Category Romance

Category romances are short, usually no more than 200 pages, or about 55,000 words. The books are published in clearly delineated lines, with a certain number of books published in each line every month. In many cases, the books are numbered sequentially within the line. These novels have widespread distribution—often worldwide—and a single U.S. print run, remaining on a bookseller’s shelves until they are sold out or until the next month’s titles are released and take their place. Writers for the largest publisher of category romance, Harlequin/Mills & Boon, can find their novels translated into 26 languages and sold in over 100 international markets.

To write a successful novel of this length, the “author must pare the story down to its essentials. Subplots and minor characters are eliminated or relegated to the backstory.” Nonetheless, category romance lines each have a distinct identity, which may involve similar settings, characters, time periods, levels of sensuality, or types of conflict. Publishers of category romances usually issue guidelines for each line, specifying the elements necessary for a novel to be included in each line. Depending on the current market and perceived reader preferences, publishers frequently begin new lines or end existing ones. Most recently, erotic and Christian lines have been introduced while traditional Regency romance lines have ended.

07 Oct

Recent Release Audiobook Review: The Rivals of Casper Road by Roan Parrish, performed by Greg Boudreaux

Category Romance

5 STARS!! He’s in it to win it — Until he falls under his neighbor’s spell.

5.0
20 Jun

Review: Hot Velocity & Ballistic Cowboys series by Elle James

Category Romance

This has been a great series with heart pounding action and suspense, a good mystery and four couples who find love with each other.

12 Jan

Re-Release: The Stanford Creek series by RJ Scott

Category Romance

Re-release with new covers due to the demise of All Romance Publishing. Stanford Creek is a series of individual stories set around the fictional town of Stanford Creek. Although linked, each book can be read as a standalone.

5.0
28 Nov

Review: Bend by Molly McLain

Category Romance

I shouldn’t want him, but a secret part of me craves his unforgiving edge. He could give me everything I need, but, first, I have to break down his walls…I have to make him bend.

4.0
25 Oct

Review: The Billionaire Next Door by Jessica Lemmon

Category Romance

Tag is not your average billionaire.

4.3
30 May

Mini Reviews for the month of May

Anthology

Six entertaining tales for an afternoon’s read

5.0
22 Mar

Review: Deja Voodoo by Elle James

Category Romance

Tired of her mother’s matchmaking, Alex wishes she could find a man with all the loyalty and unconditional love of her dog. With the help of a voodoo charm, her careless wish comes true and her dog, Sport, is changed into a man, who unfortunately still behaves like a dog. How typical. And just when her mother hits the jackpot of male matchmaking candidates. Now she’s saddled with a man who’s a dog when she’d rather throw her saddle on her mother’s next-door neighbor!

4.0
22 Mar

Review: Navy SEAL Captive by Elle James

Category Romance

Being abducted by a beautiful woman in Cancun wasn’t part of Sawyer Houston’s R & R mission. Jenna Broyles claims she’s rescuing the vacationing navy SEAL from unknown assailants. Only it’s her life on the line when the jilted bride becomes a target.

5.0
01 Mar

Review: Navy SEAL Survival by Elle James

Category Romance

After feeling the heat in Honduras cleaning up a terrorist training camp, Duff Callaway is ready for some serious chilling in Cancun. Fun in the sun becomes a perilous rescue mission when the navy SEAL saves his beautiful diving partner from an underwater attack. Except Natalie Layne wasn’t chosen at random.