Thursday, February 4, 2010

Heroes and Zeros with Lisa Cooke

hosted by Donna MacMeans

Lisa Cooke returns to the lair with another of her wonderful American historicals. She writes a humorous and emotion historical with a unique twist. Her previous release brought a riverboat gambler and a Southern belle together in TEXAS HOLD HIM. This time she moves away from the riverbanks and up into the mountains of West Virginia in 1898 with A MIDWIFE CRISIS. Romantic Times Book Reviews says "With humor that captures the setting and tenderness that depicts the warmth of the characters, Cooke will steal your heart." Please welcome Lisa Cooke.

Thanks to the Romance Bandits for inviting me to guest blog today. I love sharing cyberspace with GR. After going to Orlando with the Golden Rooster, I think he’d make a great romance hero. Which brings me to the topic of this blog.

We’ve all read that hero in a book that makes us sigh and think “If only there really were men like that”, but how about the zeroes that somehow make it between the pages. I love an alpha male, strong and sexy, but if we were truthful, most of the heroes we love to read about would make terrible husbands.


In my newest release, A MIDWIFE CRISIS, my heroine’s family has decided it’s time she finds a husband. They each go about finding the perfect fiancĂ©; unfortunately, they each found her a different one. Now Katie Napier has three fiancĂ©s to sort through! It might sound like an enticing dilemma, but to add to her stress, she’s falling in love with the new doctor in town, and he’s not even on her list.

I had fun with the hero in A MIDWIFE CRISIS. John Keffer was definitely not the kind ofhero I usually put between the pages and writing the strong silent type was a challenge. Reserved yet passionate, stoic yet simmering…John was a man my heroine was drawn to despite her better judgment. He was from a different world and she made sure to remind herself of that whenever her feelings interfered with her common sense.

John wasn’t the type of hero who kidnaps the heroine and rides off with her into the sunset, but I hope you’ll agree that the passions simmering beneath the surface make him an intriguing and sexy hero. Let me share an excerpt:

Quickly lighting a lamp, Katie closed the door behind her and hurried across the room to open the cabinet.

Gramophone was written across the front and after moment of studying the instructions written inside, she started the music box. Beautiful sounds lilted into the room, sending Katie on a journey to lands she’d only imagined from reading her books. She closed her eyes and allowed the music to lift her to another place and another time. A handsome knight dismounted from his white horse, his armor shining, and his eyes on fire. He took her in his arms and swayed with her to the music, turning in circles, her satin skirts twirling about her like a princess.

“Would you like to learn the waltz?”

Gasping, Katie spun toward the door where John stood leaning against the frame. His tie and jacket were missing, his shirtsleeves rolled up to his forearm. The crisp white of his shirt exaggerated the darkness of his hair as he stood silently in the dim light of the room.

Katie swallowed. “I don’t, I mean, you don’t need to teach me--”

“I believe I owe you a lesson. After all, you taught me how to square dance.”

“Not very well.” She could have bitten her tongue. That wasn’t exactly what she’d meant to say, but John chuckled and she decided not to amend her statement. He had a nice chuckle.

With a quick adjustment, he restarted the record to the beginning of the waltz music, then faced her, arms out. She stepped to him.

“It’s really a simple dance,” he said, folding his hand over hers. “Just take three steps at a time and allow me to lead you around the room.”

She nodded, because having him this close to her made speaking difficult, and then followed his lead.

“One, two, three,” he counted, guiding her slowly around the room.

He only counted for a few moments before she fell into the rhythm and the music took over. She smiled as they floated, her eyes drifting shut and her steps taking her back to her magic kingdom. Only this time, she didn’t have to imagine the knight. He was strong and warm, and with each turn, pulling her closer until finally he stopped moving.

She opened her eyes to gaze into the green ones searing into her in the faint light of the room. Neither spoke as he laid his hand against her cheek and the warmth rushed through her body. Were it not for the music, she knew her heartbeat would echo through the room, matched only by her breathing.

His eyes questioned her, asking for permission as though she had any power to refuse. He leaned toward her, taking forever to close the distance between their lips and when he finally claimed hers, she thought she’d die.

Lord, how she wanted his touch.

Like nothing existed in the world except his kiss and embrace, everything else paling until it faded away. She slid her hands up his shoulders to the back of his neck where she threaded them through his hair.

