Fans of Interracial Romance discussion

I was flipping the channel tonight and I've came across a French movie, where the heroine was taller than the hero. I was like that woman is tall and that man is short. She was 5 inches taller than he was. I'll give her 7 inches taller when she put on the shoes with heals.

They were in love with one another.

So, does the height of the hero and heroine matters to you? Do you prefer the hero to be taller than the heroine?

I don't mind, if there is a good fit overall. And they have great chemistry. That's more important to me. I do love tall men, but a shorter man can have presence, as well. IRL, I'd prefer a man be my height or taller.

Danielle, I agree, If the couple has great chemistry then I tend to overlook the fact that they may not see eye to eye.

If I'm recalling this right, I believe Bridget Midway wrote a an e-book where the hero was shorter than the heroine.

I prefer the guy to at least be eye-to-eye...in books and in my real life.

Heck, I'd just like a guy to be eye-to-eye to me even if I'm in heels. That's not easy.

I'm 4, ll, which my daughter inherited from me. My problem was a stiff neck from having to look up so much at the guys I dated before I married my husband who is about 5,5.

I'm fairly tall for a woman so I'm all for tall men in books and real life. I don't mind eye to eye, but I prefer him to be a few inches above me. Short men are not my cuppa, though the strangest thing is a lot of them seem to be attracted to me.

Davina wrote: "I'm fairly tall for a woman so I'm all for tall men in books and real life. I don't mind eye to eye, but I prefer him to be a few inches above me. Short men are not my cuppa, though the strangest t..."

Girl, ain't that the truth!! The short ones are usually the boldest ones out there.

I once had a guy stand behind me in a shopette on a military base say, "Hmmm, I like my women tall". I turned around and had to look down to the little twerp. He had to be 5'3" or so. Now I stand 5'11 1/2" in my socks...that was so funny to me.

That's funny, I just saw a show on a primordial dwarf whose dad was 6'4 and her mother was 5'8. I think a lot of women would have a problem with a shorter man. At least have them at eye level.

For me, it really depends on the story and the basis of it. I could do a taller chick and smaller guy.

I prefer the hero to be tall over 6'feet. Short men don't do it for me, but in real life hey if it works for you go for it.

Cinquetta wrote: "I prefer the hero to be tall over 6'feet. Short men don't do it for me, but in real life hey if it works for you go for it."

Why don't you like short men?

Christy wrote:
Why don't you like short men?
They don't make me feel safe and I know they can handle themselves. Short men can kick butt. But tall men makes me feel sexy. When I am around them and one of them has interest in me it makes me feel good. I have date short men it was okay...nothing special. I like tall men.

Eugenia wrote: "Michelle Lauren wrote: "It depends on whether the disparity in height is a focus of the story. I can think of a definite alpha male who was nearly unbeatable in battle, VERY lucky with the ladies a..."

Hmmmm...Hugh...Le Sigh.

AMEN Eugenia I am feeling you on that...in reality yes short men are everywhere but in fantasy I want tall men. For me a true fantasy man has alpha personaity at least 4 to 8 inches taller than his ladylove, build like mack truck, kick ass, and love his woman from sunset to sunraise. Not too often a woman get her fantasy men in real life. Sometime when man is fine more like he is gay. Why is it in real most straight men are build with love handle bald and short. Goodlooking men are build take care of themselves are gay. Yes I want my fantasy man to be tall. Wolverine has grow thurout the years now he is 6'1" in the comic books maybe taller. I remember two other comic book characters that is short Puck from Alpha Flight hero and Molecule Man from Fantastic Four villain. I know I went way back. It has been over 20 years since read a comic book. I digress moving on...yeah for tall man!!!!!

A lot of movies don't stick to the comic books.

I don't remember the professor, Jean or Cyclopes getting killed in the comic books or cartoons.

Even the clothing were different in the movie. Everyone basically wore black. In the comic books and cartoon Wolverine's uniform was yellow and blue and Cyclops uniform was blue and yellow/gold.

As for Hugh. I think don't think he was picked for Wolverine, because he's tall. I think that he was picked, because he portrayed Wolverine the best in the casting try outs. Plus, he was a face that many people were familiar with. He had movies under his belt.

I think that Halle was picked, because she'a an A list black actresses and she knows how act out a part well. Halle is shorter than Storm. Halle is 5ft 6" and Storm is 5ft11". Surely, they could have found a taller black woman to play the part.

Everyone in that movie had movies under their belt, maybe escape for the younger cast. Rogue, Ice boy and fire boy or whatever their characters names were.

