Take a step back, V.C. Andrews -- there's a new superstar author in the romance novel game. But nobody sleeps with her brother in any of her books. In fact, the "lovers" in Cindy Woodsmall's "Sisters of the Quilt" series never progress beyond kissing ... because they're Amish. Cindy leads the pack of a new crop of writers penning "Bonnet Books," as Amish romance novels are otherwise known. They're a fairly new sub-genre of romance lit and have become a surprise hit.
The stories -- with titles like "Plain Paradise," and "White Christmas Pie" -- often center around an Amish romance, or an Amish woman falling for an "outsider" (sometimes a Mennonite, sometimes an "Englisher"), with the couple struggling to beat the odds and stay together. The authors are non-Amish (though many of them identify as "Christian writers") and have sold millions upon millions of copies to the Amish and non-Amish alike.
Although some Amish are worried the books might be exposing their culture too much to society, other Amish women are buying them up and reading them nonstop under their homemade quilts. We get the appeal, though -- we're the ones who started a romance novel book club, after all. Bearded guys who know how to work a plow? Sign us up!
Romance Novel Required Reading
Romance ... for the Alien Lover -- Forced Mate" by Rowena Cherry "She's a fighting Saurian Knight." He put a slight emphasis on "fighting" and smiled self-deprecatingly. "Getting her into bed is more work than turning a Gravity-class war-star." Trust us bro, we know exactly what you mean.
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Romance ... for the Horse Lover -- "Hearts Over Fences" by Toni Leland The only thing Bethany and Brett had in common was their love of show-jumping. And each other!
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Romance ... for the Historical Romance Lover "In the Highlander's Bed" by Cathy Maxwell Scottish Highland warrior Lachland and English lass Constance are natural born enemies. And yet, their fiery passion for one another can't be ignored!
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Romance ... for the Fantasy Lover -- "The Lords of Satyr: Nicholas" by Elizabeth Amber Nicholas is a Satyr with a half-faerie wife, but he's also sleeping around with nymphs, dryads and fauns. Man, this guy is busy.
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Romance ... for Demon Slayers -- "Pleasure Unbound" by Larissa Ione Tayla's a demon hunter who lusts after the sexy and dark demon Eidolon. Eidolon knows that Tayla could kill him at any turn, but can't help himself. They're natural enemies who are irresistably drawn to one another. Ironic!
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Romance ... for Vampire Lovers -- "The Vampire's Seducation" by Raven Hart A sexy 500-year-old vampire seeks out victims in genteel Savannah, GA. Will his bloodlust ever be satisfied?
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Romance ... for the Nascar Fan -- "Speed Dating" by Nancy Warren Dylan's a fiery Nascar driver. Kendall's a buttoned-up actuary with a messy past. When the two get together, engines rev.
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Romance ... for the Time Traveler Lover -- "The Pleasure Master by Nina Bangs Ian Ross is the best lover around (that's how he got the nickname the "Pleasure Master") but Kathy, who time-traveled to the 1500s from the 20th century, isn't having it. Will she cave in to her desires? Also, this book was written by a woman named NINA BANGS. Awesome.
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Thursday 10 September
By Liscia
I think these Amish romance novels are a breath of fresh air. Especially for the tweens, or anyone who are not into the smut romance.
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Thursday 10 September
By lhgraphics
We now live in a society where chastity is considered odd and unusual.
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Thursday 10 September
By Carrie
Sounds great! I am an avid reader but get so sick of books that are roughly sexual scenes that I end up skipping, because PLEASE! Can't we have a good story without pages upon pages of bedroom crap!
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Thursday 10 September
By NJM
Some of us like well-written erotic scenes in our romance novels. But it's good that their are choices available for those who do not. It's what rocks about having a free press.
NJM
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Thursday 10 September
By SarahM
Thank you! Just because a story has sex scenes in it does not automatically make it trashy. In fact, a well-written erotic scene can be integral to the plot and/or crucial to character development. As a writer of romance (but not the formulaic schlock that characterizes the romance genre in general), I'm interested in exploring what makes relationships tick. Part of that exploration includes writing about the erotic side of love - which is but one aspect of the bond between two people.
