Tag: grovel scenes

Readers have requested I offer  page number and a taste of grovel scene in "The House on Black Lake". The scene is near end of book, on page 226. It shouldn't be read by those who prefer to not know what's coming - go straight to Amazon link.

Excerpt from Chapter 29 - "The Struggle Before Dawn":

           “Will you remain still if I move off you,” I hear Ramey ask me. My eyelids flicker open to view him slide off and move to the edge of the blanket, where he lowers his head to his knees and covers his face with his hands. Woozy and light-headed, I lie still and wait for the dizziness to pass. A strange choking sound issues from him, and I open my eyes to a sight I would never have thought possible, not in a thousand lifetimes.

             Ramey Sandeley is crying.

          “Did you bring me to the lake to kill me?” I ask him in a hoarse whisper.

          “I’m sorry if I frightened or hurt you. Please forgive me; forgive me for everything. I never meant to harm you. I only wanted to stop you from leaving me", he says, and lifts his head to look at me through streams of tears.  “The first time I saw you was the first time I felt myself come alive. Your eyes pierced through mine like fucking razor blades and I saw in you all the wonders of the universe. I felt I’d found my mate, someone I could share all the crazy fantasies, ideas, and dreams. And in the darkness, every night, I wished you close to me, to stave off the monstrous evils that dogged me. It was you, only you . . .” 

          He wipes his tears with the back of his hand, takes a deep breath, and pushes himself up from the ground. His face contorts as he appears to struggle against an insurmountable force.   “Sacrifice means nothing unless you are willing to give up something you can’t live without. I brought you here for a purpose. But things have changed . . .”

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It is a well guarded secret that  many women desire to see men grovel.  Even better is to see a strong man grovel, and even better a strong, handsome, sexy man groveling. Crying, on knees, begging, is best.  If he is wearing a knight' s clothing, gladiator get-up, wears fangs, or a kilt, all the better.

When I began writing The House on Black Lake it was clear that charismatic Ramey Sandeley, who had never heard the word "no", would have to fall hard, and grovel to have any hope of seducing Alexandra Brighton, who had left a controlling husband, and made a vow at a sacred shrine to be true to her manifest destiny.  I wanted him down on his knees, in tears, begging for forgiveness, like a little boy who has gotten in big trouble.

But I had created more of a challenge than I had imaged. There is nothing more sexy than a powerful man who gives over to his vulnerability. When seen raw, naked,and  stripped of the confines of power, men are such gorgeous creatures.

The problem is getting them there - especially the alpha variety.  Also, be careful what you wish for - he can use "the grovel" to take you straight to his goal. Is it true emotion, or merely a tool to maintain his control? It depends on the nature of the beast.

In the process of marketing my novel The House on Black Lake, I have spoken with women woman about their favorite grovel scenes in novels, and have enjoyed their comments in the romance forums. Following are the most commonly mentioned novels with grovel scenes.

1. Until You  Judith McNaught ( apparently she is the master of "the grovel")

2. Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught

3. Simply Love by Catherine Anderson

4. Sullivan's Woman by Nora Roberts

5. That Scandelous Evening by Christine Dodd

6. To the Ends of the Earth by Elizabeth Lowell

7. The Lover by Nicole Jordan

8. Heaven, Texas by Susan E. Phillips

9. If You Dare  by Kresley Cole

10. Truly, Madly Yours by Rachel Gibson

11. His Every Kiss  by Laura Lee Guhrke

12. Sinfully Sexy  by Linda Frances Lee

13. The Duke by  Gaelen Foley

14. The Wedding Survivor by Julia London

15. Loving Julia by Karen Robards

16. Duncan's Bride by Linda Howard

17. Splendid by Julia Quinn

18. Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell. Rhett butler is probably one of the most ideal male heroes every written, as he is decidedly alpha, yet his vulnerability is powerful when his heart is involved, and his grovel scene is very touching, indeed.

