Beth Kery's Blog, page 16
August 12, 2012
Virgins in Romance, Feminist Nightmare or Woman’s Dream?
I get a lot of notes from readers about the topic of virgin heroines in my books. Because people don’t typically take the time to write the author about a book unless they have some pretty strong feelings about it, the notes I receive are typically of the ‘love’ or ‘hate” variety on the topic.
First, I’ll talk about the readers who are horrified and offended by the virgin heroine in a contemporary romance. Even though I do sometimes (but certainly not always) write the trope, I do understand where these readers are coming from. It’s the year 2012. How realistic is it in an adult romance that a grown woman is still a virgin?
What’s more, how appealing is it? the concept hearkens back to dark days for women–time periods where a female’s value was largely tied into concepts like purity, innocence and motherhood. Her body was not her own, to be experienced and enjoyed, but the property of a male dominated society, meant to be bartered, to provide pleasure and to procreate. If a woman broke the social code and had sex before marriage–don’t even think about if she liked it–she was ostracized and marginalized. Of course, many cultures still exist in the world with this patriarchal viewpoint, and I would say definite threads still exist in western society today. The romance novels of the past clearly reflected this restrictive moral expectation. As women have begun to make their way in society and find their power–including owning their sexuality– the idea of continuing with the trope of the romance heroine virgin seems not only old-fashioned and unappealing, but abhorrent to some.
But wait. Isn’t this way of looking at the ‘virgin’ all from the male-dominated point of view? The virgin in a romance novel is seen as sneer-worthy because the author is perpetuating those old, restrictive codes? But what if we, as women romance readers, could put on a new pair of glasses to take back the concept of the virgin? What if WE took ownership of the concept, just as we should take ownership of our bodies and our sexuality? The virgin can be ‘our’ thing. We were all virgins once, and the virgin-state-of-mind continues inside of us until our dying day. It’s a female archetype, just as are those of the mother and the crone (See, among others, The White Goddess, by Graves). Can’t we don the symbolic attributes of the virgin, if we so choose, for the short period of time allotted to us between juggling careers, partners, children and family politics? We get to be kick-ass heroines through our reading, we get to be witches and redeemed outcasts and crime-solvers and savvy, accomplished businesswomen.
But not a virgin?
Is the old-guard, restrictive, male-dominated frame of mind really going to tell us it’s not okay to also choose to be a sexual innocent, a virgin? Have we internalized the idea and turned it against ourselves? Yes, I think so, to some extent. We really shouldn’t let anyone decide what the virgin means to us. We should decide for ourselves.
We should claim it.
Here are some of the things I love about writing and reading a virgin–yes, even in an erotic romance.
It’s such a paradox of life that we can’t see or sense our youthful power when we have it. It’s only until later in life when we observe youth that we begin to realize how wonderful it all was–seeing the world through fresh eyes, possessing health and beauty, the world lying before us like a vaguely anxiety provoking, totally exciting adventure ride. When we see the through the virgin’s eyes, we not only get to experience that newness again, we have the added benefit. Now we can appreciate all these things for a standpoint of a bit (or a lot) more maturity. Maybe the virginal heroine doesn’t recognize her power and vibrancy, but we as the reader do.
The virgin potentially has a gift to give, even if she isn’t aware of it. Her powerful innocence triggers something in other characters…something that will allow them to transform. She isn’t the blank slate, waiting to be written on. Instead, she’s a catalyst for other character’s healing and growth. I love to see how the experienced alpha male interacts with her virgin energy, how he re-thinks himself and his motivations, how he re-positions himself in order to earn her love.
Lastly, for the most part, most of us weren’t first made love to by a virile, handsome and masterful alpha male. What woman wouldn’t want to fantasize about it being the most memorable, sexually fulfilling experience for that first time? In a book, those lucky ones who had the experience can re-live it. And for those of us who didn’t, we can live the experience through the virginal heroine.
What are your thoughts about the virgin-heroine in contemporary romance?
August 8, 2012
I Have A New Cover for Exposed to You!
Exposed to You just received an updated face. What do you think?
