| The culture of promoting romance novels reached its zenith by the end of 19th century and led to the new era of 20th century which saw the rise to prominence by writers like George Barr McCutcheon and Aniza Gezierska and A.M. Ayers. Reverting back to 18th century we don’t see much of the aspect of romance. The writers during this period focused more on the intellectual arena and on the justifications and criticism of the concept of progress. For them romance amounted to fiction of a very primitive order.
A few of the selective readings are: Aphra Behn, Samuel Richardson, Joseph Andrews and Shamela, Henry Mackenzie, and Walter Scott. Eventually 19th century came to be referred as the era to have cradled the concept of romance novels at the hands of the authors like Josephine Ross, Charles Dickens, Deirdre Le Faye, Ralph Pite, Caroline Sanderson, Edgar Allan Poe, Pierre Ambroise Francois Choderlos de Laclos, and David Coward. Charlotte Bronte and Emily Beonte were two leading figures of classic romance novels during this period.
Finally coming to 20th century we get the right ingredient of romance and passion as the production of romance novels came to the peak during this time. 20th century also produced some best-seller romances like Bandit Love by Juanita Savage, Birds Got to Fly authored by Ruth Blodgett and Love's Ecstasy written by May Christie. These exclusive romances did equally good business until the time when the typical Mills & Boon love stories surfaced focusing on the ‘boy meets girl’ theory and other similar love entangled issues. 1940’s and 50’s saw the ride of heated up romances like Chiffon Scarf, Heart Specialist and Men Are Like Street Cars. These can be mostly rated as normal love stories and not classics for that matter.
The top romances of 20th century are, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, It Had To Be You by Susan Elizabeth Philips, McKenzie’s Mountain by Linda Howard, The Bride by Julie Garwood, Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer, Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught, Paradise by Judith McNaught, Almost Heaven by Judith McNaught, Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, After the Night by Linda Howard, The Devil’s Bride by Stephanie Laurens, Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Courting Miss Hattie by Pamela Morsi, Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas, Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught, My Lady Notorious by Jo Beverley, Thunder and Roses by Mary Jo Putney, A Rose in Winter by Kathleen Woodiwiss, Anyone but You by Jennifer Crusie.
The list of novels and information about their contents are un-ending and the list can go on for ever. A concise report always helps you in your selection of works to read. To know more about the romance novels visit www.mydearvalentine.com offering detailed account on Century Romance Novels.
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