I don't read books for fantasy. The man's height in a book doesn't matter to me. Tall doesn't equal better to me.

Spud Webb is a prime example of this. He's only 5ft7" and he was a good basketball player. He played against some very tall men.

Some books doesn't even mention the height of the characters. A person can imagine John Doe as being over six feet, when he's really 5ft5" tall.

Eugenia wrote: "Arch, I'm not implying that Hugh was picked just because he's tall but I'm sure that made a difference, he's a big man, looks strong, like I'm sure most people would picture Wolverine. I read books totally for fantasy what's the use of reading them if they don't take me away, if I want reality I'll read a non-fiction, not a fiction. Whatever fiction I read whether it's romance, mystery, whatever, I want to take away effect, makes it fun and interesting."


I know you know this, but Hugh had to workout to get those muscles. He's not naturally built like that.

Even Toby McGuire put on muscles to play Spiderman and Gerald Butler to play the charater in 300.

Just because a man is tall, doesn't mean he can protect a woman.

A lot of men are body builders, but they can't even fight.

To me, the saying, "Looks can be deceiving" is true.

When I say that I don't read a book for fantasy, I am talking about reading a book and wishing that this is how the real world so be. How all men should be, etc.

We all know in the real world, all men aren't over 6 feet. All men aren't in the Navy, Marines, FBI, a Bodygaurd, etc. fighting the bad guy or even saving a woman from danger.

I read because I love reading. Yes, sometimes, I don't want to have to deal with the real world and I read or write. Give my mind attention to something other than problems, stress, etc. - to me that's not fantasy.

Eugenia wrote: "That's great Arch, we all do things for different reasons. Of course, we all Hugh didn't pop out his mama's belly looking that fine that takes work and I'm glad he did it so I can ogle him. Of course, the books are more fantasy real life isn't as perfectly wrote out as a book because life goes on after you have a HEA. I can't say I've read many books about the Navy dude or marine dude, or bodyguard or whatever. Real life is way more complicated than a book and rewarding in the end when you have a strong love and sometimes heartbreaking when you don't. But I love the fantasy, the take me away, I'm not stupid enough to ever believe this life, it's fantasy and I enjoy it. And I know guys that are bigger aren't better, I just like taller dudes because I and I said "I" feel more like a woman with them. That's my opinion about my preference and my life. I'm just stating my opinion. You have one, I have one, let's leave it at that.

Eugenia, I didn't have a problem with your opinion, and I don't see why my opinion have gotten you upset. I'm sorry for upsetting you.

I will just stay in my corner.

I'm done with this thread.

I think women may have a different perspective on male height depending on their own experiences with their own height.

A petite or average height woman can pretty much date most men and not have the man feel intimidated by her size.

As a tall woman, I had a hard time as a teenager when I realized that I was slowly beginning to tower over a lot of the boys.

Some men make a big deal about a female being taller than them because they tend to have delusions about their own height. I can't tell you how many men (friends and strangers alike) have sworn that I must be taller than I say because I'm an inch or so taller than them. I guess many men don't want to admit that they're not 6' like they always claim. (As former military, I was measured the same height at every base so I know the number is correct)

My ex boyfriend would have a problem when I wore heels because we were already the same height without them. I can get up to 6'4" in really high heels. Some men find that intimidating. I just find it funny.

My ideal height for guys is 5'10" to 5'11". Which I guess to most is just average. I don't like really tall guys. Especially taller than 6'3". And I'm 5'7". I seem taller and bigger than most guys because I have an athletic build, which I don't really notice, but its awkward in pictures. I am the tallest girl in my family and sometimes I am taller than the guys I'm related to. So I guess height doesn't really bother me, personally. I'm used to it, but I prefer guys who are eye level and up. Its more comfortable and I have a preference for slender/lanky guys, which again, awkward in pictures if they were shorter.

I like tall, muscular guys. In fact, within reason, the muscles are more important to me than the height.
I'd have reservations about dating a 5'10 or 11 guy who is narrowly built or lanky. But if I have a man who's that height, but also muscular, I could learn to live with it. lol

I've seen lean men I've been attracted to, but seriously I prefer my men to pack a few (even if at the end of the day he doesn't know what do with his bulk! lol As Arch said, not every big guy knows two cents about fighting hehe).

