Romance is the most maligned genre of literature, despite being the highest grossing. How do publishers afford multi-million dollar contracts for first time literary fiction authors? On the backs of romance. We, romance readers, are the most loyal fans. We are powering through the recession, earning even more profits for Harlequin despite the buying downturn through the rest of the economy. Unfortunately, most people who criticize the genre as “bodice-rippers” and “crotch novels” have never read one. I’ll leave the eloquent arguments to Smart Bitches who Love Trashy Books and Dear Author. Check out the stats on romance readers from the Romance Writers of America to see that we’re a highly diverse, highly educated bunch. Escapist fantasies? What book, besides a textbook, isn’t an escapist fantasy? That’s what reading is. That’s what TV and movies are. ENTERTAINMENT.

Romance novels are delicious. Nom…nom…nomnomnomnomnom.

What I want to share with you now is the time honored wisdom: Don’t Knock it till You’ve Tried it

Here are 13 recommended books (all of which I’ve read and loved) in each subgenre of your reading persuasion. Go ahead, try one. I double-dog dare ya.

1. Contemporary: This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
2. Paranormal: Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
3. Historical: It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas
4. Regency: The Spymaster’s Lady by Joanna Bourne
   
5. Science-Fiction: Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair
6. Fantasy: The Moon Witch by Linda Winstead Jones
7. Suspense: Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
8. Young Adult: Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith (sigh, or Twilight…but who’s left who hasn’t read it?)
9. Women’s Fiction: Blue-Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas
10. Erotica: Go Fetch! by Shelly Laurenston
11. Contemporary Category Romance: Marriage at the Millionaire’s Command by Anne Oliver
12. Paranormal Category Romance: Raintree Inferno by Linda Howard
13. Suspense Category Romance: Strangers in the Night by Kerry Connor

Title: Strangers in the Night
Author: Kerry Connor
Publication Info: Harlequin Intrigue 1067, June 2008
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3

I was having some book apathy, not finding anything that cought my attentions, reading a few pages and tossing them aside, when I picked up (er…opened up the ebook file) Strangers in the Night by new author Kerry Connor. From the first page I was hooked. Pulled directly into a riveting plot with engaging characters, I didn’t put it down until the last world entered my enchanted brain. Ms. Connor’s deft writing style whipped me along in a way none of the other books I’d tried was able to do – making me forget that I was reading and instead making me lose myself in the story. Best of all: I never saw that twist coming. I am delighted to be surprised!

Gideon Ross is a cynical, world-weary bounty hunter called out of retirement to catch the man who killed his mentor–the one that got away. After years of escaping the rap for murders and illegal dealings, business mogul Price Chatlain is finally on trial for a murder with evidence enough to stick. His right hand man–who killed Ross’s mentor–has skipped bail and fled. Ross tracks him to Chicago, only to find that Taylor is hunting someone of his own. Allie Freedman is on the run for her life. She’s learned the hard way she can’t trust anyone after anyone who tried to help her has ended up dead. When Ross catches her she knows he’s either in league with her pursuers or about to become expendable. Ross doesn’t know if the woman is in league with Chatlain or not, but he knows he can’t let her go and he can’t help her if she refuses to tell him the truth. He’s set on bringing her back to New York despite her constant escape attempts, and he’ll do everything in his power to bring her back alive despite the two hired killers on their tail.