Erotica vs. Inspirational

For this final reading assignment, I want you to think about how the sub-genre elements (sex or religion) work with the elements of a romance novel (Regis's eight elements). How is each element affected by the fact that this book is primarily about either sex or religion?

The elements are:
1. Corrupt society
2. Meeting
3. Attraction
4. Barrier
5. Point of Ritual Death
6. Realization (of how to overcome barrier)
7. Declaration
8. Betrothal


For this blog post, discuss each element in your chosen book.

For the 1000 word paper for your chosen book, discuss one or two elements in depth.

Over the Edge

As you're reading through Suzanne Brockmann's Over the Edge, think about the violence in the book. There's the physical violence (the hijacking in the first place, the bombing and shooting, the rape, the final scene when the SEALs storm the plane), the mental/emotional violence (Sam and Alyssa, Helga's Alzheimer's, Teri's experiences with sexual harrassment, Ken's breakup with Adele), and of course the swearing. How does the violence in the book support the romance aspect of the book? Is the violence necessary to tell the story (general plot)? Is the violence necessary to tell the story of the romance between Teri and Stan? Does the violence heighten or detract from the romance? Does violence like this belong in a romance?