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Posted by Susan Sey on 02 Sep 2010:
Carrie wrote: Some people may die in the process (shit happens) but by golly, the ending will be happy. Shit happens. Heh. That made me smile. Like, "Oh, darn, that poor guy died. Well, I guess somebody had to." Hee hee. But you're right. Sometimes bad things happen, & I'm okay with that. I prefer it when they happen to the villain but you know, that's me. I'd have tossed the book into the shredder too if the heroine had died. Or the hero. Or, heck, anybody I like. I'm squeamish like that. :-)
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Posted by Carrie Spencer on 01 Sep 2010:
I require a happy ending. Some people may die in the process (shit happens) but by golly, the ending will be happy. I read a book once where the heroine died in the end (shredded said book into the trash bin) and one where the hero was mutilated and subsequently died at the end (thrown hard against the wall, stomped on, thrown into the trash, taken out and thrown in again). Give me an HEA or give me death.
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Posted by Susan Sey on 31 Aug 2010:
Maureen wrote: While I don't read only romances I do read them the most because I do like the HEA and the fact that bad things will happen but people will work to overcome them. I'm not an exclusive reader of romance either but you're right--it's my best bet for finding a read that meets all my requirements in terms of people I like not getting killed off. :-) Plus I like the inherent optimism. What can I say? I'm a Pollyanna. But I like it.
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A Certain Something by Christy Reece
Posted by Rom in Romantic Suspense, Guest Blog with the tag A Certain Something, Christy Reece
Posted date: 18 Feb 2010

Christy ReeceCongratulations to the winners of Christy's giveaways:

Terry - RUN TO ME
Aly - RUN TO ME
Mary G. - NO CHANCE
Emily Stier - NO CHANCE

Please email Christy at christy@christyreece.com with your mailing address. Thanks to all of you for joining us and thanks to Christy for a great guest blog stint! Join us on March 19th for another visit with Christy!

A Certain Something

Do you fall in love with the heroes of your favorite romances? Maybe just a little? I know I do. They don’t have to be handsome or wealthy. Though many are. And they don’t have to save the heroine’s life. Though in my books, many do. But they do have to have a certain something. The something that tips me over the edge and makes me fall in love.

I’ve read thousands of romances, and with the exception of a few, I always fall for the hero. He might start off as an unsympathetic jerk, but somewhere down the road, something happens…he does something and that’s when I fall in love. That spark of goodness…perhaps his heart…is exposed and I see beneath the veneer to the good guy beneath. And that one thing isn’t necessarily a huge part of the story either nor does it touch each reader in the same way. But for me, when it happens, my heart is engaged and I fall in love.

Gabe Maddox, the hero in my upcoming release, NO CHANCE, did that. Gabe’s as gruff and tough as they come. He’s been a secondary character in three of my previous books. And honestly, I didn’t love him in any of them. He ticked me off more than once and I kept wondering just what his problem was. And then, when I had the opportunity to write his story, I realized why he acts the way he does. And now, what can I say? I love him. I fell for him early in his book. When Book Coverhe and the heroine, Skylar, first meet, they’re both young and innocent. Though Gabe’s been hurt, both physically and emotionally, he’s still an idealist. Of course, he denies this, but you can see that he is. Gabe has no reason to trust anyone, much less become vulnerable enough to fall in love. But when he falls in love, I adore how he treats Skylar. He’s respectful and adoring and like any young man in love, wants intimacy. But he recognizes Skye’s innocence and wants to wait until she’s ready. Though circumstances tear them apart and Gabe becomes even tougher and gruffer, I still loved him because I knew what was in his heart. That same tenderness is still inside of him when he sees Skye again, years later.

So, what about you? When you fall in love with the heroes of your favorite romances, is it in an instant? Love at first word? Or is there usually that one certain thing that tips you over the edge? Can you name a romance where it took a while for you to love the hero, but when you did, you fell hard?

