You did it! We figured this one out! It is a truth universally acknowledged (by me for certain) that the Bitchery pretty much knows everything, and really, it's true. Scroll down to see the solution for this HaBO - and many thanks!
Welcome to Tuesday, better known here as HaBO Day! HaBO, or “Help a Bitch Out,” is our attempt to reunite readers with romances that they can remember parts of, but not the important parts like the author’s name or the title. This HaBO request comes from Sheila, who is searching for a Harlequin title:
The story was either a Harlequin American Romance or possibly Silhouette Desire.
The plot was as follows: 80’s or 90’s. Hero is about to go into seminary, but his pastor, who thinks this isn’t his calling, tells him he wants him to live a bit of life before he commits to the priesthood. He’s a virgin. He moves into an apartment. He’s an artist who sees his neighbor as a free spirit, and decides he wants to paint her. I believe it’s a nude painting I think.
He doesn’t tell her about why he is there overall. He falls for her, and then goes & gets some books on how to make love to a woman. He decides he is going to tell his pastor that he was right, but before he can, the heroine, comes to his door to get it on (lol). He tells her he is a virgin & she takes control. The next morning, the pastor shows up unexpectedly, much to the heroines mortification.
The book was ahead of its time based on the number of subjects it touched on. I think authors first name might have been Amie?
I’m sorry; I can’t think of pastors and priests without thinking of Tiffany Reisz. Sound familiar to anyone?
I cannot remember the title but the author is Anne McAllister. It was part of a series centered around a group of friends in the LA area. The only title I can remember is “Marry Sunshine” which involves the brother of the hero of this book.
Hope this helps.
I found it. The title is “Body and Soul”
And here is the link. http://www.annemcallister.com/books/body-and-soul.html
The series is called Quicksilver and the characters are all involved in sports in some way.
quick!
Dammit, for once I know one right from seeing the headline and y’all got there before me! Man, the Bitchery is good!!
If you want a 19th C version of a similar story, check out Juan de Valera’s novel “Pepita Jimenez.” Hero about to enter seminary. Falls for heroine, who is (theoretically) being courted by his (currently single) father. Complications ensue. An epistolary novel with a sort of Jane Austen in Spain vibe. Might be available on gutenberg.
Damn, y’all are quick! A to you!
I remember this one. Virgin heroes are one of my favorite tropes. Very dated, but a good book.