Bodice Ripper Readers Anonymous discussion

I’d like suggestions for bodice rippers with (anti) heroes as crazy as Sean Culhane in Stormfire. That dude had mommy issues from his twisted mother!

There is the notorious Domenico from Teresa Denys's The Silver Devil. He's insanely possessive and jealous.

Natasha Peter's duo Savage Surrender and Dangerous Obsession and both feature crazy, cruel heroes, although I'd say the hero in Dangerous Obsession is crueler.

I hear the hero of Catherine Coulter's Devil's Embrace is pretty batshit crazy.

Oh, and there is the hero of Rosemary Rogers' Wicked Loving Lies, who, while not insanely insane, does (view spoiler)[ brand the heroine with his initials so every man who sleeps with her will know whom she belongs to (hide spoiler)].

Christopher from Lemonade by Nina Pennacchi.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

@Wendy:

I actually own some of the titles that you mentioned, but I didn’t realize the heroes in those books could take a “seat a the table” with Sean Culhane and swap stories.

I think I own The Silver Devil and Savage Surrender

Also Wicked Loving Lies is in kindle stor for a low price. I’m going to buy it.

@Caroline:

Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll have to see if Lemonade is still in KU. It was last year, and I’ve seen it mentioned, but I didn’t realize the hero was after mine own hear and cut from the cloth of Sean Culhane. TeeHee 🤗

I just purchased Wicked Loving Lies ty for the suggestions I agree Andrea I love an anti-hero

is a new book but the hero was cruel in this book not in the same league as Lemonade but I wasn't sure if he could redeem himself

@Blondie,

🥴

Thanks Blondie!

Taming Ivy is in KU!

I am looking forward to what you think of Lemonade. It is still on Unlimited. I keep re-reading it and discovering new things.


Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "@Wendy:

I actually own some of the titles that you mentioned, but I didn’t realize the heroes in those books could take a “seat a the table” with Sean Culhane and swap stories.

I think I own [bo..."

Caroline wrote: "I am looking forward to what you think of Lemonade. It is still on Unlimited. I keep re-reading it and discovering new things.


Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "@Wendy:..."

Caroline,

Are you a KU member?

Nothing compares to Lemonade. I am such a freak for this book. Christopher is such an ahole.

Thanks for the suggestions @Be.

I don’t think these heroes are crazy enough. In fact, I have recently read Lions and Lace, he is surly because he has a chip on his shoulder and frowns a lot, but he’s not a psycho.

Eliza wrote: "Nothing compares to Lemonade. I am such a freak for this book. Christopher is such an ahole."

@Eliza:

I have to hurry up and read this!

You really do! That book is by far my favorite! Make sure to let me know what you think, I'm always curious how others feel about it.

Eliza wrote: "You really do! That book is by far my favorite! Make sure to let me know what you think, I'm always curious how others feel about it."

I’ll have to see if this book is able to take the heavyweight belt from Stormfire!

Be wrote: "Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Thanks for the suggestions @Be.

I don’t think these heroes are crazy enough. In fact, I have recently read Lions and Lace..."

I'd definitely discourage anyone who is triggered by abuse- verbal or physical, to avoid this book. Christopher has some very deep, dark personal issues that he takes out on everyone else.

@Be,

I feel you.

A lot of HR readers don’t care for the books that we like over here in this group for those reasons that you gave above and many more just just don’t like these kind of books for a variety of other reasons.

The books that we like in this group don’t conform to 21st C sensibilities or are very un-pc, but we love them.

I think I am going to post my last discussion on feminism in this group vs the HR group.

:)

Be wrote: "I started out reading Historical Romance back in the 70's... read all kinds , Rosemary Rogers and Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsey , rape was pretty common in all the books I read back then , I may ha..."
Spoiler warning if you plan on reading Lemonade.


(view spoiler)[ this book is very descriptive. The rape scene is intense. It is not a fade to black situation, you will feel a lot of emotions, even if you're not someone who has suffered abuse. (hide spoiler)]

IMHO Lemonade lacked the campy, over-the-top element of the old BRs.

KatieV wrote: "IMHO Lemonade lacked the campy, over-the-top element of the old BRs."

Which is exactly why I think people should be warned about it! Old BR's definitely had their "over-the-top" moments, which made them less believable...does that make sense?

Lemonade is very realistic.

Be wrote: "I started out reading Historical Romance back in the 70's... read all kinds , Rosemary Rogers and Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsey , rape was pretty common in all the books I read back then , I may ha..."

I’ve seen HR readers in Kathrynn’s HR say that they used to read those books in the past as well, but don’t like them anymore because they have evolved.

Lemonade is not a pretend rape. It's an absolute rape, the kind where the assailant beats his victim into submission. I personally wasn't bothered by this because I can distinguish between fiction and reality. The scene isn't gratuitous and it is important. It illustrated Christopher's desperation, and his fear. He's so frightened of losing Anna that he will do ANYTHING to keep her.

Be wrote: "I started out reading Historical Romance back in the 70's... read all kinds , Rosemary Rogers and Woodiwiss and Johanna Lindsey , rape was pretty common in all the books I read back then , I may ha..."

Caroline - I did not get the above from that scene, more like he wanted submission and she was irritating.

I did not finish it, not on par with the older BR books, though I might give it another go someday.

The same old books/authors come up with BR discussions. Has anyone come across any new books/authors?

I would recommend Marilee by Con Sellers. The best modern readI would recommend is Gaigin by Remittance Girl (short book).

