Vaginal Fantasy Book Club discussion

This is the discussion thread for Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake. Was this fun? Fluffy? Insulting? TOO SMUTTY? Thoughts on the historical romance genre in general?

Just watched the hangout and I'm excited this book is the alt. I've read it before and it's a fun (but yeah very smutty) read. Looking forward to re-reading!

So...I haven't started the book yet (getting both this weekend) but I noticed something when my monitor screen was tilted back. YOU CAN SEE THE GIRLS BLACK STRING THONG through the dress. I kid you now. It's faint, but so totally there.
Do you guys thing that was intentional or that the dress just happened to be slightly too sheer and no one noticed.

Amanda wrote: "YOU CAN SEE THE GIRLS BLACK STRING THONG through the dress."

Did they wear thongs back then? I thought they wore knee knickers or something. LOL

I'm not someone who normally reads bodice ripper books because they feel too cheesy. I started reading this book last night and didn't stop until I finished it at 4 this am! I connected to Callie pretty much immediately and they sexay scenes were pretty well written. I laughed, I cried, and am very happy I took the time to read the book. I might even check out other books by the author!

i was sure what everyone believes to be thongs, was just some skin

Felicia wrote: "Did they wear thongs back then? I thought they wore knee knickers or something. LOL"

I believe that they didn't really wear any under things, aside from petticoats. They had a kind of drawers or something, but they didn't actually cover the goods. I'm pretty sure it was all open air under there. Which is probably the result of wearing clothes that you need help getting into in the morning. Imagine having to call a maid every time you needed the necessary...awkward.

Oh I love the cat photo. Thank you for that Vicky!

And Felicia, to answer your question,



And I like this blogger's post about 19th century under drawers. Apparently (according the the blogger) in 1810 until 1850 under drawers were optional and considered risque because they resembled men's pants.

http://janeaustensworld.wordpress.com...

but that isn't the funniest part. BOYS undergarments scream (by modern day standards) cross dressing. and judging by photos, they worse these at least until the age of 13 or so.



If we are talking about period piece romance...I want to hear about this woman and her diaries and her lesbian lover in the mid 19th century. WHAT? XD http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tv/2010/05...

and just to get a little TMI since we are on the topic of panties. When women in the victorian era where on their periods they would either pic unusable rags to catch...it...
o do nothing at all and sit around for a few days, on something catching....it....
I also read somewhere that there were women's bath houses for that purpose.

Vicky wrote: "Amanda wrote: "YOU CAN SEE THE GIRLS BLACK STRING THONG through the dress."

"

There needs to be a like button for Vicky's comment.

I'm not convinced that's a thong, so much as shading on the dress.

I read this book last year, and really enjoyed it. I don't remember it being super mega smutty, though, and really want to find out which bit Felicia was talking about it during the Hangout on Monday. I may have to reread it and make a list of possible scenes.

Malin wrote: "I read this book last year, and really enjoyed it. I don't remember it being super mega smutty, though, and really want to find ..."

I don't remember any of the smut from my first reading of this book, either. But the use of the word "rake" in the title creates certain expectations :)

Time to reread!

I finished this book just a bit ago and the smutty scene in the stable doesn't seem to exist in this book...much to my disappointment! I'm currently reading the second book to see if somehow there was a confusion...they are twins after all! :)

Really enjoyed reading this book. I thought it was pretty hysterical actually! Its probably not quite the funniest historical romance I've read but it was close! Also I love a bit of girls dressing up in mens clothes and sneaking about- and they had just the right amount of awkward/banter to keep me interested!
I thought the smut was good- but what stable scence was there?? I think I missed it somehow? Felicia built it up as super dirty!

Felicia wrote: "Did they wear thongs back then? I thought they wore knee knickers or something. LOL"

Chastity belt? ;)

Jute wrote: "I finished this book just a bit ago and the smutty scene in the stable doesn't seem to exist in this book...much to my disappointment! I'm currently reading the second book to see if somehow there..."
Oh, was it in the fencing ring that I'm thinking?!!

I don't remember this one as very smutty at all -- but I read a lot of romance, so the bar is pretty high. ;-)

I really liked the characters in this one. so much that i have already started the second book in the series =)

This is the first "bodice ripper" I've ever read and I came to it with certain preconceptions. All of which were wrong. Almost in spite of myself I enjoyed the book and chewed through the whole thing in about a day.
Ralston appears to be closer to John Wilmot rather than De Sade, probably In order to make him more enticing as a traditional romantic lead.
I'm certainly Interested enough in the characters to pick up the second book.

Frankly, I was soooooo wrong about the Romance genre entirely. Just finished the book-and I think I will head back to the library for more.
Smut scenes were great! I blushed pretty much while reading the entire book...
Are there other fantastically smutty books in this vein anyone can recommend?

Megan wrote: "Frankly, I was soooooo wrong about the Romance genre entirely. Just finished the book-and I think I will head back to the library for more.
Smut scenes were great! I blushed pretty much while readi..."