Now that I think about it, I've been lucky. All the men I dated in HS, college and during my separation were tall and fairly ripped. I've dated one or two short guys (shorter than me) too, but if I wanted to go with a tall, muscular dude they were always available. Maybe due to my location, perhaps? NY is more or less surrounded by water, from the Brooklyn beaches, the Jersey shores among others so maybe the guys work out more to show off their beach bods? lol Who knows ... who cares ... just as long as they're about! lol

My husband is 6'5 and well built, but not John Cena muscular (by the way, I love John Cena's body even though I know he must be pumping the 'roids!). I like him the way he is now, but if he (the hubs) should decide to pack on a few more pounds of muscles, man he won't get any arguments from me! :)

Nothing wrong with that, Davina. I love big athlete men. I have a thing for ripped arms.

There's just something about being in the arms of a big, strong, muscular guy, Loni. There's no feeling like it! :)

Most women like to be submissive to their partner....so being taller will put them in the protector role..... which i think they are not conditioned for...

Bikramjeet wrote: "Most women like to be submissive to their partner....so being taller will put them in the protector role..... which i think they are not conditioned for..."

What? A woman can protect a man, regardless if she’s taller or shorter than he is. A lot of people think that men are stronger than women, because they are male. False. A woman is not weaker than a man. He just can’t do what she does and that have periods and have a baby.

I'm tall and I like tall men. In books, (tv or movies), I don't like my heroines to be over 5'8" or the hero to be less than 6" feet tall. I see it more as protection, rather being submissive (different strokes) to a man—though dependent upon the situation, being submissive may have its time and place.

sub·mis·sive
adjective
ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive. "a submissive, almost sheeplike people"

Haha as a short woman, I like my heroines short (5’5 and under) and my heroes tall (6ft and above)

June wrote: "Haha as a short woman, I like my heroines short (5’5 and under) and my heroes tall (6ft and above)"

OMG! 🤣 I forgot about the height disparity thing.

I like a heroine to only be a few inches shorter than the hero. I don’t want a 6ft3” tall hero and a 5ft2” heroine.

Cinquetta wrote: "AMEN Eugenia I am feeling you on that...in reality yes short men are everywhere but in fantasy I want tall men. For me a true fantasy man has alpha personaity at least 4 to 8 inches taller than his..."

Incorrect. In the comic books, Wolverine is about 5'6" or there abouts. He's definitely not close to 6'

Bikramjeet wrote: "Most women like to be submissive to their partner....so being taller will put them in the protector role..... which i think they are not conditioned for..."

I wouldn't use the word "submissive" but I'd definitely say most don't want to feel like the protector.

Rosie wrote: "I'm tall and I like tall men. In books, (tv or movies), I don't like my heroines to be over 5'8" or the hero to be less than 6" feet tall. I see it more as protection, rather being submissive (diff..."

Agreed. Submission doesn't work for me unless in the mildest of forms in the bedroom lol

Arch wrote: "Bikramjeet wrote: "Most women like to be submissive to their partner....so being taller will put them in the protector role..... which i think they are not conditioned for..."

What? A woman can pr..."

Its an overall perception whether one can relate to it or not. For me its subconscious. Bigger means stronger. Is it absolutely accurate across the board? Of course not. lol But the perception is there and its on point a great deal of the time. I get it, I really do. I dont like reading about a short guy in romance. And to me short is pretty much anyone under 5'9-5'10. Which is pretty much average for men, I believe. I'm pleasantly surprised if he's described as average height but still assertive/confident-cool! But if she's looking down at him? Nah, hard pass for me.

Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "Arch wrote: "Bikramjeet wrote: "Most women like to be submissive to their partner....so being taller will put them in the protector role..... which i think they are not conditioned for..."

What? A..."

This is soo interesting. I have read many book where the heroine is said to be tall yet only 5'7" at most. If this is considered tall and the hero is 6'4" or taller, this dynamic will be awkward for both parties.

Arch wrote: "I like a heroine to only be a few inches shorter than the hero. I don’t want a 6ft3” tall hero and a 5ft2” heroine."

Agreed, but often that's what you find in IR romances. For some strange reason, IR writers think a woman at 5'4" to 5'6" is tall. And they don't pay any mind to the strain and the awkwardness of the hero being 6'4" or even taller.

Justine wrote: "Agreed, but often that's what you find in IR romances. For some strange reason, IR writers think a woman at 5'4" to 5'6" is tall. And they don't pay any mind to the strain and the awkwardness of the hero being 6'4" or even taller."

