Oh, Rena, what a great article. Your comment about people in Roberts working. Nowadays they work so often on amorphous jobs where they can glare at each other through the beach house window as they write, or spend every afternoon in bed with Leo Vance...
I just briefly reviewed Not Safe For Work by Nisha Tuli. The lovers are engineers. They don't do much engineering on page as they are staying at a tropical resort for a work event for most of the time, allowing for skimpy clothing and hooking up in a breakout room. Still, I was pleased they were real poeple.* Not as pleased as if they had a more tangible project to work on. I believe a wide range of readers would find that interesting.
* See Ali Hazelwood for examples of women in STEM who are clueless outside work, no thank you. #didisaythatoutloud?
I think it's just so interesting to me that Nora, of all people (!!), seems to understand how deeply work animates life in America, in a way others don't. And it's more striking to me given how much more time we are all spending at work than we used to (be it virtual or in person).
I also bow down to the sheer numbers of careers she has done to work to represent - it is truly epic.
Thanks for being such a consistent (and vocal) reader of my work. It's always lovely to see you here in the comments!
Excellent piece! I was nodding, nodding, nodding (and thinking about a flatlay of Roberts' covers). When you hit on the lack of solid secondary characters in current romance, you stopped me cold. That's precisely what's missing!
I need to go look at how many of hers I read "back in the day," but it will be tricky since it was before online orders and GoodReads, and I no longer have those cracked-spine paperbacks kept under my bed.
Some savvy publisher should slap a new cover on some of her best work and lob them back onto shelves.
Ahh, thank you. It's so gratifying to hear that it hit! And +1000 to some savvy publisher being able to clean up on her older works. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
I’ll never forget listening to NR on the “fated mates” podcast as a guest (so good, please listen!) She told a story about how she stood up to blatant plagiarism and the romance community snubbed her for it. They all called it “flattering” and she shouldn’t make negative waves. Which only made her more empowered to fight against the wrong doing. I’ve never respected a woman more than in that moment.
I remember that story! I’ll have to go listen to that episode. I’ve always admired Nora - she always speaks so forthrightly about how hard she works at her writing and how much joy it gives her. I love that she just seems to have such a clear eyed sense of who she is and how she moves through the world, which comes through in her heroines as well.
I'm pretty sure the first romance novel I ever read was a Nora Roberts novel - Midnight Bayou. It blew my teenage mind: the paranormal elements, the setting, the longing. We owe so much to her!!
Yes! That is such good one - Duncan was the lottery winner, right? I love how generously she supports the genre and reading through her donations as well. She just seems like a good soul.
It's so nice to see you here in the comments, Ella!
Coming here to say I realized this morning I totally got the heroes in Midnight Bayou and High Noon confused in my head (Declan vs Duncan). But YES now I realize which book you are referring to and +1 to the longing in that book!
This tribute to Nora Roberts is so spot on! She was also a major part of my romance reading education and they are a go-to comfort re-read. I especially loved the way you talked about how the characters' friends, family, and work play a big part in how you learn about them. I hadn't really thought about how different that is compared to newer romance novels. That's what I love about your articles... you really make me think about the genre in so many different ways!
I love hearing that there are so many close Nora fans out there. And thank you for the kind words - I’m so incredibly grateful to all of you for reading along with me. Plus one to the MacGregors which feel criminally underrated to me!
Nora Roberts was such an important part of my reading life in high school and college in the late 90s and early 00s. I wish she was read by more of booktok because I’ve always found such depth to her characters and stories that is lacking in many of today’s romances.
Favorites include:
The Born In trilogy is one I read over and over and think about years later.
I couldn't agree more. Nora Roberts has been a source of comfort for me at nearly every stage of my life. And rereading her when my young son didn't sleep, in particular, was life saving. I dreaded the 3 AM wakeups so much less knowing I had a comfort read waiting for me.
Your picks are such good ones! Thanks for reading and for sharing. I love hearing how much Nora was a part of everyone's lives.
