Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Guest Author - - Christine Wells



I'm delighted to welcome back to The Romance Dish one of my favorite authors, and people, Christine Wells.  Christine is a Regency historical romance author who is quickly making her mark.  Her debut book, SCANDAL'S DAUGHTER, won the 2006 RWA Golden Heart.  Her second book, THE DANGEROUS DUKE, was a 2009 RITA finalist and her third book, WICKED LITTLE GAME was a RT Magazine 2009 finalist for "Best Sensual Historical Romance." Her current release, SWEETEST LITTLE SIN, brings us the much-anticipated story of Louisa and Jardine.   Released May 4th, SWEETEST LITTLE SIN is already raking in accolades, including a TOP PICK review from RT Magazine and 4-1/2 Stars from The Romance Dish. Read Andrea's review here.  When not writing some of my favorite books, Christine is a busy wife and mother of two sons as well as a regular blogger at Romance Bandits.  Please join me in giving her a warm welcome to The Romance Dish
~PJ



HERO WORSHIP
by Christine Wells

People often ask writers where they get their ideas. Another question often follows--do you take your characters from real life?

My answer to the second question is--yes, but mainly no. Perhaps a hero in one of my historical romances might be inspired by qualities I've discovered in a particular person, but to me, the whole point of him being a *hero* in a romance novel and not just a protagonist, is that he's LARGER than life.

Having said that, there's inspiration for heroes everywhere. Take yesterday, for example. I caught the train to the city to visit a jeweller. On the way, I sat opposite a strapping young lad who couldn't seem to talk to his friend about anything but Rugby football. Now I'm not a nosy person by nature (OK, yes, I am--it goes with the job description!) but in my defence, when you're sitting opposite someone on a train for half an hour with nothing to occupy you but whiney girly band music eking out of the iPod of the girl next to you, you tend to pick up a lot about the other passengers.

I noticed that these two young men spoke in short, staccato sentences. That they were sitting two rows of seats apart (presumably to dominate as much space as they reasonably could and still hear one another speak.) The fellow opposite me, whom I took to be 16 or 17 but had the physique of a 20 year old, had his knee strapped, which, given his conversation, argued some injury sustained on the football field. Below that impressive bandaging, he had a band-aid on his shin. Which I thought was rather adorable, really. Big hulking boy with band-aid. Sweet.

Right there. There's a hero in the making. Think of the metaphors--to a romance writer, playing football argues a level of heroism and physical prowess and even, in some cases, glamour. Perhaps he's the team captain of a failing, underfunded club and he needs to motivate these guys to win the premiership. The strapped knee symbolizes this hero's deep, abiding wound. The band-aid is that touch of whimsy that both humanizes the hero and makes him stand out from every other strapping footballer around.

Now, you can see how I'm turning quite an ordinary guy into a hero. I've left the reality of the boy himself far behind.

By contrast, my mission in town was to visit one of our premier jewellers--the best jeweller in town, in my opinion. Almost every significant piece of jewellery I own has been designed by him. Unfortunately, it was not an exciting mission--I had to get a quote for insurance--but that's beside the point. This jeweller is quite a different kind of hero from my strapping Rugby player. Cool, charming and sophisticated, he has innate style and seems to epitomize the word 'gentleman'. He knows how to treat women and handles many things personally that you would think beneath his notice as the owner of the business. He makes anyone who walks into his store feel special and appreciated. But the romance writer wonders, is it all a veneer? And his eyes are a piercing ice blue--which we know always means something in a romance, don't we? What might be going on behind those eyes that his clientele wouldn't begin to guess at? Is it a case of still waters run deep? Again, my imagination is developing this man well beyond what I know of him in real life.

Now, the hero in SWEETEST LITTLE SIN, the Marquis of Jardine, is definitely not based on anyone of my acquaintance in particular, but he does have elements of men I know, and even some characters from movies and television. He has the upper-crust arrogance of Jeremy Northam's Mayfair spy in the movie Enigma, the ruthless toughness of Daniel Craig's Bond, the strategic brilliance of Smiley in Le Carre's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, and the hidden vulnerability of Richard Armitage's character in Spooks/MI-5. His passion for Lady Louisa Brooke is an unstoppable force, a sweep-the-table-clean-I-must-have-her-NOW kind of passion from a kind of hero who, let's face it, comes along rarely in real life.

