Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired discussion

~ Romance Subgenres ~


Rules: So many subgenres, so many definitions! So little time to explore. In this yearlong challenge pick you level and select your subgenre. Remember, while the main genre can be one of these, there must be a touch of romance in the story!

Afraid of commitment? You can choose one level to start, and when you finish, you can up your level to the next.

Will there be overlap? Of course! Have fun and pick a series and see how many categories you can slot it into.

You can use books you also used in other challenges. And re-reads. :)

Duration: One year from your start date.

Levels:

Holding Hands: 5
Chase Kisses: 6 -11
French Kissing: 12-17
Second Base: 18 - 23
Third Base: 24 - 29
Home Run: 30- 36
Love Birds: 37 - 46
Soul Mates: Last two = all 48!

SUBGENRES:

• Action/Adventure
• Antebellum (pre-Civil War America, especially pre-Civil War culture in southern states)
• Apocalyptic (sub-genre of science fiction concerned with end of civilization)
• BDSM ("bondage, discipline, submission, dominance")
• Bodice Ripper/Old School (written in the 1970’s - 1980’s)
• Category Romances (AKA series romances; major publishers are Harlequin and Silhouette)
• Chick-lit/Women's Fiction (addresses issues of modern womanhood, sometimes humorously & lightheartedly; often involving family matters)
• Classic (written at least 50 years ago; think Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer, etc)
• Contemporary
• Dark Fantasy (a fantasy story with a pronounced horror element)
• Dystopia (society in repressive & controlled state, often under guise of being utopian)
• Early 20th Century/WW II (set from 1900-1950)
• Erotica
• Extraterrestrial
• Fantasy
• Frontier
• Futuristic
• Georgian Era [British history, after kings George I-IV (1714–1830)]
• GLBT ("gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender")
• Gothic
• Highlander
• Historical
• Horror
• Humorous
• Magical Realism (aesthetic style/genre fiction where magical elements blend with real world)
• Medieval [5th to the 15th century (476-1453)]
• Memoir
• Multicultural/Interracial
• Mystery
• Non-fiction
• Paranormal
• Pre-Revolutionary War/Revolutionary War
• Regency (UK between 1811—when the Prince Regent ruled by proxy—and 1820)
• Religious or Inspirational
• Roaring Twenties
• Science Fiction
• Speculative Fiction (hypothetical history, explanation, or ahistorical storytelling)*
• Steampunk (link to Wikipedia definition)
• Supernatural (ghosts, psyches, telekinesis, religious miracles, angels, witches)
• Suspense
• Victorian (Queen Victoria's reign: June, 1837 until her death January, 1901)
• Thriller
• Time Travel
• Tudor Period (usually refers to the period between 1485 and 1603, specifically in relation to the hx of England) **
• Urban Fantasy (vampires, werewolves, zombies, shapeshifters)
• Western -Historical (18th century to 1890; broadly stretches to end of Mexican Revolution, 1920)
• World Lit/International
• Young Adult

*Further explanation of Speculative Fiction & Tudor Period, according to Wikipedia:

Speculative Fiction: sweeps from ancient works to both cutting edge, paradigm-changing and neotraditional new works of the 21st century which cite their stories and images from ancient to future times. Speculative fiction can be recognized in works whose authors' intentions or the social contexts of the versions of stories they portrayed...

**Tudor Period: This coincides with the rule of the Tudor dynasty in England whose first monarch was Henry VII (1457 – 1509). The term can be used more broadly to include Elizabeth I's reign (1558 – 1603), although this is often treated separately as the Elizabethan era.

You name will be "hyperlinked" after you post your set-up or your first book. For your convience, please click on your name below and edit your challenge comment field. If you want to post as you go, that is fine too; I will be glad to update here for you.