He nibbled and tugged at her mouth, slipping his tongue through parted teeth and stroking hers with passion as his hands rubbed her back. First, in small circles, then dropping lower and lower until he cupped her bottom and pulled her against him. A moan jumped from her mouth and into his, and the sound seemed to ignite him.

“Katie,” he whispered, pulling back enough to press his lips against her throat and the warmth in her body began pooling out of her control.

Lord, how she wanted his touch, only now she realized, with embarrassment, where she wanted it.

So what is your favorite and least favorite trait in a hero? Do you hate it when they control the heroine, or when they clam up and turn away? How about when they sulk or leave her “for her own good”? Do you want him to have faith in her at all cost? What trait or behavior turns them into a hero or a zero for you? One commenter will win a copy of A MIDWIFE CRISIS.

91 comments:

Jane said...

Congrats on the new release, Lisa. I love alpha heroes and think it's sweet that they want to do everything for the heroine, but at the same time I don't want them to into cavemen. It's a plus when they have faith in the heroine.

Donna MacMeans said...

Hey Jane!

I bet the Golden Rooster is glad you were the first - I'm not sure he was all that fond of Cincinnati (grin).

Now me - I think I could fall in love with Alphas, Betas and - what's the combination - gammas? As long as they were intelligent, had a sense of humor, and loved the heroine to distraction.

Anonymous said...

Oooow not an easy question. As far as heroes are concerned I'm a very forgiving girl ;-)
The rare heroes I didn't like were the "hard-core" bad boys. I read a few books where the bad boy thing was too much for me (hero didn't hesitate to cheat or sleep with another man or kill in cold blood to accomplish a mission). They weren't historical romances though.
Honetly, the "historical" heroes always work for me. Just like Donna I love them all : alphas, betas... you name it ;-)
Congratulations on your release !!!

Helen said...

Congrats Jane have fun with him

Lisa
What a great excerpt I love it I would love someone to teach me to waltz tall dark and handsome yes please.

I too love alpha heros but I do love them with a sense of humour and one that is loyal. And I really like it when they listen to what a heroine has to say even if they don't agree but listen I love a good listener.

Congrats on the release Lisa and thanks Donna for inviting Lisa back

Have Fun
Helen

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

It is seldom I don't like the heroes in the historicals especially though there have been a couple I didn't care for. I don't like it when the hero is so alpha he doesn't give the heroine credit for having any brains. That kind of ticks me off.

I really like the beta heroes too, not so handsome, not so domineering, more a partner kind of guy.

Laurie G said...

I don't like heroes that have violent tendencies; striking out cruelly with actions (to people or animals) or hateful, demeaning words!

I also don't like the conceited/rich heroes that feel that they are "gods" and therefore above the rules.

Silvia said...

I find it important that a hero is considered. That he listens to her and values her opinion. Shows real interest not just in her physique but her heart and mind. That doesn't mean I want a guy that lets the heroine walk all over him. He must be strong, her mental equal. That battling of minds is something I really enjoy reading about.
What I don't like is violence, cheating and cruelness in a man. But those guys are not often the hero in a book I would read.

Caren Crane said...

Lisa, welcome back!! This book sounds marvelous. I love her interfering family finding three fiances for her. I can't wait to read this book!

(Jane, snaps on the GR!)

As to heroes, I do like our brooding alpha types. Mainly because they are so adorably clueless about their emotions. Here is what takes any hero to zero for me:

- Being stubbornly obtuse about his feelings when it is OBVIOUS he is in love to everyone, including his horse.

- Putting the heroine in jeopardy, either physical (uncommon) or emotional (much more common). Like the hero who ruins her reputation and then does little or nothing to protect her. Pffft!

- As Emmanuelle said, the hard core bad boys. Sleeping with another woman after they have feelings for the heroine is unforgivable to me.

- As Donna and Helen mentioned, no sense of humor. He must be able to laugh - most of all at himself!

- Cruelty is a big turn-off. My (very alpha) husband always wants movie heroes to react with extreme vengeance and gets annoyed when the hero lets a slimeball live (like, say, Wormtongue in "The Two Towers"). I keep telling him that is the core of hero-dom, but he doesn't agree.

Didn't you mention alphas seem hard to live with? THEY ARE!! But he adores babies...

Anonymous said...