YES - NORA!! She is the queen - the original - and one of the reasons I wanted to be a romance writer. This was my fave post to read so thank you for taking the time to remind the world of her talent. I was lucky enough to sign books at her bookstore years ago and it still ranks as one of my greatest pinch me moments as a writer. "Roberts is a master of craft and narrative control." This says it all. Her books, to me, are timeless. And I agree because I cannot understand why she's not quoted everywhere or talked about, but I think romance readers NEED to read her stuff to see the magic. I wonder if the rise of TikTok and social media left her behind in some way - or if she's simply quietly killing and writing without care of how the world is currently viewing her books? Susan Elizabeth Phillips is my other fave author - she pretty much started the sports romance and her emotional, humorous way of writing stole my heart. Kiss an Angel and nobody's baby but mine are classics. For Nora, I loved the Three Sisters Island trilogy - so good! And yes the Villa and the Brides Quartet I'll never forget plus Forged in Fire and Forged in Ice. I could go on and on...sorry! These books changed me and I still buy everything they write, and learned so much for my own career.
I love how many of us have Nora so deeply embedded into our romance origin stories - she is so universal that way. And yes to SEP - I’m going to do a piece on OG romantic comedies and she’ll be in it for sure!
My sense is that Nora likely just doesn’t care. Her entire writing career seems to have existed at a time when things were quite bleak for romantic novelists and very little fame and glory was available to them the way it is now. From her interviews she seems to write predominantly because she loves to. But I bet it would still feel good to see a new generation of fans discover her work!
Thank you for reading and engaging here - it’s always a joy to see you in the comments.
Nora is my all time favorite writer! So much so I made a pilgrimage to Boonesboro to stay at her inn. Plus, the minute a new Nora (or JD Robb) book appears, I will put down what I am reading a start it immediately.
I wonder though if her sales have stagnated because she insistently does not consider herself a romance writer anymore. In her newest standalone, HIDDEN NATURE, the FMC & MMC do not meet until the 50% point. Romance is there, but it is almost a bonus.
Ahhh I’m so jealous - how cool! You may be right, I also read that interview where she stated she doesn’t think she is writing romance anymore. Even when the love story is delayed, as it was this summer, it still resonates deeply enough to satisfy me somehow? But I definitely see how it’s getting deemphasized. I do think a savvy marketer could make a fortune off her backlist titles though. There’s so much to mine there!
Thanks for reading and commenting and sharing about your Inn Boonsboro visit!
That is the absolute best tribute I could ask for! I love the Bride Quartet so much, Nora covers so much terrain with those stories! I hope you enjoy them - come back and tell us all about it! I
Long time Nora reader and I am *ready* for the transition from romcom back to romantic suspense. Nora is irreplaceable, but as a reader (and writer), I'm a full attention, eyes peeled for the writer who takes us back to ground NR originally tilled. And, with dark romance/romantasy/dystomamance(??) in the air, it feels like this must be on the horizon?
I was speaking to an agent yesterday and she said everyone is looking for romantic suspense, so maybe it's coming? I've soft circled Ally Carter's Blonde Identity to try when I have a moment - though it looks like it could be more zany than pure suspense? Who were some of your fave OG romantic suspense writers? I'm thinking about doing a feature on the subgenre in a few weeks.
I always think the OG here is Victoria Holt. And I know that Nora Roberts has talked about her influence in the past. Also, I would LOVE to see more romantic suspense on the market. I always feel like it's a big swing, because you have to have all the romance beats but marry them to great thriller pacing, and that isn't every writer's skill set. (Rachel Hawkins is my dream Nora Roberts successor in this field, although I think she's pretty busy alread; she's also a Victoria Holt fan.) Or, honestly, I think we could see the return of the erotic thriller (romantic suspense's edgier cousin).
First of all - it’s an honor to have you in the comments. Wow.
Secondly, thanks for the education, I’m honestly not sure I was aware of Victoria Holt or her influence on Nora. I’ve read some of Nora’s predecessors - Georgette Heyer. Barbara Cartland etc but not Holt!
I agree about romantic thrillers asking a lot of their authors and that may be why we haven’t seen their resurgence. I also think a lot of the older rom suspense books mined fields for stakes that are less palatable to modern reader (Pamela Clare and Suzanne Brockmann with the military), Karen Rose, Sandra Brown etc with the police. I think Nora actually pulls off an incredibly sophisticated technique in some of her later romantic suspenses, which is to make the victims themselves the heroes and heroines, which precludes her from needing to lionize figures that could be seen as being problematic today. But that’s not easy to do and it really only works in the context of standalones not series.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens for sure. Thanks so much for reading and for weighing in! I absolutely loved Saltwater!!
