WHAT CONSTITUTES A HERO IN A ROMANCE?

At the RWA conference this question has been asked and many different answers were given. I pondered it myself, thinking over famous heros from romance movies and books. In Casablanca, Rick, played by Humphrey Bogart, is a hero. What makes him so? He's not particularly tall or well built, he's not young. As the movie opens Rick is a dead man walking, damaged by a past love affair which has made him indifferent to life and to those around him. That's like a siren call to a lot of women, a man who needs rescuing. But that's not all, Rick is attractive and confident, in his world he holds a position of power. People look up to him and respect him. I think it's that confidence that exudes sex appeal. The same with Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind. Handsome yes, but more than that, Rhett has confidence, even though he is an outcast to some extent in the world he inhabits, he gains respect by his clever business acumen and is looked up to by others who are higher on the social ladder than he. His wealth gives him power, but he is made vulnerable by the death of his beloved daughter. That's why the Regency and Victorian periods are so popular still, men held positions of power that make them sexually appealing. But in a good Regency these men didn't have it all, not until they gained the love of the heroine. Contemporary novels are full of wealthy magnates, shieks etc, who offer the same appeal. These are not the only qualities a hero must have, of course. Rick and Rhett were flawed, but also brave, self-sacrificing, passionate and loyal. But to me it's that combination of confidence in their ability to make their way in the world, plus a certain vulnerability that makes them special.
What do you think?

Shorter Version of Painted Lady Book Trailer

New Release! PAINTED LADY

PAINTED LADY
Maggi Andersen
A contemporary/historical novel set in 1890
Available as an e-book from http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/paintedlady.htm

Blurb: Were Astrid and Dylan merely caught up in their roles as they performed the screenplay based on the life of painter Milo Russo and his daughter, Gina? Or was the magic that seemed to explode between them with each on-screen kiss real?
Excerpt:
PARIS 2008
The black limousine pulled away from the wrought iron, gated entranceway of Astrid Leclair’s apartment building. It swept down the Avenue Foch, past elegant residences adorned with sculptures. As the car traveled past playgrounds filled with squealing children and their vigilant nannies, Astrid recalled her heated conversation with Philippe that morning. Her stomach churned.
It was spring and the chestnut trees along the avenue paraded their new green. In the park, Parisian women looked liked spring flowers themselves in the latest fashions. Through the car’s tinted windows, Astrid was able to watch the world without the world watching her. It had become a novelty. As a star on the rise, she caused a sensation wherever she went in Europe. Her face graced the magazine stands and details of her life were featured in the tabloids. She had been with billionaire businessman, Philippe Fabre for five years, since he had pursued her relentlessly. No scandal or gossip had touched her since to feed the paparazzo’s interest, but the media still hounded her, snapping her as she shopped in the local market. It was life in a gold fish bowl. Philippe pointed out she would be protected by his wealth if she married him and gave up her career to become a mother.
This morning Philippe had raised the question again and when she’d refused to be pushed, he’d exploded. At forty-four, he was still an attractive man. Most women would think her crazy. She didn’t understand it herself. She only knew she wanted something more than he could offer, something that had nothing to do with money. She decided that when her contractual obligations with this movie were finished, she would move into her own apartment. She had never lived alone. She had gone straight to him from her parent’s home. The thought of being free made her shiver with excitement and uncertainty.
The car approached the Bois de Boulogne. Astrid tapped on the pane of glass between her and the chauffeur. “We have plenty of time before the plane, Christian, please drive through the park.”
The fact that this beautiful woodland turned into a red-light district at night attracted her. She wasn’t sure why. She liked to envisage herself among the prostitutes waiting for a client to approach her. With a small intake of breath, she imagined the excitement of a passionate, clandestine sexual liaison. A starry night. The man’s face in shadow, his voice deepened by passion. The bright lights of Paris twinkling through the branches, the feeling of rough bark against her spine. His hard body. The urgency of his hands and the force of his kisses.
“Should we head to the airport now, Miss Leclair?”
His gray eyes studied her in the mirror. She crossed her legs and leaned back with sigh. “Yes, thank you, Christian.”
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCfDruuG5Mc

New 4 Book Review for Casey's Luck from LASR

Casey's Luck by Maggi Coleman
Publisher: Wild Child Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Suspense
Length: Full (162 pages)
Heat: Spicy
Rating: 4 Books
Reviewed by Camellia

When Casey Rowan finds her best friend Donald Broughton murdered and his wife Tessa unconscious, she embarks on a search for their attacker. The Devon police aren’t happy, particularly the man in charge of the investigation, DCI Roderick Carlisle.

A woman’s magazine editor, Casey uses her experience to pursue leads. She uncovers a puzzling list of artworks—and discovers she didn’t know the Broughtons as well as she thought. Desire to clear Donald’s name and find his killer drives Casey on, even when a lead takes her into the corrupt London art world. And into danger. Carlisle, caught up in the investigation, cannot protect her. His pleas for her to give up fall on deaf ears. And despite finding him extremely desirable, Casey won’t listen. The murderer must be stopped, and what she needs now is luck.

