AAR

[dick]

@Anne_Gresley: I wasn't basing my post on Lord of Scoundrels alone, but rather the majority of Chase's novels, although I do think Jessica is unusually manipulative in that book. Misandry is probably too strong a term to indicate what I see in a number of Chase's books. Probably a low opinion of men or men's ability or, more accurately, the idea that they are essentially children would prevail.

No, I don't give too much credence to the ideas in Wylie's book, but the relationships in Chase's books often bring that book to mind. A number of Chase's heroes seem to be what in modern parlance would be called "p--y-whipped," and perhaps that does reflect the condition of a number of m/f relationships in RL.

[PWNN]

I agree that Dain is emasculated - by the middle of the book he's practically in a fetal position and suicidal when his mommy/shooter/Jessica isn't there to tell him what to do. But I don't find that to be the norm in Chase's books.

Yes Chase has several strong minded and sometimes manipulative heroines - Devil's Delilah, Lord Of Scoundrels, The Mad Earl’s Bride, Last Night's Scandal, Don't Tempt Me but she has several strong minded and sometimes manipulative heroes as well - Knave's Wager, Captives Of the Night, The English Witch. There are also those with both - Your Scandalous Ways, The Hellion and neither Not Quite A Lady & Miss Wonderful and yes Lord Perfect where Bathsheba is a pretty straight shooter as is the hero and they both work together until one scene near the end when she lets her inner Delucey out.

In the books where there is a stronger and or manipulative personality the other party is usually also strong - as was Dain before he collapsed under the force of Jessica's supposed know it all perfection. . Part of the fun of Chase's books is the sparking of intellect between mostly mature adults. Even where the hero is supposedly not as smart as the heroine - like Rupert - he's shown to be far more clever than the heroine suspects and more than holds his own.
_________________
"My safe word is monkey"

[Eliza]

[chris booklover]

[dick]

@PWNN: Oh, I laugh at her books as well; I appreciate the wit. But while doing so, I'm thinking all the while that, were I that hero, I'd skedaddle a far piece from that heroine.

[dick]

@Chris Booklover: Right on. You said it better than I.

[Susan/DC]

Another case of different strokes: I totally disagree with dick and chrisbooklover on this one. I don't think any of Chase's heroes are emasculated at all, nor are they stupid or weak. Rupert, for example, unlike Daphne, was not an intellectual, but he had the strength and intelligence to get them out of several tight spots on their adventures in Egypt. Longmore may have only one thing on his mind, but he is completely comfortable in his own skin. He does not let himself be manipulated except at those times when he is smart enough to know that Sophy has more experience or expertise. I think it takes a strong man to acknowledge and respect a strong woman, and Chase's heroes are exactly that.

[Eliza]

[Anne_Gresley]