I don’t think she’s OG romantic suspense, more like second gen? It’s been awhile since I read her but I feel like … maybe her love stories are a little less central to the plot? I may be misremembering.
Idk if Linda Howard is still writing that’s a good question. The woman left behind is fantastic but I think my favorite of hers will always be Mr Perfect.
I just revisited Mr Perfect last month. While some aspects show the book’s age (e.g. the sexual harassment in the workplace), it is still such an entertaining story. Jayne & Sam are both so hot-headed, it made for great match-ups between them.
Ahh yes. You know who else I think absolutely no one is reading right now also that I am so excited to introduce people to is Judith McNaught. Her three romantic suspense novels are fantastic. I was always so sad she never started writing again after her time as a caretaker for her Mom. I always hoped we’d get a few more from her but now she’s 81 so I think that ship has sailed.
Ah - this was SO REFRESHING to read. I love Nora Roberts and there are a few others like her (e.g. Linda Howard) who are so good and yet are so little known. Thank you for writing this!
Yess. I am planning a big deep dive on romantic suspense in a few weeks and Linda Howard is definitely on that list. Thank you for reading and commenting! It’s so fun to see all these Nora fans come out of the woodwork!
Thank you so much for writing this piece - Nora Roberts is certainly owed as much!
A few things I think are important to note - not only did she basically establish modern romance, but was there much in terms of paranormal romance before her either? I love her books about witches and mythology (The Keys was a formative series for me).
Not to mention, she's out here fighting against book bans and personally using her money to save public libraries. She described herself in a NYT interview as "an old hippie on top of being a feminist". We need her more than ever.
I think this is such a good point - she may very well have originated the paranormal romance genre? Jayne Ann Krentz is another one of her contemporaries who was also writing paranormal around the same time, though I definitely prefer Nora to her.
And yes, more broadly, Nora has been a huge positive force for good - for literacy, women, working moms -- all of it. We are lucky to have her.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I love the community we are building here!
I just had another thought - now that people are listing it, I realized I have read the first two books in the Chesapeake Bay series and they stuck with me because *even now* we rarely see stories where the MMC is the one overcoming abuse. NR was so ahead of her time.
If I can make a request for a future essay, I would LOVE to see Jennifer Cruisie talked about. Her books defined what I love about contemporary romance (also unusual considering I'm 34) but like you started reading romance young thanks to my mom. Jennifer Cruisie, like Nora, felt so ahead of her time to me - plus size FMCs (in the 90s!), faking orgasms, sex that wasn't all rainbows and unicorns, morally grey FMCs, and my favourite book of hers is Crazy For You which at the time was the first instance I could recall seeing a woman trying to escape an abusive boyfriend who was a beloved "Nice Guy". So much of that book is really about women trying to reclaim their identities and it's one of my forever favourites.
Yes this is so true re Chesapeake bay! Ethan’s story is so unique in that way and feels so much more honest than the Ali Hazelwood version of a tortured male help (what exactly was Hark so damn tortured by?!).
I couldn’t agree more re Jennifer cruisie - I have her and SEP on the list for future deep dives along with some others! I haven’t read Cruisie in so long that I need to do some brushing up but I completely agree with you on how ahead of her time she was. Thanks for the notes on this one though - I’ve added them to my file!
Loved this! I grew up reading Nora Roberts and loved so many of her books! I hate some of the longstanding romance writers contemporary/historical are seemingly getting left out of the boom in a genre that they arguably helped build.
Thank you! And THANK YOU for your generous support of my project - I say this constantly but I really do not deserve this amazing bunch of readers I’ve lucked into.
I think a lot of the OGs are retired and quite wealthy now but no one really gets into this game for the money. I’m hoping to a shine a light on some of my overlooked favorites over coming months - who are some of your others besides La Nora?
This was such a great piece. I could have highlighted so many parts. Vision in White is one of my favourites too. But I just have to say, you have a gift for essays. The way you seamlessly blend stats, interviews and the personal...you can see the care and the craftsmanship on the page. When are you releasing your own book again? I want to pre-order!
