Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for December, 2017 BOTM. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some html is ok' for instructions).

Happy reading:)

Ravished


There was no doubt about it. What Miss Harriet Pomeroy needed was a man. Someone powerful and clever who could help her rout the unscrupulous thieves who were using her beloved caves to hide their loot. But when Harriet summoned Gideon Westbrook, Viscount St. Justin, to her aid, she could not know that she was summoning the devil himself. . . .

Dubbed the Beast of Blackthorne Hall for his scarred face and lecherous past, Gideon was strong and fierce and notoriously menacing. Yet Harriet could not find it in her heart to fear him. For in his tawny gaze she sensed a savage pain she longed to soothe . . . and a searing passion she yearned to answer. Now, caught up in the Beast’s clutches, Harriet must find a way to win his heart–and evade the deadly trap of a scheming villain who would see them parted for all time.

RAVISHED is a retelling of the classic tale, Beauty and the Beast.

My favourite Amanda Quick! I have the audio this time, looking forward to this reread.

I think I’m in for this one!

Not long ago read but will re read on audio. Im in

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "I think I’m in for this one!"

It's a quick easy read.

Thanks Loriidae!

I’m looking forward to it!

I'll join in too!!!

I don't remember reading this, but I own a copy. So, bonus, it's like a brand new free book!

I am in!

This would be my first book by Amanda Quick.

I've read this, but it has been a while. It was my first Quick and I binged on her after finishing it. I'm in for a re-read, if that counts...

In for a re-read, too. Been a while!

I plan to join in. It'll be a re-read for me as well. This is one of my first HRs.

I vaguely remember thinking- great, new author, long backlist- there's my holiday reading. Then I think I read one or two more and didn't like them. Much disappointment!

I think she may get repetitive in her types of h/h. I do think they were typically strong heroines and dark, mysterious Heros. Not sure how well they have stood the test of time.

Joanna wrote: "I think she may get repetitive in her types of h/h. I do think they were typically strong heroines and dark, mysterious Heros. Not sure how well they have stood the test of time."

Oh there is definitely a formula that many of her books fall into.

LOL This has been happening to me too. My kindle and audible library is so large I forget what I own. When I decide to do a group or buddy read, I check my kindle and audible library first now. It has paid off a few times recently. You’re right, a new free book!

I’m in for reading this book too. This will be my first time reading the book.

Jennifer wrote: "I'll join in too!!!

I don't remember reading this, but I own a copy. So, bonus, it's like a brand new free book!"

Geri wrote: "My kindle and audible library is so large I forget what I own. ..."

Same here Geri.

When Ravished was initially nominated, I didn’t realize until later that I had the kindle edition.

I’m sure I bought it at a reduced price. I would not have paid $7.99 for such an old book!

Cozy re-read for me for December..Maybe I will listen to this one this time.

This will also be my first Amanda Quick book. I am looking forward to it.

Joining in. My first Amanda Quick book also!

Wonderful book!
Highly recommended, but then I love her books even though they can get formulaic. She was one of my first HR authors and still holds a special place in my heart.

I have read the first 6 chapters. This is going to be a light, quick (no pun intended! LOL) read. I laughed when (view spoiler)[ the housekeeper fainted after seeing Gideon (hide spoiler)] at the end of chapter one. And was surprised (view spoiler)[ how quickly they became physically involved. Kissing in chapter three and having sex (hide spoiler)] in chapter six. Is this usual for Quick romances? I haven’t read many.

Geri,

I think I’m a little past ch 6.

(view spoiler)[I was surprised how quick things got physical too (kiss in ch 3, sex in ch 6. (hide spoiler)]

For the first 4.5 chapters, Harriet did not endear me. She came accross as rather foolish.

I started listening to this in November as I has to interrupt listening to the brilliant Claire Delacroix and listened this rapidly into the 5th chapter and came close to giving up. this 25 yr old heroine came across as reckless, self absorbed and pushy.

I understand that the norm now for HR is a heroine well into her 20s, but it’s hard for me to swallow these characteristics above in a 25 year old heroine. I think I’d be less impatient with a foolish heroine at 17 than a foolish one at 25.

