Love Your Genre? Why?

“I read for the romance.” Dramatic Lounging
Belly Dancers pose during the 2015 Scarborough Faire in Waxahachie, Texas Copyright by WyoJones. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

On Facebook (in a science fiction romance group) the other day, someone asked why we liked to read science fiction romance. Personally, I started reading SFR because I loved reading action adventure tales, but a lot of the action adventure was both bloody and mostly featured guys saving the world and stuff.

Now don’t get me wrong. I totally fell for Alastair Maclean’s action adventure way back when (I’m not willing to do the math on how long ago that was). But I also fell for Mary Stewart’s adventurous tales (they were called women’s fiction or romantic suspense, but they totally pushed my action adventure buttons) which featured women falling in love while having adventures.

I started writing romantic suspense because of Mary Stewart, but as I moved into the market with my books, it was trending harsher and more violent than the books I wanted to write. I also realized that I loved the high adventure aspects, too. And I loved the fact that the women did some saving, too.

Now I’ll admit I often stray from my “favorite” genres. I can be disloyal, but I have met and talked to ferociously loyal readers, who are also loyal to their genre. And others who wander the paddocks like me.

But beyond the genre buttons, I have character buttons and romance buttons. I love reading books that take me in and make me forget the real world. That have fun people to hang with and sigh-worthy romance. I love happy endings.

So I got to wondering and you know me, once I start to wonder, then pretty soon I’m asking.

Why do you like fill-in-the-blank-with-your-favorite-genre? What is it about that genre that pushes your buttons? Causes you reading delight? Makes you both happy and sad when you reach the end (because it’s over and you wish it wasn’t)? You know I love comments so much that I pick a favorite to receive my monthly AnaBanana gift basket ($25 value).  Recipient is announced the first blog post of the new month.

Perilously yours,

Pauline

P.S. One of the hardest questions to answer, is which is your favorite book. I love them all, but I have a special feeling for my first, (hey, I finished something!) which is full of action and adventure and yes, there is romance in there, too.

Mama wanted her to find a guy, but not like this!