I’ve got to agree with Caroline with this one. While maybe at the time he didn’t realize it, I definitely feel like he freaked when he thought she was slipping away from him. Total desperation on his part.

However, I do agree she was irritating him and he liked control. Something she wasn’t giving him.

Eliza wrote: "Nothing compares to Lemonade. I am such a freak for this book. Christopher is such an ahole."

This is why we would be bffs.

Yep! :)

Mel, they just don’t write them anymore. I have a list of old schools if you want them, but you are likely already familiar.

The newer books that contain some elements (rape, etc) are just not the same. There are things like Lemonade but They are more realistic feeling, something old school bodice rippers just weren’t as a rule. Some may prefer it, but I find the realism disturbing in a way the old BRs weren’t. Some were so way over the top and soapy that I couldn’t get upset if I tried. It’s all in the reader’s taste, of course.

@Mel:

I concur with KatieV. They aren’t writing them anymore.

However, I have a very “neo” bodice ripper shelf. Haven’t had time to read them as of yet. I’m expecting them to perhaps be edgier that “regular” HR that is published today, but not the same whacka-doodle, un-pc fun of the vintage bodice rippers.

“Oh, Anna, I’m sorry,” he mumbled. He lowered his face into the hollow of her shoulder, and the scent—bread, apples, and what exactly?—nearly overwhelmed him. “I am so very sorry,” he repeated, kissing her neck and causing her to give a frightened groan, “but I can’t let you go.”

He closed his eyes tightly and swallowed hard several times. These damned people took everything from me, he thought, and he realized he was close to tears—how long had it been since he cried? Almost sixteen years—They took everything from me, Anna.

He felt her tightening up, and she whispered a hopeless “No” that was so soft he could barely hear it. What was unmistakable was the sound of her delicate weeping. Her tears made his hair damp, and his wildly beating, broken heart boomed inside him. Christopher breathed in deeply against her shoulder, with her warmth so close, and he wondered again, hardly believing it possible, My God, what am I doing?

The answer was so horrifying that he hadn’t the courage to admit it, and yet he didn’t stop. All of a sudden he let go of her wrists, put his hands between her legs, and squeezed brutally hard against her most private areas."

Christopher drew her toward him, bending his head down to her shoulder. “They won’t take you away from me,” he mumbled, and, leaning against her, he suddenly thrust into her. He felt a sharp pain as he invaded her unprepared and tight opening, and he was inside of her.

Pennacchi, Nina. Lemonade (p. 135). AmazonCrossing. Kindle Edition.

He's not really irritated with her until after the rape and she won't agree to marry him, which was the reason he raped her in the first place.

He’s one of the most insecure, damaged characters I’ve ever read.

"The same old books/authors come up with BR discussions. Has anyone come across any new books/authors?"

By the above I meant has anyone come across an older BR book that is not the "same old" as in Stormfire/wicked loving lies/ etc., who everyone who reads BR books knows about.

How about The Copeland Bride? The H is a piece of work.

Catherine Hart, Samantha James, Tanya Anne Crosby and Jennifer Horsman if you haven't read them yet. All of the Eden books are a must. (Talk about twisted heroes.)

Oh, and don't forget Robin Schone or Lisa Valdez. I love almost everything they ever wrote.

I have read Copeland Bride.

I did not think Catherine Hart and Samantha James and Tanya Anne Crosby are BR writers. I could be wrong.

I am not sure about Jennifer Horsman?

Lord Eden from 'This Other Eden', totally nuts, i also was going to suggest Dominic Challenger from Wicked Loving Lies ', while not crazy he does some remarkably cruel things to Marisa that would ordinarily be construed as needing some serious psychotherapy

Oh yes Christopher from Lemonade...i actually did not finish the book because it was pretty raw.

Does anyone remember a book called 'Garnet' from the 70' she gets brutalized i vaguely recall,

Jennifer Horsman’s H to in Crimson Rapture was a twisted bastard. I liked her Magic Embrace the best, but Crimson Rapture had the most asshat hero.

Will have a look, thanks.

Gurl wrote: "Does anyone remember a book called 'Garnet' from the 70' she gets brutalized i vaguely recall,"

I can't find a copy!

Caroline wrote: "Catherine Hart, Samantha James, Tanya Anne Crosby and Jennifer Horsman if you haven't read them yet. All of the Eden books are a must. (Talk about twisted heroes.)

Oh, and don't forget Robin Schon..."

I wish Lisa Valdez would finish her series I am a huge fan of hers too

Lisa Valdez is one of the best underrated authors! I loved Passion.

I am going to go back and re-read her books again

I can't get into her books....shame on me, but I just can't do it.

Some folks aren't into it, but that whole part where they have sex three minutes after they meet in a public museum is a naughty that's right up my alley.

Caroline wrote: "Some folks aren't into it, but that whole part where they have sex three minutes after they meet in a public museum is a naughty that's right up my alley."

agreed there is just something about that scene that I have never been able to forget ;) and Valdez wrote it well

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I’d like suggestions for bodice rippers with (anti) heroes as crazy as Sean Culhane in Stormfire. That dude had mommy issues from his twisted mother!"

I read a medieval BR not too long ago and the H was whack-job! I'm desperately trying to remember the title, but nothings coming to me....

In the book he spots her at a well and walks up to her and is like "Yo- you're hot and I'm going to marry you."

The rest of the book he's pretty shitty to her and I didn't really like him. As soon as the title comes to me, I'll post for you Andrea.

Oh, I want that book, Eliza!

Ah! Found it- looks like it was Season of the Sun

I DNF because it was just sad for me.