Smoking Hot!
May 23rd 2009
Sabrina JeffriesOn Writing! & Sabrina Jeffries
Now that Madeline has talked about secrets, I’ll admit one of mine–I like heroes who smoke. And no, I don’t mean they’re hot, although I like that, too. I mean, they enjoy tobacco in the smokeable forms.
Which is why Don’t Bargain with the Devil (coming out on Tuesday, for those of you who are interested) has a smoker for a hero. He’s Spanish, and he smokes cigarillos. They sound very cool to me (along with cheroots–I love heroes who smoke cheroots). He doesn’t smoke a LOT, but I show him smoking in at least three scenes that I remember.
Oddly enough, however, I am not now, nor have ever been, a smoker. I never had any desire to try smoking. My husband doesn’t smoke, and neither does anyone in my immediate family. So why am I attracted to heroes who are smokers? No clue.
Maybe it’s the hazy memories of my great-grandfather, who not only smoked cigars, but reeked masculinity. Maybe it’s that throaty smoker’s voice. It may even be the smell. When other women complain about it as a filthy habit, I don’t understand. I adore the smell of cigars and pipes and cigarettes, even though my throat can’t tolerate the smoke for long. The point is, smoking is sexy to me in the abstract and in books, although I suspect that I wouldn’t find it sexy for long in a husband.
I fear that the growing dislike of smoking in public and elsewhere means I’ll soon be writing my sexy smokers for myself alone. Times change. I just wish that I could outgrow the smoker=sexy thing.
So how do you feel about smokers in books? Do you drool when you see a hero smoking? Does it gross you out? Would you ever not read a book because the hero smokes? And are your feelings about tobacco and smoking different for real life from your feelings about it in books?
50 Comments »
50 Responses to “Smoking Hot!”
LisaK on 23 May 2009 at 2:55 am #
Wow Sabrina, I’ve never really thought about that but, come to think about it, I’m actaully pretty much like you.
I’m not a smoker, I’ve never even tried a cigarette (really!) and I wouldn’t. It reminds me of my father (not a good thing!) and I just don’t like the smell in general. Makes me sick (really, I’m not feeling good smelling smoke).
However, my grandpa (whom I’m going to visit in one week, yay!) smoked pipe and that didn’t bother me one bit.
And I find that I’ve got no problems with a smoking hero (I like that little pun, btw!). In fact, I realized that Diego smokes, but it didn’t disgust me or something (I won the ARC, so I’ve already read it, hehe. But I want the stepback, sniff!). But I don’t think I’ve read many books where either hero or heroine smoke, interesting thing, that.
Pesky on 23 May 2009 at 5:12 am #
Hmmm, I think I’ve read several books where the hero smokes a cheroot (sp?) didn’t bother me.
Lost two parents to smoking so not really my thing. With that said, I don’t try and change anyone elses habits either so it doesn’t bother me to be with someone that does smoke.
Does smoking make someone sexier…hmmmm… I have noticed a trend in movies and tv, if the person is smoking, they are either edgy or on the edge. It’s used as a prop. You never see perfectly happy people smoking except for maybe our happy go lucky tokers. Are they sexier however, eh. If Hugh Jackman was smoking wouldn’t make him any more or less sexy. If Shia Labouf or some other teen heartthrob was smoking I’d want to whap it out of his hand and say, “Don’t do that! What would your mother say?” So I’m going to say, sexy is sexy, adding or subtracting a smoking implements isn’t going to change that.
Lisa H on 23 May 2009 at 5:29 am #
Sabrina, it doesn’t bother me if a character in a book smokes, but in real life it is a huge turn off. I once dated a guy who smoked and kissing him was like(forgive the cliche) licking an ashtray. I knew the relationship was doomed, no matter how great a guy he was (he really wasn’t that great a guy!)
Whenever I see the word “cheroot” I am immediately transported back to Kathleen E Woodiwiss’ novels. I think all her heros smoked cheroots. Since I love KEW, it is a good association for me.
In the Regency wasn’t it customary for the gentlemen to retire after dinner for cigars and brandy? That too does not bother me in a novel.
Judy F on 23 May 2009 at 5:35 am #
It doesn’t bother me in a book, its just another part of the character for me.