Loriidae,

What do you think of the narrator for the audio? I’m listening to the audio. I thought I only had the kindle edition.

I’m not crazy about narrators male voice.

I’m finding the I enjoy a male narrator’s rendition of female voice more than a female narrator rendition of male voice. I’ll concede that HR readers probably prefer a female narrator though.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "Loriidae,

What do you think of the narrator for the audio? I’m listening to the audio. I thought I only had the kindle edition.

I’m not crazy about narrators male voice.

I’m finding the I enjoy ..."

You have caught me out! I haven't started. :)

I love Simon Prebble he does Stephanie Laurens, otherwise you are right, I have listened to all women, but I haven't listened to a lot of HR. I tend to listen to urban fantasy and read HR.

I do think that often the audio makes or breaks a book

This was published in 1992, so it might be showing its age!

I’ll have to try Simon Prebble Stephanie Laurens narrator.

You are right about audio make or break a book.

A book that I didn’t care about ever rereading (unlike other favorites of hers) by Georgette Hayer, I got the audio for $1.99 since I owned the kindle edition and listened to the audio and it’s one of my favorite books to listen to. The narrator Cornelius Garrett is amazing. What he does with the women voices is amazing.

Loriidae wrote: "This was published in 1992, so it might be showing its age!"

Wow 1992!

I would have thought it was published closer to 2k with that unattractive heroine.

I have mostly listened Stephanie Lauren's books and enjoyed to varying degrees. There's a formula, but that's ok sometimes. Then, I tried to read one and thought it was terrible. So, I guess I am saying that I agree that Simon is a good narrator.

Hmmm. Think I read a few of these (AMs) some years ago. I suspect they may be showing their age now. Not sure whether I want to go back there????

Just had a look on kindle. Ten bucks AUD. Not cheap considering it's an older book. I might download the sample and see whether it hooks me.

Jan130 wrote: "Hmmm. Think I read a few of these (AMs) some years ago. I suspect they may be showing their age now. Not sure whether I want to go back there????

Just had a look on kindle. Ten bucks AUD. Not chea..."

Wow that is dear for a 25 year old book!! I think I paid that for the cds from Book Depository.

I still have my original paperback.

Jan130 wrote: "Hmmm. Think I read a few of these (AMs) some years ago. I suspect they may be showing their age now. Not sure whether I want to go back there????

Just had a look on kindle. Ten bucks AUD. Not chea..."

Sometimes there's sales on her books, but I have noticed they are expensive. It is what kept me away when I got my Nook and really got hooked on HR., not knowing many authors at the time. My mom had paperbacks of Quick's that I read in high school, this included.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "For the first 4.5 chapters, Harriet did not endear me. She came accross as rather foolish.

I started listening to this in November as I has to interrupt listening to the brilliant [author:Claire ..."

I agree Andrea! I am at halfway point, starting chapter 11. This won’t be a favorite. Harriet annoyed me (view spoiler)[ when she wanted to refuse Gideon’s proposal after they slept together and she could have been pregnant. Foolish, as you say! I guess I was supposed to like her independence. But I didn’t! (hide spoiler)]

I am hoping the mystery will be interesting? I am listening to the audio too. The narrator sounds too old for a young woman. That is a bit irritating!

I finished this last night--it was a really light, frothy read and mostly I enjoyed it. I thought the dialogue was witty and well-done and there were several humorous moments in the book. The plot got really silly in the second part, though, in my opinion. And Harriett started to get on my nerves with her fossil obsession. My first book by Amanda Quick and I wouldn't mind trying another one.

My book arrives in a week. So, I can start reading only in the next week.

Emily, this was my first Amanda Quick book too. It was a very light read. It was entertaining enough. But I won’t be rushing to read more. I tend to like more emotional or darker historical romance.

I felt exactly the same way, Geri. It was fine and I did enjoy the humor, but I do prefer more substance to the story.

Andrea (Catsos Person) is a Compulsive eBook Hoarder wrote: "For the first 4.5 chapters, Harriet did not endear me. She came accross as rather foolish.

