The British company Mills & Boon began releasing romance novels for women in the 1930s. Heyer's first romance novel, The Black Moth (1921), was set in 1751. Austen inspired Georgette Heyer, the British author of historical romance set around the time Austen lived, as well as detective fiction. Other precursors can be found in the literary fiction of the 18th and 19th centuries, including Samuel Richardson's sentimental novel Pamela, or Virtue Rewarded (1740) and the novels of Jane Austen. ДЄ thriving genre of works conventionally referred to as 'romance novels' existed in ancient Greece. Scott's novels are also frequently described as historical romances, and Northrop Frye suggested 'the general principle that most 'historical novels' are romances'. These romances frequently, but not exclusively, takes the form of the historical novel. The term 'romance' is also applied to novels defined by Walter Scott as 'a fictitious narrative in prose or verse the interest of which turns upon marvelous and uncommon incidents.' Related to this type of romance novel are works that, 'involves a mysterious, adventurous, or spiritual story line where the focus is on a quest that involves bravery and strong values, not always a love interest'. However, there is some criticism that many modern romantic stories make people develop unrealistic views about real relationships, as they expect love to be like it is in the movies.' Happy romantic movies and plays help people feel optimistic that someday they will also find true love. Sad love songs and poems when one is recovering from a broken heart can help express unspoken feelings. However, romance may also be a typical, romantic, love story that makes people sigh with wishful thinking.' 'Romance is a natural human emotion. Instead of focusing on a love story, it idealizes values and principles that seem lost in todayвЂ™s world of technology and instant gratification.

Romance can be a complex plotline with a setting from the past in a remote, faraway place. 'Many people today donвЂ™t realize that romance is more than a love story. The Romance Writers of America cite 16% of men read romance novels.

Although women are the main readers of romance novels a growing number of men enjoy them as well. There are many subgenres of the romance novel, including fantasy, gothic, contemporary, historical romance, paranormal fiction, and science fiction. A romance novel or romantic novel generally refers to a type of genre fiction novel which places its primary focus on the relationship and romantic love between two people, and usually has an 'emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending.' However, precursors include authors of literary fiction, such as Samuel Richardson, Jane Austen, and Charlotte BrontГ«.

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