But we can enjoy that kind of passion and that kind of hero in romance novels, can't we?

Today, to celebrate its release, I'm giving away a signed copy of SWEETEST LITTLE SIN to one lucky commenter. So tell me, do you know any heroic men in real life? Who is your favourite hero in a romance novel and what qualities in him do you most admire?


82 comments:

  1. See - it pays to stay up until all hours. I'm so excited about this book. I have been a fan from the beginning and I can't wait for more great books! Congrats, Christina!

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  2. Wow, Christine, a sweep the table clear, etc.! Let me at him! You've described the perfect hero right there, that unbeatable need for the heroine, no matter what. Hubba, huba! I love your take on the two guys - sometimes it's fun being a writer, isn't it?

    By the way, I read Sweetest Little Sin in manuscript (hey, anyone want to be MEEEEEEE?) and it's brilliant! I just loved it - the heat just sizzles between Louisa and Jardine and the sexual tension just builds and builds until you know something's gotta give!

    Seriously, fabulous book! And well deserving of the accolades it's receiving. Congratulations on the release day, Christine!

    Santa, you're a woman of taste ;-)

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  3. I trust Anna Campbell's recommendations so Christine Wells, you're in my radar now! It's getting pretty late here in Hawaii, I can't think of just one historical romance hero but my DH is really my #1 real life hero and the one who makes reading romances even more delectable.

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  4. Yay, Santa! Lovely to see you here. I've been catching up with old friends this week. It's so much fun. Thanks for the congrats. I hope you enjoy SWEETEST LITTLE SIN!

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  5. Btw, I wanted to thank you all for having me here today. I love this blog and I love all the people who run it. It's very satisfying to find genuinely charming, fun and generous people in this business and the Dishers are all of that and more. PJ, what a lovely introduction. My goodness, do you need another job? I'd hire you as my publicist any day.

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  6. Anna, lovely to see you here and I'm blushing at all that praise. Yes, you're right, I love that kind of intensity in a hero and yours have that in spades! Thanks for the congrats! Must admit I'm a little weary after the Bandit party. Phew! It only just wrapped up.

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  7. Oh, Etirv, what a beautiful thing to say about your husband. That will teach me to say these heroes don't exist in real life!

    I'm so glad to be on your radar--I always take Anna's recommendations, myself. I've discovered a lot of my keeper shelf books through Ms Campbell!

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  8. It was a wild night in the lair, wasn't it? The cabana boys are asking for danger money for the next launch. Um, I think that would be MINE! See? I'm going to pay for your shenanigans, Ms. Wells! Not to mention the shenanigans of Jardine and Louisa! Those two really should get a room!

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  9. Hey, cool that I'm spreading the good oil on great books. I love it when that happens! Actually, Christine, you introduced me to Liz Carlyle so I think we're square!

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  10. Anna, I think I'll be paying for that party for the next week! Fortunately, I've banished J&L back to storyland so they can have as many rooms as they like!

    Love the term 'spreading the good oil'! Where did you pick that up?? Liz Carlyle is special. But then again I'd never heard of Loretta Chase or Laura Kinsale before I met you! Shock!

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  11. Meant to say also that the football photo depicts one of the greatest players in Oz Rugby, the amazing John Eales. Stop me if you've heard this before, *G* (yes, Anna, I know you've heard this before) but I met John once and shook his hand. I admit, I was a bit starstruck to meet him and said nothing remotely intelligible. He's huge! And such a nice guy, too. Now that's a real life hero.

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  12. Good morning Dishers and Christine, on my way to work again, I take it everyone is recovering from the launch party yesterday even here. I can't wait to read this book like everyone else who has ever read Christine's work.
    I don't know any larger than life heroes but I know several of the quiet ones. The people that I personally hold in awe because of what they do.

