Fifty Shades of Grey tops NYT Bestsellers - mainly from ebook sales

[Barty]

related question: Is there romance for men? (and no, I don't mean porn).

almost all porn are aimed at men, and occasionally, you hear people ask what are some good porn for women. I'll ask the converse. Are there good romance aimed at (straight) men? (I know there are m/m romance for gay men.) I'm not sure what that would be like exactly, but maybe something where the hero isn't a rich pirate with an underwear model's physique and porn star's endowment who kidnaps the heroine and rapes her nightly until she falls in love with him. (not that there's anything wrong with that

[Joykins]

Originally Posted by Barty

related question: Is there romance for men? (and no, I don't mean porn).

almost all porn are aimed at men, and occasionally, you hear people ask what are some good porn for women. I'll ask the converse. Are there good romance aimed at (straight) men? (I know there are m/m romance for gay men.) I'm not sure what that would be like exactly, but maybe something where the hero isn't a rich pirate with an underwear model's physique and porn star's endowment who kidnaps the heroine and rapes her nightly until she falls in love with him. (not that there's anything wrong with that

Romance is not typically marketed to men, but there are certainly men who read (and write!) romance. Some stuff that is actually romance sneaks into other genres such as mainstream fiction. And m/m romance is mostly marketed to and read by women also. There isn't really a difference there so much as you would think.

Were you looking for a recommendation?

[BeccaPrice]

Try Northern Lights by Nora Roberts.

near as i can tell, the equivalent of romance for men are the westerns.

[DiapDealer]

Are there good romance aimed at (straight) men?

Romance is not typically marketed to men, but there are certainly men who read (and write!) romance. Some stuff that is actually romance sneaks into other genres such as mainstream fiction. And m/m romance is mostly marketed to and read by women also. There isn't really a difference there so much as you would think.

I try not to worry whether something might be "aimed" at me or not. I've come across many a good book by reading things that were aimed at other audiences.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by BeccaPrice

Try Northern Lights by Nora Roberts.

near as i can tell, the equivalent of romance for men are the westerns.

Leigh Greenwood romances are all historical western romances. Leigh is also a guy a real guy not someone using a pen name.
Seeing Western Romances are my most favorite genre. I love his books!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by MrsJoseph

You should have gotten in line earlier.

I'm not in line and I won't be. I don't actually have any desire to read this.

[wyndslash]

Originally Posted by Barty

related question: Is there romance for men? (and no, I don't mean porn).

almost all porn are aimed at men, and occasionally, you hear people ask what are some good porn for women. I'll ask the converse. Are there good romance aimed at (straight) men? (I know there are m/m romance for gay men.) I'm not sure what that would be like exactly, but maybe something where the hero isn't a rich pirate with an underwear model's physique and porn star's endowment who kidnaps the heroine and rapes her nightly until she falls in love with him. (not that there's anything wrong with that

lots of m/m romances are actually written by women and are mostly targeted for women as well. i love them suffice to say, i know many gay men who scoff at these m/m romances written by women.

[abookreader]

Originally Posted by Barty

related question: Is there romance for men? (and no, I don't mean porn).

almost all porn are aimed at men, and occasionally, you hear people ask what are some good porn for women. I'll ask the converse. Are there good romance aimed at (straight) men? (I know there are m/m romance for gay men.) I'm not sure what that would be like exactly, but maybe something where the hero isn't a rich pirate with an underwear model's physique and porn star's endowment who kidnaps the heroine and rapes her nightly until she falls in love with him. (not that there's anything wrong with that

What you are describing is fairly representative as what is known as the "Boddice Rippers" which were huge in the 1970's/1980's. There are still books written like that, but it isn't as popular now as it used to be.

It's kind of hard to say what is written aimed at men, because men (just like women) like different things. If you wanted to talk action/adventure type they you might check out Romantic Suspense. Navy Seals went through a huge run over the past 5 or 6 years but it is dying down now. Special Forces type men and women take on terrorists or a rescue mission or something like that. The earliest Suzanne Brockmann Troubleshooters books get good reviews.

[Prestidigitweeze]

I'm not certain these Boolean ideas of men and women apply any more (if they ever did).

Women behave a lot more like men now that the dark ages are over and capable ladies aren't expected to marry hard-working schlubs just because society won't allow them to earn a living.

Remember those old jokes about henpecked men having to wear the apron strings? The kinds of men our grandmothers might have had to settle for are now lonelier and I doubt they make those comments quite so often.

"Madge, please marry me! I'll do anything. I promise to wear the apron strings!"

"Sorry, Ralph Waldo. I'm enjoying my career too much to want to adapt to your unique form of hygiene."

I happen to know a female director who makes her living shooting porn for women. The idea that women only want romance might be a Hank archaic.

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I'm not in line and I won't be. I don't actually have any desire to read this.

Ha! As concerned as you seem to be? Don't worry, no one can see the cover if its on your ereader.

Originally Posted by Barty

related question: Is there romance for men? (and no, I don't mean porn).

almost all porn are aimed at men, and occasionally, you hear people ask what are some good porn for women. I'll ask the converse. Are there good romance aimed at (straight) men? (I know there are m/m romance for gay men.) I'm not sure what that would be like exactly, but maybe something where the hero isn't a rich pirate with an underwear model's physique and porn star's endowment who kidnaps the heroine and rapes her nightly until she falls in love with him. (not that there's anything wrong with that

Originally Posted by abookreader

What you are describing is fairly representative as what is known as the "Boddice Rippers" which were huge in the 1970's/1980's. There are still books written like that, but it isn't as popular now as it used to be.

