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| Coming soon! |
I’m working on a new project which is a whole lot of firsts. It’s my first time writing a small town romance, it’s my first attempt at self-publishing
and it’s my first book with a plus
size heroine.
Talk about jumping in with two feet!
Given that I’ve had my share of body image issues over the
years, I really wanted to write a heroine who’d had those experiences. The
teasing, the ‘why the hell are skinny
jeans back in fashion??’ moment, the toxic relationship with food…
Writing Shelby’s character
was tough, yet in a w
ay it was also cathartic. She's is a plus-sized model who struggles with the way larger models are used in the modelling industry
and what it means to be considered a vessel for someone else’s message.
Just to be extra mean (‘cause we authors are a nasty lot
when it comes to our characters) I forced her to go back to the hometown where
she was bullied until she escaped at the age of sixteen. Coming home feels like
a regression to Shelby, all the confidence she’s worked so hard to build
evaporates the second she bumps into someone from her past. Her journey isn’t
about her appearance so much as it is about forgiveness—forgiving herself for
leaving and forgiving the people in her past.
It’s important to me, as a writer, to create strong female
characters who overcome real problems. This is probably the main reason I love
reading romance as well as writing it—we have a genre that is leaps and bounds
ahead of others in representing real women conquering their demons and finding
love, not only with the hero but with themselves.
I have to give a shout out to two books that inspired me to
tackle Shelby’s story. Firstly, Driving
her Crazy by fellow Lovecat Amy Andrews which features a heroine with
deeply rooted body image issues on a road trip across outback Australia with a
sexy, brooding photographer. Secondly, The
V Sot by Wendy S Marcus a super spicy novella featuring a plus size nurse, a
"Voyeur Motel” and a hunky wrestling hero.
Both of these books had vibrant heroines that were strong
and take-charge despite their issues, exactly the kind of women I love to read
about. If you have checked either of these books out do yourself a favour and
read them NOW!
Tell me, have you read any great romances with plus size heroines
lately? I’d love your recommendations. If not, let me know what you love about
the romance genre.
Hi Stef! I love the cover!!! And huge congrats to your foray into self-pubbing. I have read Wendy's book (brilliant as always) and have AA's on my kindle tbr...I can't think of any other plus-size heroines I've read recently, but I think it's brilliant that authors are creating strong independent women and showing that size isn't a barrier to success in all parts of life. Kudos to you. Can't wait to read it! xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks Louisa, I'm glad you like the cover! I'd love to see more plus size heroines in romance novels :)
DeleteAwww, this blog was such a pleasure to read :-) Thank so much for your lovely words about Driving Her Crazy. I have also read and absolutely loved Wendy's book! It was one of my fav reads for 2014!
ReplyDeleteOne of Kylie Scott's Stage Dive series has a curvy heroine - I think it was Lena in Lead. Good book.
Ooh thanks for the rec, I enjoyed the first book in that series so I'll have to check out Dive!
DeleteAck! Sorry also meant to say go you on the self-pub thing and I LOVE that cover. I will be first in the pre-order line!
ReplyDeleteI think books with heroine's that have body issues are so relatable. I know very few women - skinny ones included - who dont have some hang up or other about their bodies. Women are SO screwed up......
That's so true, hang up aren't always about size but I think the theme of body confidence hits home with a lot of people.
DeleteAnd thanks for the cover love!!
DeleteGo you, Stefanie, and Amy. I like books where heroines have self image issues, because heck, most of us do and they're very real. I haven't read, or written, any lately that do deal with this, but I can feel a story coming on.
ReplyDeleteOoh can't wait to hear more about it, Sue!!
DeleteYour book sounds fab, Stef. :-) I love stories featuring a plus-size heroine and/or heroines with body image issues -- I think it's something most women can relate to. AA's is on my Kindle (looking forward to reading it), but I haven't read Wendy's -- must go check it out. Liz Fielding did a fabulous plus-size heroine in The Bridesmaid's Reward (I'd highly recommend it). Jenny Crusie also did a fun story where the heroine is 10 years older than the hero and is worried what he'll think about her body. I think it was "Anyone But You." It's scream. :-)
ReplyDeleteOh yes Michelle! Jenny Crusie's Bet Me also has a curvy heroine - its a great book!
DeleteOh, how could I forget BET ME? There's so much to love in that book. There's so much to love in all of JC's books! :-)
DeleteThanks Michelle! I really need to rectify the lack of Jenny Crusie in my life. I'll add Bet Me to my list!
DeleteHi Stefanie
ReplyDeleteFirstly can I chime in on that wonderful cover I love it and am really looking forward to reading this one I love any heroine that is a bigger than normal size like me :) and I am sure I have them but I can't think of any titles at the moment huge congrats on this one :)
Have Fun
Helen
Thanks Helen, I'm thrilled people are responding to the cover! It's so nice to know i'm not alone in wanting a broader representation of body types in our romance heroines :)
DeleteCongrats on the new project, Stefanie!! Very exciting! Sounds fantastic.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I've read a few of Amy's books which feature sexy curvy heroines! Loved them but can't remember the titles.
Thanks Jen, I'm terrified and so very excited at the same time!
DeleteThanks for the mention Stephanie! (And Amy and Louisa!) The V-Spot received a variety of reviews on Goodreads. Weight is a touchy subject. Congratulations on your new project. Can't wait to read it!!!
ReplyDeleteHonestly, Wendy, it's been one of my favourite books so far this year. I truly loved it! I'm guessing not everyone will connect with a larger heroine, but I think like any other type of diversity it needs attention and space in our books :)
DeleteCongratulations on your new project Stefanie! Love the cover. And yes, I read both Wendy and Amy Andrews' books and both were fabulous. As a person with body issues...hehehe...I can relate!
ReplyDelete*Nas, finally in proper account to comment!*
Thanks for stopping by Nas, and for the tweets!! Sounds like we have similar taste in books :D
DeleteI can't think of any stories that had plus-sized heroines I read recently, although I've been reading so much and also have a brain that is a wee bit on the fritz (more on that shortly) so just may not remember.
ReplyDeleteEven before reading this blog post I had every intention of reading A Kiss in Kite Harbour, however this post makes me want to read it even more.
I know that there are many reasons I love reading romance but I can't remember most of them at the moment. The main all encompassing one though is that there's always a HEA (or at the very least a HEA for the forseeable future).
Explanation of brain on fritz and memory issue - Thu last week to Sunday I had broken sleep which is not unusual for living with chronic pain, but I followed this up with two days (Mon and Tue) of overtime, aka 12 hour days. As a result I was already experiencing memory issues part way through yesterday. Top that off with my brain having the fabulous idea that 5.15am was a good wake up time not being able to get to sleep until midnight last night, and it's little wonder my brain is not exactly working.
Thank you Lyn! I'm so pleased that you're looking forward to my book (I will honestly never get tired of hearing that haha) :D
DeleteSorry to hear about your chronic pain :( My Dad's had a lot of surgery and rehab over the past few years for his knees and legs, so I know how incredibly frustrating that can be. I hope you have some reprieve...and a good night's sleep!!