In an interview with Studio 360 Host Kurt Anderson, America’s leading writer of romance novels Nora Roberts admitted that she was “deeply worried about the romance novel’s cultural relevance and
social perspective in the 21st century literature identity.” Although romance novels have always been a favorite among elderly or married women in particular, of late, the genre’s overall popularity is on a steady decline as many writers easily burst onto the scene with no other ambition but self-congratulation, Roberts says. “I just got through reading Heatwave by this new romance writer Jill Marie Landis, and there is nothing in that book that alludes to 21st century post-modern fragmentation of our innermost ideals, nothing about the anonymity that technology poses on the human spirit, not even a subtly masked critique of our current government -- nothing!” Roberts fumes with a trademark sense of passion that made her the true living legend she is today. In fact, very few contemporary romance novelists have garnered the respect of the genre’s leading figure. “Georgina Gentry’s To Tempt A Texan was a bunch of ‘look-at-me’ pomposity and cheap unjustified erotica. Just pure crap. Gina Wilkins’ After Hours? I think it should be read after death. Most unintelligent stream-of-libido I’ve ever managed to read. ” There are a few that have escaped Roberts’ criticisms, and one of them of course being another venerable writer in the field Jude Deveraux. “I find A Knight In Shining Armor a mediocre parable on economic strangulation and exploitation in many third world countries. I don’t know if it’s what she intended, but it’s what I got after a 2 year sabbatical in Nicaragua.” Part of the interview was to promote Roberts’ next book Sexless in Seattle in which the lead character, Stosh, personifies the crumbling hope America has in its current government, as he loses hope in his wife Tiffany who is suspected of cheating on him with their mailman. Its set release is October of 2010.
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