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Chautona Havig

Chautona Havig

Using story to connect YOU to the Master Storyteller

What Is This Fabulous Fitness Program for Perfect Curves?

by Chautona Havig · 24 Comments

Christmas 1982.  The Esplanade—Oxnard, California. The store sold nothing but mugs, and I read every one of them. I bought one for a friend that showed a hippo, a flying bird, and two sheep.  Cracked up all the way home on that one (hippo, birdie, two ewes).

But then there was this other one.  I debated for hours.  Literally.  I came back to the store at least half a dozen times before I plunked down the last of my Christmas shopping money and watched the gal wrap up the mug.

Aunt Marilyn would love it… or she’d kill me.

The delight on her face when I handed her a wrapped box—nerve-wracking. Would she switch to embarrassment?  Hurt?  Anger?  Would my dad kill me for being disrespectful?

She opened it… laughed.  Gave me a hug and filled it with coffee right then. Okay, she washed it first. Let’s not get too crazy with the facts.  But still, she did.

What did it say?

“Ewes not fat. Ewes just fluffy.” 

Apparently, sheep puns were the in thing in 1982.  Probably from all that partying. (I sure hope that’s how that song I’ve never heard but have heard people talk about for like three decades goes).

Aunt Marilyn loved that saying. She’d seen it on a sweatshirt in a catalog when I was at her house one day and had laughed and laughed.  That laughter is why I took a chance on offending her.

Back then, I couldn’t imagine that thirty years later, I’d be sitting in a Denny’s booth writing out the story for people to read… and carrying an extra ten to fifteen pounds for every child I’d ever had. I often point to a roll here or there and name it.  “That’s Jenna, that thigh is totally Challice, this chunk is Ethan…”

I also don’t play games. The truth is: I’m fat.  I want to say, “And I’m okay with that,” but that’s not quite true.  It’s more that I’m okay with saying I’m fat rather than trying to sugar coat it by saying I’m “carrying a few extra pounds” or “I’m fluffy.”

As a writer, I sometimes write deliberately skinny or overweight people. Usually, though, I just write people and let the reader decide how “fluffy” they are or aren’t.

But readers often say they like having characters on the larger side. So, when I saw a new book by Robin Helm—one in which Elizabeth Bennet is a little on the “more to love” side–I had to read it.

So, I asked her if I could order one. She sen a copy of More to Love to me as a gift.  And then when the tour opened up with Celebrate Lit, well… the least I could do is sign up!  So, I did!…

And in it… Jane Bennet helps Elizabeth with her “fluffy” issues.

More to Love Tour

Note: Links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you. Additionally, I was given this book and volunteered to review it.

What Is This Fabulous Fitness Program for Perfect Curves?

In her usual creative style, Robin Helm has conceived a Lizzy Bennet who is self-conscious about her weight. We can thank our beloved Darcy for that one, but it does make for an interesting character shift.

We’re used to seeing Elizabeth as strong-minded, confident, and perhaps “obstinate and headstrong?”

And yes, she most certainly is, but there’s more to her, too.

I’ll be honest.  The insecurity she displays about her weight and girth didn’t seem to fit her at first.  Of all the Bennet girls, only Mary seems less inclined to be influenced by someone’s opinion of her.  After all, in Austen’s version, she always seems more amused than insulted by Darcy’s “not handsome enough to tempt me” statement.

However, the more I thought about it, and the further into the story I went, the more plausible it became.  After all, the most practical woman can become ridiculously self-conscious of her weight.

Once that idea planted itself in my mind, other issues I had with her character disappeared. It all made sense.

I think with this book, Ms. Helm makes two very important points.  First, body image issues aren’t just a twentieth or twenty-first-century issue. Women, in general, care about their appearance, and while ideal size preferences vary by culture, being found wanting is generally disappointing.

Sure, Jane Bennet helps her sister shed a few pounds, but hers was not the “fabulous fitness program for perfect curves.”

That, Ms. Helm teaches us, is love.

Seriously, I’m glad I requested a review copy for that little bit alone.

Recommended for lovers of Regency and other historical fiction, Austen lovers, and especially of the #TeamLizzzyandDarcy fan club. Purists may take issue with a few small departures from the original, but aside from that, the only other expected objections will be a few small things some may consider loose ends. I see why these were let go and didn’t object myself. As with most Regency fiction, the protestations of love and affection were… profuse.  I did realize, however, why this may have been a genuine thing back then.

The opportunity for physical affection came at too great a price. In its place: words… lots of sappy words. 😉

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Filed Under: Book Reviews

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Comments

  1. Rosie says

    June 1, 2019 at 6:14 am

    This sounds very interesting!

    Reply
  2. Robin Helm says

    May 18, 2019 at 1:46 pm

    Exactly so, Vivian. That’s my premise.

    Good luck!

    Reply
  3. Caryl Kane says

    May 15, 2019 at 12:37 pm

    Sounds wonderful!

    Reply
    • Robin Helm says

      May 18, 2019 at 1:29 pm

      Thank you, Caryl. Good luck in the giveaway!

      Reply
  4. DarcyBennett says

    May 15, 2019 at 7:26 am

    The book sounds wonderful and one that is unique as I’ve never read a story where Elizabeth was self-conscious about her weight which is definitely something I can relate to.

    Reply
    • Robin Helm says

      May 18, 2019 at 1:32 pm

      DarcyBennett, I have struggled with my weight for nearly all of my life. It was not so difficult until I turned 40. Since then, the fight has not been as successful. lol

      Good luck!

      Reply
  5. Vivian Furbay says

    May 14, 2019 at 7:16 pm

    Man’s looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart!