Annie - thank you for being the best supporter of my work. It is a joy to write for readers like you. I had to admit, I was a little worried that Vision in White wouldn't live up to my memory now that I'm reading with a bit more of a critical eye than I have in the past. But on my reread this week - I found so many new things to be astonished by. Nora's craft really does stand the test of time and withstand careful scrutiny.
Thanks for the lovely words re the essay. It's always fun wrestling the ideas into the shape I want them to take.
As for my book ... I need to finish my draft, ha. At some point I'll get there! I will say that I can see how much the essay work is refining my fiction technique, so I'm hoping when I turn back to it, I'll be sharper on the page there too.
Oh, wow, I haven't read Nora in decades but I read a lot of her in the 80s and 90s--my mom didn't read her but the library had lots and lots of her books. This takes me back to those days. I'll have to revisit her books. I used to love the trilogies! More generally, I really appreciate your stack--I only just discovered it a week or two ago and I really like how thoughtfully you consider romance.
Thank you for the kind words - I’m so lucky to have the very best readers! The trilogies really are the best - she sort of paved the way for the modern version which is the interconnected universes!
I would be very curious to see the demographics of the "new" romance readers who have come into the genre since COVID and shopping at those new bookstores, because I'll bet they are overwhelmingly in their 20s and 30s. I would love to know if other people like me, who are old enough to remember borrowing grandma's romance novels as young teens back in the 80s & 90s, feel left out in the genre's current boom of popularity. Reading a story that was written and set in the 20th century might feel as ancient to someone born after 2000 as "Peyton Place" once did to me, since they take place in a world without cell phones, dating apps, etc.
Oh, Rena, what a great article. Your comment about people in Roberts working. Nowadays they work so often on amorphous jobs where they can glare at each other through the beach house window as they write, or spend every afternoon in bed with Leo Vance...
I just briefly reviewed Not Safe For Work by Nisha Tuli. The lovers are engineers. They don't do much engineering on page as they are staying at a tropical resort for a work event for most of the time, allowing for skimpy clothing and hooking up in a breakout room. Still, I was pleased they were real poeple.* Not as pleased as if they had a more tangible project to work on. I believe a wide range of readers would find that interesting.
* See Ali Hazelwood for examples of women in STEM who are clueless outside work, no thank you. #didisaythatoutloud?
I think it's just so interesting to me that Nora, of all people (!!), seems to understand how deeply work animates life in America, in a way others don't. And it's more striking to me given how much more time we are all spending at work than we used to (be it virtual or in person).
I also bow down to the sheer numbers of careers she has done to work to represent - it is truly epic.
Thanks for being such a consistent (and vocal) reader of my work. It's always lovely to see you here in the comments!
Excellent piece! I was nodding, nodding, nodding (and thinking about a flatlay of Roberts' covers). When you hit on the lack of solid secondary characters in current romance, you stopped me cold. That's precisely what's missing!
I need to go look at how many of hers I read "back in the day," but it will be tricky since it was before online orders and GoodReads, and I no longer have those cracked-spine paperbacks kept under my bed.
Some savvy publisher should slap a new cover on some of her best work and lob them back onto shelves.
Ahh, thank you. It's so gratifying to hear that it hit! And +1000 to some savvy publisher being able to clean up on her older works. Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
I’ll never forget listening to NR on the “fated mates” podcast as a guest (so good, please listen!) She told a story about how she stood up to blatant plagiarism and the romance community snubbed her for it. They all called it “flattering” and she shouldn’t make negative waves. Which only made her more empowered to fight against the wrong doing. I’ve never respected a woman more than in that moment.
I remember that story! I’ll have to go listen to that episode. I’ve always admired Nora - she always speaks so forthrightly about how hard she works at her writing and how much joy it gives her. I love that she just seems to have such a clear eyed sense of who she is and how she moves through the world, which comes through in her heroines as well.
Thank you for reading and commenting! ❤️
I'm pretty sure the first romance novel I ever read was a Nora Roberts novel - Midnight Bayou. It blew my teenage mind: the paranormal elements, the setting, the longing. We owe so much to her!!
