The Possible Death of Romantic Suspense
I’m not one of those people who buys into all the “X genre is dead” or “Y genre is dead” talk. Less in favor, maybe. Dead? I don’t think so. For example, there’s been chatter about historical romance being dead for years. Every single time I see or hear the comment I want to scream. Check out the shelves and reviews at RT. Historical romance is alive and well.
But… I did notice one interesting thing in the January ‘08 RT. There were only six books listed under romantic suspense. As a huge fan of suspense, thrillers, mysteries and romantic suspense novels I was a bit disgruntled to see so few titles. I’m wondering if there really are so few RS titles per month or if the books are out there but are being listed as contemporary instead of romantic suspense. Since so many books cross genres these days, maybe there’s a reason to put a book in one genre for review purposes rather than another. I know for YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY, my editor and I were adamant about it being listed as a contemporary and not as a romantic suspense. Even though it has a mystery component, it’s a contemporary romance with the main focus on the contemporary romance. Maybe that’s how it’s working with other books. Don’t know. Does anyone know?
The January ‘08 titles identified as romantic suspense are:
CUTTING LOOSE by Tara Janzen - I have all of her “Crazy” books on my TBR pile. I really have to get caught with Janzen’s work
MOVING TARGET by Cheyenne McCray - Got a terrific review. Chey’s career is just flying. I love when newer authors find that spark, connect with readers and hit it big in a short time. See, it’s possible to be envious and impressed at the same time.
STRONG AND SEXY by Jill Shalvis - A fellow Brava author and anthology mate. I have an ARC of this…and I’m not sharing it.
SIZZLE AND BURN by Jayne Ann Krentz - I’ve mentioned before that reading JAK started me reading romance. Because of that, I buy every book this woman writes and always will. I’m loyal like that. Having said that, I never really think of her as romantic suspense. Not sure why, but I don’t.
SECRETS AND SPIES by Shara Lanel - I’m not familiar with Lanel, but the title is cute.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:03 am
This is a new one! I’ve heard romantic comedy is dead, Regency (my favorite genre to read) is dead, and paranormal is dead. But I see them all on the shelves, just like always. And also just like always, good stories sell.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:42 am
I agree. I see romantic suspense in bookstores all the time…or at least I thought I did. But isn’t it strange to only have six RS titles reviewed for January? I’m thinking the books must be put in other categories other than RS.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:06 am
I had never read any romantic suspense until this year. But I found some authors through other authors like you. This is a good way to get the news out.
As far as ROmantic Historical goes, I love them.
Enter me in contest. God Bless.
December 7th, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Hi Helen,
Just dropping by to wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS!
December 7th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
I love romantic suspense and I see them everywhere.
December 7th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
My WIP is a “light” contemporary romance/mystery/suspense that I myself have trouble classifying. It’s not really a romantic suspense the way *I* think of them, so if I sell it I would be surprised to see it classed as such. Yet, it has a mystery plot. RS’s, to me, are “darker” than my story. Maybe that’s the distinction? There’s a dark element in my story line but not in the voice/characterization. There’s a bit of a romcom element in this story, but not to the degree as there are in my books that don’t have a mystery/suspense plot. ???
I think you and your editor were completely right to categorize MOUTH as a contemporary romance. It just happened to have a suspense plot in there.
A friend of mine just sold another historical. Her debut just released (check http://www.dianacosby.com), so I don’t think historicals are any deader than romantic comedy or RS. I just think the market’s generally tighter all around.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Helen,
I agree with you about historical romances! Each time I went to a bookstore for a good
historical romance, I was always able to find plenty of books from which to make my
choices.
Pat Cochran
December 8th, 2007 at 12:52 am
I’d hate to think it’s dead, but I do think there maybe isn’t as many hitting the shelves as we’d like. Then again the ones that are out there are very well done. So I’m okay with it.
December 8th, 2007 at 7:47 am
I don’t think it’s dead - I think it’s coming to a peak.
I love romantic suspense (RS) - Nora Roberts, Heather Graham, Elizabeth Lowell, Linda Howard, Jayne Ann Krentz, Joann Ross, Karen Robards, Lisa Jackson, etc. All these authors, and many more, write what I believe is RS. I bet they lump them in other categories like paranormal or something.
Personally, I would not put Jill Shalvis’ STRONG AND SEXY in with RS (I can’t wait to read this book - I’m so jealous you have an ARC HelenKay). I would group it with the contemporary romance along with your books.
I’m not a reader of historical or vampire stories (although I loved Nora’s vampire series last year), but I do read most other types of romance and like to switch around for something different.
December 8th, 2007 at 7:55 am
BTW HelenKay, great topic to chat about.
I also wanted to say that I can’t wait for your next book RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW to come out - really looking forward to reading it! I loved YOUR MOUTH DRIVES ME CRAZY - just passed it on to my reading buddy as a must read for her. We keep each other in the loop of good reads.
December 8th, 2007 at 8:06 am
I wonder if people say that a genre is “dead” simply to spark interest in it so they can attract more readers to it. I have also heard this about other genres, as well, and most of them seem to be just fine. So I don’t think it’s “dead,” I think it just needs resuscitation.
December 8th, 2007 at 8:37 am
No County for Old Men…totally off topic, but you were blogging about this somewhere this week and I saw the movie last night. Talk about suspense. I was on the edge of my seat, with my hand half-covering my eyes, for most of the movie! But I’m not sure I agree with you about the characters not being likable. Josh Brolin’s protagonist is morally ambiguous, perhaps, and yet he does bring a dying man water…
Anyway, thanks for the recommendation! I also loved the first 3/4.
December 8th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
I always liked romantic suspense stories as well as films and tv programs…I mean who didn’t like Hart To Hart? Sure hope it stays around for awhile. Happy Holidays and thanks for listing new ones coming out in January.
December 8th, 2007 at 8:18 pm
I enjoy reading romantic suspense, and have pre-ordered all the titles you list, with the exception of Shara’s. Will need to go check out her website.
December 8th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
i love them, and those atuhors mention love theri books too. and also gennita low and beverly barton books
December 9th, 2007 at 1:22 pm
I love romantic suspense! Many of the books I read are published as contemporary romance, even though I feel they are more RS.
December 10th, 2007 at 12:36 am
I hope it’s not dead since I have recently begun reading more romantic suspense. I agree that some of it may be classified as contemporary or as paranormal. I do like Cheyenne McCray a lot and I also like Jill Shalvis.
December 10th, 2007 at 3:15 pm
I was a little confused to see SECRETS & SPIES listed under RS. I’d have to go back and look at the cover letter I sent into RT, but I see S&S as a cross of contemporary/paranormal/action adventure. Fictionwise has it listed as erotic, but it doesn’t quite fit that bill either. It does seem like I see RomSusp books all over the shelves, but I must admit that I like books that cross genres. For example, the Wicked Women Whodunits were cool because they combined sexy romance with cozy mysteries. And when I do pick up a book from the Mystery section, I’m usually hoping there’s some romance in it.
Shara