    Reply
    • Robin Helm says

      May 18, 2019 at 1:34 pm

      Exactly so, Vivian. That’s my premise.

      Good luck!

      Reply
  6. Emma says

    May 13, 2019 at 8:49 pm

    This sounds good! One of my dad’s favorite lines to Mom was, “More of you to love, my dear!”

    Reply
    • Robin Helm says

      May 18, 2019 at 1:47 pm

      I think I would like your dad, Emma. He sounds like a very sweet man.

      Good luck to you!

      Reply
  7. Marisela Zuniga says

    May 13, 2019 at 7:44 pm

    This sounds so great!

    Reply
    • Robin Helm says

      May 18, 2019 at 1:50 pm

      Thank you, Marisela! Good luck!

      Reply
  8. Dianna says

    May 13, 2019 at 5:52 pm

    Love this post! I name my rolls after my kids, too.
    Didn’t realize this book was a P&P spinoff. Count me in!

    Reply
    • Robin Helm says

      May 18, 2019 at 1:59 pm

      Hi, Dianna! I released so much emotional energy writing this book, channeling my my feelings of frustration at fighting my weight most of my life.

      Good luck in the giveaway!

      Reply
  9. Debbie P says

    May 13, 2019 at 2:12 pm

    This book sounds like a really great read.

    Reply
    • Robin Helm says

      May 13, 2019 at 3:06 pm

      Thank you, Debbie. Good luck in the giveaway!

      Reply
  10. Amelia says

    May 13, 2019 at 12:38 pm

    This book sounds good. I will be adding it to my reading list!

    Reply
    • Robin Helm says

      May 13, 2019 at 3:21 pm

      I hope you like it, Amelia! Best of luck to you.

      Reply
  11. Patty says

    May 13, 2019 at 6:13 am

    As one who is ‘fluffy’ I do enjoy books with more realistic size characters!

    Reply
    • Robin Helm says

      May 13, 2019 at 12:26 pm

      Hello, Patty. It was very important to me that my hero acknowledge he was wrong and assure her his love was not based on her weight or dress size. If a man loves a woman only when she’s young and thin, what will he do when she ages and gains weight?

      Good luck in the giveaway, my dear.

      Reply
  12. Andrea Stoeckel says

    May 13, 2019 at 5:42 am

    Morning Chautona! You know me, but you may not have known me 300+ heavier. My secret? I stopped dieting, stopped “diet” soda, stopped hiding….I’m still no lightweight but I am who G-d made…grand and glorious!

    I still believe it’s the “skinny Minnies ” who are the “problem”…

    Reply
    • Robin Helm says

      May 13, 2019 at 12:23 pm

      Hi, Andrea! So glad you stopped by to comment. My personal feeling is we should accept the person and not worry about the body type. Diet soda just makes me hungry. I stopped drinking them several years ago. Same with artificial sweetners. I now use only Stevia. No hiding!

      Good luck in the giveaway!

      Reply
  13. Robin Helm says

    May 13, 2019 at 5:17 am

    Hi, Chautona. Thank you for guesting me on your blog, and may I just say, what a wonderful review! You “got” every point I wanted to make.

    Reply
    • Chautona Havig says

      May 13, 2019 at 2:53 pm

      YAY!

      Reply

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The Because Fiction Podcast

The Because Fiction Podcast
The Because Fiction Podcast

Taking the pulse of Christian fiction

Episode 429: A Chat with J. A. Webb
byChautona Havig

Christian dystopian thrillers are too few and far between, but author J. A. Webb has a great one for us. Listen in while we chat about his Seekers Series and the second book, Inheritance.

note: links may be affiliate links that provide me with a small commission at no extra expense to you.

Mix a corrupt secret society along with a priest on the run, and you’ve got a great mix. This series promises to be full of amazing twists and turns. 

  Inheritance by J. A. Webb

 A Dystopian Thriller of Deception, Faith, and the Fight for Truth

The Order has been betrayed. The hunters have been loosed.

Father Curtis has forsaken his vows. He has left the Order and joined the Seekers, a hidden rebellion dedicated to uncovering the truth long buried by the global church. But walking away from the Order does not mean escaping its reach.

When word spreads that a copy of the True Text — the original thirty-nine books of the Creator — has surfaced on the far side of the world, Curtis, Professor Reuel, and Phillip embark on a desperate mission. If they can retrieve the artifact, it could change everything. If they fail, the truth will be lost forever.

But the Eye of the Eternal, the secret police of the Order, has already mobilized. Their assassins are relentless. Their power is absolute. And they will stop at nothing to silence the truth.

Outnumbered and hunted, Curtis and his allies must risk everything to defy an empire built on deception. But against such overwhelming darkness, is faith enough? Or will their inheritance — humanity’s true past — be erased from history once and for all?

The war for truth has begun. And the Order will not suffer heretics to live.

A Gripping Tale of Power, Deception, and the Courage to Seek Truth

🔥 Perfect for fans of dystopian thrillers like 1984, Brave New World, and The Da Vinci Code—but with a Christian twist!

⚡ A suspense-filled journey into a world where illusion is law and questioning it means death.

📖 If you love stories of faith, defiance, and the battle against unseen tyranny, this is the book for you.

The Order has ruled from the shadows long enough. Are you ready to see the truth?

Learn more about J. A. Webb on his WEBSITE and follow him on GoodReads and BookBub.

Like to listen on the go? You can find Because Fiction Podcast at:

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Episode 429:  A Chat with J. A. Webb
Episode 429: A Chat with J. A. Webb
May 12, 2025
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Episode 428: A Chat with Janelle Leonard
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