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It's Time 2 Bury The "Billionaire" and Gidget has got to go...
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I don't think I've read a billionaire one, other than Theodora Taylor's. But I love everything she does. I like to read about real life too. There does seem to be a shortage of 30+ heroines. Tiana Laveen's Ghost Writer had an older pairing. I found that refreshing.
Lol I had a lot of fun writing Blaque Beauty and the Billionaire. Part of the choice for the title was part tongue-in-cheek and part a desire to instantly let the reader know what he is in for. But I don't have it in to write cookie cutter characters without an interesting interior landscape and I never write a black heroine who is weak or dependent so I like to think my novellas won't be considered to be full of tropes. But I certainly agree that within a romantic genre it is easy to grow tired of the same storyline. I'm justt really glad that all of the vampire madness has seemed to cool down lol.
I still like a good story with vampires. Different strokes for different folks, but there should certainly be more older heroines and more true to life representation.
Gisele wrote: "I still like a good story with vampires. Different strokes for different folks, but there should certainly be more older heroines and more true to life representation."Plus one for older heroines :)
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Give me some older heroines please!!! 50 isn't over the hill by any means. The billionaire trope needs to die - unless the billionaire is the heroine then I'm all about that. I'd love to see how that dynamic could play out with a blue collar hero.
Anino wrote: "Is anyone burnt out on seeing so many "Billionaire" themed romances, IR and otherwise?I say that it's time for a revolution.
What about you? Wouldn't you like to read about someone that's norma..."
As a general rule if I see billionaire in a title, I'm running away screaming, IR or not. I don't mind billionaires, no problem. But seeing it in the title is so romance-by-numbers, don't expect any depth of storytelling.
Paganalexandria wrote: "Anino wrote: "Is anyone burnt out on seeing so many "Billionaire" themed romances, IR and otherwise?I say that it's time for a revolution.
What about you? Wouldn't you like to read about someon..."
*raises hand excitedly* I'd love to send you a complimentary copy of my billionaire romance novella. I wrote it in my own style and I think you may like it. It's not very long, 88 pages and I think light and sweet best describes it. If you'd like to give it a try please drop me a line here (view spoiler)
THIS. haha I thought I was the only one who felt this way!I haven't read much of anything lately because Amazon is so flooded with billionaire this and billionaire that. I understand that romance novels are supposed to be a fantasy...but what's wrong with just a regular guy working a 9-5? Where are these people living...where every super attractive billionaire is looking for a marriage of convenience/secret baby? lol
Like a previous poster mentioned...if I see "billionaire" in the title I don't even bother reading the synopsis most of the time. Which is a shame since some of these stories...may actually be good.
If anybody has any recent recommendations of anything "non billionaire" related that they've read...please send them my way. I'm in need of a good book for the weekend.
I also agree with the need for older heroines, so I think in my next work, I will go up a bit in age. I've only read a few with pairings in their thirties and forties, and they are written to seem soooo old a lot of the time, and I'm a young forty. People must just eat up the billionaire trope though, for there to be so many. LOL.
I'm like Paganalexandria.... If I even see an IR Romance with a Billionaire theme, it just turns me off... Ironically enough, I can't get enough of well-written vampire romances, but again, they have to be well-written and captivating..I believe that everyone has a valid point, and @Erin, I wish you well with your latest publishing endeavor. Even though just having to see the word "Billionaire," makes me want to upchuck, I know in my heart, that there's some good stuff out there... But yet and still, you can't pay me to read it. And I mean that literally.
@Gisele, I loved "Ghost Writer," and that was primarily due to the fact that I could see myself in that female character, and also the "meet cute," was realistic. Despite her undulgent usage of Pornalicious dialogue, Tiana Laveen has her finger on the pulse of the ingredients for a captivating story.
@ Sarah, I'm with you... Where are these beautiful people? And why can't writers fashion a well-written story that focuses on the cute guy in IT? Give me something with a touch of believability and I can roll with that..
@FountainPenDiva, I'd like to read more stores that speak to me as well. I'm approaching 50 in a few years, but I am definitely farther away from 18, 21, 25, and 30. And what about stories that focus on seasoned Chica's who never got married and never had children, but instead made the choice to pursue and attain a graduate degree (& subsequent career)?