Now in real life it does bother me, mainly cause if I am around smoking I start to couch etc. Just clogs me all up. I had a boss once that smoked 24/7 and would come back in the office just smelling so much of smoke. I couldn’t be near here.
My grandpa smoked pipes some of them smelled nice but mostly they didn’t.
PJ on 23 May 2009 at 5:50 am #
Historical heroes who smoke don’t bother me but I don’t like it in contemporaries. That’s probably because contemps are too close to my real life. I’ve never smoked but my late dh smoked for 40 years. It’s a nasty, smelly habit that caused his stroke in ‘96, his tongue cancer in 2001 and his death three months later. I don’t find it sexy or in any way appealing and if I know a hero or heroine in a contemp smokes I really have no interest in reading the book.
Sabrina Jeffries on 23 May 2009 at 5:57 am #
I dated a couple of smokers in high school and college–I found it sexy then, too, but I realize I might not have liked living with it. And of course, now that we know so much about how bad it is for you, it’s a huge factor.
I do prefer the cigars and the pipes to cigarettes. They seem “more mature” to me. And I always had a thing for older men. I don’t think I had “daddy” issues or anything–I’ve got the sweetest dad in the world, and I never felt neglected by him or anything–but I was always attracted to older men. Go figure. Although cigarettes don’t bother me.
Plus, my favorite uncle smoked. Maybe that was a factor? He died at age 50 of a heart attack, though, which doesn’t speak well to the smoking issue. Meanwhile, his brother, my father (a nonsmoker), is still going strong at 74. But HIS father was a smoker, too, and died in his late sixties. And both of my husband’s parents (smokers) died young, long before I even met him, of lung-related illnesses. So yes, the health thing is huge.
Yet I love my smoking heroes, still!
Sabrina Jeffries on 23 May 2009 at 6:03 am #
It’s funny that you have the distinction between historicals and contemps, PJ. I do think that the fact that the kinds of things they smoked in historicals sound “different” makes it more romantic-sounding in a historical.
Sorry to hear about your DH. It’s hard to lose someone when you know it might have been preventable. Thanks to my husband’s parents dying young, he’s rabidly opposed to smoking of any kind. He won’t even go to restaurants that are too smoky!
Pesky, I think it’s interesting how the depiction of smoking has changed in movies and TV. It used to be so universal, with the women as much as the men. Now you hardly see it at all, and when you do see it, it IS used as a prop of sorts.
I had fun in one of my Deborah Nicholas contemporaries with having a hero who had quit smoking and was always sticking stuff in his mouth–toothpicks, etc.–almost as an afterthought.
Ayse on 23 May 2009 at 6:06 am #
In books and movies it doesn’t bother me, but in real life the minute I hear smoker I think smells bad. Except maybe pipes and hookah. I’ve become more annoyed with smoking because I currently live in a country where they smoke way too much. We are finally getting stricter laws… just hope people will have to follow them.
If you check out youtube videos on Twilight you’ll see a lot of complaints about the characters smoking. However, I didn’t even think about it much until i saw all those comments.
Sabrina Jeffries on 23 May 2009 at 6:08 am #
My maternal grandfather smoked in his youth, and my mother tells an interesting story about how he quit. They were pretty poor country folk, and he had three little girls. One day they were headed off to church, and he told my grandmother that one of the girls had a hole in her dress and needed a new church dress. Maw-Maw said there was no money for one. He took a look at the dress, then at his cigarettes (he smoked something like a pack a day), and threw the cigarettes in the trash. He never went back. He said he realized that his smoking was taking food out of the mouths of his children.
My mom asked him in later years if he missed it, and he said, “all the time.” But he refused to go back. Which is probably why HE lived to a ripe old age. I always thought that was such a sweet story about my grandpa.
Cail on 23 May 2009 at 6:09 am #
i got my dh to stop smoking cigs since i want him to live a nice long life with me. as others have said before me, i have no problem with the historical hero smoking. its time appropriate and doesn’t bother me (since i’m not actually the one kissing him) i don’t often read contemps so i’m not sure how i’d deal with that. although come to think of it i think a few of nora roberts heroes have smoked.
it doesn’t add much to the character for me, but it doesn’t take away from it either.
