Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group discussion

So I am definitely in an ongoing romance novel slump. I just have not felt attracted to reading much romance books lately. I still love books that have a romance storyline and have a love story, but I've found myself kind of bored with the romance as a main storyline. I would love to get my romance love rekindled. Here's what I like:

1. True love vibes--the characters are meant for each other and have a once in a lifetime connection. They could not interchange each other for some other person.

2. Some degree of angst and longing--I don't want tragedy or long separations, or misunderstanding. I just like when there is some degree of a tortured/troubled past that love overcomes. HEA required!

3. Not erotica/sex focused--I like the love story to be more important. I like well-written love scenes that are pivotal to the story. I don't want there to be an excess where it seems to get bored and feels like an insert when the story is dragging. I don't care for erotica or too much erotic stuff in my romance. It just throws me out of the story (no offense to others).

4. Good secondary plot or storyline--I love romance where there is something more going on. That's why I've been drawn to gothic or fantasy romance moreso than straight romance.

5. I would love a good historical romance that doesn't feel too cardboard and feels very authentic in its historical setting/characters.

6. No other people in the relationship or for them to be between lovers in the story. I want them both to be faithful to each other. I don't mind if it takes a while to get together, but I don't want to hear about them with someone else during the story.

7. Hero to die for and Heroine to Adore--I would like a book with really likable/loveable characters that you are rooting for.

PS. These don't have to be new books.

I know that's a lot to ask for, but I appreciate your help!

My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid.

Here is the book blurb from the cover:

Miss Katherine Danvers is a desperate wallflower. Her family is on the brink of financial ruin, and it is up her to save her mother and sisters from a life of indignities. So she transforms herself into the incomparable Kitty Danvers, the fiancée of the enigmatic and reclusive Alexander Masters, Duke of Thornton—once dubbed the mad, bad, and dangerous catch of the Season.

Ten years ago, society and the woman Alexander Masters loved called him a monster, after a tragic accident left him scarred and confined to a wheelchair.

His heart exists in cold, lonely exile, until he learns he has a fiancée—a deceptive, clever, and utterly intriguing woman he's never met. Miss Danvers will now learn the consequences of engaging herself to the beast, for Alexander is determined to make her his. Soon, they are involved in a chase, a clash of wills, and though he once vowed to never love again, he burns for the enchanting Miss Danvers. And denying his heart may cost him an exquisite love that happens only once in a lifetime.

I don't know if you've read historical romance author Lisa Kleypas but I think most of her books would fit what you want.

I find those old favorites will get me out of a reading slump, the ones you've read so many times you've lost count. Comfort reads, much like comfort food.

Have you read the into the Wilderness series by Sara Donati ? It’s epic, I put it up there with Outlander. All the characters feel like family members by the end and the romance is great, but not the main part.

I love reading about dangerous bad boys. A nerd can be a dangerous bad boy for me. I’m finding it hard to find romance books to read these days. I don’t read erotic books, same sex, paranormal, sci-fi or first person stories. I read Contemporary romance. The story has to be about a single hero having eyes for the single heroine. Not a playboy or even play girl. The couple could be married.

I read Contemporary Romance.

The hero and heroine have to have chemistry. Sex doesn’t move me. I don’t care how good the hero is supposed to be in bed. He was once a virgin too, I want to know how big his heart is. I want to know that they made it beyond the last page of their story.

I love tension and no, not sexual tension. I like when a hero can smile one minute and the next, do some bodily harm. I like when the hero can get the hero to see reason.

A story must have dialogue, and little description. No cussing.

DemetraP wrote: "I don't know if you've read historical romance author Lisa Kleypas but I think most of her books would fit what you want.

"

I love her books. I haven't read the last several, but it's a good reminder to get back into those.

DemetraP wrote: "My Darling Duke by Stacy Reid.

Here is the book blurb from the cover:

Miss Katherine Danvers is a desperate wallflower. Her family is on the brink of financial ruin, and it is up her to save her ..."

