The Routledge Research Companion to Popular Romance Fiction

<p>Popular romance fiction constitutes the largest segment of the global book market. Bringing together an international group of scholars, <em>The Routledge Research Companion to Popular Romance Fiction</em> offers a ground-breaking exploration of this global genre and its remarkable readership. In recognition of the diversity of the form, the Companion provides a history of the genre, an overview of disciplinary approaches to studying romance fiction, and critical analyses of important subgenres, themes, and topics. It also highlights new and understudied avenues of inquiry for future research in this vibrant and still-emerging field. The first systematic, comprehensive resource on romance fiction, this Companion will be invaluable to students and scholars, and accessible to romance readers.</p> <p>Introduction<b> </b></p><p>Jayashree Kamblé, Eric Murphy Selinger, Hsu-Ming Teo</p><p>PART I: NATIONAL TRADITIONS</p><p>1 History of English Romance Novels, 1621–1975</p><p>jay Dixon</p><p>2 The Evolution of the American Romance Novel</p><p>Pamela Regis</p><p>3 Australian Romance Fiction</p><p><i>Lauren O’Mahony</i></p><p>PART II: SUB-GENRES</p><p>4 Gothic Romance</p><p><i>Angela Toscano</i></p><p>5 The Historical Romance</p><p><i>Sarah H. Ficke</i></p><p>6 Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy</p><p><i>María T. Ramos-García</i></p><p>7 Young Adult Romance </p><p>Amanda K. Allen</p><p>8 Inspirational Romance</p><p>Rebecca Barrett-Fox and Kristen Donnelly</p><p>9 Erotic Romance</p><p><i>Jodi McAlister</i></p><p>10 African American Romance</p><p><i>Julie E. Moody-Freeman</i></p><p>11 Explorations of the "Desert Passion Industry"</p><p>Amira Jarmakani</p><p>PART III: METHODOLOGICAL APPROACHES</p><p>12 Romance in the Media</p><p><i>Jayashree Kamblé</i></p><p>13 Literary Approaches</p><p><i>Eric Murphy Selinger</i></p><p>14 Author Studies and Popular Romance Fiction</p><p><i>Kecia Ali</i></p><p>15 Social Science Reads Romance</p><p><i>Joanna Gregson and Jennifer Lois</i></p><p>16 Publishing the Romance Novel</p><p>John Markert</p><p>17 Libraries and Popular Romance Fiction</p><p>Kristin Ramsdell</p><p>PART IV: THEMES</p><p>18 Class and Wealth in Popular Romance Fiction</p><p><i>Amy Burge</i></p><p>19 Sex and Sexuality</p><p>Hannah McCann and Catherine M. Roach</p><p>20 Gender and Sexuality</p><p><i>Jonathan A. Allan</i></p><p>21 Love and Romance Novels</p><p><i>Hsu-Ming Teo</i></p><p>22 Romance and/as Religion </p><p><em>Eric Murphy Selinger and </em><em>Laura Vivanco</em></p><p>23 Race, Ethnicity, and Whiteness </p><p><i>Erin S. Young</i></p><p>24 In Response to Harlequin: Global Legacy, Local Agency</p><p>Kathrina Mohd Daud</p>