LisaK on 23 May 2009 at 7:09 am #
I absolutely agree with PJ on the difference between a historical and a contemporary hero. I think I’d read a contemp with a smoking hero anyway if it was a good one, but it would sure bother me. Maybe I’d skip the parts where he’d smoke or something.
Sabrina, this story about your grandfather is really cool (I don’t know if that’s an appropriate word, but you know what I mean)! I wish I had a father like that.
I think another reason for my not being fond of cigarettes is that as a child of three or so I once took my father’s hand without realizing he had a cigarette in it. I burned my little hand horribly and my mum almost had a heart attack when she saw it. I don’t remember the pain, but I can still see myself in that situation. Fortunately there aren’t any scars today.
Sweet Jane on 23 May 2009 at 7:35 am #
Sabrina, I quite agree with your view… Smoking *is* sexy (not with everyone, but cool heroes necessarily do it with class!). I also like it in a book or a movie… Now in reality, it’s only a little bit more complex: we know it’s unhealthy, and it does make my throat and/or eyes itchy if I stay a while in too smoky a place.
However, I still think it a shame not to tolerate it at all. There is a dose of terrorism in the way ‘they’ (makes me feel like in “1984″) force onto us the idea that smoking is Evil. It is after all just one of many ways to destroy oneself, and I challenge anyone to claim they don’t have a single self-destructive habit! I know I do; perhaps it’s a lot easier to keep private than smoking, but I don’t believe that makes it less ‘evil’.
I have to confess that my boyfriend smokes, so I might’ve grown slightly partial. I don’t like him smoking in the way that it affects his health, but I also understand his motivations. Well, my boyfriend is an obsolete person in many ways… who, you’d think, is a monarchist in 2009?
Leah Braemel on 23 May 2009 at 7:58 am #
I am not a smoker, and can’t stand being near one. (although I did have a friend who smoked a pipe – the tobacco he used in that smelled delicious, yet I found the idea of a pipe these days pretentious.) I know several of Nora’s heroes smoke (cigarettes, LOL) and all I could think when the heroine kisses them is how it’s like licking an ashtray and I didn’t find that attractive at all. Yet I have my hero in my latest release smoke cigars on occasion. And in my work-in-progress I have a secondary character who smokes like a chimney as for him it’s a great way to show how stressed he is. The hero however finds it repellent and they get in arguments about it. In that way it’s part of the story, part of the character, but I don’t like seeing movies or reading books where there’s no reason for the character to be smoking.
Sabrina Jeffries on 23 May 2009 at 8:03 am #
Sweet Jane, I understand your disgruntlement over the way smokers have been demonized. I’m a live and let live kind of gal myself. I DID have a boss, however, who had been a heavy smoker and then became allergic to cigarettes and had to quit. She would have the equivalent of asthmatic attacks if she was near any smoke at all, and it was really hard for her to go to restaurants because the smoking sections often bled into the non-smoking sections. That’s why I’m always ambivalent. On the one hand, lots of people have allergies–we simply can’t accommodate them all. On the other hand, cigarette smoke is a known carcinogen and lots of people are allergic to it. So how to balance the needs of everyone? I think it’s just a dicey thing, no matter how you slice it.
And no, I have no answers. I’m really helpful that way. *G*
LisaK on 23 May 2009 at 8:16 am #
Just a thing that interests me: How are the laws concerning smokers in the States? We had a bill passed here – I think last year or the one before, I’m not sure – that forbid smoking in public places. There were (and still are) – as always – many supporters and just as many opponents. I think it’s okay because, as I said, I don’t like the smell and it really bothers me if someone is smoking while I’m eating in a restaurant or something. However, there are also those who make way to much fuss about it (or anything, for that matter), IMO. I mean, you can be against something, but do you always have to exaggerate?
Jamie on 23 May 2009 at 8:19 am #
When I think of a sexy man, the image of Clark Gable holding a cigar is what I think of. I think of movies and how in many movies, the hero is chomping on a cigar. To me, that is manly and powerful. I think cigars are more “butch” than cigarettes are.
I, myself, am a non-smoker. If I was in a relationship with a guy, who smoked, I would hope he would go outside to smoke. I am not a anti-smoker, smokers can smoke, just don’t blow it in my face. It isn’t gross to me, but it can be a bit smelly. At my job, I am in charge of the tabacco. If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t be in charge of it. In fact, I think it is better to have a non-smoker in charge, I don’t get tempted.
