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Hi. I'm craving a book where the heroine is successful. You know, where she's not a 30 year old divorced mom, secretary, naive virgin, or college student who's a complete moron.

I don't mind virgins, I love virgins! I just wish romance novelists didn't equate virgin with naive.
(Honestly, with the internet so readily available to corrupt, it's so unrealistic! The naive 20-30-yr-old virgin is a completely outdated concept.

Ok. Back to the topic. When I say successful I mean that she needs to be good at something. Preferably on equal footing to the hero. She can be more successful, smarter, richer, etc. too, but I want an epic heroine. I just want HER to be awesome.

Also, her character has to make sense. If she's successful she'd better act like it. No wishy washy bull$h!t and no cr@ppy business decisions made on emotions.

If she's good at her job she won't forget to [bill the hero] do her job just cause her hormones are out of whack.

If the book falls under erotica I'm fine with that too. The New Species series was (mostly) a decent example of intelligent heroines.

Now for examples of said books:
Playing Doctor by Kate Perry:


Then You Happened by Sandi Lynn:
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Friend-Zoned Belle Aurora:
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Never Judge a Lady by Her Cover by Sarah MacLean:
/series/6552...


There's more but I think you get it. PLEASE I NEED A FIX!!!

PS I'm partial to scientists(including doctors), engineers (including programmers), and business owners (both small and CEO)

Good at something: Heroine in Judith Ivory's Victorian-themed historical romance "Untie My Heart" is a very good con artist, retired; and a pretty good shepherdess.

Yes, the old con-artist-turned-shepherdess trope.

avery aster - unscrupulous
sylvia day - crossfire series
Nina Lane - Break The Sky
J J McAvoy - Ruthless People series
Maggie Marr - Hollywood Girls Club series
Krista Richie - Kiss The Sky

Try Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series

Author Julie James writes heroines who are driven and successful, often lawyers but business owners too.
Her romances are filled with humor, some suspense and no wishy washy virgin heroines to be seen! Try Practice Makes Perfect

Nora Roberts has a contemporary series (Bride Quartet)about 4 friends who run a bridal business called VOWS. All four are strong females who know their own mind, but I think the strongest is Parker. She runs the business. I'm reading the series now and haven't come to her story yet because I'm saving it for last. Happy Ever After

tyrianpurple wrote: "avery aster - unscrupulous
sylvia day - crossfire series
Nina Lane - Break The Sky
J J McAvoy - Ruthless People series
Maggie Marr - Hollywood Girls Club series
Krista Richie - Kiss The Sky"


Making my way through this list. So far:

Unscrupulous by Avery Aster
It's really slow. I've read half-way through and I'm bored. There's both too many random things and nothing of interest happening.I can't figure out what the plot is supposed to be. I've put it hiatus and probably won't pick it up again.

Crossfire series - I've read the beginning of it and other parts of it. It was ok at best. Unfortunately not what I'm looking for. The heroine is a pretentious, wishy washy, piece of crap who is 100% what I don't want. I barely remember the story (It was unforgettable and non-existent) Honestly, this book is a 50 shades of grey knock off which makes a mockery of the BDSM community/lifestyle/fetish and the covenants; SAFE, SANE, and CONSENSUAL.

Also, so far the hero's are richer, stronger, etc. than the heroines in the stories you've given me. In crossfire she's even really wimpy/stupid. At least in Unscrupulous she was interesting and I might pick it up again.

Nina Lane - Break The Sky
looks interesting. The synopsis makes me think you've hit the nail on the head with this one, but it's not getting me as riled up/excited as your next rec.
J J McAvoy - Ruthless People series. SQUEE!!! This one looks like heaven heard my prayers and pooped out a book! THANK YOU!!!!

Maggie Marr - Hollywood Girls Club series
Read the synopsis and reviews. Doesn't seem very interesting but I'll keep it in mind.

Krista Richie - Kiss The Sky
Sounds like my preferences spit out into a story. Virgin, ambitious, hero on equal footing, interesting. Will def be reading this one.

Thanks so much for the recommendations. If you can think of any more PLEASE tell me. You've given me some of the best recs I could have asked for.

Susan wrote: "Good at something: Heroine in Judith Ivory's Victorian-themed historical romance "Untie My Heart" is a very good con artist, retired; and a pretty good shepherdess.

Yes, the old con-artist-turned..."


Judith Ivory is always a good author. I find I really like her writing style.

Not 100% what I was looking for but it seems interesting. Always love me a good con-artist ;). In my to-read list. Thanks for the recommendation! PLEASE send more. I have a weakness for historical romance.

Netanella wrote: "Try Lynn Viehl's Darkyn series

"

Clicked on the first book. Read the synopsis. Thanks so much for the recommendations! I'm not always a fan of vampire love stories (I can't help but picture a rancher falling in love with a domesticated dairy cow), but if there's one thing I love, it's beauty and the beast style setups.

Chocolatesoup wrote: "Author Julie James writes heroines who are driven and successful, often lawyers but business owners too.
Her romances are filled with humor, some suspense and no wishy washy virg..."


The summary made me laugh! Lawyers are fine too. I just want her to be good at something and not defined by her hormones or who she dates. I love how the conflict is who makes partner. Will def. be reading it. :) please recommend me some more if you can think of any.

Dawn wrote: "Nora Roberts has a contemporary series (Bride Quartet)about 4 friends who run a bridal business called VOWS. All four are strong females who know their own mind, but I think the strongest is Parker..."

I've read Nora Roberts' books and they're usually either a hit or miss. She a great author, but tends to make things a bit too clear-cut cliche for my tastes. And that's fine for a mindless read but it doesn't get me going. I'll look into the series. It has high ratings so it's prolly gonna be good.

Please post more!

Not sure if it will interest you, but the first thing that popped into my mind was the In Death series by JD Robb (Nora Roberts). Dallas is an awesome detective (set somewhat in the future, but not too sci-fi). He's a rich, beautiful Irish businessman with a less than legal past. It's a continuing series and not every aspect of the relationship is nailed down in the first book. I think of it as a slow burn kind of thing.

Book 1:

i'll dig my bookshelves for more. glad some of rec suits ur liking.

go for Ruthless People, Melody Nicci Giovanni is more ruthless than her lover. she is that kickass.. for a more approachable theme, go for Kiss The Sky.

Alyssa Locke: Suzanne Brockmann Troubleshooters series.