“The Raven Prince” by Elizabeth Hoyt
In La Lola’s opinion, there’s nothing better than a well-written historical romance. It doesn’t need to have some fantastic plot involving the hero as Regency James Bond, or the heroine as the spunky young debutante who stumbles across his path. When you have a romance that’s purely that, a romance, ah my friends, there’s nothing better. Unless it’s a Golden Girls marathon with a vat of Double Choc Rocky Road, but that could just be me.
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“Because You’re Mine” by Lisa Kleypas
O Logan, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

10. Because you’re the 19th century equivalent of Lawrence Olivier, but with Daniel Day Lewis’s face (circa Last of The Mohicans, not Gangs of New York)? Who cares that actors in the past were universally reviled as trash? You’re a gifted actor who also co-owns his very own booming theatre company which gives you pots of money. Plus although you’re England’s most famous and seductive actor, there weren’t any celebrity tabloids in 1833. Which means La Lola will never have to worry about anyone from OK! magazine taking photos of me when I go outside to get the paper while I’m in my “Honk if you love Cheetos!” nightie. We’ll worry about the indoor plumbing later.
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“First Lady” by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
In case you’re wondering where Sheridan Sakura Carlotta and Ma’mselle Mimi are, never fear, your trusty ripmybodice girls have not gone to that great pink donut in the sky. Grand Pappy Carlotta has broken out of the nursing home and is on the lam, so SSC and Mimi are doing their own version of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” (but with even fluffier hair and no sideburns) and have set out to retrieve him (Grand Pappy Carlotta, not Dog the Bounty Hunter). So it’s up to La Lola to hold down the ripmybodice fort until they return. This of course means that I have to keep an eye (and so much more) on Juan and Sven all by my lonesome. It’s a dirty job (oooooh) but someone’s got to do it!
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“Lawman” by Diana Palmer
For those of you nay sayers out there (You know who you are!) who say that La Lola brings it upon herself by reading books which she knows are guaranteed to push her buttons (and not in a good way), you would be wrong! Well no, you’re kind of right. But I can’t help it! It’s like picking at a scab! (Which also explains why La Lola has a chicken pox scar in the shape of Wyoming on her left butt cheek).

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“All U Can Eat” by Emma Holly
For all of those out there who are looking for a guide to good eating habits, this is not the book for you. Instead, it’s an Emma Holly book. You have been warned. There’s something about a man in uniform. All hot studs in uniforms are welcome to apply to ripmybodice, as we’re planning to have our own studly version of the Village People for our office Christmas party. If you’re in uniform, we want you! (But we draw the line at dog-catchers). When you have an Emma Holly hero who is also a man in uniform? Turn up the air-conditioning and settle back with a big pitcher of mango margaritas, it’s going to be a hot time in the city tonight.
 

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“The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever” by Julia Quinn

La Lola seems to be on a bit of a Julia Quinn roll. Her latest offering, “The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever” is a light-hearted romp. La Lola hasn’t been particularly enamoured of her later efforts in The Saga Which Is The Bridgertons AND Their Second Epilogues, although her earlier efforts were a lot of fun. But it’s still a return to form for Ms Quinn.

Whilst I think that a lot of authors try to emulate her style, their efforts lack a certain je ne sais quoi (ie French for “I’m too lazy to think of an expression.”) These books sadly fall a trifle limp, like the last disastrous date that La Lola was on. (”Is that its normal state, or is it really, really cold in here?”)

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“Romancing Mr Bridgerton” by Julia Quinn
Penelope Featherington is a bashful wallflower,
Who when faced with polite society will cower
In a corner and pretend she doesn’t want to dance
(When actually poor Penny never even gets a chance).
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The ripmybodice girls have taken some time off to read “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.” (We do read books other than romance you know) Who cares that he’s skinny and underaged? We love Harry! Check back tomorrow!

Dear Student,

Welcome back to another semester year here at ripmybodice.com! This Autumn/Winter Semester promises an exciting array of choices and lecture series by our highly qualified experts, all working together in a single goal to help you through the world of Romance novels.

Please note that this semester, students are to complete either 3 core classes each semester and may opt to take as many electives as they wish for extra credit. Students are to also note that fraternizing with guest lecturers/teaching assistants/alcohol providers Juan and Sven are strictly forbidden. Strict disciplinary action will be taken against you if you are caught handing phone numbers to/flirting with either Juan or Sven and/or raiding through our alcohol supply (i.e. we will sic Mimi on you).

We are pleased to draw your attention to our semester schedule and the classes we will be offering this Autumn/Winter semester of 2007. However, as always, we reserve the right to change course topics, depending on unexpected events/ paucity of material/ mood swings. Students are highly encouraged to sign up for our classes as soon as possible to avoid disappointment as places are limited. Materials, books and/or any form of stationery other than Hello Kitty bobble-head pink glitter pens are not provided and students are expected to have read all the books reviewed thus far on the website.

Once again, we wish to remind all returning/new students that bribes in the form of shiny baubles are always welcomed and that a crate of alcohol almost always get you everywhere with us.

Have a great semester and remember, rakes do it better!

RIPMYBODICE.COM
(La Lola / Sheridan Sakura Carlotta / Ma’mselle Mimi)

“Paradise” by Ms. Judith McNaught

Dear Ms. McNaught,

I know it has been a while since I last wrote to you (although I do speak to you/your shrine daily) and I hope this letter finds you well. Dearest Ms. Mc…can I call you Judith? Judith, this is what I’ve been wanting to say for a long time now and due to the recent turn of horrific and surprising events (aka the release of “Die Hard”) I can keep silent no longer. You have ruined me Judith. You have ruined me for life. Make no mistake, my love for you still burns strong (subject to you of course, never writing another Romance Murder Mystery Thriller) but Judith, because of you, because of “Paradise”, I will never truly love another as much as I love Matthew. It is a condition in my will (by where I also bequeath all my glitter crayons equally to Mimi and Lola) that my tombstone reads “Here lies Sheridan Sakura Carlotta, imaginary loyal wife and lover of Matthew Farrell of “Paradise”". And now, thanks to “Die Hard 4.0″, I will forever see the face of Justin Long whenever Matthew’s name is uttered to me.

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