All in all, I'd like to see more realism and stories that speak to my experience and my generation as a whole.
And I want to read about the "chase," and the evolution of a relationship. Olivia Gaines has this down pat.
@Anino. I think Pepper Pace has some good ones with older heroines too.
Older couples and/or not billionaires -- al IR with BW heroines:Mixed Reality - they are a married couple, he's a politician
Happily Even After - They are divorced, with kids and he's a mechanic
Ride the Fire- rom suspense, they are both firefighters
MacNamara's Lady - He's in construction, she's a professional
Lakota Dreaming - She's a magazine editor he's a NA police chief and it takes place on an Indian Res. Has a bit of a woo-woo element.
True Romance - both in late 30s. She's a wildlife photographer, he's a musician who is finally getting some success.
If you like Cozy mysteries then I can recommend -
The Mitch & Dez series that starts with The Cold Blue Blood
or the Lizzie Stuart mysteries that starts with A Dead Man's Honor
both had older protags and feature low-key IR romances
I'm like Paganalexandria.... If I even see an IR Romance with a Billionaire theme, it just turns me off... Ironically enough, I can't get enough of well-written vampire romances, but again, they have to be well-written and captivating..I believe that everyone has a valid point, and @Erin, I wish you well with your latest publishing endeavor. Even though just having to see the word "Billionaire," makes me want to upchuck, I know in my heart, that there's some good stuff out there... But yet and still, you can't pay me to read it. And I mean that literally.
@Gisele, I loved "Ghost Writer," and that was primarily due to the fact that I could see myself in that female character, and also the "meet cute," was realistic. Despite her undulgent usage of Pornalicious dialogue, Tiana Laveen has her finger on the pulse of the ingredients for a captivating story.
@ Sarah, I'm with you... Where are these beautiful people? And why can't writers fashion a well-written story that focuses on the cute guy in IT? Give me something with a touch of believability and I can roll with that..
@FountainPenDiva, I'd like to read more stores that speak to me as well. I'm approaching 50 in a few years, but I am definitely farther away from 18, 21, 25, and 30. And what about stories that focus on seasoned Chica's who never got married and never had children, but instead made the choice to pursue and attain a graduate degree (& subsequent career)?
All in all, I'd like to see more realism and stories that speak to my experience and my generation as a whole.
And I want to read about the "chase," and the evolution of a relationship. Olivia Gaines has this down pat.
Tina wrote: "Older couples and/or not billionaires -- al IR with BW heroines:Mixed Reality - they are a married couple, he's a politician
Happily Even After - They are divorced,..."
Thanks for the awesome list! Noe I have som extra goodies to look forward to...
Tina wrote: "Older couples and/or not billionaires -- al IR with BW heroines:Mixed Reality - they are a married couple, he's a politician ..."
Thanks for the list! I'm going to have some good reads for the weekend now :)
Also I agree with Anino and FountainPenDiva. I would love to see more books with older heroines. Like Anino mentioned a story about a woman who focused on her education and career and then finds love later in life is something I'd totally read. I've always also liked "May-December" romances with older women as well. But unfortunately I rarely find any that aren't either a little fetishy or poorly done.
Not to toot my own horn...Let's Do it Again Let's Do It Again divorced high school sweethearts in their forties. One of my most popular books. I like older couples as well. And plan to write more.
More Books w/Older (IR) Couples Joy and Pain by Adrienne Thompson
H/h in their early 60s
https://www.amazon.com/Joy-Pain-Latte...
You Are My Everything by Shanayah Tailor
H/h in their early 50s
https://www.amazon.com/You-Everything...
Her Silver Fox by Koko Brown
H (30s) / h (40)
https://www.amazon.com/Her-Silver-Fox...
From the "billionaire" stories that I have read very very few of the heroes conducted themselves as someone who was part of the 0.01% tax bracket.The moniker of billionaire has simply been a tag slapped on to every guy from around the block. There is simply no relevance to the life of an extremely wealthy individual and to these people described in these tales.
So ladies- you do have your every day joe normal guys
Plot twist. The billionaires are regular guys! Lol.
I'm over billionaires and mobsters, to be honest. I'd kill for a real enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy though!
