FREE/BARGAIN - Romance + Discussion - 2016

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

Actually, my objection isn't the rape itself, be it by force or coercion. A rape, when a writer approaches it the right way, can be a powerful tool for character growth and authors should not avoid them just becuase it's a controversial topic that might upset some readers.

My objection with this particular author is her seemingly absolute conviction that a woman of character would never have strong sexual urges that made her forget reason and logic. Even if she did, she most certainly would never be so carried away by them that she did something she never in her wildest dreams thought she was capable of doing. She's essentially saying that only a morally corrupt woman would do such a thing, and that is nothing but slut-shaming at its finest.

That is what I find objectionable, and why I, as a rule, boycott all books and authors who follow this reasoning.

The fact that the entire industry genuinely believed that they had to use "she was forced to do it" as an excuse for women to have sex, doesn't make it any better. If anything, their belief that the argument "she was actually raped, so it's okay" was a good one, makes it worse.

I would greatly prefer not to see this devolve into a heated debate on a topic as controversial as rape, but I felt I should clarify my position on the article copyrite quoted, as it seems I was a bit misunderstood.

Move along now. There no more excitement or drama here for anyone.

You do realize this book was written in 80s when there was restriction on how an author could write a historical heroine? Historical heroines couldn't be sexy back then they were innocent little misses with few exceptions. We've come a long way. I think Beatrice Small's Skye O Malley (not for the weak at heart) was a big leap into more bolder heroines. I think you would like McNaught's Contemporaries in which the virgin heroine in Paradise seduces the hero to get back at her father.

Thank you for clarifying your stance on the article.

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by Blossom

You do realize this book was written in 80s when there was restriction on how an author could write a historical heroine Historical heroines couldn't be sexy back then they were innocent little misses with few exceptions. We've come a long way. I think Beatrice Small's Skye O Malley (not for the weak at heart) was a big leap into more bolder heroines. I think you would like McNaught's Contemporaries in which the virgin heroine in Paradise seduces the hero to get back at her father.

Thank you for clarifying your stance on the article.

I do realize that. That doesn't mean I agree that the, "it's okay for a woman to have sex only if she didn't agree to it" mentality is acceptable or defensible at any point in time, ever. The fact that there was no other way of doing it in the 80s says as much about the society the romance writing industry was placating as it does about the industry itself. None of it is positive.

And for the record, if the hero in the book you mentioned was seduced against his will, I have as much of a problem with that as I do with it being done to an innocent country miss in a regency novel. Active consent matters.

[basschick]

yeah, i loved a kingdom of dreams

remember "the windflower"? definitely a bodice ripper of its time. and i'm trying to remember the title of this one, "the duke's" something.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by ScalyFreak

I do realize that. That doesn't mean I agree that the, "it's okay for a woman to have sex only if she didn't agree to it" mentality is acceptable or defensible at any point in time, ever. The fact that there was no other way of doing it in the 80s says as much about the society the romance writing industry was placating as it does about the industry itself. None of it is positive.

And for the record, if the hero in the book you mentioned was seduced against his will, I have as much of a problem with that as I do with it being done to an innocent country miss in a regency novel. Active consent matters.

For me, some books I found right around 80s or 90s, now they are not my taste anymore. There are some of them I haven't been able to read neither at that moment and other, well, now they aren't my cup of tea. And I totally agree with you in the second point.

[Keslynn]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Where The Passion Leads but hero more than redeems himself.

The point is these were Bodice Rippers back in the 70s-80s and these scenes were very common. Whitney My Love is a bodice ripper. Judith McNaught is one awesome writer. To throw the baby out with the bath water is ridiculous is my opinion. I'd just avoid books with those scenes if they are a trigger for you. There is no need to boycott an author because of one book that was written decades ago. It was expected to write such a scene in those days as force seduction scenes were hot sellers but we've changed and grown from it. You'll miss out on some of the best romance authors in history if you punish them for their past mistakes.

Sent from my XT1528

I don't mind some bodice rippers but I haven't read one in a while.

Thanks for giving me the heads up on that book. Sounds like it might not be my cup of tea. Kleypas is very hit or miss for me. Like I said, I've enjoyed most of the Wallflowers but I hated Dreaming of You.

