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What Turns You OFF When Reading an Interracial Romance?
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Jun 23, 2014 09:26AM
Perhaps that's why I haven't connected with bad boys. I haven't seen many that weren't controlling. If it's supposed to be an ideal fantasy, the bad boys I've read scared me beyond attraction. Perhaps if someone could suggest a decent one, I may be more open minded to them, but I've only read the you-woman me-man type bad boys, an for me it just ain't that type of party XD
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Granted alpha male and it's definition has slightly changed in fiction from its true definition. When I read books alpha male automatically means controlling, rich, good looking, belittling, and some fiction hasn't shown me much else.
Upon researching the true definition, I'm
Like, damn, I want that too XD but it's just been distorted to fit a different definition, so perhaps I just haven't had as much luck as the rest of you
Upon researching the true definition, I'm
Like, damn, I want that too XD but it's just been distorted to fit a different definition, so perhaps I just haven't had as much luck as the rest of you
Try Sienna Mynx's Battaglia mafia series Guinevere. Beyond IR Kristen Ashley writes the hell out of some bad boys. Some straddle the line as far as the law thing- many are security types who just make their own rules. Her motocycle club series though.....those are some damn thugs who know how to treat a woman lol. But they are DEFNITELY chauvenists at times. The women just do what they want and stand up go them so it works. I dont mind some chest thumpin as long as the heroine doesnt cowtow to it. Thats hot to me.lol
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
(last edited Jun 23, 2014 09:50AM)
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Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "Try Sienna Mynx's Battaglia mafia series Guinevere. Beyond IR Kristen Ashley writes the hell ou of some bad boys. Some straddle the line as far as the law thing- many are security types who just ..."I don't even mind a chauvinist alpha hero, as long as it's balanced by a heroine who doesn't play that nonsense and puts him in check. That push/pull can make for interesting conflict. But like Guinevere, I've not found a deep, well-written bad boy who doesn't make me want to kick him in the nuts.
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I'm the same way Danielle. I like assassin heroes, too but I can't get behind completely morally bankrupt "heroes" especially if they remain in the lifestyle to the end. Not my cuppa either.
PS That story you wrote was awesome! I re-read it from time to time when I need a really good and well written story.
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Yeah, same here. I think it really depends on the story and my flavor at the moment. I like kick butt heroines if the story and my mood calls for it but other times I like the guy to take the lead and protect the lady. I guess it's the traditionalist in me. :-) After carrying the burden on my own for a while in life, I'm finally enjoying my guy taking over as the strong arm (not to mention awesome pampering). I guess I like the same in my heroines. Hehe.
I like a kick butt hero :-) fountain pen diva, I'm totally with what she says XD that as great as a guy is on paper I need an equally strong woman. No matter what her strengths are. I don't do well with a princess toadstool waiting for her Mario, because he takes his time getting there XD
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Guinevere wrote: "I like a kick butt hero :-) fountain pen diva, I'm totally with what she says XD that as great as a guy is on paper I need an equally strong woman. No matter what her strengths are. I don't do well..."Exactly. I always think of that heroine tied to the railroad tracks only to be rescued at the last damn minute by some squeaky clean poser hero. Now, that poor woman is probably pissing her knickers thinking she's gonna die as that damn train gets closer and wishing she had a freaking knife. While some women might swoon over being rescued at the last minute, I'm rolling my eyes thinking "Well damn, your ass took your freaking time didn't you? Hell no you don't get an effing KISS!"
Guinevere wrote: I don't know if it's the feminist in me XD but I just don't get the appeal of a bad boy. ... Maybe it's stems more from the learning about white privilege and stuff. But I'm not attracted to unapologetic white men.I feel the same way, but for me, it's men of any race. I had enough of that in real life, thanks. :P
I'm currently reading Victoria H. Smith's The Space Between series, and for the most part, I'm enjoying the books despite the errors. Because I really, really like the heroine and because it's not easy to find a not-horribly-written BW/AM book, let alone a series.
But I loathe the hero. He's not a "bad boy" in the way that's mostly been described here, but he is a spoiled brat who at the beginning is mostly unapologetic about the trouble gets into/causes. (To his credit, this is "new adult" series, and the MCs are seriously young and it particularly shows in the male's behaviour.) And that's mostly because he's led an extremely privileged life and is unable to see beyond himself.
Yet the heroine sees him as as strong and sexy. And even after he's (many, many times) admitted to her that he totes f'ed up, she ends up being the one who apologises. Even though she knows he's in the wrong.
Very true to life in many ways – which I like – but it's a life-like depiction of the sort of man I really don't want to date ever again.
