Kris Kennedy GuestBlog: Get Conquered
CONTEST TODAY: 2 RCCs each win a 'graphed copy of "The Conqueror" from Kris! Rules here.
From Michelle: Couple months back I laid on you that Kris Kennedy's upcoming "The Conqueror" is the medieval I've been waititng for.* Still is. Was. Pre-order it, is what I mean to say, cause as I read the excerpt here, the earthy plot intrigue, and snappy repartee ‘twixt our hero and heroine, reminds me of why I can't wait to re-read. Please welcome Kris with your warmest, "Wendsday's the perfect day for conquering heroes!"
Bella buongiorno...
From Michelle: Couple months back I laid on you that Kris Kennedy's upcoming "The Conqueror" is the medieval I've been waititng for.* Still is. Was. Pre-order it, is what I mean to say, cause as I read the excerpt here, the earthy plot intrigue, and snappy repartee ‘twixt our hero and heroine, reminds me of why I can't wait to re-read. Please welcome Kris with your warmest, "Wendsday's the perfect day for conquering heroes!"
Bella buongiorno...
From Kris: Buongiorno, Bellas! While apparently unrelated to the notion of ‘Getting Conquered' by a romance hero, I still have to start with this . . .
We have a new president, and it reminds me of romance. Because however we voted, here is our chance to begin again, with each other. Here's hope, here's a strain of deep, joyful connection between people that hasn't happened for a long time. And if that's not what romance is all about, at its core, then it isn't about anything at all.
So, here's to new beginnings, and a new kind of heroism, maybe one we find within ourselves.
And hey! Funny you should mention heroes . . . .
What conquers YOU in a hero? What makes you willing to swoon or risk everything? What kind of man does it to YOU?
Me, I'm a fan of an alpha hero. A RELUCTANT alpha hero. Why?
I think, in part, it's because he's acutely insightful & self-aware. He recognizes the danger he's facing, the trouble looming on his horizons, and he doesn't want it. Rejects it entirely.
It's like a fairy tale, where the hero rejects what's coming. At some deep level, they 
know what it's going to mean, and they don't think they're up to it.
Their motives are often selfish. At first.
But then, they rise to the occasion. Blow it out of the water. For some really amazing, honorable reason. The break-your-heart kind of reason. You know, love.
They stand at a distance from the world, yet protect the world. They totally, -totally steal my heart.
They embody the values of both worlds (the ‘part of the world' and ‘separate from the world' worlds), and they rise above each. They give something necessary to the world (make the world a better place) without sacrificing their individuality and freedom.
They have their cake and eat it too! Now, that's a Happily-Ever-After.
This is the romance hero who conquers me. Alpha, with more. Because he's ABOUT more. He's torn. I love torn. Heroes, I mean.
And I do believe one of my favorite almost-anti-heroes, my favorite reluctant hero, who conquers me, in fiction is . . . Aragon. "Lord of the Rings." I mean the books, although they did a superior job with this aspect of his characterization in the movies. Oh, and I love Indy too. (As in Indiana Jones.)
So . . . what kind of hero ‘conquers' you? Any other fabulous reluctant alpha heroes who are gentle with their women and savage about the awful ways of the world? In fiction, in the movies, in your life.
*See "The Couch to Nowhere"
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Who's GuestBlogging soon at RBTB? 23 Beverly Jenkins; 27 Lori FosterPosted in: sex, love, michelle buonfiglio, nora roberts, guestblog, romance b(u)y the..., historicals, kris kennedy, the conqueror
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Michelle Buonfiglio loves her husband, two kids and cat. She's passionate about romance fiction and the people who write it and read it, as well as the industry that builds the books. She says romance reading changed her life. More...
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comments
You're the 3rd LOS/Dain fan here! What a guy. :-)
I love your wonderful enthusiasm about the release! I sure need it--this is a wonderful dream come true, and really quite scary, too. :-)
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and say Hi!!
And that's unusual. Often, the character who moves us most is the hero, more than the heroine, if you had to compare their affect on the reader. Interesting.