The only thing that does bother me about heroes is that I don’t like when they have carpets on their chest. I always wish the hero on the cover of the book looked just like the hero on the inside of the book and that isn’t always the case. So, let the hero smoke, but don’t make him hairy.
The part about smoking being bad for you? These are historical novels, they didn’t know that back then. Then have only learned that in the past century. I don’t think that part is relevant to historicals
Bronte on 23 May 2009 at 8:20 am #
I don’t find smoking sexy. It doesn’t bother me in a historical novel as it was par for the course at that time. I’ve never smoked myself, I wanted to once when I was really really drunk and my friend wouldn’t let me because she said I would throw up and she wasn’t cleaning up after me. Good statement in hindsight. In a way I agree with Sweet jane – everyone goes to hell in their own way. However to me smoking is different to alcohol, obesity etc in that a smoker gives carcinogenic material to everyone around them, not just themselves as with the others. There is nothing worse than being somewhere ie waiting for a train etc where you cannot avoid someone smoking. In australia it is now illegal to smoke in most public locations ie outside shopping malls, bus stops, train stations, pubs etc and I have to say that I do fully support that legislation
Sabrina Jeffries on 23 May 2009 at 8:21 am #
We have laws against smoking in certain public places, but they vary from state to state. My state allows smoking in restaurants still, although I think they’re passing a law against that, too. It’s complicated because of the state thing. Some things are state laws and some things are federal laws.
Maybe someone more familiar with the laws can chime in on this?
Kathleen O on 23 May 2009 at 8:26 am #
It is okay if it is a book, but I for one don’t like smokers. I come from a family of smokers and it gets so bad when I have been to visit my parents or brothers, I have to come home take off my clothes and jump in the shower. Even wash my hair again. I can’t stand it. They don’t like coming to my house because they all have to smoke outside.
But it is there loss!!
I think most modern romance do not have smokers that I have read anyway, but I know a lot of western and historicals have a hero and in some cases a heroine that smokes. But like I said it is okay in books.
Meg on 23 May 2009 at 8:44 am #
A hero who smokes doesn’t really bother me. And sometimes it can that sinister air that a villan is needing. In real life, though, I am VERY allergic to cigarette smoke and it drives me crazy! Which is kind of bad because a lot of people in my family smoke. When I was young it never bothered me. It seems like a couple years ago, though, that I became allergic to everything. Enter the everyday taking af allergy medicine.
Meg on 23 May 2009 at 8:47 am #
Also, Sabrina. I CANNOT WAIT UNTIL TUESDAY!!
And I got your newsletter in the mail day before yesterday. Very Nice. Thanks.
Kathy/Cookiedough on 23 May 2009 at 8:55 am #
I come from a family of smokers and lived with smokers in my 20s, which is probably why I have asthma today
It doesn’t bother me if someone smokes, just do it away from me so I can still breathe.
In historicals, I never gave it much thought when a hero smokes. Thinking about it now, I am sure that it was only tobacco going into those things back then, not the list of chemicals they put in now to boost the addiction.
My brothers in law used to smoke pipes and there was nothing better to me than the smell of Amphora Green. I was comforting to me, for some reason.
I tried smoking at 16. lasted that one summer and I would only hold the smoke in my mouth then blow it out. never inhaled…it hurt too much.
Madeline Hunter on 23 May 2009 at 9:01 am #
I never thought about this, but I have had very few characters smoke—and I do! I think once or twice I had two male characters smoking cigars together. And the implication is there, that they do. In one book I had the heroine try a cigar.
As a reader, it wouldn’t bother me in historicals at all. Actually, it would not bother me in any book, since they are fictional and fantasy and I don’t expect them all to conform to my preferences in life. But if it were a contemp, the writer in me would wonder why the author chose to have the character smoke. I guess I would wonder, why bother adding it?
dbrown3400 on 23 May 2009 at 9:28 am #
As a victim of emphysema due to second-hand smoke growing up, (two aunts died from lung cancer) I’m not fond of cigarettes in any venue. I just have trouble breathing. We have very strict anti-smoking laws in NJ. My ex and I never smoked, yet both DDs smoke and can’t seem to quit. So I’m not fond of reading about smoking in contemps. The smoking apropos period novels doesn’t bother me but cigarettes in a contemporary jerk me out of the story for that moment.
