Today I'l like to welcome author Billi Jean who is here to talk with us about her two novels in the Sisters of the Moon series and some kick-ass heroines. Enjoy!
Hi and thank you for having me over to Reading Between the Wines today! This past year I had many things to be happy about – two releases, Midnight Star and Silver's Chance. Both are books in my Sisters of the Moon series out with Noble Romance Publishing. I also had some personal success in my day job and that has given me some much-needed space to breathe, or in my case, write!
I've blogged a few times about characters on other sites. I've also discussed this question of Alpha Males – that question we all seem to love because we can dive into all those sexy pin-up pics of hunky, hard as stone men we'd love to sink our claws into, but….er….today, I'd like to talk about something equally as important as the Alpha Male: The heroine. His counter-part. The yin to his yang.
I think the heroine is as important as the hero. I know we've all read those books where we hate, hate, hate the woman character because she's …well…too wimpy. Or, maybe that's just me! I can't stand a heroine to be the damsel in distress. There are no bodice rippers on my shelves and there will be none written with my name on them. I simply fall into the category of readers that likes a strong female character. It's essential for my enjoyment. Not to say that a female has to be that horrid, bitchy woman who wouldn't answer your endless questions about when the next (insert name of author here) book is coming out at Barnes and Noble book store. No, no, and no. I mean, strong spirited, strong minded and kick ass women with a softer side for those they love and respect.
So, when I sit down to write, after I've done some digging on my characters, I write stories where the women, as much as the men, are the heroes. Maybe they simply bring their men into a better life, or maybe they cross swords with their mate because he's acting like an ass. Either way, the women who fill my stories are just as essential to the story as the men.
My series with Noble Romance Publishing is entitled: Sisters of the Moon after all. Take Star, from Midnight Star. She's one hard core, hit them hard until they stay down kinda of vampire. Until she confronts Ranger, a Lyake that deceives her to keep her underground seemingly lost in a maze of tunnels so he can spend more time with her! Sure, sure he'd been avoiding and denying their bond up until he couldn't any longer, but the point is, she begins to melt for the big guy, once he shows his tender side.
Then there's Samantha and Derrick. Oy! Samantha possesses strength and badass spells to back her up. A witch with a mission, she's not easily swayed by a hunky, ancient Lyake claiming her as his mate. She's more interested in finding her lost twin, than hooking up with a hottie. Those two clashed repeatedly until Derrick realized he had to stem what he wanted, needed, and put Samantha, and her search, first. Derrick is in every sense of the word an Alpha, but he's Alpha enough to know that without Samantha's happiness, their bond would be nothing. In many ways, Derrick soothes Samantha as much as she comforts him. They fit.So my question to the readers is this: Do you think the heroine is as essential as the hero? Do you like a strong, intelligent woman? Or, do you prefer the soft, tender, never too forward character for the heroine?
Thank you again for having me! I hope everyone has a very happy, and eventful 2012!!!
Ranger is a werewolf, a Lykae with a problem. He's found his one true mate, the only female who can complete him. Only trouble is, he's denied his instinct to claim her. Now his mate hates him as much as she believes he hates her. He will have to risk both their lives to finally prove to his stubborn vampire he loves her?Star is a half-breed vampire with a past of not being accepted because of her mixed blood. Ranger is just one more example of how much she doesn't fit into the immortal world no matter how much she tries to fool herself into believing otherwise. She's a strong female, a fighter, but when it comes to the opinions of others, she has no defenses. Why fight what she knows is true? She is a half breed, less than those around her. She has a home, friends and females she loves like family. Only trouble is, her family is now related to the mangy wolf man who hates her.
When life throws Samantha a curve ball in the form of an ancient Lykae warlord bent on marking her as his—what's she going to do? Run like hell? Oh, yeah, that so worked the first time around. With Derrick hot after her tail, Samantha discovers being the hunted just might not be as bad as she thought.Derrick is a warlord hardened by centuries of battle. Now that he's free from years of torment, he discovers his mate. Only his beautiful little half wolf is as determined to deny him, as he is to claim her.As the battle to keep her safe intensifies, Derrick faces the biggest fight of his life: winning Samantha's heart and keeping alive long enough to claim her.
Billi Jean has been writing since high school when she couldn't wait for Robert Jordon to write his Wheel of Time series faster. She writes from home in a little two hundred year old farm house in Western Massachusetts where she shares her space with her active children, an old dog, and two lazy cats.
Stop by her blog http://readingwritingromance.blogspot.com/and leave a message! She can also be found on twitter and Facebook. For more information on what's coming up in her series, friend her on Goodreads, or follow her blog for snippets of her upcoming stories in the Sisters of the Moon series.
Enjoyed reading the author post and the details about the books since this is a new to me author.
ReplyDeleteTough heroines? Yah, I like them, but not to an extreme. I like when someone can be tough and vulnerable at the same time. Tough to deal with situations that come up, but vulnerable in the relationship if that makes sense.
Thanks!
I absolutely think the heroine is as essential as the hero. I really enjoy the books that feature strong, intelligent women, but I also like to see some vulnerability. I'd prefer sassy and strong over weepy and whiny any day of the week.
ReplyDeleteOh the heroine is very important, I have read books where the heroine was just too annoying and it ruined a perfectly good plot line for me. I like them to have some backbone, even if they start out quiet and soft the hero has to show them they have some sterner stuff hidden inside. I love the sound of Ranger and his mates story!! I have to check this out!
ReplyDeleteFun post, thanks Billi Jean!
The heroine needs to complement the hero. I don't like it when they are to submissive. A good heroine is not afraid of confrontation if it is for a good cause. She should not be afraid to speak her mind. I like when they have their own personality and don't overly rely on the hero. These books are going on the tbr list as soon as I'm done. Thanks for the post!
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