LOL! No worries on the repeated posting. I keep getting the same 'Does Not Exist' page too, and I know that happened to a lot of other folks. But you were persistent, which I love! I also *quite* love that you are excited about The Conqueror's release. :-)
Here's to pages that *do* exist, even if they say they don't. And of course, to persistent romance readers, my favs. :-)
Oh, yes, Woodiwiss! But I hadn't thought of the hair-cutting/time warp thing. Wow. Scary.
On second thought...not so scary as my hair would be if I stopped cutting it. :-)
I love how you put it: "Okay, fine, I'll save the world, but don't make a big deal about it..." LOL Yes, that's IT!
I am so, so glad you liked the excerpt, and can't wait. I'm a big fan of anyone who says they can't wait for my release. :-)
Thanks for saying Hi!
I love and Alpha hero every time. And like you if he is a reluctant hero it is even better.
I can't help but think of Sebastian Dain in Lord of Scoundrels. He really just wanted to be left alone to be as big and bad as he wanted to be and yet love brought him to his knees and made him a better man than he ever dreamed he could be.
Sebastian St. Vincent from Devil in Winter is another hero who appeared to be selfish and self indulgent, but in the end committed the most heroic act of all - taking a bullet for his wife - and all for love.
BIG SIGH!
And can I just say, I can't believe I missed the column on earestivitiousness--sheesh.
I love and Alpha hero every time. And like you if he is a reluctant hero it is even better.
I can't help but think of Sebastian Dain in Lord of Scoundrels. He really just wanted to be left alone to be as big and bad as he wanted to be and yet love brought him to his knees and made him a better man than he ever dreamed he could be.
Sebastian St. Vincent from Devil in Winter is another hero who appeared to be selfish and self indulgent, but in the end committed the most heroic act of all - taking a bullet for his wife - and all for love.
BIG SIGH!
I cut my teeth on Woodiwiss--The Wolf and the Dove--first medeival--this is why I don't want to cut my hair, what if I get sucked back in time and a Knight would have me? Never mind the fact that at 50, I would be the age of most great grandmothers--I said nevermind that fact!
Kris, you so had me at the unwilling alphas...Okay, fine, I'll save the world, but don't make a big deal about it...
Hey girl! Broody and brawny . . nice. (I actually flashed on an image of a rare bird, the Broody-Brawny, LOL. But that's obviously a misflash, coming only after hours of dial-up internet and tending a 4 y.o.)
No, seriously... broody ... brawny ... woman purring ... Yep, we got a hero.
:-)
I'm so glad you liked the excerpt, and so happy you stopped by to say Hi!
Amber
Amber
Hello! So glad you liked the excerpt, and want to read the book! Yay on you! :-)
Aren't historical books such fun? Sinking into a different time and place can be a much-needed mental and emotional respite. I know *writing* them is for me. :-)
Love to have you sign up for the newsletter at my website, if you're interested. Thanks so much for taking the time to say Hi! :-)
We do love our alpha's, don't we? And you're right. They need both senses: humor and humor. :-)
So glad you're looking forward to the release in May! And thanks so much for saying hello.
Thanks for coming by!
Oh, man, yes! Mel Gibson as William Wallace. While I realize the movie is not historically accurate in some very fundamental ways, I loved how they portrayed him. And that scene at the end . . . him yelling freedom? Wow.
You know, every scene in that movie between him and his woman, had him being adoring, funny, and gentle. Yet, he was a mad, dangerous warrior. A very reluctant one.
Nice hero call, Tracey! :-)
I loved Derek Craven! It's been awhile since I read that book, but I believe he refers to the heroine as "mouse," right? Simply adorable given all the characteristics of his personality.
Lisa Kleypas is a great author and a real sweetheart. I got to meet her at the RWA conference in Dallas. A real Texas belle.
Okay, you know how to make a girl's night. :-) I can't tell you how excited I am that *you're* excited abut the release. LOL
Derek Craven sounds fabulous. Once again, I have to hang my head in shame, as I haven't read that Kleypas one. But, it's on the list now. :-) Thanks for mentioning him. I have a hero in an upcoming book who's got a past much like that.
Thanks so much, and if you want to sign up for the newsletter, it'd be great to have you! :-)
I love the sound of The Conqueror and look forward to reading it!
I love the sound of The Conqueror and look forward to reading it!