Jessica on 23 May 2009 at 9:41 am #
I don’t really mind smoking in books or tv. I hate it in real life though because I can’t escape the second hand smoke. Just about everyone I know smokes. But I do have to say that if I tell them the smoke is getting to be too much they will put it out without a problem.
Janae on 23 May 2009 at 9:45 am #
In real life smoking is such a turn off. Honestly, I think that the smoker has some kind of emotional issues. They aren’t cool, dangerous, etc. Just a wreck. Perhaps that goes back to the people I knew in high school, who smoked. They all had issues. I think of my grandpa who died of lung cancer nearly 20 years after he quit, and how painful his last few months were, too, and I think ‘What a waste,’ when I see someone smoking.
I can’t say that it’s something that bothers me too much in books.
About 7 or 8 years ago (because animated films take FOREVER to be made), my dh worked with a famous, drop dead gorgeous actress, who smoked during the recording sessions. They had to throw out more than half of what she recorded because she’s start to sound like 100+ yo woman, while her character was a young, vibrant, adventurous woman. It got to a certain point where she got sick of recording for them and would make it difficult to schedule another session. However, no one ever explained to her why they needed her to re-record her dialogue.
Ayse on 23 May 2009 at 9:50 am #
I’ve actually noticed more young people smoking after all the new restrictions. Socializing outside the bar while smoking has become popular. In places where cigerettes cost too much I’ve noticed people smoking something else :-/
Karen Hawkins on 23 May 2009 at 10:15 am #
Sabrina, this is one of those ‘like it in fiction but not in reality’ for me. I, too, love a hero who smokes — but not in real life. In real life, it smells bad and yuck. I don’t find it masculine at all. But in my fiction, fire up, baby!
I’ve noticed a lot of younger smokers, too. I hope that it gets too expensive for them to use at all. Where I grew up in TN, there was a big sign on the wall of the courthouse that said, “Tobacco is a farmer’s friend.” because it was the #1 product at the time. My daughter saw that sign and, after all of the anti-smoking stuff she saw in high school, was scandalized.
I don’t think anyone would decide to not buy your book because of the smoking hot hero. Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this book and NOTHING would turn me from it, so bring on the cigarillos!
JudyPatooty on 23 May 2009 at 12:58 pm #
In real life … ICKY CA-CA PTOOOEY!
I dated a guy in college who smoked and kissing him was nasty if he had had a cigarette first. Yuck.
But in fiction … historical fiction especially … anything goes. I’m not sure I’d like a contemporary hero who smoked, though, because that’s too close to real life.
Sabrina Jeffries on 23 May 2009 at 1:28 pm #
Wow, this is very interesting. I didn’t realize quite how many people hate smoking. But I’m glad it doesn’t seem to bother people in a historical. I’ve only written four contemporaries, but I don’t remember having anyone smoke in them. Like Madeline, I would question a character who smokes, unless there was a mighty good reason. So many people are trying to quit now.
KarenH, I know what you mean about the “Tobacco is the farmer’s friend” thing. North Carolina is big tobacco-growing territory, too, and that’s why we have the lowest cigarette tax in the nation (or we used to, anyway).
Sabrina Jeffries on 23 May 2009 at 1:30 pm #
Meg, I’m glad you got the newsletter! Some of them seem to have reached people with the names mixed up, which is worrisome to me since I can’t figure out how it happened.
But I’m glad you and KarenH are looking forward to the book. As always, I’m nervous about it. Haven’t had a book out in a year and three months!
Kathy/Cookiedough on 23 May 2009 at 1:49 pm #
I am looking forward to your book’s release as well Sabrina!
I’ve caught up with almost all your backlist! tee hee
Cail on 23 May 2009 at 1:49 pm #
To chime in on the state laws, NY has VERY strict laws about smoking in public. I think most of New England might also, but i can’t speak for New Hampshire since they so often go their own way.
The day they made smoking illegal in bars and restaurants was one of the best days of my life. i HATE the way it smells.
PJ on 23 May 2009 at 2:32 pm #
I thought I was on your newsletter list, Sabrina but I haven’t received one. Off to re-enroll!