 

** Make sure you chime in, RomCon Readers! Christy is giving away two copies of RUN TO ME and two copies of NO CHANCE! U.S. and Canada winners only, please. That doesn't mean you international readers can't join in the conversation, though!

48 comments
Posted by Michelle Santiago on 2010-02-22 at 18:36:06 pm:
i don't fall in love with a hero at "first word" usually but as the story goes on and he does and say all the romantic things. one book that took me a while to fall for the hero was gabriel from anne mallory's three nights of sin. it took me a while to get to "know" him but in the end he was a great hero. i'd love to win one of the books if i'm not too late. great post christy!
Posted by christy Reece on 2010-02-22 at 15:02:23 pm:
Hi Donna, thanks so much. Hope you get the chance to try my books and hope you enjoy them!

Yes, those love triangles can get frustrating. Especially if the heroine doesn't choose the hero you want her to choose. I felt that way in the movie Sweet Home Alabama. Patrick Dempsey proposing in Tiffanys? Sigh. How could a girl say no to that? But she did!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Posted by Donna S on 2010-02-22 at 14:24:58 pm:
Thanks so much for sharing today. Your books sound great and I am really looking forward to reading them. Congrats on the release.

I have had it happen both ways, some books I have to warm up to the hero and in some I fall instantly based on something said or done. Usually the ones where I fall in instantly ends up being stuck in a love triangle that then drives me crazy until the end with me wanting the heroine to hurry up and choose who I have already picked.
Posted by christy Reece on 2010-02-20 at 19:27:55 pm:
Thanks so much, Quilt Lady. I'll be giving away several copies next week at various blogs. Be sure to check my website and come visit me.

Thanks for commenting!
Posted by Quilt Lady on 2010-02-20 at 19:21:21 pm:
This really sounds like a great read! I think I would love this book!
Posted by christy Reece on 2010-02-19 at 22:09:44 pm:
Hi LibraryPat. LOL. Yes, there are some heroes you definitely have to get to know to love, just like in real life. When men are focused and convinced they're right...grrr, so frustrating. But the more I read, the better I understand him and I end up falling in love. I love Julie Garwood's heroes...especially her historicals. And she creates such wonderful heroines who end up the perfect match for those men. (:

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Posted by librarypat on 2010-02-19 at 21:55:50 pm:
As in real life, I need to get to know the hero before I care for him. Several of Julie Garwood's books have heroes that start out as strong characters and are not necessarily considerate people. They are the good guys, but they are focused on their goals and the heroine gets in the way. Often she is a means to an end and in a sense is being used.
Posted by christy Reece on 2010-02-19 at 21:07:29 pm:
Yes, Tiffany. See you back on March 19th. Thanks again!
Posted by Tiffany James on 2010-02-19 at 20:56:35 pm:
Christy ~ You're so welcome! Yes, my husband has a great sense of humor! I'll look forward to having you for a visit again very soon...on March 19th, right?!~ Tiffany
Posted by christy Reece on 2010-02-19 at 18:30:18 pm:
Hey Tiffany! Today's been lots of fun. Had some great comments!

Oh my, saying the wrong name at the wrong time. I'll bet your husband had a great sense of humor. Great hero material! (:

Thanks for having me here. Looking forward to coming back next month!
Posted by Tiffany James on 2010-02-19 at 17:47:42 pm:
Hi, Christy ~ Sorry I'm a little late...we had a planning meeting for RomCon. Ooohh, it's going to be great! Welcome to RomCon. I definitely fall in love with the heroes in the books I read...I even called my husband by the wrong name once, and it wasn't at a very appropriate time either. Oi, I wasn't sure I'd ever live that one down - okay, I still haven't. Every once in awhile he'll just start calling me random names! :0) Hope you enjoy your day at RomCon! Looks like you touched on a hot topic. ~ Tiffany James
Posted by christy Reece on 2010-02-19 at 13:48:02 pm:
Hi Catslady, it's probably the same thing. Caring about the characters, wanting them to find happiness. And I agree. If I don't care for the characters, the plot, no matter how intriguing, won't turn it into a great read. I might still enjoy the book, but if I haven't identified and enjoyed the characters, then I'm going to be disappointed in the overall book.