I like billionaire stories, I read to escape. I don't want to escape with a mechanic! The problem with the abundance of billionaire stories particularly in the IR genre is that a lot of them are really poorly written. I blame the internet marketeers, and other passive income folks who have jumped on the bandwagon.
I don't want to escape with a mechanic! LOL. Me either, even though I don't think I've read two billionaire stories--maybe not even one. If you have some good recs, share them.
I'm ready for the billionaire trope to die also as well a the secret babies. Enough already!>:(
My heroine, Emanuela Monroe, is 32 when we're introduced to her, and my hero, Finn Kane, is 41. ;)www.LynnTurnerAuthor.com
I'd KILL for more romantic comedy in IR romance, and romance by women of color in general. If anyone has suggestions, please share!
Happy Wednesday Eve!
~L
As I see it, the problem with the billionaire trope is that most of the books are ill conceived and badly written because the writers are either too lazy to perform a modicum of research or too ignorant to research what they are writing about. So they write a story with a hero that reads like an every day bloke just round the block and then slap a billionaire moniker on him, thinking that doing so solves the problem. This results in unmet expectation by readers, as there is a serious disconnect between what is expected of the lifestyle of someone extremely wealthy and powerful and the humdrum guy down the block type of person described in the stories. Some are just plain unrealistic and stupid, blatantly showing that there is no concept of numbers or the business world or the concept of a person with vast wealth. How else can one write about a 30 something year old billionaire dentist in a medium sized city with a single practice? Did the writer not understand how many teeth would have to be cleaned? How else could someone write about a billionaire whose company only takes in six figures a month? Six figures !!! Then there is the humdrum, everyday life style. It is rare that you find a story where the trappings of wealth are displayed in the tale as one would expect.
I firmly believe if a modicum of research is done and the story is well crafted, they would be enjoyable.
Kathy wrote: "I don't want to escape with a mechanic! LOL. Me either, even though I don't think I've read two billionaire stories--maybe not even one. If you have some good recs, share them."Kathy,
Unfortunately I haven't got any recent recs, not found any keepers. If you're interested in seeing the billionaire trope done well I'd recommend the Harlequin Presents line - those guys know their trope. Unfortunately when I was reading there wasn't much diversity.
Justine wrote: "As I see it, the problem with the billionaire trope is that most of the books are ill conceived and badly written because the writers are either too lazy to perform a modicum of research or too ign..."Completely agree Justine, this is exactly the issue with the vast majority of billionaire books that I've read in recent years. I've just started reading another billionaire boxset (glutton for punishment) it wasn't until the fifth story that I found an author who was actually writing a billionaire story. She put in all the little touches and setup to show he was a billionaire - you know like the multi-billion dollar multi-national corporation and the trappings that would come with that lifestyle. Unlike the other books where the guys were millionaires at best. So frustrating, I'm going back to reading Harlequin's.
Anika wrote: "Justine wrote: "As I see it, the problem with the billionaire trope is that most of the books are ill conceived and badly written because the writers are either too lazy to perform a modicum of res..."Anika, Yes, the touches of such extremely wealthy lifestyles that are solely missing.
I wouldn't say the guys in most of the "billionaires" books that I have read are millionaires. At best I would say they are by and large "thousandaires."
Currently in early stages writing first published novel around estimating Feb 2018 to be online. It is an interracial MMF. MCs are in their mid-late forties. My heroine Jacks has achieved her own success. There is a billionaire and millionaire that I have spent time researching how they live, as much as I could. I don't think it is the trope necessarily, but how you deliver it.
But yes Justine, and others, I do agree with what you are saying. I have not finished the last five books I have read.
message 33:
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
(last edited Aug 20, 2017 06:15PM)
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One of my other issues with the billionaire trope is the heroine who finds herself in financial difficulties and the billionaire "hero" who offers to assist her in exchange for: a) becoming his fake girlfriend or b) becoming his mistress. I just don't find that kind of coercion romantic in the least. After all, what choice does the heroine truly have - she refuses him, she ends up poor or losing her home or business. I just can't read romances in which the power differential is so skewed. Just like I can't do boss/employee romances either.
