Shortly after graduating college in the late ‘80s—and realizing that writing and reading poetry at bars and coffeehouses around Upstate New York wouldn’t get me out of my parents’ house any time soon—I landed a job as a bookstore manager and instantly fell in love with everything it entailed. I loved books, I loved talking about books, I loved “book people.” It was paradise. And being in my twenties and single, I talked to my fair share of attractive women, some who came in on a weekly basis to load up on romance books. Even back then, before I evolved into a full-time genre fiction book reviewer, I loved discovering new stuff, reading releases from categories that I usually didn’t frequent. Working in a bookstore “enabled” me to experience a wide variety of noteworthy reads in philosophy, religion, young adult, true crime, inspirational, business, etc. But I never once read a romance.
Sure, I would buy my mother every single new Danielle Steel release in hardcover and I’d joke around with my hardcore romance customers about the perceived formulaic nature of many romance novels—heaving bosoms on the cover, metrosexual man candy with shaved chests and washboard abs, words like “savage” and “fire” frequently in the titles, etc.—but I never actually read a romance in the almost 10 years that I managed bookstores. Looking back on it, I was absolutely prejudiced—downright ignorant—real men don’t read romance, right? I just couldn’t imagine myself—6’2”, 210 pounds, crazy beard, hair down my back and covered with tattoos—curling up on the couch with The Flame and the Flower by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. Shouldn’t I be out riding my Harley or cutting timber in the back forty or pillaging small villages with a broad axe?
The closest I came to enlightenment was in 1991 (I believe) when Diana Gabaldon’s shelf-bending Outlander (896 pages!) was released and stayed on the bestseller list for what seemed like months. The storyline, I was told, contained intriguing science fiction elements, and after being badgered for weeks on end by certain customers, I almost did read it. Almost.
Fast-forward 20 or so years: genre fiction is literally an alien landscape compared to the rigidly defined categories of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. A shocking number of today’s fiction releases can be shelved in numerous categories—science fiction mysteries, horror westerns, paranormal romances, etc. It’s a different world—with dramatically different literary offerings.
Take the recently released Stormwalker by Allyson James (pseudonym for prolific author Jennifer Ashley). Although it is categorized as paranormal romance, it’s just as much a straightforward paranormal fantasy or a paranormal mystery—equally appealing to male and female readers alike. The story revolves around Janet Begay, a part-Navajo woman who possesses the ability to harness the powers of storms for her own use. While investigating the disappearance of a young woman in a remote desert town, Janet quickly realizes that her estranged mother—who just may be a god—is trying to psychically manipulate her for some nefarious purpose. After she is almost killed by a skinwalker, and arrested by an annoyingly by-the-book sheriff (who happens to be the missing woman’s fiancé), Janet is reunited with her first—and only—love: Mick, who just may have some supernatural powers of his own. “He was six-feet-six of solid muscle in jeans, a black T-shirt, and motorcycle boots, had a silver earring dangling from one ear, and dragon tattoos snaking down both arms. His hair was black, the wild curls of it just contained in a ponytail. He had the bluest eyes I’d ever seen, and I vividly recalled staring into them the night I lost my virginity…”
With Mick at her side—as well as a misfit group of allies that includes a mysterious drifter named Coyote, a female electrician with anger management issues, and a sentient (and oversexed) mirror—Janet vows to not only solve the mystery surrounding the missing woman but to also face her mother and put an end to her scheming, if she can...
Hey, this isn’t rocket science—it’s paranormal fantasy. It’s supposed to be entertaining. It’s supposed to be fun. And that’s exactly what Stormwalker is—an engaging fusion of Native American mysticism, amateur sleuth mystery, fantasy, and (at times) hot and heavy romance. Throw in vampires; a sprawling, magical realm beneath our own; and the Loch Ness monster and you have yourself not only one helluva read but also the start of what could be a wildly entertaining series! (Look for Firewalker to hit the shelves in November...)
Looking back on my days managing bookstores, I wish that I had been more open-minded and taken the advice of my customers and read novels like Outlander. But I can’t do anything about the past—only the future. And in the future, I will definitely be reading any and all novels regardless of categorization.
My name is Paul. And I read paranormal romance. Got a problem with that?
Honestly, if you walked into your local B&N and saw some guy kicked back in a chair reading Stormwalker, what would you think? Is there still some kind of stigma associated with men reading romance?
Paul Goat Allen has been a full-time book reviewer specializing in genre fiction for almost the last two decades and has written more than 6,000 reviews for companies like Publishers Weekly, The Chicago Tribune, and BarnesandNoble.com. In his free time, he reads.
melissas
on
I don't think that stigma is nearly as prevalent as it used to be. Having the pleasure of people watching in the bookstore as (practically) my job has shown me that. And I never judge. At least not in a negative way! 
Plus, on a fun note, I see this trend trickling down to teen guys. They seem to have no problem reading the YA equivalents, things like the Twilight saga, the Vampire Academy series, and Hush, Hush. Sure, these don't have sexually charged covers, but the content is similar. I think this bodes well for the future of men in the realm paranormal romance.
I think the only stigma attached to it exists in a man's mind. I spend A LOT of time in B&N and don't think anything of it when I see men reading UF, Romance, or any other book from a genre that usually caters to women. I just love seeing men read anything!
I want you to know, Paul, that I have always steered clear of Urban and Paranormal Fantasy. It all seemed to follow stereotypical storylines and just didn't appeal to me. I was perfectly content to stay with my Epic Fantasy, until I read your Book Club reviews and blog posts. Thank you for kindling an interest in new authors and genres!