Losing control is just the beginning…
“What would you do if the sexiest man in the world was bent on bringing you unbearable pleasure again and again? Joy Hightower wasn’t sure she could survive the experience…or live without it.”
It’s not often you’re hired to paint a body tattoo—and what a body—on a total stranger at a Hollywood film set. A reserved and careful art teacher, Joy would never forget it. In a rare fit of raw desire she gave herself completely, knowing she’d never see him again, or ever repeat such a shameless, naked impulse.
Little did she know, the man with whom she shared that lightning bolt of lust was star Everett Hughes. For Everett, women and sex came as easily as fame. But how could he hope to convince the guarded Joy that beneath the hard body and sexy façade of celebrity was a real man who wanted only one, real woman?
In the heat of an intoxicating affair, Everett endeavors to break down her barriers, gain her trust, and expose himself as the real deal. But can Joy do the same, and reveal to him the vulnerable woman who longs to be loved, wanted, and desired forever?
August 7, 2012
Because You Are Mine Part II: Because I Could Not Resist Is Out Today!
The red-hot romance between Ian and Francesca was ignited in Because You Are Mine Part I—that which comes with the first look, the first caress. Now comes the first act of defiance that takes them one step further into forbidden desire.
A heated argument between Francesca and Ian leaves the impetuous young woman alone again, and free to do whatever she chooses, and with whomever she desires. She’s not about to answer to any one man—especially Ian. Until he catches her. As he takes her to his penthouse, the tension is incendiary. One thing is clear for both of them. Francesca must be punished.
Outraged and unbearably excited, the naïve Francesca loses whatever control she had. After all, Ian is too dominant a man to fight off. She did disobey him. She does deserve it. Francesca just never realized how much she wanted it. But when Ian discovers how naïve Francesca really is, he wonders if taking advantage of such innocence is going too far, even for him.
Because You Are Mine Part II: Because I Could Not Resist releases Tuesday, August 7!
August 5, 2012
Because You Are Mine Part II: Because I Could Not Resist
Tuesday is on the horizon! Here are a couple little tidbits about what I loved from Part II: Because I Could Not Resist
*Francesca hanging out with her roommates/buddies. She’s very comfortable with men, just not in the sexual sense. Their light-hearted, ‘guys night out’ ease with each other was a lovely contrast to Ian’s later smoldering sexual intensity.
**The cover. Have you noticed that the covers alternate between female/male in orientation? I loved how the first was pearls in a martini glass, the second a Rolex. The Berkley art department did a terrific job on these, conveying the elegance and luxury of Ian’s world. I always write in both the hero and heroine’s POV, liking how it ramps up the sexual tension. The alternating covers seemed to highlight the fact that this is both Ian’s and Francesca’s journey.
****Ian’s penthouse. I like to put character nuances into the surroundings, letting the setting tell something significant. I love interior design, art and houses. I envisioned Ian’s home like a British country manor combined with a luxurious urban penthouse. In Part I, when Francesca first entered Ian’s residence, she was struck by the elegance and richness, but also the warmth…the welcome: “An austere welcome, perhaps, but a welcome nonetheless.” I like this detail, as I do the details of Ian’s bedroom suite, which Francesca sees for the first time in Part II. They are indicative of Ian the man, alluding to this innate taste, sensual nature and style, but also that he’s not quite as cold, aloof and distant as even he himself might believe…certainly not when it comes to Francesca.
****How Francesca discovers herself sexually…in Ian’s lap. Enough said about that.
The red-hot romance between Ian and Francesca was ignited in Because You Are Mine Part I—that which comes with the first look, the first caress. Now comes the first act of defiance that takes them one step further into forbidden desire.
A heated argument between Francesca and Ian leaves the impetuous young woman alone again, and free to do whatever she chooses, and with whomever she desires. She’s not about to answer to any one man—especially Ian. Until he catches her. As he takes her to his penthouse, the tension is incendiary. One thing is clear for both of them. Francesca must be punished.
Outraged and unbearably excited, the naïve Francesca loses whatever control she had. After all, Ian is too dominant a man to fight off. She did disobey him. She does deserve it. Francesca just never realized how much she wanted it. But when Ian discovers how naïve Francesca really is, he wonders if taking advantage of such innocence is going too far, even for him.