Jane! Now that you have GR for the day you have to feed him! I agree that the hero having faith in the heroine is important. Sometimes that's all she's got.
Thanks for stopping in,
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hi Donna-- I loved the pic of GR you posted with the blog. The bounder had quite a time in Orlando, didn't he? Thanks for inviting me back to the lair. These ladies are awesome!
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Emmanuelle--thanks for the congrats. Like you, I've read very few bad boys that I liked unless they were only temporarily bad LOL. As long as they don't do anything really bad, I can usually forgive them.
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hi Helen--humor is extremely important to me, both in my stories and in real life. My dh has a great sense of humor (and he's my hero ;-)
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Dianna, I've read that the perfect husband is actually the beta guy. They make wonderful fathers and companions, but you got to admit, those alpha males can set the pages on fire LOL
Thanks for stopping in
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Laurie--me neither! I've read a few novels where the hero treated the heroine like dirt and it's hard for me to finish them. (Sometimes, I don't)Nobody likes mean people
Thanks for commenting today
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Silvia--I like banter too. When the hero and heroine are equals, the dialogue snaps, don't you think?
Thanks for stopping by
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hi Caren! LOL on the hero loving his horse. You're right, alphas can be tough. My dh is a total alpha, but he has all the wonderful traits the ladies are listing today. He'd quite witty while he's fighting dragons ;-)
Thanks for the warm welcome
Lisa

Gillian Layne said...

Lisa, I just LOVE your titles! Very much looking forward to reading AMC, probably over spring break so I can enjoy it in one sitting.

I love alpha heroes. I love men carrying women away. I love it when she throws him for a loop, as well. I'm all about the fantasy--we've all got quite enough real life right now. The more outrageous, the better--and humor is the icing on the cake.

Donna, great interview! :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks Gillian--I must confess, I often come up with a title and then write the book to fit it LOL.
I hope you enjoy MIDWIFE
Lisa

Kirsten said...

What I LOVE in a hero is a sense of humor. I tend to be a glass is half empty type of girl. Don't mean to be (but I know myself and yep I am). A Hero that makes his woman (and me) laugh or feel relaxed is what I enjoy VERY much.
Also he should not take himself too seriously. Arrogance and sulking selfpity makes men in my eyes go down to zero, real quick

Anonymous said...

I agree, Kristen--without humor, they fall flat
Thanks for stopping by
Lisa

Donna MacMeans said...

I wanted to add a "ditto" to Gillian. Lisa is soooo talented with her titles. You should hear so of the titles "that got away." (grin) She will always be destined to write humor, I think.

Donna MacMeans said...

Emmanuelle - I know what you mean about the BAD bad boys. Love to look at them in leather but they better have a soft core that grows as a result of the introduction to the heroine (okay - make that two things that grow (snicker)).

Susan Sey said...

Hi, Donna and Lisa! What a great excerpt! I'm totally going to look into your new release!

As for what I like best about heros, it's always always always a big brain. If the heroine is acting insane or TSTL, I don't want blind faith. I want somebody who says, "Um, baby, I love you but what the FRACK are you doing?" It shows that he views her as an equal, and not somebody to be indulged or worshipped. I like that.

Congrats again on the new release!

Anonymous said...

Susan, LOL on the "What the Frack are you doing?" Can I use Frack in a historical?
Thanks for the welcome!
Lisa

Donna MacMeans said...

Helen - I really love your comment about listening. That's so important - that's it's easy to forget. I do like the heroine being able to think, if not say, "I told you so," (grin) - and then go rescue him. Guess that goes along with Dianna's observation about giving the heroine credit for being smart. I think that's important as well. He's got to realize that he has a gem by the end of the book.

Donna MacMeans said...

Ouch! Laurie - not sure I'd like those men as heros or even bystanders. I think we see those people on TV and maybe in real life more than we do in a romance. Hmmmm...don't you wish real life was more like a romance? Then all those people that you describe would be taken down and given a taste of their own medicine. Yeah - that's the ticket!

Donna MacMeans said...

Caren - LOL on the observant horse! I do love a good lovesick expression that everyone can see except for the one wearing it - and that he fervently denies when it's pointed out.

LOL on the alpha husband as well. Maybe that's why the romance ends at "I do" (the book, not the love of course).

Donna MacMeans said...

Kirsten - I think I like a little arrogance in the hero - at least until the heroine teaches him a thing or two. Of course, the arrogance has to spring from a strong base ie. he IS the best whatever in the world, or he IS - through his hard work and intelligence - incredibly rich. But he has to have a weakness that the heroine recognizes and uses to crack that hard shell of arrogance and shows him that he's only human after all. Nice observation!

Virginia C said...

