Why I Make My Men Wear Rubbers
With the recent release of my contemporary romance, A Facebook Affair, I had a blogger express some surprise at the fact that each time my Hero and Heroine do the horizontal mambo, the man wears a condom. I guess this is still not a common thing in contemporary romance novels. I know that I have read some books that just shocked me by the lack of condom usage. I mean, books in which lady smoke jumpers diddle rookies, condom free…I couldn't help but shake my head while I read that, all the time mumbling, "Girl, if you get preggers, you won't be jumping out of any planes. You'll only be taking tiny hops to the OB Gyn…"
And one time, I read a book in which this chick discovered she liked sex! Who doesn't? But this chick liked sex with strangers. Well, okay. But she just sat down in the airplane bathroom mid-flight, took all of her clothes off, and waited for whoever walked in there. And no condoms? EW!!
Now, my Hero, Brandon and my Heroine, Kelly love each other. They correspond online, rekindle their childhood crushes on each other, and when Brandon finally hops a plane across the States to see her, of course, the attraction is too much to resist, and they "do it." But they use condoms. Why? What kind of example am I setting for those young fresh out of high school, still malleable twenty-something-year-olds if I don't have characters practicing safe sex? With all the disease out there…
Some say, "Oh I just read for fun. I don't want the sex interrupted by them putting on condoms." Then write it subtlety. He can turn his back for a moment, complying with her wishes. The heroine could put it on him in some creative way. OR your characters can even make a joke about it. Kelly and Brandon do…the second time around.
So, that's why my men wear rubbers. How do you feel about the whole deal?
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ABOUT THE BOOK
When Kelly Littleton takes the plunge and finally joins Facebook to socialize without the limits that her hearing impairment gives her. On a whim, she looks up a childhood friend. In sending him that first message, she ignites the memories of a crush from twenty years ago. But will they turn into the flames of romance, or end up the ashes of a Facebook affair?Brandon Hopkins has a lot on his plate. A recent divorce, a pregnant sister, and now, he realizes he's in love with a woman who lives states away. Can he overcome the boundaries of internet romance to make this desire turn into something real, or will adversity and distance be their undoing?
A Facebook Affair was release by Breathless Press December 9th, 2011.
**GIVEAWAY**
Thanks to Tara Chevrestt, one lucky winner will receive an ebook copy of A Facebook Affair!! Giveaway open Internationally. Answer Tara’s question in the comments and fill out the Rafflecopter form to enter. Giveaway ends February 14th, 2012. Please read Terms & Conditions at the bottom of the Rafflecopter form before entering. Good luck to all who enter!
I think it would be a good idea. It would help encourage women to always think about using protection. Then on the other hand, in a romance novel, you are using your imagination and these problems and the real world dont exist. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
ReplyDeleteProbably as a more mature woman and not as impressionable as a twenty something, I assume the characters are taking precautions or have worked it out somehow, even if it's not being directly addressed in the story. If it's pointed out however that protection is purposely left out, I do have a "WTH?!" moment. I know some women may even be allergic to latex, so I don't know what they'd do then. Like you said, there are creative ways to make it fun or exciting. I remember the first time I read about the Heroine putting it on with her mouth ONLY. I was like, "that's possible?" Haha, I can't imagine it because latex stinks; imagine how it must taste. Thanks for the opportunity to win your book. It reminds me of how I met my husband :) Good luck to everyone!
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about it before. But I will be thinking about it now. Especially since I'm in the process of working on another book.
ReplyDeleteI think having your characters use protection is smart. Especially in this day and age. Practicing safe sex could save your life. Thanks for the contest!
ReplyDeleteRecently I read The Fall of Rain: The Emerald Isle Trilogy (Volume 3) by Renee Vincent. My teeth almost dropped out when condoms were mentioned and I don't have dentures. What a fantastic message to give to Fiction Romance readers. Represent!!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, all for your comments and for entering the giveaway! I love seeing how you feel about this topic. And mwilson, you are so right...they stink! LOL
ReplyDeleteInteresting ... you only commented on the smell, not the taste. Ahem ... is there something you'd like to share? ;)
DeleteMy characters always use a condom, unless it's para and he's a vamp ;-)
ReplyDeleteBut in a contemporary, you bet they use protection!
most of my publishers require condom usage unless you got yourself a monogamous (read: married) relationship. However, I've been know to press the boundaries a little and have gotten away with it.
ReplyDeleteIn YA books, if it gets that far, it usually involves a condom. I'm thinking there's either pressure from an editor or publisher to do that, or maybe even more likely, the author feels it's the socially responsible choice for a book marketed at teens. But you're right, books for adult women, I don't see this as often. I commend you for your efforts! It's important.
ReplyDeleteThat's a really good idea and I don't find it disturbing in a love scene. Protection is really important and mentioning the use of a condom makes people much more aware that safe sex is always the best option.
ReplyDeleteGreat guest post---I completely agree and hate it when they don't. Just seems wrong and so unsafe on so many levels.
ReplyDeleteI can see the real life worries that make condoms a smart choice might jolt the reader out of the fantasy. But in that same vein, people acting like idiots would make it hard for the reader to suspend disbelief. I say make your characters smart and make the condom usage sexy.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is a gook idea. Everybody should be having safe sex. Being safe can be sexy.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you! When I'm reading a contemporary romance it jars me out of the story when the H/H have sex without preotection, especially if they are strangers, haven't been together for some time. Of course there is the fact that she could get pregnant but there is also the huge risk of all the STDs, AIDS, Hepatitis, etc. I find it just stupid when a heroine acts immature and thinks it just won't happen to her. So yep, I expect the rubber talk in my romance novels :-)
ReplyDeleteI just remembered something an author told me once. She said she didn't have her characters mention condoms because she meant it to be implied, or rather, that readers would and should use common sense rather than point it out and interrupt the flow of the love scene. To each their own, I suppose. Personally, if you're mature enough to read books with some hot and heavy sexy times going on, then you should be mature enough to know the dangers.
ReplyDeleteAs I don't read a lot of contemporary romance, this isn't something I have ever really thought about. But I want to say kudos, for being a responsible author! I agree, using a prophylactic in those situations is not only common sense, but makes it a bit more fun when you're not worrying about whether there is a free clinic near by!
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm reading a love scene, I expect the hero or heroine to bring out the condom. Most of the time, loves scenes in books are the 'first time' for the h/h so I expected them to protect themselves not only against pregnancy but STDs as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Tara :)