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Anita Higman | What is Truly Passionate?
March 28, 2014
When a man kisses a woman—and the two care about each other in an amorous
way—well, we're most likely guaranteed some sweet magic. Maybe even some
bolts of lightning. And we women never tire of experiencing or watching or
reading about those dreamy moments when a man and woman feel those first
stirrings of attraction, affection, and then love. However, in many of today's
modern novels, the romantic scenes go far behind an ardent kiss. So, what sets the inspirational romance apart from the others when it comes to
those scenes of passion? First of all, writers and readers of inspirational
romances are not saying that these fiery feelings aren't being played out in
their own marital beds. However, they are saying they don't want to be peeping
toms in someone else's boudoir. They have discernment for what is meant to be
enjoyed and a healthy respect for what is meant to be private. These same readers know their minds and hearts—they are more satisfied
when the hero and heroine struggle toward real love, rather than merely give in
to lust. Charlotte Bronte's masterpiece, Jane Eyre, is one of the most
wildly passionate love stories ever written, and yet we never read about
anything more intimate than a kiss. Also, like in the novel, Jane Eyre, the story encourages readers to
consider the whole of a person—which includes the soul rather than just
mere flesh. This novel reminds us that we are not only in great need of human
affection and love, but that we also desire to be connected to Someone who is
greater than ourselves—the One true source of all of that love. On the other hand, if a story revolves around a hero and heroine who are
consumed by lust-filled thoughts and erotic behaviors, well, let's just say,
these kinds of mental images aren't going raise the reader to any lofty ideals.
Truly, lovers of inspirational fiction want to go beyond the mere desires of the
body. They want to know there is purpose to their existence and meaning to life.
They want to be roused to the passions of goodness and decency and honor. And if
a hero and heroine experience temptations and transgressions—and humans
are riddled with it—then they also want light and hope and redemption. Those same readers know that the most romantic hero—one who is truly
swoon-worthy—is the one who can set his own desires aside and think of the
good of his beloved. That is the measure of a real man. Those are the qualities
of a truly attractive and desirable hero. As an inspirational romance author, you might wonder how I write those romantic
scenes so they will be passionate without being salacious. When do I stop the
kiss before it gets too hot for the page? Well, I've had a general rule that has
always worked for me. If I can give my novel to my daughter or offer it as
suggested reading to a friend's grandmother to read without worry that I will
offend, and if I feel I have truly entertained as well as inspired the reader,
then I have succeeded in finding the right balance. Then I have searched for and
found what is admirable—what is good and lovely and beautiful. And yes,
what is truly passionate. Comment To win a copy of Anita's book: WINTER IN FULL BLOOM! Lily Winter's wings are folded so tightly around her daughter
that when empty nest arrives, she feels she can no longer fly. But Lily's
lonely, widowed life changes in a heartbeat when she goes to visit a woman who
is almost a stranger to her-a woman who also happens to be her mother. During
their fiery reunion, her mother reveals a dark family secret that she'd been
hiding for decades-Lily has an identical twin sister who was put up for adoption
when they were just babies. Without looking back, Lily-with her fear of flying-boards a jumbo jet and
embarks on a quest to find her sister which leads half way around the world to
Melbourne, Australia. Befriended by imprudent Ausie, he might prove to be the
key to finding her sister. But her journey becomes a circle that leads her back
home to attempt a family reunion and to find the one dream she no longer
imagined possible-the chance to fall in love again.
Comments
29 comments posted.
Re: Anita Higman | What is Truly Passionate?
Pretty cover. Sounds like a really good book.
(Sue Brandes 8:27am March 28, 2014)
Thanks for posting my blog concerning passion on Fresh Fiction! I'm happy to be here. I hope you enjoy my story, Winter in Full Bloom. I had a wonderful time writing it, and it is my hope that you have a wonderful time reading it.
Blessings!
(Anita Higman 8:44am March 28, 2014)
Love the cover and can't wait to read this book. It sounds like one I'd really enjoy!!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 9:45am March 28, 2014)
Your book sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to win it.
(Kathy Morrison 10:14am March 28, 2014)
I am captivated with this lovely novel. Best wishes. Thanks
for this wonderful feature.
(Sharon Berger 10:20am March 28, 2014)
Thanks for your blog today. Your book sounds great, and the cover is beautiful. Thank you for the chance to win.