Hi, Lisa! Who knew that waltz would turn into a hot tango? Sounds wonderful to me : ) Something that I find very unattractive in a male character is promiscuity. When the male "hero" singles out the leading lady from the rest of the women in his life, but continues to sleep with other women.....UGGGHHH! Definitely a "Zero"! Not my kind of guy, and what's wrong with those women?

What I do love in a hero is a somewhat gruff, tough exterior under which lies an intelligent man with a good heart. A protector who would give his life and his well-armored heart for the woman he loves.

gcwhiskas at aol dot com

Donna MacMeans said...

Susan - LOL on the huge brain. I'm envisioning someone from a sci-fi flick whose brain grew too big for his cranium (grin). Wouldn't it be something if we could actually see a person's brain size like we do a nose? It sure would make life easier knowing if such & such person was worth listening to because of his brain size. Of course, that would mean everyone could see the size of my brain as well...er...nevermind.

Definitely like an intelligent hero - and definitely can't wait for Money Honey's release!

Donna MacMeans said...

Virginia C - love the "well armored heart". Nice phrase. I agree - the hero better not be sleeping around once he has feelings for the heroine. He may think he wants to - but then discovers (before he actually does it) that those other women just don't have the interest he thought they did. He's a marked man - he just doesn't know it yet.

Anonymous said...

Virginia, a big "amen" on the fidelity issue. I can't stand it when the hero sleeps with other women after he's met the heroine. I want him to know (Somewhere in that alpha brain of his) that she's the one right from the start. He might fight it, but inside, he knows.
Thanks for commenting
Lisa

Laney4 said...

Wow. What a steamy excerpt. I loved it!

My favourite line was, "Lord, how she wanted his touch, only now she realized, with embarrassment, where she wanted it." Well said. No mistaking her thoughts there!

I think my favourite part of a book is the anticipation and lead-up to the actual unification. Your book sounds like something I would enjoy tremendously.

Thank you!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Laney--I like to tease my readers with promises of things to come *smile*. I guess that makes me more like the old fashioned romance writers in some respects.
Thanks for dropping in
Lisa

Hellie Sinclair said...

I'm so excited to see Lisa at the Lair!!! I loved TEXAS HOLD HIM; it was hilarious! And sweet and sexy and a little scary at places. It was a wonderful read! (Esp a wonderful read to have an American themed historical!!!)

This one sounds just as delicious and wonderful!!!

Okay, trait I love: I love when the hero only had eyes for the heroine, thinks she's the prettiest girl in the room when she's actually a plain, plump wallflower. And because he thinks this way, he's always hitting on her and flirting with her--I love it when the heroes flirt and make the heroine blush.

Traits I don't much care for: Not being completely honest about why you're there or what you were doing because either you want to protect her or protect yourself (because you know she'll dump you).

The possessive, the attempt to control the heroine (which never works because she's smarter), bossy--those things are funny. The smoldering, sulky beta man--that's also pretty amusing--because you have to have a heroine who's willing to tease him out of his bad mood. All heroes have their pluses. *LOL*

(I'm not sure what to think about a hero who'd believe a heroine at all costs. I think that's a lot to expect of ANYONE; and I think the only ones who could really do it would be the ones who were never really damaged. I'm not doubting love heals a lot of wounds, but the scar is there so you don't forget.)--I guess it makes for good fantasy though.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, MsHellion--always good to hear from you. I'm so glad you enjoyed TEXAS. I think you'll find that MIDWIFE has quite a bit of humor too. But then, how could it not with a heroine who is engaged and engaged and engaged?
Thanks for stopping in
Lisa

limecello said...

Hi Lisa - congratulations on your new book! I sounds fabulous. I love the premise of it - and how fun for the heroine to have "too many" men - which is totally understandable as a problem.

As for what I hate in a hero -one who is a jerk. As in, he uses the heroine, walks all over her, is determined to not be in love for the entire book... and then right at the end he has a weak "my bad" and the heroine is all "oh okay! I forgive you for everything!" Hm, so the hero and heroine in those books annoy me.
As for what I love... the hero with a softer side. He's willing to get in touch with his emotions - although not sappy. He's got a sense of humor. Is willing to admit he's in love. All great things.

Congrats on the GR, Jane!

Rebekah E. said...

Congrats on the new release. I don't really mind when the heros do all of those annoying traits. I think they make a good character, even when you want to reach through the pages and smack them. In the end men all have at least one of those traits and I think when you use them in a character of a book it makes the character more realistic

Susan Gee Heino said...

