Ranty and Rambling: Age Ain't Nothing But A Number??

I am 40 years old. I've been reading romance since I was 12/13 years old. For the 25+ years I've been reading romance, I really didn't pay attention to the ages of the hero and heroine. Until now. Maybe because I'm getting older. Maybe because I've noticed a recent trend in romance and I'm not sure I like it. Who knows? But I need to talk about it.

When I'm reading an Adult Contemporary Romance, I go in with certain expectations. I expect the main characters to be already established in their life and to be of a certain age -- late 20s and up. It would be even better if the characters were firmly entrenched in their 30s, maybe knocking on 40. And of course, I expect a satisfying HEA. I looked up stats on the average age of romance readers. The only stat I could find was from RWA's site stating that the average romance reader is 30-54 years old*. (Stat is from 2011)

As someone right in the middle of that age range, do I want to read about a 23 year old woman hooking it up with a 32 year old man? Not really. First, the age difference bothers me. I'm not going to find a 30-something year old man sexy if he is with someone who's 10 years younger than him. It's going to make me think there's something wrong with him. Like he has some insecurity where he can't be with a woman his own age. Second, I can't relate to anyone who is that young! That's why I don't read YA or NA. When I read, I want to be able to relate to a character in some form or fashion. That's not gonna happen when the heroine is 22 and just getting started in life. That would have worked for me when I was 22 but not now.

In real life, people are grossed out when an older man is with a younger woman but in romance, it's more acceptable. Why is that? Is it because the hero is hot? Or because this is fantasy so anything goes? If that's the case, why aren't there more romance novels where the heroine is older than the hero? Why is older woman/younger men still taboo in romance? I honestly DO NOT believe that women won't read them. I was at Lori Foster's RAGT this year and I saw how women drooled over the young hot waiter where the event was being held. There's a market for it!!!

In the multitude of billionaire romances that I've read, the hero is always older than the heroine and more often than not, the heroine is a virgin. A virgin being introduced to BDSM and a D/s relationship. This boggles the mind. Is this the trend because a young innocent is more believable as a sub than a woman who's more experienced in bed and in life in general? Why is this okay?

The only reason why I'm bringing up the age issue is because I read a lot of romance and I'm starting to notice things that I'm not liking. I really feel like my age group is being left out of romance. There's not enough romance stories about married couples who are finding romance in their marriage again. Or 30 somethings who are tired of dating and ready to settle down. So what's the alternative for us? Amish romance? No romance at all?

What are romance writers and publishers telling us? That people that are over 30 don't deserve romance and a HEA? That characters that are 40 years old aren't sexy? I say take a page out of Sex and the City's book. That show was highly successful and still has a huge following. The female leads were in their 30s, successful and owned their sexuality. They dated all kinds of men- some good, some bad- but eventually each one got their HEA (that suited THEM). If it can work for a TV show, why can't it work in romance books?

What do you think? Does age matter in your romance?

Please recommend any romance authors whose characters are over 30. I'd love to know if they exist.

Review: Officer Off Limits by Tessa Bailey

Title: Officer Off Limits
Series: Line of Duty, #3
Author: Tessa Bailey
Published: June 10, 2013
Pages: 250
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher (Entangled Brazen)
Rating: C-
Reviewed by: Marq

summary from Goodreads
His need to possess her is non-negotiable.

Story Brooks’ fiancé just called off their wedding two weeks before the happy day. As if that isn't bad enough, her semi-estranged father, an infamous NYPD hostage negotiator, has suffered a heart attack. Not wanting to examine her lack of emotion over the broken engagement, she hops on a plane to reconnect with her father before it’s too late.

Playboy hostage negotiator Daniel Chase has never, not once, been refused by a woman, so when a debate over hospital snack foods with a delectable kindergarten teacher ends in flat-out rejection, he makes it his mission to seduce her. His only obstacle? She’s the daughter of his mentor who implicitly forbade Daniel from pursuing her.

Despite her father’s warnings and Daniel’s troubled past, Daniel and Story can’t resist their intense attraction to one another. But when the reason for her fiancé’s abrupt wedding cancellation comes to light, can Story and Daniel's already forbidden relationship survive?

Review: Tiger Magic by Jennifer Ashley

Title: Tiger Magic (SHIFTERS UNBOUND)

Series: Shifters Unbound, #5

Author: Jennifer Ashley

Published: June 4, 2013

Pages: 308

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Source: NetGalley

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Rating: A

Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: "You are my mate. Even if you run from me, if I never see you again, you will always be the mate of my heart."

summary from Goodreads

He was once a captive, but his urges were never caged. Now he’ll release them on a beautiful stranger whose own secret desires are longing to be sated…

He doesn’t have a name. He doesn’t have a clan. The humans who held him prisoner for forty years have taken them away. He knew nothing but captivity until nearly a year ago, when he was released into the light. Now Tiger lives in the Austin Shiftertown, where he struggles to belong and searches for an identity.

Carly Randal thinks her fabulous life is complete—until her car breaks down on the side of the road, and a wild-looking Shifter is the only one to help her. Tiger takes one look at Carly and knows instantly—she will be his mate. As Carly is drawn into his Shifter world, she risks everything she has for that forbidden something she still wants: passionate love.