Yes! That is such good one - Duncan was the lottery winner, right? I love how generously she supports the genre and reading through her donations as well. She just seems like a good soul.
It's so nice to see you here in the comments, Ella!
Coming here to say I realized this morning I totally got the heroes in Midnight Bayou and High Noon confused in my head (Declan vs Duncan). But YES now I realize which book you are referring to and +1 to the longing in that book!
This tribute to Nora Roberts is so spot on! She was also a major part of my romance reading education and they are a go-to comfort re-read. I especially loved the way you talked about how the characters' friends, family, and work play a big part in how you learn about them. I hadn't really thought about how different that is compared to newer romance novels. That's what I love about your articles... you really make me think about the genre in so many different ways!
Some of my fave books by Nora Roberts include:
The Bride Quartet
The Gallagher's of Ardmore Trilogy
Three Sisters Island Trilogy
The Key Trilogy
The MacGregor Family
Carolina Moon
Three Fates
I love hearing that there are so many close Nora fans out there. And thank you for the kind words - I’m so incredibly grateful to all of you for reading along with me. Plus one to the MacGregors which feel criminally underrated to me!
Nora Roberts was such an important part of my reading life in high school and college in the late 90s and early 00s. I wish she was read by more of booktok because I’ve always found such depth to her characters and stories that is lacking in many of today’s romances.
Favorites include:
The Born In trilogy is one I read over and over and think about years later.
Carolina Moon
Carnal Innocence
Montana Sky
Chesapeake Bay series
Dream series
I couldn't agree more. Nora Roberts has been a source of comfort for me at nearly every stage of my life. And rereading her when my young son didn't sleep, in particular, was life saving. I dreaded the 3 AM wakeups so much less knowing I had a comfort read waiting for me.
Your picks are such good ones! Thanks for reading and for sharing. I love hearing how much Nora was a part of everyone's lives.
YES - NORA!! She is the queen - the original - and one of the reasons I wanted to be a romance writer. This was my fave post to read so thank you for taking the time to remind the world of her talent. I was lucky enough to sign books at her bookstore years ago and it still ranks as one of my greatest pinch me moments as a writer. "Roberts is a master of craft and narrative control." This says it all. Her books, to me, are timeless. And I agree because I cannot understand why she's not quoted everywhere or talked about, but I think romance readers NEED to read her stuff to see the magic. I wonder if the rise of TikTok and social media left her behind in some way - or if she's simply quietly killing and writing without care of how the world is currently viewing her books? Susan Elizabeth Phillips is my other fave author - she pretty much started the sports romance and her emotional, humorous way of writing stole my heart. Kiss an Angel and nobody's baby but mine are classics. For Nora, I loved the Three Sisters Island trilogy - so good! And yes the Villa and the Brides Quartet I'll never forget plus Forged in Fire and Forged in Ice. I could go on and on...sorry! These books changed me and I still buy everything they write, and learned so much for my own career.
I love how many of us have Nora so deeply embedded into our romance origin stories - she is so universal that way. And yes to SEP - I’m going to do a piece on OG romantic comedies and she’ll be in it for sure!
My sense is that Nora likely just doesn’t care. Her entire writing career seems to have existed at a time when things were quite bleak for romantic novelists and very little fame and glory was available to them the way it is now. From her interviews she seems to write predominantly because she loves to. But I bet it would still feel good to see a new generation of fans discover her work!
Thank you for reading and engaging here - it’s always a joy to see you in the comments.
Nora is my all time favorite writer! So much so I made a pilgrimage to Boonesboro to stay at her inn. Plus, the minute a new Nora (or JD Robb) book appears, I will put down what I am reading a start it immediately.
I wonder though if her sales have stagnated because she insistently does not consider herself a romance writer anymore. In her newest standalone, HIDDEN NATURE, the FMC & MMC do not meet until the 50% point. Romance is there, but it is almost a bonus.
Ahhh I’m so jealous - how cool! You may be right, I also read that interview where she stated she doesn’t think she is writing romance anymore. Even when the love story is delayed, as it was this summer, it still resonates deeply enough to satisfy me somehow? But I definitely see how it’s getting deemphasized. I do think a savvy marketer could make a fortune off her backlist titles though. There’s so much to mine there!
Thanks for reading and commenting and sharing about your Inn Boonsboro visit!
