Comments on: The Romance Conversion by Kati Dancy

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:27:51 +0000

I was recently converted myself. The "gateway drug" that got me hooked was He Typed. She Typed., which I received as a birthday gift from a friend who had heard about the book on the Dr. Drew radio show. At first I couldn't believe I was reading a book with a pink cover, but I soon got over myself and was completely sucked into the storyline of these two characters writing back and forth to each other. The back of the book lists a website, He Typed. She Typed. Now the only question is... what do I read next?!

By: heidenkind

heidenkind — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:14:48 +0000

I’ve converted my mom, sort of. It actually started with the Harry Dresden Files, which I recommended she read and she got totally addicted to. So then she was looking for something in the same vein, and I was like, “Why not Patricia Briggs?” From there it was a short leap to paranormal romance like Jennifer Armintrout (sp?), etc.

She still sticks mainly to paranormals, although I did convince her to read Jade Lee’s The Dragon Earl this weekend (incredibly awesome book, btw).

By: orannia

orannia — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:03:56 +0000

There have been some great conversion stories posted I have sort of converted a couple of people. I say ’sort of’ as I’m still in the process *grin* My cunning plan is to tempt them with stories that cross genres. For example, the receptionist at work LOVES fantasy. So I introduced her to Anne Bishop’s Black Jewel trilogy and CL Wilson’s Fae series, which she loved….and now I have introduced her to JD Robb…and she is hooked! It a slow process, but so much fun Oh, and when I was at the doctor’s yesterday I asked the doctor’s receptionist how she was going with the Anne Bishop books (I pimped those to her). She has read them all and is awaiting Nalini Singh’s Slave to Sensation…

orannia *who would happily talk about books all day*

By: Gannon

Gannon — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:17:10 +0000

PJ, I’m with you on the dark, depressing novels. There’s enough of that in the news. When I read, I want a story I can get lost in and be assured of a HEA! If people don’t like what I’m reading, too bad. I know that I’m in very good company. Some of the smartest women I know read and write romance!

By: PJ

PJ — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:09:01 +0000

I belong to a neighborhood book club. Most of the women in the club like Oprah type books and consider romance novels “fluff”. Why would someone want to read dark, depressing books all the time? Don’t we get enough of that on the news? There are a couple women in the club who have come to me to borrow books (romances) to take on vacation but I doubt they’d ever admit to it in front of the others. I read what I like and don’t much care if others think I’m reading “fluff” or not. I know better.

By: Maria Lokken

Maria Lokken — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:25:54 +0000

Yes, I was converted by my sister and I have never looked back.

I’ve never had anyone look down on me because I read romance. But maybe that’s because they know I wouldn’t stand for it. I mean really, there are so many more things a person could look down on. Murder, mayhem, and general stupidity come to mind.

By: MK/Kati

MK/Kati — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 18:01:36 +0000

CJ – I have friends who look down on what I read too. And really, I’ve gotten to the point where it doesn’t bother me anymore. I mean, romance sells better than any other genre of fiction, if I’m not mistaken. So, what? We’re ALL wrong?? I don’t think so.

By: Carolyn Jean

Carolyn Jean — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:14:34 +0000

Oh, and I guess when I say romance, I mean with all subgenres – paranoramal, UF, futuristic, historicals etc

By: Carolyn Jean

Carolyn Jean — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:12:43 +0000

This is such a great topic. I was converted on a combination of Outlander and Bitten. I highly recommend Bitten as a crossover – it is extremely well written from a technical point of view, so it won’t jar people used to really literary stuff. Like I was.

OMG, I used to be such a snob about books. Forget romance, for years coming out of college, I wouldn’t even consider reading anything published after 1950. I softened on that eventually, but I was so picky. And romance was like planet Neptune. And frankly, I have no RL friends who read romance. In fact, most of my RL friends are highly literary and writers, so it’s like I’ve gone over the the dark side. My friend who gave me Outlander and Bitten is mostly only interested in literature and chicklit. I look at my literary-only friends and I feel sorry for them in terms of reading habits, because I think reading romance has totally improved my life. I have more pleasure and entertainment in my life, and more fun, and my relationship is better, too. I only wish I’d started sooner.

I have tried to convert a few friends, or at least widen their scope – 2 who were pregnant and asked me to recommend fun and transporting reads. I supplied them with those two books, but they came back unread (I suspect uncracked) with mumbles about the books not being right for them. I think they were sort of embarrassed on my behalf.

By: LeeAnn

LeeAnn — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:01:21 +0000

I don’t think I’ve ever converted anyone but I did get one of my co-workers hooked on Jean Johnson ) I think when she’s done with the series I might let her borrow my Key Trilogy.