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The Gabbers  JMC"JMC is fascinated by the politics of romance reading and writing, and by the genre’s position in the publishing and media worlds." read more...
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Sick of the Same ol’ Story
« Best of the Gab: No HEA = No Romance | Home | Dear Mr. Publisher, Let Me Introduce Myself »  I have heard time and again how readers would like for publishers to offer more diverse settings for romance novels. Come on people there is a whole world out there!! Really, let’s mix it up a little. Often times it seems publishers are afraid to step out of the box and try something different regardless of what readers want. They stick to what’s safe or what’s selling really well. I can understand that up to a point. After all, the publisher does want to make money. But, I believe they can do that by giving the reader what they want. Desperately in the mood for something different, I recently read Sandra Hill’s new release Viking in Love. I read it because it was a historical romance not set in London during the Regency time period. Unfortunately, the book was quite silly and wasn’t my cup of tea. However, kudos goes to Ms. Hill and HarperCollins for taking a chance and publishing something different. I would love to see more books published from different time periods. Early Viking books or even Roman books sound very interesting. I also like historical books set during the civil war or the turn of the century during prohibition. What types of settings or time periods would you like to see books written about? Of the books currently out there do you have any recommendations for a well written book in an unusual setting or time period? I remember reading Surrender last year by Pamela Clare which took place during the French and Indian War, which is a very unusual setting. I really enjoyed that one and would recommend it. This entry was posted by Jill on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 6:37 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. 23 Responses to “Sick of the Same ol’ Story”Leave a Comment |
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February 15th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
I know I’ve recced this book a thousand times, but I can’t not recommend it if someone asks for “a well written book in an unusual setting or time period”: “Whistling in the Dark” by Tamara Allen. Set in post WWI America, with the effects of the war and the flu pandemic still vivid and devastating, when radio was the new and exciting medium for the masses. A lovely, gentle same-sex love story, exquisite historical detail which is never clunky, and beautiful writing.
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-whistlinginthedark-13261-145.html
The same author has a wonderful time travel story, ‘Downtime’, set in Victorian London, which I also recommend, despite some minor amusing errors:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/9331
The fad for regencies leaves me stone cold, I’m afraid. Romanticising history – especially that period – brings out the cranky pedant in me.
I’d like to see more Victorian set stories. More colonial settings too – a recent m/m by Sean Kennedy was set in 1930’s Australia, and is worth reading purely for the novelty value of that alone (it’s also a pretty good read – I had issues with the accuracy though)
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?cPath=167&products_id=1479
Although if other periods – especially other places than Europe – are used, authors need to take care that they don’t whitewash or Romanticise the colonised people out of the story, and that the realities of colonisation/empire building are presented. Otherwise, it’s appropriative and offensive.
February 15th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
I would like to see more straight contemps. Less vamp, werewolf, etc.
February 15th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
I adore Sandra Hill’s books, they are humorous and very uplifting.I like the time travel and finding out how a Viking deals with the modern world.But there are times when I want to read supense books that are so good, I just can’t put them down.
February 16th, 2010 at 12:24 am
I would love to see more historical romance books about pirates and the highlanders.
February 16th, 2010 at 2:26 am
I would to see more set in Italy during the Renaissance like Michele Jaffe’s “The Stargazer.”
February 16th, 2010 at 6:52 am
I agree with more pirate books, I can’t remember the last time I read a good one. Or books that take place in Africa, you don’t see too many of those.
February 16th, 2010 at 8:25 am
Westerns!! I say more Westerns. And there are a number of other genres underrepresented these days too. I love books set in early America, whether set during Colonial days or in slightly later times. I don’t know why there aren’t more historicals set in the US or Canada
February 16th, 2010 at 9:22 am
Oh yes, these are great. Pirates, LOL! Yep, it has been a while since I read a good pirate romance. Also, the Renaissance sounds interesting. I am taking notes on the suggestions. Keep them coming!
February 16th, 2010 at 12:45 pm
I would also enjoy reading a historical romance book With a gypsy as the main character and not just a secoundary character.Also about the great boat race’s
February 16th, 2010 at 4:54 pm
I’d love to read more Westerns. And more medievals. Also, any romances in the Victorian era but I think this romance setting is on the rise.
February 16th, 2010 at 5:19 pm
I’m a historical romance fan. I like the scenes in Scotland or Ireland.
February 16th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
I’ve found that Harlequin Historicals have a lot of different settings from westerns to stories set in Roman times.
February 16th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
I have a set of books set during the Titanic. They are very good.
February 16th, 2010 at 10:57 pm
I would like more time travel books. I like the dichotomy of mixing a contemporary and historical setting in one story.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:36 am
I really enjoyed reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and her subsequent books about the Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall — a romance historical & time travel. There was a 7th book recently published. If you enjoy 18th Century in Scotland and in the Colonies – you might want to pick up Outlander.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:39 am
I don’t care where the story takes place as long as it is a good read. I would like to see more contemporaries – I see I am in the minority here. LOL.
February 17th, 2010 at 11:43 am
You have SOOO hit the nail on the head for me as both a writer and a reader. I love writing things that are different. One of my favorite novels, that I wrote, is set during the Jack the Ripper murders in 1888 London. It’s been out of print for a while, but is coming back at Samhain Publishing http://www.samhainpublishing.com in July 2010 under the title Dark, Deadly Love. My Roman Britain book, For A Roman’s Heart, will also be out at Samhain but not until January 2011. I hope they will also reprint my 1906 San Francisco book, Love From The Ashes. I’m writing a historical trilogy set in three different time periods. The fun part is getting that written at the same time as a fantasy romance trilogy I’m also writing.
Denise A. Agnew
February 17th, 2010 at 11:44 am
P.S. Sabrina Jeffries wrote a couple of great pirate books early in her career. Can’t think of the titles right now, but you can still buy them.
Denise A. Agnew
February 17th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
I recently read a book I really enjoyed…..set in two time periods, 16th and 21st Century, frontier and contemporary. It is not a time travel, but more reincarnation oriented.
The title is Whispers Out of Yesteryear by Janet Lane Walters. It was published in 2001–2005 by DiskUs Publishing.
I, too, am ready to leave the weres and vamps behind for awhile.
February 17th, 2010 at 7:34 pm
How about more contemporaries or more books set in the early 1900’s. And I don’t think I have ever read a book set in Iceland. And there is something about a book set in Italy – so romantic.
February 17th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
I do not care where the story takes place as long as it is a good story. Romantic Suspense or Supsense is my favorite type of read.
February 19th, 2010 at 12:16 am
As long as the story is good and the characters are believable and likable, I do not care where it takes place.
February 21st, 2010 at 9:24 pm
Sometimes I just can’t get past the old/odd language that is used in some of the historical romances. It takes me quite a few chapters to get used to it. Maybe, I just need to read more of them! I am well read on the Prohibition Period and would love to see historicals set during that era. There are so many avenues that can be explored! What a great idea!