Because You Are Mine Part II: Because I Could Not Resist releases Tuesday, August 7!
July 31, 2012
Contest Winners Announced!
Thank you to everyone, author and reader alike, who helped spread the word about BECAUSE YOU ARE MINE!! Because You Tempted Me, part I has officially released! Wheeee!
And now, the random number generator has chosen some winners! All winners must contact me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prizes. I will need snail mail addresses for the Kindle Fire, Nook, and Barnes and Noble gift card winners. I will send the Amazon gift card via email address.
The winners are as follows:
The Kindle Fire: #44, donnas
The Nook: #39, Maureen
Amazon gift card: #1, Cindy Overton
B&N gift card: #53, Kristen
That’s it! Thank you all again, and happy reading to everyone!
The Winner of Because You Are Mine Part I: Because You Tempt Me is
Senovia
Comment 23
Senovia, write to me at bethkery@aol.com and let me know the email address where you’d like your book sent.
Up next, I’m going to announce the four winners from the Huge Because You Are Mine Contest!!
July 29, 2012
BECAUSE YOU ARE MINE and a giveaway!
It’s Release Day Eve for BECAUSE!
So by now you’ve probably heard a bit about my erotic contemporary serial novel, BECAUSE YOU ARE MINE. I want to tell you a few important things. The book is being released in serial format: a novella length story (12-17K words) coming out every Tuesday for eight weeks on eBook (Kindle, Nook, iTunes). This is one overall book–Ian and Francesca’s erotic romance, being released in a weekly fashion. I know this is a different publishing concept (although it’s an old one–it’s how Dickens was first published, for instance). But I think it has some really cool opportunities for us to share as a reading community. Given the state of reading technology and social media, it gives us, as readers, the chance to enjoy a book like we do a television show episode. The serialization of the book controls the element of time, making it more likely that we will be reading similar content at the same time.
But much, much more important than the release format, I’m so excited about Ian and Francesca’s love story. I’ve never had so much fun writing a book. I hope the experience of reading will be as invigorating and vibrant as it was for me writing. I like to describe Because as a little bit Cinderella, a little bit Pretty Woman, a little Bit Fifty Shades, and lots of Beth Kery. :)
Also, I’m inviting people to TALK about Because You Are Mine using the hashtag at twitter #BecauseYouAreMine. At Berkley’s Love Always Facebook page, there will be an update every Tuesday (release day) with a sizzling line from the new installment. On Wednesday, there will be an update called, About Last Night, where people can jump in and talking about the portion of the new Because part they’d read the night before. I’ll be stopping by and participating. It should be lots of fun for the reading community, which is what I want this experience to be in spades. Hope you’ll join me for Francesca and Ian’s journey to HEA.
And now, a first time sneak peek at Because You Are Mine Part I: Because You Tempt Me
From Beth Kery, the national bestselling author of EXPLOSIVE, comes a red-hot romance like no other—where the rules of attraction are broken with that first electrifying touch. Meet Francesca and Ian. The fantasies of what’s to come begin…
It starts with that first look, when you know you have to have him…
Francesca Arno has been commissioned to create a grand centerpiece painting for the lobby of Ian Noble’s new skyscraper. It’s at a cocktail party in her honor that she first meets him—and the attraction is immediate for Francesca. It’s also bewildering. She’s not used to such a wholesale sexual response to a stranger. Enigmatic, darkly intense, with a commanding presence, Ian completely unnerves her. And she likes it.
For Ian, she’s the kind of woman he can’t resist—one that comes all too rarely: a true innocent. But he can sense in her a desire to open up, to experiment, to give herself to the fantasies of a man in control. The first kiss, the first caress, the first challenge for a woman who craves what she’s never had—a man who gets what he wants.
Excerpt
Francesca just nodded. She couldn’t speak. Her brain was temporarily overloaded by the image of him, the warmth of his encompassing hand, the sound of his low, Britsh-accented voice. His skin was pale next to his dark, stylishly coiffed, short hair and gray suit. Dark Angel. The words flew into her brain, unbidden.