It’s very hard for me to find an interracial book to read right about now. When I write my stories, my heroine only be a few feet shorter than the hero. Authors and writers have to realize that some women are tall and some men are short. A height doesn’t draw me to a hero. Muscle doesn’t even draw me to a hero and definitely his manhood doesn’t draw me either.

There should be a balance in height.

Arch wrote: "Bikramjeet wrote: "Most women like to be submissive to their partner....so being taller will put them in the protector role..... which i think they are not conditioned for..."

What? A woman can pr..."

A woman can protect a man..... in modern world.... maybe...But you can't compare the peak of a woman's physicality to a man's..... A man with always be atleast 20 percent stronger than a woman if you put them in the same bodyweight category (and they are subjected to the same training)...

Justine wrote: "Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "Arch wrote: "Bikramjeet wrote: "Most women like to be submissive to their partner....so being taller will put them in the protector role..... whic..."

Then you should read 'The Blacksmith Queen'..... She and her mother are considered taller than most of the men in the book....

Bikramjeet wrote: "A woman can protect a man..... in modern world.... maybe...But you can't compare the peak of a woman's physicality to a man's..... A man with always be atleast 20 percent stronger than a woman if you put them in the same bodyweight category (and they are subjected to the same training)... "

They have men in the same bodyweight category that are stronger than other men. The same goes for women. Some women are stronger than other women.

Some women are stronger than men.

The difference between a man and a woman is that she can give birth and he can’t.

Bikramjeet wrote: "Justine wrote: "Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "Arch wrote: "Bikramjeet wrote: "Most women like to be submissive to their partner....so being taller will put them in the protecto..."



Thank you for your recommendation! I've had the pleasure of diving into G.A. Aiken's captivating stories, penned under her alternate alias, Shelly Laurenston, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed them. If her characters in this recommended series are even half as delightful as those from her Pride and Badger Series, then this is another series that will become one of my favorite reads. I am eagerly looking forward to immersing myself in this new literary adventure.

I took the liberty of sampling "The Blacksmith Queen" on Amazon, delving into its initial three chapters. However, one aspect that left me wanting was a clear depiction of the characters' physical appearances. It's essential for me to form a vivid mental image of the characters to truly invest myself in any story. Could you please provide some insights into what these characters are supposed to look like? Your guidance would greatly enhance my interest.

Arch wrote: "Bikramjeet wrote: "A woman can protect a man..... in modern world.... maybe...But you can't compare the peak of a woman's physicality to a man's..... A man with always be atleast 20 percent stronge..."

I get where you're coming from but you cannot consider these women as norm...
I know there are women in the world who can break me in half without any effort.... but you can't compare them with an average woman.... these women have trained their entire life to get where they are.....
Few months ago I saw a four year old girl doing pull-ups..... Can you do it?.... Even I have a hard time doing more than 5....
The world record for women's bench press is around 500 pounds but the men's is about 1100 pounds....
The world record for women sprint has been broken by thousands of high school boys every year....

Justine wrote: "Bikramjeet wrote: "Justine wrote: "Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "Arch wrote: "Bikramjeet wrote: "Most women like to be submissive to their partner....so being taller will put t..."

I only read about 4 to 5 chapters and kept it in my tbr.... I wanted to give the whole series a go together... I may pick it up someday....

Bikramjeet wrote: " I get where you're coming from but you cannot consider these women as norm...
I know there are women in the world who can break me in half without any effort.... but you can't compare them with an average woman.... these women have trained their entire life to get where they are.....

A woman doesn’t have to trained in fighting to be stronger than a man.

Few months ago I saw a four year old girl doing pull-ups..... Can you do it?.... Even I have a hard time doing more than 5....
The world record for women's bench press is around 500 pounds but the men's is about 1100 pounds....
The world record for women sprint has been broken by thousands of high school boys every year.... "

Children bodies are different than adult bodies. They can do pull-up, push-up, etc. better than adults, because of their strength.

A lot of men can’t even bench press 500 pounds.

Arch wrote: "Bikramjeet wrote: " I get where you're coming from but you cannot consider these women as norm...
I know there are women in the world who can break me in half without any effort.... but you can't c..."

I know..... probably only 0.001% of the men can bench press 500 pounds... thats still around 40,000 men...
But how many woman can bench press 1100 pounds....
I didn't say that the difference is very big..... before puberty, a girl may have an advantage over a boy..... but after that.... the boy will start producing testosterone at a significantly larger amount and if he strength train along with it.... an average woman can’t compete with that...... no matter how much she trains.....
It's just basic biology ....
I think you're probably American or Canadian.... and around your high school or college years..... I've heard how you all are rejecting the norms of the world as some sort of oppressive patriarchy..... I've heard about these sort of debate going on in many social media platform..... especially on reddit....

