Monday, April 23, 2012

Today's Special -- Donna Fletcher

It's my pleasure to welcome USA Today bestselling historical author Donna Fletcher back to the Romance Dish! Donna has been lucky enough to visit many of the places she writes about in her books. From her website: "She has walked the fields were battles were fought centuries ago, toured haunted castles, stood where beheading were commonplace, explored the mystic mounds of long ago and collected a plethora of memories and research that will live long in her heart and mind." Doesn't that sound amazing? I'm so jealous. *g* Her newest book, A Warrior's Promise, hits shelves tomorrow, April 24th! It's the third book in her popular Warrior King series. Please welcome Donna as she dishs about one of our favorite topics--heroines!


It’s great to be back at The Romance Dish.Thanks, ladies, for having me.


Some hero and heroines are unforgettable. You just don’t want their story to end. Naturally, all my heroines have lingered in my memory, each having been unique in their own way. Though I have to admit that I had great fun writing about heroines I posed as lads. The very first book I wrote, San Francisco Surrender, the heroine Victoria/Vic posed as a lad who takes to robbing wealthy men in an unconventional way to help her ill sister. Irish Hope was the next book where Hope/Harold wanted an adventure before she was to enter into an arranged marriage and she comes across more than she counted on. And now there’s Charlotte/Charles in A Warrior’s Promise, the third book in my Warrior King series. She’s desperate to save her father who has been taken by soldiers at the king’s command. Feisty, tenacious and petite she manages to get herself into endless situations.

Here’s a peek at Charlotte and the mighty Highlander warrior she drives crazy with her brave antics and along the way steals his heart.        

Charles ran like the devil was after him. His worn boots pounded the dirt, leaving a wake of dust in his trail. He couldn’t let the soldiers get him. He couldn’t His dark eyes darted in panic, desperate to find an avenue of escape. At the last minute he spotted it: big, broad and solid. Surely, he could take shelter beneath it. With all the strength he had left, he dove for the solid mass sliding along the ground and coming to rest on his belly between the two limbs that stood rooted to the earth. Then he hurriedly wrapped his arms around one thick leg and held on for dear life.

A quick tilt of his head had his eyes settling beneath the Highlander’s plaid, and he gulped. Good lord, he was a big one, which meant he was strong and could protect, and the lad needed protecting.

Please. Please, help me,” he begged, peering past the plaid to the giant Highlander, who stared down at him with a look of bewilderment.

“Hand him over,” one of the three soldiers ordered, while almost colliding as they came to an abrupt halt.

The urchin hid a smile, relieved at their reluctance to approach the large man. “And what will you do with him?” The urchin liked the sound of the Highlander’s voice; it confronted and dared all in one breathe. He was not a man to argue with, but one to fear and respect.

“That doesn’t concern you,” the soldier said with trembling bravado.

“Why wouldn’t it?” the Highlander demanded sharply.

“He stole from this woman and must pay the price,” another soldier spoke up, not daring to step from behind the soldier in front.

“What will you take for him?” the Highlander asked.

The woman stared down at the urchin. “He’s worth a good amount.”

The Highlander lurched forward, causing the soldiers and woman to retreat in haste and huddle closer together. While the urchin, having no intention of letting go of the intimidating Highlander’s leg, was dragged along with every step he took.

“Don’t think me a fool, madam,” the Highlander snarled. “He’s a skinny lad not fit for most chores. He isn’t worth a pittance.” And with that said, he tossed a meager trinket at her feet. “Take it and be satisfied.”

The one soldier was quick to pick it up and hand it to the woman. She took it and, with a snort and toss of her head, stomped away.

“We’re done here,” the Highlander said.

Charles heard the tight anger in his tone and as the soldiers turned and walked away, he grinned. That is until the Highlander’s large hand reached down, grabbed him by the back of his shirt, and lifted him clear off the ground to dangle in front of his face.

What type of heroine is your favorite? Leave a comment and take a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card. And when you have time visit me at http://www.donnafletcher.com/

40 comments:

  1. Intelligent, strong willed women, who aren't afraid to go after what they want and are willing to speak up for themselves.

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  2. Hi Donna,
    Congratulations on your new book! It looks like a good story. I like heroines who don't give up even when things look bleak.

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  3. Hi Laurie & Maureen,

    Thanks for stopping by and leaving comments. I'm always curious about what type of heroines and heroes readers favor.

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  4. A heroine who has principles and character which strenghten her resolve.

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  5. A heroine who has the courage of her convictions.

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  6. Hi, Donna! We're so glad to have you dishing with us today. Congrats in your newest release!