I immediately opened my Libby app and have three Roberts books now on my loans shelf! I had to put the Bride Quartet series on hold!
There’s a chance I have read Roberts decades ago and have forgotten too, as with age comes forgetfulness (lol).
That is the absolute best tribute I could ask for! I love the Bride Quartet so much, Nora covers so much terrain with those stories! I hope you enjoy them - come back and tell us all about it! I
Long time Nora reader and I am *ready* for the transition from romcom back to romantic suspense. Nora is irreplaceable, but as a reader (and writer), I'm a full attention, eyes peeled for the writer who takes us back to ground NR originally tilled. And, with dark romance/romantasy/dystomamance(??) in the air, it feels like this must be on the horizon?
I was speaking to an agent yesterday and she said everyone is looking for romantic suspense, so maybe it's coming? I've soft circled Ally Carter's Blonde Identity to try when I have a moment - though it looks like it could be more zany than pure suspense? Who were some of your fave OG romantic suspense writers? I'm thinking about doing a feature on the subgenre in a few weeks.
I always think the OG here is Victoria Holt. And I know that Nora Roberts has talked about her influence in the past. Also, I would LOVE to see more romantic suspense on the market. I always feel like it's a big swing, because you have to have all the romance beats but marry them to great thriller pacing, and that isn't every writer's skill set. (Rachel Hawkins is my dream Nora Roberts successor in this field, although I think she's pretty busy alread; she's also a Victoria Holt fan.) Or, honestly, I think we could see the return of the erotic thriller (romantic suspense's edgier cousin).
First of all - it’s an honor to have you in the comments. Wow.
Secondly, thanks for the education, I’m honestly not sure I was aware of Victoria Holt or her influence on Nora. I’ve read some of Nora’s predecessors - Georgette Heyer. Barbara Cartland etc but not Holt!
I agree about romantic thrillers asking a lot of their authors and that may be why we haven’t seen their resurgence. I also think a lot of the older rom suspense books mined fields for stakes that are less palatable to modern reader (Pamela Clare and Suzanne Brockmann with the military), Karen Rose, Sandra Brown etc with the police. I think Nora actually pulls off an incredibly sophisticated technique in some of her later romantic suspenses, which is to make the victims themselves the heroes and heroines, which precludes her from needing to lionize figures that could be seen as being problematic today. But that’s not easy to do and it really only works in the context of standalones not series.
It’ll be interesting to see what happens for sure. Thanks so much for reading and for weighing in! I absolutely loved Saltwater!!
Not sure she is OG but Laura Griffin is an auto-buy author for me.
Is Linda Howard still writing? I haven’t seen anything new from her in a while but The Woman Left Behind is one of my favourites.
I don’t think she’s OG romantic suspense, more like second gen? It’s been awhile since I read her but I feel like … maybe her love stories are a little less central to the plot? I may be misremembering.
Idk if Linda Howard is still writing that’s a good question. The woman left behind is fantastic but I think my favorite of hers will always be Mr Perfect.
I just revisited Mr Perfect last month. While some aspects show the book’s age (e.g. the sexual harassment in the workplace), it is still such an entertaining story. Jayne & Sam are both so hot-headed, it made for great match-ups between them.
Ahh yes. You know who else I think absolutely no one is reading right now also that I am so excited to introduce people to is Judith McNaught. Her three romantic suspense novels are fantastic. I was always so sad she never started writing again after her time as a caretaker for her Mom. I always hoped we’d get a few more from her but now she’s 81 so I think that ship has sailed.
Ah - this was SO REFRESHING to read. I love Nora Roberts and there are a few others like her (e.g. Linda Howard) who are so good and yet are so little known. Thank you for writing this!
Yess. I am planning a big deep dive on romantic suspense in a few weeks and Linda Howard is definitely on that list. Thank you for reading and commenting! It’s so fun to see all these Nora fans come out of the woodwork!
Thank you so much for writing this piece - Nora Roberts is certainly owed as much!
A few things I think are important to note - not only did she basically establish modern romance, but was there much in terms of paranormal romance before her either? I love her books about witches and mythology (The Keys was a formative series for me).