LoriHandeland on 23 May 2009 at 2:34 pm #
I agree that there’s a difference in historicals and contemps with the smoking. What wouldn’t bother me in a historical might be yucky in a contemp. I don’t think I’d stop reading a book because of it either way though.
I used to smoke, don’t anymore, would again in a heartbeat if they suddenly made non-cancerous cancer sticks. But since I quit, I also can’t stand to be around smoke anymore. It makes me sick. Go figure.
I have a character in my UF that smokes. But since he’s an “unkillable” shape shifter/semi villain sorcerer, it seems to be okay.
PJ on 23 May 2009 at 2:36 pm #
Oh, and forgot to say that I’m *really* looking forward to your next two releases!
evlqn on 23 May 2009 at 3:27 pm #
I used to smoke when I was younger, I thought I looked grown up and sophisticated. Now I see kids smoking and they look like what they are,silly little kids with issues. Many people in my family smoke also and they nearly all have health problems. My dad died of cancer just like his dad. Four of mom’s five brothers are gone and the last is going. One of her sister’s in in the last stages of lung disease. Both of my sons smoke and I am livid about it. But they NEVER smoke in my presence.
That being said, I love the smell of cherry pipe tobacco. And characters in a book smoking doesn’t bother me. Of course there is no chance I will have to kiss any of them either.
MMVZ on 23 May 2009 at 3:54 pm #
Being from Spain myself, I am sorry to say I cannot for my life imagine a Spaniard as a romantic hero! Of course they lie, spout poetry or pretend to anything if they think that it might get them into bed with a woman (“the romantic Latin lover” real reasons); the serenaded beauty will be treated as trash the moment they get their wish! Redondillas by Sor Juana Inez de la Cruz, put it better than I could ever do, a few hundred years ago; but they have not changed! “Hombres necios,….”
Cigarrillos sound rather cool, but in real life, like cigars or cheroots, rather smelly close up.
Fun ready all your posts. thanks.
Sweet Jane on 23 May 2009 at 4:58 pm #
Sabrina: you are perfectly right, smoking is an issue that may be publicly addressed if only for the fact that it affects more than merely the person who smokes… it spreads into the atmosphere, period.
As a matter of fact, my use of the word ‘terrorism’ referred more to the way smoking is considered nowadays, like how old photographs of famous people are touched up to remove cigarettes’ images, or how they won’t let you show a positive character smoke too much in a movie script or a book. A bill was passed in France as well that forbids smoking within restaurants, bars, nightclubs and suchlike, and I’m very happy about it. It means no more clothes and hair reeking of cigarette smoke after one night out and dancing! And, I think it very important for the people who work in those places… Ever imagined what it can be like to spend half your day every day in a smoky place when you’re not a smoker? Hell, I’d venture.
As for the historical/contemp debate, I’m not sure I fully agree… I wouldn’t be surprised if what they smoked centuries ago didn’t actually stink worse than the light cigarettes they sell today. However, that’s just a guess. I might be wrong.
Sabrina Jeffries on 23 May 2009 at 5:02 pm #
PJ, this was my postal mail letter (comes out once a year). You might be on the e-mail one, but not on the other one. Or maybe yours just hasn’t arrived yet. Glad you’re looking forward to the books!
MMVZ, sorry to hear that the average Spanish guy doesn’t float your boat! But I do hope there are SOME of them out there who are heroes. It’s hard to believe that none of them are. My husband’s heritage is part Spanish (Castillian) and part French, but his family moved to New Orleans in the early 1800’s, so I don’t suppose there’s much of the Spanish or French character left in him. *G*
Do you live in Spain now? Or somewhere else?
elsiehogarth on 23 May 2009 at 8:17 pm #
Sabrina, I also find a hero who smokes very sexy. It has to be cigars. I love the smell of a good blend. I even buy them and give them to friends/family just so I can enjoy the smell. I guess that way I have always enjoyed westerns be it movies or books because they smoke cigarillos or cigars.
Both my parents and numerous aunts and uncles always smoked until about 5 years ago but none of their children ever did pick it up. I guess none of us liked cigarettes.
I picked up my copy of don’t Bargain w/the Devil today and can’t wait to start it.
