A co-worker friend sent me the link to a romance book review on a website called Smart Bitches, Trashy Books.
http://www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com/index.php/weblog/comments/pregnesia-by-carla-cassidy-guest-review/
First off, it must be said that the review had me ROFL with tears in my eyes! Sure, she's no pro at reviewing, it's real people lingo she uses, but it's freaking HILARIOUS!
Second, about the book being reviewed, I can only use her own wording to describe what went through my head when I read the title & description; "OMGWTFBBQ!!ELEVENTY!!" Seriously?! Pregnesia?! Of course, this book is from the geniuses over at Harlequin, who've been making reading women's hearts all twittery since 1949.
Working in a book store I see a lot of stuff go through that section. A LOT. In a genre that features vampires, werewolves, cowboys, NASCAR, time-traveling highlanders, angel-on-cursed-mermaid action, intergalactic were-cats and multiple-phalli satyr dudes - I ain't makin' this stuff up kids - the sub-genre I like to call "preggo romance" tops in creeping me the fuck out! Even touching it to shelve it gives me the heebyjeebies. Eew.
Where? Why? Seriously?! OK! I have an idea friends. We all have writing skills, I know it! Let's all get into a huddle, put some weird stuff into a few hats and write our own romance novel! Because if this crap can sell, I think we can make some serious bank! Wait...waitwait! I have GOT IT! OK, picture it with me here; a Regency era maiden is ruined by getting knocked up with a litter from an interstellar were-cat and her only chance at a new life is to follow a time-traveling Scottish Highland warrior into the future/present day where she then must choose between her super hot savior and the sexay vampire that's putting the moves on her (copyright K. Codling 2009)! It will sell MILLIONS!!!
FYI, that rant played out in my head like a Lewis Black monologue.
Alright, I think I'm done... for now.
AMUSING RELATED FACTOID: While looking on Wikipedia to see if I could find an founded date for Harlequin romance books, it, naturally directed me to the definition & origin of a harlequin. I perused to the bottom to see if I could find a related link to info about the publisher and instead found this gem; "Harlequin was a character in an Irish campaign for genital herpes awareness week"!!! LOL! FYI genital herpes awareness week seems to run around the last week of July into the first week of August.
The romance genre has gotten SO out of hand. Some of the "themes" are so out there that even I cant imagine that people WANT to read them, let alone pay money to! The futuristic/strange fantasy creature ones really creep me out.
ReplyDeleteI KNOW! If any one ever asks for suggestions you have start asking things like, "Are you a history geek? A blood sucker? A Trekkie? A furry?..." It's ridonkulous.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the futuristic/ strange creature ones are pretty much tied with the preggo ones on the creepy factor in my book.
It just looks like the romance novel industry has embraced Rule 34. Which is really kind of creepy.
ReplyDeleteOh good old Rule 34! *cringe*
ReplyDeleteAlthough the sociology/cultural studies part of my brain wonders what percentage of women buying these books do not realize they are participating and included in a sexual fetish subgroup. As in, does that mid-40's, average-house-wife looking woman even know what a furry IS let alone that by enjoying werewolf themed romance books she technically is one? Kinda makes me smirk.
Kris, I am SO there if you want to sit down and write the book. Let's do a spin-off Musical and Movie--the royalties will keep us in the lifestyles to which we are accustomed for the rest of our days. Although I'm not sure that's a glowing recommendation.
ReplyDelete