Great blog, Donna and Lisa! What could be more fun to talk about than heroes? And Lisa, you do them right. I've got my copy of MIDWIFE right here and I'm loving it.

I was shouting AMEN to what so many of the gals already posted here. Humor? Yep, gotta have it. Loyalty and Faithfulness? Totally. Faith in the heroine? But of course! Thinks she's the prettiest girl in the room? Absolutely.

Still, when I think of the sexiest hero/heroine scene ever I have to go back to the Box Hill scene in Emma. Remember when Emma makes fun of poor Miss Whatsit and hurts the old dear's feelings? Knightly has the courage and compassion to call Emma on that. He doesn't embarrass her in public, but he's not afraid to be completely honest with her, even though he knows it will not endear him to her. I just think that's so hot.

Anyone got any clue why? LOL

Anonymous said...

Hi Limecello--I agree with the "total jerk until the last page" icky kind of hero. If he doesn't show some redeeming qualities early on, I'm not likely to stick with it to the end.
Thanks for commenting today.
Lisa

Louisa Cornell said...

Congrats on the GR, Jane !! Cinnci was just too cold for him!

I love the brooding, damaged alpha hero-types. But I don't want him so damaged that I can't see who he was and who he can be again. I don't mind a little arrogance so long as he has reason to be arrogant.

I don't like heroes who demean others to make themselves look strong. They can be as clueless about falling in love as they want to be on the outside, but somewhere inside I want them to know it's there.

Anonymous said...

Rebekah, you sound like a very forgiving woman LOL. Some flaws do make a hero more interesting, but don't you think some push the limit too far? (I guess it depends on if he has other redeeming qualities ;-)
Thanks for posting
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hey Susan! How nice of you to drop in. I saw where you got your new cover for your next release. When is it coming out? I can't wait to read it.
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Louisa, my heroes always tend to have something dark in their past. I think it adds to their vulnerablility to the heroine. For me, that's sexy.
Thanks for commenting
Lisa

Anonymous said...

By the way, everybody, if you look closely at the picture of GR in Orlando, you will see a wrist in his...er...tail feathers. That's me! I had the honor of posing him for Donna's crazy photos. Nothing like spending a week with your hand up a rooster's....well..you get the idea ;-)
Lisa

Tanja said...

ZERO: So sickenly sweet that no mortal could survive w/ all that goo.
HERO: Intelligence. I especially like the smart one who's bound to do something really stupid, which makes him human(oid) after all.
CONFESSION:I can't help it but I still like the lads strong and brawny. Wimpy is, well, wimpy.

Anonymous said...

LOL, Tonja on the gooey mortals! I haven't read too many books with the uber sweet hero, but I can see how that would be a turn off. We like a hero that needs the heroine to fix him, don't we?
Thanks for commenting
Lisa

Deb said...

Lisa, what a great excerpt! This book has been added to my to-buy list. It's so romantic. It kind of reminds me of the scene in the 2nd "Sarah, Plain and Tall" movie when Sarah and Jacob dance on her birthday after getting a gramophone from The Aunts. (Good book, btw.)

I like heroes who have faith in their women. I don't like them to turn away. I can see if a man would clam up because that seems to be a typical male thing to do. But, loving, having trust, and having a sense of humor are good traits for a man to have.

Kirsten said...

@- Donna, I know what you mean about a little arrogance in a guy is nice. If he IS intelligent no need to hide it! But I rather call that confidence.

jo robertson said...

Hi, Lisa, welcome back to the Lair. Your historicals are great and A Midwife Crisis sounds delicious, as does John.

I do like the quiet, commanding sort of hero, one who doesn't have to demand much verbally because his very demeanor shouts, "Sit back, relax, I know what I'm doing." Tee hee.

Congrats on getting the rooster today, Jane.

Anonymous said...

Hi Deb-thanks for stopping in. I swear I hadn't seen "Sarah, Plain and Tall" when I wrote that scene LOL. I just think a dance is sooo romantic, if the hero has all the right moves ;-)
Thanks for commenting
Lisa

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Welcome to the Lair, Lisa!

As a labor nurse, I'm rather curious. Given that your hero is a doctor...how does the title, Midwife Crisis enter into the story's plot?

