A question for readers and authors of romance novels...?

I've been on a reading binge and have read dozens of romance novels, by many authors, the past few months. One thing really bugs me...



Why do authors tend to write about experienced men and virgin women? Is this want women want in the hero and heroine?



I find virgin innocence simplistic, simpering, and over done. I rather read a novel with maturer ADULT woman with some experience. Get real, in this age most women have been at least part way around the block by the time they are twenty. I resent the double standard of experienced man wanting an innocent woman. Why should a woman be ashamed of experience and a man proud?



I get so tired of reading about the seduction and breaking of another "too tight" virgin, it reads like it's written for MEN.



So many novels follow this virgin trend it makes me wonder if I am the only one who resents and/or is tired of it?A question for readers and authors of romance novels...?
What you've been reading is formula romances from the major publishers. They require the women be virgins and young and pretty and they must meet the hero by the end of the first chapter, etc. Cookie-cutter books.



Now to find romances with OLDER women, OVERWEIGHT women, and NONTYPICAL plots, you need to go to publishers like Hard Shell Word Factory (http://www.hardshell.com), and Wings E-Press (http://www.wings_epress.com) and other small publishers who are NOT tied into formula books. You can also find the best of the small publishers at http://www.fictionwise.com.



Some really outstanding books from small publishers are two espionage romances called PIG IN THE PARK and PRIVACY. I also really enjoyed SEX, LIES, %26amp; RODEO GAMES and THE MANHUNTER by Ellen Anthony. None of these could be bought by NY publishers because the heroines are too strong.