Love an author I'm reading but kinda disturbed that in it's dystopian society you're not allowed to be dark skinned? Disappointed because this author is passionate about diversity :/ and she's a sista. Hmmmm...
Guinevere wrote: "Love an author I'm reading but kinda disturbed that in it's dystopian society you're not allowed to be dark skinned? Disappointed because this author is passionate about diversity :/ and she's a si..."If you don't mind my asking what's the name of this book?
Let me say that this author is awesome. I love her brand, and she's just as passionate about diversity as I am. But it's The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson. It's based in a dystopian futuristic brazil.
Apparently you go through certain modifications before birth so you don't come out dark skinned? So the only dark skinned person in the book is exoticized.
The main character, has natural hair, but she describes herself as pale skinned. But also too dark to see veins in her arm? That's dangerously confusing....perhaps the author doesn't know as much about brazil, and I'm not an expert on it either, but brazil, despite coming off as this post racial country is worse to it's black population than the United States.
I thought the main character was Afro latina, and even if she wasn't , I would've been fine with that. But the dark shaming? I'm not so ok with :/
Apparently you go through certain modifications before birth so you don't come out dark skinned? So the only dark skinned person in the book is exoticized.
The main character, has natural hair, but she describes herself as pale skinned. But also too dark to see veins in her arm? That's dangerously confusing....perhaps the author doesn't know as much about brazil, and I'm not an expert on it either, but brazil, despite coming off as this post racial country is worse to it's black population than the United States.
I thought the main character was Afro latina, and even if she wasn't , I would've been fine with that. But the dark shaming? I'm not so ok with :/
That's disappointing. The book has such a great cover and I love the details (her hair texture). The story sounds interesting but I'll be skipping this one. Thanks for the heads up.
Guinevere wrote: "Let me say that this author is awesome. I love her brand, and she's just as passionate about diversity as I am. But it's The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson. It's based in a dystopian futuristi..."Guinevere when I come across stuff like that, hope that it has some plot significance by the end. When it doesn't, I'm mad by the finish, and can't help venting my frustration in my review. For me that's not an IR pet peeve, just a reading tick period. Bad research or unnecessary description overload drives me crazy, there better be fix or point at the end for it.
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I'm surprised she would go down that route from what I've heard about her writing and stories. I hope it holds some kind of payoff or a turnaround by the end.
message 716:
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Danielle The Book Huntress , Sees Love in All Colors
(last edited Jun 25, 2014 10:01AM)
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Even with an assassin hero, I think that one point, he has to decide if he wants a normal life with the heroine or if he's going to continue living a life that is incompatible with a healthy love relationship or marriage.
That's why I think soldiers appeal a lot. They are more validated in their choices because they are killing/committing violent acts for the good of their country.
Rae, I'm glad you enjoy my story so much. It's near and dear to my heart.
I definitely don't like chauvinists, even in books, that's a turn off.
As far as a heroine needing to be saved, it's not necessarily about weakness or lack of will. She can simply be in over her head. My heroines that I've written are usually in over their head. They don't lack strength or backbone, but if you've never been in a dangerous situation, how are all of a sudden going to turn into Xena. That's not very realistic. For me, I want my characters to feel realistic and for their actions to make sense, even if I tend towards fantastic and escapism.
So yes, I am okay with my hero being tougher than my heroine when it fits the story.
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message 718:
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Guinevere wrote: "Let me say that this author is awesome. I love her brand, and she's just as passionate about diversity as I am. But it's The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson. It's based in a dystopian futuristi..."Keep us updated on what you find.
I definitely will. I hope it serves some purpose to the plot :/
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Well said, Danielle. You articulated it way better than I tried lol. Especially about realistic heroines and tough heroes. I love books where the hero and heroine complement each other like that.
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Thanks, Guinevere. Hope so, too.
What turns me off in IR novels is having the characters' race shoved down my throat. Earlier this year I made it about halfway through a book that spent every other sentence telling me the skin color of every character. The other half was spent describing hair and eye color. Even in the dialogue the author kept making reference to the characters' race and I thought that was complete overkill and I couldn't take it anymore.
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Diamond that would be a turn off for me too.
Excessive profanity turns me off. I've had a few books I've DNF in he last few months because it was too much. Profanity should only be used to make a strong point; if you do it all the time it just makes he character look, frankly, kind of immature. I read one hat had f*** or s***on every page for five chapters and I just couldn't take it anymore. It's like no one in that whole word had any other adverb. I know some people do have a 'colorful' way of speaking, but in a romance novel, throws me right out. Plus, the goal of dialogue is to imply conversation, not shower us with every expletive ever said. I'll give a writer an occasional f***in a erotic scene but even that has a limit. I'll read erotic. I'll read ménage, M/M, F/F doesn't bother me as long as all are consenting and had a well developed relationship. Some things aren't my cuppa, but to each their own. I do hate what seems to be a current trend of having a hero talking about how hard he is every time he sees the heroine or scenes of him masturbating in a car, break room, behind a tree (I've read all these in the past two months) do not make me think sexy hero. It makes me think creepy guy.
