Oh, about that crack!summary romance novel..

[lyssie]

It is so far very fail. You would think that, with the crack! involved in that sort of summary it would be good, but... It fails.

1. Heroine is found out as a girl within the first chapter. Because she was stupid and got pushed overboard during a storm while they were crossing a channel. Then it's revealed that she comes from a pacifist family, so she will NOT even take a knife to defend herself. WOMAN, YOU ARE IN ENGLISH-ARISTOCRATIC-HATING-FRANCE, and you are a woman, English AND an aristocrat YOU ARE NOW TOO STUPID TO LIVE.

2. Hero is really sort of boring, which I was sort of expecting? But he holds all of the power, and she has no idea he's not a priest.

I may try to read more of it, but it sadly palls. (this is what I get for not reading a transition book between Emma Jensen and April K. sigh)

THE IDEA HAD SUCH PROMISE.

Perhaps I will re-read The Adventurers, instead.

Comments

[rose-griffes.livejournal.com]

I'm disappointed for you! I tried a romance novel from the library today and was disappointed as well, even though the lead couple was trying to survive a helicopter crash in the Alaskan wilderness. Too much emotion, not enough wilderness, alas. Heh.

[lyssie.livejournal.com]

That is very sad!

I suspect the solution is to write our own novels from Wacky Ideas.

[karate0kat.livejournal.com]

I keep meaning to do this. I actually have a half formed idea. Unfortunately the half is mostly made up of character types I want to use and tropes I want to subvert, without any actual plot to hold it together.

I've actually thought about doing something with the Watchdog pilot from that 'create your own TV show' meme a few months ago. But then I'd actually have to understand enough science to make it not suck. That always trips me up when I think about writing stuff set in space. Or in the future. Or both.

But back to your OP...I'm trying to think of a romance novel that isn't total fail. Have you tried the In Death novels? They're usually filed under mystery, but Nora Robert's romance novel roots shine through clearly. And there's a dearth of awesome female characters and they all have great, complex relationships with each other.

[lyssie.livejournal.com]

I'm sorely tempted, sometimes.

Heh. I've got a selection of novels I re-read often, so I'm generally covered, there. I'm just... sometimes interested in ones I don't have.

[greycoupon.livejournal.com]

what book is this

i am on a romance novel kick suddenly, im sorry.

[lyssie.livejournal.com]

'The Sentimental Soldier' by April Kihlstrom.

If you want good stuff, though, the authors you want are: Carla Kelly, Barbara Metzger, Michelle Martin, Emma Jensen, Carola Dunn, Allison Lane, Marion Chesney, Marian Devon and probably Cindy Holbrook (though the latter is frequently over-blown).

Also, http://www.theromancereader.com has a nice line in reviews and stuff. One heart reviews are usually hilarious reading.