Today I have the wonderful pleasure of author Rachel Firasek stopping by on her tour with a deliciously scandalous post about virgins! And if you want to check out my review of her new release, The Last Rising, the first in her Curse of the Phoenix series then you can visit that by clicking *HERE*
Virgin Heroines Vs. Experienced Harlots
Let me forwarn you, this is supposed to be a funny post and is not intended toward anyone personally. With that being said, who here empathizes with a virgin in romance? Do you even remember your virginity? Not the sharp pain attached to the deflowering, but the actual state of being a virgin? I know I don’t. I remember being a kid. I don’t recall thinking about my virginity—even when momma told me to hold it close and dear to me. What does that mean? And why? It is so much more fun being easy.
So, what happens when a romance writer inserts a virgin as her heroine? (imo) You get a heroine that isn’t quite as relatable. I have a theory on why the heroine’s of our past were all virgins, but it goes back to what our momma’s tried to beat into our thick heads.
Have you noticed that in the last 10 years or so, more and more of heroine’s are a little older, a little wiser and ten times more sexually active as their prim and proper predecessors? I have and I love it. I love strong, powerful, take charge heroines. I don’t believe the virgins that find release and pleasure on the first try. If you read my first novel, you’ll know what I mean. Yes, I wrote a virgin. But, I WANT to read about a woman that’s more like me.
How ‘bout you? Which do you prefer? Why? I’d love to know!!! For research purposes of course.
Want a chance to win The Last Rising? Then head on over to our release day post! You can find that here. And look for book two in the Curse of the Phoenix series, The Last Awakening, coming in November!
The Last Rising (Curse of the Phoenix #1)by Rachel Firasek
ebook, 102 pages
Published September 6th 2011 by Entangled Publishing
ISBN13 9781937044282
After paying two millennia’s penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she’ll end up back in his life for her next assignment.Purchase Today at:
Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.
agreed. I read something about a year ago about a "modern day virgin." This smacks of "loser" to me but I know that isn't fair either. I just think we have moved beyond the need for our female characters to be virginal and pure. We don't want the boys that way do we?
ReplyDeletegreat post!
cheers
Liz
I love this topic. I think when reading contemporary, I expect my heroine to be experienced, and I like that because there is so much more to focus on in a story than virginity.
ReplyDeleteBut, I also love to read historicals, and that's where I still expect to see younger girls experiencing love and sex for the first time. They can't all be widows or ruined women. :-)
Melinda
I enjoy reading about contemporary women who have a bit more experience. That said, there ARE still virgins and there are women who want to read about them. And I have it on good authority that some women do really enjoy sex the first time.
ReplyDeleteI say, write what you want to read.
This is a great topic!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Liz. We've moved on from the stereotypical "pure" girls. We want to read heroines we can relate to and the Prims and Propers are a thing of the past.
This is exactly what I'm talking about. I think I would have been freaked out if I'd have had to have my first time with a boy who was just as confused as me. Yikes. I'm certainly more interesting now that I know a few tricks and I want to read about heroines who can teach me a thing or two. lol.
ReplyDeleteMelinda, you are right about the historical, but I'm still waiting for the harlot historical. Maybe something from the Jack Ripper time error. I want to see the down and out prostitute getting her man. Now, there's some fun. ;)
ReplyDeleteMargaret,
ReplyDeleteI'm not necessarily disagreeing with you that it can't be enjoyable that first time, but is it as awe inspiring as we right it? Hmmm, I wonder.
Jus, that's what I was getting at. Exactly. If I'm reading YA, sure I want it a little sweeter. It takes me back to a time of pureness, but in my adult romances, unless there is a good reason why the woman is pure, I'm not really buying it. Even my Piper didn't necessarily want to be a virgin, she just couldn't stand to be touched.
ReplyDeleteGood comments!
Fun topic, Rachel. I agree that the virginal heroines might not be as...um...interesting. I'd much rather read about someone with a bit of experience!