Life changed. The dependable constant in Casey’s life ended with the death of her friend Don and the serious injury to Tessa, his wife and Casey’s long-time friend. Both incidents happened while Casey slept upstairs.

She becomes aware of some things about herself, she never noticed before and finds herself facing some unsettling truths. She decides finding out who killed Don and stabbed Tessa is a must before she can move on with her life. Seemingly, oblivious to how dangerous the situation is, she uses her journalist skills to track down clues. When she runs a foul of the politically powerful and corrupt, Detective Chief Inspector Rod Carlisle of Devon and Cornwall Police tries to dissuade her; but in her heart she feels, she has to know the truth to lose the fear. Consequently, she gets into a breath-holding, menacing situation.

DCI Carlisle, a thirty-something Scot that transferred from Scotland Yards to this quiet community after his partner was killed, is thorough in his investigation but limited funds slow the process. As he methodically works the case, he and Casey seem to play a game of tag as each looks into suspect after suspect with the stakes getting higher as more facts become known. Their attraction to each other brings to life dormant emotions for both of them and creates a different type of conflict. Casey doesn’t realize how serious he is when he says, “Don’t place yourself in danger. I can’t afford another death on my conscience”.

The antagonists, with their warped way of thinking, their positions of power, and insatiable greed, are certainly worthy adversaries.

Maggi Coleman weaves together Casey’s findings, Carlisle’s findings, foreshadowing, red herrings, and the inner thoughts of Casey and Rod to create a suspense that makes Casey's Luck a compelling story that one wants to read without being interrupted until the very last page is enjoyed.

Ah yes, even Socrates, the cat, founds his happy-ever-after.

NEW TRAILER FOR PAINTED LADY

I have a new trailer for PAINTED LADY, coming to New Concepts Publishing in July. It was created by Marly Mathews.
BLURB: When life begins to imitate art ... In contemporary London, two actor’s lives parallel those of the characters in the movie PAINTED LADY, a Victorian murder story. Astrid Leclair and Dylan Shaw are irresistibly drawn to each other and their passionate scenes steam up the screen. In Victorian London, Giovanna Russo finds herself penniless on the streets, fighting for independence in a city where a woman’s choices are few. London with its smoggy, dark alleyways is a dangerous place for a girl to be, but now it’s got more personal, someone wants her dead. When Blair Dunleavy, a wealthy, Irish gentleman sees Giovanna in her stepfather’s painting, he includes her in his plans for the perfect life. A wife in Ireland and a mistress in London. But the best laid plans...

My New Cover for Painted Lady is out!

Escape to the world of 19th Century England

The settings for my historical novels are significant. In my world-building, I create a small part of the past through which my characters move. They come up against villians, are in danger of dying, fall in love, and marry in the English 19th Century. I hope readers will lose themselves in these worlds I create, whether the story is about a Regency viscount or a Victorian baron, and the clever and often beautiful women who rescue them from themselves. A world where a swish of silk skirt might reveal a slender ankle, or a low-cut gown, a creamy bosom decorated in jewels. A dashing rake sits confidently astride a magnificent stallion, but finds his better self in the love of a worthy woman. A young woman in peril escapes a ghastly end and falls in love. And in these worlds I create there are always mansions, from Tudor to neo-Classical to Baroque to Victorian Gothic. They are an integral part of my hero and heroine's world, and I lovingly embrace them in my books.
In LOVE AND WAR, the magnificent estate, Halcrow Hall, falls into ruin. Selena Wakefield agrees to marry Lord Devereux, although he admits he must marry to restore his house and lands, and doesn't love her. She fights to gain at least his respect, if not his love.
In STIRRING PASSIONS, the burned-out east wing of Broughton Hall hides a murderous secret, and Kate Kilgarth finds herself in danger when she tries to uncover it. Her childhood friend, Laurie tries to keep her safe. Can she trust Lord Broughton to tell her the truth?
In HOW TO TAME A RAKE, Lord Dangerfield's father has placed a codicil in his will. Blake must marry his cousin, Wilhelmina Corbet, a country hoyden in his opinion, or lose his inheritance, the glorious Hawkeswood. Willy has loved Blake forever, but is equally determined that Blake return her love, or leave her to make her own way in the world.
In PAINTED LADY coming to New Concepts Publishing in July, Gina is an artist's model who finds herself alone and unprotected in Victorian London. A man loves her but will his love destroy her? In present day London, two actors make the historical movie Painted Lady and their love affair threatens to tear their lives apart.
In RULES OF CONDUCT coming to Awe-Struck Books in October, Viola is found lying unconscious on the road by the Duke of Vale. She has lost her memory, but an old Tudor house swims into her mind, where wild roses grow and a horse nuzzles her hand for apples.
Settings are paramount in my novels, because they support the characters who come begging me to tell their stories.

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