Thanks1 I'll check into it!

Darcy wrote: "I find those old favorites will get me out of a reading slump, the ones you've read so many times you've lost count. Comfort reads, much like comfort food."

I have squeezed in a couple of rereads, but i should make more time for it. Good idea.

Jill wrote: "Have you read the into the Wilderness series by Sara Donati ? It’s epic, I put it up there with Outlander. All the characters feel like family members by the end and the romance is great, but not t..."

I haven't read this one. I'll keep it in mind. Thanks!

Arch wrote: "I love reading about dangerous bad boys. A nerd can be a dangerous bad boy for me. I’m finding it hard to find romance books to read these days. I don’t read erotic books, same sex, paranormal, sci..."

I haven't found that many romance books lately that immediately catch my attention either. I'm the least interested in contemporary books for sure. A fair amount of the ones I hear about are pretty. formulaic-sounding. I need some other spark or something.

Danielle The Book Huntress *Pluto is a Planet!* wrote: "I haven't found that many romance books lately that immediately catch my attention either. I'm the least interested in contemporary books for sure. A fair amount of the ones I hear about are pretty. formulaic-sounding. I need some other spark or something. "

I write contemporary romance. All contemporary stories aren’t going to be to my liking. I know what I like to see in contemporary stories and it’s missing in a lot of stories.

In my opinion all genre have same sounding stories.

Arch wrote: " Danielle The Book Huntress *Pluto is a Planet!* wrote: "I haven't found that many romance books lately that immediately catch my attention either. I'm the least interested in contemporary books fo..."

It's true that all romance genres can be formulaic. I'm not trying to attack contemporary romance. I'm just speaking from my viewpoint as someone who once enjoyed contemporary romance a lot, and now I can barely muster an interest in it. I also find that historical romances can often fall into the same storyline: girl does/doesn't want to marry paired with rake/duke/nobleman who really doesn't want to marry. LOL. I think that if there were more stories with characters who aren't so cookie cutter and it wasn't the same six tropes, I'd probably more tempted to pick one up.

Danielle The Book Huntress *Pluto is a Planet!* wrote: "It's true that all romance genres can be formulaic. I'm not trying to attack contemporary romance. I'm just speaking from my viewpoint as someone who once enjoyed contemporary romance a lot, and now I can barely muster an interest in it. I also find that historical romances can often fall into the same storyline: girl does/doesn't want to marry paired with rake/duke/nobleman who really doesn't want to marry. LOL. I think that if there were more stories with characters who aren't so cookie cutter and it wasn't the same six tropes, I'd probably more tempted to pick one up. "

I hope you find stories to read that will keep your attention.

Arch wrote: " Danielle The Book Huntress *Pluto is a Planet!* wrote: "It's true that all romance genres can be formulaic. I'm not trying to attack contemporary romance. I'm just speaking from my viewpoint as so..."

Thanks!

Danielle The Book Huntress *Pluto is a Planet!* wrote: "Thanks! "

You are welcome.

I have been hesitating to make my suggestions because I wasn’t certain if I could be of any help but for what it’s worth, my first suggestion is, Repeat by Kylie Scott. A writer who has more misses than hits for me but this book was unexpected, and just what may lure you back to romance. It’s not historical though, but completely charmed me when I read it. Don’t read my review of it because I usually spoil stories since that’s what I personally seek in other reviews. I like spoilers but I know that many others don’t.

For historicals, I suggest Loretta Chase. Have you read any of her books? If you haven’t, you’re in for a treat. Her lord of scoundrels is the most famous, but I love her fallen women series too.

And I’m almost certain that you must have read « these old shades » by Georgette Heyer. However if you haven’t, well this one set the bar for my historical romance standards. And if you by any chance like dark anti heroes in historical contexts, then the Silver Devil. But it’s very dark. So maybe not the best choice?

Try the backlists of some authors, maybe.... that might rekindle the spark of what made romance romance, the olders one have more ..umm.... depth/substance/chemistry/oomph? and the chemistry is usually actual chemistry without relying on kink for the oomph factor....