There are a lot of them and I'm sure you will get tons of suggestions, but one of my very favorites is called Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase... a really unique take on Beauty and the Beast

I think I read this one already but liked the author so I'll read it again! =)

For all those of you who are discovering romance for the first time, let me recommend pretty much anything written by Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Loretta Chase or Courtney Milan. I have trouble thinking of bad novels from any of them, although with Kleypas, Quinn and Chase, it can be better to start with some of their earlier works (some of their more recent novels are good, but not as awesome as their classic books).

Meredith Duran, Sherry Thomas and Jo Beverley also write excellent novels.

Thanks Jute and Malin for your suggestions!

Malin wrote: "For all those of you who are discovering romance for the first time, let me recommend pretty much anything written by Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Loretta Chase or Courtney Milan. I have trouble thin..."

I'll second you on your suggestion for Lisa Kleypas. She's a fantastic writer!

I liked this one even more than the main pick. I really connected with the characters and got into the story quickly.

Malin wrote: "For all those of you who are discovering romance for the first time, let me recommend pretty much anything written by Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, Loretta Chase or Courtney Milan. I have trouble thin..."

I heartily second the Courtney Milan recommendation, not just for 1st-timers, but for anyone who has fallen into a historical romance rut. I've only read the Turner Brothers series so far, but it seems to have as much effort put into creating the male characters as the female ones, for once. The heroes are not all dukes & earls; uniformly bossy, brooding alphas in search of a suitable heiress. The heroines aren't all 22-year-old "old maids" holding out for twu wuv while they navigate the treacherous waters (and warm lemonade) of Almacks. Once you see how well the author uses these departures from the norm, you'll wonder why you haven't read her before. The Governess Affair is the prequel novella to her upcoming series and might be a good short read by way of an introduction to her.

Julia Quinn in my favorite author. I buy everyone that comes out, before even reading the back. She has never let me down! Barbara Hazard is another great romance author, she tends to stick to the stereotypes but her books are laugh out loud funny, so you don't even care. I am definitely going to check out the other recommendations, I have read my library dry...

Michelle wrote: "I liked this one even more than the main pick. I really connected with the characters and got into the story quickly."

i completely agree with you. The other book was really dull reading for the first 20 or so chapters imo. The characters in this one were a lot more fun and relatable

Malin wrote: "Meredith Duran, Sherry Thomas and Jo Beverley also write excellent novels. ..."

I am a total fan girl for Sherry Thomas...especially
Private Arrangements I still need to read her most recent release, but I am waiting because I want to savor it!

I also liked this pick more than the other. I liked it better because I loved the main character. Callie was like a normal, real girl and I felt as though I could relate to her.
Plus, I felt like there were more steamy scenes in this pick.

Jon C wrote: "This is the first "bodice ripper" I've ever read and I came to it with certain preconceptions. All of which were wrong. Almost in spite of myself I enjoyed the book and chewed through the whole t..."

I really enjoy Bertrice Small, She dos alot of historical romance

This one was a lot of fun, I really liked Calpurnia. That can't always be said for romance when I often prefer to find out more about side characters!
Amanda : interesting about the underwear and thanks for adding the stuff about periods. Seriously! I was trying to work out the time lines for this and Desperate Duchesses and no one ever seems to have a period. Its one of those things that bothers me, I know its not romantic but they are supposed to be women centered books are they not? Periods don't have to be a terrible thing.
I wasn't planning on bringing that up... how did I get here? LOL

Jes wrote: "I know its not romantic ..."

you know wrong. periods can be romantic

Another good regency romance writer is Mary Balogh. She, along with Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas are my go-to writers for this genre. I've read Nine Rules before and really liked it, but did not like the next book nearly as much. I am really looking forward to re-reading this again on the beach next week!

I really enjoyed this book and it was so much better than the main pick this month. I also really connected with Callie and found myself tearing up with her.

I've just bought the next book in the series and all three are only £2.99 each in the Amazon kindle store :-)

Only a couple of chapters into Nine and I'm already liking this far better than the 50% of Desperate Duchess I've trudged through. It's only in comparison that I realise that Duchess felt like the author was trying to impress me, rather than tell me a story. I read romance novels because they're all about character interactions and emotions (and smut) and Nine seems to be adhering to that instead of ...well, quite frankly, wasting my time with chess and fabric descriptions. I can already tell that I'll read the next in the series.

Alternatively, I am just doomed to prefer the alt pick every month. Doomed.

Finished Nine last night and have already borrowed the next in the series for tonight. I really liked it despite it suffering from Mislocated Hymen Syndrome ;) http://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/bl...

I'll probably re-read it at some stage just for the scenes in which Callie tells him how restricted and scrutinised and exposed a woman's life is compared to a man's and that she wants equal access to the privileges he takes for granted. Those moments left me achey-sad for her and a bit angry at him that what should have been moments of freedom and liberation for her were watered-down and sanitised because of his presence... which I suppose is rather the point. Her world is so restricted that even her moments of rebellion are vetted and overseen by men.