Not to mention, she's out here fighting against book bans and personally using her money to save public libraries. She described herself in a NYT interview as "an old hippie on top of being a feminist". We need her more than ever.
I think this is such a good point - she may very well have originated the paranormal romance genre? Jayne Ann Krentz is another one of her contemporaries who was also writing paranormal around the same time, though I definitely prefer Nora to her.
And yes, more broadly, Nora has been a huge positive force for good - for literacy, women, working moms -- all of it. We are lucky to have her.
Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I love the community we are building here!
I just had another thought - now that people are listing it, I realized I have read the first two books in the Chesapeake Bay series and they stuck with me because *even now* we rarely see stories where the MMC is the one overcoming abuse. NR was so ahead of her time.
If I can make a request for a future essay, I would LOVE to see Jennifer Cruisie talked about. Her books defined what I love about contemporary romance (also unusual considering I'm 34) but like you started reading romance young thanks to my mom. Jennifer Cruisie, like Nora, felt so ahead of her time to me - plus size FMCs (in the 90s!), faking orgasms, sex that wasn't all rainbows and unicorns, morally grey FMCs, and my favourite book of hers is Crazy For You which at the time was the first instance I could recall seeing a woman trying to escape an abusive boyfriend who was a beloved "Nice Guy". So much of that book is really about women trying to reclaim their identities and it's one of my forever favourites.
Yes this is so true re Chesapeake bay! Ethan’s story is so unique in that way and feels so much more honest than the Ali Hazelwood version of a tortured male help (what exactly was Hark so damn tortured by?!).
I couldn’t agree more re Jennifer cruisie - I have her and SEP on the list for future deep dives along with some others! I haven’t read Cruisie in so long that I need to do some brushing up but I completely agree with you on how ahead of her time she was. Thanks for the notes on this one though - I’ve added them to my file!
I love Jennifer Cruisie. Excellent suggestion.
Loved this! I grew up reading Nora Roberts and loved so many of her books! I hate some of the longstanding romance writers contemporary/historical are seemingly getting left out of the boom in a genre that they arguably helped build.
Thank you! And THANK YOU for your generous support of my project - I say this constantly but I really do not deserve this amazing bunch of readers I’ve lucked into.
I think a lot of the OGs are retired and quite wealthy now but no one really gets into this game for the money. I’m hoping to a shine a light on some of my overlooked favorites over coming months - who are some of your others besides La Nora?
This was such a great piece. I could have highlighted so many parts. Vision in White is one of my favourites too. But I just have to say, you have a gift for essays. The way you seamlessly blend stats, interviews and the personal...you can see the care and the craftsmanship on the page. When are you releasing your own book again? I want to pre-order!
Annie - thank you for being the best supporter of my work. It is a joy to write for readers like you. I had to admit, I was a little worried that Vision in White wouldn't live up to my memory now that I'm reading with a bit more of a critical eye than I have in the past. But on my reread this week - I found so many new things to be astonished by. Nora's craft really does stand the test of time and withstand careful scrutiny.
Thanks for the lovely words re the essay. It's always fun wrestling the ideas into the shape I want them to take.
As for my book ... I need to finish my draft, ha. At some point I'll get there! I will say that I can see how much the essay work is refining my fiction technique, so I'm hoping when I turn back to it, I'll be sharper on the page there too.
Oh, wow, I haven't read Nora in decades but I read a lot of her in the 80s and 90s--my mom didn't read her but the library had lots and lots of her books. This takes me back to those days. I'll have to revisit her books. I used to love the trilogies! More generally, I really appreciate your stack--I only just discovered it a week or two ago and I really like how thoughtfully you consider romance.
Thank you for the kind words - I’m so lucky to have the very best readers! The trilogies really are the best - she sort of paved the way for the modern version which is the interconnected universes!
I would be very curious to see the demographics of the "new" romance readers who have come into the genre since COVID and shopping at those new bookstores, because I'll bet they are overwhelmingly in their 20s and 30s. I would love to know if other people like me, who are old enough to remember borrowing grandma's romance novels as young teens back in the 80s & 90s, feel left out in the genre's current boom of popularity. Reading a story that was written and set in the 20th century might feel as ancient to someone born after 2000 as "Peyton Place" once did to me, since they take place in a world without cell phones, dating apps, etc.