    My favorite type of heroine is one who is intelligent (as Laurie stated), has a sense of humor, and loves her hero passionately. *g*

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  7. I adore strong, opionated and spirited heroines. It's their attitude that most interest me and it's even more interesting when they have some vulnerability. I want to see them fight for something with their mind and body, I want them to believe in themselves.

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  8. Hi Andrea,

    Glad to be back again and getting such wonderful feedback about heroines!

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  9. Hi Na,

    I agree, some vulnerability does make for an interesting heroine.

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  10. I like a heroine who is strong in spirit, smart, witty, able to banter with the hero, compassionate, loving, sensible, and intuitive. Gosh, I just described the perfect woman. I guess the heroine really should have some flaws and vulnerabilities, too, in order to be a realistic woman and one that all of us could relate to in some way.

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  11. Good point, Cheryl.

    Many readers write me to tell me how they relate to the heroines in my books. Some readers have even written to tell me how some of my heroines have given them the courage to change. It is so wonderful to hear that heroines in my books have had an impact on women and have helped them to gain courage and make changes.

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  12. My favorite type of heroine is the kind that starts the story unsure of herself but grows into a strong, brave woman by the end of the book. I like to see the journey. She needs to be smart too.

    geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com

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    1. I love the way you put it, Stacie. It's the journey that we adore. :)

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    2. I love the way you put it, Stacie. It's the journey that we adore. :)

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  13. I like a strong heroine, that knows what she like and goes after it.

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  14. I like characters who are intelligent, capable and loyal. A good sense of humor and a love of animals is always a plus. Finally, I want to read about a heroine who has room to grow--and does grow, through the novel. Thanks for visiting, Donna.

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    1. I like your point about loving animals, LSUReader. I'll add a love of children, too!

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  15. I really like your characters. Strong, willful yet loving women who are paired with alpha males...makes for great reading.

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    1. Great choices, aprilrenee! And thanks for stopping by!

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  16. Hey Donna! It's so great having you with us today!!

    I must tell you that I have enjoyed your books for some time. And I'm looking forward to reading this one!

    I love a heroine with a lot of spunk! Nothing like a gal you gives better than she gets ;-)

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  17. Hi Buffie,

    So glad to be visiting with you again and happy to hear that you enjoy my books. :)

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  18. I love the smart, feisty spinster/wallflower who gives the hero such a hard time that he just can't help but fall in love with her. :D

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  19. I enjoy a herione who's at least a little smart, a bit sassy & stubburn but like my heroes, also has some sense of humor (even if a little quirked), loyalty & honor too.

    congrats on the latest release :)

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  20. Great excerpt! I like a strong and smart heroine.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  21. I like a smart, confident heroine who is kind, but not gullible, and has a sense of fun & humor. It;s also fun if she has an unusual skill, particularly if that skill is considered a man's skill.
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  22. One who is funny , smart, and can hold het own with the boys, congrats om the book, whoo
    Kimh

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  23. I don't think I have any particular type of heroine that I prefer. They just have to fit the story and the hero. I do want spunk and basic goodness in them all, be they quiet vicar's daughters or hellions their families don't know what to do with. I have always had a fondness for the stories where the heroine is posing as a boy. With the restrictions put on women, it was often the only way to get about or get something done. It was also the only way of self-preservation in some situations.
    I hope the release of THE WARRIOR'S PROMISE goes well. I'll be looking for it.

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  24. Hi Donna,
    I love your books. Especially your Heroes. :)
    I like strong and independent Heroines. The ones who aren't meek and afraid to go after what they want. Thanks for this opportunity.
    Carol L.
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  25. Hi Donna :)
    I love a strong independent heroine. As a little girl my favorite fairy tale was 'The princess and the frog' because it was one of the few were the princess saved the prince. :) I like my heroine's to be able to hold there on and at the end of the day not need some one to save them because they can save themselves

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  26. I like a heroine who does not necessarily NEED a man to charge up on a white horse to rescue her. If she wants to let him think he is useful, that's fine too.

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  27. Maybe because back in the 1960's when I was a teenager I was a little more independent and "free thinking" that most of my friends and not afraid to take a risk to be independent I want my heroine to be independent in her opinions even if they do get her in trouble!

    I'm sure if I were a debutante back in Scotland during the time period that A Warrior's Promise was written that I'd be the one all the villagers whispered about behind her back! My family would probably also try to marry be off to some unexpecting outsider to just get rid of me as well.

    So my favorite heroines are one's that stand up for their beliefs and are willing to take a chance on love!

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  28. I want my heroine to be intelligent, independent, feisty, and kick ass.

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