Sabrina Jeffries on 23 May 2009 at 8:43 pm #
Ooh, Elsie, where did you find Don’t Bargain? It’s not supposed to be out until Tuesday. Hope you like it!
MMVZ on 23 May 2009 at 8:45 pm #
I’d have to admit that maybe there are some good ones. I was born in Madrid and now live in Canada. Found my countrymen attitudes unbearable.. but maybe they have improved since I left. I hope so!
Love your books, they are always optimistic: and my reason to read romances is to cheer up after all.
Thanks
Sabrina Jeffries on 23 May 2009 at 9:01 pm #
MMVZ, glad to know you enjoy the books! Yes, my reason to read romances is to cheer up, too. *G*
From Madrid to Canada–that’s quite a change! A small part of the new book is set in Spain, so let me know if I portray it badly! I get very nervous about those things.
elsiehogarth on 23 May 2009 at 9:35 pm #
Sabrina, I got it at Borders it was on the new release table. I’ve already started it and it’s fantastic.
Kimberly W on 23 May 2009 at 10:19 pm #
I don’t mind a hero that smokes. I think the big thing for me is the difference in modern and historical tobacco products. I love the smell of smaller cigars, cloves cigarettes, and pipes but can’t stand “normal” cigarettes. Maybe it has to do with the extra things they add into modern cigarettes, don’t know.
Caffey on 23 May 2009 at 11:35 pm #
Hi Sabrina!
The only times I really recall now a smoker is mostly in like a historical western or occasionally another historical where I’m thinking its done was part of the culture back then? I’m guessing here! So it hasn’t bothered me in historicals to read them in some situations happening.
With contemps, I rarely if ever read it anymore. Never in contemp romances that I can even recall now. I remember in the 80’s that I read some (the 90’s were lost to me mostly when I brought up my little children then) but too it was often with a ‘bad guy’ or villain smoking in those books and not necessarily romance, but more of those thrillers then. Now reading about it I realize that its been so long unless it was a cowboy in a historical I read it in
Love the post. Got me thinking more about all I love reading!
Mari on 24 May 2009 at 9:05 am #
This may sound odd, but I don’t mind if a character smokes. Not at all. Sometimes the fact that the hero smokes rounds out the character. Sometimes it can be kind of sexy.
That said, I am a non-smoker and I have never smoked in my life. Nor would I ever date a smoker. But I certainly don’t mind reading about a smoker hero, especially in a historical.
I guess it’s kind of like how I love Alpha heroes and their cave man ways but I like a beta hero in real life. The Alphas I like in books, but I have a beta hero of my own as a BF!!!
Lorena on 24 May 2009 at 4:15 pm #
I don’t expect it in books, and it surprises me when a hero does. Maybe because it’s absolutely not present in my life in any way–once in a great while if I’m out I’ll run into a smoker (one bar in downtown Orlando in particular comes to mind) but here in Florida, the places one can smoke are so few, I’m almost never around a smoker.
Which is fine with me…can’t stand the smell, and I cannot imagine living with a smoker. I’m a very visual reader, so I tend to strongly identify with whatever is going on in the heroine’s world….smokers, blech. Rarely, very rarely, is it so clearly part of the hero’s character that it doesn’t bother me.
Oddly enough, I have a similar problem with blond heroes. I like men with dark hair, and I have the worst time when the hero is blond. Karen R, you should know this is a real problem when I re-read (as I sometimes do) Nothing to Fear…..
Lorena
Melissa on 29 May 2009 at 6:24 pm #
Heres the deal.
I’m in college(in Boston), all the students smoke and not just cigarettes(if you catch my drift *wink*). When your just chillin’ at a party or outside the bar you just plain and simple look much cooler if your smoking. There are no if’s or and’s about it. I dont make it a habit myself to smoke but I have when past a certain point enjoyed a smoke. On top of all that I lived in Spain for 3 and a half months, and I have to say that the idea of smoking there is vastly different, you can basically smoke anywhere…restaurants, bars, clubs..the street.
It made me happy to read about a character actually from Spain but I do say Diego is NOT my favorite Spanish name I defanitly prefer Rafael(in fact I dated a man named Rafael or Rafa for short…he was HOT, but from New Zealand of all places)
Thanks!