2020 may be more than halfway over (thank goodness!), but that doesn't mean that the rest of the year isn't chock full of great new releases that are sure to satsify your craving for fantasy romance or romantic fantasy. Come on, let's take a peek at the goodies coming up. (Titles are listed in order … Continue reading Upcoming Romantic Fantasy/Fantasy Romance Titles in 2020
Here’s Your List of Romantic Reads From the 2020 Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO)!
If you're a member of our Facebook group, chances are you're familiar with self-published books. Many of the book recommendations made there are novels written by independent ("indie") authors, who don't go through a traditional publishing house like Penguin or Hachette, but oversee their books' preparation and publishing on their own. Self-published books can have … Continue reading Here’s Your List of Romantic Reads From the 2020 Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off (SPFBO)!
RFS 2020 Fanart Competition
Good afternoon, lovely Shelfies! We are going to be adding some more fun and art to our activities on the Romantic Fantasy Shelf by hosting a fanart competition! And don't worry if you think you lack the artistic skills. We've got some prizes that will take that into account, so this isn't going to be … Continue reading RFS 2020 Fanart Competition
Looking for New Romantic Fantasies for Your eReaders?
I am tagged in this picture, and I don't mind. Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the chances that you have a new device in need of some stories is fairly good. Or maybe you just like to browse the latest fantasy romances or romantic fantasies regardless of the season. To that end, we have … Continue reading Looking for New Romantic Fantasies for Your eReaders?
2019 RFS Book Raffle- Read on to Learn How to Win!
Time: 10/15 - 12/13 at 11:59 PM EST. Books: any of the 12 books listed in this grid below attached Goal: read as many as you can; each book and bingo gets you extra points and extra chances to win What Can You Win: The winners will be selected at random using the points/tickets to … Continue reading 2019 RFS Book Raffle- Read on to Learn How to Win!
45 Swoon-worthy Fantasy Romance Novels
Want to fall in love with a fantasy romance? We at Romantic Fantasy Shelf got you covered! Here are 45 swoon-worthy fantasy romance novels to get lost in...
58 Romantic Fantasy Books To Tie Your Heart In Knots
Looking for your next romantic fantasy read? We here at the Shelf have got you covered! Read on!
N. J. Adel: Fantasy and Egypt
Reverse harem fantasy authors have often been inspired by the wealth of folklore and mythology across many cultures, both current and ancient. Who wouldn’t love to have a harem of immortal gods who are conjuring magic all day to please their ladies? However, when it comes to ancient Egypt, things get a little tricky. The … Continue reading N. J. Adel: Fantasy and Egypt
Catharine Glen: 5 Books To Read To Jump Into Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance
You love a good romance. We all do, that’s why we’re here! When two characters fall in love and overcome adversity: nothing better! Sometimes there’s another love interest, and the infamous triangle emerges: who will she choose? But now you’re looking for something more. Something new and different. Enter reverse harem (RH) or #WhyChoose, a … Continue reading Catharine Glen: 5 Books To Read To Jump Into Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance
AJ Lancaster: Book Review of Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Sometimes a book draws you in so completely that you only remember you meant to go to bed hours ago after you emerge, blinking, from the very last page. I mean, look at that opening sentence: Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley.Uprooted, p1 How … Continue reading AJ Lancaster: Book Review of Uprooted by Naomi Novik
15 Books to Read If You Love Women Mages
Here's a list of books if you like strong women who wield magic. These books were selected by our administrators and community members. We hope you find your next favorite read! 1. Mystic and Rider by Sharon Shinn Gillengaria seethes with unrest. In the south, hostility toward magic and its users has risen to a … Continue reading 15 Books to Read If You Love Women Mages
Rose Amberly: Fairy tales, Fantasy and legends hold up a mirror to real life
If like me you’ve balked at how un-feminist our classic fairy tales can be, then you understand how reluctant I was, last Christmas, when my niece asked me to read her Cinderella. For a start, three of the women in the story come in for very harsh descriptions, they’re either, ugly, stupid, or evil. As … Continue reading Rose Amberly: Fairy tales, Fantasy and legends hold up a mirror to real life
13 Books to Read If You Love Gaslamp
Here's a list of books if you like Gaslamp. These books were selected by our administrators and community members. We hope you find your next favorite read! 1. Nefertiti's Heart by A.W. Exley Cara Devon has always been impulsive, but tangling with a serial killer might cure that. Permanently. "I love everything about the story. … Continue reading 13 Books to Read If You Love Gaslamp
A.W. Exley and Rabia Gale: What’s Gaslamp?
Today we’d like to introduce you to an old genre that is getting some new recognition — gaslamp. While gaslamp has been with us for over a hundred years now, it has only recently been given its own category on Amazon and a BISAC code. What is gaslamp? GASLAMP (also known as gaslight fantasy or … Continue reading A.W. Exley and Rabia Gale: What’s Gaslamp?
Helena Rookwood: 5 Books To Read If You’re Excited About Disney’s Live-Action Version of Aladdin
Craving magic lamps and desert sands after watching the Aladdin remake? Helena Rookwood has you covered with a list of books to sate your inner djinni!
