Inspy Romance

Inspy Romance—Fall in Love With a Good Book

Why Contemporary? and a #giveaway

by

Have you ever found yourself wanting to read a certain genre more than others?

Obviously, since you’re here, you love Contemporary Christian Romance. Right?

But I have a confession.

I prefer to read historical.

What? But you write contemporary!

I know. But just look at my bookshelf.

Besides how messy it is, what do you notice? It’s mostly historicals.

*gasp!*

My friends ask me quite often why, if I love historicals so much, do I write contemporary?

Can you guess?

If you answered with the sneaky little word research, you’re right. That, and I do love to read contemporary novels, too. I just tend to gravitate towards historicals more often.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I still have to do some research for these modern-day tales I write. Like what that thing is called a nurse practitioner uses to shine a light in a child’s ear–yeah. I had to look that up for my book Writing Home. Or what the temperatures are like on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia in December. Yes. I had to research that one, too, for my soon-to-release novella, Mistletoe Make-believe, coming out later this month.

But, those are easy facts to look up. Unlike how people kept their food from spoiling in the eighteen hundreds. Or the exact way they washed their clothes. Or how long it took to travel from point A to point B. You get my drift. That takes a lot more work and digging. I’m always afraid I will get something wrong.

And let me tell you–people who read historical fiction can usually tell when an author gets something wrong.

Still, every now and then a bit of history sneaks into my contemporary novels. I just can’t help it.

In my very first novel, there’s a whole thread set back in the 1970s, showing you bit by bit why my character Ruth has turned out bitter and angry in the modern times. (Though some people have told me that the 1970s shouldn’t be considered history yet). My history teacher husband helped me make sure all those facts were right. :-)

So, I’m curious. Do you only read one genre? Do you read all the genres, but find yourself gravitating toward one more than another? What makes your genre of choice your favorite?

Give me an answer and I’ll do a drawing on 9/8 to send one U.S. reader a paperback copy of my first novel, An Unexpected Legacy.

Amy R Anguish (36 Posts)

Amy R Anguish grew up a preacher's kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.


Comments

  1. I relate to this so much! I love both contemporary and historical Christian romance but often find more of them are historical! I think with everything going on in the world right now reading about the past calms me and reminds me of when times were easier. I know in the moment those times weren’t easy either but that’s how I feel!

  2. I read a lot of different (Christian) genres, depending on how I feel at the time. CCR, of course, Historical, Romantic Suspense, Rom Com, WW1 and 2. (To me that’s a different kind of historical to the 1800’s). Some Biblical fiction. … But I don’t like sci fi, or paranormal. I am not an author, but I am very much aware of the hours of research required to make a story believable. I take my hat off to you all!!

  4. Hi Amy! As a retiree, depends on my mood what I read. I enjoy both Contemporary and Historical romance, cozy mysteries, with an occasional non-fiction book, children’s or YA fiction thrown in the mix. Last year as Teaching Coach for my 1. grade granddaughter, I read many non-fiction Early Readers on dolphins and penguins. Her favorite genre. I enjoy exploring new authors and romance / stories with an unique premise, like Valerie Comer’s series on geocaching or Elizabeth Maddrey’s Billionaire series. At 7 decades old, who has been married 48 years, contemporary romance has to have something else that peaks my interest. Best wishes. Enjoy your Labor Day weekend with good food, and watching a romantic sunset.

  5. Christian Suspense and Historical Fiction are at the top of my choices. I enjoy mysteries and romances as well. I will read pretty much anything clean, preferably Christian with the exception of Science Fiction and Paranormal. There are far more books I would enjoy than time to read them.
    I hope you all have a great holiday weekend!

  6. I tend to read historical romance and fantasy more than contemporary, contemporaries are based on the world I know, so the characters must be interesting and fun because it does not have the advantage of the historical or fantasy where sometimes the world fixes a little boring protagonists or not They make such a good couple (for me).
    But at the time of writing I would choose something like fantasy, the type of research that is done I consider more fun and I love the idea of ​​inventing my own world too much.

