Comments on: Romance: Old vs New

By: Laura K

Laura K — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:58:07 +0000

Now I know why I don’t know any of the cross-dressers! I haven’t read historical romance for some time. I could see this as a good plot devise for these because it really wouldn’t work well in a contemporary setting. Seems like some of these authors fell back on it a bit much, don’t you think because they are guilty of using it many, many, times!

Can’t wait for you to comment on more oldies but goodies next week. What a trip down memory lane!!

By: Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:40:09 +0000

Oh man, I did a post on this… I made a list of titles… lemme find it.

Here! The Definitive Heroine Cross-Dressing List

Feel free to add to it.

By: azteclady

azteclady — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:22:22 +0000

Heroine in man drag: one of Johanna Lindsey’s Mallory books–James story, I believe?

Yes, I have way too good memory for these things.

By: Laura K

Laura K — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 15:36:18 +0000

Hey, Ann, share some of those “heroine in man-drag” stories. I’m racking my brain here- and can’t think of any.

As I was trying to fall asleep last night, damn you, Ann, this post keep my wheels turning, I remembered my all-time fav author from the past (when I was a teen)- Carole Mortimer. I would have DIED and gone straight to heaven if I would have met her!!

By: Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:00:31 +0000

Hehe, Laura, I think she did write more than one with that aphrodisiac — with varying results. Sometimes I can’t believe what plot devices I thought were awesome back in the day. Now, here are my faves:

Heroine in man-drag
Friends to lovers
Long time crush
Heroine brings unattainable male to his knees

By: Laura K

Laura K — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:41:14 +0000

Ann, just looked at that post with the Johanna Lindsey. I think I have “said” horny book up in my attic! Wasn’t that a series of sci-fis she did where the men punished the women by giving them that horny drink? She did another I think with a Russian setting where the heroine has that happen to her, and Mr. Happy Hands works her all night long! Does anybody remember also bookmarking the sex parts in those Rosemary Rogers books, too?

Oh this is a MOST excellent post, Ann. I will have to keep coming back to it..

By: Laura K

Laura K — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:36:51 +0000

Yep…I am just like you.. I was SO addicted to Loveswept romances. My favorite was Iris Johansen. I still have those books on my shelf. Loved Kay Hooper’s series books, too. Still have some Diana Palmers, early Nora Roberts, Leanne Banks…I could make this an endless stream. Really LOVED Barbara Faith’s sheik books- now those wouldn’t be pc today, for sure. This is like memory lane.

Liked that you compared one “old” cover to a “new” one. I’ve been learning lately that a lot of the new covers are cycled from old stuff or stock photos. No wonder why someone’s hair/body type doesn’t match the story!

Would love to see you at RT and talk about these oldies. Don’t know if I want to revisit them…think maybe some of the luster would be off, you know….

By: JSL

JSL — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:01:38 +0000

Haha - Ann, azteclady - you got it! (I think BC would have thrown in a few more ellipses…) Also - sorry, yes… I’m rather an infant.

By: azteclady

azteclady — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:29:06 +0000

and…. she…. could only… speak… like… Kirk.

I’m gonna get a headache now…

By: Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:05:00 +0000

Barbara Cartland! I used to read those… man.

Every one of her heroines was like an anime babe, right? Huge eyes, tiny nose, cupid’s bow mouth, tiny pointed chin, and angelic blond curls. She was also slim as a sylph and heartbreakingly innocent..