Welcome lovers of Contemporary Romance! It's opening day here at JCR and we're so happy to have you here.
What is Contemporary Romance? Well, Wikipedia will tell you this:
Contemporary romance is a sub-genre of romance novels, generally with the setting after World War II. The largest of the romance novel sub-genres, "contemporary romance" novels are set in the time when they were written, and usually reflect the mores of their time. Heroines in the contemporary romances written prior to 1970 usually quit working when they married or had children, while those novels written after 1970 usually have, and keep, a career.
What is Contemporary Romance? Well, Wikipedia will tell you this:
Contemporary romance is a sub-genre of romance novels, generally with the setting after World War II. The largest of the romance novel sub-genres, "contemporary romance" novels are set in the time when they were written, and usually reflect the mores of their time. Heroines in the contemporary romances written prior to 1970 usually quit working when they married or had children, while those novels written after 1970 usually have, and keep, a career.
Huh??
Yes, that's all technically correct, but we'll translate and give our own opinion. Contemporary Romance is...Current. Fun. Seldom brooding. Emotional. Hap-hap-happy ever after!Contemporary Romance covers a broad spectrum of genres with enough literary morsels to require a sherpa's assistance to climb our TBR piles!
Allow me to step back from the genre for a moment to give you a little history about the JUST sites. Once upon a time (two years ago) I wandered to my Google Search box and typed, “Romantic Suspense Authors”. At the time, what came back were listings for Romantic Suspense authors by publishing house, Romantic Suspense authors by RWA Chapter, Romantic Suspense authors by zodiac sign, Romantic Suspense authors by political party…LOL, well, you get the idea. There was no single answer, no single source...and it frustrated me. And on that day (well, maybe the next day), JUST ROMANTIC SUSPENSE was born. Its goal was to celebrate the genre with no lines drawn.
Recently a poll was taken on JRS to determine the next "JUST" genre. Contemporary Romance won by a landslide! And why is that? Because it's current, fun, light, seldom brooding, emotional and always has a hap-hap-happy ending! :)
Here at JCR we seek to bring the Contemporary Romance world
together in that same fashion, and are so happy to celebrate the genre with you. We have a wonderful lineup of talented and beautiful authors who are ready to share their stories...so stay tuned for some fun, and yes...hap-hap-happy times!
We will be giving away a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner who leaves a comment or submits an email entry. And two runners-up will receive some JCR goodies!
Stop by and leave a comment to introduce yourself or to share what your definition of Contemporary Romance is...
Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST June 2nd. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@JustContemporaryRomance.com with a subject title of JCR GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.
We will be giving away a $25.00 Amazon Gift Card to one lucky winner who leaves a comment or submits an email entry. And two runners-up will receive some JCR goodies!Stop by and leave a comment to introduce yourself or to share what your definition of Contemporary Romance is...
Giveaway ends 11:59pm EST June 2nd. Please supply your email in the post. You may use spaces or full text for security. (ex. jsmith at gmail dot com) If you do not wish to supply your email, or have trouble posting, please email maureen@JustContemporaryRomance.com with a subject title of JCR GIVEAWAY to be entered in the current giveaway.
Congrats on the new site. I found so many new authors on JRS hoping to do the same here.
ReplyDeleteCynthia0o at hotmail dot com
Hello Cindy. Thank you so much. There are some wonderful authors here at JCR and a lot of exciting guests coming!
DeleteYay for the new site, Maureen! Can't wait to poke around and discover new authors.
DeleteI think that it is great that you are starting this site! Romantic Suspense is my favorite genre but Contempory Romance comes in second.
ReplyDeleteDo we have to sign up for this newsletter or is being a subscriber of JMS enough?
Will you be on Goodreads as well?
Congratulations, I am sure that the site will be a great success!
Hi Marijane! So happy to see you here. :) If you click the "Join this site" on the right side-bar you will receive the updates in your email just like JRS. Also, further down on the right side-bar you should see our JUST CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE Goodreads group. But if you ever have any questions you can always email me at maureen@justcontemporaryromance.com Thanks for stopping by today!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the new site! Just Romantic Suspense is one of my "go to" sites so I'm excited about your new one.
ReplyDeletecpperkins at gmail dot com
Keep writing, Cathy! You give me more to share with the world. :)
DeleteLOVE JRS! Can't wait to check this new site out. I agree with the others - I found lots of great books at JRS. Bet I'll do the same here!
ReplyDeletekara9017 at sbcglobal dot net
JRS loves you, Kara. So happy to see you here.
DeleteYay, Maureen! Rom Suspense and Contemp Romance are my two fave genres, so I am glad you have this site going. More authors to learn about which means a longer TBR list of mine. Congrats on all the success of JRS and hope you have the same success with JCR!
ReplyDeleteThat means a lot, Amy. Thank you!
DeleteCongratulations on the new site. I love contemporary romance. I am particularly fond of those stories set in small towns complete with a cast of supporting characters.
