In reader groups, I’ve seen many readers complain that there are very few romances with less-than-model-perfect heroes and heroines. I’ve written a romance with a plus-sized heroine (Teapots & Tiaras), a highly unconventional heroine with a stuffy upper-class hero (Least Expected), an eighty-something heroine (Innamorata), and a couple of stories where the heroine needs a makeover before she can see herself as attractive (Believe in Me and Invitation to the Ball). So for a while now, I’ve wanted to write a story where both the hero and heroine aren’t conventionally good looking, and they don’t have a makeover!
The Chapel Cove tri-author series with our heroines facing forty gave me the ideal opportunity. In my first book for the series, Cherish Me, the heroine Nai is plain, and the hero Mateo is scarred. Nai is so convinced of her plainness she’s given up on any idea of romantic love, and totally focused on her career. Love helps them to see the beauty in each other that most people can’t.
It’s such a blessing that God sees us that way too, with eyes of love. I didn’t have this verse in mind, but I realized last week what a good fit it is for the story.
God has sent Samuel off to Bethlehem to anoint the man God has chosen as the new king of Israel. All he knows is that the right man is one of Jesse’s sons. Jesse brings his sons out and parades them in front of Samuel. As soon as he sees Jesse’s oldest son, Samuel is convinced this tall, handsome man is “the one”!
Nope!
But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (MSG)
Jesse brings out son after son, and each one is eliminated. Finally, God tells Samuel the one is the son his father refers to as “the runt” in The Message, considered so lowly he wasn’t even brought in to be considered, but left out looking after the sheep.
I love how God chose the son considered the least to be not only king of Israel, but an ancestor of Jesus, the Eternal King! And I loved how in Cherish Me, neither Nai or Mateo could see their worth or see themselves how the other saw them, but came to see their value in God’s eyes, and eventually, in each others’ eyes.
The first three Chapel Cove Romances gave Marion, Alexa, and I a challenge to write. A big challenge, but in a good way. All three stories overlap in time, as the three friends reunite in their small home town just before their fortieth birthdays. Marion, Alexa, and I needed to work closely together to keep the characters consistent, nothing in one book contradicting another, and the timelines matching. I’m hopeful we’ve succeeded, as many readers have commented on the consistency between books. Phew!
Thankfully, the rest of the books in the series will happen in sequence, not all at once, as we hope to release far-more-loosely-linked new stories at 2-3 monthly intervals. Chapel Cove is a lovely place to visit, and we all want to spend longer with the town and its people. I’m so excited that I get to write a Christmas story for the series. :)
Only catch is there are a few more books between now and getting to start writing it!
In the meantime, readers can get the first three stories for just 99c each, or read them in Kindle Unlimited.
What’s a book you’ve loved with a less-conventionally-beautiful hero or heroine? One comment made on this post by 30th May will be randomly selected to win a paperback copy of Cherish Me!
USA Today bestselling author Autumn Macarthur writes romances full of faith and hope, celebrating God's love as well as a man and a woman finding their happily ever after. She prays they’ll warm your heart and make you smile. An Australian transplanted to Britain, Autumn lives just north of London with her lovely English husband and three demanding cats, in a very small house with a teensy tiny garden. She loves talking to readers, so please get in touch! And get a free Christian romance novella when you sign up for her reader newsletter at http://bit.ly/Autumnsubscribe
Hi Autumn, great thoughts, thank you for sharing. How cool that God says- it’s not all about being perfect, I choose you and accept you as you are:)
I am enjoying the Chapel Cove series, thanks for your contribution to the series; looking forward to more!!
Blessings:)
Hi Autumn! The two stories I’ve enjoyed with a less-conventionally-beautiful hero or heroine are Innamorata (the conclusion of the Tuscan Legacy series) and Cherish in the Chapel Cove series. I also enjoyed Marion Ueckermann’s Seasons of Change series: A Time to Laugh, A Time to Love, and A Time to Push Daisies. I know I have read others by Inspy Romance authors. Thanks to all, especially the older heroes and heroines. Best wishes.
I loved how Valerie Comer had a truly obese heroine in Raindrops on Radishes. She did a wonderful job with that and it was nice to see someone truly large rather than the “maybe a size 10 instead of 2” that are so often touted as “real sized heroines.”
I loved it that Nai and Mateo looked the way they did. It showed that it wasn’t either of their looks that drew them to each other.
Morning Glory by LaVyrle is a great book with unusual characters
Sorry her name is LaVyrle Spencer.
I loved Nai’s and Mateo’s story!!! And, yes, the three of you did a wonderful job with the consistency!! Oh, who am I kidding, I loved all three books!! I especially like that Nai and Mateo weren’t perfect. And, I’ve read your other books, too. It is nice to read about “normal” and “average”, since there are way more of us than the “perfect” people!! Love can find us no matter of looks or age!!! And, more importantly, God created us, and accepts us coming to Him at any age, or stage, or season of life.
Wow, I loved that author, has been years since she has written anything…. Bittersweet was my favorite
I love the unusual main characters! Always a favorite for me. Alexa Verde, Valerie Comer, Marion Ueckermann have also done a fantastic job at this….Jaycee Weaver too, as well as many others!
It’s such a wonderful gift, isn’t it? That unconditional love He offers!
And we love Chapel Cove too! I’m looking forward to writing several more books set there. God willing. :)
Kelly Goshorn released a book called A Love Restored not to long ago that I read. The heroine was on the plump side and struggled with her mothers and others opinion of her.
Thank YOU, Renate, for the way you support Christian authors! It’s very appreciated!
Thank you, Renate. So glad you enjoyed my Under the Sun – Seasons of Change series. I loved writing each of those stories ?
So true, Trudy, and I love that you’ve loved your time in Chapel Cove ❤
Thank you, Paula ❤
Yes! And that’s a really good point, about books claiming a plus-sized heroine who most plus-sized women would consider not plus-sized at all.
The cover on that is gorgeous! Seems to only way to get good covers with plus-sized heroines is to either go the illustrated route or arrange one’s own photo shoot. It’s so hard to find good cover photos with genuinely plus-sized models. I struggled with that for my story with plus-sized Anita, and after days of searching had to give up on finding usable pics with a plus-sized redhead.
Thank you, Susan! That was something I really wanted to get away from. They had a strong attraction to each other, but for reasons other than physical attractiveness.
I’ve seen that one recommended a few times, Mary. :) In fact, I’m sure I have a copy! I must move it nearer the top of my TBR pile!
Thanks, Mary! I knew who you meant, but younger-than-me readers may not know of her.
So true! I love the way you put that, Trudy! He created us and loves us no matter what. Makes me smile just thinking about it. :)
Thanks, Paula! <3
I haven’t read that one, Patty, but it sounds good. Thanks for the recommendation. :)
I cant remember the name but one of Kaye Darcus’s contemporary books has a heroine in her 30’s whos never really had a relationship and is overweight and feels she’s plain.
I know I have read others too.
I like having all sorts of hero’s and heroines. We need heroines of all types as body image and they way the media portray it is such a huge issue. I often don’t take as much notice of descriptions unless its constantly mentioned. Like the super fit heroine who is always watching what she eats and exercising and complaining she has put on a little weight.
Happy to read about all kinds of characters.
I know the one you mean, Jenny, but I can’t think of the title either! Pretty sure I have it on my Kindle!
I totally agree about the media and the way it feeds into unhealthy body-image issues. Hopefully Christian romance authors won’t be part of that!
Me too, Mary! I have to say, the somewhat less traditional heroes and heroines are far more fun to write about!