Working class heroes, man. I love ’em. Heroines too. I’ve written plumbers and farmers, bartenders and construction laborers—there’s something about someone who knows what it’s like to put in a hard day’s work that makes me believe that they can and will put that same work into their relationships. I worked in the white collar corporate world for years, and we liked to throw around the “work hard, play hard” line, but you have never seen play like a bunch of mechanics when they go out on the lake or up to the mountains on the weekend. They turn into a bunch of giant kids. I think the ability to lose yourself in play like that is something that’s borne out of the pressure of doing physically demanding work. And that’s just really infectious and fun to be around. My latest release, Hard Chrome, is set in a car shop, so my hero, Duke, is a man who isn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves—or cut them off—and get work done, but then when it’s time to play, he knows how to show his lady a good time. And despite being a little insecure about what Tanner sees in him, and almost letting that insecurity get the best of him, when it’s time to put in the work on their relationship, he shows up.
Romancelandia is full of billionaires and CEOs, and they’re great—who doesn’t love a hot man in a well-fitted suit?—but there are some really great books with heroes with less glamorous careers as well. Here are a few of my favorites.
Garrett Leigh’s Urban Soul series. In Misfits and Strays, at least one of the MCs in each is a chef. If you’ve ever spent time in a commercial kitchen, you know that is hot, unforgiving work that requires unrelenting focus and leaves you exhausted. Watching a character thrive in that pressure cooker environment really appeals to me. Cass in Misfits and Nero in Strays are so strong and capable and sexy, but when they let down their guards, they just gut you with vulnerability.
Another great pair of romances with blue collar heroes is ZA Maxfield’s Brothers Grime duo. You’ve got guys doing really dirty work—they clean crime scenes, but you also get this sense from ZAM’s writing, that what they’re really cleaning is their souls. That sounds melodramatic, but they’ve been through some really difficult, heartbreaking things, and through this unique career choice, they are moving on and starting over and finding themselves in a place where they can fall in love, and I think that’s one of the most appealing things about romance novels—the work the characters do on themselves.
And while there are loads of farmers in Romancelandia, I have to give this shoutout to Silas from Rebekah Weatherspoon’s Sanctuary—not only is he a farmer, but he’s a huge bearded farmer who is blurty and awkward and enjoys being tied up. Work hard, play hard indeed. It’s the second of her Beards and Bondage series, and it can be read as a standalone, but why would you? The first is great too!
Lastly, Mia Hopkins’ Eastside Brewery books, Thirsty and Trashed, both feature ex-convict gang members back in society and doing everything they can to get by and stay out of prison. Salvador cleans buildings—a gym, a spa—and makes use of both to woo his heroine, Vanessa. Eddie is rolling from one job to the next, and is working in a kitchen when he hooks up with the chef and gets them both fired. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but these stories are both super sexy and emotional, and both heroes work hard to make new lives for themselves and the women they love.
Hard Chrome, American Heavy Metal, #1 by Vanessa North
Book Description: He’s tough. But she’s tougher.
Tanner Ellis left American Heavy Metal in her rearview mirror. She didn’t see the beauty behind the grease stains and the polished chrome until it was too late. Now she’s back, determined to save her father’s legacy—and bring the South’s premier classic-car shop into the new century. Nothing is going to stop her—especially not the sexy tech who refuses to follow her lead.
American Heavy Metal is the only home Duke Wilson’s ever known, and no high-heeled, sharp-tongued princess is going to take it away. He tolerates Tanner’s advice, and it’s fun to push her buttons, but she doesn’t belong in the shop—never has, never will. The sooner she realizes that, the sooner he can find his new normal.
When Tanner falters, revealing the pain beneath her bravado, Duke comforts her the only way he knows how. And when violence from his past threatens their future, she’ll be there for him, offering him the one thing he’s always wanted—a shot at a real family. He just has to convince himself to take it.
Author Bio
Vanessa North is a romance novelist, a short fiction geek, and a knitter of strange and wonderful things. Her works have been shortlisted for both the Lambda Literary Award and the RITA© Award, and have garnered praise from The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Publisher’s Weekly. She lives in Northwest Georgia with her family: a Viking, twin boy-children, and a pair of large dogs.
Author Links
Thanks for your post, Vanessa. I always enjoy learning what books authors like to read. Best wishes for the success of Hard Chrome!