Suggest Me Something: The Series Suggestions!

Suggestions are harder than you think!

The second thing people ask me when I say I like romance novels–after the “wait are you serious?” question–is if I would suggest something for them.  “What book should I read?!?”  My response: what do you like?

Dear friends, not all romance novels are created equal.  I mean, yes, they all deal with love, passion, and relationships, but calling all romance novels the same is like…well…calling all of your relationships the same.  Let me break it down for you:

Some are a little creepy and scary (paranormal).  Some are dangerous and thrilling (romantic suspense).  Some are pretty normal, everyday (contemporary).  While some are so in the past (historical),  some are even really short (category/series).  Now that I think about it, I hope none of your relationships are like this cause that would be a little intense. But my point: there are many different subcategories in romance novels.  Get it? So when you ask me to suggest a book for you, it’s like taking a shot in the dark! I cannot read you mind…thank god.

Therefore, my dearest roommate Nic has suggested that I do something RADICAL. Radical, I tell you! A weekly book suggestion in each of the various, and let me tell you they are various, romance subgenres.  Brilliant, Nic!

And on that note, let us begin with the shortest, most published, and generally the most stereotyped form: the category romance, also known as series romances.  According to Windy City (a chapter of the Romance Writers of America):

Read about Princess Anny's Wild Night

“category romance (may also be referred to as “series romance”) – shorter romances that are released in order and by month, with a series number on each title; these books are most commonly published by Harlequin/Silhouette.”

These books, usually 250 words or less, are put out by major publishers like Harlequin–who apparently has 16 different lines releases around over 100 books each month.  And that is a lot of books.  Some lines are pretty sexy (as in they are more explicit) like Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire, and Harlequin Presents. Others are more moderate like Kimani Romance, Harlequin Nocturne, and Harlequin Intrigue.  Then there are those that are practically mild like Harlequin Superromance, Harlequin Romance, and Steeple Hill Love Inspired.  Gah, as I said there are A LOT of types of category romances.  But what I love most about categories are the fun titles (see: The Secret Child & The Cowboy CEO, Fired Waitress, Hired Mistress and The Virgin’s Proposition) and even better plots.  With secret babies, mistaken identities, and amnesia being some popular plot devices, these books are the soap operas of the romance novel industry.  I love them!

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My suggestion: go to Walmart and find one the one that fits you. Or if you have an Amazon Kindle, download this Harlequin Blaze for FREE! Leslie Kelly’s  Slow Hands is a a fun, sexy, fast read that is pretty indicative of the category romance.

Free Kindle Harlequin Blaze

It has mistaken identities, plenty of passion, and some fun, romantic scenes.  If you like Slow Hands, then you will like categories.  Also, the blog 59th and Peach reviews quite a few categories, so be sure to check it out!

So dearest, I hope this helps  you determine whether the category subgenre is the one for you. They are fun, quick reads.  Plus, if you find you like category romances, you know there will always be a good book out there with your name all over it–not literally or course unless you write series romances.  I mean with so many lines to pick from, you are set for life!  Plus, I who doesn’t love a nice book about a secret baby born out of a marriage of convenience in which the virgin’s bride identity is mistaken for that of someone else? Just saying.  Seems like a good time to me!