I have just finished the third in the series and loved all of them, eleven scandals ties off a lot of the narrative threads started in Nine in a very fulfilling way.
I'm not sure if it's my gender, but I feel the need to defend Ralston to a certain degree. Granted he may have been diminishing Callie's rebellion by his presence, but he was also acting as an enabling force. Any other man of the period would have ended the "list" with a hard stop as soon as it was discovered.

I adored this book when I read it last year. I remember it being a fun book to read and really really loving the characters. I've been meaning to continue this series.

I absolutely agree PointyEars42 those moments where she is honest about her restrictions and her desires to have the freedom of a man were very touching. Achey-sad, what a wonderful description!

I finished last night at around three in the morning and I loved every miniute of it. I dabbled a little with Victoria Holt in high school but was distracted by Kurt Vonnegut.
I have tried several times over the years to find a good historical novel and have failed. Callie is a very likeable character, and even though it is not as dramatic as Kusheil's Dart. I am really enjoying the light fun read.

I am still waiting for the stable scene...rumor has it, it does not exist. I think the scene she was referencing is when they were in Callie's room and he taught her how to "ride astride".


My favorite scene was in the carriage ride home from the tavern. The intensity involved getting to second base was so well written, and unapologetic. After years of being in a paranormal teen romance phase, it was satisfying to read two grown people actually "geting it on."

Also, I love the name of the book. I know the victorian definition of the word "rake". But everytime I say the name I picture a lady trying to bring a garden rake some flowers and wrapping her legs around the rake in a vulgar fashion and trying to french kiss it and getting splinters in her tongue. Yep, that is what goes on in my mind.

I finished this last night and I loved it. It was much better for me than the main pick. I was a little hesitant in the beginning due to the whole infatuation at first sight that happens in the first book because I did NOT like how it was handled in "Desperate Duchesses" but it worked out so its alright!

Calli was such a great character. She was so brave and ballsy. It was really easy for me to relate to her. I loved that she grew throughout the book from the quiet wallflower to someone who speaks her own mind and isn't so afraid what everyone might think of her.

I loved Mari and Juliana as side characters. I felt they were really fun but didn't take away from Calli. Ralston and Nick were VERY swoon worthy and I'm finding that I kind of want to read the rest of the series to get a bit more action. :D

I almost hated this book at the end. The end almost ruined the ENTIRE thing for me. If she had married him without him declaring his love I think I might have organized a mass burning of MacLean's books. As much as Calli developed throughout the book I would NOT stand for her marrying Ralston without him giving her EVERYTHING that she deserved. I would rather see the end of the book tell how Calli began to mend her broken heart and have one of the sequels be about her next attempt at love than see her marry him when he can't open up to her about how he feels. Oh hells no. Obviously he loved her but Calli needed to know. She needed to be told. It turned out alright, though. So the books are safe. Its all good. Its 'kay.

I might've gotten a bit invested in Calli. lol

I DID, however, find it a bit too convenient that he was in fencing room #16. I mean...Really? C'mon. It did result in some great steamy scenes but it was a definite moment of Suspend Your Belief.

I will probably read the rest of this series when I find the time. It was a good, witty, steamy read!

This was definitely better than the main pick this month, the characters were way more likable and the story was more fun and engaging. Definitely smutty, but I didn't think it was TOO smutty. I mean, this is a romance book club, right? Maybe I just like my smut...

I've gotta remember where that fencing/stable scene is, that book was so ridiculously dirty at least I can post it here for ppl to read hahahah.

I loved this book. This is the first book of it's kind I have ever read (romance, smut, victorian, etc.) but I was very pleased. The author does a great job with building up tension and making intriguing characters! I'm going to read the next two books in the Love by Numbers series now! :)

Felicia wrote: "I've gotta remember where that fencing/stable scene is, that book was so ridiculously dirty at least I can post it here for ppl to read hahahah."

fencing and a stable scene damnit now i wish i was reading the monthly pick instead of finishing kushiels...must put this book to read at a later date then :P

I haven't finished this one yet so I haven't read any spoiler posts on this thread, but I have to say I LOVE this book. Much more than Desperate Duchesses, though I did enjoy DD. I was up MUCH too late last night reading it. I'm 1/2 way through and started at 10 last night. The only reason I didn't stay up all night was due to a toddler that likes to get up at the butt crack of dawn.

I'm not a romance reader, but I told my hubby last night that I can see why these books are so popular and I'm becoming a serious addict due to this months books. Thanks for this pick, Kiala! This is my fav of the VF choices so far.

I enjoyed it. I liked the main characters. I felt for Callie.

I agree with posters who also liked this pick better than the primary read. While Desperate Duchesses was good and had nice sexy times and a hot lead male (Damon), Nine Rules featured a stronger female character who made sense, a tall, dark and handsome leading man who is undone by her (in a good way), and so many steamy, well-written sex scenes.

I have never considered myself much of a romance reader, but I have already decided I'm going to finish this series.

Thanks to Felicia and Kiala for the refreshing picks :)

... P.S. I'm still hoping Bonnie picks something freaky next month ;)