The reviewer highlights the enduring appeal of romantic suspense, citing authors like Linda Howard, Anne Stuart, and Carolyn Crane for their exceptional work in the genre. They note a shift in the market towards romantasy and dark contemporary romance, questioning whether readers still seek traditional romantic suspense.
The reviewer expresses a deep appreciation for romantic suspense, praising authors such as Linda Howard, Anne Stuart, and Carolyn Crane for their significant contributions. They mention how these authors have set benchmarks with their unique blends of romance and suspense. The reviewer also acknowledges the impact of authors like Nora Roberts and Jayne Ann Krentz, who have diversified the genre. However, they observe a decline in the prominence of traditional romantic suspense, with the market now favoring romantasy and dark contemporary romance. This shift raises the question of whether readers are still seeking the classic romantic suspense experience.
Quick quotes
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 like Dream Man and Mr. Perfect that still stand for many as benchmarks for a sexy blend of romance and menace.
The genre has many greats. Karen Rose has built a vast empire of interlinked novels, each more elaborate than the last.