Heroes -- The Series

Ick on the movie... not my cup of tea.

Well, oddly enough, I think this is my least favorite hero. Probably because most protectors I've read are too over the top. I don't mind an alpha with a protective streak, but the protector is too one track-minded. More like a father in some cases.

Again, I'm wracking my brain for a good example...

as usual, I'm thinking of lots of characters that aren't complete Protectors... There's a small part of most women that want to be cherished enough to have a man want to protect them. Too see the danger and think of them first.

I had a dream recently in which my hubby was getting ready to bathe in a creek. But before hand, he built a fire to warm up. It was cold--early spring, late fall or something. Well, the fire spread to an old fire truck that was nearby. The fire truck went up in flames. Our neighbor yelled at us to run! We both ran and while I struggled to get over this ledge, I watched my hubby's back, leaving me in the dust. Not even a hand up to help me get away.

Obviously, I have some protector issues... Hahahaha. Or perhaps, I'm just one of those gals that doesn't need protecting. ;)

Heroes -- The Series

The Rogue... like Errol Flynn, mmhmm.

Charming, Dashing... Careless.

What is it that makes the rogue tie down?

What is it that makes him finally SEE the woman? Because you all know that the rogue is just another word for womanizer. Right? The man who goes from one woman to the next, never leaving an unsatisfied gal in his wake. They enjoy him and share him, knowing he is like a bird and can't be caged. [okay, i just threw up a little in my mouth]

So, why does the heroine win?

The heroine will not be charmed by the Rogue. She will not see a dashing gentleman. Nope. She most likely will not see him at all, which is what draws him to her in the first place. He will wonder about that one. And in wondering he will discover something deeper.

True Love and a mate worthy of his humility.

Don't look only to a Regency for your Rogue. He can be found in a contemporary, too!

If you'll pass on the Rogue, try the Tycoon--at Romance in Writing on FRIDAY!

Heroes -- The Series

Though teen wolf isn't exactly first generation paranormal [don't forget Young Frankenstein!], it's pretty darn close. More importantly, it portrayed a shifter who didn't need to be overcome.

The biggest SHIFT in paranormal characters was when they went from villain to hero. Take vampires, for example. At first they were blooksucking, human-seeking, nefarious goons. Now most people love them and want to find out that their most recent conquest has just joined the Vampires Anonymous 12 step program... 12 steps to better blood the moral way. [you know, like a blood bank]

What makes the paranormal so appealing?
1) the unknown
2) the danger--uh, yeah, have you ever embraced a wolf?
3) the power

I've become a sucker for a Shifter. My introduction to them came from Christina Dodd's series, The Chosen Ones. So intense, so steamy! Dodd blends our known rituals with those of her shifter world so that I became a believer while reading...

And isn't the one of the best things about reading, anyway?
So, tell me. What's your favorite creature?
The shifter?
The vampire?
The Zombie?
The Fairy (what is a fairy guy, anyway?)?
Or, The Fly.... EW!!

Heroes -- The Series

The Beta Hero -- The Nerd
Do you want to know who my favorite beta hero is? Ken Karmody, from Suzanne Brockmann's Out of Control. Do you know what Ken "Wildcard" is? He's a SEAL. Maybe it's the contrast that did it. He acted tough, but he was also horribly insecure. And he just isn't quite what you expect the heroine to connect with.

Taken from the Road to Romance webpage:
Beta heroes need to grow, change, learn. Nice doesn't equal perfect. An easygoing guy who's funny and sweet hides his feelings more effectively and feels pain more deeply than an alpha hero (who will, when angry or upset, stomp around, growl, and hit stuff). A beta hero hides his pain behind a smile, a joke, or a quiet reserve. A beta hero is more likely to walk away from a confrontation or do what he believes the heroine wants than to stand his ground and fight it out. This isn't wimp behavior because he's not afraid for himself, he's afraid for the person he cares about.

One of my all time favorite, video-tape-is-warped movies is While you were sleeping. And wouldn't you know? Those ladies at Road to Romance used Bill Pullman as an example for a Beta Hero. Mmmhmm. Lovely.




These gals really know what they're talking about!
The question is, do women want an Alpha or a Beta???
Don't forget that Bethanne is working on a post to kick off next week with another blog on all the heroes we love.

Catch a Falling Star...

...and put it in your pocket. Never let it fade away.

In case you're wondering what you can do with a star.

I'm here to tell you, "save it for a rainy day."

This song reminds me of the great things I already have...

For love may come an' tap you on the shoulder, Some starless night.

Just in case you feel you wanna hold her, You'll have a pocketful of starlight.

Why do you think he needed starlight to hold her?

...and the things I have to look forward to...

for when your troubles start multiplying, An' they just might.

It's easy to forget them without trying, With just a pocketful of starlight.

I don't have to ask how starlight can help. Stars are wishes, dreams, hopes.

Having one in your pocket is like being richer than Midas.

So, don't forget. Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket.

Snobs

I've been trying to figure out what makes a snob...
is a person who only uses expensive and high end stuff?
or can it be a person who only likes ONE type?

