It is estimated that every few seconds in the English speaking world alone someone purchases a romance novel. But, despite the overwhelming popularity of the genre, romance novels, writers and their readers are often harshly criticized and subject to scorn. In From Australia with Love, Juliet Flesch seeks to redress the balance by providing a witty and provocative defense of this neglected but significant part of popular literature and culture. This book makes available, for the first time, an historical overview of the development of the genre and the romance publishing business around the world. Many American authors are cited, the growth and influence of the Romance Writers of America organization is traced, and the history of Harlequin and Mills & Boon business practices are recounted. Flesch analyzes the cultural contexts of romances at different points of the 20th century, focusing on Australia, but also tracing such international aspects as the differences in cover art and tran