19. Wicked Angel by Julie London

20. The Dangerous Gentleman by Julie London

21. The Master of Seduction by Kinley MacGregor

22. Lady Gallant by  Suzanne Robertson

23. Coyote's Mate by Lora Leigh

24. Fire and Rain by Elizabeth Lowell

25. Fired Up - Book One of the Dreamlight Trilogy by Jayne Anne Drentz

House on Black Lake. He's beginning to losing his composure - but will he break and grovel?

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 In the process of promoting my novel, I have spoken with many romance enthusiests and spent time researching forums devoted to the romance genre.  I have compled a list of the fifty most popular themes. Asterisks are placed next to topics touched upon in [amazon_link id="0982500203" target="_blank" container="" container_class="" ]The House on Black Lake[/amazon_link].

Book Clubs may want to use  list as  beginning of discussion, or have members write their own and create an extended list that can be forwarded along to community sites. Knowledgable readers may add title examples for each topic to create a resource for individuals to find books that appeal to them.  It is also helpful to the writers of romance novels to be aware of what their readers desire to experience. This is especially true if topics considered taboo are broached. Reading offers a great opportunity to release fear and repressed desires, and explore various aspects of ourselves and our life journey through the experiences of others.

 A number of the themes listed below, such as alpha males, dominant males, cheaters, and forced love are dealt with in my other blogs, including reading examples. I plan to add lists, and will soon make site open to readers suggessions, so please return for more information as it is gathered.

The list of popular themes in in no particular order.

l. A broken heart. The greatest reading choice for this seems to be "Stormfire.*

2. Man uses woman for revenge, kidnapped, seduced, etc. "Stormfire" again, this must be a great read.*

3. Good sex scenes, either explicit or implicit.*

4. Heroine nearly dies, hero is terrified, realizes how much he loves her. Even better, is when hero is directly, or indirectly responsible for putting heroine in jeopardy...*

5. Second chance ex-spouses.

6. Cheating hero.* This one is very popular. But, some want him to realize he loves his wife and family and wants them back.

7. Less than perfect heroes/heroines – scarred or disabled.

8. Rugged cowboy-types.*

9. Hero helps deliver his baby.

10. Heroine saves or rescues hero from harm.

11. Bad Boys.*

12. Pent up sexual frustration – repression.*

13. Great grovel scenes – where rugged hero breaks down.* This is very popular, and an ideal topic for discussion.

14. Hero disappears and reappears years later.

15. Steamy AND emotional scenes between lovers.”*

16. Romance – candlelit dinners, walks in the park. Etc.*

17. Obsessed or deeply in lust.*

18. Villain in love with heroine.*

19. Dominant, alpha males.*

20. Romance and thriller.*

21. Widowed hero grieving over first wife.

22. Vampire and paranormal love.

23. Vikings!.

24. Smutty historical romance.

25. H/H in historical garb.

26. Men with long (preferably dark) flowing hair*.

27. Alpha female who isn’t borderline abusive*

28. Hero bribes heroine to be with him.

29. Heroine playing hard to get.*

30. Drunken sex.*

31. Bad boy falls for nice girl.*

32 Virginal or repressed heroine who falls apart at the touch of the RIGHT man.*

33. Forced mate scenario in paranormal.

34. Jealous bad boy.*

35. Ménage romance.*

36. Incest.*

37. Two men competing for woman.*

38. Forced sex where h/h have strong connection.*

39. Sheik books and big hunky H’s and the feisty heroine.

40. Bad boy who bosses H around until they fall in love.*

41. Spanking/forced sex scenes.*

42. Love triangles.*

43. Bisexual love.*

44. Older women/younger men.*

45. Rugged/outdoorsy men.*

46. Heroine enjoys sex.*

47. Haunted places/ghosts.*

48. Tattoos, piercings, branding, etc.*

49. Beauty and the beast themes.*

50. Time travel – men in kilts, on island, or anywhere ancient.*

Well, that’s a beginning. The list says a lot about what women really want, and discussing these topics is a great exercise in female empowerment.

When Alexandra Brighton enters Black Lake she only knows what she has been taught by contemporary society. The lessons she learns in the underground teach her about her deeper desires and instincts. Some of the topics are a bit disturbing, but I believe all women desire to reconnect with baser animal instincts and enjoy the powerful union between the sexes.

Most of us love a good vampire tale.