[Blossom]

Not all books are for everyone. I've only read that one. I'd love the hero in it and the heroine does get her act together. It was the author's first book she published. They say hard to find.

As for Paradise by Judith McNaught. The heroine is a abused rich girl who brings home a bad boy and tries to clumsily seduced him. The bad boy has no problem with this and helps her seduce him.

It's like Miracle on 34th street meets Harlequin Presents crazy sauce. It's not a short book though like an HQ.

Sent from my XT1528

[worktolive]

Free from Zebra books:

Behind Closed Doors by Shannon McKenna

Spoiler:

Every Move You Make. . .

Surveillance expert Seth Mackey knows everything about the women that his millionaire boss toys with--and tosses aside. Raine Cameron is something different. Night after night, Seth watches her on a dozen different video screens. Her vulnerable beauty haunts him and her fresh innocence stirs a white-hot passion that he can barely control. Raine is pure temptation, but Seth has something more important to take care of first. He's convinced that his boss, Victor Lazar, is responsible for his half-brother's murder. He cannot put his secret investigation at risk, but he can't stop wanting her--craving her--and soon he knows he can't let Victor have her. For Raine may be Victor's next victim. . .


Every Breath You Take


Raine knows she's being watched--but no one can see the secrets in her heart. She has reasons of her own to seek revenge on Victor Lazar, and she will, despite her fear--and the distracting presence of Seth Mackey. Though Raine has little experience with men, Seth's fiercely masculine good looks and animal sensuality stir her most erotic fantasies when she's along. . .and lead her to a bold plan. Offering her body to him, surrendering totally to his ruthless desire might well push her beyond all emotional limits--and beyond fear itself.

Nobody's Angel by Sarah Hegger

Spoiler:

In this evocative new series from author Sarah Hegger, a woman returns home after a long absence--and wonders if two wrongs really can make a right. . .

Nine years ago Lucy Flint ran away to Seattle, taking her friend's boyfriend and leaving her high school sweetheart without a word of explanation. Now she's back in Willow Park, Illinois, to help care for her ailing father--and it's no surprise that her ex, Dr. Richard Hunter, is still angry.

Still, she's a different Lucy now. Sober, wiser, ready to make amends to the long--make that very long--list of those she mistreated during her wild younger days. Falling for Richard all over again would mean wreaking havoc in both their lives and possibly squandering her opportunity for redemption. But here, in the place where everything went wrong, is the one person who always felt right, and a second-chance that could be the best mistake she ever made. . .

The Girl He Knows by Kristi Rose

Spoiler:

She wants one night, he wants forever.
Waking up naked next to a good looking man is not a bad way to start the day. The problem? This hottie is Hank, her best friend’s older brother, who she’s known her entire life. Stopping after one night is the right thing to do. Being with him clearly breaks the best friend code. From his career as a Naval officer to his Boy Scout reputation, everything about him screams monogamy and commitment…two things Paisley has had enough of.

When Hank presents a “no strings attached” offer, it’s too good to be true. But, poor choices force her to confront old fears of love and loss, and Paisley has to decide if Hank is worth the risk. The alternative is never experiencing the real deal. Or far worse, settling for less.

Cooking Up Love by Gemma Brocato

Spoiler:

A spicy attraction, a sweet small town, and a tasty mystery cook up a delectable romance. . .

Jemima George leads a charmed life in New York City as a personal chef to reality T.V.'s latest darling. But all that changes when her Aunt Caro suddenly dies under odd circumstances—bequeathing her a small café in picturesque New England. Jem intends to sell it and continue her fast-paced career—until her cheating boyfriend, and a deliciously sexy local contractor, lead her to re-think her recipe for happiness. . .

Jack Kerrigan considered Caro a surrogate mother and hates the idea of selling the cafe. But he loves the idea of beautiful, intriguing Jem staying in town as long as possible. If it means remodeling the cafe, Jack's all in. And when his jealous ex-wife, a shady attorney, and a slew of secrets threaten to extinguish Jack and Jem's simmering attraction, they might just add heat to a romance that's heading toward a full boil. . .