	 	 Current
Participant	 Level	 	 Completed	Start Date
Heather		 Third Base	 	 30/30 - Done! 08/26/11
Susan	 	 Third Base	 	 27/23 - Done! 08/27/11
Pamela	 	 French Kissing 	 17/22	 08/26/11
CaroB.		 Home Run	 	 30/30 - Done! 08/29/11
Tracey	 	 French Kissing	 14/XX	 09/06/11
Laura	 	 Holding Hands	 01/16 	 09/16/11	❥☪Lizz☪❥	 Holding Hands	 01/22	 09/19/11
Lisa Kay	 Home Run	 	 34/37 	 08/25/11
Kirsten	 	 Second Base	 	 19/XX 	 01/01/12
Anna	 	 Third Base	 	 01/30 	 03/01/12
♥Robin♥	 	 Soul Mates	 	 37/48 	 05/01/12
Dawn	 	 Love Birds	 	 33/46 	 02/01/12
Sarah	 	 French Kissing	 00/12 	 05/24/12
Lauren	 	 Home Run	 	 36/36 - Done! 07/01/12
Cassandra	 Love Birds	 	 37/37 - Done! 08/26/12
Turtlecollector	 Third Base	 	 25/25	 01/01/12
Karen B	 	 French Kissing	 14/XX	 01/01/13
❀Tea❀ 	 Third Base	 	 30/XX	 12/26/12
June	 	 French Kissing	 01/12	 03/01/13	 

Updated July, 11 2013 5:10 a.m. PST, Post #2 Please let me know if there are any errors. Thanks!

Reserved.

If anyone wants further definition, just let me know and I'll post it.

Great challenge, Lisa Kay! I think I'll shoot for a Home Run. I do have my favorite genres, but I've been stretching myself a bit lately, so this should be further incentive.

Great, Heather!

Wow! I didn't realize there could be that many subgenres LOL Since I've done my first challenge (and close to completing it...reading last book now) I'm hooked :) So, I'm in and aiming for second base.

Could you please clarify what antebellum, Georgian, and Speculative Fiction are. Thanks :)

this site might help ya'll with time periods...

http://www.historicalromancewriters.c...

Thank you so much, Pamela! That cleared up the Antebellum and Georgian question and I feel really gee duh about even asking now.

Done, Susan! See edits above. :)

thanks Lisa Kay :) My mind is racing with possibilities for the subgenres LOL

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "this site might help ya'll with time periods...

http://www.historicalromancewriters.c..."

Thanks, Pamela! You are right about the Western time period. I used the "expanded" version that Wikipedia defines.

Never, mind. I clarifed my post.

Lisa Kay, I read The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen not too long ago and really enjoyed it! I'm looking for her other stuff to read as well.

Can I post as I read? I've got a few in mind, but not sure about the rest.

Sure, Susan! :)

I got my list of genres, I think, but not the books yet.

RLFTCI ~ Romance Subgenres ~

Duration: 8/26/11 to 8/25/12
Level: Second Base: 17/22

1.Bodice Ripper/Old School
2.Category romances Witness Seduction by Elle Kennedy 8/30
3.Classic (written at least 50 years ago) Wildfire by Zane Grey 9/6
4.Contemporary What Price Paradise by Katherine Allred 9/3
5.Fantasy The Fellowship of the Ring (The Lord of the Rings, #1) by J.R.R. Tolkien 9/14
6.Frontier A Taste Of Heaven by Alexis Harrington 9/20
7.Futuristic/SciFi Ral's Woman by Laurann Dohner 9/23
8.Georgian Era Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt 9/13
9.Gothic
10.Highlander Highland Hellcat by Mary Wine 9/12
11.Historical
12.Humorous The Promise of Jenny Jones by Maggie Osborne 9/18
13.Medieval In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks 9-19
14.Memoir Fatherhood by Bill Cosby 9/1
15.Mystery Mystique by Amanda Quick 9/22
16.Regency The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne 9/16
17.Suspense A Killer's Agenda by Anita M Whiting 9/9
18.Victorian
19.Time Travel
20.Urban Fantasy Storm's Heart by Thea Harrison 8/29
21.Western Rainbow Season by Lisa Gregory 9/5
22.Young Adult The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale 9/21

oops, you caught me before I edited it. :)

Quick question. Can we use re-reads?

