Disclaimer: Since I was the one who organized this series, I picked the primary trope of each book. So if it sounds like I picked a lot of my favorites, that’s why.
TROPE: Grumpy sunshine
I particularly love the grumpy sunshine trope because I love two moments in particular: the moment she makes him smile, and the moment she gets him to crack.
That austere shell needs to be poked and prodded, needled with a smile, until finally he snaps. And grabs her. And takes her. And…well, you’ll need to read the book for all that.
Curves for the Grumpy Duke by Eliana Piers
TROPE: Reformed Rake
There’s something about that man who can charm all the women but then falls for one. The one.
What’s different about her? Why does he fall so hard?
I mean, he’s been with a LOT of women, and no one thinks he’s slowing down. Least of all, himself.
I have written a TON of reformed rakes. To name a few:
● The Rake and the Writer
● The One With the Redeemed Duke
● The Duke’s Goddess
Honestly, if brother’s best friend or friends to lovers weren’t my go-to tropes, reformed rakes probably would be.
Sometimes the rake can pinpoint why he falls in love. There’s something about her beauty or personality that enthralls him. Other times, and I find most of the time, he doesn’t understand what’s so special about her. But he’s magnetized to her all the same
I’m so excited to read how Cathy Maxwell spins this tale.
Curves for the Rakish Duke by Cathy Maxwell
TROPE: Silver Fox
Alright, so the silver fox…this is one I have tried to write time and time again but always fail. I ALWAYS end up closing the age gap. Hahaha
I love the forbidden vibes and the feelings that both parties try to stifle, but I can never follow through.
Maybe one day I’ll write this trope. For now I’ll leave this one in the capable hands of Tracy Sumner.
I will say this though: of the books I’ve read, it’s particularly spicy to see the young FMC go after what she wants. The whole idea of a woman knowing her own mind (even if she might not know her body) is an especially rewarding read.
Curves for the Silver Fox Duke by Tracy Sumner
TROPE: Beast
The damaged MMC. This is another trope I’ve tried to write and rewritten a few times. I will say that I successfully (I say because it won an award) wrote this once in A Beauty for a Duke. This is part of my Dukes for Christmas series that follows (roughly) a new fairytale in each book.
I LOVE this trope. Whenever I read a damaged MMC, whether emotionally or physically, I love the moment he’s humbled and I love even more the moment he triumphs.
When the FMC sees him for all that he is and still loves him, my heart melts.
I’m really looking forward to Annabelle Anders’ take on this one.
Curves for the Beastly Duke by Annabelle Anders
TROPE: Betrothed/Marriage of Convenience
Here’s another one that I have tried to write while giving my own spin on it.
Don’t hate me if I get it wrong—Haha—but I do love how Mimi and Sam handle their marriage in The Duke’s Hellion.
What makes this one difficult for me to write is giving them a strong enough reason to feel forced to marry. In real life, I strongly resist the notion that I might have no choice, so I always want to give my characters a choice. That way, they have to face the consequences of their actions. Sometimes the marriage of convenience trope is written in a way that gives the FMC no choice. I absolutely love reading this trope, and seeing one of the main characters “wear down” the other. There’s a moment where the resistor breaks down and love is finally allowed into the relationship.
I’m stoked to read Robyn DeHart’s version of this.
Curves for the Betrothed Duke by Robyn DeHart
TROPE: Scandalous
Scandal, scandal, scandal! And ALL the gossip. PLUS ALL the gossipmongers. Yes. Give it all to me, please.
I mean, is it even a historical romance if there’s not a chance of scandal?
Haha
I LOVE this trope because it can literally be almost anything that causes the biggest uproar. Women were so restricted in the regency period, and that’s one of the reasons I love to write in this time. I love reading about women finding their inner strength and becoming empowered, despite their external environment.
Many of the books I’ve written hint at, or have full blown, scandal, like The Duke’s Hellion.
This is one trope I can’t wait to read, especially since Kathleen Ayers is taking this on.
Curves for the Scandalous Duke by Kathleen Ayers
TROPE: Secret
The final trope: the secret. Oh yes, I love a good, page-turning intrigue.
Authors that know how to drop hints without fully divulging the matter possess a special skill.
One of my series, The Ashbourne Legacy, has a ton of secrets laden within it. This series features seven brothers, who LOOSELY resemble the seven dwarves, and they’re all connected to Hope (AKA Snow White) in A Flurry for a Duke.
When there’s a good secret, obviously there’s also a reveal. And that’s the moment of truth. How do the main characters react? Is it a betrayal? And how will they ever find forgiveness?
Yes. That’s the juiciness of this trope.
And I’m ecstatic to have Janna MacGregor writing this one for the Busty Bodice Club.
Curves for the Secret Duke by Janna MacGregor
Final Comments
These are just the primary tropes in each of the books that make up the Busty Bodice Club. There will be plenty more in each story, so be sure to read them all!
And if you like my style, you can check out my bookstore here for a great little deal.
Eliana Piers
About Eliana Piers
Award winning and internationally best-selling author, Eliana Piers has been writing and singing stories since she was five years old. After feeling inspired by authors like Julia Quinn, Tessa Dare, and Minerva Spencer, Eliana decided to test her quill on the page. Writing about love and how two people come to connect and share parts of their souls with each other is now an obsession. Eliana lives in Canada where she drinks an iced capp every day.
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