More romance, please, we're British!

We have the wonderful authors here and many more, so what a shame there's so little romance, especially historical romance, on the shelves in the UK. Often bookstores don't have a romance section at all. Even if they have mystery and SF, no romance.

To me, it's a slap in the face for our genre and all who read and write romance novels.

I was pointed to today's Daily Mirror, where a piece says that younger readers are grabbing contemporary romance, especially the sexier ones, for the Sony e-reader because they feel a bit ashamed to be reading Mills & Boon because they see them as "mum's books." But they're loving to read them.

It's good news for the genre as a whole, because readers are reading the books, but what struck me was two posts in response that were, more or less, supportive of the genre. Good, but unfortunately the tone suggested kindness to some poor, perhaps socially handicapped and unfortunately pimply, member of the community, not a reference to a highly popular, successful form of literature.
eg
"I actually did read one once somebody brought me one to read when I was not feeling well and I quite enjoyed it where's the harm?"

Where's the harm? It reminds me of an early review of one of my books in which the reviewer kindly said romance "is probably less harmful that Valium."

That poor reader, remembering her guilty pleasure but having never dared to venture into such risky waters again.
You can read the whole piece here. And comment if inspired.

Let's all be bold and outspoken about the wonders of romance novels because that woman next to you could well love the books, too, but be afraid to admit it.

It's even a public service. Books are known to influence out emotional health, so the plethora of grim ones that get official approval could explain a lot! Ones like romance novels, where good people are rewarded with the promise of a golden future are just what we all need.

You can find two of mine published in the UK by Everlyn books -- Lady Notorious and Tempting Fortune (complete with public sex in a brothel, except that the gallant hero saves Portia, and even strips off most of his clothes so she doesn't have to. That's what hero means!)

I have my classic Regencies being republished in the States -- remember, they're better than Valium -- and next week, a new Georgian adventure will be out. Should I update the comment and say "better than ecstasy? LOL! My New York published books are available here through Amazon and The Book Depository.
Check out all my other books in print.

You can read more about The Secret Duke here.

Remember the great truth -- it's easier to write angst and misery than fun and humour. Let's celebrate it.

Are you at all embarrassed by your fondness for romance novels? Are there places you'd not want to be seen reading one? Do others ever make derogatory remarks about your choice of reading? Do you have difficulty finding enough books of the type you want to read? I'd love to know.

Jo