Sunday, August 12, 2007
And the winner is....
And the winner is...(picked randomly by my husband) Samantha! Samantha, send your snail mail address to me at paula@paulaquinn.com.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Secondary characters
Thank you, Jacquelyn Frank for your gracious invitation to guest blog here today. It looks like such a warm, welcoming place, and I look forward to meeting your friends. Speaking of friends, where would we be without them? They are of vital importance in all our lives. Without them, we'd be one dimensional. That's why, as a reader, it's the secondary characters in a great book that help make it great.
Of course, the books on my keeper shelf are there because of a great plot, a certain writing style, sexy, imperfect heroes, and heroines with a bit of hellfire in their hips. Theses are all components in what makes a book a favorite of mine. Among them, are unforgettable secondary characters. It is the hero's friend and enemies who add depth to his character.
Where would Harry Potter be without Hermione and Ron?
As an author, one of my favorite things to write about are the close relationships my hero or heroine share with their friends. In my first book, Lord Of Desire, the hero's best friend is William of Normandy (before he was king). William was an arrogant, domineering, ruthless...well, bastard. It took a confident, ruthless bastard to earn his respect and friendship. William helped show me the hero's strengths, while Dante, the hero's younger brother, paved his carefree, devilish way to his own book.
In Lord Of Temptation, it was the heroine who was wounded. In her world of servitude, everything was harsh and unforgiving, forcing her to thicken her skin. But it was her dearest friend Casey who brought out her kindness, and who revealed to me (and to the hero )a part of the heroine's heart she kept hidden from her masters.
Without Madoc, Prince Gareth's commander and friend from my third book, Lord Of Seduction, there would have been no story. A detached warrior with dark, brooding good looks and an unknown past, Madoc helped set the course for Cymru's future. And he also caused quite a stir in my mailbox with readers asking for his story.
Another great thing about secondary characters is that they also make wonderful heroes.
In my December 2007 release, Laird Of The Mist, the chieftain of the MacGregor clan has a handful of rough, rowdy companions who add fun and camaraderie to the tale. One of them is his first in command, Graham Grant, a gorgeous, golden Highlander whose passion for battle is equaled only to his passion for wenches. Though his heart proves to be even less accessible than the hero's when it comes to women, his loyalty to his laird is unmatched.
"Tell me what company thou keepst, and I'll tell thee what thou art."- Miguel de Cervantes (1547 - 1616) Spanish novelist.
Do you have any favorite secondary characters who have helped make a book great for you? Tell me about them. I will choose a winner from the replies and send her or him a signed ARC of Laird Of The Mist. Check out my video trailer YouTube - Laird of the Mist book trailer
Good luck!
Paula Quinn
Find out more about my books at PaulaQuinn.com.
You can also visit me on http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/paulaquinn
Or come say hello on my message board at http://p201.ezboard.com/bpaulaquinnromance2009
Of course, the books on my keeper shelf are there because of a great plot, a certain writing style, sexy, imperfect heroes, and heroines with a bit of hellfire in their hips. Theses are all components in what makes a book a favorite of mine. Among them, are unforgettable secondary characters. It is the hero's friend and enemies who add depth to his character.
Where would Harry Potter be without Hermione and Ron?
As an author, one of my favorite things to write about are the close relationships my hero or heroine share with their friends. In my first book, Lord Of Desire, the hero's best friend is William of Normandy (before he was king). William was an arrogant, domineering, ruthless...well, bastard. It took a confident, ruthless bastard to earn his respect and friendship. William helped show me the hero's strengths, while Dante, the hero's younger brother, paved his carefree, devilish way to his own book.
In Lord Of Temptation, it was the heroine who was wounded. In her world of servitude, everything was harsh and unforgiving, forcing her to thicken her skin. But it was her dearest friend Casey who brought out her kindness, and who revealed to me (and to the hero )a part of the heroine's heart she kept hidden from her masters.
Without Madoc, Prince Gareth's commander and friend from my third book, Lord Of Seduction, there would have been no story. A detached warrior with dark, brooding good looks and an unknown past, Madoc helped set the course for Cymru's future. And he also caused quite a stir in my mailbox with readers asking for his story.Another great thing about secondary characters is that they also make wonderful heroes.
In my December 2007 release, Laird Of The Mist, the chieftain of the MacGregor clan has a handful of rough, rowdy companions who add fun and camaraderie to the tale. One of them is his first in command, Graham Grant, a gorgeous, golden Highlander whose passion for battle is equaled only to his passion for wenches. Though his heart proves to be even less accessible than the hero's when it comes to women, his loyalty to his laird is unmatched."Tell me what company thou keepst, and I'll tell thee what thou art."- Miguel de Cervantes (1547 - 1616) Spanish novelist.
Do you have any favorite secondary characters who have helped make a book great for you? Tell me about them. I will choose a winner from the replies and send her or him a signed ARC of Laird Of The Mist. Check out my video trailer YouTube - Laird of the Mist book trailer
Good luck!
Paula Quinn
Find out more about my books at PaulaQuinn.com.
You can also visit me on http://www.blogger.com/www.myspace.com/paulaquinn
Or come say hello on my message board at http://p201.ezboard.com/bpaulaquinnromance2009
Friday, August 10, 2007
The WINNER of Patrice Michelle's ALPHA HEROES blog post IS...
Christine! (picked randomly by a family member)
Christine, email me at patrice AT patricemichelle.net and tell me what format you want your download of SUSANNA'S SEDUCTION in and I'll send it on.
I also wanted to thank everyone who participated in the ALPHA HEROES discussion. I had a blast hanging and chatting with you. I hope you enjoyed the conversation, too.
And thanks again, Jacki, for inviting me to your blog! :)
All the best,
Patrice
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Always a sexy, heart-tugging read!