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  13. YAY! Christine is here again!!! We are so glad you are spending the day with us.

    I am so looking forward to reading this book, Christine. I just need some spare time to get lost in your words. Wishing you much success with it!

    I love how you mad two seemingly ordinary guys into hunky heros!! I'm in awe of a writer's thoughts! Today, I'm going to have to slow down and look at the understated qualities of my guys to see them as the heros they are. Just like Dianna, I don't know any larger-the-life heros, but do know a few quiet, determined ones.

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  14. Oops, that should be MADE not MAD! Jeez, that is what I get when try to post quickly before heading to work.

    Have fun today and I'll check back after the day job is done.

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  15. Hi, Santa! It's so wonderful to see you here. It does pay off to stay up until all hours. As first poster, you get to spend the day with our deliciously golden waiter. Hmmmm...what *will* you find to do? *vbg*

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  16. Hi Anna! I agree with you. Sweetest Little Sin is brilliant, fabulous, sensational - just what we've come to expect from Christine. No pressure for the next one, Christine! lol

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  17. Good Morning Christine!
    YOu are now on my radar--your newest book sounds like an exciting read. Love the insight on how you pull traits for your characters!
    My favorite hero would be Jamie Fraiser from Diana Gabaldon's Voyager series. OMG--he is just the complete package. A real man (big, physical, handsome) who has suffered, loved and held true to himself. Also love the wounded strength of Zadist in J.R. Ward's BDB series.
    Ok sounds corny but my heroes are the every day people in my life--my Father who quit drinking cold turkey for his family better than 30 years ago. My husband (and all other service members) who must be away from their families for extended periods of time. They place themselves in danger for us and then miss out on so many family milestones that will never be repeated. The military spouse left behind who holds it all together and supports their spouse 100% and especially the kids who deal with these abscenes and come through fine (perhaps a bit more mature than some of their peers)! My girlfriend who unexpectedly lost her husband 3 years ago and who has held it together, pieced her life back together and kept her kids, sane, healthy and well-adjusted.Those are my heroes--I have never been one to idolize a tv or movie star, musician or sportstar. Everyday people do it for me.

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  18. I love this blog and I love all the people who run it. It's very satisfying to find genuinely charming, fun and generous people in this business and the Dishers are all of that and more.

    Oh, Christine, what a lovely thing to say! We think you're all that and more as well! :-)

    I love your description of the young men on the train. The band-aid is priceless!

    I think there are so many heroes in every day life that we don't notice, but I'm partial to the military. There's just something about a man in uniform--my husband looked amazing in his. He was in the Navy for 21 years, and I'm still proud of him for that. There are days I think he actually misses it. ;-)

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  19. etirv, you have some wonderful reading ahead of you. Anna's recommendations are good ones to follow. She's never steered me wrong.

    For maximum pleasure, and Louisa and Jardine's backstory, you'll want to read The Dangerous Duke before Sweetest Little Sin.

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  20. I admit, I was a bit starstruck to meet him and said nothing remotely intelligible. He's huge! And such a nice guy, too.

    LOL! Christine, a few years ago I was at a conference in Orlando. As I was one of the conference planners, the hotel put me on their concierge floor. One morning, as I was waiting for the elevator, I was joined by five members of the Detroit Pistons (a professional basketball team). Holy Cow! My head might, might have reached their navels! I (who talks to *everyone*) pretty much stood there with my mouth hanging open. LOL!

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  21. I love this blog and I love all the people who run it. It's very satisfying to find genuinely charming, fun and generous people in this business and the Dishers are all of that and more.

    Thank you, Christine. What a lovely thing to say. I hope you know that the feelings go both ways!

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  22. PJ, what a lovely introduction. My goodness, do you need another job? I'd hire you as my publicist any day.

    If I had another hour in the day, I'd take you up on that! :)

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  23. Morning, Dianna! Let's just say that I'm moving a wee bit gingerly this morning. I have vague recollections of hockey hunks and chandeliers. ;-)

    Christine, you throw one heck of a cyber-party!

