Contemporary romantic fiction covers a wide range, including supernatural, historical, western, black and fantasy romantic fiction, as well as American romantic fiction. The drawing lines try to be novel and erotic stories are often complex and detailed. Above all, the characters experience a longing that prompts them to seek love and intimacy.
Many readers enjoy romantic fantasy and relive some of today’s best romantic fantasy writers. Of course, the success of the Twilight novels and movies, True Blood, and The Vampire Diaries has been fueled by so-called supernatural romance.
While the love lives of ordinary people are very popular, as evidenced by the works of Nicholas Sparks. The Notebook, Dear John, and Letter in a Bottle, many romance novels today delve into the world of fantasy a step (or more) further.
So while readers may still be hungry for the expert Rats who lead Scarlett O’Hara up the stairs, many heroes and heroines in modern novels also possess extraordinary powers. Perhaps they can shapeshift (morphs and werewolves), read minds (thepaths), anticipate events (clairvoyants), speak to the dead (necromancers), display extraordinary strength and speed (vampires), or gain other skills that make them modern.
Of course, historical romance is still very much alive and well, with many modern romance novels using Gothic, Victorian, Regency, Confederate, Western, and more. Screenlords, princesses, highlanders, and pirates abound in historical novels by Stephanie Lorenz (The Elusive Bride), Diana Gabaldon (Echoes in the Bones), Sabrina Jeffries (The Truth About Lord Stoneville), and many others whose romantic relationships have been heavily influenced. .
Western and country novels are also strong, with many adherents. Although billed as a superhero romance, True Blood (Charlaine Harris) is also set in a small Louisiana town. Those who enjoy reading about heroic and spirited cowboys should consider Carrie A.
Those looking for romantic and social nuances at an early age can be advised to look into the writings of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters. However, for those who like to equate their romantic fantasies with hot, sweaty sex stories, today’s romance writers serve them well.
