Enchanted Ella: Romance Novels with Realistic Heroines

 

How often are you surprised when you are reading a romance novel and the heroine is described as full figured?  What is full figured?  Is it a size 10, 12 or 16 and up?  

All too often our society labels things inappropriately.  Kudos to the ladies who can eat what ever they want and not gain a pound.  Kudos to the ladies who eat what they want and work out at the gym to cancel out those calories.  I myself am a thicker girl (see the brave pictures below).  I'm often found in a struggle between self acceptance and self hatred.  I make efforts to eat healthy and exercise but find myself often "falling of the proverbial wagon" more often than not.  I am learning to accept and love myself - all of me, no exceptions.  Finding realistic heroines to relate to is helping.    

It's refreshing when you find a good novel or even a novella that is written about a heroine that you can relate to.  Personality wise, I find myself matching up to several of the heroines in the novels I choose.  It's rare that I find one that matches me body type and all.  But - I've found them.  And LOVED them!  

       

Photo courtesy of "a Bitt of You Photography"

Trying to look serious

Photo courtesy of "a Bitt of You Photography"

I got photo bombed by a vagrant! 

What books have you read that you relate to?  

Below you will find a list of just some of the books that Ravishing Romances has identified a realistic heroine:  

The Hawk by Monica McCarty
Heroine Lady Elyne de Burgh is described as an ordinary, common looking girl with little bossom.  The hero thinks of her as a "drowned rat"  - see swimming at night scene

The Sleeping Night by Barbara Samuel
Heroine Angel Corey is described a very average girl who's not quite a beauty due to her pale coloring with callouses on her feet.

Love Me by Bella Andre
Heroine Lilli is a size 16 woman with self image issues.

Heavy Issues by Elle Aycart 
Heroine Christy is overweight and surrounded by skinny friends and she has body issues due to stretch marks and what she calls fat rolls.  

Follow Enchanting Ella on Twitter and like her Facebook Page.  

Still curious?  Read her bio.

Author Interview: Bella Andre on her novel "Let Me Be The One," Sullivan Series #6

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Ravishing Romances welcomes New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Bella Andre! How did this happen? I have no idea, but no one tip her off that this blog actually isn’t important.

Thanks for being here, Bella! I’m honored.

Q:     You write The Sullivan Series and have recently just released Let Me Be The One, Ryan Sullivan and Vicki Bennett’s story. The blurb says Vicki saved Ryan’s life as a teenager. Is that metaphorically speaking or did she do something heroic?

A:  Thank you so much for having me on Ravishing Romances, Sallie! When Ryan and Vicki were fifteen years old, she actually did save his life. I loved writing that scene where they met for the first time. Especially because it was one of the most important days of each of their lives.


Q:     Let Me Be The One is a friends to lovers story – which is always hot because as friends they tend to know just what the other wants when they…ahem. Have Vickie and Ryan shared their sexual stories? As in, do know how to make each other melt?

A:  Oh yes...they DEFINITELY know how to make each other melt. In fact, I think their book has some of my favorite Sullivan sexy times so far. :)


Q:     Anyone who’s heard of Bella Andre knows you write h-o-t love scenes. What’s the most risque thing readers are in for when reading Let Me Be The One?

A:  Reference my answer above! But seriously, I loved writing the scenes where they were talking or kissing or touching or....well, I'll let you read it in the book. :)

Q:     Hero Ryan Sullivan is a pro baseball player and swoops in to “rescue” heroine Vickie. Is he a protective alpha male?

A:  Of course he is – he's a Sullivan!


Q:     You’ve constantly said you can’t pick your favorite Sullivan. Can you pick your favorite Ryan Sullivan trait?

A:  I loved absolutely everything about Ryan, but I think what really made me happiest was realizing just how much love he had inside of him to give to the woman he loved.


Q:     How did you decide who Ryan’s heroine should be?

A:  Ryan and Vicki had been friends for fifteen years...and she was the only woman he could have ever ended up with.


Q:     This is book six. Are you definitely continuing the series past the eight siblings and moving on to cousins in Seattle and New York?

A:  Yes, I will definitely be continuing the Sullivans past the eight siblings. Rafe Sullivan in Seattle will be the hero of Book 9. We meet him for the first time in Let Me Be The One when he helps Ryan.


