Virginia Kantra: Top 10 reasons we love contemporary romance

USA TODAY best-selling author Virginia Kantra really needs no introduction, but I can't help myself. And, besides, her new book, Carolina Girl, is out today, and I feel compelled beyond reason to let you know about that so you can buy it! Here, she shares what she, Mariah Stewart, Carly Phillips and Kristan Higgins have to say about why we love contemporary romance so much. (P.S. Sure wish someone had mentioned the men.)

Virginia: A couple of years ago I was having lunch with my editor and blurted out, "I just want to write a book without a demon in it."

And I'm not alone. Contemporary romance is one of the hottest genres out there. So I asked some of my friends (and favorite authors!) why. And every single one said,

1. It's the men.

Critics have argued that the romance genre portrays men not as they are but as women wish they would be. But I love real men, the way they look and stand and talk and smell. I think the reason for the criticism — if it is one — is that women are attracted to two kinds of men: the dangerous bad boys you date and the dependable standup guys you could make a family with. In contemporary romance, you can have what Carly Phillips (Perfect Fit) calls "the kind of guy you wish you had by your side 24/7 ... the whole package."

These guys aren't superheroes. But they combine both the motorcycle-riding hunk who can protect you in a bar fight and the stand-up guy who will buy your mother flowers.

Or as Kristan Higgins (The Best Man) says, "Listen, I've been married 20-plus years now. Romance novels let me fall in love again, and those guys never leave the toilet seat up, you know what I'm saying?"

2. It's the women.

"We're writing about contemporary women living in our contemporary world. I think the best of the genre deals with the diverse issues real women face, but at the heart of those issues are the men in our lives, our families and our friends," Mariah Stewart (The Long Way Home) says.

Our characters are grounded in the real world and their problems are the ones I think real women can relate to. Which makes their determination more admirable and their victories sweeter.

(Did you notice the bit about the men?)

3. It's the stories.

In the absence of demons and dead bodies, the characters in contemporary romance need strong, real, personal reasons not to be together. Susan Andersen (Some Like It Hot) says, "Contemporary romance always grabs me with its push me/pull me between cool chicks and hot men." (Oh, yeah, the men. Did we mention the men?)

And the ways they work those conflicts out make for a compelling and emotional read.

4. It's real life.

Mariah points out, "Contemporary romance mirrors real life, with all the challenges, emotions, and humor."

At the same time.

5. It's an escape.

Bad things happen, but in our stories, our characters ultimately triumph. Justice wins. Love finds a way.

Carly adds, "At its best, contemporary romance takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. Contemporary is the only romance genre we read that depicts the real world we know — so authors have to take what is and heighten it."

Particularly with the inclusion of fabulous heroes (don't forget the heroes!) and great sex.

6. It's the families.

No man is an island ... even if, like the Fletchers of Dare Island, the characters live on one. As women, I think we're hard-wired to focus on relationships. All relationships. The families in contemporary romance are modern families, families by choice as well as by birth.

As Susan says, we read for "the emotional connections you get with their families and friends, with characters who feel as real to me as my best friends. Let's face it, what's NOT to love?"

7. It's the humor.

Humor is part of life, one of the best things we share with family and friends, and one of the ways our characters cope with disaster. The humor in contemporary romance provides some of the escape we read for.

"An author who makes me laugh has a reader for life," Kristan says.

8. It's the fun facts.

Part of setting our books in the real world is the pleasure of learning new things about the world around us, whether our characters run a bed-and-breakfast or a family vineyard or a dude ranch. For writers, that means doing the research. Jesse Hayworth (Summer at Mustang Ridge, out today!) agrees. "There's nothing better than having an excuse to window shop for Stetsons, spurs, dude ranch logos and bars with mechanical bulls in them. Although I'm pretty sure I'm on a watch list for having Googled "how to sabotage an oil rig," "how to tie a hangman's noose" and "how to castrate a bull" all in the same day."

Absolutely. Those trips to the beach? Research. (At least that's what I keep telling myself.) Which brings us to:

9. It's the settings.

We all love to lose ourselves in a book. And when we can immerse ourselves in the setting to the point where, as Kristan says, we can "smell the saltwater or hear the crickets at night," it's a wonderful thing.

Coming home or striking out for someplace new, contemporary romance is about finding your place in the world.

From Carolina Girl by Virginia Kantra:

Meg dropped the bottles she carried into the bin and gazed out over the darkened yard. The soft night air wrapped her in humidity and darkness. A chorus of frogs rose from the trees. The whisper of the wind carried the sound and scent of water. Home, she thought before she had a chance to barricade her heart against the word.

The yellow kitchen light spilled across deck. She ought to go in before Matt came out or sent one of the kids after her. But she lingered, tipping back her head to stare at the evening sky. An unfamiliar yearning flooded her chest like starlight. I wish I may, I wish I might ...

The points of light pulsed and blurred. The screen door opened. Heavy footsteps approached. Matt. She blinked hastily and spoke without turning her head. "We don't get stars like that in New York."

"There are a lot of things you don't get in New York," Sam said behind her. "Like me."

10. It's the series.

Once we've found our special place, is it any wonder we want to go back again and again? Plus there's the joy of catching up with old friends who feel like family. As Mariah says, "There are some characters and places I just HATE to say goodbye to!"

Especially ... you know. Those men.

So, tell me, what are the reasons you love contemporary romance? Do you have a favorite series or a new one you'd like to try? (To comment, click on the gray comment balloon on the left side of your browser window.)

Virginia loves to hear from readers. Connect with her through www.virginiakantra.com, on Facebook and Twitter (@VirginiaKantra).