Hi, everyone! (And a big thanks to Shelli and the ladies at Naughty and Spice for inviting me to guest post!) Today, I thought I’d talk about the heroines that seem to be making our paranormal alpha heroes stand up and pay attention. Those tough, smart heroines who don’t wait with trembling breaths to be rescued; instead, these woman are often out there, doing a great deal of rescuing on their own.
I like the stronger, tougher heroines. What can I say? I was a big Buffy fan. ☺ She got me hooked on the take-no-prisoners heroine. But, there was a softer side to Buffy, a more vulnerable side, and I like to see that side in my romance novel heroines. After all, no one can be tough twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, right?
In my latest paranormal release, MIDNIGHT’S MASTER, my hero is a very, very powerful demon. A guy who is used to getting his way every day and every night, and when my heroine stumbles into his path, well, he’s not too sure what to make of her. This heroine is strong emotionally, but physically? Not so much. She has to use her intellectual and emotional strength to prove that she’s a match for the hero.
When it comes to heroines, what particular personality traits do you like to see? Are there traits that totally turn you off? Leave me a comment and tell me what you think. One commenter will be selected to win an autographed copy of MIDNIGHT’S MASTER.
Thanks!
Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
MIDNIGHT’S MASTER—Available now from Kensington Brava
Get you demon on…
Greta
July 10th, 2009 at
7:25 am
Hey Cynthia – just wanted to say come by and say what a cool topic. I love strong heroine like Holly, Kira & Emily but I also want them to have a vulnerability about them.
Please don’t include me in the drawing. I’ve already read Midnight’s Master and loved it.
Roberta Harwell
July 10th, 2009 at
9:33 am
Hello Cynthia,
I’m a big Buffy fan as well. So I like my heroines to take charge. Don’t get me wrong, they can have their past issues. I just want them to take charge of the man in bed.
Have a great day.
Crystal B.
July 10th, 2009 at
10:13 am
Hi Cynthia. I like heroines who are strong, intelligent, confident and can take care of themselves.
flip
July 10th, 2009 at
1:06 pm
Hi: Your book sounds great. I am a huge Buffy fan. I also loved Xena. However, some of my favorite books (The Star and The Shadow by Laura Kinsale) feature much softer and feminine heroines. I like a heroine with a strong character. She can be kick ass or she can use more subtle methods.
C (aka -- DisenchantedDoc)
July 10th, 2009 at
1:46 pm
The one thing that pisses me off more than anything in a heroine is the whole too stupid to live (TSTL) thing. If she’s constantly plunging headfirst into a situation she knows she should avoid and then has to be rescued by the hero over and over again — well, I usually end up throwing the book across the room.
As the others have said, I prefer a confident, resourceful heroine. She doesn’t need to be a member of American Gladiators, but she needs to be able to hold her own with the hero, to challenge him, to be his equal rather than his submissive. At the same time, if she strays into nagging bitch territory, it will also turn into a book across the room scenario.
Melissa Conatser
July 10th, 2009 at
1:57 pm
I like strong heroines. She can have weak moments or a bad past, but she needs to be able to pull herself above all of that and come out on top.
Melissa
Jane
July 10th, 2009 at
2:07 pm
Hi Cynthia,
I like heroines who are smart, funny and say what they mean. I don’t like it when a heroine is constantly fighting with the hero or other just because she has to disagree with everyone.
Danielle
July 10th, 2009 at
2:08 pm
I like a heroine that can hold her own but at the same time can be vulnerable. One who can kick ass and take names but at the same time have some softness about her.
Paula
July 10th, 2009 at
3:19 pm
I personally love a heroine that is capable of living through the day without a man’s help. Certain women in my family barely function if their man isn’t around. I hate that. I like heroines that can kick butt, but they don’t always have to win battles by stretching their physical muscles, I like when they stretch their mental muscles too. Women are so much more than they were back in the 20s and 30s. We have come a long way and I love to read stories that show that inner strength and beauty.
Larena Wirum
July 10th, 2009 at
4:03 pm
I like heroines that are smart and emotionally strong but can also lean on someone when necessary.
