Jeannie Lin | Favorite Tropes Featured in THE SWORD DANCER

May 22, 2013

Two of my great loves are sweeping historical romances and martial arts adventures like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." My current release, THE SWORD DANCER, is a mash-up between the two. A story featuring a famous thief-catcher chasing a sword dancer across ancient China might seem like quite a departure from your standard romance, but at the core of it are some beloved tropes which is why THE SWORD DANCER was so much fun to write.

The Bathtub Scene

At one point, Li Feng, my feisty sword dancer, confronts Thief-catcher Han in a bath house.

I can't count the number of times I've seen the sexy bath scene in historical romance. She walks in on him, he spies on her...It serves the dual purpose of providing sexy times while also reminding us that our heroes and heroines, despite living in the 9^th century, are indeed fresh and clean.

Dating Catwoman

"We conducted our courtship on rooftops and fire escapes. A strange flirtation, a hide and seek, a game of cat and mouse..." — Catwoman, Whatever Happened to The Caped Crusader?

The hero and heroine of THE SWORD DANCER are on opposite sides of the law. Sometimes they're at odds, sometimes they've teamed up, but they are always, always in conflict—and you're not sure who you want to win!

I used to watch the Adam West Batman series every day and my favorite episodes were the ones with Catwoman. Julie Newmar was iconic in the way she portrayed Catwoman's sultry, crafty, so-bad-she's-good personality. I loved how she was trying to seduce Batman on one side, while plotting mayhem on the other. She was such a dual personality and the sexual tension between her and Batman was seared into my impressionable young mind.

Love at First Punch also known as "Slap-Slap Kiss"

Slap-Slap-Kiss) or Love at First Punch

I always get giddy when a strong hero clashes with an even stronger heroine. In Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie wreck their living room in an adrenaline charged foreplay scene. In Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Jen and the Bandit Lo hook up after fighting almost to the death in the desert. And in THE SWORD DANCER, Han and Li Feng finally engage in their first kiss after several charged confrontations during which, as the heroine admits, "her knowledge of him was nearly as intimate as a lover's."

What are some of your most beloved tropes? One commenter will win a copy of THE SWORD DANCER

RT Book Reviews on THE SWORD DANCER:

"Take a passionate heroine, add an honorable hero bound by duty, a quest and a stolen cache of jewels and you have Lin's riveting, fast-paced, lyrically written, sensual romance. Here's a story filled with intriguing history and colorful details that also mesmerizes readers with a thrilling adventure. For those who crave a journey to a different place and time, Lin delivers."

THE SWORD DANCER releases May 21, 2013 (June 1 ebook). This is the start of a new historical romance adventure series set in Tang Dynasty China.

Comments

37 comments posted.

Re: Jeannie Lin | Favorite Tropes Featured in THE SWORD DANCER

I love the argument turned into lusty kissing scene. Thanks
(Carin Walker 10:07am May 22, 2013)

Your new novel sounds great!

I used to watch Batman when I was young too and enjoyed when Catwoman was on. However, Eartha Kitt was my favorite Catwoman.
(Lori Yost 10:25am May 22, 2013)

Of course, everyone loves Rhett and Scarlet, but there is one that I also am fond of that you might know. It's not from a book, but a movie. It's the Emperor and Empress from the Curse of the Golden Flower. I, too, enjoy watching movies such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The characters, as well as the special effects can't be beat!! I love reading love stories that are set in China, and am looking forward to reading your book very much. The scene that was in your posting took my breath away, and left me wanting more!! Congratulations on your book, and it's definately tops on my list of books to read in the coming months!! I definately have to get my hands on a copy!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:27am May 22, 2013)

I love those scenes you described especially Mr. and Mrs.
Smith. I also liked the movie The War of the Roses, although
they were suppose to be bitter enemies, I don't think you go
as far as they did without love enolved.
(Tawnya Bentley 10:28am May 22, 2013)

Sounds like a wonderful combination!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 10:28am May 22, 2013)

Dear Jeannie,
This looks like a book that's worthy of an
Annie Oakley award for making a bulls-eye shot.I'd love
to check it out,and thanks for the opportunity!
(John Dallal 10:30am May 22, 2013)

looks like a good read
(Patricia Wagner 11:02am May 22, 2013)

