Fixer Upper. Holmes on Homes. Property Brothers.
We’ve all seen the shows on HGTV. I’d be willing to bet many of us have also taken note as a new breed of reality star has invaded our lives and permeated our fantasies.
My fascination with handymen and women stems from one basic truth. I could not tell you the difference between a wrench and a pair of pliers to save my life. Luckily, I have a very handy husband, one who loves puttering around the house. I appreciate the fact he has never shirked away from getting dirt under his fingernails, mostly because I simply do not want to.
Despite the fact I have no interest in learning how to put up drywall or retiling a backsplash, I acknowledge it makes good television viewing. This is because of the emotions involved in every renovation.
What’s that? You don’t think home renovations are emotional? Just Google the “big reveal” on any episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and you’ll understand.
At the start of each home reno show, we have a family who dreams about living in a better home. They reach out to experts who can help them transform their sanctuaries. They toil, they sweat and they learn new things in the process. In short, TV contractors are fulfilling fantasies.
As a romance author, I couldn’t help but notice the similarities between home renovation shows and romance novels. These stories are all about fantasy as well. At the start of most romances, the reader is presented with a set of protagonists, ones who must overcome certain obstacles to achieve their goals. They toil, they sweat, and they learn about themselves in the process. And at the end of the romance, they fall in love.
Contractors, especially the TV variety, make appealing heroes. They are knowledgeable and talented. They possess a rugged charm and love helping others. And, well, we’re not opposed to seeing buff characters getting sweaty and flexing their muscles.
TV shows like Income Property and Property Brothers certainly influenced my work as a romance author. In fact, they are the reason I wrote A Good Man, Handymen 1. In this romance, I have a trio of contractor/TV star heroes, the Zorn brothers. Michael, Eli and Nick not only star on Canadian reality show Handymen, they also own their own successful contracting company in Toronto. On each episode of their show, they help couples realize their renovation dreams.
A Good Man by Rosanna Leo
A Good Man is older brother Michael’s romance. When he meets Emily, the next guest on Handymen, he is instantly attracted. Unfortunately, she is engaged to a man who makes Michael’s jaw clench. While Emily battles her personal demons, Michael realizes he must also confront his own and take a chance on exposing his heart. I tackle the issue of PTSD in this story, specifically in civilians who have been involved in traumatic events and I’m so pleased it has been embraced by the reading community.
I’m not the only one writing about these scrumptious handymen and women! There are several wonderful romances out there featuring blue-collar heroes and heroines, and some of them even have their own TV shows.
Some of my favorites are Everywhere and Every Way by Jennifer Probst, The Right Stud by Ilsa Madden-Mills and Tia Louise, and Miss Fix-It by Emma Hart. All these protagonists have one thing in common. They know how to use their hands.
Contractor heroes and heroines tick all my boxes. They do the jobs I don’t want to do. They get messy on my behalf. And they are capable of transforming my humble abode into the home of my dreams.
What’s not to love?
Contractor heroes and heroines tick all my boxes. They do the jobs I don’t want to do. They get messy on my behalf. And they are capable of transforming my humble abode into the home of my dreams.
