Danielle The Book Huntress ’s Comments (group member since Jan 27, 2010)

Danielle The Book Huntress ’s comments from the Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group group.

Willow wrote: "I think a really good author can almost get away with anything if they keep the tone light. But what really gets my goat is if the heroine always loses. I’ve seen protagonists get verbally abused..."

It's not any fun if the hero is always stronger/smarter/better than the heroine. I like when they can match wits or their strengths complement each other.

I tend to agree. I can't stomach out and out rape. I don't mind dubious consent/forced seduction.

Susan wrote: "Yeah? I'll check out Juliana Gray."

I finished my first book by her and she reminded me of Connie Brockway in the literary feel to her writing.

You raise a good point, Pat. I can't stand low lifes (just morally bankrupt in every way), so I don't like my wicked dangerous hero to get to that level. I would consider a cheat a low life.

I don't mind an amiable rogue. He might have questionable morals, but he does have morals to some extent.

Susan wrote: "For me, I think the cheating thing depends on whether I'm reading a more literary romance or a feel-good diversion. If there's a level of reality in the way cheating and its repercussions are handl..."

I can see your point, but I just plain hate it, period.

I like your fan fic challenge, Desiree. I'm thinking of finding some Avengers fan fiction to read.

Oh, and outright cold-blooded murder of innocent people, and acts of deliberate cruelty.

Susan wrote: "Agree! I'm afraid I don't care for Dodd's paranormal series or the contemporary trilogy with the wine-growing family. She seems to have walked away from the wit that made her governesses, her lost ..."

I don't think Dodd's PNR is as good as others or her HRs, so I agree with that, although I do like Darkness Chosen a lot. The Chosen Ones not as much.

Dodd and Brockway are two of my all time favorites! I wish Brockway had more buzz too. You might enjoy Juliana Gray if you like Brockway.

Yeah, I know what you mean about Take. Anne Stuart is definitely not afraid to go there with her heroes. Part of why I love her writing so much.

My serious no-no is cheating on the heroine. It's a dealbreaker for me.

Glad to see another Christina Dodd fan. She's so underrated for historical romance.

Glad you're joining us, Beileag!

Congratulations, Pat!

I just finished How to School Your Scoundrel, and the hero is definitely a class A scoundrel. I liked that he was quite wicked in his way, although I didn't like some of his actions. He committed one of my pet peeves (but at least not against the heroine). It really got me thinking that an author can't be afraid to go there if they are writing a dangerous hero. Of course, there are lines not to cross, but sometimes that do have to step across a few lines or toe those lines.

What are your lines you don't want the hero to cross?

Which heroes do you love that are deliciously wicked?

@Susan, I love when a HR writes a woman of her times who is also very admirable in her personal integrity, strength of character.

Jessica Trent from Lord of Scoundrels from Loretta Chase is a woman of her times, and she's also a strong woman who can stand up for herself and deal with a hero like Dain. It made for some fantastic reading.

@Melody, I like when I get the opportunity to look up some terms and concepts from a book I am reading.

People seem to assume that romance is brainless and that's not the case. There are some very clever, intelligent writers in this genre.

Debbie wrote: "I expect any historical author I read to do their homework and know what they're talking about."

Agreed!

I am with you on the hygiene. I think you can get a free pass from me for having characters who are cleaner than they might have truly been at that time.

Penelope wrote: " Danielle The Book Huntress (Angels Weep For Goodreads) wrote: "@Penelope, I like it more when the heroine is not a debutante, but she's a virgin (ie Spinster/Old Maid/wallflower).

Ah, I do, too! I much prefer for the heroine to be spinster age. I don't really connect with heroines who are of the debutante age, so really enjoy when they're spinsters/wallflowers.
..."

Same here, Penelope.

I can't deny Taming of the Shrew is sexist, but it makes for fun reading. I like when the hero things he has the heroine all figured out and she throws him for a loop. I also love when a hero has to work for a heroine.

I'm not a big fan of fluffy HR, to be honest. I like it to have some substance and maybe a little dark. It can depend on the mood. If the fluffier romance has a compelling storyline or character, and good dialogue or is really funny, I'm fine with it.

I don't like when they basically are the same storyline told over and over again.