The other thing the billionaire genre often gets wrong (the ones I've read) is the size of the engagement ring for the heroine. A billionaire buying a 2-carat white gold engagement ring isn't realistic to me. It would be way bigger, in a platinum setting with a flawless diamond.I actually like romances with everyday working people vs m/billionaires or romance with famous actors or musicians. I'm okay with romances that feature mechanics as the love interest. The ones that I've read, the mechanic inherited the business from his father, the other hero owned his shop and there was a story with a female who carried on the legacy of her father by restoring old cars and selling them for very large sums of money. The trope that I'm so over is BDSM/Menage!
I'm always looking for a gem in any genre. I found two recently in the historical and paranormal genres. But if it's a good story -- I'll read it -- trope or no trope.☺
Oh yes boss/employee romances - can't read those any more at all. With most of the ones I read it was pretty clear the authors haven't worked in an office or organisation at all - HR would be all over any kind of relationship. I keep getting tempted to write a realistic one with pining. The book that really put me off boss/employee romances was one where the author had the hero involved in interviewing the heroine, alone. Then he went on to ask very personal questions. The author had clearly never been interviewed in recent times and didn't seem to be aware the line of questioning was illegal!
I'm willing to read anything that is well written and where the author doesn't insult my intelligence. It just seems to be getting harder to find keepers - the gems that you want to read forever.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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@Anika: so true about finding keepers. I used to inhale IR romances like air. Save for a few authors who don't write fast enough, lol, most of the offerings now are either 'meh' or 'not enough brain bleach'.
Anika wrote: "Oh yes boss/employee romances - can't read those any more at all. With most of the ones I read it was pretty clear the authors haven't worked in an office or organisation at all - HR would be all o..."I just don't understand some of the plots and lack of descriptions to be honest. We have Youtube,Google,Bing and any number of media outlets from which research can be done. Is it just laziness then?
TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "@Anika: so true about finding keepers. I used to inhale IR romances like air. Save for a few authors who don't write fast enough, lol, most of the offerings now are either 'meh' or 'not enough brai..."FountainPenDiva: I too used to inhale them. For a couple of years well, I would buy anything just to support the genre. Those days are over. I am now very selective about what I purchase and you better believe we when I say - I have absolutely no qualms in returning what I think is a piece of trash.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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@Justine: I have a hard and fast rule - life is too short for books that suck. Though I still support the IR genre, I'm not willing to throw my hard earned money at half-baked cookie-cutter stories.
I agree with lack of research being part of the problem. And another thing, which I think has already been brought up in this thread. Most billionaires aren't young and sexy. Just saying. Unless he is an heir to the fortune, they're usually a lot older. Back to the trope itself, it's way overdone and like other tired ass tropes it should die soon. I'm finding that babies, billionaires, and arrangements are boring AF.
Give me everyday guys with a sharp tongue and sexy demeanor any day. <3
Sharita wrote: "I agree with lack of research being part of the problem. And another thing, which I think has already been brought up in this thread. Most billionaires aren't young and sexy. Just saying. Unless he..."Oh yeah those secret babies, or billionaires looking for a woman to have his baby is some of the dumbest, brain dead stories.
I agree with you that the 20 something year old billionaires is just bloody ridiculous.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
(last edited Aug 23, 2017 05:17PM)
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Oh. My. Goddess. Let's talk about that 'secret/not so secret baby' thing. How many blurbs have I read in which said heroine/hero is supposedly 'smart and savvy' yet neither uses a condom or any birth control whatsoever? I mean seriously. In some cases these characters have just met, it's insta-lust, they jump in bed and screw like bunnies, then oops??? Really??? Just. No.
TheFountainPenDiva wrote: "One of my other issues with the billionaire trope is the heroine who finds herself in financial difficulties and the billionaire "hero" who offers to assist her in exchange for: a) becoming his fak..."I honestly thought I was the only one who felt this way. I can understand the appeal of having the whole "cinderella" style romance...and in some instances it can be sweet. But the trend of books where the hero is essentially paying for services rendered...feels a little coercive to me.
"Oh your dad is on his deathbed...and you can no longer afford his treatment? Why don't you have my 'secret' baby...and the old man lives."
How is this scenario sexy? *looks around in confusion*
Not saying that a book with a couple from different economic backgrounds isn't good subject matter..because it can be. But it'd be nice to see it done in an interesting or more realistic way...and without the borderline extortion.
