Crixus Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I type this with trembling fingers; posing such a base question on such an esteemed, intellectual forum? The horror! :P Seriously, I've been jonesing for some light, steamy period/regency romance (in between reading non fiction and fiction) of late. I read some Julia Quinn eons ago, and found her quite good. Ditto Johanna Lindsey. I've never been much of a romance reader, though. Never read Nora Roberts or Georgette Heyer or Danielle Steel or even Nick Sparks (I have watched and hated a couple of his films). I generally stick to sci/fi/fantasy/novels with a bit of non-fiction (usually history) thrown in. So, suggestions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DemiNymph Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I vaguely rememeber Johanna Lindsey. She's the one who likes to feature a bit of light bondage in her books. I enjoyed - Jude Deveraux and Julie Garwood. Get their historical romance stuff written before the 2000s. After 2000s they have changed to writing modern romance which I am not interested in. Especially like the Scots vs English stuff where the strong willed english maiden always falls for the rough but kind hearted Scot lord. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyanna Stark Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I posted already in the other thread, but when you say "trashy" then how trashy? There are the rapetastic awfulsauce romance novels that sort of make you want to stab yourself in the eyes, and then there are those who have a sort of self awareness of their genre and manage to kind of wink and nudge them a bit. Some are half-half. Had a bad headcold this week myself so got myself a pirate romance to see me through. Marsha Canham's The Iron Rose is period romance with PIRATES. Can it get better than pirate romance?? Rum, rigging and YARR. It even has what I found to be fairly accurate descriptions of cannons. Cannons!! Mortar! Demi-culverins! (The cover is eeeeeh bad tho. Be warned.) Jennifer Cruise is generally solid as a romance writer and I know my SO really likes Welcome to Temptation. Not at all period, but still a pretty entertaining read. If you prefer your romances with some SFF elements, why not try some Victorian Steampunk romance to tick both the period and the SFF boxes? Kiss of Steel by BecMcMaster (and the follow ups Heart of Iron and My Lady Quicksilver in which I prefer the latter cos I am a sucker for cases of mistaken identity, and it features a disabled heroine, which is quite unusual). Same category is Margaret Foxe's Prince of Hearts and A Dark Heart. However, if you are looking for real old-skool Trashy romance novel with a capital T and a bonus sociopath hero, then Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase is probably the epitome of this traditionally WTF is this I don't even -genre. But yeah, it is trashy. And very much a period piece. And apparently quite famous as an Awesome Romance Novel. And for the infamous "glove scene". For a more traditional period piece with a less sociopathic hero, there's always Caroline Linden's stuff, for instance What a Gentleman Wants. Compared to the massive WTF-ecky or Lord of Scoundrels it is a pretty sedate affair and far less likely to make you reach for the brain bleech. More Pride and Prejudice than the sociopathic rape-hero. Oh, just realised, if you want something REALLY old-skool and super-retro, try On the Night of the Seventh Moon by Victoria Holt. This was probably the first romance novel I ever really liked, at like age 14, because it's proper gothic. It's most likely not held up to the test of time, but all the same. Gothic!! Myths!! Deep forests at midnight!! Mysterious castles and naughty relatives! Lost babies! It has everything. If you are looking for a recommendation for what would be the best one out of these then there are only two of them I've actually read more than once, and the Victoria Holt one was when I was in my teens. The only other one was actually My Lady Quicksilver because even though it has some annoying parts in it and some LOLers tropes, it's also has some positives that outweigh it (like the disabled heroine who is also a trickster, a liar and a cheat, the case of Mistaken Identity, actual politics, and a feeling of Doom and Hopelessness that feels pretty real). Unfortunately the first novel in the series is one of the weaker ones, with more traditionally stereotypical hero/heroine relationship, while the second and the third installments are better, imo. The second even has some Angela Carter vibes which are pretty neat all things considered. I also really, really wish the author could decide whether to use "trousers", "breeches" or "pants" because the flip-floping between these three made me rage on the inside. I'm also quite fond of The Iron Rose because Pirates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry of the Lawn Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I started this one, Awoken a few weeks ago but have to finish it. It's very, very trashy in a self-aware, self-mocking kind of way. It's a mashup of 50 Shades of Grey, the movie The Room, and a Cthulhu romance. But yeah I'd go with anything Lyanna recommends. Maybe check out the time travelling viking navy seal one she sporked on here. I think DP did a Cajun Cowboy Danielle Steele / Sandra Hill on here too. Edit: fixed author Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyanna Stark Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I started this one, Awoken a few weeks ago but have to