I’ll never forget when Dr. Mike Flynn, the hero of Too Hot To Handle popped into my head. I was writing a scene in Romeo, Romeo—it was a phone call between the hero Nick and his Mike, his best friend, who was supposed to be a little secondary character. By the end of that conversation, I’d fallen head over heels in love with Mike, and I knew I had the hero for my second book. I knew everything there was to know about him. I knew which deodorant he wore, that he didn’t have time to date, that he worked his way through college and medical school, that he fought to get into the best schools, get scholarships, the best residency, the best fellowship, and buy into the best practice. His spare time (what there was of it) he spent catching up with his friends and would always meet Nick’s girlfriends who would then run to him for solace after Nick dumped them.
With Annabelle Ronaldi, the heroine of Too Hot To Handle, it was a bit more difficult. Annabelle and her sister had a complicated relationship in Romeo, Romeo—that’s the way it is with sisters in my experience—a woman can be nasty to her sister and wonderful to the rest of the world. It’s all about the family baggage. So when I was writing Annabelle in Romeo, Romeo, I kept wondering why she was acting the way she was. There was a back story there that I had to dig out. Who knew she’d been compared to Rosalie all her life and found lacking, or that she’d had a whole other life in Philadelphia her family never knew about? The woman was strong and wounded, but most of all, she was emotionally shut down.
Now some characters in my books are amalgams of people I know. Aunt Rose, the smart-mouth old psychic aunt is a little like a great aunt of mine. She was the one who used to walk behind me at the dinning room table and give me a smack upside the head if I said something she didn’t approve of. When she was off her chair, I automatically leaned forward hoping I was out of the line of fire. She had a sharp tongue, was always quick with a comeback, seemed to know everything, never seemed surprised when odd things happened, and she commanded respect. She was one of those strong women everyone feared just a little bit—we called her the Colonel behind her back. I always wondered if she was psychic so, in my character, I mixed her personality traits with a psychic friend of my mother’s who ratted me out to my mother for years before I ever met her. Don’t worry, I made sure she’d do the same for me with my kids, but at least I’m nice enough to warn them about her.
Some characters, like Vinny, the father figure to all my heroes, is someone I always wished I knew. He has everything I love about men like him, a good family man, with a deep sense of loyalty, and a slightly twisted understanding of men and women. He has an unschooled wisdom I find fascinating. He’s funny, shallow and deep all at the same time, and he’s so much more than you’d think if you were ever to meet him.
Then there are characters like Becca, our heroine’s best friend. She’s an amalgam of several women who I knew when I lived on the Main Line of Philadelphia. She’s a strong, reluctant debutante who seems to have the perfect family, wealth, good looks, talent, even a great personality, but she is very insecure in one or two areas of her life. For Becca, she can tell everyone what’s wrong with his or her life, and she’s usually right, but she has no idea what is missing in hers. She finds things such as romantic relationships to be difficult, so she avoids them like the plague.
I love writing romance because I’m fascinated by people. I want to know why a person is the person he or she is when we meet him or her in the beginning of the book. I also want to see how finding the right man or woman can open people up, bring them joy they never imagined, and make them better people than they would be alone.
What do you look for in characters and in romances?
- Leave me a comment with an email address (it’s too frustrating having to find them myself) for one entry.
- For a second entry answer Robin’s question at the end of her guest post.
- For a third entry blog or tweet about the giveaway to spread the word.
The giveaway is open internationally and I will draw for the winner on Thursday, May 14, 2009. Good luck everyone!
Great guest post and giveaway! I look for witty characters with a lot of depth in them and intriguing romances.
loony_balooga_91[at]hotmail[dot]com
I think the thing I look for most in a romance is conversation between the protagonists. Personally, I prefer somewhat sarcastic witty banter, but any good communication makes the difference for me. I also prefer a female lead who can operate independently.
-violetreads at gmail
That was a great insight into how the author developes and thinks of characters.
For me at least the main characters in romance have to be really strong and they have to have quirks of their own. I especially like the hero to be a little arrogant and strong from the outside but really a gem from inside. Something along the misunderstood types. Like Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.