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Karyn! I'm so glad you enjoyed TEXAS. This hero isn't quite as ornery as Dyer was, but hope you'll like him just as much. Sometimes I like the strong silent type as long as they're sexy.
Thanks for posting
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hi Suzanne--My heroine is a midwife and healer who treats all the people in the area. The hero moves in from out of town, wanting to be the new doctor, but the locals keep returning to Katie. He decides to hire her so he can earn their trust. I consulted with some midwifes when I wrote the story so I could keep the labor scene accurate for the time period.
Thanks for stopping in
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the welcome, Jo. The lair is one of my favorite places to lurk. It's always fun to stop in for a visit;-)
Lisa

catslady said...

The one trait I dislike is dishonesty. I know sometimes they do it for "their own good" but that always leads to complications lol.

Unknown said...

Congrats Jane of getting the rooster!

Great post Lisa and congrats on your new release! I love the gamma heros the onces that is a little of both! I like the ones that our kind and sweet to the heroines but can be a bad boy if he has too! Historical heros are the best its seems or a good cowboy!

Libby said...

I definitely would fall for a man who could waltz me around the room, provided he had all the other traits we've been talking about. LOL. Congratulations on Midwife, Lisa. I can't wait to dive into my copy.

Libby McCord

Anna Sugden said...

Lisa - welcome back to the Lair - and thanks to Donna for hosting you! The new book sounds fab.

I can't stand heroes who are nasty - or heroes who are wimps *g*. I also don't like heroes who are caricatures - the wicked Englishman annoys me in books and movies if he's a caricature.

Anonymous said...

Hi Catslady--I guess I can handle the dishonesty, as in lying, if it's for a good reason. He's lying to protect his sick mother so the evil stepson doesn't steal her inheritance, Woe...
Thanks for commenting today
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hi Virginia, I love a sexy cowboy too, but it's probably because my dh used to train quarterhorses. Something about a man in chaps...;-)
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hi Libby! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you figured out your "nun issue" LOL (Now everyone is wondering, what?)
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Thanks Anna, I always love my time with the banditas! I think one of the challenges we have as authors is to make that evil character believable and still evil. In many ways they're more difficult than the good guys.
Lisa

Saralee said...

I can't wait to read "A Midwife Crisis," Lisa! Your excerpt really left me sighing.

I go for the more beta males, I have to admit--no handsome arrogant hunks for me! I like a person who has built a strong character by overcoming his flaws and living up to his own standards, not someone who needs help locating his conscience.

Well, it's back to work! Thanks for the break!

Saralee

Donna MacMeans said...

Teehee - Something about a man OUT of chaps, too...

Anonymous said...

Hi Saralee--thanks for coming by and you're right, you do have work to do (I just sent you my partial for feedback LOL) Check your mailbox!
Lisa

Oberon Wonch said...

Love the excerpt, Lisa! I adored THH and can't wait to read MwC.

To me, a hero is hard to take when he jumps to the wrong conclusions about the heroine and her motives, even with very little to go on.

I love it when the hero thinks he knows what's best for the heroine--and he's actually right. And a hero should never become abusive, physically or verbally. He needs to be in control of his passions at all times--Until he's in bed with the heroine, of course, and just can't help himself!

Anonymous said...

Hi Obe--thanks for stopping by. I can't stand an abusive hero either. If he's truly alpha, he doesn't need to gain authority through force. She'll melt at his feet, anyway ;-)
Lsia

Libby said...

Ha, Lisa! Unfortunately, I haven't figured out my "nun issue" yet, but I'm gonna hie myself to a convent soon if I don't. Plodding with a plot just ain't fun.

Beth Andrews said...

Welcome back, Lisa! Loved the excerpt - A Midwife Crisis looks fabulous *g*

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who is very forgiving toward heroes. I really do love all different types!

Thanks so much for being with us today :-)

Janie Mason said...

As a matter of fact I'm about 2/3 of the way through A Midwife Crisis and loving it. One of the things I admire about John is that even though Katie works for him, he doesn't treat her as if she's lower in rank. Snobs make zeros for me.
Best wishes!
Janie

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Beth, for the welcome.

Hi Janie--I'm so glad you're enjoying MIDWIFE. I'm afraid it's the book of my heart *sigh*

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Welcome back to the Lair, Lisa! And BIG THANX for Donna for bringing you back!

Loved the excerpt and John is definitely NO ZERO! I love an intelligent hero with a sense of humor. I also want him to view the heroine as his equal. Oh, and a hot bod is always a plus. ;-)

Congrats on the GR, Jane! Keep that naughty chook busy today.