Q:     Do you plan to write a holiday book where readers can catch up with their favorite Sullivan couple?

A:  Hmmm...that's an interesting idea. We will see! :)


Q:     For readers who have not read The Sullivans – how do you describe your series to them?

A:  My Sullivans series is about a close-knit family who loves and supports and dreams big. And they're always there for each other, no matter what...especially as they fall in love, one after the other. When I sit down to write every day, I want to feel and laugh and love along with all of my characters. The best thing in the world is to know that people reading my books feel all those same things.


Q:     I swore I wouldn’t do this, but I am totally pulling the Twilight card. Your name is Bella and it was yours first, but has anyone asked you to say “Vampire.” Anyone?

A:  No. And I did have it first! :)   Thank you so much for having me here today!

Known for “sensual, empowered stories enveloped in heady romance” (Publishers Weekly) about sizzling alpha heroes and the strong women they’ll love forever, nearly all of her novels have appeared on Top 10 lists at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple and Kobo. 

 Her books have been Cosmopolitan Magazine ”Red Hot Reads” twice and have been translated into nine languages. Winner of the Award of Excellence, The Washington Post has called her “One of the top digital writers in America” and she has been featured by NPR, USA Today, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. She has given the keynote speech at Book Expo America on her self-publishing success and has sold more than one million books.

Learn more about Bella Andre and her upcoming projects on her website, Facebook and Twitter!

The Look of Love - The Sullivans Book 1 (by Bella Andre)

The Look of Love rating:  3 out of 5 stars

Release Date:  2011

The Sullivans series rating:  N/A (haven't read them all)

The Look of Love is the first book of Bella Andre's The Sullivan series.

How are the sex scenes?

My iPad says this book is 279 pages.  I'd say at least half that is filled with scorching hot, clever, bocce ball inspired, stranger sex.

How are the story lines?

Story line.  You only get one for your money with this book, but it's a decent one.

 

Would you read it again?

Yes, especially if I finish the series.  I might also print out specific pages and tape them to my bedroom mirror for reference...

Chase Sullivan is one of six ridiculously good looking, overachieving brothers who go through women like a flu victim does Kleenex.  As a world traveled photographer currently shooting a high profile fashion spread, Chase is ready to spend some quality time on the job site that just so happens to be his brother's multi-acre winery.  We all know at least one of these families.  Real life's version of the Will Smith dynasty.

Chloe Peterson is on the run and suffering from obvious trust issues while delivering serious blows to Chase's heroic deeds by questioning his every attempt to help and remaining a tight lipped, obliviously seductive mystery.

The entire story takes place at the winery and over the course of one week, excluding the Epilogue.  Chase and Chloe grow to "know" each other and ultimately decide whether their new found feelings are strong enough to develop a permanent bond of trust and love.  The supporting characters are few, but very adequate and add just enough to the novel's singular purpose - to drive Chase and Chloe's relationship forward.  Trust is a the recurring theme.  So much so that the word is written 50 times during the story and I'd guess mainly in reference to Chase's feelings, thoughts and words towards Chloe. 

The writing is some of Bella Andre's finest.  There are some repetitive words that appear within sentences of each other (i.e., take her to a motel, leave her in some dank motel, I told you to take me to a motel), but as a whole the story flowed.  The plot line is not multi-dimensional, but Marcus Sullivan's appearances are entertaining and I'm curious to read the second book and hear his story.  If the Epilogue was any indication, Marcus will be a wonderfully tortured and wounded soul in need of healing.

As whirlwind romances go, this one is pretty fantastic and we would all be lucky to find a Chase (or Chloe, for the male readers) of our own.

Learn more about Bella Andre and upcoming titles at her website: http://www.bellaandre.com/


Read The Sullivans Series (currently on Book #5)

The Look of Love (Chase & Chloe, The Sullivans - book #1)
From This Moment On (Marcus & Nicola, The Sullivans - book #2)
Can't Help Falling in Love (Gabe & Megan, The Sullivans - book #3)
I Only Have Eyes for You (Sophie & Jake, The Sullivans - book #4)
If You Were Mine (Zach & Heather, The Sullivans - book #5)