Getting Serious about Romance: Adult Series Romances for Teens

This is about category/series romances. ERIC summarises as follows:

Discusses the value of series romance novels that are written for adults but that teen readers enjoy. Highlights include defining series romances; characteristics of series romances; collection development issues for libraries; sensuality levels; resources, including books and Web sites; and an annotated list of 100 appropriate titles. (LRW)

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Series romances are part of one of the most popular of all fiction genres. Approximately 41.4 million people aged ten or older have read a romance book in the past year-VOYA readers should be aware that 14 percent of all romance readers are under nineteen years of age (Romance Writers of America)-and it is likely that a significant number choose series romance as their favorite reading. (87)

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Some assume that series romances offer empty-calorie reading-that they do not address serious issues, are always light, and so on. It is never our job as librarians to judge what readers want or need. Furthermore, this particular misperception ignores the many serious themes that series romances have tackled realistically and thoughtfully. For example, More to Love by Justine Dare brilliantly handles the discrimination that overweight people face in society. Ruth Wind's Rio Grande Wedding explores illegal immigration within the context of a romantic relationship, and Rachel Lee's Last Chance Ranch sensitively deals with spousal abuse. (88)

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In May 2002, HarperCollins/Avon debuted a new line of historical romances geared toward teens. Written by authors known for their adult historical romances, this new series will have all the emotional intensity and historical depth of their adult counterparts, with a younger.heroine and hero, usually in their mid- to late teens. Rather than exploring the developing sexual relationship between a couple, these sweet romances will center on the heroine's first romantic encounter. This new line is an excellent way for school and public libraries to incorporate romance fiction into young adult collections. (92)