Blitz & #Giveaway – The Virgin Club by Kayley Wood @WoodKayley #Romance

What inspired you to write The Virgin Club?

It’s funny, but it seems romance has this stigma that it’s all about “heaving bosoms and throbbing penises”. From the many I have read, romance is so much more than that. Books are about telling you what a character feels, both physically and emotionally. If a penis happens to throb at some point, that’s real. It happens. The only thing I found some romance lacked was genuine women relationships. My ultimate goal with The Club Series was to write swoon-worthy romantic comedies with a dose of girl power.

What do you mean by girl power’?

I had one rule while writing my Club Series: Every female main character had to have at least one solid, kick-ass woman in their lives. Bestie, sister, mom, grandmother… whatever relationship represents the incredible bonds women can have.

If you could compare your story to a book or movie, which would you choose?

Bridget Jones’s Diary

Why?

Bridget Jones’s Diary was really a Fool Triumphant story (check out Save the Cat Writes a Novel for more detail), meaning she realizes that she is just fine the way she is and doesn’t need to change to be loved.  Emma is the modern-day Bridget Jones. She gets herself into comedic trouble. Falls for the wrong man at first, but then finds true love with the one she is meant to be with, and he loves her the way she is—without needing to change.

What makes your book different from Bridget Jones Diary?

It’s definitely more modern, involving the repercussions of the social media age. Her true love also has a huge secret and an interesting… problem… that even Mr. Darcy in Bridget Jones’s Diary would be shocked to learn.

You mentioned solid, kick-ass women in your character’s lives. Who are those women for you?

I’m very lucky to have quite a few… some not with us anymore, but the incredible women in my life were/are huge contributors to the woman that I’ve become. The one most near and dear to my heart is my grandmother. I miss her very much and wish she was here to read my book. I believe she has, though, in spirit. I love you, grandma. 

Emma and her love interest have a family full of quoters. Which life quote do you love best?

Emma’s mom thought up a quote: You made a mistake. Nothing wrong with mistakes. It’s what you choose to do after you make them that defines who you are. I love that quote.

Why?

I think people in general feel the need to be perfect their first go around. You can prep and plan until you’re face turns blue, but in life mistakes are inevitable. Sometimes we do things we regret. Don’t beat yourself up. Pick yourself up and see it as a learning experience. If you mess up, do your best to make it right the next time around. Apologize. Swallow your pride if you did something you regret.
Another great quote I loved was from Emma’s Great Grams: Forgiveness isn’t always a two-way street. It belongs to the one who is ready to pull the shift into drive and move on. If someone can’t forgive you for your mistake, let it go. If you’ve done everything you can to make it right and they won’t budge, move on. No sense in trying to change things you can’t control… but you can control how you choose to react to situations.

If anything, what would you like readers to take away from your story?

We’re all flawed and imperfect, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t beautiful and loved just as you are.