  8. Hi Amy!! I I have certain historical authors on my “must read” list, but overall, even though – like you – I write CCR , for pleasure reading I gravitate toward romantic suspense!

  9. I read all genre’s!! Doesn’t matter to me what time period a book is set in! I used to read romantic suspense the most, but now, it’s across the board! It depends on who I’m reading an ARC for at even given point in time, and if it’s not an ARC, I’m probably proofreading for an author, and if not that, then I read something in my TBR stack, and it’s across the board, too!! The last few books are CCR, historical westerns, and SciFi.

  10. I like to read several genres. Right now I find myself reading a lot of romantic comedies which is a bit unusual for me. I really like contemporary and romantic suspense.

  11. I’m glad to know I am not alone. :) And I agree that things sounded simpler but I also know I couldn’t live without a lot of modern conveniences.

  13. YA definitely intimidates me as an author, but I enjoy reading it every now and then. I am going to have to start reading it more in the next few years as my daughter gets to that level. Gotta make sure I know what she’s reading. :)

  16. I enjoy a good fantasy every now and then, too. But creating my own world intimidates me, so I will probably never dive into writing that genre.

  18. Romantic suspense is definitely one of the most popular genres out there. I have to have mine heavier on the romantic side, though. :)

  20. Sometimes it’s nice to have that lighthearted, don’t-have-to-worry-about-it book to break up the seriousness of life. I go through those periods, for sure. :)

  22. I read all the genres, though lately its been mainly contemporary with a few forays into historical. For me it just depends on my mood. I do enjoy disappearing into a different time so historicals can be a lot of fun but I don’t blame you for not wanting to do all that research!

  23. Growing up, I loved to read high fantasy with entire worlds and languages invented by the author. I do NOT have time for that now!
    Plus, CCR is fun to read. Sometimes I get just as much of an escape from a cute romance about young people with no kids as I do a fantasy or sci-fi, haha.

  24. Ha, I loved this post :) My favorite genres are Contemporary, Historical, and Fantasy clean romance. I don’t know if I gravitate towards one of them more than the others, but I’ve found that switching between the three (mostly) according to my mood has helped me avoid reading burnout.

  25. I’m with you, Amy. I don’t like to spend a ton of time researching. I’d rather be writing. My favorite genre is Contemporary Romance. I love a good happily ever after and with CR, it’s guaranteed. There’s enough trouble, mayhem, and divorce in real life. I want to know that my book people will be okay. I enjoy Women’s Fiction too, but I still want a happily ever after. It’s not guaranteed, so I don’t read it as much.

  26. I love reading other genres, but I mostly stay within the clean romance range. I usually pick books because I like the author so if they write different genres then I try it out. However I think I like contemporary the best.

  33. I’m with you on the clean genre thing. The older I get, the cleaner I want it. And my book club doesn’t always agree. :)

  35. Hi Amy, I like to read different genres,I don’t read very scary books or gory books at all. As long as it is a good book, I will read different genre, I do love to read, romance, mystery , suspense books. Have a great weekend and stay safe. God Bless you and your family.

  37. Hi, Amy!
    I have been sticking with CCR lately with an occasional romantic suspense and a very occasional YA fantasy/romance. Prior to my CCR phase, I was reading mysteries, thrillers and police procedurals. It was the Christian romantic suspense that bridged the gap. It’s been about 2 years now with CCR. Still enjoying it.

    I don’t feel drawn to the settings for historicals, old westerns and Amish. I don’t have the emotional connection. The Amish stories that I have read make me cringe a little because I have some awareness of the culture and the books don’t seem to treat it with enough respect. Maybe that’s another example of needing research. :-)

    Thanks, but no need to include me in the drawing. I already have the ebook.

  38. Historical fiction has always been my first love, but in the last five years or so I’ve read a lot more contemporary fiction. I ran across a Becky Wade book a used book sale and I have been hooked ever since.

  39. I confess my favourite genre is Historical I enjoy reading and learning. I also like CCR and cozy mystery, I even like Amish, LIS and other genres. I don’t like horror or heavy suspense and not a fan of some women fiction or chick lits. Not a fan of English historical that only feature the ton. I however do like the naval era and the English books that are not just focusing on the Season in London.
    I haven’t read a historical this year. (I don’t read l like I use to).

