on Jul 3rd, 2012 Is Having a Favorite Hero Like Having a Favorite Child?
by Roni Loren
by Roni Loren
First, *waves*, I want to thank The Smutketeers for having me today! I feel like I should’ve shown up in some cool costume or something so I could fit in. Oh well, maybe next time. :)
So, today marks the release of my second full-length novel from Berkley Heat, MELT INTO YOU, a BDSM menage romance. I thought I couldn’t possibly be more excited for a book release than what I was for my debut book, CRASH INTO YOU
, in January. But here I am, all giddy again.
, in January. But here I am, all giddy again.And I think I’ve figured out the reason for that excitement. Often people ask me who was my favorite hero to write so far or my favorite story. And usually it’s whatever book I’m working on currently because in order to write it, I need to be in love with those characters and that story. But turns out, that’s not a totally honest answer.
The truth is, I have a favorite hero. Jace, the hero in MELT, is my favorite to write. He shows up in some capacity in all five books I’ve written so far. I didn’t plan for that to happen. He’s the best friend of the hero in the first book, and I had to stop myself from letting him have too much page time so he didn’t steal the show, lol. He’s just damn fun to write (and hawt and dominant, of course.) Here’s my photo inspiration for him (model Andy Speer):
I guess I can’t resist a tortured bad boy with humorous/sarcastic streak. But part of me does feel a little guilty for loving him just a bit more than all my other heroes in the series. It’s like having a favorite child. Don’t tell the other guys, okay?
So do you usually have a favorite hero in a series? For those series you love reading, is there one hero whose book will always be the standout for you?
GIVEAWAY: Comment today and win a copy of STILL INTO YOU (Kindle
or Nook), an e-novella in my Loving on the Edge series about a married couple trying to rekindle their relationship with kink. Blurb here. (And yes, Jace shows up in that one too, lol.) Contest winner will be chosen on Friday and announced in the comments.
or Nook), an e-novella in my Loving on the Edge series about a married couple trying to rekindle their relationship with kink. Blurb here. (And yes, Jace shows up in that one too, lol.) Contest winner will be chosen on Friday and announced in the comments.
Her first love has returned, and he’s brought a friend…
After running away from home and the boy who broke her heart, Evan Kennedy has kick-started the perfect new life with her celebrity fiancé. So what if said fiancé prefers guys? She knew the deal. And with her ticket to The Ranch, an exclusive resort where any fantasy can be satisfied, she knows she can find someone to fulfill her less-than-traditional desires on the side.
She just never expected that man to be Jace Austin, her old heart-breaker—all grown up, hard-bodied, and holding out a collar. She knows it’s probably a world-class bad idea—especially since Jace has brought along his buddy Andre, who’s every bit as irresistible. But if they can stick to the no-strings rules, so can she.
Too bad Jace has never been so good with rules. Evan is convinced “forever” is a word used only in greeting cards, but Jace and Andre have one last fantasy of hers left to fulfill. It’s time to go big or go home. And neither man has ever been a fan of going home.
EXCERPT:
A few hard-fought minutes later, packed sand scraped against her heels, and she sucked in a deep sigh of relief. The man dragged her another few feet until they reached dry land, then set her down and kneeled next to her.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his broad chest heaving beneath his soaked T-shirt.
She lifted her gaze to the concerned eyes staring down at her, an odd sense of déjà vu washing over her. “I, uh . . .”
“I heard you scream. Are you hurt?” He touched the side of her head, evaluating her.
She wet her lips. “My leg . . . Something stung me . . . I lost my balance.”
He glanced down the length of her—the mostly naked length of her. Shit.She shot up into a sitting position and scooted backward, but his hand locked over her knee as he stared down at her upper thigh, which was still burning like she’d roasted it over an open fire.
“Damn, it got you good.”
“What are you talking about?” She tried to jerk her leg from beneath his grip, but he held her firm as he examined her.
“Jellyfish,” he said, frowning at her. “Your whole thigh is striped. That must hurt like a sonofabitch.”
She stared down at the red tentacle-shaped lines around her thigh. “Well, it doesn’t feel awesome.”
He chuckled, the rich sound seeming to vibrate from deep within his chest, and something stirred in the back of her brain. He climbed to his feet. “Here, let me help.”
“Don’t you dare pee on me,” she said, the words slipping out before she could rethink them.
He tilted his head back in a full laugh this time, the sound echoing down the beach.
She cringed. “I’m sorry, I—”
He raised a hand, his eyes still lit with humor. “Don’t worry. The urine thing is just an urban myth. And I’m definitely not going to ruin my ‘just saved pretty girl from drowning’ hero status by taking a leak on you. I’m not that stupid.”