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  24. Cyndi and Gannon, I'm right there with you in putting our military men and women at the top of my hero list. My late husband was career Air Force and as proud to serve his country as I was proud to be his wife.

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  25. PJ, we stayed in the same hotel as the Pittsburgh Steelers one time. OMG! Even I felt small, and that's not an easy feat!

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  26. Hi Christine

    I love your description of the young rubgy player on the train no way I could be a writter I would have had my head stuck in a book and not notice what is going on around me LOL.

    I guess my hubby would have to be my hero he is such a great father and grandfather and although not a romantic hubby he is very caring LOL. I don't think I could choose a favourite there really are too many that I have loved but I really am looking forward to reading Jardine and Louisa's story YAY.

    Congrats on the release

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  27. Christine -- wild time yesterday, you sure do know how to through a virtual release party :) The more I hear about your work the more I want to read it. I admit, I'm a little fickle when it comes to book heros. I usually fall in l-u-v with the current one. ;) Congrats again. Looking forward to reading your book.

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  28. Hi Christine!! So nice to see you over here :)

    I laugh when I get that question about the heroes in my books being based on someone I know. I don't think so. My husband tells everyone the heroes are based off of him. Again, I don't think so.

    I can't wait to get my hands on this book! Jardine sounds yummy!!

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  29. My husband is my hero. He is the best. He always puts the children and me first.
    There are so many heroes in the books. It seems like whichever book I am reading has my favorite hero.

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  30. ...a sweep-the-table-clean-I-must-have-her-NOW kind of passion...

    Christine, I *love* this!!! Welcome back to The Dish! We are so happy to have you celebrating day two of your release with us. As you know, I simply adored Louisa and Jardine's story! And their secret--WOW! O_O

    My hero is my husband. What can I say? He's the only guy I ever dated that didn't have a derogatory term for my romance novels! Gotta love that...and him. :)

    My all-time favorite fictional hero is Anthony Bridgerton from Julia Quinn's The Viscount Who Loved Me. From the moment I "met" him, he captured my heart.

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  31. I love this blog and I love all the people who run it. It's very satisfying to find genuinely charming, fun and generous people in this business and the Dishers are all of that and more.

    Aww, the feeling is mutual, Christine! I can't wait to meet you in person!!!

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  32. Good Morning Christine! :) Happy Cinco De Mayo!

    Hmmm, I think my real life hero would have to be one of my friends. He's a fire fighter, he's worked really hard to go to school and become one. Plus he's a great one which I'm very proud of!!

    I also have a guy I graduated with who has been in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and he still is just one of the best people to be around. So brave!

    rachie2004 @ yahoo (d0t) com

    Christine- Can't wait to read his one, I"m such a fan!!

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  33. Sounds like an interesting book, have not read any of yours, but will have to check them out.

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  34. Hi, Christine. Great post today.

    Heroes come in all forms and I agree with Buffie that sometimes I need to look at the inside rather than the outside of a person. A quiet demeanor can mean inner strength just as much as a positive, outward demeanor.

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  35. I'm going to say my favorite hero is the last one I read about Scully James Falconer, in Lyn Cote
    Her Inheritance Forever.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  36. I don't know a real life hero and sometimes this makes me a bit sad.
    But my favorite romance Hero (at the moment) is: Gideon from Anna Cambell's Captive of Sin. He capture a small part of my heart.

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  37. I guess my hubby would have to be my hero he is such a great father and grandfather

    Helen, that would make him a very special hero in my book.

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  38. The more I hear about your work the more I want to read it.

    gamistress66, you have some wonderful reading ahead of you! Christine's stories always sweep me away. :)

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  39. Hi Christie! Thanks for popping in. I'm chuckling at your hubby taking credit for inspiring your heroes. ;-)

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  40. runner10, it's lovely that you're married to your own special hero. He sounds wonderful.

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  41. Hi RachieG! Welcome to our humble abode. Both of your friends sound like very special heroes. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for people who spend their lives in service to others.

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  42. Good Morning, MaryAnn! It's always lovely to have you stop by!