But of course, everyone's got their own comfort level and preference when it comes to love scenes. It's all good - whatever floats your boat. :D
Thursday 10 September
By Sharon
Erotic romance novels are to the female gender what porn is to men.
Too many woman read these novels and believe real life is rough sex , high pasion, love at first sight, and the innocent engenue tames the viral rogue. Not a healthy scenerio in real life.
It's fresh to read that a relationship can blossom and overcome major obsticles with only hand holding , a tame kiss and getting to know the other person before marriage and sex only happens after the marriage bonds are sealed.
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Thursday 10 September
By redconvoy
I never V.C. Andrews novels as romance novels in any way, shape, or form. I think the author made the wrong comparison? Maybe Nora Roberts?
I read fanfiction and they have too much sex in it and after a while, it is a bore; but sex sells. If these are very popular, more power to this woman! Maybe she'll start a new trend of keeping things a mystery rather than exposing it all out!
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Thursday 10 September
By Kitty
I, too, enjoy these great chaste books. I've read them for years, digging deep into the 'bargain' bins at the local book stores. I read one recently - The Path Taken - no smut, and a sweet little story. It's a shame sex and violence dominates our bookshelves these days. We need more writers like this to bring back romance without the trash.
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Thursday 10 September
By Carol
I am an avid reader. I read all types of books about 4-8 a week. Cindy woodsmall, Wanda Brunstetter, Beverly Lewis, Nicholas Sparks and Debbie Macomber to name a few of my favorite authors and it is very refreshing that a lot of these authors are leaving a lot to the imagination. I would recomend these people to my grandaughters. I hope the trend does not stop.
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Thursday 10 September
By nivianblanche
I think this is a great idea. To me it leaves the author the ability to develop a strong character, plot line and relationship between the characters. I was reading a series I really enjoyed and after the main characters had sex, it seemed that sex became the staple of their relationship. And every book after that wouldn't have just one sex scene but several letting the plot of the series fall through the cracks so that the characers could get naughty. And what's even worse, In my eyes, is that some of the sex scenes fall at teh most ridiculous moments. 'We're being chased by a monster, lets have sex!" ...lol. But I do like it when the author leaves some mystery and sexual tension behind the story. Now a well written and well timed sex scene can be nice to read until it becomes monotonous.
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Thursday 10 September
By jannykmac
I read the Beverly Lewis Amish books (and reread); I think I have all of them : )
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Thursday 10 September
By TIA
I just got this series a few days ago and read all 3 in two days. I couldnt put them down. It is a very nice break from the sex that you find in most love stories. These books leave room for you to imagine how there life will be and is... Anyone who likes to read should definitely get these. Get the series all at once... you will finish the first and immediately want the next so get em together. I cant wait for the next book or series by this author.
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Thursday 10 September
By .Joanne Saliby
For years Georgette Heyer has headed the list of Regency Romance novelists and is considered a great historian as well as romance novelist. Mild kissing scenes are as far as it goes. She also wrote a line of mystery novels which were very popular.
Angela Thirkell, another British author, wrote prolifically and humorously about life in a fictious part of England. Her time period was mostly before WWII untill some time after the war ended. Again, she wrote without having to resort to sex scenes to make her books interesting. I'm sure there are others; these are just my favorites. They are well written, as both authors know how to use the English language correctly.
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Thursday 10 September
By jojo
There are no bedroom scenes in "Twilight", it's not sexual.
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Thursday 10 September
By Carla
I've been reading Beverly Lewis for a few years now and really love her books. Such a nice change from the ones that are so full of such explicit sexual material. I hope this trend is here to stay! I'll have to give these other "bonnet book" authors a try, too.
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Thursday 10 September
By Bonnie
After so many books classified as bodice rippers, reading of a chaste relationship, or a relationship with only ONE PERSON that usually ends in a commited relationship or marriage is a breath of fresh air. Women are tired of the lewd, popular mechanics erotica out there that numbs the mind after so many books. Like one reader commented, that's why the Twilight series and the Amish series sells. They are more thoughtful, involving the emotions around relationships
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