It's kind of hard to say what is written aimed at men, because men (just like women) like different things. If you wanted to talk action/adventure type they you might check out Romantic Suspense. Navy Seals went through a huge run over the past 5 or 6 years but it is dying down now. Special Forces type men and women take on terrorists or a rescue mission or something like that. The earliest Suzanne Brockmann Troubleshooters books get good reviews.

I would agree that the romantic suspense and action books might be to your liking. I haven't really been into the suspense thing lately so here is what I could find:

Don't Look Down by Jennifer Crusie
Deadly Fall by Ann Bruce (I have not read this, so here is a critical review)
The Midnight Series (erotica and very much Alpha Heroes...might not be your thing)
Of course, you can't forget the very well known Barsoom Series by Edgar Rice Borroughs. Yeah, I know it's "sff" but at it's heart it is a romance.
The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook is also rather popular. I had some issues with it but most people - including men - seem to enjoy it and not have my issues.

Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze

I'm not certain these Boolean ideas of men and women apply any more (if they ever did).

Women behave a lot more like men now that the dark ages are over and capable ladies aren't expected to marry hard-working schlubs just because society won't allow them to earn a living.

Remember those old jokes about henpecked men having to wear the apron strings? The kinds of men our grandmothers might have had to settle for are now lonelier and I doubt they make those comments quite so often.

"Madge, please marry me! I'll do anything. I promise to wear the apron strings!"

"Sorry, Ralph Waldo. I'm enjoying my career too much to want to adapt to your unique form of hygiene."

I happen to know a female director who makes her living shooting porn for women. The idea that women only want romance might be a Hank archaic.

[abookreader]

Iron Duke/Iron Seas are indeed really popular. I thought I was the only one who just didn't care much for them. To be honest there is so much going on in her fictional world that I have too hard of time trying to figure out the technology and culture to ever enjoy the story much. I just keep trying to imagine what all those airships and nano bots and everything look like.

Lisa Marie Rice (Midnight Series and Others) is extremely erotic and also Damsel in Distress being rescued kind of thing. I tend to enjoy the books she writes as Elizabeth Jennings more - still very suspenseful but the sex is toned down at least a little. She did one last year where a Special Forces guy needed escort a scientist to some Far Eastern country ... I can't remember the name but I thought it was pretty good.

Maya Banks and her KGI series has been really popular, I enjoyed the first few but the last one felt kind of lost and aimless to me.

If you can handle a dose of Werewolf the Patty Briggs Mercedes Thompson series is one of my favorites. They usually hit the NYT Bestseller list and are quite action packed and exciting.

[sbroome]

Originally Posted by abookreader

The "dominate" (notice my clever play on words there?)

No, didn't notice. Do you mean "they" dominate?

[MrsJoseph]

Originally Posted by abookreader

Iron Duke/Iron Seas are indeed really popular. I thought I was the only one who just didn't care much for them. To be honest there is so much going on in her fictional world that I have too hard of time trying to figure out the technology and culture to ever enjoy the story much. I just keep trying to imagine what all those airships and nano bots and everything look like.

Lisa Marie Rice (Midnight Series and Others) is extremely erotic and also Damsel in Distress being rescued kind of thing. I tend to enjoy the books she writes as Elizabeth Jennings more - still very suspenseful but the sex is toned down at least a little. She did one last year where a Special Forces guy needed escort a scientist to some Far Eastern country ... I can't remember the name but I thought it was pretty good.

Maya Banks and her KGI series has been really popular, I enjoyed the first few but the last one felt kind of lost and aimless to me.

If you can handle a dose of Werewolf the Patty Briggs Mercedes Thompson series is one of my favorites. They usually hit the NYT Bestseller list and are quite action packed and exciting.

Yeah, the midnight series is rather erotic and the damsel in distress thing got old after 1/2 a book...but it was decent and had lots of guns. I haven't tried any Elizabeth Jennings, I'll put it on my mountain.

Speaking of fun and lots of guns (with a piss poor romance thrown in) check out Larry Correia's Monster Hunter International series. Even my husband enjoys them.

I've read only one or two books from Maya Banks...I'll have to check out some others. The ones I read weren't too encouraging. Her site said that Hidden Away is a finalist for RITA so I think I'll check the series (KGI)out. Thanks!

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by abookreader

What you are describing is fairly representative as what is known as the "Boddice Rippers" which were huge in the 1970's/1980's. There are still books written like that, but it isn't as popular now as it used to be.

It's kind of hard to say what is written aimed at men, because men (just like women) like different things. If you wanted to talk action/adventure type they you might check out Romantic Suspense. Navy Seals went through a huge run over the past 5 or 6 years but it is dying down now. Special Forces type men and women take on terrorists or a rescue mission or something like that. The earliest Suzanne Brockmann Troubleshooters books get good reviews.

The Troubleshooters series is one that has been recommended to me. I'm getting ready to start it as soon as I finished Jacquelyn Frank's Nightwalker series. I have the Troubleshooter books staring at me so I agree it might be good for men they seem to be one that has good plots.

As for Bodice rippers publishers wont even touch those today. They are not P.C. and everything must be fluffy in all romance historical books. They are so cookie cutter now. So tame. I prefer the historical in the 90s but I do own quite a few Bodice Rippers from the 80s.

[Joykins]

Anna Campbell is still churning the old-style stuff out. Not afraid to torture her characters.