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  43. Deb said; A quiet demeanor can mean inner strength just as much as a positive, outward demeanor.

    Many times, more so.

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  44. Hi Theresa! I haven't read Lyn Cote's books before. Off to check them out!

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  45. Kirsten, isn't Gideon wonderful? He captured a bit of my heart too.

    Wait until you meet Jardine from Christine's book and Tarquin from Anna's June release, My Reckless Surrender ::Sigh::

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  46. I haven't tried this author yet, so I'll have to try one of her books.

    I have so many favorite books, which means I have more than one favorite fictional hero. Jack in Julia Quinn's The Lost Duke of Wyndham was wonderful. He had deep feelings, but also had a terrific sense of humor.

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  47. I'm completely blank on an actual hero, but right now i'm completely obsessed with Tolly James from "A Lady's Guide to Improper Behavior". I love him so much because he's willing to risk his reputation so that his men are remembered heroically and now cowards. He does this to the point of throwing himself in front of a carriage in order to talk to the person inside. I also love him because despite what people were saying about him he continued to go out and about and make sure people didn't forget about him. ^^

    Melissa

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  48. You know, I'm not sure where I picked up spreading the good oil!

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  49. My mum had a real teenage starry-eyed giggle her head off crush on John Ealeas. She saw him once at the airport when she was saying goodbye to me and we couldn't get any sense out of her for a week ;-)

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  50. Hey, thanks, PJ! Tarquin sends his love!

    Hey, Kirsten, what a wonderful thing to say. THANK YOU!

    Hey, everyone, seriously that RT Top Pick got it 100% right. This is a wonderful book.

    Hey, why am I starting every sentence with hey?

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  51. Oh, wow, look at all these comments! So sorry to be absent, I've been sleeping!

    Dianna, thanks for visiting! Actually, the quiet ones are the ones I respect the most in real life. You're so right, Dianna. And they make lovely heroes, too.

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  52. Hi Christine,

    How you spin a story from watching a young rugby player on the train just proves to all what a talented author you are. Inspiration is everywhere, right?

    BTW, that was a great release party at Bandits yesterday. I did manage to get my face out of the marguerita filled gutter enough to show up here today. No mean feat for sure but I just had to say 'HI' once more!

    Asking for spoiler here...the lady on the cover is holding a mask...is there a masquerade in the book?

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  53. HI Buffie, I've been looking forward to visiting you all!

    Glad you enjoyed the post. I hope I didn't sound off, thinking about a schoolboy as a hero. I wasn't drooling over him or anything!

    Understated can be a very cool hero trait in romance novels though, can't it?

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  54. Ooh, the golden waiter? That sounds like fun. Enjoy, Santa!

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  55. PJ wrote: No pressure for the next one, Christine! lol

    Oh, none felt! Actually, it gives my neurotic writer's ego a boost to hear such kind things, so don't stop on my account! :)

    Thank you again. Really, I am blushing!

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  56. Cyndi, you made me cry. That was just beautiful and it sounds like you have a lot of everyday heroes in your life. Thanks for commenting. I love Jamie Fraiser, too. Zsadist is a very powerful character, isn't he?

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  57. Hi Gannon, I had such a great time hanging out with you and PJ in DC. Thank you for the return compliment!

    Love a man in uniform and all that implies. Wow, 21 years--that's a long time to be in service. He sounds like a wonderful guy.

    I've never written about a military man. Something to think about.

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  58. Oh, yes, PJ come and be my publicist! I'm sure I could arrange a 25 hour day:)

    PJ, it is inspiring to hear how much you ladies take pride in your military men. I think it must be a very hard life for a military wife, having to stay at home and manage things while your husband is away. I take my hat off to you!

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  59. Gannon, if you felt small, these players must be giants!

    Sigh. Wish I was tall. I'm such a runt.

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  60. Hi Helen!! Great to see you hear.

    Yes, usually I'd have a book but I had my alphasmart, intending to do some writing. Only I had so little room I couldn't write so I stickybeaked instead!