finish it. It's very, very trashy in a self-aware, self-mocking kind of way. It's a mashup of 50 Shades of Grey, the movie The Room, and a Cthulhu romance.LOL that sounds awesome. I am also fairly certain that's exactly what happens in Twilight, apart from the tentacled seamonster bit. But yeah I'd go with anything Lyanna recommends. Maybe check out the time travelling viking navy seal one she sporked on here. I think DP did a Cajun Cowboy Danielle Steele on here too.You should friend me on Goodreads or FB or both and get all of the goodies directly from the source. :P I mean to review the pirate romance this week and maybe if I've had something bracing to drink, I might try my hand at reviewing "Lord of Scoundrels" too. Danielle Steel is...well, I've only read one of hers and it was so godawful I decided to stay with non-fiction for a while afterwards. But in my defence I was young and sentimental back then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yersinia Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Have to admit the pirate thing sounds intriguing. Is it necessary to start with the first book in the series, or is it a standalone story? Now, how do I clear my Amazon browsing history again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jo498 Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I think I read a couple of Daphne du Maurier and Victoria Holt as a teenager or even later (holidays, nothing else to do, raided my mother's or some other older female relative's shelves). They are, of course, very soft for modern tastes in the sex department (more like romance, but unspeakable things including incest and sapphic attraction are ominously hinted at), but the gothic atmosphere is captured quite well. The movie "Rebecca" is very probably better than the book. EDIT: I guess Du Mauriers are closer to "mystery thrillers" with some romance thrown in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyanna Stark Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Have to admit the pirate thing sounds intriguing. Is it necessary to start with the first book in the series, or is it a standalone story?Now, how do I clear my Amazon browsing history again? Nah, I've only read the second and it was totally comprehensible without having read the first one. They seem to be standalones set in the same place with somewhat overlapping characters. As for Amazon browsing history, you should see mine. :p I make it a point of pride NEVER to clear out mine for the pure hilariousness of the recommendations I get. It keeps recommending me this one over and over again. I read the blurb out loud to my husband who nearly died of laughter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lady narcissa Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Is the word "trashy" in the thread title really necessary? Why isn't "sexy period romance" sufficient? I really detest the use of the word trashy in this thread and when referring to romance novels in general. Why must we constantly insult and belittle a genre of books that are mostly written by and enjoyed by women? Trashy is a word I'd only use to describe books I thought were utter garbage and they aren't ones I'd ever recommend to anyone. Trashy books can be found in any genre. Just because they are about emotions and romantic connections and sex does not make them trashy. That being said, I have read and enjoyed many historical romance novels and can probably recommend a few after I've perused my bookshelves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yersinia Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 As for Amazon browsing history, you should see mine. :p I make it a point of pride NEVER to clear out mine for the pure hilariousness of the recommendations I get. It keeps recommending me this one over and over again. I read the blurb out loud to my husband who nearly died of laughter.Oh my... I sort of share an Amazon account with my husband, so it's less, erm, awkward if I periodically clear it. But it's also a huge deterrent to buying any Kindle books that are too embarrassing. About Daphne Du Maurier: Is she considered a romance writer? I read several of her books as a kid but just found them suspenseful rather than romantic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyoshi Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 As for Amazon browsing history, you should see mine. :p I make it a point of pride NEVER to clear out mine for the pure hilariousness of the recommendations I get. It keeps recommending me this one over and over again. I read the blurb out loud to my husband who nearly died of laughter.I also nearly died of laughter. But I'm one of those people who actively seek out "weird" literature. It sounds like something I should read because now I absolutely want to know how the empire is changed forever. I mean, are more females born? Is there a feminist revolution? How? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mlle. Zabzie Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Heyer is always a good bet (but no sex). I'd start with These Old Shades and The Devil's Cub myself. If you like Heyer, you can also try Elizabeth Chater. If you want a doorstopper, Forever Amber. Also, Through A Glass Darkly (and it's sequel Now Face to Face, which is less good and its prequel, Dark Angels, which is better). Have you read Outlander? The Poldark saga by Winston Graham is wonderful (at least the first 3 books, the next three books are quite good, then there's a steep drop off in quality). Early Mary Balogh can be fun, though she gets preachy and boring the longer she's written. Carla Kelly can be light and fun. Neither writer is so great on the actual history. In a slightly different vein, Madeline Hunter, Elizabeth Hoyt, Loretta Chase. If you want to go old school, there's always Rosalind Laker. Anyhow, huge mix here in terms of quality both of writing and history. