Romances appeal to the emotions drawing readers into the love story with its inevitable happy ending. Storylines feature misunderstandings between hero and heroine or outside circumstances that force them apart. In the end, all difficulties are overcome and the lovers are united. Both male and female characters are portrayed as strong and independent, and the ultimate fulfillment of their relationship is the focus. Settings may be historical, contemporary or futuristic.

Romantic Suspense:

Books that have a psychological
element; the characters are often
paired up to solve a crime.

• Brockmann, Suzanne
• Brown, Sandra *
• Coulter, Catherine
• Howard, Linda
• Garwood, Julie *
• Johansen, Iris
• Krentz, Jayne Ann *
• Lowell, Elizabeth
• Robb, J.D.

Contemporary:

Contemporary romances are love stories with contemporary settings. They usually focus on the attempts of a woman to find success and happiness professionally and romantically. The heroines are usually self-motivated, honest, resilient, independent and intelligent. The heroes are strong, successful, frequently
wealthy, and handsome.

• Blake, Jennifer
• Brown, Sandra *
• Crusie, Jennifer
• Delinsky, Barbara
• Devereaux,Jude *
• Krentz, Jayne Ann *
• Macomber, Debbie
• McNaught, Judith
• Michaels, Fern
• Palmer, Diane
• Philips, Susan Elizabeth
• Roberts, Nora*

Paranormal:

Plots and characters have a supernatural element – vampire, werewolf, ghosts, etc., or characters with special or psychic powers.

• Castle, Jayne *
• Devereaux,Jude *
• Dodd, Christina
• Freehen, Christina
• Hamilton, Laurell K.
• Kenyon, Sherrilyn
• Kurland, Lynn *
• Macomber, Debbie
• Moning, Karen Marie
• Roberts, Nora*

Futuristic:

Settings of the romance are typically in
the future and involve other planets,
space travel and alien cultures.

• Castle, Jayne *
• Krentz, Jayne Ann *
• Lindsey, Johanna *

Regency:

Regency romances are historicals set during the period of English history that George IV acted
as Prince Regent for his father George III
(1811-1820). Their emphasis is on witty repartee of the characters and involves
the world of high society.

• Balough, Mary
• Beverly, Jo
• Carlyle, Liz
• Cartland, Barbara
• Heyer, Georgette
• Jeffries, Sabrina
• Laurens, Stephanie
• Putney, Mary Jo

Historical:

These are love stories with historical
settings. Romantic historicals use
accurate historical settings while a
Period romance is a more generic
love story in an historical setting.

• Alexander, Victoria
• Caldwell, Taylor
• Cookson, Catherine
• Devereaux, Jude *
• Feather, Jane
• Garwood, Julie *
• Henley, Virginia
• James, Eloisa
• Lindsey, Johanna
• Plaidy, Jean
• Quick, Amanda
• Quinn, Julia

Time Travel:

Characters are transported from one time
period to another, with the hero and heroine usually from different time periods.

• Chapman, Janet
• Devereaux, Jude
• Gabaldon, Diana
• Kurland, Lynn