These are books that were written in the mid 1970s through the early 1990s. The novels are usually over 400 pages long and are sometimes divided into ‘book 1′, ‘book 2′ and usually ‘book 3.’ The stories span many years, usually more than five, take place in several countries (usually America, England, Scotland and Ireland) and often times the hero and heroine are separated for a large part of the novel. The heroine usually suffers from some sort of physical abuse and/or rape by the hero and/or other men. Often times both hero and heroine cheat on each other.
Having said all that, obviously not all of that goes on in every bodice ripper and not all heroine's are raped by anyone.
If you need some idea of what a bodice ripper is, check out my reviews for the books Jemma, Stormfire, Tender Torment, and Into Passion's Dawn.
If there is a book on this list that you feel is NOT a bodice ripper, please let me know and I'll remove it. If you know of one that should be added, please let me know.
The greatest place to find true bodice ripper's is to join the Bodice Ripper Readers Anonymous group at Goodreads.com.
101 BEST BODICE-RIPPERS OF ALL TIME LIST (I can't remember where I got this list!)
01. The Flame and The Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss
02. Sweet Savage Love, by Rosemary Rogers
03. The Wolf and the Dove, by Kathleen Woodiwiss
04. Shanna by Kathleen E Woodiwiss
05. A Pirate's Love by Johanna Lindsey
06. Desert Hostage by Diana Dunaway
07. Love's Tender Fury by Jennifer Wilde
08. The Falcon and the Flower by Virginia Henley
09. Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain
10. Rogue's Mistress by Constance Gluyas
11. Nakoa's Woman by Gayle Rogers
12. The Kadin by Bertrice Small
13. Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain
14. Prisoner of my Desire by Johanna Lindsey
15. Sunset Embrace by Sandra Brown
16. Bonds of Love by Lisa Gregory
17. Love's Wild Desire by Jennifer Blake
18. Tender Torment by Jane Archer
19. Wicked Loving Lies by Rosemary Rogers
20. Devil's Embrace by Catherine Coulter
21. The Conqueror by Brenda Joyce
22. Sweet Savage Love by Heather Graham
23. Bold Angel by Kat Martin
24. Dare to Love by Jennifer Wilde
25. While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee
26. Captive Passions by Fern Michaels
27. Captive Embraces by Fern Michaels
28. Captive Splendors by Fern Michaels
29. Captive Secrets by Fern Michaels
30. Love and War by Patricia Hagen
31. The Raging Hearts by Patricia Hagen
32. Passion's Fury by Patricia Hagen
33. Soul's Aflame by Patricia Hagen
34. Tears of Gold by Laurie McBain
35. Love Me, Marietta by Jennifer Wilde
36. Gypsy Lady by Shirley Busbee
37. Defiant Angel by Stephanie Stephens
38. Blades of Passion-Claudette Williams
39. Deceive Not My Heart by Shirlee Busbee
40. Lady Vixen by Shirley Busbee
41. Touch the Sun by Cynthia Wright
42. Caroline by Cynthia Wright
43. Fires of Winter by Johanna Lindsey
44. Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey
45. Surrender My Love Johanna Lindsey
46. Once a Princess by Johanna Lindsey
47. You Belong to Me by Johanna Lindsey
48. Velvet Promise by Jude Deveraux
49. The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux
50. Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey
51. Warrior Bride by Tamara Leigh
52. Pagan Bride by Tamara Leigh
53. Virgin Bride by Tamara Leigh
54. Saxon Bride by Tamara Leigh
55. Winter's Heat by Denise Domning
56. Stormfire by Christine Monson
57. Captive Bride by Johanna Lindsey
58. No Gentle Love By Rebecca Brandewyne
59. Forever My Love, By Rebecca Brandewyne
60. Love, Cherish Me by Rebecca Brandewyne
61. Silver Angel by Johanna Lindsey
62. Only In Your Arms by Lisa Kleypas
63. Skye O'Malley by Bertrice Small
64. Love Wild and Fair by Bertrice Small
65. Rose of Rapture by Rebecca Brandewyne
66. Lovesong by Valerie Sherwood
67. Highland Velvet by Jude Deveraux
68. Velvet Song by Jude Deveraux
69. Velvet Angel by Jude Deveraux
70. Love Storm by Cordia Byers
71. Chance the Winds of Fortune by Laurie McBain
72. Dark Before the Rising Sun by Laurie McBain
73. Wild Bells to the Wild Sky by Laurie McBain
74. When the Splendour Falls by Laurie McBain
75. Tender Betrayal by Jennifer Blake
76. Golden Fancy (1980) by Jennifer Blake
77. The Storm and the Splendor by Jennifer Blake
78. Embrace and Conquer by Jennifer Blake
79. Midnight Waltz by Jennifer Blake
80. Surrender in Moonlight by Jennifer Blake
81. Fierce Eden by Jennifer Blake
82. Prisoner of Desire by Jennifer Blake
83. Louisiana Dawn by Jennifer Blake
84. Spanish Serenade by Jennifer Blake
85. Southern Rapture by Jennifer Blake
86. Royal Seduction by Jennifer Blake
87. Royal Passion by Jennifer Blake
88. Tempted by Virginia Henley
89. Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught
90. Tempted by Virginia Henley
91.The Hawk and The Dove by Virginia Henley
92. The Falcon And The Flower by Virginia Henley
93. My Cherished Enemy by Samantha James
94. A Pirate's Pleasure by Heather Graham
95. The Pirate And The Pagan by Virginia Henley
96. My Lady Vixen by Connie Mason
97. The Love Slave by Bertrice Small
98. The Jewelled Serpent by Julia Fitzgerald
99. Reap the Savage Wind by Ellen Tanner Marsh
100. Scarlet and Gold by Ellen Tanner Marsh
101. Wrap Me in Splendor Ellen Tanner Marsh
01. The Flame and The Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss
02. Sweet Savage Love, by Rosemary Rogers
03. The Wolf and the Dove, by Kathleen Woodiwiss
04. Shanna by Kathleen E Woodiwiss
05. A Pirate's Love by Johanna Lindsey
06. Desert Hostage by Diana Dunaway
07. Love's Tender Fury by Jennifer Wilde
08. The Falcon and the Flower by Virginia Henley
09. Devil's Desire by Laurie McBain
10. Rogue's Mistress by Constance Gluyas
11. Nakoa's Woman by Gayle Rogers
12. The Kadin by Bertrice Small
13. Moonstruck Madness by Laurie McBain
14. Prisoner of my Desire by Johanna Lindsey
15. Sunset Embrace by Sandra Brown
16. Bonds of Love by Lisa Gregory
17. Love's Wild Desire by Jennifer Blake
18. Tender Torment by Jane Archer
19. Wicked Loving Lies by Rosemary Rogers
20. Devil's Embrace by Catherine Coulter
21. The Conqueror by Brenda Joyce
22. Sweet Savage Love by Heather Graham
23. Bold Angel by Kat Martin
24. Dare to Love by Jennifer Wilde
25. While Passion Sleeps by Shirlee Busbee
26. Captive Passions by Fern Michaels
27. Captive Embraces by Fern Michaels
28. Captive Splendors by Fern Michaels
29. Captive Secrets by Fern Michaels
30. Love and War by Patricia Hagen
31. The Raging Hearts by Patricia Hagen
32. Passion's Fury by Patricia Hagen
33. Soul's Aflame by Patricia Hagen
34. Tears of Gold by Laurie McBain
35. Love Me, Marietta by Jennifer Wilde
36. Gypsy Lady by Shirley Busbee
37. Defiant Angel by Stephanie Stephens
38. Blades of Passion-Claudette Williams
39. Deceive Not My Heart by Shirlee Busbee
40. Lady Vixen by Shirley Busbee
41. Touch the Sun by Cynthia Wright
42. Caroline by Cynthia Wright
43. Fires of Winter by Johanna Lindsey
44. Hearts Aflame by Johanna Lindsey
45. Surrender My Love Johanna Lindsey
46. Once a Princess by Johanna Lindsey
47. You Belong to Me by Johanna Lindsey
48. Velvet Promise by Jude Deveraux
49. The Black Lyon by Jude Deveraux
50. Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey
51. Warrior Bride by Tamara Leigh
52. Pagan Bride by Tamara Leigh
53. Virgin Bride by Tamara Leigh
54. Saxon Bride by Tamara Leigh
55. Winter's Heat by Denise Domning
56. Stormfire by Christine Monson
57. Captive Bride by Johanna Lindsey
58. No Gentle Love By Rebecca Brandewyne
59. Forever My Love, By Rebecca Brandewyne
60. Love, Cherish Me by Rebecca Brandewyne
61. Silver Angel by Johanna Lindsey
62. Only In Your Arms by Lisa Kleypas
63. Skye O'Malley by Bertrice Small
64. Love Wild and Fair by Bertrice Small
65. Rose of Rapture by Rebecca Brandewyne
66. Lovesong by Valerie Sherwood
67. Highland Velvet by Jude Deveraux
68. Velvet Song by Jude Deveraux
69. Velvet Angel by Jude Deveraux
70. Love Storm by Cordia Byers
71. Chance the Winds of Fortune by Laurie McBain
72. Dark Before the Rising Sun by Laurie McBain
73. Wild Bells to the Wild Sky by Laurie McBain
74. When the Splendour Falls by Laurie McBain
75. Tender Betrayal by Jennifer Blake
76. Golden Fancy (1980) by Jennifer Blake
77. The Storm and the Splendor by Jennifer Blake
78. Embrace and Conquer by Jennifer Blake
79. Midnight Waltz by Jennifer Blake
80. Surrender in Moonlight by Jennifer Blake
81. Fierce Eden by Jennifer Blake
82. Prisoner of Desire by Jennifer Blake
83. Louisiana Dawn by Jennifer Blake
84. Spanish Serenade by Jennifer Blake
85. Southern Rapture by Jennifer Blake
86. Royal Seduction by Jennifer Blake
87. Royal Passion by Jennifer Blake
88. Tempted by Virginia Henley
89. Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught
90. Tempted by Virginia Henley
91.The Hawk and The Dove by Virginia Henley
92. The Falcon And The Flower by Virginia Henley
93. My Cherished Enemy by Samantha James
94. A Pirate's Pleasure by Heather Graham
95. The Pirate And The Pagan by Virginia Henley
96. My Lady Vixen by Connie Mason
97. The Love Slave by Bertrice Small
98. The Jewelled Serpent by Julia Fitzgerald
99. Reap the Savage Wind by Ellen Tanner Marsh
100. Scarlet and Gold by Ellen Tanner Marsh
101. Wrap Me in Splendor Ellen Tanner Marsh
102. Sable by Ellen Tanner Marsh
103. Caress And Conquer by Connie Mason
104. Jemma by Beverly Byrne
105. Savage Surrender by Natsha Peters
103. Caress And Conquer by Connie Mason
104. Jemma by Beverly Byrne
105. Savage Surrender by Natsha Peters
The list below was taken from the Romantic Times forums and the heroine is raped in them.