When the romance had been earned, the sex had been agreed upon, then bring in the freaky- but I want to know about what attracts them on a personal level, not just a horny level.
And please, please too many new writers think 'start with action' means a action movie scene. I've read way to many novels starting with car chases and shoot outs.
end rant.
Ouch, mrsbookmark! You'd hate spending time around me. After more than a decade in a newsroom, I've developed an embarrassing potty-mouth. And even though (in my newsroom, at least), profanity is less prevalent than it was when I made my debut, it's still pretty bad... especially as deadline approaches.I wouldn't quite believe in a (newspaper) newsroom where people didn't swear entirely too much. And there are other characters I'd also expect to use such language. But... for the most part, those sorts of characters would probably turn me off* too.
Hypocrite much?
*I'm not even sure I'd make an exception for a fictional!Tea.
I understand. To me, it's all about context. Some jobs-lots of profanity; and a newsroom sounds like a high tension situation that warrants it. And I know some people talk that way; plenty of potty mouths are nice people:)I'm talking the everyone, everywhere, all the time gets trying for me as a reader.
Too much sex.Sex too soon.
Sex scenes that go on and on and on.
Sometimes I wonder if I've accidentally downloaded an erotic book, because more than half the book is focused on something sexual.
Indigo.plume wrote: "Too much sex.Sex too soon.
Sex scenes that go on and on and on.
Sometimes I wonder if I've accidentally downloaded an erotic book, because more than half the book is focused on something sexual."
Yeah, I find that annoying too especially when the sex scenes are basically the same even when the characters are different.
What turns me off when reading IR stories is when a BW is described as being nothing special and the WM is described as being model like, almost as if the BW should bow down and kiss his feet for him even looking her way.
Teinevai wrote: "What turns me off when reading IR stories is when a BW is described as being nothing special and the WM is described as being model like, almost as if the BW should bow down and kiss his feet for h..."I understand what you mean. I think I prefer it when the BW doesn't realize that she is beautiful--whether it's because she has been called ugly so often by others who are being cruel or because she really thinks she is average and doesn't really understand that others (and not just the WM love interest) think she is beautiful.
BW happen to be the most confident demographic of women. When WW fit the description of beauty, they're often still unhappy with their appearance, BW have never fit that standard but are often the group who has the highest opinion of their own physical appearance.
I actually wouldn't mind seeing that reflected in books :)
I actually wouldn't mind seeing that reflected in books :)
message 732:
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Guinevere wrote: "BW happen to be the most confident demographic of women. When WW fit the description of beauty, they're often still unhappy with their appearance, BW have never fit that standard but are often the ..."This is actually been studied and found to be true. White and Asian women tend to be the least satisfied with their bodies/looks. And I'm with you, I would like to see more self-confident Black women (of ALL sizes and SHADES) in books.
So yea I'm officially marking the book I was reading "the summer prince" a dnf. There are constant comments about how being black is contaminated and just lots of crap to young girls/boys self esteem. This surprises me from this author. I just couldn't take it anymore!!!
It's bad enough we hear it from the world we aren't adequate but for another sista to write the same stuff...
Officially done and not recommending
It's bad enough we hear it from the world we aren't adequate but for another sista to write the same stuff...
Officially done and not recommending
Another thing that turns me off in an IR book is if the BW(heroine) sees that her would be competition is a WW even though it has been made very clear the WM(hero) is only interested in her. She feels as though the WW has a better shot and is better than her or they are a more attractive and suitable couple simply because the other woman is white. The lack of confidence drives me nuts! Honestly I don't know any BW self included who think less of themselves up against another woman no matter what her race is or how she looks.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Guinevere wrote: "So yea I'm officially marking the book I was reading "the summer prince" a dnf. There are constant comments about how being black is contaminated and just lots of crap to young girls/boys self este..."Wow, I am soooo bummed! I have this book high on my TBR list but after what you've reported, forget it. Maybe she was trying to illustrate something about colorism/self-hatred/racism and didn't have the chops to pull it off. I would love to hear her take on it. What she meant to accomplish.
