Is there actually enough substance to the 'Romance' genre that there would be something to say about these books on a message board such as this?

Inquiring minds want to know...

Discussion about favorite authors, favorite... er... what are the settings called, you know Regencies versus Westerns. Romance genres? Maybe?

Well, my latest surprise in publishing has had to do with the romance genre.

Luna books is an imprint of Harlequin and they've been putting out really good stuff--stuff that I think will end up winning genre awards such as either the Ritas or Nebulas/World Fantasy.

They were created as the fantasy branch of Harlequin (yeah, I know, almost all romance books could qualify as [i]fantasy[/i]) and managed to attract some pretty high quality female fantasy writers (Judith Tarr, Mercedes Lackey, Sarah Zettel, Rachel Lee).

While they've put out a few klunkers, most of the ones I've read are really well done--certainly ranking shoulder-to-shoulder with any other fantasy novels that are coming out. A few of them are science fiction as well.

Of course, they do break the usual romance formula. They must contain a strong female character and have a strong romance element, but other than that, there really isn't a formula. I've read some pretty original stuff there.

(And no, I have no affiliation with Luna Publishing other than being on their mailing list and having contact with their publicist to arrange review books.)

I'd recommend these:

Sarah Zettel's "In Camelot's Shadow" ('Course, I like all her books)
Caitlin Brennan's "The Mountain's Call"
Christie Golden's "On Fire's Wings"
Robin Owens' "Guardians of Honor"

And stay far away from:
Staying Dead

Why does it not surprise me that Christie Golden's in there?

Dave (see my latest Voyager reviews if you don't know what I mean)

I'd never read her before, but I was really impressed with "On Fire's Wings." Well, OK, except for one part which was pretty pivotal. There is a scene which is supposed to be heart-wrenching and shocking. I laughed at it.

But I was willing to forgive that one bit because the rest of the book was so good.

(Off to read your Voyager reviews...)

Bumping.