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Welcome Frances to the BR group! You wont hear the books here slated (well maybe there are a few that belong on a certain list but we love them just the same) So youv'e come to the right place. Hope you find some good reads/recommends here :)

Hi! I'm Heather. I'm currently in the middle of a bodice ripper kick right now.

Birthday: In June
What did you have for dinner last night?: Rice and Beans
What CD/radio station(type of music) is in your car right now?: NPR, or just bluetooth it with what’s on my iphone.
Favorite childhood memory (briefly): Days at the beach with my family
When/where do you most like to read?: I love to read outside on a nice day, but it's hot in NC, so usually just in bed or on the couch.
First romance novel read (that you can remember): I’m pretty sure it was Julie Garwood’s Saving Grace.
Favorite romance couple: I haven’t a clue there’s a few. I loved Ian and Beth in The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, not a BR but one of my favorites. And I cried waterfalls in Eyes of Silver, Eyes of gold, again not a BR. The Silver Devil is probably my favorite BR couple. It was awful and I loved every second of it.
Why did you decide to join this group?: I came across some pretty funny blogs attached to this group, one was Johanna Lindsey’s Fires of Winter. I was not a fan and that review summarized my feelings perfectly.

hi, I'm Lianna from Uk, will do a proper intro later but here's the easy bit
Birthday: 28th April
What did you have for dinner last night?: not much as we're having a heatwave! Fresh baguette with brie and salad, then crushed meringues with black cherries in kirsch.
What CD/radio station(type of music) is in your car right now?: I don't drive but I love chillout, acid jazz, dance, a mixture really eg my favourite singer is Gino Vannelli (wouldn't he make an amazing BR cover as long as I can be the heroine!) and my favourite band is the Doors
Favorite childhood memory (briefly):mainly that my parents always loved me
When/where do you most like to read?:in bed, traveling or at the beach
First romance novel read (that you can remember):the Flame and the Flower, I felt really pervy buying it as I was really young oh actually no it was before that a really old corny one called Kiss of the Devil by Barbara Cartland, it was my grannys and I remember being really shocked because he kidnapped this girl and MADE HER KISS HIM (I was about 11)
Favorite romance couple: so long ago I can't remember, these days I would say forget the heroine, most alpha males with long dark hair and high cheekbones do it for me
Why did you decide to join this group?: to share my guilty pleasures and get to know some new people.
I write myself but never dared to try to publish anything mainly as I have add and flit from one project to another

Welcome to the group Lili! :)

thanks Sandi, can't believe I've been on this site for nearly 2 hours and it's 3 am!!

Lili wrote: "thanks Sandi, can't believe I've been on this site for nearly 2 hours and it's 3 am!!"

Yes...it can be addictive:D

Hi Everyone, Just browsing the many discussion groups Good Reads has and found this one. My first entry into romance was with Kathleen Woodiwiss, and with no exaggeration, I have read her novels The Flame and the Flower, Wolf and the Dove, and A Rose in Winter 50 or more times. I love the strong story along with the characters that were so real you felt transported into their world. I would pretend I was the heroin in the story, and I would be sad when the story ended. would envy anyone first time with the story. Today I find the field of romance littered with vampires, werewolves' and I guess I am old fashion, because they are fictional characters you would not meet in real life I can't loose myself into those stories. Give me a real ALPHA type of man who will move heaven and earth to get and possess the woman he loves. Make him powerful, rich, handsome or ugly just make him real.

Lovetoread wrote: "Hi Everyone, Just browsing the many discussion groups Good Reads has and found this one. My first entry into romance was with Kathleen Woodiwiss, and with no exaggeration, I have read her novels Th..."

I couldn't agree with you more Lovetoread! I started with KW when her first book came out,and have kept every single one and have re-read so many times.Personally..the Vampire,Werewolves,ect.. dont do it for me. Give me the "ol'romance/bodice-ripper books anyday!

I totally agree with you both! :)

Agreed the first KW I ever read was an excerpt of A Rose in Winter that was featured in Good Housekeeping magazine around 1982 when I was 13. I was so hooked I tore the pages out and kept them! Years later I checked the book out of the library. Now I own them all.

Gigi wrote: "Agreed the first KW I ever read was an excerpt of A Rose in Winter that was featured in Good Housekeeping magazine around 1982 when I was 13. I was so hooked I tore the pages out and kept them! Yea..."

