The
“Too Dumb To Live” Heroine and Why I Had To Kill Her . . .
One thing I dislike in both YA fiction and
Paranormal Romance is the “TDTL” (too dumb to live) female protagonist. We all
know that the way women are portrayed in popular media can be problematic.
Also, romance is a genre that has historically advanced the rights of women in
society (I completed a research project on this topic as part of my Master’s
degree in Writing). Therefore, when a character trope like the TDTL heroine plays
against this, especially when they are written by females, it turns me off big
time.
Let me be more specific. It is fine for the heroine
to be naïve or innocent at the beginning of a story, but readers should see
character growth, smarter choices made, etc., with each chapter. But if it’s
the middle of the book and she’s rushing into a dark alley by herself, with no
weapons/she can’t fight, and it’s at midnight on a full moon, when she KNOWS
werewolves are around . . . and she gets attacked . . . come on!
Where is the
common sense?
Bella-Rosa in BEAUTIFUL is intelligent and world-wise,
but she is naïve as far as the everyday reality of people is concerned. She receives
major lessons in this throughout the book and her growth, maturity – and
freedom – is the result. Other characters in the book put her in dangerous situations,
but she doesn’t get herself into them through the choices she makes.
I feel it is a writer’s responsibility to not only
showcase the world how it is but also how it could be. Hanging onto old tropes
of the dumb heroine are more damaging than helpful in the modern era. That is
why I killed it.
What are your thoughts on the “too dumb to live”
heroine? Does she serve a purpose anymore or have we outgrown her?
Beautiful
Leigh Hatchmann
Genre: Fantasy Romance, Fairytale Retelling
Publisher: Independent
Date of Publication: 27th August 2020
ASIN: B08BNKG3ZV
Number of pages: app. 380
Word Count: app. 90,000 words
Cover Artist: Sarah Paige from Opium House Designs
Tagline: You think you know their story . . .
Book Description:
Bella-Rosa Amato
My life is the envy of women everywhere. I live in a gorgeous mansion, wear expensive clothes, go to A-list parties, and attend a prestigious college.
It is a life of beauty and glamor . . . and all of it is a lie.
Behind closed doors, I am bullied by my cold and powerful father. With no money of my own, I have no choice but to obey him . . .
Until I am attacked, and a half man-half beast intervenes. Kit takes me to his home to heal, where I am immersed in his secret world. As we bond over unexpected experiences and shared interests, my gratitude changes into something that feels as old as time.
Kit/King
I was created for the darkness and, for a while, it controlled me. But I escaped that life and made a new home for myself.
Before Bella crossed my path, I didn’t think happiness was possible. But she not only accepts my differences, she offers friendship.
Her gentle and compassionate heart opens me up to those parts within me.
With her, I don’t feel like the beast I have always been labeled.
But the closer we get, the more I wonder if I am truly as human as she believes, and whether the mistakes of the beast can ever be forgiven . . .
When an old enemy resurfaces, Bella and Kit will need to stand firm in their love, face the brutalities of the past, and trust in the beauty that comes from within to make it out alive.
BEAUTIFUL is a sweet and dark, modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast. The themes of beauty, strength, redemption, and love shine through in an unforgettable tale that will make you question everything you think you know about beauty . . . and the beast.
Excerpt
3:
“You were given
an order. Kill Bella.”
His head whipped
around and his clouded gaze landed on mine. He bared his teeth, growling at me
in a new, obedient way.
Even then, I
didn’t lose faith in him.
In us.
I put my hands
up in a defensive gesture. “You don’t want to hurt me, Kit. I know that.”
He edged closer, then started to circle me, the
way I’d seen animals do on documentaries right before they attacked
About the Author:
Leigh Hatchmann is a best-selling non-fiction author, international-selling romance author, identical triplet, writing coach, editor, and hot chocolate addict. She uses her postgraduate degree in counseling to create believable, three-dimensional characters. Her certificates in forensic science and forensic anthropology help her to create realistic crime elements in her stories. She is currently completing her master's degree in writing and has also finished postgraduate study in editing.
When not writing, reading, coaching, studying, or enjoying nature, she can be found having fun in nature with her three gorgeous children (plus one laid back dog and one grumpy cat). She is active on social media and encourages readers to interact with her there. She also writes fiction under the pseudonym A.K. Leigh and non-fiction as Alicia Leigh.
*Fall in love . . . with Leigh!*
Website: www.fallinlovewithleigh.com
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/a-k-leigh
Facebook: www.facebook.com/akleighauthor
Instagram: www.instragram.com/akleighauthor
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/akleigh
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7 comments:
This sounds really good, thanks for sharing
Oh my goodness, I am loving this story so much! Kit and Bella are perfect and I love Detective Vincent, Hilda, Josephine and Tomas as well. I am having a hard time putting my Kindle down to do other things...
I like the cover and how it fits the story.
I appreciate getting to hear about your book. Thank you for sharing!
Sounds like an interesting book - thanks for sharing
Sounds like a very good book.
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