Bodice Ripper Readers Anonymous discussion

I am after any recommendations for a good BR written more recently. I know they are not written as much these days but I think they make the best stories. I am a Rosemary Rogers fan and if there are any current writers like her Id like to know about it. Thanks in advanc

Well, I don't know if anyone who writes HR today has the balls to write like RR for fear of PC nazis. However, I did read a really good book that I have put on my BR shelf called "claiming the courtesan." By Anna Campbell. It has some ripper elements, but it is not epic. It features a psycho obsessed H who kidnaps the h, holds her prisoner and rapes her repeatedly. I really like ACs writing style.

Tanya wrote: "I am after any recommendations for a good BR written more recently. I know they are not written as much these days but I think they make the best stories. I am a Rosemary Rogers fan and if there ar..."

I'm not sure there is such a thing :( The rec above is the one I usually see listed for a 'modern' BR (which, for me, would be something written this century). I haven't read it, so can't say.

There was one writer, Olivia Wheeler, who published 3 books a few months back advertised as BRs. I was excited and bought one - Steel Heart. I gave it a 3, it did definitely have BR elements but needed work. The day after I posted my review (the only one), all her books disappeared off the face of the internets. I still feel horrible about that, like I crushed someone's dream. Anyway, I hope she does re-work her books and come back because we need some new BRs.

"Claiming The Courtesan" that I mentioned above was (I think) published in 2007.

A three is ok you shouldnt feel bad any review is going to help the books shift along. I think shes renamed herself and her books. There needs to be a revival of BR. There a many historicals these days that are tidying up history radically and filtering the lense. Whilst some BR may sometimes over emphasize Womens vulnerabilty it was truer to form. There are some Regencies for example that totally ignore the whole Dickens aspect of the day.

Actually I just found your review and read it. It was a good review and I think would not deter other readers. I dont think a good balanced critique should put any one off I often see those on even the best of books. Theres a chance shes had a response from a publisher and wants to get them off the web before they are no longer desirable for a publisger - just thinking...

Tanya wrote: "Actually I just found your review and read it. It was a good review and I think would not deter other readers. I dont think a good balanced critique should put any one off I often see those on eve..."

Thanks, I tried to be fair and I'm sure there are lots of reasons her books aren't on Amazon, but being the only reviewer made me feel conspicuous. I agree that a 3 is not bad but some see it that way. I always like to read some 3 and below reviews, sometimes they tell me more than the 5 stars.

The tidying up of history is a big turn off for me. I know some prefer it, but I don't see why there can't be room for the BR. I'm surprised independent authors haven't seen that niche, since publishers seem afraid of them and the field is wide open. Publishers will only be afraid until some indy author writes one that hits 50 Shades popularity.

@KatieV

In my review of Claiming the Courtesan, I offered up many thanks and kudos to both the Author and publisher for bringing out an un-PC book in a millennium year at the risk of being descended upon by PC-Nazis.

I hope some indie author does in fact publish BR a runaway best-seller to wake up both HR authors and publishers.