Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group discussion

Romance novels feature the falling of love of a couple. That can happen in a variety of ways as long as they end up together at the end of the book.

How do you like that to happen?

1. Do you like a fast courtship?
2. A quick or slow progression?
3. I dos late or early?
4. In bed fast or feet on the floor for most of the book?
5. Do you like the hero to be the pursuer or vice versa?
6. Do you like the heroine to succumb quickly and easier or to be hard to get?

What are some elements that you demand in your romance novel courtship?

Who writes courtship the best way to you in romance novels?

1. Do you like a fast courtship? NO insta-love
2. A quick or slow progression? SLOW to MEDIUM
3. I dos late or early? MIDWAY - I like to see what happens AFTER the "I DO's".
4. In bed fast or feet on the floor for most of the book? FEET ON THE FLOOR - I'm getting where I want more story, less sex.
5. Do you like the hero to be the pursuer or vice versa? definitely the HERO (I'm traditional that way)
6. Do you like the heroine to succumb quickly and easier or to be hard to get? SOMEWHAT easily

1) I like a slower courtship. But not too slow.

2) I like the story to have a quick progression.

3) I want the marriage to take place about half way through the book. I enjoy reading about the relationship after marriage.

4)Honestly, I like the bed action to take place rather quickly.

5) I want the hero to peruse the heroine. I want to make a womanizing man to beg. *evil grin*

6) I want the heroine to play hard to get.

I want there to be steamy scenes in the book. I guess that's why I've never liked regency romances very much.
I think Brenda Joyce and Virginia Henley write their stories well. Very steamy, the hero's are to die for and the heroines make them work hard to capture their heart....perfect.
Oh, and Karen Marie Moning is another great author.

1. Do you like a fast courtship? -- Yes, when done right. I have to be in the character's head(s) pretty quickly too if a romance is going to be fast.
2. A quick or slow progression? -- Either one works for me, all depends on the storyline. What I can't stand is the back/forth of 'will they or won't they' though.
3. I dos late or early? -- I prefer later, except if it's a fast courtship or important to the storyline. Same as Vanessa and Cindi, I do like to see the relationship after marriage too - even if it's just as well-developed side characters featured in a sequel.
4. In bed fast or feet on the floor for most of the book? -- Fast please!!! I don't mind a little teasing in the beginning, but I'm more of an insta-grat kinda girlie ;)
5. Do you like the hero to be the pursuer or vice versa? -- Prefer Alphas, so I do like a strong hero to be the pursuer.
6. Do you like the heroine to succumb quickly and easier or to be hard to get? -- Either works, but I don't really like the bratty heroine just for the sake of being bratty. So if this is a part of the "hard to get" attitude, I usually roll my eyes through it.

What are some elements that you demand in your romance novel courtship? I like how Vanessa put it - steamy. I want a good deal of plot and character development too, but I need to really feel the attraction of the H/h in a romance. For me, it's all about the journey of two peeps defining love for themselves and finding that right balance of give & take with each other.

Who writes courtship the best way to you in romance novels? Thinking of my 4/5* reads, I'd have to say: Willow S. Brooks, Phoenyx Slaughter, Trent Evans, Karina Halle

How do you like that to happen? I read romance for the thrill of the love relationship developing. So I like the courtship to matter.

I definitely like sexual fidelity from the beginning of the book, even if it's not deliberate. I just hate when I know a couple is supposed to be together and I see them sleeping with other people.

1. Do you like a fast courtship? It depends. I like for it to be obvious that something is happening between the couple even if they aren't officially together.
2. A quick or slow progression? Depends on the story. I think I like it both ways in the hands of a skilled author. There are some books with insta-love that l really eat up. I admit I am a sucker for a hero who falls very fast for the heroine. I even have a shelf for it. :) If it's in a dangerous situation, I think it fits better if the courtship is fast, as long as it's authentic-feeling to me.
3. I dos late or early? If the book is about their marriage relationship, then early. I don't think nearly as many books focus on that marriage relationship developing, and it's fascinating to me. I especially like historical romances with the early I dos. I think it's a bit harder to pull it off with contemporary romance, unless it's an MOC book.
4. In bed fast or feet on the floor for most of the book? Usually not fast. I prefer it to be middle to later in the book, unless it really fits the story. I think the chemistry is fizzled out if they go to bed too fast. After a while, there are only so many ways you can read the couple making love where it gets kind of humdrum. I think I prefer if they make out a lot and then do the deed later on than full on coitus early in the book. I've read some fantastic books where there was no sex. I think it's a good challenge to an author to see how well they can develop chemistry without a sex scene. I know with modern culture it's expected for sex to happen early and frequent, but that's not why I read romance.
5. Do you like the hero to be the pursuer or vice versa? I always prefer the hero to do the pursuing. I especially like when the heroine is reluctant and the hero has to win her over. Of course, I don't like it if she's a real jerk, but if she's a nice person with genuine objections to being with the hero, it's great seeing the hero win her over. I want the hero to be worthy of the heroine, even if he's a bad man. I like seeing him prove that. I feel that when then the heroine does the chasing, it usually feels kind of off to me.
6. Do you like the heroine to succumb quickly and easier or to be hard to get?