Thanks for stopping by. If you get an opportunity to read my books, hope you enjoy them!
Posted by catslady on 2010-02-19 at 13:33:33 pm:
I don't think I have to fall in love per say with the hero but I most definitely have to care - maybe it's the same thing lol. I fall in love with book when I care about the characters. If I don't get that connection then there isn't any storline that will save it for me. You are a new to me author and I so enjoy finding new ones. Your book sounds wonderful.
Posted by Christy Reece on 2010-02-19 at 11:37:00 am:
Hi GSM. Yes, watching a hero grow and evolve is one of the best parts of a romance to me. Seeing how he changes and softens toward the heroine. And seeing his vulnerabilities, especially with the woman he loves, just makes me smile. And if there's a nice groveling scene too? Well, that's just about a perfect book for me. (:

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Posted by GSM on 2010-02-19 at 11:27:27 am:
I like it when it take a while to understand and appreciate the hero. One who comes to mind is Clayton Danvers from Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld series. When the series opens, Elena will barely speak to Clayton, because of something that happened years ago. As the series progresses, we see how insecure Clayton was in his love for her--but his love is very real and deep and he regrets hurting her. It is compelling to see how much he grows.
Posted by Christy Reece on 2010-02-19 at 11:21:14 am:
Yay, Jennifer! Glad you got the book. And I'll have to look for It Happened One Autumn. I may have missed that series. Believe that was when I was in the midst of deadlines and things and missed out on a whole slew of books. At some point, I've got to catch up. Thanks for coming back and answering!
Posted by Jennifer D. on 2010-02-19 at 11:02:25 am:
Hi Christy,

I got No Chance in the mail today - Happy Friday to me. The book I was referring to was It Happened One Autumn (book two in Lisa's wallflowers series) with Marcus, Lord Westcliff as the hero. That whole series is great, actually.
Posted by Christy Reece on 2010-02-19 at 10:49:28 am:
Hey Jennifer, great to see you here. I'll let Noah he might have some competition with Gabe. (:

Love Lisa Kleypas! Which book was it that Sebastian was the villain? I'm sure I have it but want to go back and read it again. And I think Derek Craven is a favorite of a lot of people!

Thanks for stopping by! Your copy of NO CHANCE should be there soon. I mailed them on Tuesday (P.O. closed on Monday) and have already heard from one winner who got hers yesterday. Hope you enjoy!
Posted by Jennifer D. on 2010-02-19 at 10:23:10 am:
Christy.

I just wanted to stop by and say hi. Well, I have to say Noah from your Return to Me is someone who grabbed me right from the beginning (even in the first book, I was intrigued by him). Plus, he is still my fave, but I'm waiting to see if Gabe knocks him off the top spot.

I have to say I usually have a good idea when I start a book whether the hero is going to be a favorite. However, one example of a character it took a while to like was Lisa Kleypas' Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent. He starts out in a previous book as a villain, but then he gets his own book (Devil in Winter) and Lisa did an amazing job of reforming him and now the character is in the top five of her heroes for me. (I think number one will always be Derek Craven from Dreaming of You)

PS - No need to include me in the contest, since I have Run to Me and I was lucky enough to win a copy of No Chance, already. Thanks.
Posted by Christy Reece on 2010-02-19 at 10:20:38 am:
Hey Ida, great to see you here! I'm glad you love Gabe, but it's great to see all this Ethan love too. I think one of the biggest reasons I love him was because of how very much he loved Shea. When a man will go to those kinds of lengths for the woman he loves, he has my heart.

And I'm happy you still love Noah too. (:

Thanks for stopping by!
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