ANGELIQUE series by Anne and Serge Galon
A PERFECT SCOUNDRELL by Heather Cullman
A WELL PLEASURED LADY by Christina Dodd
A WELL FAVORED GENTLEMAN by Christina Dodd - Hero takes heroine's virginity knowing that she has knocked herself out with laudanum.
BONDS OF LOVE by Lisa Gregory
CAPTIVE MISTRESS by Deborah Le Varr
CLAIMING THE COURTESAN by Anna Campbell
DEARLY BELOVED by Mary Jo Putney
DESPERADO PASSION by Patricia Pellicane
DEVIL'S BRIDE by Catherine Coulter
DEVIL'S EMBRACE by Catherine Coulter
DEVIL'S MISTRESS by Heather Graham
ENEMY OF LOVE by Virginia Coffman
FIRES OF WINTER by Johanna Lindsey
FIRE SONG by Catherine Coulter
GABRIEL'S BRIDE by Samantha James
GYPSY LADY by Shirlee Busbee
HEART'S LAIR by Kathleen Morgan
IMAGINATION OF THE HEART by Judith Glover - he rapes her after she gave birth
ISLAND FLAME by Karen Robards (has sequel, Sea Fire)
LADY OF CONQUEST by Teresa Medeiros
LADY VIXEN by Connie Mason
LAVENDER BLUE by Paris Afton Bonds
LOST LADY by Jude Deveraux
MAGIC EMBRACE by Jennifer Horsman
MIDSUMMER MAGIC by Catherine Coulter
MOONSTRUCK MADNESS by Laurie McBain
ONCE MORE, MIRANDA have the Hero forcing the heroine
ONLY IN YOUR ARMS by Lisa Kleypas
PASSION'S RANSOM by Bettina Krahn
PIRATE'S LOVE by Johanna Lindsey
PRISONER OF MY DESIRE by Johanna Lindsay- rape of the hero and is later followed by forced seduction of the heroine
PROMISES KEEP by Sarah McCarty - The heroine was drugged and the hero thought she wanted this.
ROSEHAVEN by Catherine Coulter
RULES OF SURRENDER by Christina Dodd
PENDRAGON by Catherine Coulter
SAVAGE SURRENDER by Natasha Peters
SATAN'S MISTRESS by Rachel Cosgrove Payes
SEA FIRE by Karen Robards (sequel to Island Flame)
SEASON OF THE SUN by Catherine Coulter
SECRET FIRE by Johanna Lindsey
STORMFIRE by Christine Monson (LOVE IT!)
SWEET SAVAGE LOVE by Rosemary Rogers
SWEET SAVAGE EDEN by Heather Graham/Shannon Drake
TENDER TORMENT by Jane Archer
TIDES OF PASSION by Sara Orwig
THE EARL'S INTENDED WIFE by Louise Allen
THE BARGAIN by Veronica Sattler
THE BLACK LYON by Jude Deveraux
THE CONQUEROR by Brenda Joyce
THE COST OF HONOR by Emma Lange
THE COUNTERFEIT MARRIAGE by Joan Wolf
THE COURTESAN by Julia Justiss (heroine kidnapped and raped)
THE DEVIL TO PAY by Liz Carlyle
THE FOUNTAINHEAD by Ayn Rand
THE HEIR by Catherine Coulter
THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER by Kathleen E Woodiwiss
THE FLASH OF THE FIREFLY by Paris Afton Bonds
THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL by Teresa Denys
THE REBEL BRIDE by Catherine Coulter
THE SHEIKH by E. M. Hull
THE SILVER DEVIL by Teresa Denys
THE VELVET PROMISE by Jude Deveraux
THE WANTON by Rosemary Rogers
THE WOLF AND THE DOVE by Kathleen E Woodiwiss
VICE AVENGED by Lolah Burford (NOT romance but heroine is kidnapped and raped)
WHITNEY, MY LOVE by Judith McNaught (original version only! Pre-1999 releases)