Tina wrote: "Older couples and/or not billionaires -- al IR with BW heroines:Mixed Reality - they are a married couple, he's a politician
Happily Even After - They are divorced,..."
Tina, thanks for this list. I've been looking for IR books with older couples.
Monique wrote: "Anino wrote: "Is anyone burnt out on seeing so many "Billionaire" themed romances, IR and otherwise?I say that it's time for a revolution.
What about you? Wouldn't you like to read about someon..."
He's a dentist and a billionaire. He's a lawyer and a billionaire. He's a detective and a billionaire, he's an author and a billionaire, he's a chef and a billionaire. He's an accountant and a billionaire, he's a barista and a billionaire, he's a garbage man and a billionaire...
Monique wrote: "Anino wrote: "Is anyone burnt out on seeing so many "Billionaire" themed romances, IR and otherwise?I say that it's time for a revolution.
What about you? Wouldn't you like to read about someon..."
Give me a normal guy anyday, anytime... Any writer who spits out a new IR with the word "Billionaire" in the title, needs to reexamine the current oversaturation of Billionaire titles in the IR Romance fiction market.
Justine wrote: "Monique wrote: "Anino wrote: "Is anyone burnt out on seeing so many "Billionaire" themed romances, IR and otherwise?I say that it's time for a revolution.
What about you? Wouldn't you like to r..."
It's absolutely ridiculous..., and it show that lack of creativity and imagination on the part of the writers who spew out those lackluster books.
Anino wrote: "Justine wrote: "Monique wrote: "Anino wrote: "Is anyone burnt out on seeing so many "Billionaire" themed romances, IR and otherwise?I say that it's time for a revolution.
What about you? Wouldn..."
I have often said and I will say again that almost all writers have no concept of what being a billionaire is. The term billionaire is simply a moniker that is slapped onto any Tom, Dick, Harry and Jane for some strange reason.
Just threw another book aside not only because of the jarring misuse of pronouns and adverbs, but because the heroine was mid 20s; was a billionaire, and over the moon happy, because she sold her company for 9.8 million dollars.
Justine wrote: " but because the heroine was mid 20s; was a billionaire, and over the moon happy, because she sold her company for 9.8 million dollars.Was that also a typo in the book? Was she a billionaire because of inherited wealth and the sale of her company was a little cherry on top or did this author think 9 million dollars was close to a billion?
Do people not understand how long it takes to build liquid wealth and assets if you aren't starting from inherited wealth?
Unless you get lucky and found a company that completely dominates its field (microsoft, Amazon etc.) or are sitting on oil fields or diamond mines, it takes generations to build up that kind of wealth. An athlete is not going to be a billionaire -- the owner of the team will -- but not the athlete. Hell, look at P-Diddy and and Jay-Z. They are have a lucrative diversified portfolio, own the publishing rights to their own music and many others and neither one of them has a net worth that makes them a billionaire. They are close, but not yet. And they have been in the business for YEARS.
Tina wrote: "Justine wrote: " but because the heroine was mid 20s; was a billionaire, and over the moon happy, because she sold her company for 9.8 million dollars.Was that also a typo in the book? Was she a..."
No inherited wealth. Not a typo. I thought it was a typo at first, but the amount was mentioned too frequently. The author clearly thinks that $9.8M is close to a billion dollars because he or she mentioned the amount several times.The heroine worked to acquire her billion dollars by the time she was 26 as if.
Which is why I keep saying that writers have no concept of what having a billion dollars is all about. It is just a noun used on any tile for any ole Tom and Harry. It's the only way you can have a billionaire lawyer, doctor, dentist, accountant,garbage man, barista,gym owner,dog walker,beach bum,taxi drive, cane cutter,carpenter ... you name it...
Fans of Interracial Romance
Books mentioned in this topic
Happily Even After (other topics)Mixed Reality (other topics)
Starting Over: Rick (other topics)
Let's Do It Again (other topics)
Mixed Reality (other topics)
More...
I say that it's time for a revolution.
What about you? Wouldn't you like to read about someone that's normal for once?
And to my seasoned Chica's, wouldn't you like to read more books that speak to your own experience as a 30+ Chica living in America and beyond?
This is just me pondering the goofiness of tropes and themes, in the world of IR Romance.