We’ve listed 10 category romance authors from the 20th Century who were so incredibly successful or influenced the genre in revolutionary ways. These authors are must-reads for lovers of old-school or vintage romance.
jdiazsweetsavageflame
Pulpy, old-school, retro, and vintage romance reads are my jam, baby! I love them all: the good, the bad, the cheesy, and the sleazy! I have no shame about my love for high and low-brow art— mostly low-brow. Other than dreams, the wild stories from our imaginations are the only places where anything can truly happen, and you know what? That’s totally fine.
Trigger warnings are for weapons, not books.
As a lifelong autodidact, an amateur cultural historian, and a reader of romance, horror, and schlocky tales since 1989, I adore all kinds of fictional genres from the 20th century. In the 21st security, not so much!
If you've read my blogs, you might know me by a few different names. I manage and write under the name Jacqueline Diaz at SweetSavageFlame.com and JacquelineDiazRomance.com.
On my book blog, IntrovertReader.com, I'm simply IntrovertReader.
Romance Authors With Pseudonyms
In the romance genre, an author might use an alias for various reasons. Perhaps their real name lacks a certain je ne sais quoi. Because some romance writers create fiction for multiple genres, different names ae used. Others are men who want to appeal to a vast female audience. Or they could be married couples or duos who need a catchy nom-de-plume.
Covers of the Week #20: The Four Seasons
At Sweet Savage Flame, romance is in the air all year long. So to celebrate, from Monday, August 23, 2021, to Sunday, August 29, our 20th edition of Covers of the Week highlights four beautiful romance covers set during the four seasons of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
Covers of the Week #19: Elaine Duillo Cover Artist
Elaine Duillo was the undisputed “Queen of Historical Romance” covers. She was a giant in the competitive field of pulp fiction artwork, where women were few and far between. Duillo painted hundreds of book covers, was inducted into the Illustrators Hall of fame, and was the matriarch of a talented artistic family. She passed away on July 30, 2021, at the age of 93.
Covers of the Week #18
One of my favorite romance cover artists from the 1980s, 1990s, and well into the 2000s is Gregg Gulbronson. For the week of Monday, August 9 to Sunday, August 15, 2021, we highlight his gorgeous covers.
Historical Romance Review: Passion’s Wicked Torment by Melissa Hepburne
Melissa Hepburne’s Passion’s Wicked Torment is a balls-to-wall 20th-century bodice ripper set in the gangster era during American Prohibition. 3 stars
How to Find a Book When You Can’t Remember the Author or Title
Just like with a song you can hum, but the words elude you, it’s frustrating when you can’t remember the name of a book. Perhaps it’s a romance novel you read many years ago and the details remain clear and crisp in your mind. Or it could be a striking cover that caught your eye or a blurb you saw that seemed enticing, and have nothing else to go by. Either way, you’re stuck and don’t know where to start. We have several ways to help you find the name of that book you can’t recall.
Covers of the Week #17
I enjoy playing the game of “I Spy” with my vintage book romance covers. Can you guess this week’s theme? For the week of Aug 2 to Aug 6, here are some contemporary and historical covers for you to look over and play “I Spy.”
Historical Romance Review: Highland Heather by Ruth Langan
Ruth Langan’s Highland Heather is the sequel to her previous Scottish romance, Highland Barbarian. I liked this Harlequin Historical much more than its predecessor. Why? I enjoyed the conflict between the hero and the heroine and the English setting, plus introducing Queen Elizabeth I to a story always makes things interesting. 4 1/2 stars
What’s in a Name? Favorite Romance Novel Names
In the comment section of the review of Passion’s Treasure/Just Say Yes by Betina Krahn that I reviewed, our colleague Mary Ann Landers asked about the name of the heroine of the book, Treasure Barrett. That query got me thinking about romance novel names: do I have favorite ones? I certainly do!