Am I the mad woman in the attic?

Rochester's first wife in Jane Eyre was locked in the attic because she couldn't control her passions, leading her to attempt to murder Rochester and Jane. Conversely, St. John, Jane's distant cousin and suitor, is unemotional and cold in pursuit of his religious and missionary deeds. By the end of this classic novel, Rochester and Jane have managed to balance between unemotional passion and over-controlled reserve as they enter their married lives; Rochester as a cripple and Jane as his caretaker.

So I'm not really the madwoman in the attach, but many romance writers are inspired by Jane Eyre and other classic novels. Many romance readers enjoy a witty and human Elizabeth Bennett and dream of finding their own Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Others immerse themselves in the mystery and suspense of Rebecca and the brooding Maxim de Winter as he recovers from the evils his late wife brought into his life. Let's face it, who wants to think their husband's late wife (or, more commonly these days, his ex-wife) is a paragon whereby the current wife feels she is simply failing to measure up to the standards the late wife set? Any woman would rather believe she is truly the wife her husband wants and hopes he isn't longing for his first wife.

There are many reasons a person my choose to read a romance novel. She (or he) could simply want escapist reading and only read romances on rare occasions. Others many read romances more regularly because there is something compelling about a romance novel.

Most non-romance readers make derogatory comments to romance readers, such as "You already know how it is going to end!" or "Those are so formulaic!" Basically, they imply that romance novels, and therefore romance readers, must lack intelligence and/or creativity. They fail to see that these comments apply to mysteries, westerns, science fiction, and fantasy-- basically, to all genres. Who would continue to read mysteries if the killer is never revealed? Who will read a fantasy novel if the hero doesn't successfully complete his quest? While it is interesting when a book occasionally ends in a non-traditional manner, if it happens consistently, then the book doesn't truly fit into any of the genres.

What is more interesting is the development of the cross genre. Since the 1990's many genre books contain elements of another genre; a sci-fi novel with a mystery attached or a mystery with a romantic subplot. Romance is the easiest to work into another genre and has happened so frequently that many people who never enter the "romance" section of the book store end up reading a novel that any regular romance reader would like. I've even had people recommend books to me (normally in an effort to convince me to stop reading romance novels) that he or she picked up at the library. What they don't realize is that the recommended book is frequently sold on the romance novel shelves at the book store.

It is amazing how many people have read Diana Galbadon's Outlander series without realizing that her books are classified as romance novels. In all honesty, her books really aren't romance novels and should be classed with general or literary fiction, but romance readers are thrilled to claim her as one of their authors.

J.D. Robb is another example of a writer who crosses genres. Robb's mystery books often take up at least one shelf on the mystery shelves and she is frequently on display at the front of the store. Of course, Robb really is Nora Roberts (aka, La Nora). As the current queen of romance, I am frequently surprised when someone recommends her to me-- but not because they know I read romances and she writes them. Most people must simply pick up books up from the displays at the front of the store because, again, her books are only shelved in the romance section.

The reaction when someone discovers that she has been reading a romance novel and didn't know it can be quite funny. Sometimes it is simply an interested "Oh!", as if she has just decided she may wander into the romance section. Most often is a really surprised "Really?!" as if she couldn't believe that she'd read a romance and liked it.

The change in the romance genre can be credited to many people. Danelle Stelle, who isn't classified as romance, deserves recognition for writing intelligent books about families and relationships. The research for her books (I've heard she hires research staff!) adds many dimensions to her stories and made people realize that stories about relationships could be more than a stereotypical category romance. My personal favorites are The Ring and The Promise.

Susan Howatch wrote a romance novel with a tragic ending, showing how it is the development of a relationship and the self-exploration of feelings that truly capture a reader's heart. Almost Heaven had so many elements of a classic romance: a hero who gives up the family fortune for his ladylove, the heroine who appears quite common but triumphs over personal adversity, and reconciliation after a separation.

Linda Howard's Cry No More delves into the disturbing emotions of a woman on a quest to find her kidnapped son. Some scenes are uncomfortable as characters try to convince the heroine to give up her search. Some are heartbreaking as she realizes what choices she may face if she ever finds him.

Sherrilyn Kenyon manages contemporary paranormal romance and futuristic sci-fi romances, which allow readers to escape into fantastic plots and situations, but at the same time inserting some everyday situations that readers can relate to. Surprisingly, that is a trait she shares with Jane Austen. The main reason I think Austen is still so popular today is because she writes about emotions and situations we are all familiar with. Who hasn't been embarrassed by a family member? Who hasn't understood a choice a friend made? Who hasn't completely misread another person and their intentions?

Okay, having found a way to compare a current fantasy romance author to an great classic author, I will admit that maybe I am a little mad. But I'm enjoying every minute of it!