Favorite Theme/Setting in A Bodice Ripper

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

I love the captor/captive theme the best,but what makes me love these older books from days long gone is that no matter what the "theme" was the setting was always different. What a selection we had then! Pirate,Western,Native American,Civil War,Southern Romance..and the list goes on. Not like today where its "Duke or Lord" "Lord or Duke"..and the setting is always the same..boring and ho-hum.Also favorite authors such as Rebecca Brandewyne,Rosanne Bittner,Elaine Barbieri,Cordia Byers,just to name a few had different settings for all their books.Those days seem to be gone. Even the "duke or Lord" seem to have demons/vampires now in them. What was your favorite themes/settings in these older books? Was there a certain author you would always return to, because they always delivered what you wanted? Or was there ones that fell short after reading one of theirs that made you never want to pick up one of their books again?

[Kit★]

I like them because a lot of the times, the scenery is changing, like they start in some European country, and not always England, then they'll be aboard ship, then they can go to the Middle East or to the West Indies or to America or Mexico or wherever, but it's epic. That's what I like, how they're more epic, and not just h/H spend a couple of days ogling each other across a ballroom, dance, sex, misunderstanding, make-up, HEA. My BR experience is still really small and uneducated but so far I tend to be pretty content w/ Bertrice Small's books. :)

[Mermarie]

Revenge is my all time favorite theme, because it gives the couple some time before feelings start to develop. It feels almost presumptuous if they start out all lovey-dovey, without great struggle to accentuate it. I've actually made a "Revenge" collection on my Kindle..and if you ladies know of any epic revenge plotlines, please lemme know. :D

Something that irks me in most revenge themes, is where a hero has pined his entirely life to exact his revenge, and in a matter of a few pages or bedsheets, he's practically forgotten the transgressions against him that tore his life apart. >:O

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Kit★ wrote: "I like them because a lot of the times, the scenery is changing, like they start in some European country, and not always England, then they'll be aboard ship, then they can go to the Middle East o..."

That's what I like too Kit,it's never in one place,and I like how (if the author went into detail) you would learn about certain places,things,customs,fashion,ect..always you were on an adventure! That is lacking for sure in the newer HR.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Mermarie wrote: "Revenge is my all time favorite theme, because it gives the couple some time before feelings start to develop. It feels almost presumptuous if they start out all lovey-dovey, without great struggle..."

No,I cant stand it either if they start out "lovey-dovey" I like the captor/captive-revenge-they have to depend on each other-sparks fly-the light bulb finally comes on-they love each other! :D

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Kerrie wrote: "I'm returning to the BRs after a long (looooong) hiatus, but since I cut my teeth on Bertrice Small, I'm partial to the Skye O'Malley period of history. My favorite is a heroine who is put through ..."

LOL! Well cutting your teeth with a Bertrice Small is certainly a way to come back! I loved the period setting in Skye O'Malley,and need to re-read and get on with the rest of the series as well. I Agree with you Kerrie on your Heroine,love the ones that just get back up and brush themselves off,compared to the doormat ones.

[Fil]

Here Here!!! I agree with you all! Revenge, enemies then lovers etc. As well as Bertrice Small. I have all her books, and Skye O'Malley series was awesome!

[Kit★]

I liked Skye O'Malley, but haven't read any of the others in her series, but I want to.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Kit★ wrote: "I liked Skye O'Malley, but haven't read any of the others in her series, but I want to."

At least one good thing,the series has ended so you know it can be read & finished up,not like the newer series that go on forever....

[Mermarie]

I'm excited, I have those entire series, and read just a handful. I fully intend on starting them soon.

[Tracyk]

My favourite is Pirate (captor & captive) & American South/Civil War (yankee soldier & southern belle)

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Tracyk wrote: "My favourite is Pirate (captor & captive) & American South/Civil War (yankee soldier & southern belle)"

Ohhh..for sure my favorite too Tracyk :) If your interested in these two themes, join us at "The Pirate Romance group", and" Romance In The Old South" group..

[Mermarie]

Hey, I was wondering too...

Where are some locations you either know of in reality, or browsed/saw photos of, that reminds you of places in books?

Or maybe places you've seen/photos of, and thought, please let this be a romance setting somewhere. I want to read about romance taking place here.

[Shannonreads like crazy]

Tracyk wrote: "My favourite is Pirate (captor & captive) & American South/Civil War (yankee soldier & southern belle)"

Those are two of my favourites too. Plus I like medieval too

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Shannonreads wrote: "Tracyk wrote: "My favourite is Pirate (captor & captive) & American South/Civil War (yankee soldier & southern belle)"

Those are two of my favourites too. Plus I like medieval too"

Ummm yes that too...:)

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Yes, the captive theme is always a winner and I'm also partial to forbidden love.

[Mermarie]

Something about revenge themes really make the hard-earned love believable. It seems like the strongest dislike could create the strongest love. :D

[Shannonreads like crazy]

Mermarie wrote: "Something about revenge themes really make the hard-earned love believable. It seems like the strongest dislike could create the strongest love. :D"

that is true, as long as they don't give in to love too easily. some good hate-sex is always nice.

[Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~*]

Shannonreads wrote: "Mermarie wrote: "Something about revenge themes really make the hard-earned love believable. It seems like the strongest dislike could create the strongest love. :D"

that is true, as long as they ..."

For sure Shannonreads!:D

[[deleted user]]

This really depends on the author for me. Amanda Quick can do a captor/captive theme and it could be an all-time favorite. However, if Jayne Ann Krentz writes it, that book could be the last word I read of hers. My favorite setting is probably confined to anywhere (in the world), circa 18th-early 20th century.
Still, the type of romance I never like is always contemporary. There are plenty of types of romances and authors that I haven't read yet, but my definite favorites so far are Amanda Quick, Jane Austen, Virginia Henley and Kat Martin, and the worsts for me so far are Jayne Anne Krentz writing contemporary romance, and Linda Lael Miller with historical romance circa 1850s, in the mid-west.