Sure! Re-read are fine, Heather. **hee hee** I've got one lined up myself. I have to justifiy it somehow, right? :) I edited the rules. Thanks for the Q!

What a hoot!! I love the idea of this, you're a legend Lisa Kay!. I've been in a PNR run lately, so this will be great to break it. Absolutely adore the level names too, what a crack-up!
I'm definitely in. I'll shoot for Home Run and see how I go. Enjoying the yearly challenges, they take the pressure off a bit :-)

I've decided on my subgenres, but I might just post my books as I go, if that's ok.

~ Romance Subgenres ~
Duration: 29-Aug-11 to 28-Aug-12
Level: Home Run
0/36 Completed

1.Action/Adventure
2.Apocalyptic
3.BDSM
4.Bodice Ripper/Old School
5.Category romances
6.Chick-lit/ Women's Fiction
7.Classic
8.Contemporary
9.Dark Fantasy
10.Dystopia
11.Early 20th Century/WW II
12.Erotica
13.Extraterrestrial
14.Fantasy
15.Frontier
16.Futuristic
17.Georgian Era
18.Gothic
19.Highlander
20.Historical
21.Humorous
22.Magical Realism
23.Medieval
24.Mystery
25.Paranormal
26.Regency
27.Roaring Twenties
28.Steampunk
29.Supernatural
30.Suspense
31.Thriller
32.Time Travel
33.Urban Fantasy
34.Victorian
35.Western
36.Young Adult

Great, CaroB!

You ladies are making me reconsider my level choice. I thought I would commit gradually, so I'll have to think on this.

I know you can do Soul Mates, Lisa Kay :) lol

You think, Pamela? I'm not in the mood for some of the genres right now... but my mood does change.

RLFTCI ~ Romance Subgenres ~


Duration: 8/25/11 to 8/24/12

Goal Level: Love Birds!