I actually find that a black heroine feeling like her competition is a white woman that is the American standard of beauty rings pretty true. It's an UGLYtruth, but just the same..... It doesn't mean that a woman isn'tconfident in herself. It means that she recognizes the world around her and even if she appreciates what she sees in the mirror and knows that there are plenty of men who appreciate it is well, she recognizes the fact that America doesn't value it quite as much as it does the blonde and blue, silky and waif. LOL That's just reality. That's like meeting a man and knowing that every single woman he's ever dated has been a size 6 and in you come rollin- a beautiful double digit and totally confident in your figure. Healthy feeling wonderful. Doesn't mean that YOU think less of you. Only that you wonder if HE might. That's normal for someone that you don't know and are just starting out with. CONFIDENCE is knowing that its HIS issue if thats how he feels. Doesnt mean you dont see the WW as a potential threat. And yes, yes- I know if she is able to take him then he isn't yours anyway and good riddance. lol Just saying I don't think it's the lack of confidence that would make a woman simply wonder if he was going to revert back to type at some point.
message 737:
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "I actually find that a black heroine feeling like her competition is a white woman that is the American standard of beauty rings pretty true. It's an UGLYtruth, but just the same..... It doesn't me..."I could see that mindset at the beginning of a book, but by the middle (especially after the hero has damn near turned himself into a pretzel in wooing the heroine), she needs to find something else to obsess about. Don't give me pages of "OMG, he's gonna leave me for a white woman" even after the man has put a ring on her damn finger, lol.
I have to add that if we are talking about books where the black woman is throwing up the standard "she's white and beautiful why would you want me" in the guys face every other page -yeah, that's stupid lol.
Agreed FPD.
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
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Oh, that is seriously another case of "I need to find another book, pronto!"
Those are the issues I'm referring to in my earlier comment. The hero has bent over backwards showing the heroine(BW) how much he wants to be with her and throughout the course of the book she continues to doubt and question why he's in love with her when this beautiful blonde is available who is prettier thinner and makes a more attractive mate for him than she does gee wiz! I just finished reading a book with this same issue and it took so much away from story. That and the heroine using the P and F word too much but that's an entirely different issue I have
Yeah. That is a wallbanger for sure. I have been exasperated by books where the hero does backflips and handstands showing how much he desires, wants, and will slay dragons for her heroine and she mistrusts and denies him about everything! Not just the idea that she is not pretty enough, but he can say the sky is blue and she'll take issue with it. It is almost like the writer is out to prove that no matter how bratty the heroine is, the hero will love her no matter what.All that does it piss me off. It makes me dislike her and lose respect for him.
A-W wrote: "Those are the issues I'm referring to in my earlier comment. The hero has bent over backwards showing the heroine(BW) how much he wants to be with her and throughout the course of the book she cont..."Yeah this isn't something that would just bother me in only an IR, it drives me crazy in any of "relatable heroine" themes, such as plus sized, Plain Jane, etc...
I just finished a book where the heroine and her best friend talked about men, sex, and not much else...despite the fact that they work together, are supposedly great at their jobs, AND started their own business at the end of the book. I found myself skimming over every conversation between the women. Why can't they talk about something other than having sex with hot men???! My girlfriends and I talk about plenty of other things, and I KNOW I'm not that special.
Indigo.plume wrote: "I just finished a book where the heroine and her best friend talked about men, sex, and not much else...despite the fact that they work together, are supposedly great at their jobs, AND started the..."I love books with great dialogue. Most of my favorites aren't even that deep, just feature funny scenes that feel realistic. It's in those moments that characters become relatable, and it sets them apart. I think books with angst can be great, but sometimes authors go overboard, and it goes into bad soaplandia real quick.
message 746:
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The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears
(last edited Jun 28, 2014 11:36AM)
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Indigo.plume wrote: "I just finished a book where the heroine and her best friend talked about men, sex, and not much else...despite the fact that they work together, are supposedly great at their jobs, AND started the..."That book totally FAILS the Bechdel test. Women DO talk about other things besides men. It's nice to see that reflected better in romance.
Mod
When the two love interest have that great back and forth with sialog it just hooks me from the start. Billy London does that really well and its made a couple of hers my all time favorite IR's.
Mstcat wrote: "Books touted as interracial only to find out the hero has a fully black parent.This comment confuses me, so help me out here please. Why is it okay to tout a book as an IR book when the heroine h..."
Sorry that I didn't make myself clear. If it is an IR book then one of the characters must be of a completely different ethnicity.
If heroine is black or half black then hero cannot be black or half black if the book is categorized as IR. And vice versa.
I wrote my earlier comment from the perspective of the heroine being black, because that's the type of book I tend to read and enjoy reading.
Mod
Another thing I don't like and that is the heroine has to find a reason to get upset with the hero and in some case, this lead to a break up or to them sleeping together. Really!!!!!!!!!!
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Fans of Interracial Romance
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