I started listening to this in November as I has to interrupt listening to the brilliant [author:Claire ..."

I'm glad you posted this. I started reading the first chapter yesterday, and I noticed that about her: foolish and pushy in her obsessions with fossils. I said to myself, I've read enough romances to see where this is going. It is inevitable, because of her foolishness, she will eventually do something stupid which will jeopardize her safety and others'. She won't listen, and will go somewhere she shouldn't and confront people she shouldn't.

I'm getting somewhat cynical here.

Barbara,

I’m far enough into the story to confirm that you predictions are quite true.

While I was into ch 5, I thought of quitting because I thought that the only thing that could please me is if this dingbat got a serious comeuppance and learned a hard lesson, but alas, she is a “strong” heroine that is very much in demand. Ugh.

I really like Gideon. He deserves better than Harriet.

Oh my word, this is too much!

What is the purpose of writers presenting us with these types of heroines? Since when does strong have to mean stupid? I suppose it is part of the current cultural perspective that I have been thinking about lately, in light of some opinion pieces and even new stories I have seen.

Women's empowerment is to be celebrated at all costs, even when it is grounded in silliness and poor judgment? Because ideology above everything, including reality!

Barbara wrote: "Oh my word, this is too much! Women's empowerment is to be celebrated at all costs, even when it is grounded in silliness and poor judgment? Because ideology above everything, including reality!

I’ll take a resourceful tea-sipping heroine who embroiders and attends balls with a brain in her head over this idiotic “strong” heroine any day of the week!

I hear you, absolutely. Those are my types of heroines, indeed! Practical, logical, smart, and capable!

Just downloaded my library copy to my tablet, so I'll be starting soon, probably later this afternoon!

I agree with Andrea. Ravished makes me question what the opposite of a strong woman is. Quiet? Hidden? Non-complaining? Single?

I'm willing to give Quick a pass here, though. It's an old book.

(If you really want to be irritated, I suggest you check out her Deception. It's so close to being a great trashy book...but it falls into a vat of cheese and unbelievability somewhere along the way.)

Update: ended up DNFing because Harriet was The Actual Worst and also I thought the writing was pretty bad.

Oh well!

Better luck next month! :D

Renae Pérez wrote: "Update: ended up DNFing because Harriet was The Actual Worst and also I thought the writing was pretty bad.

Oh well!

Better luck next month! :D"

Though I don't care for Harriet, I really like Gideon so far.

I've also noticed that "strong" heroine often translates into "stubbon, selfish and TSTL" in many of these books. Harriett was definitely one of these, but the book was salvaged for me by Gideon and the fact that some of the dialogue actually made me chuckle.

One book I've read this year that had a strong, stubborn heroine I could appreciate was Through the Smoke by Brenda Novak. I can understand stubborn tendencies when it's presented as being from issues with social class or economic survival, but not when it's from whims and hobbies (like Harriett's fossil.)

Emily,

Through the Smoke in KU.

Emily wrote: "I've also noticed that "strong" heroine often translates into "stubbon, selfish and TSTL" in many of these books. Harriett was definitely one of these, but the book was salvaged for me by Gideon an..."

Agreed.

Christina wrote: "I agree with Andrea. Ravished makes me question what the opposite of a strong woman is. Quiet? Hidden? Non-complaining? Single?

I'm willing to give Quick a pass here, though. It's an old book.

(..."

That is the thing I wonder about. Do we presume that strong has to mean arrogant, obnoxious and in other people's faces about how strong one is? That seems to be the case in our culture.

Why can't strong be seen as something less extroverted and public in its declaration? What about strong as wise and resilient? One can embody quiet strengths, and I don't mean stoic in hiding one's emotions like men traditionally have been urged to do.

Being a woman of strength should be something that is so obvious, that the reader doesn't have to be banged over the head with it.

That is the problem with these characters. It is as though they have to prove they are strong, which makes me question just how strong they are when their strength isn't linked to the wisdom that would make me admire their strengths, because they are stubborn and foolish.