“I can’t tell you how impressed I am with your work,” he said. No smile. No softness in his tone, even if there was a sharp curiosity in his stare.
She swallowed uneasily. “Thank you.” He released her hand slowly, causing his skin to slide against hers. A horrible moment of silence passed as he just looked at her. She gathered herself and straightened her spine.
“I’m glad to have this opportunity to thank you in person for awarding me the commission. It means more to me than I can convey.” She said the rehearsed words in a pressured fashion.
He gave an almost imperceptible shrug and waved his hand negligently. “You earned it.” He held her stare. “Or at least you will.”
She felt her pulse leap at her throat and hoped he didn’t notice.
“I earned it, yes. But you gave me the opportunity. It’s that I’m trying to express my thanks for. I probably wouldn’t have been able to afford the second year of my master’s program if you hadn’t given me this chance.”
He blinked. From the corner of her vision, Francesca noticed Zoe stiffen. Francesca glanced away in embarrassment. Had she sounded sharp?
“My grandmother often says I’m ungracious in the face of gratitude,” he said, his voice quieter . . . warmer. “You’re right to scold me. And you’re also very welcome for the opportunity, Ms. Arno,” he said, giving a nod of acknowledgement. “Zoe, would you mind taking a message to Lin for me? I’ve decided to cancel dinner with Xander LaGrange after all. Please have her reschedule.”
“Of course, Mr. Noble,” Zoe said before she walked away.
“Would you like to sit down?” he asked, nodding at an unoccupied circular leather booth.
“Sure.”
He waited behind her while she scooted into the booth. She wished he wouldn’t. She felt awkward and ungainly. After she’d settled, he slid beside her in one graceful, swooping motion. Francesca smoothed the gauzy skirt of the vintage beaded baby-doll dress she’d bought at a secondhand store in Wicker Park. The early September evening had been cooler than she’d expected when planning for the cocktail party. The casual denim jacket she wore had been her only choice, given the thin straps of her dress. It struck her how ridiculous she must appear, seated next to this immaculately dressed, thoroughly masculine male.
She fussed anxiously with her collar, and then sensed his stare on her. She met his eyes. Her chin went up defiantly. A small smile flickered across his mouth, and something clenched in her lower belly.
********
I’m giving away a copy of Part I: Because You Tempt Me tomorrow morning, July 31, to one randomly selected commenter on this post. Afterwards, I will announce the four Huge Because You Are Mine Contest Winners! There’s still time to throw your hat in the ring for that contest, with a chance to win a Kindle Fire, Nook, and gift certificates here.
The Winner of Sylvia’s Giveaway is
Commenter 3:Maria pronounced Mariah
Maria, write me at bethkery@aol.com with your preference for eBook or print and address.
Thanks everyone!
Up next, the reason for the season, BECAUSE YOU ARE MINE!
July 27, 2012
About Sylvia Day’s Bared To You + Giveaway!
Have you checked out New York Times Bestselling Author Sylvia Day’s highly acclaimed Berkley novel Bared To You yet?
About Bared To You:
Gideon Cross came into my life like lightning in the darkness…
He was beautiful and brilliant, jagged and white-hot. I was drawn to him as I’d never been to anything or anyone in my life. I craved his touch like a drug, even knowing it would weaken me. I was flawed and damaged, and he opened those cracks in me so easily…
Gideon knew. He had demons of his own. And we would become the mirrors that reflected each other’s most private wounds… and desires.
The bonds of his love transformed me, even as I prayed that the torment of our pasts didn’t tear us apart…
Doesn’t Sylvia’s book sound emotional and sexy? I’m offering a copy of BARED TO YOU, format of winner’s choosing, (e-format must be giftable) to one randomly selected commenter here today! And if you haven’t yet entered the Huge Because You Are Mine contest (including giveaways of a Kindle Fire and Nook) do so here!
The Winner of Julie James’ About That Night Is….
DonnaS
Comment #47
Congratulations Donna! Write to me at bethkery@aol.com to claim your prize (please provide your snail mail address).
Up next, I’m talking about Sylvia Day’s Bared To You and there is a copy up for grabs!:)
