Local author's romance novel a best seller

It was only three months ago that Kristen Proby was an unknown, unpublished writer with a flair for erotic romance novels. Today, she’s an Amazon and USA Today best-selling author with legions of fans.

Needless to say, it’s been a whirlwind winter for Proby, a fourth generation Whitefish native and 1993 Whitefish High School graduate.

While writing has been a hobby for Proby for some time, in November she decided to self-publish her first romance novel. She expected maybe a few hundred copies would sell.

Not even close.

The book, “Come Away With Me,” sold 20,000 copies in its first month.

Riding that wave of success, she quickly wrote the second in the series, “Fight With Me.”

Since then, more than 100,000 copies have sold and customer reviews on Amazon rate the books as 4.5 stars out of five.

Proby admits timing has played a role in her quick rise to author stardom. The 2011 erotic romance novel “50 Shades of Grey” put the genre in the spotlight as she was preparing to launch her writing career.

“50 Shades started something,” Proby told the Pilot while in town for a book signing event. “It brought people back to reading romance novels, and the erotic side became more popular.”

Proby’s fans — who happen to be mostly women — rave about her male characters.

“Women love my men,” she said.

The lead men in her stories are often alpha males who are strong and bossy, “but completely in love with their girl. They’re strong and protective.”

Readers enjoy the escapism of her storylines, which she describes as light with very little angst.

Then there’s the erotic part.

“These are classic romance stories — only with a little more sex,” Proby said.

A titillating image of a couple embracing in a moment of passion appears on the cover of “Come Away With Me,” offering a visual glimpse of the steamy dialogue inside.

Proby says it takes courage and self-confidence to write erotic romance.

“You can’t be shy in this genre,” she said, “and I guess I have a good imagination.”

Proby’s husband, Alvin Proby, is still unsure what to think about the books, but is supportive and glad for her success.

Her father, Ray Holien, isn’t allowed to read the books.

“My dad keeps asking me when I’m going to write a Western,” Proby joked.

Probably not anytime soon if her career trajectory stays on its current upward path.

It’s about a two-month process to write and publish a book, which is almost too long for her romance-thirsty fans. To tide them over, Proby posts teaser paragraphs on her Facebook page, which now has more than 5,000 followers.

“I can’t write these books fast enough,” she said.

Proby’s third book in the seven-book series, “Play With Me,” will be released March 1. Read more about her novels at www.kristenproby.com, or follow her on Facebook.