15 Books to Read If You Love Warrior Women
We here at Romantic Fantasy Shelf thought it a good time to celebrate our favorite fierce warrior women and magic users in a post of books about women who fight hard and fall in love. These books were selected by our administrators and community members. We hope you find your next favorite read! 1. Graceling … Continue reading 15 Books to Read If You Love Warrior Women
Jaycee Jarvis: In Defense of Beta Heroes
Jaycee Jarvis defines the role of the beta hero in romantic fantasy and fantasy romance, and makes some book recommendations!
J.M. Butler: Review of A Thief and a Gentlewoman (RFS Book Club Winner – March 2019)
J.M. Butler gives her review of one of RFS's March 2019 Book Club winners, A Thief and a Gentlewoman by Clare Sager.
ROZ P. GARRETT: BOOK REVIEW OF KUSHIEL’S DART BY JACQUELINE CAREY
Roz P. Garrett delves deeply into the worldbuilding, plot, and romance of Jacqueline Carey's masterpiece romantic fantasy, Kushiel's Dart.
Ryan Muree: You were the CHOSEN ONE!
Ryan Muree discusses the Chosen One trope in fantasy.
What to Read if You Love Beauty and the Beast
Do you love Beauty and the Beast? Nicolette Andrews lists the books you need on your TBR, like, yesterday. 🙂
J.M. Butler: Review of Heart of the Fae by Emma Hamm (RFS Book Club Winner – February 2019)
J.M. Butler gives her review of one of RFS's February 2019 Book Club winners, Heart of the Fae by Emma Hamm.
Gemma Oleander: My First Boyfriend Was a Book Boyfriend, or: Why I Write Young Adult Romantic Fantasy
Gemma Oleander discusses the pleasures and lessons of young adult romantic fantasy and its roguish book boyfriends. 😉
J.M. Butler: Review of No Man Can Tame by Miranda Honfleur (RFS Book Club Winner – February 2019)
J.M. Butler gives her review of one of RFS's February 2019 Book Club winners, No Man Can Tame by Miranda Honfleur.
Janeen Ippolito: Write a Good Loser: Love Triangles Beyond the Indecisive Protagonist
Janeen Ippolito explains why love triangles, despite getting a bad rap, can add to a good story.
Ryan Muree: The Dirty on “Clean” vs “Dirty” Stories
Ryan Muree discusses the divide between stories that contain sexual relations and stories that don't, and whether there's a need for new classifications and terminology.
R. A. Steffan: Reverse Harem and the Rise of Polyamorous Fantasy Romance
R.A. Steffan discusses the origins of reverse harem, its evolution, and the rise of polyamorous fantasy romance.
Catharine Glen: The Path To Reverse Harem Romance
Catharine Glen reveals the Eastern origins of the reverse harem genre, explains the difference with the Western style, and details the pleasures to be found in RH fantasy.
J.M. Butler: Why Does Romance Belong in Epic Fantasy?
J.M. Butler details the opposition to romance in epic fantasy, and explores reasons why romance belongs in the genre.
Ryan Muree: Validating Strong Women in Fantasy
Ryan Muree discusses depictions of strong women in fantasy and the need for inclusion and raising voices.
Nicolette Andrews: Book Review of Blade & Rose by Miranda Honfleur
Nicolette Andrews reviews romantic fantasy novel Blade & Rose by Miranda Honfleur.
Nicolette Andrews: Falling in Love with Fantasy Romance
Nicolette Andrews defines fantasy romance and discusses its significance.
Helen Allan: Three Things I Learned Writing Scarab: Falling Through Time (Writer Edition!)
Helen Allan recounts the lessons she gleaned from writing the Scarab series.
Miranda Honfleur: The Place of Romantic Fantasy
Miranda Honfleur discusses what's meant by the term "romantic fantasy," and its implications for readers and authors.
Helen Allan: Three Things I Learned Writing Scarab: Falling Through Time
Helen Allan retells her adventure traveling in Egypt, which underpinned her romantic fantasy novel, Scarab.
Claire Luana: On Romance Tropes
Claire Luana discusses romance tropes and makes recommendations.
Romantic Fantasy Shelf Launch Events!
Ready to kick off 2019 with tons of fantasy romance, romantic fantasy, and reverse harem fantasy books? Win your 2019 TBR pile of ebooks, paperbacks, audiobooks, signed books, as well as bookmarks, interviews, and more! It's easy to enter: During the month of January, read and review any romantic fantasy, fantasy romance, or reverse harem … Continue reading Romantic Fantasy Shelf Launch Events!
Blizzard of Book Boyfriends
Good day to you, dear Shelfies! It is our great pleasure as admins to announce the Blizzard of Book Boyfriends. This reading challenge will run from today all the way to the first day of spring, March 19, 2021 at 11:59 PM EST. Prizes are currently being gathered up, and we’ll let you know after … Continue reading Blizzard of Book Boyfriends