To-date writers....

[Mermarie]

What to-date writers would you enjoy reading their versions of a bodice ripper? I was thinking Loretta Chase, who wrote Lord of Scoundrels. Can you imagine the explosive combination of a real alpha-male, and her technique? I may ne'er quite recover. LOL Or perhaps she does, and I just haven't had the privilege of reading any yet?

[[deleted user]]

I've never read Loretta Chase, though I intend to read Lord of Scoundrels someday.

Hmm, I'm not sure I can name a modern author I've read that I think could do a bodice ripper. I'm curious to read EIleen Dreyer's book in the Drake's Rakes (*eyeroll*) series that's been called a bodice ripper, but I suspect that it's only been likened to that because the hero cheats. Probably not much else is rippery.

[Mermarie]

Her writing is quite superb, and I can't name a single author who exceeds that of her skill. Both her hero & heroine in Lord of Scoundrels are likeable, and in the end, I was openly rooting for them both!

I read on several romance novel top lists, and Lord of Scoundrels is supposedly one of the all time best, too.

Are books considered bodice rippers, if the heroine doesn't actually undergo rape, etc? I've noticed in a few books, they're conflicted by 'almost' scenarios.

[[deleted user]]

Mermarie wrote: "Are books considered bodice rippers, if the heroine doesn't actually undergo rape, etc? I've noticed in a few books, they're conflicted by 'almost' scenarios."

I think the forced seduction stuff can make it a bodice ripper, but I think it's also a matter of personal definition. IMO the book has to be sort of taken as a whole of un-PC button-pushing, not just a couple elements. But like I said, it's whatever crosses one's own boundaries.

[Mermarie]

Yeah, I know your friend gave a rather hilariously accurate account of Claiming the Courtesan, but it was relatively tame by let's say, Stormfire's standards. Albeit, I admit, some heroes or heroines, actually annoy me to no end, and it seemingly ranks it far more intolerable than let's say-- extremely graphic detail. In Claiming the Courtesan, you're actually indifferent enough, that you wonder what sort of anti-villain(or 'almost' hero to rid of these ingrates) you could write in for a sub-plot to outshine their infectious stupidity. lol

[Wendy, Lady Evelyn Quince]

Mermarie wrote: "Yeah, I know your friend gave a rather hilariously accurate account of Claiming the Courtesan, but it was relatively tame by let's say, Stormfire's standards. Albeit, I admit, some heroes or heroin..."

Oh, I hated that emo, mama's-boy, cry-baby "hero" from Claiming the Courtesan. It would have been awesome if there was a villain or heck, even a villainess, trying to steal her away...Anything!

But the WORST part of the book, was not what a wuss he was, but the pages and pages of internal monologues! Chapters where nothing would happen, just the hero lusting and whining, the heroine running way, or her trying to fight her dumb "split personality."

I admire Anna Campbell's attempt of trying a to write a modern BR, but there's got to be someone out there who can do better!

[Mermarie]

Yeah, an issue arose where the hero HAD to choose between the lesser evils of himself ? LOL

It was also pretentious, at no point, did he adequately convey his interest in his courtesan. Just suddenly, he was obsessed, having no clear reasoning behind it all.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

I always thought these books were more along the "fluffy" romance? I havent read any newer ones by her..I see this is a series,have you read the 1st & 2nd books Mermarie? Are they just as good? Same characters,or can they be read as stand alones?

[Mermarie]

Lord of Scoundrels? Oh, it definitely glides on every tenderheart's rainbow, albeit the reviews of her writing style, and the unforgettable heroine were so applauded that I made room in my bodice/boxer ripper (Yes, we definitely haveta use boxer ripper more frequently, LOL)closet for it. I enjoyed it immensely, and haven't yet read any of the others in the series. Pathetic, no? Hah. I believe the stories are stand-alone, from the brief reviews I skimmed through. Lord of Scoundrels was the MUST-READ, so I skipped to the third shamelessly. ;x

What I really meant to convey was that I'd love for the author (Loretta Chase) to pen a bodice ripper. It may induce head spinning and talking in tongues. Hah...her style is so intricate, and unforgivably provocative--I feel she could write a remarkable one...that not only held its own sensual ground, but the hero/heroine would be believable.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Mermarie wrote: "Lord of Scoundrels? Oh, it definitely glides on every tenderheart's rainbow, albeit the reviews of her writing style, and the unforgettable heroine were so applauded that I made room in my bodice/b..."

Thanks Mermarie..III have to check this one out & see if the library has it. Its funny,I see these covers in the romance section and think "fuffy" romance as they all seem to have the same look about them,where as Bodice Rippers clearly(most times)have a look of their own as well. I think there are other authors out there if they would just cross the line would bring BR back to life.