Monthly Archives: September 2008

Shayla Black, Uncategorized

What Do You Like in a Hero?

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Let’s talk men!

nakedman

Writers and readers alike get into discussions (sometimes) heated about the greatest romance heroes of all time or their favorites. They argue about what constitutes a great hero. There are huge differences of opinion.

I hear from readers and authors who like a tender man: supportive, emotionally available, gentle, not afraid to show affection, the “strong, silent type.” This is a good man, a solid man, loyal, dependable, committed. He’s there for the long haul, understands you and will got the extra mile to make you happy. In real life, I live with this man–and he’s wonderful. I’ve also written him into Marrok, who is the hero of my first Doomsday Brethren paranormal romance, Tempt Me With Darkness, which released August 26, 2008 from Pocket Books. Another Brethren member, Ice, falls into this category, as well. And Luc from my Berkley Heat erotic release, Decadent.

Some people like the smart ass/bad boy: ever-ready with a smart-alek comeback or a wicked innuendo, he’s quick and clever…and slightly unattainable. You never quite know what’s under the surface, and getting past his facade takes a tenacious woman. Getting him to be serious about anything–especially you–won’t be easy. It will be entertaining, frustrating, exhilirating–and just about any other “ing” you can think of. Another of my Doomsday Brethren, which you’ll meet in Tempt Me With Darkness, falls into this category. Bram is one sharp-tongued devil, master puppeteer, and sexy-as-all-get-out British bad boy wizard… Also Thorn from Dangerous Boys and Their Toy. He’s ALWAYS got a comeback.

I’m personally fond of a hero type you don’t see often: the thinker/scientist. This guy is brilliant with a capital B. His mind is a mysterious and ever-changing place. He’s deep and his mental energy is boundless. He’s often distracted by things that have nothing to do with you, but when he focuses on you… *shiver* He has a dry wit, and once focused on your relationship, will view it with profound depth. He proves that brains are sexy! Duke, another of my Doomsday Brethren, falls into this category. I think his understated sexiness is totally yummy.

Then we have the hero I like to call “the guy”: he’s all about sports and having beers with his buddies. He’s not a skirt-chaser, per se…but he’s not at all adverse to catching what’s underneath. He can be a surprisingly elusive bachelor. He’s not against relationships; they just aren’t for him. He’s got a full life: work, friends, sports, extended family. Why add a wife to the mix? At a glance, he might seem like more trouble than he’s worth. But you’ll have fun with him. He’ll introduce you to activities and people you would have never met otherwise. He definitely digs woman, and once he realizes he’s into you, he’ll find some pleasurable ways to show you. I’m writing this man now in Mitch MacKinnon, who appears in latest Samhain release, A Perfect Match. He amuses me all the time! And Doomsday Brethren member Caden also falls into this category.

Another major hero type you see: Tortured Alpha male. Some readers loathe him. He comes with baggage, doesn’t trust easily, has a thousand reasons not to let you into his life or heart. He’s difficult and cynical. He can be argumentative…and find arguments stimulating. He’s pushy and aggressive and sexual and difficult and will, at times, make you tear your hair out and cry all at once. Personally, I love this guy. But I’m the kind of woman who likes a challenge. I can give as good as I get, and I’d sometimes rather be challenged than coddled. The women who like this hero want to be the one who “tames” him. Dangerous? Yes. Danger is this guy’s middle name. He’s intense…both in and out of bed. Once he’s determined to get his hands on you, you don’t stand a chance. And aren’t you glad? Once you get under that remote facade, however, is the heart of a man who will be forever yours. That always makes me close the book with a sigh. Several of my Doomsday Brethren fall into this category: Shock and Lucan, for sure. Ice has shades of this, as well. Definitely Deke from Decadent and Jack from Wicked Ties. The intensity of this type of man is something I just can’t resist!

You may be able to think of more heroe types. Whatever hero you like, that’s the great thing about romance–there’s a book, and a hero, for every type of reader. Go forth and read!

Ashleigh Raine, Uncategorized

Furry presents

This morning, not too long after I woke up, when I was still suffering from pre-coffee morning brain, I heard my son squealing (he’s only 8, he’s still allowed to squeal) from downstairs. I couldn’t tell if it was a “yay” squeal, or an “I cut off a body part” squeal, so worry-mode kicked in. But before I could get downstairs I heard the loud thumps of my son racing up the stairs. Since he was running, I assumed he wasn’t at death’s door, and I met him at the top of the stairs as he yelled, “Mommy, kitties!”

When my hubby backed out of the driveway this morning to go to work, he was met with a surprising sight in front of his car. Five little kitties, sleeping in a huddle. Hubby’s face was pale white–the first thing he said to me when I made it outside was, “I could have run over them. I had no idea they were there.” The little things were shivering in the cold, so I grabbed a box and one of my son’s old blankets and put the little ones inside to warm up. I know the momma and daddy kitties–they’re wild cats in the neighborhood we leave food out for–but we haven’t been able to capture them to take them in to get fixed. I’d thought I’d be able to leave the kittens in the box on my front porch, but as soon as I came inside, the momma kitty came up and took one of the kitties away–this time back under my car. Since I’m terrified these kittens are going to end up road kill, or coyote food, which happens all too often in my neighborhood (and is what happened to the two kittens this momma kitty had previously), I brought all five kittens into the house, where they’re currently camped out in my bathtub. I bought some catmilk at the grocery store–which all five kittens have sampled–and they seem to be doing okay. Momma kitty just glares at me when I go outside–which makes me feel a little guilty–but better Momma kitty be mad at me but her kittens safe and alive, then the alternative.

So here’s the five new members of my family. My sister’s already claimed one, and I’ll probably keep one, but I’ll be looking for homes for the other three.

Five kitties in a bathtub
Five kitties in a bathtub

Aren’t they adorable? Guess how I’ll be spending my day today? Yup, playing with kitties…

Beth Williamson, New Releases

'Tis Nearly Time…

My next book, Leather & Lace releases September 30 in paperback. This is the ever-so-fun western anthology with my friends Melissa Schroeder and Rebecca Goings. My story, Branded, won the 2007 CAPA for Best Erotic Historical. I’m thrilled to pieces to see it in print with my pals’ stories.

Melissa made a wonderful trailer for the book – you can view it on YouTube here. I love the music she chose – makes me think of westerns, and then well, I think about cowboys. 😉 If you want to pick up a copy, you can order from Amazon here.

Here’s the official blurbs with a nice review quote for each:

Branded by Beth Williamson:

A clause in his grandfathers will forces Rafe to marry or else lose his ranch. He sets his sights on what he
thinks is a safe choice. His neighbor Emma. But Emma’s anything but safe. They say oil and water
don’t mix, but in their case, it does and the result is fire.

“This fast-paced, sometimes funny, often poignant story was so addictive that it was impossible to put
down.” — The Romance Studio,

High Noon by Rebecca Goings:

When a full-blooded Comanche risks everything for the honor of a white woman the woman he loves its a safe bet there’ll a showdown at high noon. And winner takes all!

“Ms. Rebecca Goings has created another book with in-depth characters that literally leapt off the pages of
her novel.”— The Romance Studio

The Seduction of Widow McEwan by Melissa Schroeder:

Jamie was once in a loveless marriage, and has no desire to enter into another. Then Seth ties her up in knots of desire literally and she begins to think things could be different. But someone’s out to make sure neither of them ever find happiness.

“The Seduction of Widow McEwan was a delight to read. From the beginning until the end, I was caught up in the spell-bounding rapture that Melissa Schroeder had created….” — Fallen Angel Reviews