If you read historical romance you expect a virginal heroine. One indiscretion would ruin women back then whereas today every one night stand or weekend fling is a badge of honor. Or so they’d like everyone to think.
My conservative friend, the mother of five girls who have all vowed abstinence until marriage, tells stories of visits to doctors’ offices and emergency rooms where her daughters’ medical history must be recorded. Nurses are shocked when the girls claim they are not sexually active and don’t use birth control. The suggestion is usually made that perhaps their mother should step out of the room so the girls can be honest. It would be funny if it weren’t a bit sad.
Our society likes to lump sex into the same category of importance as shopping for shoes. Everyone remembers their first romantic sexual encounter. Who remembers the pair of shoes they bought on a Wednesday in the middle of June three years ago?
THE FIRST TIME AGAIN is the story of a woman who almost lost her virginity to her high school crush. Years later, she’s still a virgin, he’s reformed his ways, and she has another chance at a first time again with him. Much to Baylee’s delight Trey is worth the wait.
If you read Book Two in The Braddock Brotherhood series (A FOREVER KIND OF GUY) you will recognize Trey as Hayley’s ex. I had to give him a chance to redeem himself.
What do you think? Are contemporary virginal heroines nothing but trouble?
Barbara Meyers is the author of The Braddock Brotherhood series of sweet, spicy, sexy contemporary romances published by Samhain Publishing: A Month From Miami, A Forever Kind of Guy and The First Time Again. Independently, she published Not Quite Heaven and Scattered Moments. Her short story, Katy’s Place, appears in the 2013 Novelists, Inc. anthology.
When not writing fiction, Dr. Seuss-like poetry or song lyrics, she disguises herself behind a green apron and supplies caffeine-laced substances to addicted consumers for a world-wide coffee company.
www.barbarameyers.com
I actually just finished a book by Roxanne St. Clair, Barefoot in the Rain, which had a 34-year old virgin heroine. She had serious trauma issues from the past that kept her a virgin, so it really worked for that character. I think virginity is like any other part of a character. If it's consistent logical, and makes you understand and sympathize with the character, it's just part of who that person is. I think your story sounds wonderful, I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jennifer. If you read THE FIRT TIME AGAIN I hope you like it.
ReplyDeleteHi, Barbara, welcome to the Naughty Nine. It's an interesting topic.
ReplyDeleteOne of my heroines is a virgin for most of her book. And I think the love story would have lost some of its impact without that factor. However, at the same time, that aspect of the story was never more than a subplot--one of many in that book.
ReplyDeleteShe was definitely trouble--not for me, for the other characters in the book--but her virginity had absolutely nothing to do with that!
See, I have a fondness for virgin heroines--and heroes, though you don't see that much outside of M/M. I think it's part novelty and part reliving the best parts of the "first time."
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us on the blog Barbara!