What is Sexy? by Renee Charles, Author of Changes in Autumn

I’m delighted to welcome my fellow Wild Rose Press author, Renee Charles, to my blog today.

What is sexy? The eternal question. As romance writers we should know. But I will tell you, even I forget sometimes. So after my editor told me to let my hair down and hit my love scene again, I went on a pilgrimage to answer this question. Here’s what I found. The big secret is… (sorry Mr. Gump, I’m gonna twist your words a bit but…) Sexy is as Sexy does.  That’s right, the big thing that separates Bombshells from Mousey Marms is attitude.  Nothing more. Seriously. Follow me for a minute, I’ll prove it.

In today’s society we are more bombarded with sex than ever before. Commercials about ED fill the airways letting us all know just how important this aspect of life is. But has this in your face approach caused us to become numb to it? Where did the sexy part of life go?

Back in the 50’s the TV couldn’t show a man and woman sharing a bed, (think I love Lucy) Women were taught how to be sexy on the QT. Mothers taught their daughters. Life magazine even ran a spread in 1937 dedicated to teaching a woman how to undress in front of her husband to keep their interest (I came across this http://www.howaboutwe.com/date-report/how-to-undress-in-front-of-your-husband-circa-1937/  while doing some research). Think on this for a minute, in a time where Glamor ruled the roost, women went to extremes to be sexy. Girdles hid our flaws. Women resorted to drawing a seam up the back of their legs when war rationing made stockings nearly impossible.

Now that sex is blatant at every turn, do we take it for granted? I will admit as I sit here writing this blog I am wearing my old ratty pink fuzzy slippers in front of my husband. I wear them because they are comfortable and warm. Sex appeal…ZERO. As a society now that we have become comfortable with sex, has the sexy side of life left most of us behind? I set out on a mission to reclaim the “Sexy” in my life. I found a pair of peep toe shoes, and a local nonprofit photographer and here were the results…

Pictures courtesy of Schmuncan Photography

These are not models. They are everyday women, moms and wives showing their sexy side. Now, maybe a modern pinup girl shoot is not the answer to reclaim the sexy in your life. It doesn’t have to be so extreme. It could be something as small as wearing heels under the desk while you are working on your WIP. Or, buying a shade of lipstick more red than you would normally wear, AND WEAR IT EVEN IF YOU WON”T SEE A SOUL THAT DAY.  If you have long hair usually in a barrette, go to your stylist and tell them you want bangs to frame your face. (It’s just hair, it will grow back.)

Step out of “comfortable” for a moment and try sexy on. Sexy is not a stick thin 19 year old with rock hard abs. I am 40-something, plump and learning to incorporate sexy into my everyday life, not just special occasions. My husband doesn’t know what hit him. Sexy is as sexy does.  Words to chew on.  As romance writers, we should not just know this, we should revel in it. After all isn’t a romance novel built on sexy?

Excerpt from Changes in Autumn:

“I will not do this to you. The change has begun and you…you have to choose your mate.” His words came between short ragged breaths. “If we make love, you will no longer have a choice.”

“There’s always a choice.” Even as the words left her mouth, her body denied it. She hummed with an awareness of him that could not be ignored.

He shook his head. “Stay in the water until your skin doesn’t itch anymore. I’m going to put a couple of steaks on for us.” The click of the door closing behind him when he left her alone echoed through her aching body.

Autumn refused to believe that what she felt wasn’t real. She was so aware of him that she could feel him leave the next room after he got dressed. Her awareness of him was like a rubber band that stretched tighter and thinner the further he moved away from her. If what he said was true, she feared it was too late. She’d already chosen.

BLURB:

Ex-animal control officer, Autumn Reynolds always had a soft spot for injured animals. So when one shows up on her porch with a gunshot wound, she has no choice but to help it. But she gets caught in the maelstrom when the injured wolf turns out to be a hot werewolf and the shooter comes back to finish the job. Now she’s going to become a wolf, or die trying. Fortunately, she has her own Alpha-male who owes her one. However, Autumn fears if she does survive, she might lose her heart in the process.

Conner Grayson owes the beautiful woman his life and feels obligated to help her through her first change. Though he recognizes her as his mate, as her Alpha, he won’t deny Autumn the right to choose once she becomes a wolf. That is, if he can resist the overwhelming need to claim her as his own.

Bio: Author, Renee Charles believes all love is legendary. Being the only female in a house full of giants (husband and two teenage boys) she tends to lean toward the macabre, but inevitably the softer side shines through.
Whether life leads her to a snow covered mountain top, sun dappled forest, or the bottom of a ravine (yes, ditches happen) she always has a pen and note pad ready so wherever the next adventure takes her, she can take notes.
Her own romance began in an insane asylum. Luckily, both she and her husband only worked there. But it makes sense her romance novels have strange beginnings that lead to passionate endings. Romance with a twist.
In the face of zombies, werewolves, and big foot she always seems to find a happily ever after to leave you with a sigh at the end.

You can find Renee Charles at:

http://www.reneecharles.net/

http://www.facebook.com/ReneeCharlesAuthor

https://www.amazon.com/author/reneecharles

Changes in Autumn can be found at:

Amazon.com Kindle

The Wild Rose Press eBook