ReplyDeleteAre you on Twitter and/or Facebook as well?
lulu83060 at gmail dot com
Hello Laurie. Welcome aboard! So happy to have you here. Yes, take a peek at the "Follow Us" section up in the right-hand side. We're also on Goodreads.
DeleteCongratulations on the launch!! Someone needs to rewrite that Wik entry:) I really enjoy reading contemporary, so hopefully will find some new authors here!
ReplyDeleteAhh, another talented author has joined us today. Welcome, Rachel. Very happy to have you here.
DeleteLooking forward to hearing about new contemporary authors. Congrats on the launch.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Barbara. I'm all about connecting readers and writers. :)
DeleteSo excited to see this up and running! You, Maureen, are awesome. Love JRS and now will love JCR just as much. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteTori
A warm hello to our first guest coming up on Monday! Thank you, Tori.
DeleteYou don't have to enter me, Maureen--but I wanted to congratulate you on your newest endeavor! The Just Contemporary Romance site looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Julie. I'm so happy you're here.
DeleteFrom Mary Anne Landers - Thank you for your new blog and giveaway, Maureen. I learned about Just Contemporary Romance through Lorelei's Lit Lair on Facebook. Already it looks great!
ReplyDeleteYour new blog fills a void in the Internet romance scene. There are plenty of websites and blogs devoted to historical romance, paranormal romance, and so on. But how many are devoted to contemporary romance?
I read several romance subgenres, but contemporary romance holds a special place in my heart. Why? Because it's so relevant. It's set in the world I live in, so I can relate to the heroine and her concerns easily. And no matter what's going on in the story, I read in it this subtext: even in today's world, with all its problems and confusion, romance is alive and well.
I'm looking forward to reading your blogs. Keep up the good work!
maryannelanders at centurytel dot net
Hello Mary Anne,
DeleteThose pesky spam filters caught a hold of your post. What an excellent summary of contemporary romance. Well said! I'm very happy to welcome you here. We're going to have fun together, and read lots of great books!
No worries, Mary Anne. This post came through. Google has a built-in filter and sometimes it reads email addresses and suspects they are spam. And yet other more suspicious things sometimes slip by them. Go figure. No one ever has to worry, though. I will see their posts and post them here if Google steps in and gets in the way.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be my go-to site for when I'm looking for a new author or book to try. Can't wait to read all the juicy extracts and get to know new-to-me authors. Thank you, Maureen for all your hard work in getting this set up.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being a part of it, Alexia! So happy to have you here.
DeleteContemporary romances are my favorite so I am really excited about this site. Thank you for setting this up!
ReplyDeletesandybar57@msn.com
I promise to shower you with great Contemporary Romance authors and books, Sandra! :)
DeleteCongratulations on the launch of another great "JUST" site. I've already bookmarked this to my favorites. (After all, Maureen is one of my favorite people!)
ReplyDeleteKeep these great stories coming. :-)
Big hug to you my dear 'pip'. :)
DeleteCongratulations on the new site! I get so many wonderful recommendations from JRS so I'm very excited about JCR. I'll be stopping in quite a bit for all my summer reading. YAY!
ReplyDeleteMolly
mdjrxmom@msn.com
Thank you so much for the kind words, Maggie. It is my personal mission to keep you inundated in great books.
DeleteThanks for creating this site. I lobe Just Romantic Suspense too!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the kind words! And welcome! :)
DeleteCongrats, Maureen! You've done SUCH a great job with Just Romantic Suspense...helping me (and the world!) find new-to-me RS authors. I can't wait to see what you do here!
ReplyDeleteAwww shucks, JB. You make me blush. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your sister site Just Romantic Suspense so congrats on your new site and I'm sure to be a regular visitor here as well.
ReplyDeleteJudi
boomer21(at)rogers(dot)com
Thank you so much, Judi. Very happy to have you here.
DeleteThanks for starting this site! I read both contemporary and historical romance. I'm also an author of contemporary romance. Mostly small town settings with light humor.
ReplyDeleteLindsey
www.lindseybrookes.com
Newest release: Kidnapped Cowboy
Welcome Lindsey!
DeleteCongratulations on the new site! I enjoy the Just Romantic Suspense site and look forward to learning about some new contemporary romance authors and reading what they have to say.
ReplyDeleteJo-Anne
2sonreader AT gmail DOT com
Hello Jo-Anne. We've got a great line-up ahead! Strap yourself in for a fun ride. :)
DeleteCongratulations! I was thrilled to hear about this launch as I love JRS. Much success to you.
ReplyDeleteJonettaallen77 at yahoo dot com
Thank you so much, Jonetta. Happy to see you here!
DeleteMaureen! You're so full of delightful surprises!! I'm thrilled to see your new website and can't wait until I publish my contemporary! Best to you always!! Daco
ReplyDelete(you have my email)
Thank you so much, Daco. I can't wait until publish it too! Keep writing!
ReplyDelete