Yes! I remember that LOL!:)

Hi, I am Maggie,

Born: 12/09/1951 (now retired)

Dinner last night: Fish and chips.

CD in car: Coldplay

Fave childhood memory: Seaside

Where read: In bed and in my computer chair

Fave romantic couple: Any in Judith McNaughts historicals.

Why join group? I have come back to historical romance after many years reading other things/nothing. Retired so lots of spare time. Got a kindle and am now once again hooked. I cut my teeth on bodice rippers, have Stormfire and many others on the shelf in front of me. Bit bewildered when I went to look for Bodice Rippers to read to see the negative attitude nowadays. It is fantasy after all. So after sniggering at lots of emancipated reviews of some of my favourite books decided to hunt out some of the other faithful and found myself here :D
Nice to meet you all and will look forward to finding out about some more great books to read.

Welcome, Maggie. I hope you have a lot of fun in this group!

Welcome Maggie!:)

Welcome to the group Maggie.Glad you found your way back to historical romance. And just ignore those negative attitudes towards BR...you wont find that here:)

Welcome Maggie! Around here we all say grab a hot, titled Duke/Pirate and let him rip away!

Welcome to the group Maggie. You are now with a group who love to read about strong ALPHA males who makes a woman his so as one reader in this thread said so brilliantly "let him rip away".

Gigi wrote: "Welcome Maggie! Around here we all say grab a hot, titled Duke/Pirate and let him rip away!"
Arrggghh....you wenches are so right! Give me them anyday to read over those "foppish dudes" in the newer romances! :D

I have requested so many bodice rippers to read on my Kindle on Amazon that I may even start a new revival :D

Hi, my name is Danielle and I'm really excited to join this group.

Birthday: 02/1976
What did you have for dinner last night?: A roast (what can I say, I'm English!)
What CD/radio station(type of music) is in your car right now?: I don't actually drive, but I love to listen to music my husband makes on his computer! Apart from that, I love music from the 50's & 60's. I'm kind of old fashioned! lol!
Favorite childhood memory (briefly): Christmas with my family. There was nothing that could beat it!
When/where do you most like to read?: I love to read anywhere, but usually don't get time until bed!
First romance novel read (that you can remember): So Speaks the Heart by Johanna Lindsey. It made me cry it was so beautiful (sigh).
Favorite romance couple: I have too many to only name one!
Why did you decide to join this group?: I grew up with these kinds of books and still love them now. There is nothing like the old style romance! And the old style book covers!!!

Welcome to our group Danielle,and I totally agree the older books and covers are the best :)

Thank you so much for the warm welcome. This is such a lovely group to be a part of!

Danielle wrote: "Thank you so much for the warm welcome. This is such a lovely group to be a part of!"
I hope you find lots of good ones to read here. Check out Karla's list and our book shelf. Have fun!

Sandi *~The Pirate Wench~* wrote: "Danielle wrote: "Thank you so much for the warm welcome. This is such a lovely group to be a part of!"
I hope you find lots of good ones to read here. Check out Karla's list and our book shelf. Hav..."

Thanks, I will check that out. It's always wonderful to find new books and authors. That's what makes groups like this so wonderful.

*waves* I've been a member for a week or two but so far just lurking. I've loved the bodice ripper since I stayed up all night at 14 to finish The Flame and the Flower. I usually hide this addiction as I know it is SO not pc these days, especially for a professional career woman, but *shrugs* you love what you love. Glad to know I'm not the only one :)

Hi Katie! I have the same predicament... My co-works would be shocked. Welcome!

Gigi wrote: "Hi Katie! I have the same predicament... My co-works would be shocked. Welcome!"

Thanks for the welcome. I just looked at the group shelf. Wow! My to-read list is growing again.

Welcome ladies. *sets up refugee camp* :D

Welcome to the group Katie! :)

Thanks for the welcome :) Cant wait to find some new favs

Birthday: I'm a Scorpio so supposedly into excess.
What did you have for dinner last night?: Green Thai chicken curry and rice. I'm on a diet (excess remember).
What CD/radio station(type of music) is in your car right now?: I like most things, not heavy metal maybe.
Favorite childhood memory (briefly): Christmas was always the best.
When/where do you most like to read?: In bed.
First romance novel read (that you can remember): Gone With the Wind, and I rewrote the ending to make it more satisfying.
Favorite romance couple: Too many to choose.
Why did you decide to join this group?: Like minded readers. I love romance, the more bodice-ripping the better!

