Is it just me or...

[tnf0920]

Am I the only one that's getting tired of all the heroines being moronic nitwits?

Why are they always so easy to manipulate with sex. The guy can do ANYTHING, beat them, cheat on them, talk down to them, ignore them and all the guy has to do is kiss the woman and she forgets everything and just falls into bed with them.

Sure, in the beginning she might have a backbone, but about half way through it's like where the freak did it go, who is this chick? I've read so many books like this I just want to scream and slap some sense into both of them.

I know romance is all fiction, but it is based off of real life situations and I can tell you, about half the female population would be insulted if a guy treated them like crap and expected to get into their pants.

In the past few days I read one book where the guy married someone because he was forced into it, but left her after they consummated the marriage. He has numerous lovers and mistresses, 4 fours years later he sees her again and instantly wants to sleep with her while trying to get her to go back to the country so he can continue he life as a rake. At first she tells him off, but literally all he does is kiss her and she wilts and hops into bed. Close to the end he finds out she got pregnant, but lost the baby (all this while he's having his affairs) and instead of him getting on HIS knees and groveling after all he did to her, SHE cries and apologizes for not telling him. Ugh, seriously, the jerk had no right. I would have felt a little better about this book if the female had taken a lover or two just to make it even.

Another book is about these princes from a different world looking for their destined mates on earth. The women were from the same planet, but their mother was tricked into running off with them to earth. Anyways, when each of her daughters turned 1, they were matched with one of the princes; a tattoo called a guardian was put on the inside of the female’s thigh and on the guy’s chest above his heart. Come to find out this guardian protected the guy’s heart so he could only fall in love with his mate and it protected the female where they couldn't have sex with anyone but their mate. Again in the beginning the females were all pissed about this, I mean how fair is it that you’re stuck with a guy and can only have sex with him while he had been able to sleep with anyone he wanted. Sigh and again all it took was some kissing and groping and ta-da I forgive you now let's sleep together. Gag!

Oh and let’s not forget the ones that will do anything for ‘their’ man, like sleep with random strangers, have group sex, letting the guy dominate you (i.e. spank you, whip you, humiliate you) fetch and roll over like a dog, woof woof. Yeah I know some women like the dominating thing, which is fine, but I’m referring to the books I’ve read where the women are scared of it and cry yet let the guy do it because he gets off on it.

Why oh why can an author not write a romance where the female can actually say no to the guy or remain pissed at him no matter how many times they sleep together. Or manage to leave him if he cheats instead of falling back into bed with him. I want a strong woman, one with a true backbone, not a submissive, sex crazed thing. I've been in love and hot for a guy, but I know for a dang fact I would not be subjugated like the women in romance novels.

Does anyone else agree?

[Antz2]

So I take from your post you do not read Harlequin Presents, or Diana Palmer.

I do have to agree with you that most of the heroine in some books have doormat written on their foreheads, and after a while you have to wonder why the hero is so attracted to her.

What does that say about the hero if he is so attracted to some one with out a backbone.
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Adversity reveals genius, prosperity conceals it

[randi]

i think they should have a big sign on their forehead "beat me" or something.

that book where the heroine ws gang raped, rescued, woke up and then the rescuer is raping her -- well it nauseated me. i threw it, literally, on the floor. that book was horrific...

i mean i've read where these guys have affairs, have children, and these idiots grovel at their feet. one book had this guy wanting anal sex and she didn't want to, but she did it to "please" him and he just kept at her. it was awful, plain awful....

ok, christine's latest book has a well, independent woman. she's pretty strong, no shy flower here. it was kind of refreshing.

but i'm fed up with these damn weaklings.

i just read one where she stole for her sister (who was a complete ass), got caught, and this guy, supposedly the hero, wanted to teach her a lesson. well she's put in jail and he pays her bond, drags her out to the wilderness and then hits on her every day.

idiot!!!!!

i'm so tired of reading the back and then buying the stupid book, and then, aw hell, it's trash...

sorry, bad mood today....can ya tell? lol.....
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i could not love thee, dear, so much, loved i not honour more

[Jenny]

[tnf0920]

Antz2 - Yes, I have and do read HP, they were the very first romance books I read. I used to buy all the HPs every month when they came out, but they are no different either. If you really think about it, how many of them are about a guy that's doing something for revenge, blackmail or 'convenience'? They usually always have a self centered jerk, granted they are better at making you like him in the end.

randi - Who in the world wrote the first book you talked about? It's hard to believe it's suppose to be considered romance when you have the hero raping the heroine and then they fall in love in the end. I highly doubt I could love my rapist.

[randi]

dang, i can't remember but it's a real book. ask the others on here and they'll tell ya.

i swear i thought i was going to throw up. a gang rape and this idiot saves her, and she's so traumatized (well who wouldn't be), she passes out and comes to and he's on top raping her again!!!

honest, it's true...i'd have gotten a gun and shot him...right then and there...but no this idiot and get get together in the end...well at least i think they do. i never finished it.
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i could not love thee, dear, so much, loved i not honour more

[Gypsy]

I'm really happy to say that I'm not reading the books you guys have run into!! Those descriptions you have given just don't sound like romance to me. I read - alot!! And I've read heroines from the shy/timid side of the spectrum to all out in your face tough girls but I hate books that include cheating. Just hate it. And any book with abuse just won't find it's way onto my shelf - as long as I know the abuse is there. Once I discover any abuse that book becomes fire kindling!!
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Nothing beats a hammock in the shade, a light breeze, books to read and lots of time to enjoy them!!

[Jenny]

[Tiona]

Gypsy, I'm with you on those kind of books never finding their way onto my shelf! Indeed, I woudl be shooting the guy at the first opportunity if he raped me or hit me, not falling in love with him!
Indeed, I agree. Those aren't romances. They're trash! Unless you have a thing for pain and humiliation, that is. I woudl be writing the author a letter saying "What the hell?"
Indeed, I would certainly never finish the book if that happened! I like my heroines strong and my heros just as strong, but far from abusive. In fact, if they over-protective and possessive, love it. But, the heroine has to be strong and worthy of such a gesture. Kresley Cole's heroines are definately worthy of this, as are her heros! Love it!
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"I Play With My Prey" T-Shirt Worn by Nix the Ever-Knowing, Proto-Valkyrie and Soothsayer-Without-Equal

[EAGLEGIRL]

Thank goodness I haven't come across anything like those books. But I have read books where the female is so whiny and plain silly and stupid in the way she acts and in the way she talks. I detest no backbone whiny stupid female characters. I want my men to be very alpha and my women to go toe to toe with them--strong and independent. Anne Stuart, Kresley Cole, Sherrilyn Kenyon, JR Ward and many others are good with strong intelligent female characters.

[Lisa Marie Wilkinson]