ReplyDeleteI don't mind a virgin heroine if the setting is the middle ages. I do find a virgin heroine less interesting in contemporary romance, especially if she's in her late 20's. It's just not common. Plus, I find it annoying when the 'virgin' loves sex the first time. Uh, ain't gonna happen.
ReplyDeleteAn experienced heroine (not necessarily a harlot LOL) is far more interesting!
Tracy, I agree. Thanks for coming over.
ReplyDeleteJulia, I'm right there with you. I want my contemp heroine's to be as real as possible without annoying me, lol. Thanks, sweets!
Great comments everyone and thanks so much to Rachel for visiting us with such a great post!
ReplyDeleteI agree with a lot of readers here; I feel that the majority of society has moved passed the belief of holding onto your virginity but when reading historical's I expect to find virgin heroines. I do find it a little unbelievable though when I read about a virgin finding so much pleasure in their first time, I obviously chose the wrong guy for that job! lol But then again, it gives you a nice little view of it from someone else's perspective.
However, as long as the characters are well written and the story is good I don't care whether the heroine is a virgin or not. =)
Oh, and there is actually an erotic historical romance called The Harlot by Saskia Walker that was def. steamy and lived up to it's title!
Great post and thought provoking. I might suggest that women are aware of the stigma given to "virgins" as a type of trophy has made the "idea" of what is being offered rather than the actual act something one might feel is a gift in itself. JMHO. Either way, an intense read can be delivered with or without the subject. Being a drama queen teenager with sex in most conversations because it was the obvious obsession with the boys in our school, reading about that ultimate surrender of giving her all to the one she loves has always appealed to me.
ReplyDeleteJust as a side note; I do monitor all comments and while everyone is entitled to their own opinion as we've seen here - any rude, derogatory or unnecessary comments will be deleted. Please feel free to leave your opinions on this matter, whether you agree or disagree, but be respectful to other's opinions as well. Thanks everyone!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, I will definitely check out this book. I hope I haven't offended anyone, this definitely wasn't my point in the blog, but it definitely stirs up some thought. I've written both, so I know it can be done in a way that is believable to me, I just have a hard time in today society getting in touch with a 20 something sweetling.
ReplyDeleteKaren, I agree that it was the basis of the romance world we live in today, I just think sadly, this jaded world doesn't have as much room for it. I love your point though. :)
Again, please understand that this wasn't intended to pick on or put down anyone's lifestyle preference, writing style or any other aspect of life. It's only my personal opinion in the matter and I thought it would be a good topic to stir some thought.
Rachel, I don't think it was your topic or any of your comments. Some people just go around looking to stir up trouble. You could have written a story about a virgin bride in a white dress and ended the story before anything happened. That one particular person would have found fault in it.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Rachel!!!
ReplyDeleteI was talking with my hubby once about the fact that I have NEVER written a vigin heroine! LOL WHat does tht say about me??? *ahem*
Anyway, I think the reason behind it is that I felt awkward my first time and I don't think I would have fun writing an awkward sex scene...
As a reader, I hardly ever buy the virgin heroine because she's so much more confident in bed than I remember being! LOL And if the author makes her awkward, I feel bad for her that I'm reading it...
So my final ruling is I like a more experienced heroine! LOL
Lisa :)
Thanks, Kelly, that makes me feel better. I thought this would be a really fun topic to engage everyone in. :) Thanks for the pick-me-up.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I'm with you. I had a really hard time with my first book, because it was awkward, but... I made it work and stay kind of true to life. But,don't worry she found her redemption. lol. I think from now on, unless I write a YA, you'll see only fun hot temptresses from me. :)
No worries Rachel. =) Your post was great and def. thought provoking. Each and every one of us has their own opinion and is welcome to it; unfortunately there are just some out there who cannot respect any other's opinion but their own without getting nasty, which I will not tolerate on my blog. There is no excuse for being rude.
ReplyDelete