I prefer a hard to get heroine, almost always. I don't like when the heroine is so hormonal the hero can get her into bed right away.

What are some elements that you demand in your romance novel courtship?

Fidelity (no sex with other people), authenticity, real emotional bond between the characters. The conviction they will stay together at the end of the book. I hate when the couple is lying to each other throughout the book, or when they easily believe lies about each other.

Who writes courtship the best way to you in romance novels?

Anne Stuart, Christine Feehan, Lisa Kleypas, Connie Brockway, Shannon McKenna, Pamela Clare (probably not First Strike but other books), Jodi Thomas, Diana Palmer off the top of my head.

1. Do you like a fast courtship? No I love when an author builds up the suspense/ conflict between the characters.
2. A quick or slow progression? Not too slow - I love lots of interaction between the hero and heroine
3. I dos late or early? In a modern novel it would have to have a funky twist to the plot for an early wedding otherwise I prefer late. Historical can be early as you watch the couple fall in love after the wedding.
4. In bed fast or feet on the floor for most of the book? Love an author who can build up the heat between the couple before they hope in bed. So I prefer halfway or later
5. Do you like the hero to be the pursuer or vice versa? I love the hero recognising his true love and running her to ground.
6. Do you like the heroine to succumb quickly and easier or to be hard to get? I love a good chase so she must be hard to get.

What are some elements that you demand in your romance novel courtship? There has to be some issue keeping them apart and an instant attraction between them. I also love the characters growing and becoming stronger / better people.

Who writes courtship the best way to you in romance novels? Nalini Singh, Kresley Cole, Lynn Veil, Lora Leigh, Christine Feehan (these are all in the paranormal genre).

Marian wrote: "1. Do you like a fast courtship? No I love when an author builds up the suspense/ conflict between the characters.
2. A quick or slow progression? Not too slow - I love lots of interaction between..."

OMGosh Marian, you answered all the questions for me ... are you in my head???? LOL
I totally agree with your answers except I don't have a favorite author who writes courtship the best way. The only one that comes to my mind is Nina Lane (The Spiral of Bliss series). It's not my normal read by I loved Professor Dean West and how he courted his wife not only before they were married, but after as well.

Danielle The Book Huntress (Self-Proclaimed Book Ninja) wrote: "Romance novels feature the falling of love of a couple. That can happen in a variety of ways as long as they end up together at the end of the book.

How do you like that to happen?

1. Do you like..."

By the way Danielle, great questions!

Who should say I love you first?

The hero.

What do you like the love scene to be like?

Full of unrestrained passion and emotional. Not just about scratching an itch with some random person. Heroine should feel cherished, like she's the only woman in the world to the hero.

Epilogue or no epilogue?

I like epilogues that show the couple happy together in the future.

Series about the same couple or a new couple with the old couple showing up as secondary characters?

I'd rather the next book be about another related couple.

Who should say I love you first? It's swoon-worthy when he says it first.
What do you like the love scene to be like? Explicit, a little rough around the edges, with a "can't get enough of me and you in/on each other" sort of passion.
Epilogue or no epilogue? Don't care, as long as the story is wrapped up nicely one way or another. Oh - and if there's an epilogue, then there has to be a prologue. So many forget this little nibbly rule.
Series about the same couple or a new couple with the old couple showing up as secondary characters? I've liked both.
Great questions, again, Danielle.

I like the hero to be in pursuit, obdessively so. I like the heroine to not give in easily and feet on the floor for most of the book.

Willow wrote: "Who should say I love you first? It's swoon-worthy when he says it first.
What do you like the love scene to be like? Explicit, a little rough around the edges, with a "can't get enough of me and y..."

Thanks. Thanks for answering!

Chrisolu wrote: "I like the hero to be in pursuit, obdessively so. I like the heroine to not give in easily and feet on the floor for most of the book."

I love, love, love a hero in pursuit who is obsessive over the heroine. It makes me swoon.

How do you like that to happen?