Older stories knew how to grab your attention and make you not want to put the book down and when finished wanting more. These days anyone can get a book published. No story. Sex doesn’t sell to everyone. I want a story. The hero was once a virgin too and there’s nothing special about his body. Sex doesn’t equal sex.

A lot of the good storytellers are up there in age. Julie Garwood is no longer here.

Arch wrote: "Older stories knew how to grab your attention and make you not want to put the book down and when finished wanting more. These days anyone can get a book published. No story. Sex doesn’t sell to ev..."

I completely agree. When I went to high school our English teacher used to look so down at ancient mills and boons and harlequin books some of the girls smuggled in school and which we all read with such glee that somehow I’d grown up looking at them as sub par writing. Which, ok, they were in a sense, but compared with 90 percent of what is published nowadays the pacing, the chemistry, the plot lines were all heads and shoulders beyond.

At any rate, since you too seem to look for what I do, if you havent read Repeat, you may like it as well.

Gogol wrote: "I have been hesitating to make my suggestions because I wasn’t certain if I could be of any help but for what it’s worth, my first suggestion is, Repeat by Kylie Scott. A writer who has more misses..."

Thanks for your suggestions, Gogol. I haven't read Repeat, so I'll check into that one.

I love Loretta Chase, but that's a reminder to do a reread of my favorites by her.

I have read These Old Shades and one other by Georgette Heyer, but there are plenty more to read.

Thanks so much!

Xeey wrote: "Try the backlists of some authors, maybe.... that might rekindle the spark of what made romance romance, the olders one have more ..umm.... depth/substance/chemistry/oomph? and the chemistry is usu..."

Excellent suggestion, Xeey!

Arch wrote: "Older stories knew how to grab your attention and make you not want to put the book down and when finished wanting more. These days anyone can get a book published. No story. Sex doesn’t sell to ev..."

Agree about older stories grabbing your attention.

Gogol wrote: "Arch wrote: "At any rate, since you too seem to look for what I do, if you havent read Repeat, you may like it as well. “

What is Repeat?

Repeat

Danielle The Book Huntress *Pluto is a Planet!* wrote: "Repeat"

Thanks for letting me what Repeat is. I’ll pass. I don’t read first person books.

Arch wrote: " Danielle The Book Huntress *Pluto is a Planet!* wrote: "Repeat"

Thanks for letting me what Repeat is. I’ll pass. I don’t read first person books."

What’s first person?
Sorry, my phone was falling and I must’ve hit post before completing my sentence. Do you mean narration wise? Yes, it is in first person but until you pointed out I hadn’t noticed!!!
Truth be told, I don’t like all this writers’ books or even her style, and I had one major problem even with this book that I keep rereading, but the love story is tender, AND slow burn, AND, angsty,also I liked the chemistry and the pacing, which I think is one of the most important elements of books.
Does pacing matter for you guys as much as it does for me?

Gogol wrote: "What’s first person?
Sorry, my phone was falling and I must’ve hit post before completing my sentence. Do you mean narration wise? Yes, it is in first person but until you pointed out I hadn’t noticed!!!
Truth be told, I don’t like all this writers’ books or even her style, and I had one major problem even with this book that I keep rereading, but the love story is tender, AND slow burn, AND, angsty,also I liked the chemistry and the pacing, which I think is one of the most important elements of books.
Does pacing matter for you guys as much as it does for me? "

I don’t read first person romance books. I find it weird that an author would write a story in first person. I can see a biography in first person but not a romance book.

An author has to show me the chemistry between the hero and heroine. I don’t need to be told a chemistry. If I can’t see and feel chemistry between the hero and heroine, then to me they don’t have chemistry. They were just thrown together. As for the pacing, let me just say that I like a steady pace that keeps me reading. I don’t care for slow or too fast pacing.