Welcome to the group Evie! I think many of us have re-written the ending to Gone With The Wind! Hope you find lots of books here for your BR reading pleasure :)

Hello, My name is Cecilia Brown and I've been reading bodice rippers for 19 years ever since my mother handed me three Harlequins (Not bodice rippers, but it was my gateway drug) she'd gotten in the mail. Birthday: August 23, 1982
What did you have for dinner last night?: Ramen with real chicken.
What CD/radio station(type of music) is in your car right now?: I mostly plug in my phone that is filled from everything from Skrillex, Perry Grip, and Johnny Cash
Favorite childhood memory (briefly): Playing Clayfighter with my four siblings
When/where do you most like to read?: everywhere and anywhere with a reader, my phone, or a physical book in hand.
First romance novel read (that you can remember): Ready For Marriage.
Favorite romance couple: Alexa Ashley and Adam Foxworth
Why did you decide to join this group?: I am a huge fan of bodice rippers, why wouldn't I have?

Welcome to the group Cecilia and Christina! Hope you both find some books to add to your shelf :)

Howdy All,

Birthday: September 10 (I have 25 for many years ;) ).

Dinner Last night: I skipped dinner. For lunch (I admit this is disgusting) I had cottage cheese with mixed with mashed tofu (for hot flashes) with red seedless grapes. I eat this all the time.

Type of Music: 1970s Classic Rock and Pop

Childhood Memory: Summers out of town in Cleveland with my mother's first cousin and her family. I was bullied in school and in my neighborhood, but I was well-liked in Cleveland and had a lot or friends.

Where most like to read: I love to read in bed. Since the TV I purchased 3-4 years ago is still in the box, I spend a lot of time in bed reading and listening to satellite radio (that takes the place of cable tv). I love reading eBooks on my iPhone (kindle app and library eBooks).

First Romance Novels: 1) The Wolf and the Dove; 2) The Flame and the Flower, both by the great Kathleen Woodiwiss, the first romance writer to take the readers in the bedroom of the H/h. Also as I have recently learned, these are two very controversial titles in the HR genre (or hated).

Fave Romance couple: Billy Blade AKA Lord Rackford and Lady Jacinda Knight from Lady of Desire by Gaelen Foley (not a bodice ripper, but a regency romance). I love this couple mainly because of Billy Blade. He is IMHO the greatest H in HR romance. Sigh, I love him!

Why did I join this group?: Up until recently, I did not realize that Wolf and the Dove and Flame/Flower were controversial or hated by romance readers. They don't bother me. Also, I have admitted on a group for more 'tame' HR, that I have a high tolerance/thresh hold for objectionable behavior/situations etc. in the world of my imagination/fantasy/in my head (via my chosen reading matter) versus what I will put up with in RL.

***Please note, most of the time when I interact with GR, it is via my iPhone app, so please excuse the bad typing!

Welcome to the group! You'll be in great company.

My very first romance novel was The Flame and the Flower and I still love it today. I understand the controversy, but feel like adults should be able to read what they want without being judged. Just because I enjoy bodice rippers doesn't mean I think rape is OK. What's funny is that the two Woodiwiss novels you mentioned are probably the least hardcore bodice rippers in the genre. Some are too much for me personally. I don't like it when the heroine is raped by other men or even gang raped. But, if someone else enjoys it, that is completely cool. The crazier the angst the more it appeals to some people. I love really dysfunctional, over-the-top, crazy train Harlequin Presents novels - so no judgement here.

Hi KatieV,

I'm not familiar with Harlequin Presents. I'll have to look into these.

I agree with you people should read what they want! The Freedom to Read!

Andrea IS Catsos Person wrote: "Hi KatieV,

I'm not familiar with Harlequin Presents. I'll have to look into these.

I agree with you people should read what they want! The Freedom to Read!"

The older (mostly 1980s) Harlequin Presents novels are what you'll need to look into if you like bodice rippers. Charlotte Lamb, Penny Jordan, Carol Mortimer, Violet Winspear - they all wrote some angsty, crazy train stuff ;)

Thank you KatieV, for the recommendation! I will look into these!