1. Do you like a fast courtship? I like to see sparks fly right off the bat. At first sight nemesis can have sparks flying at first meet. I believe in love at first sight.

2. A quick or slow progression? A steady progression is fine with me. The kinks have to be worked out. I don't want the hero or heroine to be with someone else, while they come to their senses and know that they are meant to be together.

3. I dos late or early? Proposal prior to the ending. Marriage can come before the ending or in the epilogue. I would like to know what the characters are doing after the honeymoon. I like when characters stick with me. People on here know that I am a huge fan of Sam and Alyssa. I still wonder what they would be doing now.

4. In bed fast or feet on the floor for most of the book? Love scenes don't move me. I love tension, just as much as I love romance. A book can not have love scenes and still be good to me. As a writer, I tend to show how much my characters love one another by the way they act towards one another. I love them to have tension as well. : )

5. Do you like the hero to be the pursuer or vice versa? The hero. I may fall in love with a couple, but it's the hero that captures my attention.

6. Do you like the heroine to succumb quickly and easier or to be hard to get? I like it when a heroine knows her worth and she's not to play with. I don't like an easy lay. The heroine doesn't have to really be hard to get, because sometimes, when a heroine is that way, she's unlikable. She's annoying and she shows that she isn't for the hero.

What are some elements that you demand in your romance novel courtship? Romance. I want romance. A lot of books are classified as romance, but there's no romance at all. Where's the candlelight dinner? The walk in the park, etc.

Who writes courtship the best way to you in romance novels? I love the way that Sam and Alyssa were written, as well as Dave and Sophia. I've also love the way that Anne Stuart has written Killian and Isobel.

Who should say I love you first? The hero

What do you like the love scene to be like? Loving, passionate and fun. The hero and heroine must show how much they are in love with one another.

Epilogue or no epilogue? I like to keep up with the couple, so epilogues are good.

Arch wrote: "How do you like that to happen?

1. Do you like a fast courtship? I like to see sparks fly right off the bat. At first sight nemesis can have sparks flying at first meet. I believe in love at first..."

Well said, Arch. Sparks make the book.

I'm a die hard romantic. I want to see bonafide romance in a romance book.

Romance novels feature the falling of love of a couple. That can happen in a variety of ways as long as they end up together at the end of the book.

How do you like that to happen?

1. Do you like a fast courtship? No

2. A quick or slow progression? Slow and easy

3. I dos late or early? Why do they have to come at all?

4. In bed fast or feet on the floor for most of the book?
Better do it in a timely manner or I'll get bored

5. Do you like the hero to be the pursuer or vice versa? Make that a shared experience

6. Do you like the heroine to succumb quickly and easier or to be hard to get? No I like a woman that thinks

What are some elements that you demand in your romance novel courtship? A balance of great sex and romance

Who writes courtship the best way to you in romance novels?
Sylvia Day , Raine Miller, Opal Carew

Who should say I love you first?
The female give the male something to think about

What do you like the love scene to be like?
Slow with a build up of heat and passion

Epilogue or no epilogue
Epilogue they often lead to another book

1. Do you like a fast courtship? God no. I hate when characters meet and its BOOM I love you, that isn't real. What I do like is an instant spark.
2. A quick or slow progression? I like a healthy mix, there's nothing worse than reading a book while thinking omg when are you just going to get together.
3. I dos late or early? Early. A girls got to lock her man dow. Then I like the waters to get a bit choppy, marriage doesn't mean plain sailing.
4. In bed fast or feet on the floor for most of the book? No one should be knocking boots within the first few chapters unless you're a wicked rake who can't keep his hands of the maids.
5. Do you like the hero to be the pursuer or vice versa? Yes, I like a man who isn't afraid to chase a woman when he knows what he wants.
6. Do you like the heroine to succumb quickly and easier or to be hard to get? Has to play hard to get, if they roll over to quickly then there's a good chance they will get walked all over.

What are some elements that you demand in your romance novel courtship? Stolen kisses and risky meetings. I'm rather partial to a jealous lover marking his territory.

Who writes courtship the best way to you in romance novels? Kresley Cole is superb at writing intense couples and so is Christine Feehan. Recently I've discovered Julia Quinn and I'm in love with everything she writes, I don't think there is a better romance writer than her. Sabrina Jeffries comes close.

Laura wrote: "1. Do you like a fast courtship? God no. I hate when characters meet and its BOOM I love you, that isn't real. What I do like is an instant spark.
2. A quick or slow progression? I like a healthy m..."

I simply adore jealous heroes. Can't get enough. :)

Neither can I, nothing drives a hero to stake his claim on a heroine more than a rival.