Marcella Steele's Blog
January 20, 2020
Book Review Eat, Pray Love
I've read this book several times at different points in my life, paying special attention to the dog-eared pages I'd marked which served as reminders of the passages that were especially relevant to me. Last October, I decided to download the 10th anniversary edition to read on the long flight to Bali. It seemed fitting that I would pick up the book again as I made my own journey of self-discovery, and prepared to find inspiration to write the sequel to my novel, Bound for Barcelona - Breaking Free, The Jouney. Since my book is a fictionalized memoir, it follows my footprints from California to Barcelona, and on to Bali in search of healing and personal growth. There is no better book to fill me with the motivation to press on in a quest for balance and validation of self.
It was moving to read Gilbert's preface, a humble accounting of the way in which the book has impacted her own life, and that of countless women - of whom I am one. This time, instead of bending the corners of yellowed pages, I highlighted new meaningful passages in my Kindle version. The ones that struck a chord in my heart, the ones that encourage women to step beyond societal boundaries and "escape the trash compactor." I wanted to shout, YES! out loud in my aisle seat (but contained myself to a whisper). For THIS, is exactly the message I am moved to convey in my story, and the life I am striving to live. "To revive, reinvigorate and re-invent" myself, and possibly inspire others who might be in need of a nudge towards freedom and self-affirmation.
In summary, I am completely enamoured with her straight-talk, humorous, and poignant style of writing. She freely shares her heartfelt experiences/insights, and will forever be an influence in the development of my own writer's voice.
Bound for Barcelona
It was moving to read Gilbert's preface, a humble accounting of the way in which the book has impacted her own life, and that of countless women - of whom I am one. This time, instead of bending the corners of yellowed pages, I highlighted new meaningful passages in my Kindle version. The ones that struck a chord in my heart, the ones that encourage women to step beyond societal boundaries and "escape the trash compactor." I wanted to shout, YES! out loud in my aisle seat (but contained myself to a whisper). For THIS, is exactly the message I am moved to convey in my story, and the life I am striving to live. "To revive, reinvigorate and re-invent" myself, and possibly inspire others who might be in need of a nudge towards freedom and self-affirmation.
In summary, I am completely enamoured with her straight-talk, humorous, and poignant style of writing. She freely shares her heartfelt experiences/insights, and will forever be an influence in the development of my own writer's voice.
Bound for Barcelona
Book Review Fifty Shades Trilogy
My guilty pleasure...Yes, I've read all three books, and although it's been a number of years since I cracked open the paperback versions, I do remember that they opened up a whole new world of erotic fantasies. I believe this is true for many women, and thus the benefit of such a series (the critical reviews notwithstanding). A story that can inspire women to invigorate their own sexuality and push beyond conventional boundaries is something to celebrate.
Some aspects of the story could be considered disturbing, one of which is the violation of the rather unsuspecting, naive, virgin heroine. While studies show that sexual submission for the purpose of pleasure is a prevalent fantasy for women, the domination and pain inflicted in this story may push the boundaries of our comfort zone.
And why must the heroine be barely out of college? As a 'woman of a certain age' (and representative of the average age of women who tended to read this series), I take issue with the stereotypical notion that erotica has to be portrayed by the very young. So, as an author, when I wrote my novel "Bound for Barcelona - Breaking Free, The Journey," I used the inspiration gained by this series and applied it to a mature character. A woman who has the experience to freely and knowingly, consent to a sexy power exchange. The result is a wildly passionate, steamy romance - minus the disturbing dominance factors. I hope that it will serve to validate the potential for women of any age to explore their sexual fantasies.Bound for Barcelona
Some aspects of the story could be considered disturbing, one of which is the violation of the rather unsuspecting, naive, virgin heroine. While studies show that sexual submission for the purpose of pleasure is a prevalent fantasy for women, the domination and pain inflicted in this story may push the boundaries of our comfort zone.
And why must the heroine be barely out of college? As a 'woman of a certain age' (and representative of the average age of women who tended to read this series), I take issue with the stereotypical notion that erotica has to be portrayed by the very young. So, as an author, when I wrote my novel "Bound for Barcelona - Breaking Free, The Journey," I used the inspiration gained by this series and applied it to a mature character. A woman who has the experience to freely and knowingly, consent to a sexy power exchange. The result is a wildly passionate, steamy romance - minus the disturbing dominance factors. I hope that it will serve to validate the potential for women of any age to explore their sexual fantasies.Bound for Barcelona
September 19, 2019
Over Forty and Fabulous
A blog to celebrate ‘women of a certain age.’ Inspirational notes; sexy tales; conversations about mid-life dating and sex; and short stories.
Let’s strip away the conventional definitions and boundaries of what it means to be in our 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and more. These are the vibrant, Red Hot Years for women. Celebrate our commonalities as well as our diversity. Because, sisters, we all face the challenge of aging in a world that places a high value on youth.
Define your own passionate life, in whatever phase you are in. Married, single, straight or gay – discover the fire within you. Some days are challenging, and not all experiments turn out brilliantly. But when you look back at these years, I hope the memories will make you smile, knowing that you lived life to its fullest.