34/37

1. ✔ Action/Adventure: The Princess Bride, by William Goldman ★★★★★PB 12/10/11 “b.r.”
2. ✔ Apocalyptic: Nightfall, by Ellen Connor ★★★½✩ PB 10/31/11
3. ✔ BDSM (moderate): Wicked Intentions, by Elizabeth Hoyt ★★★★½ OD audio 09/10/11
4. ✔ Category romances: A Convenient Wife,
         by Carolyn Davidson ★★★★☆ Nook for PC 09/10/11
5. ✔ Chick-lit/ Women's Fiction: Sugar Daddy,
         by Lisa Kleypas ★★★★★ OD audio 10/23/11 “b.r.”
6. Classic: These Old Shades, by Georgette Heyer - written in 1926. (ODA)
7. ✔ Contemporary: Sweet Dreams, by Kristen Ashley ★★★★✩ Kindle 12/31/11
8. ✔ Dystopia: Cinder, by Marissa Meyer ★★★★½ Library-HC 3/28 “NBRC-b.r.”
9. ✔ Erotic: The Perfect Play, by Jaci Burton ★★★½✩ PB 11/12/11
10. ✔ Extraterrestrial: I am Number Four, by Pittacus Lore ★★★★✩ OD audio 09/20/11
11. ✔ Fantasy: Serpent's Kiss, by Thea Harrison ★★★✩✩ Loupe audio to iPod/Touch 11/30/11
12. ✔ Frontier: Silver Lining, by Osborne, Maggie ★★★★★ Kindle 12/12/11 “b.r.”
13. ✔ Futuristic: Rapture in Death, by J.D. Robb ★★★★★ OD audio 09/01/11
14. ✔ Georgian: Notorious Pleasures, by Elizabeth Hoyt ★★★★☆ PB 09/15/11
15. ✔ GLBT: I'll Be Your Drill, Soldier, by Crystal Rose ★★★★✩ Kindle-doc 6/8 “buddy read”
16. Gothic: Someone in the House, by Barbara Michaels (OneClickDigital)
17. ✔Highlander: The Secret, by Julie Garwood ★★★★★ PB 09/29/11 “b.r.”
18. ✔Historical: The Winter Sea, by Susanna Kearsley ★★★★✩ audible.com 5/3 “buddy read”
19. Horror: Watchers, by Dean Koontz (OD audio)
20. ✔ Humorous: Lean Mean Thirteen, by Janet Evanovich ★★★★☆ OD audio 09/02/11
21. ✔Magical realism: The Peach Keeper,
            by Sarah Addison Allen ★★★★✩ library CD to iPod 10/19/11
22. ✔Medieval: Through a Dark Mist, by Marsha Canham ★★★★✩ PB 09/26/11
23. ✔ Memoir: Then Again, by Diane Keaton ★★★½✩ OD audio 01/22/12
24. ✔ Multicultural/Interracial: Lust, Loathing and a Little Lip Gloss, by Kyra Davis
            ★★★★✩ audible.com & PB 5/31
25. ✔ Mystery: Crocodile on the Sandbank,
            by Elizabeth Peters ★★★★★ OneClick audio 11/23/11
26. ✔Paranormal - vampires, werewolves, zombies, shapeshifters:
            A Hunger Like No Other, by Kresley Cole ★★★★½ PB 10/06/11 "re-read/b.r."
27. ✔ Regency: Barely A Bride, by Rebecca Hagan Lee ★★★★✩ OneClick audio 02/09/12
28. ✔Religious or Inspirational:
            The Greatest Gift: Original Story That Inspired the Christmas Classic It's a Wonderful Life,
            by Philip Van Doren Stern ★★★★★ HC 12/14/11
29. ✔ Steampunk: Changeless, by Gail Carriger ★★★★✩ Adobe Digital 10/21/11 “b.r.”
30. ✔ Supernatural - witches: Dance Upon the Air,
            by Nora Roberts ★★★★✩ OB audio 09/12/11
31. ✔ Suspense: Trespass, by Meg Maguire ★★★★½ Nook for PC 09/06/11
32. ✔ Thriller: The Cypress House, by Michael Koryta ★★★★½ ODA 9/27 “buddy read”
33. ✔ Time travel: Lord Of The Isles, by Debbie Mazzuca★★★★☆ PB-borrowed 08/29/11
34. ✔ Urban fantasy: Hunting Ground, by Patricia Briggs ★★★★★ PC for Nook 08/27/11
35. ✔ Victorian: Where Dreams Begin,
            by Lisa Kleypas ★★★★★ Loupe’s audio to iPod/Touch 11/27/11
36. ✔ Western: The Texan's Wager, by Jodi Thomas ★★★★★ PB 09/02/11
37. ✔ Young Adult: Clockwork Angel, by Cassandra Clare ★★★★★ audible.com 03/01 “b.r.”

Read:



Currently reading/listening to:
NA

To Read:



+ means MyiLibrary
“b.r.” means “buddy read”

Alternate:
Bodice Ripper/Old School: Shanna, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss (HC)

~ Romance Subgenres ~
Duration: 29-Aug-11 to 28-Aug-12
Level: Home Run
1/36 Completed

1.Action/Adventure
2.Apocalyptic
3.BDSM
4.Bodice Ripper/Old School
5.Category romances
6.Chick-lit/ Women's Fiction
7.Classic
8.Contemporary
9.Dark Fantasy
10.Dystopia
11.Early 20th Century/WW II
12.Erotica
13.Extraterrestrial
14.Fantasy
15.Frontier
16.Futuristic
17.Georgian Era
18.Gothic
19.Highlander
20.Historical
21.Humorous
22.Magical Realism
23.Medieval
24.Mystery
25.Paranormal
26.Regency
27.Roaring Twenties
28.Steampunk
29.Supernatural
30.Suspense
31.Thriller
32.Time Travel
33.Urban Fantasy- This Side of the Grave ✔ 29-Aug-11 ★★★
34.Victorian
35.Western
36.Young Adult

Read:

And of course, I get my allows read genres out of the way the fastest. lol
Romance Subgenres Challenge
August 26, 2011 thru August 25, 2012
Shooting for Level: Home Run

Completed: 4/??

