Beyond Prejudice and Stereotypes – Karina Buchanan
In
today's ever-changing world I think romance novels play a big part in breaking
down social barriers, especially with the advancement of the e-book industry.
No longer are these stories forced to adhere to the one woman, one man and a
happy-ever-after concept, though I admit I'm still partial to these. But these
days, we have such a variety of books to choose from that accurately reflect
the diversity of our society.
Inter-racial
or gay relationships are no longer taboo stories that we can't get our hand on
and instead of concentrating on the stereotypes often portrayed in the media,
they focus on the bare bones of the story – people meeting and exploring a
relationship with each other. That's not to say authors of these books don't
face discrimination from mainstream writing organisations, but with the growing
popularity of these books I hope someday they will get the recognition they
deserve.
To
some extent my novel, Daring to Love, was my attempt at dissolving stereotypes.
Yes, it's a contemporary m/f romance but it's set in Belfast. What's wrong with
that? Well, Northern Ireland has acquired something of a reputation over the
years. The only thing many people associated us with was terrorism and bombs
during the religious conflict here. And of course there are those who think the
Irish sit in their thatched cottages with leprechauns dancing a jig by their
turf fires! I hate to disappoint anyone but we're just normal peoples and in
fact, Belfast has become a very vibrant city. They even held the EMAs here only
a few months ago. (Okay so we had a farmer throw Rihanna out of his field for
being too scantily glad when she was filming her video but we've all got some
prehistoric throwbacks)
Any
romance I ever read which was set in this country was usually about a Catholic
and a Protestant who fell in love and had to overcome the troubles associated
with that religious conflict. To many of the new generation, though, religion
isn't an issue and that's the way it should be. So, while Belfast is the
backdrop for my story, there is no mention of religion at all. Gasp! Horror!
Daring
to Love is just an old fashioned love story, with a bit of humour, a bit of
spice and a bit of the Northern Irish countryside just to remind people what a
beautiful place this is.
I'll
leave you with a little taster…
Daring to Love – Blurb
Andrea
Macleave is determined to lose her 'Miss Stuffy Knickers' nickname with a
rappel down Ireland's famous Europa Hotel, for the hospital where she works.
Risk taking goes against everything she believes in and it takes a kiss from
her hunky instructor to send her on her way. With her wild side let loose, a
one night stand with the action man seems the perfect antidote to her staid
life.
Part-time
charity volunteer, Matt King, hopes to put the disastrous hook-up behind him.
That's easier said than done when he meets the woman in question at his
workplace. There's clearly a powerful attraction between them but he's fighting
his past demons by living life on the edge.
With
each of them determined to let their past ruin their chance for happiness, how
can an adrenaline junkie and a control freak ever make it work?
Excerpt
"I
should have known you couldn't handle your drink." With the devil in him, Matt
pushed the buttons guaranteed to re-activate his Andie.
A
frown, a purse of full pink lips and she took the bait. "I'll have a
whiskey if you're buying." The determination to prove him wrong blinded
her to the goggled looks she garnered and the sudden quiet at the table.
He
couldn't help his smile getting wider, the more irritated she became. "One
whiskey, coming up. Jimmy give me a hand getting these in, will you?"
"I've
a good mind to get you fired!" Matt hadn't noticed Andrea following him
over to the bar. At the sound of her sexy, pissed-off voice, he slowly turned
his head.
She
stood, ram-rod straight, giving him clear appreciation of long, lean legs. They
seemed to go on forever in those spiky black heels she had swapped for her
trainers, even if she still had to look up at his six foot four frame. The figure-hugging
jeans would bring a grown man to his knees but he would prefer to see her in
something to better show off those pins.
The
rose tint in her cheeks gave away her embarrassment at being so openly admired
and coming across as a letch was not how he wished to be perceived.
Nevertheless, he did enjoy throwing her off guard.
"You
should be thanking me really." He wound her up and let her go.
"Thanking
you?" She crossed her arms across her chest, drawing the V of her top down
to give a tantalizing peek at her cleavage. "I should have you arrested
for the way you behaved, never mind getting you fired."
"It
got you over the edge, didn't it? You were so caught up, being ticked off at me
that you didn't have time to think about what you were doing."
"In
that case, turn around."
"Why?"
"So
I can slap the gold star on your backside for a job well done! Do you seriously
think that's a good enough reason for your behavior? Is that the way you carry
on with all your clients?"
"Only
the pretty, obstinate ones. As for having me fired, well," he backed his
elbows onto the bar, "I do the charity rappels voluntarily. It's difficult
to replace a trained instructor willing to work for free but if I caused you so
much offense, do what you must."
Her
delicious mouth opened and closed and he was assaulted with memories of tasting
her. And how good it would be to do it again.
"Since
it's for charity and all, I suppose I'll let the matter drop. Forget it
happened." The defensive arms slackened and fell to her sides. With the
thaw setting in, Matt impulsively stepped forward, to invade her personal
space.
"Are
you sure that's what you want, Andie?" If he could forget his rules for
one night, she could stop pretending she didn't want him.
Instead
of seeing the look of longing staring back at him, her pupils narrowed.
"Where do you get off calling me 'Andie', anyway? My name is Andrea."
She lifted the tumbler of the finest whiskey from the bar, knocked it back and
stalked back to her friends.
Matt King never was one to back
away from a challenge.
Daring
to Love is available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Daring-to-Love-ebook/dp/B006UITZ5W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1328627930&sr=8-1
Or
Twitter @karinabuchanan1
Really, no leprechauns? Now I'm sad. I've always wanted to visit Ireland, and your book sounds like it will take me right there. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou've missed the best thing, Karina, the Irish accent! Something very sexy about it imo.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Maybe I could find one for you dianne when you visit :)
ReplyDeleteDoris, really? Our accent is sexy? Who knew!