She couldn’t help but smile. “Oh, a hero, huh? So this is all a big pick-up routine? Find drowning girls and ride in on your white horse?”
“Absolutely.” He grabbed the hem of his T-shirt and pulled it off, revealing miles of taut skin, sinewy muscle, and tribal-style ink running across his shoulder and down one arm, rendering her momentarily speechless. Water dripped off his soaked hair—which looked to be blond, though it was hard to tell in the moonlight—and slipped down his now bare chest. Her gaze locked on the tiny droplets, tracking their path down to the band of his shorts until they disappeared. Oh, blessed Lord.
He cleared his throat, no doubt catching her in her perusal, and squatted next to her. His hand slipped under her knee. “Here, seawater actually helps the sting. Let me wrap this around your leg, and then we can go to my room. We’ll get you feeling better.”
She cocked an eyebrow at him. “Oh, really. Might want to tap the brakes there, Rico Suave. Despite my state of undress, I don’t just go to strangers’ hotel rooms. I’m not quite that easy.”
Dimples appeared as he fought a smile. “Oh, not quite that easy, but easy. Duly noted.”
If you want to read the whole first chapter, you can find it here.
Thanks for having me!
Find me:
Website/Blog: www.roniloren.com
Twitter: @RoniLoren
Thanks for having me!
Find me:
Website/Blog: www.roniloren.com
Twitter: @RoniLoren
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Oooo sounds like a good book. You’re a new to me author but def just got added to my TBB mountain. I love the covers too!!! :)
KittyKelly
by KittyKelly July 3rd, 2012 at 5:06 amYes, I usually do prefer one hero over the rest in a series. I don’t know if it’s because how he is written just appeals to me more or if the dynamic between the hero and heroine is better, making him more appealing to me.
Favorite hero is Curran from the Kate Daniels series. Not only is he a hot and sexy alpha but he loves Kate unconditionally.
by Anne July 3rd, 2012 at 10:44 amGreat excerpt! I want more!
I don’t have one hero. I usually have several. At least one in each genre that I read. Sometimes more. One just isn’t enough sometimes.
by Mel Bourn July 3rd, 2012 at 11:48 amMel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
I loved the excerpt! Yes, I always end up having one hero that just captures and keeps my attention in a series. I try not to have a favorite or to get too attached, but sometimes it’s just too hard not to love a great hero.
Thanks for the giveaway!
by Brandi S. July 3rd, 2012 at 12:35 pmI usually do have a favorite hero in a series. In Lauren Dane’s Brown Siblings books, I adore Brody Brown more than the other guys in the series. He is a total tough guy on the outside but soft on the inside.
Congratulations on the new release, Roni!
by StacieD July 3rd, 2012 at 1:38 pmI had to stop and think before I could answer. I think, if the series is well-written, that I find something I really like about each hero. So to pick a favorite would be the whole comparing apples and oranges thing.
by Amy T July 3rd, 2012 at 2:53 pmI love Barrons from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series. He will stay with me for a long time. In fact, all of KMM’s Highlanders are keepers! But, the hero that moved me and I think of in comparison to other tortured heroes is Acheron by Sherrily Kenyon. I don’t know why precisely, but that character just appeals to me on so many levels.
by Jen B. July 3rd, 2012 at 7:25 pmKitty, Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy them! :)
Anne, I think that’s a great point. A lot of times it’s how the hero is with the heroine that makes him so special.
Mel, I hear ya. Why choose one when there are so many to go around? ;)
Brandi, It’s definitely hard not to get too attached. :)
Stacie, Ooh, Brody, agreed. He’s yummy.
Amy, it is sometimes hard to compare. I think I tend to prefer a certain “type” but I love when an author surprises me with a type of hero I didn’t expect to love.
Jen, I love when a hero stays with you for long after. That’s the best book experience. :)
And thanks to The Smutketeers for letting me stop by! :D
by Roni Loren July 4th, 2012 at 7:15 amOMG that was a fantastic excerpt. Melting….. Thanks for sharing :P
by Hales July 4th, 2012 at 11:44 amLove the excerpt, can’t wait to read the rest of it! I do have favorites from series, there is usually one for each, LOL!
by Laurie July 4th, 2012 at 12:13 pmI usually love several heroes in a series. Great excerpt. Congrats on the release.
by Kaylyn Davis July 4th, 2012 at 4:09 pmI have been waiting for this book for awhile now!! I love your excerpt and covers.
by Dawn July 4th, 2012 at 9:05 pmGreat excerpt! I think that Roarke from the JD Robb series is one of my favorites but I do admit that there are others that I really enjoy. Good luck with your new release, it sounds delicious!
by ELF July 5th, 2012 at 11:40 am