to get me going- okay- here are my personal favorite JA fanfic!

Marsha Altman has written 3 P&P sequels: [image error] . I haven't read the 3rd one yet, just came out.

Amanda Grange has written some wonderful JA fanfic told from the guy's POV! Some of my favorites are: .

I have just gotten into a new author for me- Abigail Reynolds. I loved her book

I hope that's not too much information!! LOL

Awesome! Thanks Megan! That seems like a good bunch to get me started! :0

Course that's not too much info! When it comes to books, hon, you can NEVER have TMI! :)

Jacqueline wrote:
Course that's not too much info! When it comes to books, hon, you can NEVER have TMI! :)"

I agree!

Romance is my favorite genre. But every now and then, I like to throw a mystery or horror novel.

I read mstly paranormal romance but I do read a bunch of otehr stuff too. Horror, thrillers, inspirational fiction of a few different genres, fantasy, urban fantasy, historical fiction, women's fiction, young adult fiction. Even every once in a great while I'll pick up a memoir/bio (most recent was I read both of Michael J Fox's books.) Basically, if it sounds good i'll try it. But my heart is with paranormal romance and urban fantasy.

Jacqueline wrote: "I really love a lot of Austen's stories! Got any good recommendations for me off hand?"

I had started to post this earlier but had to have some computer stuff done so i had to get out before the post went through. So reposting. :-)

I don't read any of teh JA fan fic stuff myself but my Mom has an author she loves who writes P&P fanfic. in fact my Mom's first ever eBook was this author. And Mom had to call me to explain how t use an eBook. LOL I posted 5 book covers, but i think the bottom two are earlier releases of some of the otehrs. I could be wrong though, having not read them myself. Her characters are based on the actors in the Keira Knightley version of P&P.

Kelley wrote: "Jacqueline wrote: "I really love a lot of Austen's stories! Got any good recommendations for me off hand?"

I had started to post this earlier but had to have some computer stuff done so i had to..."

Ohhhh!! Those sound good!! I'll have to add them to my TBR list!! Thanks Kelley!

Megan wrote: "Ohhhh!! Those sound good!! I'll have to add them to my TBR list!! Thanks Kelley!"

I hope you like them if you try them Megan.

Aww, thanks Kelley! I really appreciate those recommendations! I'll check them out and see what might play to my tastes!

Quick question, though. Any chance you might know whether or not they are written in first or third person? I'm no fan of first person, and steer clear of that writing style.

Jacqueline wrote: "Any chance you might know whether or not they are written in first or third person?..."

Sorry I don't know that one. But if you search them on Amazon (or maybe even in here) you may find an excerpt that will make it apparent which it is.

Hmm. Okay, thanks! I was fairly certain there were only two in the series thus far, but I could be wrong. *Runs away to do research* :)

I like to read a Regency romance and a horror novel at the same time. It keeps both interesting.

I'd love to read more romance with horror/creepy elements. HEA, of course!

Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I'd love to read more romance with horror/creepy elements. HEA, of course!"

Oooooh! That sounds good! If you find any let me know- I'd love to read books like that too!

I've read a few paranormals that had some creepy moments. But no full out horror romance. That would be fun.

Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "I've read a few paranormals that had some creepy moments. But no full out horror romance. That would be fun."

I would LOVE for a horror writer to write a horror/romance with a HEA, as you said, that would be fun!

Has anyone read any of the SHOMI romances? I've bought a few from the used bookstore. According to shomifiction.com, SHOMI is :"...an imprint of Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc. A ground-breaking line of speculative fiction that combines the very best elements of the fantasy, thriller, science fiction, cyberpunk, and romance genres." I'm excited to start this new romance sub-genre. I'm just wondering on how it differs from sci-fi/futuristic romance. I know the bookcovers of SHOMI novels are all an anime-type cover.

I've never read Shomi, I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

Ummmm.... sounds interesting

Sadly, I think Shomi is no more. But the books they had coming out were pretty cool. :(

Danielle "The Book Huntress" wrote: "Sadly, I think Shomi is no more. But the books they had coming out were pretty cool. :("

I went to Borders yesterday, and they didn't carry any of the SHOMI books. Thanks for the info, and thank goodness Amazon still carries them. Here I was all exicited about something new, lol!