I have to ask because I think I'm a coffee snob.
The thing is, I like my Eight O'clock Coffee. I can't stand Starbucks... with a passion it does absolutely NOTHING for me. Last week I recieved a free sample of Gevalia, made in Switzerland, and I brewed it as the directions instructed, even cleaning my pot first. But, I didn't like it. It didn't seem smooth to me. The taste was rich yet unappealing...

So, am I a coffee snob?

The Sandwich Generation

I read a blog today that talked about The Baby Boomers also being the Sandwich Generation. Described as Sandwiched between taking care of children and taking care of parents in their old age.

Okay. I'm not big on labels. So, my take is a little different than this gals. I didn't think this lady was that old, but if she's a baby boomer, she'd have been born in the forties. Making her... in her seventies, possibly in her sixties. My parents were born in the fifties. I would not call them baby boomers. I could be wrong. Maybe they are!! My parents ARE taking care of my grandmother.

What I'm trying to describe is the fact that we ALL, at some point, hold the likelihood of becoming Sandwiched. My uncle--definitely NOT a baby boomer--is hitting this stage. He was married later in life[thank goodness he probably won't read this! He's in his fifties? late forties, at least...I think, Sorry Uncle Doug! Not saying you're old.] and now has 3 young children. His mother is an awesomely spry, active--dare I say it?--impulsive woman. No one "takes" care of her!! Go Grandma! She went to Europe with her newly widowed sister this fall. They must have had sooooo much fun. Anyway, he helps her out, though.

What determines a Sandwiched individual?
1) Age of parents
2) Age of becoming parents
3) Age the kids move out--seriously, my neighbor has a son--26--who still lives at home... and he does shit for himself, the prick.

Anyhooo... I'm interested in this idea. Mostly because I most likely will never experience it. My parents are young, 57. They never took care of kids and parents. As well, my hubby and I started having kids at 22. By 50ish, our kids will mostly be independent and my parents--God-willing--will still be fit at 75ish. Isn't 50 the new 30? :D

I guess, in a nutshell, I feel bad for the people who wait until they are well into their thirties to have kids. They will be sandwiched! I can't wait until I'm 50...

I can't help but do a little promo for one of my critique partners. Published with Shadowfire, she has an imagination that isn't of this world and a sense of humor that never fails to make me chuckle. If your idea of a good read includes new worlds and sexy men, this book is for you!!!

Tiger of Talmare

Melissa Stark will take on just about any job as long as the price is right. But this particular job she would gladly take on for free because Captain Zachary Knight has been a thorn in her side ever since she stole his starship ten years ago.

Back then he was a genuine hero and poster boy for the army's hybrid breeding program. Now things have changed. Zach has been accused of a massacre on the planet of Talmare and is being shipped home to stand trial. But certain influential people want to make sure Zach never reaches Earth and Mel and her crew on The Revenge have been hired to intercept him and return him to Talmare.

It should have been easy money. The problem is, Zach is impossible to resist and once Mel gets her hands on him she's doesn't want to let him go. Now those same people are also after Mel.

Shadowfire Press Frontiers of Love Scifi Erotic Romance Themed Novella
Genre: Scifi Erotic Romance
Heat Rating: Fire

Buy it HERE!

Biggest Loser

Okay, here's my thought for the day...

I've been a fan of the Biggest Loser for several seasons.

But something happened during this past season and the season that starts tonight.

The show went from Inspirational to Gawking-worthy.

I mean, I'm uncomfortable watching it, because it seems to be less about normal people trying to get better, but about pulling viewers in with sensation.

I'm not saying these people aren't normal or worthy of being on the show. Not that at all. They want to be there. They are obese and [most likely] need to be there. Part of me still roots for them, the underdog. The other part of me says, "Shame on you NBC for making the show a circus!"

Okay, I've watched some of the intro...

The stories are dragging me in. These people have hope. That's good. They need it.

Well, I guess we all need it.

I'll be watching the season very carefully!

I don't want to see any circus side shows. I just want to see people working hard to lose weight and make a better life for themselves. :D

It's like a romance novel.

Have a great week.

Penny Dune

Happy New Year!

Today is January!!! You know what that means? I get to find another man for my month.

In all honesty, I would like to post a picture of my husband. He's handsome, but more than that, he's kind, loving, funny, protective...irritating, a good father and a great lover. *sigh* I just had to say that, because I don't want people to think of my Man of the Month as some tribute to a standard that is lacking or unobtainable. As an artist, I appreciate good-looking things. Men included. :D

Really though, the only thing that Man of the Month does for me is DATE me. It's not good when you don't recognize most of the men in a photo lineup and the ones that you do recognize are all in their late thirties, forties and fifties... or older. Eeek!

The first day of the rest of my life:

Entered a writing contest.

Exercised like a good girl.

Wrote.

Hung out with my man.

I did drink one too many yesterday...but it was more a lack of food that put me over rather than a problem with being over-served. :P I hate that. I didn't expect it because when we finally got to our friends house, I only had two glasses of wine. Not very much!

It was an appropriate end to a yucky year.

I look forward to this one.