Thanks for the guest post Robin and thanks for the contest Dar.
elizascott2005 at yahoo dot co dot in
The books sounds lovely, and every girl should have a guy like that 😉
blodeuedd1 (at) gmail (dot) com
I look for chemistry between the characters. Even if the author tried then it doesn’t always work. Fun great communication, and to have something of their own 🙂
Oh enter me please Dar. I just love books like this. When you can feel the chemistry dripping off the page.
vivienne_dacostaathotmaildotcome
Great guest post! I look for likeable characters and preferably funny ones.
gypsyrover21(at)yahoo(dot)ca
Nice post & giveaway! To be honest, I just want to have characters that are well developed enough so that I actually care about what happens to them. When they are flaky, or when I don't understand why they behave the way they do, then I don't care about their relationships or lives. Thanks!
mjmbecky(at)gmail(dot)com
Love good conversation in my books..If I can giggle out loud, then it’s a fantastic book. I remember books that are funny or touch my heart in someway. If it doesn’t touch my emotion in any way, I can’t hardly read it.
I honestly can’t wait to read “Too Hot to Handle” Looks fab!
rachie2004 AT yahoo DOT com
I really like Ms. Kaye — she sounds like she resides in my own head but has more of a clue. I dig that.
No need to enter me (although these books are going on my famed wishlist) unless you think my wishlist is too long. *grin*
Thanks for the e-mail; I’ve posted this at Win a Book. ’cause, you know, that’s what I do.
I’d love to be entered, thanks.
I like characters who are fun, quirky and interact well with each other. I’m not looking for too much depth in romance, to be honest, I just want an enjoyable read.
I also sent a tweet, but I’m not sure how to prove it. My twitter usename is carolsnotebook.
carolsnotebook at yahoo dot com
I like strong, sarcastic, tough yet good-hearted and generous characters. You want them strong and tough to the world, but a sensitive and warm side hiding beneath it all.
nfmgirl AT gmail DOT com
Both ROMEO,ROMEO and TOO HOT TO HANDLE sound like delightful reads. With summer coming, I am looking for a fun romance to read.
Yummy book covers, too! 😉
castings[at]mindspring[dot]com
Great guest post. I love leaning about authors! I look for strong women and believable characters.
mj.coward[at]gmail.com
Great post. I love finding out how authors develop their characters.
In romance books, I like a lead character that I can relate to so that I can easily “put myself in their shoes.”
I also blogged about this in my right sidebar at:
http://janelsjumble.blogspot.com
Thanks for the great giveaway…
What I look for in the heroine is strength – quiet strength. I love alpha heroes who are protective yet allows the heroine to shine. Witty dialogue between the characters is great too.
ktulanko AT aol DOT com
I’d like to read this book.
bjhopper(at)me(dot)com
great post! I enjoyed Robin Kaye’s Romeo Romeo and Too Hot To Handle sounds just as good.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
What a great interview. I have my very own copy and am about half way through this book and can not put it down. It is so good.
Debbie
Thanks for the interview! I look for someone I can relate to in a character while I crave chemistry in the romance department.
lesly7ch(@)yahoo(dot)com
I’d like to be included, count me in! tWarner419@aol.com
Wow! What great comments. I’m so glad I don’t have to choose a winner. It sounds as if you’d all love Too Hot to Handle. I look forward to see who wins. Good luck everyone!
I loved how you explained your characters. It sounds so familiar to what many people have told me, and what I have experienced, when writing. The characters always seem more genuine when they are organically formed rather than constructed.
This was a really insightful and interesting read.
darkened (dot) jade (at) gmail (dot) com
I really like it when an author takes such time and care with her characters, it shows in the story and heightens the level of credibility in the book dramatically. This was a great post!
To answer the author’s question: I look for strong male and female leads in my romance reads. I like it when the woman knows how to use her intelligence and independence to capture a man’s heart, instead of seeming like she always has to be helpless and waiting for rescue. I like it when the men in romance are able to be sensitive and thoughtful, yet still strong and forthright. I enjoy really human characters, people who don’t compromise themselves or their beliefs for the sake of love.
lynda98662 at yahoo dot com
I look for characters that are believable. I really hate when a character does an about face. Like when they hate the hero one page and a couple of pages later they love him. There needs to be a reason for the change.
