How do you get a bikini body?
Put on a bikini.
It’s been three years since Ashley Greene was the first plus-size model on the cover of the coveted Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. It was an important precedent and a gorgeous cover. Since the last time I did an anthology with this theme, body positivity has become more prevalent even as social media continues to increase our access to perfect, airbrushed, photo-shopped images. Accepting ourselves inside and out is one of the best things we can do to have the lives we dream of—and to inspire the next generation of women to do the same.
Going for and getting what we want has nothing to do with weight and the stories in this anthology show that in a variety of wonderful ways. Moving from sassy to sexy to sizzling, we start with Lydi in Sara Marks’ Open to Negotiation. Fans of Pride and Prejudice—as well as Ms. Marks’ 20th Century Austen series—will recognize a more mature but still highly energized Lydia in this first person story of a woman ready to take on the world, professionally and personally.
From there we move to two stories of chance encounters. First is Anna Fondant’s The Way You Look Tonight where a New Year’s Eve dance and midnight kiss become more once Reid finds Melissa again at a hotel art gallery. For Lindsay, it’s a cat caught in a tree that leads to her first meeting with Jack in Come to Me, which is my contribution to this book. Lindsay is going to have to own her own passion if she’s going to make her new husband accept that he loves her.
If you’ve ever read Trinity Blacio’s sexy paranormal stories, you’re going to love Her Enchanted Curves. Chantal Nox isn’t sure she believes what she’s hearing from the handsome worldly wizard, Asif. Since she’s had men treat her badly in the past, she’s going to have to decide if she can trust this sexy newcomer.
Next we have the empowered Olivia who enjoys not one but two younger men in Elizabeth Black’s The Beautiful Move in Curves. Oliva is a heroine who knows what she wants and how to get it. Lia Violet’s Delicious Hearts, another paranormal tale, is the story of Luna and Ian. They are going to be a formidable couple in the magic world if she can not only accept her power but the love being offered to her by this special alpha.
Bad days at work lead to incredible nights of passion in our next two stories. In Barbara Campbell’s Go For Broke, Zoe is sure she’s lost her chance with Clayton after he sees her having a terrible afternoon, but a note under her windshield wiper changes that. And in Rock and Cinnamon Roll by Trevann Rogers, Cinnamon is certain she’s going to lose her job as well as get in trouble for being on stage at a rock concert until the dashing lead singer shows her she’s exactly what he’s craving—and she stands up for herself at the office.
And we end with Reunion by Raisa Greywood, a novelette for anyone who has ever had to face down their former mean girl or hoped to meet up again with their high school crush. Rachel is a memorable woman who gets as good—or better—than she gets.
The heroines in these stories get the same messages as we all do—be thinner, younger, tighter—but they have found a way to revel in who they are and all they have to offer, both physically and emotionally. What makes us most desirable, exciting, and happy is our confidence. One of the great things about these stories is they remind us that one size does not fit all and nothing should get in the way of what we most desire—in and out of bed.
Enjoy,
Rachel Kenley