COLUMBUS—Red Fern Press launched its first romance novelette Double Digits from award-winning author Steph West today.
The short and sweet novelette, also known as a “pocket romance,” welcomes a fresh voice to the market who places plus-sized women and their incredible lives at the forefront of the story, then blends them into the plot line as simply “incredible women.” Period.
“I welcome the day when plus-sized women are simply women, and they have opportunities to be leading ladies in their own lives as well as in films and books, without their weight having to be the center of the conversation,” said West, an award-winning author and former Gannett/USA Today and Fox Sports Ohio journalist. She is also a filmmaker. “Until then, I think it’s important to continue calling out that plus-sized women are not the stereotypes that are often thrust upon them without their doing. And that’s what you see in this debut pocket romance novel. Scout is just an awesome, cool young woman. Period.”
In the first novelette of this three-part series, Scout, a plus-sized beauty with an eye for fashion and business, finds herself as a consultant at a plus-size clothing company she loves—Double Digits. Her boss, Pappy, is a spitfire of a man who believes competition is everything. When he decides to retire and leave his company to one of his two grandsons—Josh or Lucas—he pits them against each other in a female-led battle for Double Digits. The two men must vie for the votes from six plus-sized women, who were hand-picked by their grandfather—and Scout is keeping score. When she and Josh begin to work together, they start to fall hard for each other. As their careers, the competition, and their burgeoning feelings collide, the “will-they-or-won’t-they” couple must figure out if they can have a relationship at all.
West said the book is a blend of the classic Brewster’s Millions meets Devil Wears Prada and is a sweet, quick, and fun read perfect for traveling and the beach.
“It’s just fun,” said West. “Sometimes, we just need that quick, sweet hit of romance to brighten our day. And that’s what you get with Double Digits.”
West said the novelette is considered a “two-hours-or-less” read, making it perfect for travel, poolside, and the beach.
This is Book 1 of the Double Digits Pocket Romance Series that follows Scout and Josh’s love story. Book 2, California Love, releases April 15, and Book 3, The Pond House, releases May 20.
You can purchase in Kindle or paperback now only on Amazon.
Red Fern Press 