Shelli
July 10th, 2009 at
6:08 pm
Hi, Cynthia! Thanks for guest blogging today! I love a strong heroine who also can be vulnerable. This book looks fantastic!
Estella
July 10th, 2009 at
6:21 pm
I like a heroine who is strong, smart, has a sense of humor, and knows when to let the hero take charge.
chey
July 10th, 2009 at
7:24 pm
Hi Cynthia,
I like heroines who are strong but not trying to prove themselves to the point of being stupid (ie: I’m not going to go into hiding even though there have been multiple attempts on my and my loved ones lives).
Lori T
July 10th, 2009 at
8:55 pm
Hi Cynthia~
I love a heroine who is strong, able to take care of herself, and has a sense of humor. I do not like a heroine who feels that she has something to prove and will go to any length to make that happen even if that means putting herself into harm’s way.
Midnight’s Master sounds excellent and I would love to be entered.
Heather Brewer
July 10th, 2009 at
9:51 pm
Hey Cynthia,
the one thing i hate in my females is for them to be extremely ditzy. Queen Betsy in MJ Davidson’s books is about as ditzy as I can take.
I like my females strong and independent but have the ability to not turn down the help of the Alpha male, if needed.
Jeanette Hornby
July 11th, 2009 at
2:52 am
Hi Cynthia,
I like a strong, unique heroine who isn’t too mouthy. She knows what she wants but not always what she needs.
Shelli
July 11th, 2009 at
10:34 am
The winner is Jane. Jane please email Cynthia at cynthia @ cynthiaeden.com with your address to claim your book!
Amie
July 11th, 2009 at
11:25 am
Hey Cynthia welcome to NAS!!! I LOVE strong heroines but they have to have that tender nougaty inside or they’re just no fun–fwiw i feel the same about my heroes too!
Caffey
July 11th, 2009 at
8:42 pm
Oh my gosh, this book was wonderful! I was up all night reading this one! I can say I equally loved each of Cynthia’s books I read. I think their stories and the h/h and everything about it makes for its unique read. I kept saying to myself this rocks! And I did that with each of her books! You’re in for a treat and lots of surprises with this book.
Cynthia Eden
July 11th, 2009 at
9:01 pm
Hi, everyone! Thank you so much for the comments–and I apologize for my late reponses.
Hey, Greta! Thanks for coming by! I’m glad you enjoy the strong heroines, too–and I’m very happy you liked Midnight’s Master!!
Hi, Roberta! Glad to chat w/ another Buffy fan!
Oh, Crystal, that sure sounds like you just described a great heroine!
Oh, flip, how could I have forgotten Xena? I always thought that warrior princess was awesome!
Hi, C! All great points. And the nagging bitch–ah, so not a good heroine!
Cynthia Eden
July 11th, 2009 at
9:04 pm
What a great comment, Melissa! I agree–I think a heroine should be able to pull herself above a bad past.
Hi, Jane!!! Sometimes, I wish I could say what I meant like the heroines do. It would sure make my family gatherings more fun!!! LOL.
What a great combination you’ve just described, Danielle!!
Paula, women have definitely come a long way–and I like to see that strenght in stories, too!
Great heroine description, Larena!
Hi, Shelli!! Thank you SO much for inviting me over. And, again, my apologies for the late responses!
Cynthia Eden
July 11th, 2009 at
9:07 pm
Hey, Estella! Oh, I do like a heroine (and a hero) with a good sense of humor. Life needs humor!
Hi, Chey!! Another good heroine point!! Safety should come before stupidity!
Thank you, Lori! Glad you like the sound of Midnight’s Master! And thanks for the great comments on heroines.
Hello, Heather! Sometimes, an alpha male can be a good thing for a woman to need.
Ah, Jeanette, sometimes what we need can surprise us, hmmm?
Cynthia Eden
July 11th, 2009 at
9:09 pm
Congratulations, Jane!!!
Hi, Amie! Thanks for having me over!!!
Thank you, Caffey! Glad you enjoyed this book!
Thanks for all the wonderful comments. I hope you’re all enjoying a fabulous weekend!