I like characters I can relate to in any story I read.
I loved the author chat!! Great insights into her writing and this book sounds and of course LOOKS great!!
Would dearly love to win this book. Thank you.
makeupgirl21@comcast.net
This sounds like a wonderful book -please count me in and thanks for the giveaway
msboatgal at aol.com
I must get this book, honestly.
thanks for the chance to win it.
yourstrulee at sasktel dot net
I look for gentle characters, caring ones, ones with a bit of humor to spread, determined to succeed characters.
yourstrulee at sasktel dot net
Please enter me, thanks!
booksobsession(at)gmail(dot)com
+ I posted this contest on my sidebar: http://booksobsession.blogspot.com
+ What do you look for in characters and in romances? I like ones that are humble, believable, and charming, not cocky.
Would love to read both of these books.
rsgrandinetti(at)Yahoo(dot)com
I like characters that aren’t perfect, but have character imperfections, rather than character flaws.
wow sounds liek an awesome giveaway!!!
nicolemarielum @gmail.com
Excellent guest interview. Makes me want to read the book!
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
I look for characters that are strong personalities and have a sense of humor. In a romance, I look for good dialogue that isn’t sappy.
digicat{AT}sbcglobal{DOT}net
This sounds like a very cute book..count me in on the drawing please. You have a great blog here. I will have to look around some more. Have a great weekend!
This sounds so good, I’d love to read it!
marielay@gmail.com
I would love to read this book. Please enter me in the giveaway
“Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
CoolCanucks.ca”
I’d love a shot at winning 😛
jaam121388 at yahoo dot com
Great guest post! Please enter me in the drawing!
quzy(AT)mac(DOT)com
And I like my female characters to be strong independent women, who don’t mind being coddled when necessary. I like some sarcastic banter too between the protagonists. And I like my men rugged!;D
thanks for another great giveaway!
Cannot wait to read these two reads. So many great things are out there about them. People love them! I haven’t got a chance to read them but am looking forward!
Lyoness2009 AT hotmail.com
Hi – Teddy sent me!
libneas[at]aol[dot]com
I love a quirky character, with wit and humor.
libneas[at]aol[dot]com
Sounds like a great book. I look for characters that are believable and real. Funny and a sense of humor is great and I love when they make mistakes too and arent just always perfect.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
thanks-this book sounds great I’d love to read it
tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com
Characters have to have a real-life feel and romance has to be practically written ..not just all fluff. thats what i think is important.
thanks. count me in.
spellbound18@hotmail.com
i will tweet about this
@spellbound18
Just what I need for a light summers read. sharonaquilino(at)hotmail(dot)com
Please enter my name into your giveaway. I love witty banter and sexual tension.
Thank you for your giveaway.
makeupgirl21@comcast.net
ooo please enter me!! i would love to win!!
ericaloves @hotmail.com
Like your blog…first time here!!
I’d love to be entered for the giveaways!
pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net
I like to look for women that are strong & feisty and men that are smoking hot and a bit on the bad boy side.
pamelashockley(AT)netscape(DOT)net
pls enter me in the giveaway!
thx!
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
i really enjoy it when the characters have witty banter. i also like it when they’re very protective of each other, but not in an overly jealous way.
thx!
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
I’ve linked to this contest in my blog’s sidebar.
thanks!
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
I wouldlove, love, love to read these books=)
Please enter me to win and thanks so much!
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net
What do you look for in characters and in romances?
I like “real” characters like everyday people; your neighbor, your friend etc… and I have to admit a soft spot for southern boys=)
Luvdaylilies at bellsouth dot net
Please enter me. ruthjoec at aoldot com
I like characters who are realistic, not too perfect but not too stupid either and I hate crude language that seems to be there for its own sake.
ruthjoec at aoldotcom
Please count me in 🙂 I would l♥ve to read this! tryingtostaycalm@gmail.com
Please enter me – vvperesk@gmail.com
Answer to question: In characters, I look for someone who is believable. When characters are just so out there with their lives, or personalities, or whatever, I just can’t get into the book.
vvperesk@gmail.com