Review: Not Until You Risk by Roni Loren

Title: Not Until You Part II: Not Until You Risk
Series: Not Until You, #2
Author: Roni Loren
Published: June 18, 2013
Pages: 55
Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance
Source: Publisher (Penguin Intermix)
Rating: C
Reviewed by: Marq

summary from Goodreads
Cela’s sexy game of Never Have I Ever with her neighbors has turned into a night of Truth or Dare, with her revealing her deepest desires and letting go like she’s never done before. After some seductive dancing, the trio decides to move to a more private location: a swanky hotel where Foster is determined to explore Cela’s wildest fantasies.

As the heat between the three begins to sizzle, Cela finds herself drawn to Foster, whose dominance over her is almost too much to handle. But Cela’s got a secret she hasn’t yet shared, something that could bring their passionate encounter to a screeching halt…

---

Marq's thoughts:
I am anxiously waiting for each installment. I love Cela and Foster. For me, Pike is a non-factor because clearly this story is all about Foster, Cela and their eventual HEA. My one complaint after reading the first installment was Cela's age. After doing some research, I discovered that this serial is a hybrid of NA and Adult romance. So I'm going to go with it and not focus on Cela's age too much anymore.

Foster, Pike and Cela leaves the club and goes to a swanky hotel. Foster spares no expense. Cela is looking forward to her menage with Foster and Pike but she has a secret. But she doesn't want to reveal the secret because she doesn't want Foster or Pike to hold themselves back, sexually.

Although the sex scenes between Foster, Pike and Cela were well-written, I felt like something was missing. Like there was no connection between Cela and Foster and Pike. Foster is a Dom and he is more dark and intense than Pike but I wasn't feeling it. Some parts lacked heat for me and Loren can write some smoking hot sex scenes.

Despite my issues, I am still enjoying this serial and can't wait for the next installment.

Review: You're the One by Robin Kaye

Title: You're the One
Series: Bad Boys of Red Hook, #2
Author: Robin Kaye
Published: June 4, 2013
Pages: 384
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher (Signet)
Rating: B
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “Nice? Fine? Sugar, them’s fightin’ words. You don’t tell a man who licked chocolate frosting and whipped cream off your hot little body that it was fine and nice.”

summary from Goodreads
Logan Blaise expected to be taking a quick break from his successful vineyard in Napa to visit his hometown of Brooklyn. But what he finds is a complete mess: His father is sicker than he'd imagined, and Logan is responsible for keeping the family restaurant running smoothly. When the chef quits, he's forced to hire the first person who applies for the job Skye Maxwell, a beautiful enigma with great skills and gaps in her résumé.

Skye is determined to make it on her own, without trading on her famous family name. Working in the community of Red Hook offers the perfect opportunity to stay out of the limelight while pursuing her dreams. At first glance, charismatic Logan seems exactly like all the shallow men she knew back home. But as she notices his small-town roots and strong family ties, the Brooklyn bad boy and his restaurant start to feel exactly like where she really belongs...

Review: Avoiding Mr. Right by C.J. Ellisson

Title: Avoiding Mr. Right
Series: Wild Side, #2
Author: C.J. Ellisson
Published: June 3, 2013
Pages: 160
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher (Red Hot Publishing)
Rating: C
Reviewed by: Marq

Favorite quote: "You don't know what you like. You fumble with the wrong men and think commanding them will get you what you need."

summary from Goodreads
Carla Johnson thinks issuing orders to a lover will keep her heart safe and leave her in charge of her own destiny. Afraid for Carla’s future, her best friend Heather implores her to change her self-centered ways, handing her a list of love life mistakes to steer clear of:

1. Casual Sex
2. Friends with Benefits
3. Avoidance of Intimacy

Carla ignores the list—unwilling to face she might have a commitment problem. Until she invites a co-worker to her place one night. She instantly regrets the hum-drum sexual encounter and discourages the accountant from pursuing her.

Andy Shea refuses to become another lover the feisty blonde dumps. It'll take a patient man with a strong hand to unlock Carla's sexual awareness and win her heart. He’s up for the challenge to convince her he’s the one—and eager to prove this number cruncher won’t make a boring bedmate.

Review: Wicked Memories by Nina Bangs

Title: Wicked Memories (CASTLE OF DARK DREAMS)
Series: Castle of Dark Dreams, #7
Author: Nina Bangs
Published: June 4, 2013
Pages: 304
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Source: Publisher (Berkley Trade)
Rating: C+
Reviewed by: Ellie

Favorite quote: “So what you mean is that if you told me what you are, I might refuse to go into the night with you?”
“Exactly.”
“Well, that’s comforting.”

summary from Goodreads
Thorn Mackenzie was a young Viking when he met Sparkle Stardust long ago. She used him and then abandoned him. Over a thousand years later, he has finally found a way to repay her. Employing his power of persuasion, he assembles a team that can create the ultimate fantasies and illusions. The group will work together in Nirvana, the amazing amusement park Thorn has built—right across the street from Sparkle’s Castle of Dark Dreams. To fight back before Thorn bleeds her business dry, Sparkle must hire a spy.

Kay Stanley needs extra money, so she reluctantly agrees to do some sneaking and peeking for Sparkle. But as she gets closer to Thorn, she discovers they have a lot more in common than just a need to crush the competition and a willingness to fight dirty. As sexual tension between them mounts, she finds it harder to see the gorgeous Viking as her enemy. But with an evil force working to destroy their city, they may not survive long enough for her to help him overcome his…Wicked Memories.