

In case you can't tell, I have so much fun when I write! My muse does all the hard work for me, coming up with stories that often take me by surprise. And for me, it's all about the characters.
Traits my characters - heroes and heroines alike - HAVE to have:
Integrity and honesty.
Sense of responsibility.
Protectiveness toward children, pets, and those in special need, like folks with handicaps or the elderly.
Other than that, it's all free game to me.
I've written prostitutes, transients, doctors, handymen, bounty hunters, beauticians...
But in "My Man Michael," I took a highly trained, very capable Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter and dropped him (with good reason, I promise) into 2220 where women protect men, and where he's needed to train the women to better defend their colonies.
It's also a new age of modesty, and sex with anyone other than your lifemate is really taboo.
Poor Michael. That's soooo not what he's used to. I mean, to have to go against his nature and let women take physical risks, while also being celibate?
Well, you just KNOW he's not going to give in easily, right?
Traits my characters CAN'T have:
Stupidity.
Inability to adjust.
Bullying tendencies.
Lack of leadership.
Indifference to right and wrong.
So yeah, while Michael wants to wrap Kayli in cotton and show her how sweet it'd be for him to "take care of her," he knows her duty is important to her. In many ways it defines her. Michael is very human, and prone to error, but I gotta give the big guy points for trying! It made for some hilarious moments.
And Kayli... let me tell you, she has some real internal conflicts. She WANTS to give in to Michael in a very big way. (What woman wouldn't!?) But she's hindered by that responsibility issue - responsibility to her siblings, her mother who rules the colony, and to all those who rely on her for protection.
And yeah, she's a born and bred Alpha. Duck and run!
As always, it takes two people in love working together to smooth out the kinks in any relationship.
So... do you like virgins heroines? What about kick-ass Alpha virgins?
What "type" of heroes do you like best? Alpha, Beta, humorous, brooding?
Dish! Maybe you'll inspire my muse! -- Lori
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You all rock! :-)
Stay warm and safe.
Lori
THANK YOU!!! (Wish I could make that real big. LOL)
I do appreciate it and I really hope you enjoy it.
What a crazy day it's been for me! I wrote 10 pages, had my son and his girlfriend over for dinner (Hubby cooked) answered a gazillion phone calls, juggled this blog, my runningwithquills blog, and a discussion on the Amazon boards, AND listened to the ice hitting the windows as it covered the 4 inches of snow we got overnight.
Brrrr....
I just can't thank you all enough for being so kind. I write better when I have folks to visit with during my breaks. :-D
Hugs,
Lori
Congratulations on your new release. My Man Michaels sounds really interesting! Can't wait to read it.
I like lots of different types of heroes, but prefer Alpha heroes who's dark and brooding. And heroines who kick **** :)
Congrats on the new release. Can't wait to read "My Man Michael." I'm a fairly new fan of yours. I discovered "Hard to Handle" last year and have been hooked since. I like brooding alpha heroes, but they should still have a sense of humor. I'm used to reading about virgin heroines in historicals. They're rarer in contemporaries, but I enjoy the stories just the same.
It's true that virgins are a little rare in contemporaries. But even then -- as much as I adore virgin heroines (and heroes) -- it's always fun to dish with girlfriends about how realistic/unrealistic loss-of-virginity love scenes are. :) I don't mean that we make fun of them. It's more like, "Um, multiple orgasms before they've even gotten to the intercourse part? Oh, yeah. Well, that happened my first time, too..."
I SWEAR I'm not ignoring your posts. I'm thrilled that so many turned out to chat. Thanks!
You know, one of you mentioned relationships, and I have to say that my husband is an inspiration for every guy in every one of my books. No, he's not 6'2" tall or a playboy (we married right out of high school 30 years ago) but he IS the nicest, most genuine, protective and hilarious man I know. I couldn't imagine a better role model for our 3 sons, who are all pretty awesome too.
I think knowing real love, feeling that special something every day for more than 30 years, makes it pretty easy for me to write romance and for me to keep the heroes strong, ethical, caring, and funny guys. ;-)
Hugs to all of you!
Uhoh.. heard about site going wonky.. hopefully all is well. :) It's gorgeous for now in Fl - in the low 80s today. :: grin :: yes, I have room for anyone who wants to visit - must like kitties tho! :)
Anyways.. as always, loooooove your books!! This one sounds especialy intriguing.. I wanna see how Michael handles things and Kayli.. poor man hehehe.. :)
The concept of an Alpha Virgin is intriguing.. and yes I agree on all your characters must have's and must have nots!! very important for both to work well.
Hugs
Nicole - FlaFaerie
I love variety. And authors who don't feel the need to follow the same path everyone else is taking. Right now kick-*ss heroines are the trend, and I love 'em because who doesn't want a strong, confident woman secure in their own sexuality to be a role model? But at the same time, I think everyone is entitled to make choices, and some may have personal and/or religious reasons to remain "pure", or heck, maybe they just haven't found the right person and they figure it's worth the wait. As long as the decision remains true to the character, I'm completely okay with that.