Arch wrote: "Gogol wrote: "What’s first person?
Sorry, my phone was falling and I must’ve hit post before completing my sentence. Do you mean narration wise? Yes, it is in first person but until you pointed ou..."

Oh yeah, but for me it’s under any circumstances, I just hate it when I’m told anything by any character in a book, period. Not just the first person. I think that’s a sign of a writer’s complete inadequacy. I thought you had another reason for not liking first person POV. Because there are many first person POV’s that never tell you a thing but allow you to experience the whole book with the character, which I find very engaging.

As for pacing for me it is the next most vital component of a book and the speed entirely depends on the mood and genre of the book. But the writer’s know-how is important for me and a definite sign of skill, or lack thereof.

Gogol wrote: "Oh yeah, but for me it’s under any circumstances, I just hate it when I’m told anything by any character in a book, period. Not just the first person. I think that’s a sign of a writer’s complete inadequacy. I thought you had another reason for not liking first person POV. Because there are many first person POV’s that never tell you a thing but allow you to experience the whole book with the character, which I find very engaging."

I don’t like first person romance stories because I find them weird. It’s like reading someone’s diary. I don’t need for a hero or heroine to tell me what they are doing.

Let me see if I can explain my not wanting to be told a chemistry but wanting to see a chemistry. I will use this as an example.

When I was in 9th grade, we had to read Romeo and Juliet and later on watched the movie.

Romeo and Juliet the play = I was told how Romeo and Juliet have gotten together

Romeo and Juliet the movie = I saw how and why Romeo and Juliet were meant to be together.

Have you ever watched a tv show and shipped two people together, because you’ve felt and saw that they had chemistry? That’s seeing chemistry and feeling chemistry between the man and the woman.

Have you ever watched a tv show and wondered why the man was with that woman? That’s being told a chemistry that’s not really a chemistry. These two people don’t belong with one another. That’s what I see in a lot of books.

I hope my examples cleared things up. If no, then please still know that there’s a difference with me being told a chemistry and me seeing and feeling a chemistry between the hero and heroine.

Arch wrote: "Gogol wrote: "Oh yeah, but for me it’s under any circumstances, I just hate it when I’m told anything by any character in a book, period. Not just the first person. I think that’s a sign of a write..."

:) yes thank you, they did.
Though for me good writers help one immerse oneself in a story no matter from which pov. Also there’s this thing about books for me that they seem to almost always lose an essential part when transferred to the screen. Case in point the disaster that is the persuasion movie as opposed with the master piece the book is.
And then there’s the fact that the chemistry between the actors is different from the chemistry between the characters. At least for me.

Gogol wrote: "write..."

:) yes thank you, they did.
Though for me good writers help one immerse oneself in a story no matter from which pov. Also there’s this thing about books for me that they seem to almost always lose an essential part when transferred to the screen. Case in point the disaster that is the persuasion movie as opposed with the master piece the book is.
And then there’s the fact that the chemistry between the actors is different from the chemistry between the characters. At least for me. "

I can’t read a book and then watch the movie or tv show. Now I have found books at book sales of movies that I have watched and I had bought them to have as a souvenir and not to read.

I am a fan of the late Julie Garwood and I have fallen in love with her Historical Clayborne Brides Series. Cole Clayborne is my historical baby.

For The Roses is the first book in the series. Hollywood didn’t do any honor to Julie Garwood with their movie version of the book. The movie is called Rosehill starring Jennifer Garner. The movie was horrible. Julie stared writing contemporary romance.

I am glad that I have read the books first before seeing that horrible movie. If I have saw the movie, I wouldn’t have wanted to read the books.

I watch a lot of British tv shows that’s based off books. I’m good with the tv shows.

Arch wrote: "Gogol wrote: "write..."

:) yes thank you, they did.
Though for me good writers help one immerse oneself in a story no matter from which pov. Also there’s this thing about books for me that they s..."

