Romance Stories - Looking For Love And Hot Romance

Modern romance stories cover a broad field that embraces the paranormal, historical, western, black, fantasy, as well as American romance fiction.  Plot lines strive to be fresh and settings are often intricate and detailed. Above all, the characters experience a yearning that has them looking for love and intimacy.

Many readers enjoy romantic fantasies and some of the best writers of romantic fiction are active today. Of course, the success of the Twilight novels (and movies), the True Blood TV series and the Vampire Diaries have given a push to what is known as paranormal romance.

Although the love lives of ordinary people are still hugely popular, as can be seen with the work of Nicholas Spark (The Notebook, Dear John and Message in a Bottle), many romance novels today delve into a fantasy world that is a step (or more) beyond normal reality.

So, although readers might still hunger for the Rhett Butlers who carry Scarlett O'Hara up the staircase (Gone With The Wind), a lot of the heroes and heroines in today's fiction also possess uncommon powers. Maybe they can change shape (shape shifters and werewolves), read minds (telepaths) foresee events (seers), speak to the dead (necromancers), display extraordinary strength and speed (vampires) or have other skills that equip them beyond the ordinary.

Of course, historical romance is still very much alive and kicking with many modern romance novels that make use of gothic, Victorian, Regency, confederate, western, etc. settings.  Lords, princes, highlanders and pirates abound in the historical fiction of Stephanie Laurens (The Elusive Bride), Diana Gabaldon (An Echo in the Bone), Sabrina Jeffries (The Truth About Lord Stoneville) and many others who like their romance touched with the atmosphere and customs of a bygone era.

Western and country romance is also strong, with many adherents. Although True Blood (Charlaine Harris) is thought of as paranormal romance, it is also set in a small town in Louisiana. Those who like to read about heroic, passionate cowboys should consider Kerry A. Jones (Loved Enough), Leigh Greenwood (A Texan's Honor) and Lorelei James (Branded As Trouble).

Story lines reflect attitudes women can identify with, regardless of the settings. For instance, Lora Leigh, in Nauti Deceptions, writes about an attractive female teacher who changes her identity after being framed and involved in a sex scandal in a small town in Kentucky.

In Dark Slayer, by Christine Feehan, Ivory is a rarity, a Carpathian female who has been protected throughout her life but circumstances compel her to free a 'mage' from a cave that serves as a prison and to flee with him.

The leading characters in modern romance stories have feelings and emotions that build to moments of intense passion and the plots may be clearly erotic. The heroines in these stories (despite their settings) are not the delicate, restrained women to be found in Jane Austen novels. They often face danger with courage and embrace romance with an eagerness that earlier generations could only dream of.

Those who are looking for the romantic and social subtleties of an earlier age might well be advised to seek out the writings of Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters. However, for those who prefer their romantic fantasies to be more akin to hot and sweaty, modern romance writers serve them well.