    Love that your hubby is your hero. After so many years of marriage, that is a beautiful thing.

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  61. gamistress66--thanks for joining in all the fun in the lair yesterday! Hey, nothing wrong with falling in love again each time. That's a good thing for a writer to hear!

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  62. Hi Christie, my Bandita friend!

    Yes, a lot of people ask me if my heroes are my husband. I don't see how they could all be him!

    Thanks, I hope you enjoy Jardine!

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  63. runner10 I'm so delighted to hear your husband is your hero. Another fickle reader, LOL. That's great.

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  64. Andrea, thank you for the amazing review. I was so thrilled (and relieved!) that you enjoyed SLS. And thank you for having me here today.

    Another husband hero. I was wrong--heroes are everywhere! Come and let me study them so I can put them in my books. Kidding, kidding.

    I had to laugh at one of the criteria for heroism being not using a derogatory term for romance novels. Clearly an enlightened man. Love it!

    Oh, JQ does the loveliest heroes. I was just revisiting The Duke and I the other day. Magic!

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  65. Andrea, thank you. I'd love to meet you, too!

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  66. Hi Rachie! Happy fifth to you, too! Oh, here comes more Sangria...

    Wow, you know some awesome men!

    Thanks for the kind words. I hope you enjoy SLS!

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  67. Hi Mary Ann, I hope you do check them out. THanks for dropping in!

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  68. Ah Debbie, I hope you're feeling great after getting the Sven treatment yesterday!

    What you said about inner strength is so true! And I love a good dose of modesty in real people, even if my heroes can sometimes be arrogant.

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  69. Hi Theresa, I haven't read that book but I'll look out for it! Thanks for commenting!

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  70. Hi Kirsten--oh I LOVE Gideon, too! I think he might be my favourite AC hero. He's so noble and strong a beautiful and tortured. Happy sigh!

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  71. Tarquin from My Reckless Surrender is another swoonworthy one, I agree, PJ! Looking forward to it being on the shelves!

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  72. Penfield, I really admire the way JQ can keep things light and amusing while plumbing real depths of emotion beneath the surface. She is such a great writer. Thanks for commenting!

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  73. Melissa, Tolly sounds like a wonderful hero. I always love it when everyone thinks the hero did something terrible but really he is noble and brave. Sigh.

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  74. Anna, giggled about your mother. I was kicking myself afterwards, that I hadn't said anything more intelligent than "I'm a huge fan". I suppose at least I didn't blurt out something inappropriate!

    Thank you for being so lovely about SLS!

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  75. Karen H, I'm blushing! Thank you but I think it's a common thing that writers do, imagine stories about people. So watch out when you hang out with them!LOL

    Wasn't that party amazing? Snork on getting your head out of the gutter. What must people think of us??

    There is a masquerade, but it's one of the first scenes in the book, so that's not a spoiler at all, Karen, no worries! Thanks for visiting!

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  76. Yeah, Karyn, I'm almost partied out! Not as young as I used to be;)

    Oh, what a lovely hero you have in your husband. That's just beautiful. Thank you for sharing that with us.

    Oh, not more confetti!lOL Thanks so much for joining in the fun over here.

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  77. Must go and feed children and pack them off to school but I'll be back a little later. Thanks for the lovely welcome. It's been great fun.

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  78. Hey, thanks for the hero love, CW! You do a pretty darn good hero yourself! Hmm, doing a hero? That sounds a bit naughty too!

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  79. Clearly, Anna, your mind is still in the gutter with the margaritas!

    But thank you!

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  80. Christine, thank you so much for hanging with us today. You're always such a fun guest! Best of luck with Sweetest Little Sin!

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  81. Thank you all so much for having me today. It was great fun and thank you to all the readers for a lively discussion on heroes!

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  82. One of my favorite heroes, is Brodick Buchanon in Julie Garwood's RANSOM. He is all male, demanding, arrogant, sees what he wants and takes it. He is someone you can depend on and who will fight to protect those he cares for and those in danger. On the inside, he is a really nice guy.

    Have seen and heard good things about this book. I'll be looking for it.

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