AAR

[Lynda X]

I read an interesting and fun article about the female archetypes in that medieval series, GAME OF THRONES, inspired by the War of the Roses. The article cited the tomboy, the brainless one, the whore with the heart of gold, the innocent, the innocent-looking conniver, etc.

So, I began to think about the stereotypes in romances and what was the best book of each. PLEASE ADD OTHER STEREOTYPES AND GREAT BOOKS OF EACH, especially if you add to my nominees. I’m always, like most of us, looking for great books.

Some of the time, my best nominees are those who change the stereotype, like WHAT I DID FOR A DUKE by Long.

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FEMALE STEREOTYPES:

the uncultured tomboy: almost anything by Maggie Osborne, especially THE PROMISE OF JENNY JONES which is hilarious and touching.

the “easy” woman: UNCLAIMED by Courtney Milan

the good girl with the false reputation:

the female spy: Joanna Bourne's MY LORD AND SPY MASTER

the innocent virgin: so many, but I'd recommend THE BRIDE by Garwood or TEXAS EMPIRE by Lorraine Heath

the bookish miss: so many, but I can't pinpoint the best. Can you?

the good mother: the best, best is MORNING GLORY by LaVyrle Spencer

the abused woman: BLUE-EYED DEVIL by Lisa Kleypas

girl disguised as boy:

the governess: JANE EYRE by Charlotte Bronte

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MALE STEREOTYPES:

hero with poor self-esteem or "I'm not good enough for you": TEXAS DESTINY by Lorraine Heath

the athlete: HEAVEN, TEXAS (funny how many good books are set in Texas) by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

the rake: LORD OF SCOUNDRELS, by Loretta Chase

the beast (and the beauty): MIDNIGHT ANGEL by Lisa Marie Rice

the pirate: WINDFLOWER by Tom and Sharon Curtis

the hit man:

the Western sheriff:

the detective: MIDNIGHT MAN by Lisa Marie Rice

the paranormal being: dragon: Thea Harrison’s DRAGON BOUND

the paranormal being: anything early by J R Ward

the revenger: WHAT I DID FOR A DUKE by Julie Anne Long

the SEAL: UNSUNG HERO by Suzanne Brockmann