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?

Review -- Sweetest Little Sin

Sweetest Little Sin
By Christine Wells
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Release Date: May 4, 2010





Lady Louisa Brooke has been in love with the handsome Marquis of Jardine for years. As the sister of a duke (and former spy for the Crown), she could have her choice of men, but only Jardine (also a spy) holds her heart . . . even though the exasperating man has let her down on occasion. While at a ball, Louisa experiences the ultimate disappointment as Jardine fails to show, despite never having missed her birthday before. When she confronts him later, he rebuffs her and tells her he no longer wishes to be with her. Louisa is shocked and heartbroken, especially because of the enormous secret they share. She decides to dust herself off and accepts a mission offered to her by the head of the secret service, Faulkner. All she has to do is encourage the attentions of one of her hopeful suitors, Mr. Radleigh, and obtain invitations for herself and one of Faulkner’s female operatives to Radleigh’s upcoming house party. When the agent mysteriously disappears along the way, Louisa is left to fulfill the mission on her own. That is until she sees who else is attending the party—the Marquis of Jardine!

Jardine has recently found out that Radleigh has in his possession a list of British operatives’ names. Even though the list is written in code, Jardine knows that if it falls in the wrong hands, specifically a traitor named Smith, it could spell disaster, torture, and even death to many of his friends and allies. Jardine arrives at the party as the guest and possible suitor of Radleigh’s sister, which infuriates his beautiful Louisa. What Louisa doesn’t realize is that Jardine has a reason for breaking it off with her—keeping her safe. If anyone knew his feelings for her, she would be a target. When danger begins to come in spades, Louisa and Jardine must work together to get that list. But will they be able to mend their broken relationship in the process?

Fans of The Dangerous Duke rejoice! Louisa and Jardine finally get their happily ever after, though it’s not without a few bumps. Ms. Wells makes these two work hard and when you close the last page, you know they have more than earned it. I thoroughly enjoyed the constant banter between Louisa and Jardine. One scene in particular between them and an oblivious Miss Radleigh had me laughing out loud.

Jardine’s attention swung back to Louisa. Forestalling whatever acid comment he seemed about to make, Louisa said, “We were just discussing hunting and so forth. Have you taken your gun out yet, Lord Jardine?”

Those mobile eyebrows climbed a little. “I beg your pardon?”

“Mr. Radleigh told me he bagged a brace of partridges this morning.” She widened her eyes a little. “Have you taken out your gun?”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “I must confess I am a little out of practice. But I hear you are proficient in the art, Lady Louisa.” His smile grew wicked. “Perhaps I might persuade you to help me fire my piece.”

If she’d been given to blushing, she would be as red as sealing wax, but fortunately, that wasn’t one of her weaknesses. “By all means. I’d be happy to lend you the benefit of my . . . advice.”

“Oh, shooting!” Beth shuddered dramatically. “Honestly, just hearing the awful bang makes me scream and put my hands over my ears.”

“You get used to it,” said Louisa, never taking her eyes from Jardine’s. “The sport can be most . . . satisfying. Don’t you agree, my lord?”

His eyes burned into hers. “Yes,” he said softly. “If one has the skill and the patience to do it correctly. And one needs the right teacher, of course.”

“Naturally.” Louisa smiled, holding his gaze. “It’s so easy to rush things, and go off half-cocked.”

Jardine’s foot stopped swinging. His fingers tightened their grip on the armrest of his chair.

Interesting.

At least she hadn’t been mistaken about the heat between them. It survived, powerful and volatile as ever.

She’d have to watch herself. While they sat in a room full of people, she was safe. Heaven help her if he got her alone after she’d taunted him like that.

Boy oh boy, did these two heat up the pages when they were alone! The love scenes were fast, furious and extremely passionate. Ms. Wells convinced me with her very first book that she was on her way to becoming a star in historical romance and Sweetest Little Sin just validates that. Filled with intrigue, incredibly likable characters, and Ms. Wells’s trademark wit and passion, Sweetest Little Sin will surely find its way to your keeper shelf!

~Andrea