Today Donna Grant is over with a guestpost about tortured heroes, and there is a giveaway too at the end. Open to all.
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Tortured Heroes and Mystical History
Thanks, Linda, for having me here.
I get asked a lot why there are so many tortured heroes in romance novels. First, as a writer, they’re some of the best characters to write. You can put them in circumstances that seem impossible to get out of, or have them do things that would doom lesser men. They can be good men, or bad men who are reformed (another one of my favorites).
But, I think it comes down to women. We have an innate need to want to improve things. What’s better than taking a man who feels there’s no turning back from who or what he is and showing him love to convince him there’s so much more if he’s willing to let go of the past?
Who wouldn’t want a piece of that? Lol. Now, this isn’t changing a man – the inner person who a heroine falls in love with. No, this is helping him overcome whatever obstacles he faces, even if its nothing more than saving said heroine.
For me I get such a thrill when a hero is not only an alpha male, but who is so tortured even I wonder if there’s a way to save him. Those are the most difficult to write, but the most rewarding. I’m emotionally and mentally exhausted by the time I finish their stories, but they long stay my favorites. Examples: Gabriel from A WARRIOR’S HEART (Shield series, to be re-released later), Cade from DANGEROUS MAGIC (third Sisters of Magic book), and Hayden from UNTAMED HIGHLANDER (Dark Sword).
It’s not just the tortured heroes that I love, its mixing magic with history. Even my parents ask me all the time why I put paranormal aspects in my books. I don’t set out to do it, it just happens. I’ve always loved fantasy movies and books, and with my love of history it just seems so natural to do it.
When I first began writing it, there were so few historical paranormal or historical fantasy romance books out there that editors didn’t really know what to do with me. The genre has grown, but still not as I’d like to see it.
Every author has a favorite genre or time period that they love to write in. For me, its historical paranormals. It’s so freeing to just let my imagination go and not have to be so confined to the restrictions of a certain time period.
There are no boundaries when writing paranormal or fantasy. The canvas – or page for us authors – is as open and far-reaching as our imaginations. I find it odd that contemporary readers gobble up paranormals, but that’s not the same with historical readers. I’m hoping to slowly change that.
So, do you like mixing magic with your history?
I’ll be giving away an ebook copy of DRAGONFYRE my fantasy romance I’ve recently re-released to one lucky commenter.
To learn more about me and my books, watch book trailers, sign up for my newsletter, and read excerpts, please visit
www.DonnaGrant.com!
Hugs,
D
GIVEAWAY
Ecopy of Dragonfyre
1. Open too all, in all countries
2. Ends Nov 18th
3. Just enter, and you are also free to answer Donna’s question 🙂
(So, do you like mixing magic with your history?)
She’s the only one who can pull him from the darkness…
As Commander of the Fae army, Aimery is used to tracking evil and putting an end to it. When one of the rare and treasured blue dragons is killed and an egg stolen, Aimery is ordered to find the murderer. He never expects it to be one of his closest friends…
Kyndra is a priestess of the Dragon Order sworn to protect all dragons in the Realm of the Fae. She is sent by the high priestess to accompany Aimery and return the killer for execution. Aimery is instantly drawn to the sword-wielding priestess, but he knows he cannot have Kyndra. Her life is sworn to the dragons, to be touched by no man. Neither expects to find desire and unyielding passion in the other. Yet when they track the killer to another realm, Aimery’s life is at stake and Kyndra gives herself to him and the love she cannot deny in order to save him…
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Blurb and excerpt for SHADOW MAGIC:
With a past soaked in sin and darkness slowly closing in around him to claim his soul, Drogan only wants to live his life in solitude. Years in the king’s service and his numerous deeds directed by the crown have left Drogan with horrendous nightmares and immeasurable guilt…
Serena is a witch, cursed and forever alone. She accepts her future. Until she meets Drogan. With Drogan a passion deep and unyielding awakens inside her. She is willing to sacrifice herself for his love, but can he put his past to rest and embrace the future?
Excerpt
Hawthorne Castle
Central England, 1127
Jealousy, if left unbridled, could turn a good soul as black as Satan.
And so it was the first time Serena of Hawthorne saw Lord Drogan of Wolfglynn with another woman. The jealousy was instant and sharper than any needle that could pierce her skin. The fact that she hadn’t even met Drogan and so shouldn’t have noted the beautiful woman on his arm did not go unnoticed by Serena.
She was a bana-bhuidseach, a witch, cursed and forever alone. ‘Twas because of what she was, men rarely caught her attention. Except for Drogan.
Her always sure footed feet faltered and then stopped as the excessively crowded great hall allowed her an unobstructed view of Drogan for a heartbeat. But in that moment, his image would be etched in her memory for all time.
People teemed around her, but Serena didn’t notice. She closed her eyes and let her mind’s eye looked over Lord Drogan of Wolfglynn at her leisure. What she saw made her break into a sweat and her soul stirred for the first time.
Dark auburn hair fell straight and thick, with a slight curl at the end, to his broad shoulders. He had a high forehead with gently arching brows over eyes of a rich golden brown. His nose was straight and aristocratic, and his mouth wide and full.
He wore a brown leather jerkin over a deep green tunic that didn’t hide the rippling muscles in his arms and chest. Her eyes moved lower to his thick legs encased in tight leather. Boots, worn but well cared for, encased his feet and calves.
Serena caught of glimpse of something shiny from the top of his left boot, alluding to a hidden dirk. The broadsword and dagger strapped to his waist let all know he was a warrior.
She opened her eyes and found Drogan staring at her. For the briefest of moments, Serena found herself starting toward him before someone bumped into her. ‘Twas all she needed to break away. She turned her back on Drogan and the longing in her heart.
Duty called.
Donna’s website: http://www.donnagrant.com/
Book Info
Sisters of Magic, Book 1
Re-issued
ISBN 13: 978-1600883484
Release Date: Nov 2011
Order eBook
Kindle | Nook
Smashwords
Donna Grant is the award winning author of more than twenty novels spanning multiple genres of romance – Scottish Medieval, historical, dark fantasy, time travel, erotic, and paranormal.
Donna was born and raised in Texas but loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her throughout the United States as well as to Jamaica and Mexico. Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, Donna’s Cajun side of the family taught her the “spicy” side of life while her Texas roots gave her two-steppin’ and bareback riding.
BooK Girl of Mur-y-Castell 