romance novels

[schmerica]

Here is the thing about Lord of Scoundrels:

Okay, first, I have a sort of pyramid of romance authors in my head, with them sorted out all the way from "omg brilliant!" to "not actually good at all, but it's a quick read and entertaining enough." Which, okay, the very top slot is pretty much just Laura Kinsale and Jennifer Crusie by themselves, but Loretta Chase is up near the top for me, because her stuff is always both well-written *and* really fun. So I was in a good place going into Lord of scoundrels! And it's not perfect or anything (the last third really drags, I don't love it as much as The Lion's Daughter or Mr. Impossible) but yes: fun! good! joy to read! Everything I want out of a romance, right?

But the thing that really put it over the top for me? Is the part where the heroine shoots the hero. It is unexpected! And awesome! And pretty much the opposite of every passive helpless heroine ever, especially in the context where she's doing this as part of an actual *plan* once the hero has really completely fucked her over and left her seemingly without choices. (And then he marries her anyway! Hee.)

Uh, apparently this is the entry where I babble about romance novels! Man, which reminds me that my dream romance novel is *still* a contemporary set on Antarctica. Scientists or mechanics or pilots! One of them would be a newbie, of course, with everything brand new and bizarre, and the other one would be experienced, someone who returns to the ice every year, can't stay away. And there would be geekiness and pure antarctic LOVE. Yes.

(People falling in love in polar regions is actually a button of mine that predates my due South love. It's just a really happy coincidence!)

Hi, you guys. I am actually really bummed out for no real reason lately. You want to do one of those memes where you tell me nice things? I need love.

Comments

[kassrachel.livejournal.com]

And there would be geekiness and pure antarctic LOVE. Yes.

OMG, seriously, if you ever find this thing? TELL ME.

Because my polar fixation also far predates my love affair with dS (and, for that matter, with SGA) and what you describe sounds awesome. Antarctica FTW!

(Have you read Kim Stanley Robinson's Antarctica? Not a romance novel by a long shot, though there is romance in it, and also a love affair with the ice.)

[pearl-o.livejournal.com]

Hee, promises of Antarctic backstory hijinks were one of the things that got me intrigued with SGA fic back in the first season, but it just wasn't enough to keep me there.

I have not read that, but I shall certainly add it to my list!