(Nancy Reynolds 11:33am March 28, 2014)
I just wanted to thank you for writing the type of Romances that I've been looking for!! If you hadn't come to Fresh Fiction today to talk about your book, I wouldn't have been aware of your books, and it would have been such a loss for me!! Your book sounds wonderful, and has shot up to the top of my TBR list for sure!! I've always said that there was a way of writing a love story without being explicit, and you've proved it, by stating the fact about not being a peeping Tom in the bedroom!! Those are my exact sentiments, and I agree that you don't need to cross the line to tell something so beautiful!! I'll be looking forward to reading this book, as well as others that you write!! Congratulations!!
(Peggy Roberson 12:03pm March 28, 2014)
The book's cover caught my attention, curious and strange.
The story grabbed my desire to read this book. You really have a winner, Anita.
(Rosemary Simm 3:28pm March 28, 2014)
sounds like a pretty good read.....
(Mal Kaplan 4:10pm March 28, 2014)
Thanks for all your kind remarks about my work. And, Peggy, you're very welcome. Your words were such an encouragement to me today. Bless you!
(Anita Higman 4:41pm March 28, 2014)
There needs to be more authors writing books like these...there are too many explicit and erotic type books being written of which I do not care for. I'd rather read one like yours that leaves something to the imagination, but yet, still has the romantic flavor. Your story sounds lovely and is one I would very much enjoy reading, Anita.
The cover is beautiful and breathtaking!
(Linda Luinstra 5:32pm March 28, 2014)
We are going to get snow tomorrow :( my plants inside want
Spring to come already!
(Callie Stuck 9:59pm March 28, 2014)
Sounds like a very interesting story. The title. The cover. All unusual.
(Lisa Hutson 10:09pm March 28, 2014)
I would love to read this book! Melbourne, Australia is on my bucket list of places to visit.
(Judi Estrin 11:21pm March 28, 2014)
That's how I felt when I read Phantom of the Opera. Our perception is alter when we see just the surface of what the person looks like instead of who the person really is.
(Kai Wong 2:10am March 29, 2014)
Sounds like a fascinating story!
(Richard Proctor 9:05am March 29, 2014)
What a gorgeous cover!
(Maria Proctor 9:11am March 29, 2014)
Love the cover and look forward to reading this book!
(Bonnie Capuano 9:25am March 29, 2014)
These are the like of books I like to read, one I can
recommend to others. Just finished a book like this and it was
a good read. I will add you to my new (to me) author's TBR
list. I have been to Melbourne and had a wonderful visit so I
recommend others to visit.
(Leona Olson 9:57am March 29, 2014)
The story sounds great and I like that my mom and I can read the same books.
(Pam Howell 10:48am March 29, 2014)
I love the cover and the book sounds great!
(Denise Austin 12:29pm March 29, 2014)
This sounds like a fascinating story. There must have been an unusual circumstance for a mother to give up one twin for adoption and keep the other.
(Anna Speed 12:30pm March 29, 2014)
I like the cover very much and the book sounds as good as the cover looks. I love deep, dark family secrets! I will love reading it! What is passionate does seem to be different in each person...some money and work, some family and faith, and then some whop are just passionate about living each day! I don't know where I fall, so I suppose at this time I am not passionate.
(Vennie Martinisi 1:12pm March 29, 2014)
I just love Fresh Fiction. Lots of authors new to me.
I have a passion about reading! My favorite is to take a book to bed till I fall asleep.
(Barbara Wells 3:25pm March 29, 2014)
This sounds like such a fascinating story, which I would love to read. I haven't read much inspirational fiction, which is something new for me to try.
(Rich Cook 4:21pm March 29, 2014)
I really enjoyed reading your blog post about romance. I find it much more interesting reading a book when I can imagine where the "kissing scene" goes instead of having it written out for me. My favorite movies like You've Got Mail and While You Were Sleeping remind me of this kind of romance...the best!!! Thank you for the contest...your book looks like a wonderful read.
(Mary Vehlies 8:52pm March 29, 2014)
Sounds like a great book!
(Celeste Gelinas 9:51pm March 29, 2014)
Such a lovely post & very well said.
(Mary Preston 9:55pm March 29, 2014)
Such a fascinating story, i'm looking forward to reading this
(Sarah Hansrote 10:23pm March 31, 2014)
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