When Nalini asked me if I’d like to guest-blog I immediately said yes because: (a) Nalini is such a sweetheart, how could I say no? (b) It was a next-week kind of thing, which gave me time to think about a topic, right? Right. Suddenly it’s this week and, well, here I am. Tapping the microphone nervously because I’ve never made a guest appearance before.
So.
I have a book out this month called The Rich Stranger. A couple of days ago I googled for on-line reviews and found one which referenced that particular fantasy: a rich, gorgeous stranger swoops in to rescue the heroine who’s about to go down for the count (financially.) This stopped me in my tracks. I did not write the book with that fantasy in mind. At all.
Here’s the thing: I always thought of Rafe Carlisle (the rich stranger of the title) as the one who needed rescuing. From his grounded plane as the book opens but especially from his lifestyle. My heroine, Cat, is a gutsy, independent woman. She’s lonely, she’s hit rock bottom, and she needs help, but not the white-knight-on-a-charger kind. Being a male with alpha inclinations, Rafe (of course) does want to rescue our reluctant heroine…and therein lies some of the book’s conflict. Who, exactly, is rescuing whom?
Which brings me to my point, which is more of a question, really. Is the heroine-in-need-of-rescue (by a rich stranger, by a strong alpha, by a gallant protector) a valid fantasy in today’s world? Or does today’s heroine, for today’s reader, need to be strong enough to rescue herself? What do you think?
14 comments :
I lust for that cover, that's all I have to say.
p.s. can everyone see everything clearly on their browsers? I had some glitches uploading today.
Grinning at Nalini. It did come up looking rather gorgeous on your blog, didn't it? (I'm also grinning at the guesses as to my identity. Can I be Rocki St Claire, please, please, please???)
I like heroines who can rescue themselves, who are in the process of rescuing themselves...but find that process a bit more meaningful when the right man comes along. Sort of, 'well now, there's a *very* good reason to straighten out my act!' type of thing. And I do like a man who needs a good woman, but doesn't realize it...
And the cover is gorgeous!
I like a heroine who is perfectly capable of rescuing herself, but smart enough to see the plusses of letting a man do it for her.
Sort of like the difference between needing a man and wanting a man. I like a heroine who doesn't NEED to be rescued, but may occasionally WANT to let the right man help her out. She may not have to depend on a man for anything, but that doesn't mean she couldn't appreciate the right helping hand (attached to the right muscular arm, attached to the...)
Lol Leslie.
Danni - I get exactly what you're saying. It's kind of like me going to the petrol station and being perfectly capable of filling my own car and yet choosing to let the gorgeous babe with the helpful smile do it for me. I think we like our heroines to be strong enough to be able to make the choice, rather than having the choice made for her. Does that make sense?
Well said, everyone. A woman who is strong enough to rescue herself but smart enough to know when to accept that helping hand. That sounds about right to me!
Waving hello to Nalini, such a gracious hostess, and Christine and Danni and Leslie.
I agree with everyone here. I like a woman who can stand on her own two feet, b/c we all never know what will happen and we need that ablity. However, she can want or need to have a man take charge once in a while and be there when she really needs him.
Misty Wright
Me too, agree! Although I will add that I love it when the woman actually has to rescue the man. Maybe not that he's weak, or poor, but that he is so emotionally messed up, what I call tortured, that he needs the love of a good woman to rescue him. I LOVE a tortured hero. And I love a strong heroine who can bring an alpha male to his knees. At least, one knee, with a 3 carat diamond in his pocket, and an AM EX with/o a limit, and... Just kidding. :) Ok, maybe not aobut the diamond. A woman should never kid about jewelry.
Juliet Burns
What a great question, Bron!
I've always liked the idea of the hero and heroine rescuing each other. Because I do think we all need somebody. (Remember that Dean Martin standard? Well it's true!) We need each other, and even more so in a relationship.
I think I've written about this more than once--and in my 2nd (and last) Desire, the characters said it explicitly. The hero rescues the heroine at the beginning, and then at the end, she tells him she doesn't need him to rescue her, and he says he knows that. Rescue me. He's the one who needs to be rescued. Still kinda gets to me. I think it's a Wonderful theme for any romance.
Yes, Misty, on standing on our own two feet. Absolutely.
Juliet, LOL about the jewelry. I know you would never take THAT serious subject lightly! And as for tortured heroes crying out for an emotional rescue -- bring it on!
Gail, I'm going to have to go read your book again. I love that rescue-me turnaround. I love that it was enunciated in the ending. I bet that's a real ahhhhhh moment.
Tortured heroes being saved by the heroine - I'm with you all - I love this kind of storyline.
I've just finished brainstorming a story and I've realized that it's a bit of hero-in-need-of-rescue tale, too. Lucky this gal is up to the task!
As thanks to everyone who dropped by to post a comment on this extra special guest blog, we'd like to offer you a signed book. You can select from either mine or Bron's backlist and then email me your choice at nalini @ nalinisingh . com (without the spaces) :)
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