I don’t think I have read either of those books by Julie garwood even though I liked the few I read by her. I’ll remember to note them down. I had no idea they had made movies from her books,but generally yes, books to movies has rarely if ever worked for me, except for Lord of The Rings, the movies were well made but still the books were something else. I didn’t like the pride and prejudice movie with Keira knightly either, but strangely enough sense and sensibility with Kate winslet was spot on. That’s the extent of my expertise in the movie area I’m afraid unless my friends recommend something that is especially wonderful which hasn’t happened for years.

Many of the writers I’ve found that simply click for me and whose writing I love, inexplicably just stop writing or slow down right after I discover them, so now I keep collecting book names and writers names and hoard them in my to read list, even if I may not be in the mood for that particular genre at that time looool!

Gogol wrote: "I don’t think I have read either of those books by Julie garwood even though I liked the few I read by her. I’ll remember to note them down. I had no idea they had made movies from her books,but generally yes, books to movies has rarely if ever worked for me, except for Lord of The Rings, the movies were well made but still the books were something else. I didn’t like the pride and prejudice movie with Keira knightly either, but strangely enough sense and sensibility with Kate winslet was spot on. That’s the extent of my expertise in the movie area I’m afraid unless my friends recommend something that is especially wonderful which hasn’t happened for years.

Many of the writers I’ve found that simply click for me and whose writing I love, inexplicably just stop writing or slow down right after I discover them, so now I keep collecting book names and writers names and hoard them in my to read list, even if I may not be in the mood for that particular genre at that time looool!"

Only one movie was made from Julie Garwood books. Rosehill was supposed to be based off For The Roses (Historical book).

I love Noah Clayborne in her Contemporary Books: Her first book: Heartbreaker. Let me just say that Noah, who is a FBI agent has to pretend to be a priest and well, a dangerous bad boy trying to be good, imagine that. He’s a good messy.

Noah is in book 2: Mercy, book 3 Killjoy and book 6, his book: Shadow Dance.

I like the Lord Of The Rings. Legolas and Fredo. I had found the original Lord The Rings book at a book sale as well as Legolas’ and Fredo’s books with Orlando on the cover of Legolas’ book and Elijah on the cover of Fredo’s book. I haven’t read any of the books. I only had them for a souvenir.

Authors whose books that I like to read are in their 70’s now. These women knew how to write stories that had me glued to their books.

Julie Garwood was 78 years old when she died last year. Jude Deveraux is 76 years old. Linda Howard is 73 years old. Anne Stuart is 75 years old.

Arch wrote: "Gogol wrote: "I don’t think I have read either of those books by Julie garwood even though I liked the few I read by her. I’ll remember to note them down. I had no idea they had made movies from he..."

I loooooove Linda Howard. I wish she had written more. Anne Stuart and Jude Devereux had more misses for me than hits.
i liked the few works of Julie garwood that I read. And I’m going to put the books you mentioned on my to read books for future, because right now I’m on a PNR streak.
I read lord of the rings when I was 12 and I kind of lived with the books for years until the movie came out, and even though the parts which were cut were done very skillfully and very respectfully, still one could feel the difference.
I would add Loretta Chase to that list as well, she too must be in her late sixties at the very least. I wonder if one day AI could write to order in future? Would it even be ethical?

Gogol wrote: "I loooooove Linda Howard. I wish she had written more. Anne Stuart and Jude Devereux had more misses for me than hits.
i liked the few works of Julie garwood that I read. And I’m going to put the books you mentioned on my to read books for future, because right now I’m on a PNR streak.
I read lord of the rings when I was 12 and I kind of lived with the books for years until the movie came out, and even though the parts which were cut were done very skillfully and very respectfully, still one could feel the difference.
I would add Loretta Chase to that list as well, she too must be in her late sixties at the very least. I wonder if one day AI could write to order in future? Would it even be ethical?"

I have read misses and hits too.

I didn’t read all of Linda Howard’s books. The one that I really like is All The Queen’s Men. John Medina is all I have to say.