  40. Thanks for commenting. I agree with you about the Amish. I can only handle those in small doses.
    Hope you enjoy the book!

  41. My friend got me hooked on Becky Wade recently, too, and I can’t believe it took me this long to discover her. :)

  42. I have to admit to being a huge Regency romance fan, but I hear what you’re saying about the ton and the season. I have discovered a lot of authors are steering away from that in recent years, though, and I am loving the country and seaside settings.

  43. I usually read CCR and women’s fiction but do historicals from time to time. One historical author whose work I really enjoy is Julie Klassen.

  49. I generally only read CCR. I’m not against other genres, I just enjoy it and appreciate that there are certain things I can count on with it. It won’t cross lines into inappropriate levels of physical intimacy, there will be a happy ending of some sort even if all the ends don’t get completely tied up, and generally speaking, it’ll be encouraging or even uplifting/teaching on a spiritual level.

  50. I read many genres. I enjoy reading cozy mysteries, romance, woman’s fiction and historical. I gravitate to cozy mysteries. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.

  51. I like all genres but read mostly romance or romantic comedy. I love teen mom & couples that are teens becoming married to parents & even young adults. But love all them really.

  53. Hi Amy, Historical is probably my favourite genre, I grew up reading Georgette Heyer & Jane Austen so always have a soft spot for regency era stories. But I also love contemporaries, I will often pick up a contemporary when I want some funny or an easier read. I will watch mysteries, Midsomer, Agatha Christie etc but don’t read them much anymore, I read to relax and a mystery gets my heart rate up too much to relax lol.

  54. Hi Amy, I prefer historical too! A few years ago I chose a New Year’s resolution to read the work of an author new to me every calendar month. This helped me broaden what I read and opened up new genres and authors to me otherwise I tend to revert to historical though I enjoy most genres.

  55. I love reading anything that includes mystery/suspense. I started reading many different genres, and found that even contemporary, historical and regency stories include elements of mystery and suspense.

  56. I read many different genres although I do have a couple that are my favorites! The hardest part for me after finishing a book is deciding what to read next. I like to mix it up a lot since my TBR pile is pretty big!

  62. That’s a great idea. I have participated in several reading challenges and book clubs in the last few years which has broadened my reading a lot.

  65. I think it was an author who normally writes general market Regency but wrote a couple Christian ones that really put me off. I can see now that the books were clean and had a faith element the heroine was a Christian and totally over the Ton but the hero I think an earl was a so egotistical and so superficial I was ready to reach in and slap him into reality. I know thats how many were but it was so over the top. I think looking back that would be more what General market would like. He did change at the end but it left a bad taste. I have read some where the Duke or Earl was the total opposite and didn’t like that side of things and enjoyed them. The author no longer writes for the Christian market. (her books are clean).
    One movie I loved was the Scarlett Pimpernel while it shows the pompous side of things it has a deeper message of saving people. I guess it shows how a book can colour a persons perspective.

  67. I read most genres. I’m a mood reader and I’ve found the only genres I don’t really like are horror, dystopian, and fantasy but I have liked some books in the latter two genres.

  68. I like all genres and read a wide variety! If I had to pick a “favorite”, I’d have to say historical fiction :-) It seems that I learn something new with every one I read, which makes me wish I paid more attention in History class, lol!

    You know what I found recently? Dual-timline stories! They cover both contemporary & historical and are just plain FUN to read. But I bet they’d have a ton of research to do if you were to write them.

  69. I generally read only CCR, but will sometimes read historical romance, cozy mystery, or Christian romantic suspense. I used to read more genres, but I found that after having children I no longer enjoyed reading or watching things that had more tension in them.

  70. I definitely have to be in a certain mood to read dystopian. It has a lot of depressing parts, for sure. But I agree and don’t do horror, either.

  73. I read different genres, but find myself gravitating toward Romantic Suspense nowadays – but it might change.

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