AC

Anonymous said...

Thanks AC--I do love being in the lair and I love a hot bod too! Like one man could possibly have all the traits we're coming up with (I guess that's why they call it fiction LOL)
Lisa

Maureen said...

I like a hero who has a sense of humor and shows with his actions that he really cares about the heroine. I'm not too fond of heroes who make decisions for heroines or do things that break her heart because he believes it's for her own good.

Anonymous said...

Hi Maureen--It is kind of condescending when the hero just decides he knows what's best for her, isn't it? Not a very "liberated woman" kind of novel. Hmmm.
Thanks for posting
Lisa

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Thanks, Lisa.

I'll be adding this to my reading list as I love any romance that has some historical medical info in it, just like the Lair's "boom sisters" like romances with some "boom" in it!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Jane, congrats on the chook! He's been a bit shaky on his pins since Kate's launch so be kind to him!

Lisa, your new book sounds fantastic. Thanks for swinging by the lair to tell us about it!

Pat Cochran said...

Lisa,

I guess if I tell you what I like
best that will be the answer to
your questions!

I like my personal hero best: he's
a combination A/B who shares, who
supports, and protects all that is
"his." He is truly a "keeper." We
have known each other for 51 years
and will celebrate our forty-ninth
anniversary in April.

Hi, Donna! Congratulations, Jane!

Pat Cochran

Donna MacMeans said...

Pat - I think with a 49th wedding anniversary coming up - the congratulations go to you!

Thanks for dropping by the lair today!

Donna

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Anna!

And Pat--major congratulations on 49 years! He must be a real hero, indeed
Thanks

chey said...

I hate it when the hero tries to control the heroine. It's even worse if they throw in a double standard.

Anonymous said...

I hear you, Chey--doubles should never come into a romance novel unless the hero has a twin
Thanks for dropping in
Lisa

Unknown said...

Hi Lisa, and welcome back!

This is a tough question. I admit that I don't like arrogant jerks, and a good number of historical heroes act like arrogant jerks. It turns me off to the point that I've put books down before. The thing is that if I keep reading, the author usually can redeem him, and the truth is, that the worse he is, the further he falls, the sweeter the redemption at the end. If I can just stick it out.

The one exception I've found to this is sports heroes. Professional sports heroes who are wealthy, shallow and really not good for much, and treat the heroine badly--well--I tend to be unforgiving.

At least in the historicals they had society behind their attitudes, as the idea of equality hadn't gotten very far. With the sports heroes its usually just an unfortunate sense of entitlement. A lot of people call that "alpha" but I don't. Alpha, to me, means strong and capable. Treating a heroine badly is hard on me as a reader.

And yet, there are some famous books with arrogant jerks as heroes, and a few of them are my favorites. SEP's Ain't She Sweet has quite the arrogant fellow as a hero. But he surely does fall and I love every minute of it.

So I guess my answer is going to stay wishy washy. Sorry!
Your doctor does not sound even the least bit like an arrogant jerk. Strong and silent I can take as long as his actions speak to something more underneath.

Hmmm. Never realized I was quite so strong minded about arrogant heroes. (grin)

Wonderful excerpt, btw, and now I want this. *sigh* The TBR pile grows a little higher.

Donna, thanks for bringing Lisa to visit!

Nancy said...

Lisa, welcome! I'm sorry to be late to the party. My least favorite hero trait is making decisions for the heroine--which would include leaving "for her own good." She can decide what's best for her, imho.

My favorite hero trait is ability--a guy knowing what he's doing.

That's a fabulous excerpt!

Nancy said...

Jane, congrats on taking home the rooster! I hope you have fun with him.

Lady_Graeye said...

Congrats on your new release, Lisa.
it sounds like a terrific book. I can't wait to read it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Cassandra--
I think arrogance can be sexy if the hero has a reason to be arrogant. He has to be sure of himself because he's so good at what he does. But, like you said, if he's shallow--it's a def turn off.
Thanks for posting
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Hi Nancy--thanks for the welcome! My mom always used to say if a guy tells you you're too good for him--listen. He knows something you don't LOL
Thanks
Lisa

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Lady Graeye--I hope you enjoy it!

Llehn said...

I love the sweet, gentle protective type of hero, one who is not terribly obsessive like Edward Cullen but who respects your space and the fact that you are able to make your own decisions even if they are not the decisions he would necessarily like.