I have read some of Anne Stuart’s books away from the Ice Series and didn’t care for them. Let me give one name as to why I have mentioned Anne Stuart and that’s Killian from Ice Storm. I like Reno from Fire and Ice too, but he’s no Killian.

I didn’t read all of Jude Deveraux’s books. The Montgomery and Taggerts can be something else. I love Sweet Liar. Mike is crazy.

Another author books that I read is Suzanne Brockmann. I have read some of her earlier and her Troubleshooters series. She’s 64 years old. I only care from Sam Starrett and Alyssa Locke (My favorite interracial couple). Sam is my baby. I am his number 1 fan. I also like Dave Malkoff and Sophia Ghaffari (Best friends turn lovers. Dave is a nerd and a nerd that is written right is sexy.)

Another author whose books that I have read is Iris Johansen. Reason: Jock Gavin.

Im writing all these down!!!! So glad to have so many new suggestions. I know we were supposed to help Danielle, but the suggestions so far seemed to have helped me the most. Thank you!

Gogol wrote: "Im writing all these down!!!! So glad to have so many new suggestions. I know we were supposed to help Danielle, but the suggestions so far seemed to have helped me the most. Thank you!"

I’m sure that Danielle wouldn’t mind. It’s normal for a thread to be hijacked, but Danielle and the mods knows how to get it back on track.

The thread wasn't hijacked at all. I appreciate the conversation.

As far as pacing, I think that's a big issue for me. Usually, it stands out for me if the pacing is off. I like it to be consistent. I don't liked rushed endings, and I do get bored if absolutely nothing is happening. I don't like when the characters just talk about what they are going to do and don't do it. That was a major problem I had with The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake. They mainly talked about how tough they were and what they were going to do.

I don't mind 1st person stories if it's a detective novel, thriller or suspense. I don't care for it much in romances.

Danielle The Book Huntress *Pluto is a Planet!* wrote: "The thread wasn't hijacked at all. I appreciate the conversation.

As far as pacing, I think that's a big issue for me. Usually, it stands out for me if the pacing is off. I like it to be consistent. I don't liked rushed endings, and I do get bored if absolutely nothing is happening. I don't like when the characters just talk about what they are going to do and don't do it. That was a major problem I had with The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake. They mainly talked about how tough they were and what they were going to do.

I don't mind 1st person stories if it's a detective novel, thriller or suspense. I don't care for it much in romances."

Pacing has to be even. I”m like you Danielle, I can’t stand a rush ending and especially when the hero and heroine didn’t have chemistry and are engaged or gets married at the end.

I also can’t stand so much descriptions. I really don’t care about what color cup the hero drinks his coffee in. I guess that I’m weak at writing descriptions, because I don’t do all that in my writing. I like dialogue. That’s why my writing is more like a script than a book.

I was interest in a lot of books that I wanted to buy, because of what I’ve read in the back of the book, which that’s how I determine if I am going to read a physical book. The back cover description and prologue if one is available helps me determine if I will buy or read the book. I was disappointed to find after reading the back cover to a lot of books that they’ve turned out to be first person books. I didn’t buy them. I’ve even turned down free books that’s in first person.

I might have to give myself a 1st person book challenge, but not a romance one. Definitely not a romance book.

For a dangerous hero, try this merman.

Faraway by Abigail Kelly was a great read. The hero is a merman. She is a human witch. She moves to an island where nobody lives to be a liaison to the mer-people who live near San Francisco. She has the ability to hear thoughts so it's a relief to live on a deserted island.

The hero starts stalking her and leaving her gifts and breaking into her house to get to know her better. He really wants her to be his "mate". She would just like to have one friend because after a lifetime of knowing everyone else's thoughts, she would love a friend.

There is lots of steam but I also felt you saw them fall in love. The story is very character driven, basically just the two of them.

DemetraP wrote: "For a dangerous hero, try this merman.

Faraway by Abigail Kelly was a great read. The hero is a merman. She is a human witch. She moves to an island where nobody lives to be a liaison to the mer-..."

Thanks for the rec, Demetra!