On the subject of historical romance novels

[Austina]

I’ve been watching Poldark. Are we talking about the same Poldark @Austina ? The characters in the series I’m watching has Ross Poldark and Demelza as main characters.

Yes @Calliecake that’s the one. Are you watching the new version with Aidan Turner & Eleanor Tomlinson? I actually preferred the original series made back in the 70’s with Angharad Rees and Robin Ellis. There are more books in the series which didn‘t end up being made, but I’ve read them all, more than once.

Robin Ellis actually appears in the new series as a judge. He was quite the heart throb back in the day! Angharad Rees was fantastic as Demelza too.

 

[stracci2000]

I read Gone With the Wind in 4th grade because I ran out of other books.

That's kind of what I did, too. I pillaged her bookshelf. I loved to read, and still do.
I read GWTW when I was 12.
Shortly thereafter, I read Mandingo, The Boston Strangler, Helter Skelter, and all those racy romance novels.
I don't remember if she was aware I was reading them or not.

 

[Trekkie]

Hi, my name is Trekkie and I like romance novels

ABSOLUTELY NO SHAME.

I’ve just finished my master’s in creative writing so of course I’ve read “proper” books. I enjoy memoir (proper memoir, not mislit), and crime fiction and African fiction and sci-fi and I’ve read all the expected books. As for romance, I’ve read everything from Twilight (sweet but...) to 50 Shades (poorly written and researched fanfic crap) to historic romance (entertaining at 16, less so now that I have a better understanding of history) to Megan Hart (holy shit, she’s good).

These days when picking up a romance novel I mostly read vintage Harlequin Presents. I hate the modern Harlequins, they’re all shit.

But the vintage ones from the seventies and eighties? Oh, they are a glorious cluster**** Antiquated gender roles, slut shaming, spousal rape...They’re a mess, basically. But an entertaining mess!!

I read a hell of a lot (5-7 books a week) and when I have to choose between spending $10 on a crime thriller that probably won’t thrill, or picking up a simple, safe, predictable vintage Harlequin Presents by Charlotte Lamb or Carole Mortimer or Anne Weale the Harlequin Presents wins every time.

No shame.

 

[Rfisher]

I don't remember if she was aware I was reading them or not.

Same here.
This is a prime example when I remind myself that I don’t need to know 100% of what my kid does 100% of the time.

 

[Rfisher]

Hi, my name is Trekkie and I like romance novels

ABSOLUTELY NO SHAME.

I’ve just finished my master’s in creative writing so of course I’ve read “proper” books. I enjoy memoir (proper memoir, not mislit), and crime fiction and African fiction and sci-fi and I’ve read all the expected books. As for romance, I’ve read everything from Twilight (sweet but...) to 50 Shades (poorly written and researched fanfic crap) to historic romance (entertaining at 16, less so now that I have a better understanding of history) to Megan Hart (holy shit, she’s good).

These days when picking up a romance novel I mostly read vintage Harlequin Presents. I hate the modern Harlequins, they’re all shit.

But the vintage ones from the seventies and eighties? Oh, they are a glorious clusterf*ck Antiquated gender roles, slut shaming, spousal rape...They’re a mess, basically. But an entertaining mess!!

I read a hell of a lot (5-7 books a week) and when I have to choose between spending $10 on a crime thriller that probably won’t thrill, or picking up a simple, safe, predictable vintage Harlequin Presents by Charlotte Lamb or Carole Mortimer or Anne Weale the Harlequin Presents wins every time.

No shame.

Well written!
( insert hi hat ‘ba-dump-dump’ here)

 

[Calliecake]

Yes @Calliecake that’s the one. Are you watching the new version with Aidan Turner & Eleanor Tomlinson? I actually preferred the original series made back in the 70’s with Angharad Rees and Robin Ellis. There are more books in the series which didn‘t end up being made, but I’ve read them all, more than once.

Robin Ellis actually appears in the new series as a judge. He was quite the heart throb back in the day! Angharad Rees was fantastic as Demelza too.

We are watching the series with Aiden Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson. We just started watching the second season before the shelter in place started. I really like it. I just looked up how many seasons there are and saw a spoiler. Darn.

We have been watching more uplifting shows (comedy’s) the past few weeks during the lockdown. I hope you and Colin are doing well and staying safe. I wish you were already here @Austina. It has to be difficult dealing with this while being so far from Adam and Kim. Hugs, Callie

 

[GliderPoss]

OMG I am dying of laughter at those titles... I guess I just call all those style books "Mills & Boon" I've never read one but would think Twilight is pretty close to the genre. Outlander too and I loved that, especially the first 2 series (not so much last few).

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

OMG I am dying of laughter at those titles... I guess I just call all those style books "Mills & Boon" I've never read one but would think Twilight is pretty close to the genre. Outlander too and I loved that, especially the first 2 series (not so much last few).

my OH loves Outlander and he's 67 !
back in thw day my aunty used to lend me Mills and Boon when i was about 12
they were old titles- very gentle and mild
i preferred Ian Fleming's 007 which oddly my very liberal friend's mum wouldn't let her read

mum and dad had no problem letting me stay up to watch Dallas at that age but i wasn't allowed to read that book

i don't think something like 50 shades would ever be my thing
maybe that's why i loved Twilight

 

[Austina]

If you get the chance @Calliecake, you might like to watch the earlier series. They included more of the characters that were in the books. The new series is a bit BBC right on.

Yes, we should’ve been visiting Kim and Adam now, and don’t know when we’ll be able to, probably not this year, but we’re doing fine thanks. Hope you and DH are keeping well.

 

[Jambalaya]

Yes! Yes!
Have no clue if these are satire -
But funny as hell!

I don’t think the mermen and Minotaur /centaur/faun /goat boy ones are satire.
I forgot rule 34.

They're not satire. Monster p*rn really exists. So does car p*rn. I do not partake of these genres - my somewhat out-there colleague told me about it.

 

[peppermintpatty]

Well written!
( insert hi hat ‘ba-dump-dump’ here)

@Rfisher this is totally off topic and absolutely none of my business so I more than understand if you don't care to reply to my question. I Loved seeing your floral sapphire and diamond cluster ring in your avatar. Miss seeing it more than I can say. Is there some reason you removed it? Like I said, I understand if you don't reply. I sure do miss it though... Can I make a request for it to be brought back

 

[Rfisher]

@Rfisher this is totally off topic and absolutely none of my business so I more than understand if you don't care to reply to my question. I Loved seeing your floral sapphire and diamond cluster ring in your avatar. Miss seeing it more than I can say. Is there some reason you removed it? Like I said, I understand if you don't reply. I sure do miss it though... Can I make a request for it to be brought back

That’s sweet and very kind of you to say!
I switch it for no reasons- just whim.
It’s on laser beam mode right now just for you!
: lol:

 

[peppermintpatty]

That’s sweet and very kind of you to say!
I switch it for no reasons- just whim.
It’s on laser beam mode right now just for you!
: lol:

Awww thank you!!! My favorite cluster ring ever!!! So nice of you to do that for me! Made my day!

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

As a rule I’m not fond of typical Mills & Boon style books - I find them really hard to get through, haha. The only historical romance books I actually enjoy reading are by Amanda Quick because she usually has some mystery element to them as well so it’s not just badly written p*rn. I have read 50 Shades but I found those books to be some of the worst written books with the most bland/undeveloped/sociopathic characters I’ve ever read. I honestly found 50 Shades to be irresponsible in how they basically showcase coercion and lack of consent to be good, romantic things.