Welcome to the group Andrea! :)

Thanks Sandi The Pirate Wench!

Hi all!

Birthday: March 3 86

Dinner Last night: Frozen pizza while watching YouTube videos.

Type of Music: 1920s swing jazz and all sorts of hardcore electronic.

Childhood Memory: I grew up in Singapore and lived in an apartment block that was a hot tropical prison. A lot of time was spent in Narnia.

Where most like to read: On my couch, but my boyfriend watches a lot of TV, so these days, mostly in bed.

First Romance Novels: The Power and the Passion, by Christina Nicholson. I was about 11 and was absolutely blown away. I didn't touch another romance for the next 16 years because most of it wasn't my cup of tea - i.e. not hard core and rapey enough - until I found the 'Real Body Rippers" list. (...I mean, seriously how does 50 Shades even compare with some of the stories there with their rich characters, believable worlds, real histories...)

Fave Romance couple: Welll I haven't read enough to make a judgement yet...

Why did I join this group?: Because it's awesome and unpretentious, and it's just nice to know there's a whole lotta other people out there with a love for novels that make you dream dirty.

Isabella wrote: "Hi all!

Birthday: March 3 86

Dinner Last night: Frozen pizza while watching YouTube videos.

Type of Music: 1920s swing jazz and all sorts of hardcore electronic.

Childhood Memory: I grew up in..."

Welcome, Isabella! :D It's so refreshing to hear someone with genuine interest and admiration for these ole relics. :)

Birthday:
What did you have for dinner last night?: I had Italian, Veal Parm with raviolis.
What CD/radio station(type of music) is in your car right now?: love Rod Stewart and Bon Jovi so listen to their albums all the time
Favorite childhood memory (briefly): going to Paragon Park with my family during the summer
When/where do you most like to read?: I love to read in the Library my husband put together for me in a spare bedroom
First romance novel read (that you can remember): Flame and the Flower.... love it to this day also the first book I purchased when I received my Kindle. That and Rose Of Winter, also a favorite.....
Favorite romance couple: to many to have one favoirite couple.
Why did you decide to join this group?: I love sizzling hot romance. I do not find books like Flame and the Flower rape and feel that people who do miss the point entirely. I find that many loose sight that what a woman reads and dreams about is not her reality but just that a dream.......

Welcome to the group Lovetoread and Isabella! :)

Lovetoread, I agree with you about F/F. It was the second HR I read (the first was Wolf and the dove). I don't understand what the fuss is about these books. I didn't realize that these two books (and many others) were offensive or controversial until I decided to read the reviews for them on AMZN. I was shocked at the reasons why people were offended. Good grief, none of it's real for goodness sakes!

Andrea, loved the Wofe and the Dove also. As far as people being offended, well I believe they should just not read them. I am an adult and want my romance reading to be hot and spicy with ALPHA hero's being forceful and dynamic. I find people who go on and on about these books are no more than glorified censers. They want to dictate to the rest of us, adults, what we will read and what we should buy. My advice to them, create your own discussion group were you can have milk sop relationships with hot and heavy breathing while holding hands just leave the rest of us alone with our sizzling, clothing ripping ALPHA Hero's and happy endings.

Here! Here! Lovetoread!

well said Lovetoread!

Hello! My name is Sarah and I am currently a college student in NYC.

What did you have for dinner last night?: I think I had tofu with soy sauce, steamed broccoli, and cereal. I have the oddest food combinations.

What CD/radio station(type of music) is in your car right now?: alt-rock, and shoegazer music.

Favorite childhood memory (briefly): waking up to watch powerpuff girls.

When/where do you most like to read?: in my room. My favorite time to read is when I wake up with nothing to do, and the sunlight is warming my room, and all I have to do is grab my nook and snuggle into a late morning.

First romance novel read (that you can remember): In elementary school I was obsessed with fairy tales and mythology. I was a bookworm in love with romance since long ago.

Favorite romance couple: Oh my goodness, I don't know, there's so many to choose from. This is not a bodice ripper novel, but I have to say Kate Daniels and Curran. Actually, I don't know. This is an impossible question.

Why did you decide to join this group?: I am addicted to bodice rippers, duh. And, since I've spent my resources for good bodice rippers, I thought this would be a chill place to hyperventilate together and recommend good books.