Website | Blog
Bad in Boots: Hunger and Temptation now available
Susanna's Seduction now available
Anticipation coming October 2007
Harlequin Nocturne - Scions: Resurrection coming January 2008
Christine, email me at patrice AT patricemichelle.net and tell me what format you want your download of SUSANNA'S SEDUCTION in and I'll send it on.
I also wanted to thank everyone who participated in the ALPHA HEROES discussion. I had a blast hanging and chatting with you. I hope you enjoyed the conversation, too.
And thanks again, Jacki, for inviting me to your blog! :)
All the best,
Patrice
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Always a sexy, heart-tugging read!
Website | Blog
Bad in Boots: Hunger and Temptation now available
Susanna's Seduction now available
Anticipation coming October 2007
Harlequin Nocturne - Scions: Resurrection coming January 2008
Thursday, August 9, 2007
What's in a name...oh, you sexy ALPHA MALE!
Thank you, Jacki, for asking me to come play on your blog for a day.
What is it about the alpha male that we love so much? I’ve been a fan of alpha heroes from my very first Johanna Lindsey novel. Since then, I’ve read as many books as I could get my hands on that featured strong alpha males: Julie Garwood, Linda Howard, Christine Feehan to name a few. When I started to write my own books, I created the kind of heroes I liked to read—dedicated heroes with very alpha traits.
Alphas are bigger than life, take charges kind of guys. They’re the kind of men who stick to their convictions and who will go out of their way to support family or friends in need. While they’ll fight tooth and nail for the ones they love, these men also live by a strong code of honor.
Writing an alpha male that doesn’t come across as a jerk can be tricky. I personally believe it all comes down to striking a fine balance between making him “very confident and strong” and giving him the right “chinks in his armor” (at least one is usually related to the heroine *g*).
Yes, alpha heroes can be arrogant and strong-minded, even pigheaded at times, but these very same qualities are what gives the alpha hero that “extra edge” we slurp up with a spoon as we watch him fight for his woman. Whether that “fight” is against a villain or his own internal issues keeping him from accepting how much she means to him, nothing melts our hearts more than to see a very strong Alpha male brought to his knees by the love of woman.
So how do we present this strong, dominant Alpha male’s loyalty and dedication to the heroine? How do we show his emotion and just how deep his love runs? We convey it through dialogue, yes, and also through finer, more subtle ways via the hero’s actions, making it crystal clear to the reader how very much this Alpha cares for the heroine.
If you’d like to read excerpts featuring alpha heroes paired with heroines to match them, I hope you’ll check out my website. Whether they are seductive vampires or werewolves, or sexy, rugged cowboys, all my heroes have one thing in common--they’re very Alpha and very dedicated to their women. :o)
Question: What are some traits you feel qualify a hero for “Alpha” status?
Join in the discussion and at the end I’ll pick a winner to send a download of my latest eBook, SUSANNA’S SEDUCTION!
Now let's chat!
Patrice Michelle
Patrice’s Upcoming Books:
Anticipation – October 2007, Samhain
Scions: Resurrection (book 1) – January 2008, Harlequin Nocturne
Places to find more information about Patrice:
Patrice's Website
Patrice's Blog
Patrice's MySpace
What is it about the alpha male that we love so much? I’ve been a fan of alpha heroes from my very first Johanna Lindsey novel. Since then, I’ve read as many books as I could get my hands on that featured strong alpha males: Julie Garwood, Linda Howard, Christine Feehan to name a few. When I started to write my own books, I created the kind of heroes I liked to read—dedicated heroes with very alpha traits.
Alphas are bigger than life, take charges kind of guys. They’re the kind of men who stick to their convictions and who will go out of their way to support family or friends in need. While they’ll fight tooth and nail for the ones they love, these men also live by a strong code of honor.
Writing an alpha male that doesn’t come across as a jerk can be tricky. I personally believe it all comes down to striking a fine balance between making him “very confident and strong” and giving him the right “chinks in his armor” (at least one is usually related to the heroine *g*).
Yes, alpha heroes can be arrogant and strong-minded, even pigheaded at times, but these very same qualities are what gives the alpha hero that “extra edge” we slurp up with a spoon as we watch him fight for his woman. Whether that “fight” is against a villain or his own internal issues keeping him from accepting how much she means to him, nothing melts our hearts more than to see a very strong Alpha male brought to his knees by the love of woman.
So how do we present this strong, dominant Alpha male’s loyalty and dedication to the heroine? How do we show his emotion and just how deep his love runs? We convey it through dialogue, yes, and also through finer, more subtle ways via the hero’s actions, making it crystal clear to the reader how very much this Alpha cares for the heroine.
If you’d like to read excerpts featuring alpha heroes paired with heroines to match them, I hope you’ll check out my website. Whether they are seductive vampires or werewolves, or sexy, rugged cowboys, all my heroes have one thing in common--they’re very Alpha and very dedicated to their women. :o)
Question: What are some traits you feel qualify a hero for “Alpha” status?
Join in the discussion and at the end I’ll pick a winner to send a download of my latest eBook, SUSANNA’S SEDUCTION!
Now let's chat!
Patrice Michelle
Patrice’s Upcoming Books:
Anticipation – October 2007, Samhain
Scions: Resurrection (book 1) – January 2008, Harlequin Nocturne
Places to find more information about Patrice:
Patrice's Website
Patrice's Blog
Patrice's MySpace
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Contest Winner!
The winner of an e-copy of The Bond That Ties Us (randomly drawn from a hat by my husband) is AmyC!
Congratulations Amy. Please send me an email at christine@christinedabo.com with your format preference for the book. Have a great night everyone.
Congratulations Amy. Please send me an email at christine@christinedabo.com with your format preference for the book. Have a great night everyone.
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