Oh... I DO love that enemies to lovers, Jeannie! And LOL!
Bathtub scenes, eh? (Love that kitty ;)) As for other tropes
I love, I do really love a good friends-to-lovers--maybe it's
that whole "wow, I see you in a completely new way" that makes
that fun to read :)
(Fedora Chen 11:08am May 22, 2013)

i love the slap kiss i love you romance books they are my
favorite
(Denise Smith 11:41am May 22, 2013)

I have just recently become somewhat of a romance reader and this book looks very interesting. Maybe I will win it and be converted to this genre.:)

Thank you.
(Cynthia Blain 11:56am May 22, 2013)

I quite enjoy a heated argument turned into love scene. Thanks
for the opportunity to win!
(Amanda Ray 12:22pm May 22, 2013)

Hmmm, enjoy friends to lovers, cinderella themed, and many many more... love to see the emotions come off the pages when the characters interact.
(Colleen Conklin 12:34pm May 22, 2013)

I love the martial art movies like Crouching Tiger, Hidden
Dragon and the book sounds just like my kind of story!
(Ilona Fenton 1:48pm May 22, 2013)

I also loved the Batman series. I love all types of reading and The Sword Dancer definitely sounds like a book I will enjoy reading
(Shirley Younger 1:49pm May 22, 2013)

Never underestimate the swordsmanship in fighting for love, honor, dignity, destiny, and for oneself. I love your books thanks for the contest. Always fight for what you believe in. Keep on writing.
(Anthonia Sharp 1:51pm May 22, 2013)

I have been seeing reviews for this book and I would love to read it!
(Callie Stuck 2:21pm May 22, 2013)

I'm a fan of Star Wars. Leia might be the one being rescued but the guys need a bit of direction from her to get their act together. It's great that your historical isn't a typical setting. I need something different to read. Thanks.
(Laura Gullickson 2:47pm May 22, 2013)

sounds exciting reading,thanks
(Debbi Shaw 4:18pm May 22, 2013)

This sounds fascinating. I love historical fiction and am glad to see something other than European history. The Tang dynasty sounds very interesting.
(Irene Menge 4:47pm May 22, 2013)

I like Beauty and the Beast and friends to lovers.
(Marcy Shuler 4:47pm May 22, 2013)

yeah I love the strong heroine and the strong hero .. but also
the guy realising that she is something he cant live without
...... :D like awww
(Rachael Kennedy 6:09pm May 22, 2013)

I love historical books. This looks like a really good story.
(Aimee Robison 6:27pm May 22, 2013)

bat women was great person when they had her in the show and then the orginal one was great i love the book the author is new so i like to see her work and read and blog it
(Desiree Reilly 9:16pm May 22, 2013)

I love Historical Romances.
(Tiffany Gronn 10:00pm May 22, 2013)

Wow, Congrats on your new book: THE SWORD DANCER. Yes, I
loved the Catwoman and Batman shows and Crouching Tiger and
Hidden Dragon were so fantastic too. I also loved all the
Bruce Lee movies and James Bond 007 movies because James was
always on a dangerous quest but in the end he got with the
beautiful sexy woman. It would truly be an honor to win and
read your new book. Thanks, Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 10:47pm May 22, 2013)

i would love to read any of these books...sounds great
(Kimberly Hoefs 11:21pm May 22, 2013)

I always love marriage of convenience stories.

Julie Newmar was an excellent Catwoman.
(Mary Preston 7:25am May 23, 2013)

I love fighting turning into kisses too!
(May Pau 9:49am May 23, 2013)

Reading about China is interesting, so I would love to read your book!
(Gladys Paradowski 10:52pm May 23, 2013)

I have always love Julie Newmar as Catwoman. I am just amaze how your books teach readers like me about China. China is deeply rich in history and there is so much history to absorb. Thanks for writing all the wonderful stories of China.
(Kai Wong 11:09pm May 23, 2013)

I WOULD LIKE TO READ ANY OF THOSE BOOKS.
(Shelley Summers 5:13pm May 24, 2013)

One I like is the good girl and the slightly bad boy, or boy from the wrong side of the tracks. Somehow we never get it the opposite way around.
(Clare O'Beara 7:38am May 25, 2013)

Oh my goodness! Awesome article dude! Thanks, However I
am experiencing difficulties with your RSS. I don't
understand why I can't subscribe to it. Is there anyone
else having similar RSS issues? Anyone that knows the
answer can you kindly respond? Thanks!!
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