This HaBO comes from Tina, who wants to find her first “bodice ripper”:
Somewhere around 2001, I read my first bodice ripper romance novel and I CAN NOT, for the life of me, figure out what it was.
What I remember:
Full cover art, big dress, boobs falling out, dress or background was baby blue, no waterfall or anything. She was on her back and the hero was kind of kneeling over her or cradling her.
Heroine lived in a brothel, but was a virgin.
The hero frequently visited the establishment and used sheep or goat condoms. I specifically remember that.
He was very wealthy and had a house staff. They end up married somehow and he deflowers her roughly, not believing her story and then profusely apologizes. I remember a whole bath scene.
There was a pregnancy and birth scene.
I know many are quite similar, but hopefully theres something in here that triggers someone’s memory.
I think she was a redhead. Definitely no plot line with an Indigenous character.
We just had a post on Old Skool covers, so I was inspired to run this one.
It’s been a long time since I read anything that could be described as a bodice ripper, but I did read some back in the day, and for some reason the author name that popped into my head reading this description was Jane Feather.
It sounds familiar to me (the condoms for sure) but published earlier than 2001.
Following.
Following because I think I read this
Following
The Secret Pearl by Mary Balogh? I haven’t read it but the description seems to fit (not the cover though maybe there’s another version). I found it when I googled looking for one I did read – A Precious Jewel, which doesn’t fit at all
Lol at first when I just saw the title I thought this HABO was asking for *THE* first bodice ripper. Which makes me wonder if there is consensus on the first one or if this is subject to debate.
This sounds like the basic plot of pretty much every old-skool bodice ripper I ever read. But I’m thinking Catherine Coulter. The bath scene rings a bell, as does the “rough deflowering.”
@squee me: I thought the consensus was pretty much “The Flame and the Flower” by Catherine Woodiwiss?
If it’s not one that has already been mentioned, perhaps the list Surprise! I am a Virgin will help.
@c that list name made me snort laugh
I wish I could claim credit, but I stumbled across the goodreads list from a web search.
I was a major connoisseur of old school bodice rippers when I was in my early teens (early-mid 1980’s). I am pretty sure I have read this book, or its twin. Sadly, I can’t recall the name as many many books have come home with me since then.
I think I remember this one! The bath scene was at the beginning, yes? A bunch of pervs watched her bathe? She was auctioned off, and our hero won her — he paid so much that he got her for a long while.
There was an old gross evil dude who wanted her too, tried to kidnap her, etc. (He hosted orgies.) One of her friends from the brothel realized why — she’s his illegitimate niece or some such. Dude was gross. She was blonde.
I hope this helps you find it, or I have a completely different book in mind you can all discuss…
Following
The closest I’ve found are
Velvet Fire by Elda Minger
Or
johanna lindsey say you love me
But i don’t think either of those are the one I’m remembering!!
It was an oldie for sure. I read it in 2001 but it was the old school, illustrated front, $.50 second hand store kinda book.
Totally invested in this now!
@Anna’s description rang a louder bell for me than Tina’s, but it’s such a distant bell that I can’t place it. I’m pretty sure I liked the book, though, whatever it was. I’ll come back if it comes to me.
For some reason, I was thinking either Lost Lady or River Lady from Jude Devereaux, but it has been awhile since I read them and the covers have been redone since.