Arch wrote: "Bikramjeet wrote: "A woman can protect a man..... in modern world.... maybe...But you can't compare the peak of a woman's physicality to a man's..... A man with always be atleast 20 percent stronge..."
I find that to be empowering but physically inaccurate.
When it comes to anything non-physical, I absolutely agree.

Bikramjeet wrote: "Arch wrote: "Bikramjeet wrote: " I get where you're coming from but you cannot consider these women as norm...
I know there are women in the world who can break me in half without any effort.... bu..."

You're absolutely right. Its empowering to think theres no physical difference and in some relatively minute instances, I'm sure its true. Some where there are somet plain physically weak men walking around that I could take in any fight. But for the vast majority, they will have a strength advantage against me.

And I'm American, middle aged with kids in their late teens who absolutely would agree with you because its just science. And they're all about empowerment-they just know what they know.

Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: But for the vast majority, they will have a strength advantage against me.

Yes, I agree. On average, men are stronger than women—physically.

I'm going to wade into this discussion because some of y'all make it sound like us tall women are some kind of mutation, lol.

I'm an inch below six feet and for much of my dating life men who were taller than me made it absolutely clear that my height was a deal-breaker. Men who were an inch or two shorter than me had absolutely NO PROBLEM asking me out and protecting me when it was necessary. One man I dated used to buy me heels because he liked how I looked in them, lol. He liked my long legs, which keeping it real, was a huge self-esteem boost. My fiancé is two inches taller and he's just as protective as my past relationships with shorter men.
He possess two of the most important qualities that are my catnip: brains and charisma - and those are NOT height things.

As far as my romance reading is concerned, there seems to be an issue with heroines taller than 5 feet 7 inches and that bugs me. Whenever taller women are included, they're also plus-sized or super skinny. They can't just be regular gals with legs for days. Tall girls need love too lol.

I don't mind when the hero is tall, but when the height differential is absolutely ridiculous like the hero was seven feet tall and the heroine was pocket sized I'm like WTF? Sorry, not sorry but that's neither cute nor sexy. It just presented all kinds of logistical problems in my mind that took away enjoyment of the story.

Men may be stronger than women in certain respects, but the human species wouldn't survive if they had to give birth, lol. And no man can outrun a bullet. Save for Superman and he's not real. Life offers great equalizers.

Bikramjeet wrote: "I know..... probably only 0.001% of the men can bench press 500 pounds... thats still around 40,000 men...
But how many woman can bench press 1100 pounds....
I didn't say that the difference is very big..... before puberty, a girl may have an advantage over a boy..... but after that.... the boy will start producing testosterone at a significantly larger amount and if he strength train along with it.... an average woman can’t compete with that...... no matter how much she trains.....
It's just basic biology ....
I think you're probably American or Canadian.... and around your high school or college years..... I've heard how you all are rejecting the norms of the world as some sort of oppressive patriarchy..... I've heard about these sort of debate going on in many social media platform..... especially on reddit.... "

I take it you aren’t American or Canadian. You might be young enough to be my child.

A man is not stronger than a woman.

Savannah- Quad Motherin' Book Readin' Diva wrote: "I find that to be empowering but physically inaccurate.
When it comes to anything non-physical, I absolutely agree. "

I disagree.

Arch wrote: "Justine wrote: "Agreed, but often that's what you find in IR romances. For some strange reason, IR writers think a woman at 5'4" to 5'6" is tall. And they don't pay any mind to the strain and the a..."

It's hard for me to find a good one as well. For the past year, I have been rereading/scanning a few of my past favorites. Funnily enough, I am not a fan of the paranormal stories, but I have been enjoying Shelly Laurenston Badger and Pack series. The stories are set in the NYC/NJ area chock full of fun crazy characters. Some parts have me giggling out loud.

The FountainPenDiva, Old school geek chick and lover of teddy bears wrote: "I'm going to wade into this discussion because some of y'all make it sound like us tall women are some kind of mutation, lol.

I'm an inch below six feet and for much of my dating life men who were..."

It bugs me as well. At just a smidge short of 5'9" myself, there is no way a woman at 5'4" can be considered tall. I put this down to some IR writers, writing what they know and not thinking outside of their experience, perhaps. This may be contributing to the reason why I am finding few books to hold my attention of late. The tales being told are just not of quality and in some parts quite ridiculous.