1. Suspense: Untraceable 8/27 ★★★★
2. Futuristic: Rapture in Death 8/27/11 ★★★★★
3. Paranormal: Slave to Sensation 8/28 ★★★★
4. Urban Fantasy: One Grave at a Time 8/30 ★★★★1/2

Completed--
Audiobook:


Ebook:

Woooooo, I like your format, Heather! You are so clever. :)

What do you ladies thing about me moving (vampires, werewolves, zombies, shapeshifters) from Paranormal to Urban Fantasy and leaving Paranormal with nothing after it???

I think that makes sense, Lisa Kay. They can be interchangeable, but I always have mind "tricks" in my head for Paranormal for some reason.

Question: Isn't Paranormal more of an umbrella* term than Urban Fantasy?

*Forgive me if umbrella is misspelled - I'm at my ex's house on a itty bitty teenie tiny lap top; MS Word is not loaded onto it.

You got umbrella right. =)
I agree with your thought. Paranormal includes more than Urban Fantasy in my opinion. It is a broader genre that several things can tuck up under.

Thanks, Heather! My forth grade teacher would be so proud. :)

I have always been a lousy spell b/c they tried something new while I was growing up. Educators actually have a term for it: California Speller. See, Say, Spell, Repeat. In other words, no phonics. I'm sure she still tells the story of how I spelled shirt with out the "r" and figured I was hopeless and gave me 100% anyways since I came so close. :)

ROFL!! I would have liked your teacher!

Yeah, I found out about this story years later from my mom. She was told about how, when she went to a parent/teacher conference, they both howled over it. I actually b/c a much better speller when I went to college and took shorthand - which is based on phonics. Guess what? After 10 years of this failed experiment, California went back to doing it old school.

No problem with moving the subgenre, so I'll move mine around :-)

Urban Tantasy. lol that's a new one... hehe u misspelled Fantasy. But don't feel bad. My keyboard is acting up and misspelling a lot lately.

LMAO! That's a combo genre of Fantasy and Tantic Sex. Haven't you heard of that before, Pamela?

Are you making fun of me when you know I'm on this itty bitty teenie weenie lap top?

Well, actually, no, I haven't heard of it but there's a lot I haven't heard of. lol. So how small is that itty bitty weenie lap top? lol

It is pretty cute, actually. Probably about 8 1/2 by 11.

Lisa - if it's also yellow and polka-dotted too, we have a new song on our hands :-)

FOFLMAO!

ohmygawsh, what a crack up!!! I'm going to have that song in my head the rest of the day, haha!

rofl!

1/23 Completed

Duration 8/27/11 - 8/26/12

1. Multicultural/Interracial Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende


Read:



These won't be listed in alphabetical order since I'm posting as I read.

That's fine, Susan! :)

Romance Subgenres Challenge
August 26, 2011 thru August 25, 2012
Shooting for Level: Home Run

Completed: 7/??

1. Suspense: Untraceable 8/27 ★★★★
2. Futuristic: Rapture in Death 8/27/11 ★★★★★
3. Paranormal: Slave to Sensation 8/28 ★★★★
4. Urban Fantasy: One Grave at a Time 8/30 ★★★★1/2
5. Western: Angel Creek 9/1 ★★★★
6. Fantasy: Dragon Bound 9/2 ★★★★★
7. Contemporary: Shaken 9/2 ★★★1/2

Completed--
Audiobook:


Ebook:

I updated as of 9/4 11:50. Let me know of any changes. :)

2/23 Completed

Duration 8/27/11 - 8/26/12

1. Multicultural/Interracial Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende
2. Victorian Mine Till Midnight by Lisa Kleypas

Read:



This was my first Lisa Kleypas book and OMG I absolutely loved it! I didn't want to put it down and am anxiously waiting for the library to open Tuesday so I can get the next one :)

Yes, Susan, Lisa Kleypas is good. I am so excited for you. Wonderful. :)