I mainly read romance but I also like urban fantasy, fantasy, historical fiction, historical mysteries, cozies and mystery/thrillers. Any book that combines multiples of these is always great with me.

About the only thing I never read is horror.

Why no horror?

Someone tell me if you find a good SHOMI book, I'll buy whatever one you say.

Christy wrote: "Why no horror?

Someone tell me if you find a good SHOMI book, I'll buy whatever one you say."

I ordered from amazon. Of the few SHOMI novels that I do have, I think Driven has the highest goodreads ratings. I'll be sure to let you know how it goes.

Please do!

You might like Razor Girl, Christy. It has zombies, I believe.

Well, it sounds good.

Christy wrote: "Well, it sounds good."

Romance, and zombies? That does sound good.

Romance & zombies... nice! I'll have to check that out too!

I read pretty much anything. So I'm "easy" as it were when it comes to books. But some months I am only in the mood for a certain type of book--Spring and Fall I prefer books that are at least a little bit funny--those are the months when my allergies are horrendous and I need cheering up (I also have asthma, and that's when that is bad too.) Also, Dec 29, Feb. 25, May 3 and July 5 are days when I need cheering (those are the days when important people in my life died--my Father, Mother-in-law, Father-in-law and little brother--he was only 39 when he died from cancer)

I know what you mean, Ann. Books helped me through some tough times. The week my father died, I read at least six books. Probably closer to ten.

Why no horror? I just don't care for gore that's all. I like scary but I don't like gore. I don't watch horror movies either.

I just bookmarked the shomi site after it was mentioned in another thread. I have too many books now so I didn't investigate the site much. I just didn't want to forget it for when I manage to trim the TBR (like that will ever happen).

Some horror is OK--but I have very definate definitions on what is HORROR and many of the really gory things don't make it. For instance, sorry, but NONE Of the Friday the 13th (and that ilk) make it as horror--they are just "slashers" and, at least in my opinion, not very good ones. Don't know why they bother killing off the "bad guy" (whoever he is) at the end of each movie, since everyone knows he'll just be back for the NEXT one.

Now Dracula, that was a GOOD horror book (and most of the movies were also good--unless the director got carried away and really messed up the story with a lot of extra blood and gore)

And Mary--you mean that a TBR pile is meant to be tRIMMED? I subscribe firmly to the belief that God won't let you die til you've read all the books in your TBR pile--so I keep my pile really, really, REALLY big. lol

I agree with absolutely everything you said, Anna! Ninety nine percent of every movie or book that's classified as horror isn't so in my book. Gore and slashers do nothing but give you a nauseated stomach, or want to laugh.

Insane Creepy Looking Guy Running Amok With A Sharpened Instrument = Boring and Predictable. The only exception to this rule I've ever come across is the movie Nightmare on Elm Street (and ONLY the first one.) Everything else in my experience was an eye roll.

(I also agree with your principle about TBR piles. If they don't act as if sprinkled with miracle grow, what's the point in reading? *Laughs*)

Mary wrote: "Why no horror? I just don't care for gore that's all. I like scary but I don't like gore. I don't watch horror movies either."

I don't like gore, either. I prefer classic horror. It has more atmosphere and less overt in your face shock value.

Ann aka Iftcan wrote: "Some horror is OK--but I have very definate definitions on what is HORROR and many of the really gory things don't make it. For instance, sorry, but NONE Of the Friday the 13th (and that ilk) make..."

--Slasher movies don't scare me. They are just gross, and I don't enjoy watching people get hacked up. I won't watch any slasher movies.

I'm right there with you, Danielle! I think the most irritating, lack of imagination or creativity movie series out there are the Saw movies. Paranormal and really good psychological thrillers are the only horror genre I enjoy. Everything else is either nauseating or regurgitated from every other horror script written.

Torture and gore/slasher flicks are the lowest of the low...at least in my opinion, anyway.

I read Dracula and I didn't think it was horror at all. Scary but not horror. Maybe I'm confused at to what actually constitutes horror. In my thinking horror is lots of mindless gory killing.

I just picked up Pride & Predjudice & Zombies on audio from the library. So we'll see. I liked the movie Shaun of the Dead so maybe I'll like this.

I tried to read Pride & Prejudice & Zombies and I thought the writing was so off. He tried to incorporate Austen's original book, but he was so disjointed I just couldn't finish it. Maybe I should try the audiobook instead. Let us know what you think of it.