[ScalyFreak]

Originally Posted by worktolive

Free from Zebra books:

Also available from Kobo.

Behind closed doors

Nobody's Angel

The girl he knows

Cooking up love

[cfrizz]

There are so many writers still writing today from back in the 70s and up that wrote these kind of historical books, now with time, age and changing times, laws and attitudes, would not touch these kinds of books with a 10 foot pole.

And I as a reader who back then LOVED these books and still have them in my bookcase, can no longer read them.

I loved them without really recognizing the wrong, but socially acceptable reasoning. The books were also written in an era long past were women were thought of more as property rather than the self sufficient women that we are today.

So as revolting as some might find these books today, back then they were more or less accurate. Men had the upper hand and there were little consequences for rape of women, and those raped women were shamed or blamed for said rape. The same applied to any women that actually ENJOYED sex or initiated it. Right or wrong that's how it was.

Times, attitudes, and selfawareness have changed as have the laws, and all of those writers who have been writing all these years have also changed their writing styles, and continue to evolve and flourish providing us with hours of entertainment.

[library addict]

I've never been a fan of McNaught's historicals. I read the first version of Whitney, My Love back in the day and disagree with her assessment that it was only the scene between the two men that portrayed the earlier scene as an actual rape.

I enjoyed some of her contemps when they were first released, but tried to reread one of them a few years back and DNF'd it. (It was either Paradise or Perfect, I don't remember which one now).

I feel bad for her fans that the often-delayed new book seems like it will never be released. It's had so many release dates come and go. I know she had some real life issues to deal with.

And as others have said, she isn't the only author who wrote forced seduction at the time. I'm glad the genre has moved past that for the most part.

I do miss the old historicals not for the "bodice ripper" trappings or lack of consent, but because historicals in the 80s and early 90s used to have a much wider variety of settings and time periods. Everything wasn't Regency England and France. Not that I don't enjoy many a book set in England, but there used to be numerous books set in other places, too. That is what I miss.

[library addict]

Weekly Report:

Read:
Nothing new. I've been on a rereading binge the past week.


Purchased:
None.

[library addict]

Harlequin.com sale

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*Offer valid until October 31, 2016, 11:59 p.m. ET. Offer entitles purchaser to receive 31% off the list price with the 16SAVE31 coupon code. Sales tax applied where applicable. All orders subject to approval. Onetime use only.

[Blossom]

Checking in

I've read by Chloe Neill's Chicago Vampires series

Twice Bitten
Hard Bitten
Drink Deep
Biting Cold

Can you say I'm on a roll?

I'm reading House Rules by Chloe Neill.

The first five books are narrated by Cynthia Holloway and she is amazing. The rest is by someone else and no I just couldn't do it. Her voice was too flat, too unemotional. So switched to ebook after book five.

I bought

Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught.

So tonight marks the kickoff of the 2016 Holiday Season here in the Miller house. What better way than to start by playing Josh Groban's Holiday album. *Happy Sigh*

Hubby picked up the Christmas stuff out of storage. I'm planning how to decorate and thinking about what holiday reads I want to read this year. Skipping Christmas is one of them..... I'm not sure I have too many left to read. I'll have to go through my library.

Sent from my Nexus 7

[AnemicOak]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I've read by Chloe Neill's Chicago Vampires series

I keep thinking I should get back into this series. I got to book 5 before and just kind of quit caring about it so when the next book came out I never read it. Book four was an incredible shock to the system and book five didn't really convey any of the grief/mourning or later happiness that their should have been.

That said I really liked the series and should give it another go.

[zelda.owns.link]

Originally Posted by cfrizz

There are so many writers still writing today from back in the 70s and up that wrote these kind of historical books, now with time, age and changing times, laws and attitudes, would not touch these kinds of books with a 10 foot pole.

Heather Graham/Shannon Drake comes to mind. I just read Ondine which is being re-released with no editing and I was furious I wrote a lengthy discourse on why it was horrible and sent it to the publisher along with posting on several sites (Amazon, GoodReads). It's one thing to have written nearly thirty years ago, an entirely different scenario to reintroduce the same text and not consider what is known in this day and age of rape.