...look like bodice buster romances?  I almost picked up the third book in the series at Costco today but that book cover made me cringe.  Is this series really considered romance? (Not that there is anything wrong with romance!) ;-)

They're considered Regency mysteries?  On Audible they're categorized in historical mysteries.  I just found the series because Amazon had a free download of one of her books with the purchase of another.

I read the first in that series and wouldn't call them romance--they are like many historical mysteries with a female protagonist who isn't in a nun, in that there is likely to be some sort of romantic interest--although this wasn't too evident in the first one, I can see that it will likely be further developed in later books.

I noticed that "headless lady" thing going on with the third book, too. A lot of historical fiction books seem to have that as a trademark lately. LOL

Oh, and yes, LeeAnne...there IS something wrong with romance, especially if it takes over a previously great mystery series and becomes the main focus. Drives me mad when that happens. :D

Cheryl

I meant that there is nothing wrong with romance that is labeled romance.  Mysteries that turn into romance  are typically disappointing.

I agree with you LeeAnne.  If I want to read a romance, I'll grab one.  I don't mind a little romance tossed into my mystery, but if I pick up a book labeled as a mystery I really want it to be a mystery.

It's a total mystery to me why I am like this about my books. lol

Oh, absolutely--I don't care if a book is labeled romance--it just means it wouldn't find its way into my house! LOL As you say, what is really frustrating when a book is supposed to be one thing but is just a thinly disguised something else.

Cheryl

I read both mystery and romance.  I think there is a trend going on now with romantic covers on mystery books.  I noticed some Faye Kellerman book reissues in a few places recently that had a couple on the cover in a pose like you would find on a Romantic Suspense novel by Cherry Adair or Cindy Gerard.  I did a double take when I realized they were reissues of some of her Decker books. 

Some of the historical mysteries have what look like historical romance book covers.  Maybe because romances are so popular (even though a lot of people won't admit they read them) that they are trying to "sex-up" the covers to sell more.

I also noticed that the  headless lady is making a comeback.  For a while it was feet in pretty shoes or legs.  Now is the headless woman again. 

ETA: corrected my author name-confusing my series.

Maybe the publishers are looking for the cross-over audience; Romance readers who might not pick up a mystery just might buy the book if it had a more romancy cover. I try not to judge a book by its cover but some are pretty bad and very misleading.

That's what I'm thinking. That they're hoping to attract romance readers.  Sex sells. 

The author didn't have a choice on the new covers. You can go to her website and read her blog where she explained it. The beautiful cover on her first book is what drew me to her books in the first place. I never would have picked them up with the covers they currently have. However, don't let the new cover stop you from a truly great book. I would say there is romance in it, but it by no means overpowers the great characters and mystery.