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Richard II Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 No Outlander. Outlander bad. Richard smash! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Callan S. Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 Is the word "trashy" in the thread title really necessary? Why isn't "sexy period romance" sufficient? I really detest the use of the word trashy in this thread and when referring to romance novels in general. Why must we constantly insult and belittle a genre of books that are mostly written by and enjoyed by women?Trashy is a word I'd only use to describe books I thought were utter garbage and they aren't ones I'd ever recommend to anyone. Trashy books can be found in any genre. Just because they are about emotions and romantic connections and sex does not make them trashy.It's probably a reference to a book that simply affirms a status quo rather than questioning it. The strong willed maiden eventually falls for the rough but kind man and vise versa...just safe 'conflict'. Where the ending is quite guessable, and the twists and turns of getting there are just a kind of foreplay rather than anything that makes for an unexpected, let alone uncomfortable, ending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maarsen Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 If you want hot steamy sex scenes in a peculiar setting, try Phil Farmer. Image Of The Beast comes to mind as one that blew me away. Lots of sex, including really out there stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth Richard II Posted February 12, 2015 Share Posted February 12, 2015 I have no problem calling rape fantasies/bodice rippers trashy. No matter who writes them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry of the Lawn Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 For what it's worth, it's Romance week on Goodreads. So here's their top 100 Romance novels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crixus Posted February 13, 2015 Author Share Posted February 13, 2015 Wow. I expected a drought and am greeted by a flood! Many thanks y'all, for such a comprehensive and varied list. I intend to get through much of it. Lady Narcissa: by trashy I mean light, easy to read; the same word I use for light, fast-paced thrillers. No offense or disparagement intended. Richard: I actually have read 2 Outlander novels. More than the disturbing bits (Jamie raped, Jamie raping) I found them tedious. Too convoluted, too busy and not the sort of writing that can hold my attention for too long. Also, that blurb, Lyanna!! OMG, I died. I slogged through 50 shades and it was just dull. I'm not even commenting on the writing itself (I don't expect high brow stuff in my smut) but it was so boring! The sex itself, the characters, the entire thing... a literal slog. I just can't see how people find it erotic or daring. I mean, all that supposed BDSM (people who actually practise it think 50 shades is dead off) and yet, the author won't dare name female or male genitalia. Sigh. I like my smut and romance adult, dirty and fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyanna Stark Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Also, that blurb, Lyanna!! OMG, I died.It is the best! :D Still haven't managed to find that space cowboy menage a trois that Amazon coughed up at me once, to my great sorrow. Now that blurb was ten sorts of amazing. I slogged through 50 shades and it was just dull. I'm not even commenting on the writing itself (I don't expect high brow stuff in my smut) but it was so boring! The sex itself, the characters, the entire thing... a literal slog. I just can't see how people find it erotic or daring. I mean, all that supposed BDSM (people who actually practise it think 50 shades is dead off) and yet, the author won't dare name female or male genitalia. Sigh. I like my smut and romance adult, dirty and fun!Then you might find My Lady Quicksilver amusing since it has the word "manacles" in it at least 10 times. (There is a distinct lack of "oh my" and "inner goddess" tho and it's more of a wink to the BDSM thing than anything else, but I find the usage of chains, manacles and chaining in it to be...a bit higher than average?). For what it's worth, it's Romance week on Goodreads. So here's their top 100 Romance novels Yeeeeeeehhhhhhhh!!! EDIT: OH MY EYES YES THEY HAVE A SHEIKH ROMANCE. Where is DatePalm?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lyanna Stark Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Have to admit the pirate thing sounds intriguing. Is it necessary to start with the first book in the series, or is it a standalone story? Can report that part 1 is far more generic and traditional than The Iron Rose. Still has lots of cannons, culverins, demi-culverins (I didn't even know demi-culverins existed before!! See? I am getting edumacated and keep googling enticing pictures of cannons) and ship battles in it tho. Also, if you are interested in the category "romance couples having sex in really, really weird places" this one comes in at least at an 8/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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