Blog Archive

the ask@AAR: What romances do you read again and again?

Some romances I enjoy once and set aside. Others I return to, again and again, not because I’ve forgotten the ending–although my aging brain certainly does that far more frequently than I’d like–but because knowing the…

Dukes are out, dragons, mafia dons, and hockey players are in.

The latest–always interesting and worth your time–Romancing the Data report is explicit. Last month, Amazon’s Kindle Store added 34,467 new romance titles. Of the Top 100 bestsellers, 63% were self-published, 12% came from the Big Five,…

the ask@AAR: Has love become too easy in romance?

Romance novels have always depended on barriers. At the heart of the genre is the idea that two people want each other but cannot, at least for a time, have each other. Class, family, pride, circumstance—something…

The Truth about Cowboys by Jill Sorenson

Who doesn’t love a cowboy? He’s the strong, silent type whose gaze speaks volumes. He’s tough, outdoorsy, and ready for action. He’s got a working-man’s hands and a lean-muscled form. He’s an American classic. He can…

the ask@AAR: How do you feel now about marriage of convenience tales?

The marriage of convenience is one of romance’s most enduring plots. Whether the bargain is struck to save a fortune, secure a future, or escape a scandal, watching two strangers discover that vows made for practical…

Coming Soon – The Books We’re Most Looking Forward to in September 2025

September is a big release month! What are you excited about? We would love to hear which books you’re looking forward to in the coming weeks. Here are a few from our AAR reviewers. (You can…

the ask@AAR: Who’s your favorite romantic suspense author?

I’ve always loved romantic suspense. Done well, it offers the joys of a thriller wrapped around a love story that complements rather than distracts from the danger. Linda Howard, for instance, made her name with books…

Which is the greatest Loretta Chase romance?

Among romance readers, the question of which Loretta Chase novel is the greatest has never been settled. There are SO many fabulous choices. Lord of Scoundrels dominated our Top 100 polls for nearly two decades. Dain…

the ask@AAR: Is romance REALLY limited to six plots?

I read this recent article in Book Riot with amusement. Honestly, I found it a bit simplistic and, well, a bit silly. First of all the idea that a swath of fiction, or all fiction, can…