Harlequin Presents #428 Seduction Charlotte Lamb features a ridiculously innocent and sheltered heroine and a hero that is so crazy and obsessed, he kidnaps her! 5 stars
forced seduction
Historical Romance Review: Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell
I’m not a fan of the execution of Claiming the Courtesan. However, I thought it was refreshing what Anna Campbell tried to accomplish in her first book. I categorize this style of romance as a neo-bodice ripper, in that it attempts to capture the sexual power struggles contained in those older books, but it’s very modern in its presentation. 2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Wicked Loving Lies by Rosemary Rogers
Wicked Loving Lies is “The Queen of Historical Romance” Rosemary Roger’s best book! It’s a bodice ripper classic, not for the faint of heart.
Historical Romance Review: Rapture’s Rebel by Iris Bancroft
Rapture’s Rebel by Iris Bancroft is the first non-Viking historical romance set in Scandinavia that I’ve read. Sadly, it’s disappointing. 1 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: Purity’s Ecstasy by Janette Seymour
Michael Butterworth’s (aka Janette Seymour) second entry into his Purity trilogy, Purity’s Ecstasy, is a tawdry, rollicking ride filled with just about every ‘ripper trope and then some. 3 1/2 stars
Historical Romance Review: A Pirate’s Love by Johanna Lindsey
In a Pirate’s Love by Johanna Lindsey Bettina Verlaine travels across the sea to an unwanted fiance when she is captured by the pirate Tristan Matisse. 1 star
Historical Romance: Passion’s Proud Captive by Melissa Hepburne
Passion’s Proud Captive by Melissa Hepburne is not a book for modern readers, but it’s tailor-made to suit my tastes. A hilarious bodice ripper! 4 stars
Historical Romance Review: So Wild a Rapture by Andrea Layton
From the opening pages of Andrea Layton’s So Wild a Rapture, we are introduced to the 16-year-old heroine, the noble Juliette de Condillac, and her “one true love” Francois du Quesnay,
Neo-Bodice Rippers: What They Are and Where to Find Them
What is a neo-bodice ripper? It is a historical romance with tropes of dominance or forced seduction. It is a modern bodice ripper. Let’s check some of them out.
Historical Romance Review: Stormfire by Christine Monson
Christine Monson’s novel, Stormfire is the ultimate in bodice-ripping, a tale of two mentally unstable people and their violent, intense love.