Valerie Bowman is an award-winning author who writes Regency-set historical romance novels aka Racy Regency Romps! Secrets of a Runaway Bride has been named a 4.5 star TOP PICK! by RT Book Reviews. It's been called "Too Delightful Too Miss!" by New York Times bestselling author, Lisa Kleypas, and New York Times bestselling historical romance author Sarah MacLean says it's, "Everything a romance should be—sexy, quirky, fun...once you start reading, you won't be able to stop!" Valerie's debut, SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT, the first in the Secret Brides series from St. Martin's Press, was nominated by RT Book Reviews for Best Debut Historical for 2012!Valerie has a B.A. in English Language and Literature with a minor in history from Smith College. By day, she is a technical editor at a computer software company. By night, she combines her love of writing, history, and romance to craft stories about people falling in love.
Originally from Rantoul, Illinois, Valerie lives in Jacksonville, Florida with her rascally rescue dog, Roo. When she's not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or watching Downton Abbey and Hoarders.
Places to find Valerie:
Having a Crush on your Fictional Hero
by Valerie Bowman
I have a secret. Actually, my entire Secret Brides series is chock full o’ secrets, but today I’m talking about one secret in particular. My secret? I have a crush on the fictional hero of my latest book, Secrets of a Runaway Bride.
A bit about my boyfriend. His name is Jordan Holloway. He’s an earl. He’s 6’2”, muscled and hot, has dark-brown hair, and silver gray eyes. He’s funny, he’s charming, he’s a true gentleman, he’s good in bed, and he’s completely fictitious. Sigh.
The truth is, every romance novelist expects to fall in love with the hero she’s writing about and I love all of my heroes, but I have a special place in my heart for Jordan. I think it’s because he’s the most fun-loving of the heroes in my series and I’ve always adored a charmer.
In the beginning of the story, Jordan is happily living a life of quiet debauchery in London. He has a gorgeous mistress, three brothers who will dutifully provide the next heir to the earldom in due time, and absolutely no intention of settling down to the business of marriage.
Enter Annie Andrews. The reckless runaway bride (Jordan gives her that nickname because he had to chase her down to Gretna Green months before the story begins) gives him a real run for his money and sets his orderly world upside down.
Watching Annie bring Jordan to his knees was particularly fun for me and while I do hate to share him, Annie’s definitely the right woman for the dashing earl.
The truth is, I’ll always have a major crush on Jordan. But don’t tell Devon Morgan or James Bancroft, please.
So, tell me, which fictional character do you have a major crush on and why?
THE THRILL OF ESCAPE
Miss Annie Andrews is finally free to marry the man she loves. With her overprotective sister out of the country on her honeymoon, nothing can prevent her flight to Gretna Greene—nothing, that is, but an abduction by the wrong gentleman.
THE SWEETNESS OF SURRENDER
When Jordan Holloway, the Earl of Ashbourne, promised to look after his best friend’s sister-in-law, he didn’t realize she would prove so difficult. But when he spirits her away to his country house to prevent her elopement, he discovers that the tempting beauty knows how to put up a fight. To make matters worse, he’s stuck playing the role of honorable protector…when what he really wants is to run away with her himself.
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Up For Grabs For:
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To Enter:
- Please answer the question: So, tell me, which fictional character do you have a major crush on and why?
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This sounds really good! Thanks for a chance to win a copy. I have added it to my TBR as well. I have many major crushes. Christian Grey is probably number one. But since trizillionares are hard to come by, I also have a crush on Baka from The Order of the Black Swan; Logan Jefferies from Passions Tide; Quin from the Mystic Series; oh and Andrew Parrish from Edge of Never. Lets see--a vampire, a pirate, a wizard and one human. Nice mix. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, the reason . . . Baka and Logan Jefferies are bad boys with soft hearts. Love those. Quin because he puts Layla first. Andrew Parrish is adorable, but it's more the story itself. I would love to meet a stranger and just 'know' they were a part of my soul. Christian Grey, the list is long. But the main reason is "you are mine." I wouldn't want the control, but someone wanting me that much . . . yeah.
DeleteLove a bad boy with a soft heart, Leslie.
DeleteI have such a crush on Raphael from the The Guild Hunter series by Nalini Singh. I mean, who would not have the hots for a sexy angel, especially when he loves the heroine enough to make her an angel with a kiss...sigh
ReplyDeleteI haven't read that but it sounds fantastic, Sheryl.
DeleteSebastien, Lord St. Vincent, from The Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas is probably my major fictional crush. He sounds divine! A reformed rake, devoted to the woman he loves (I would like to be her!), and well, just hot. I think maybe secondly I'd go for Aeron from The Darkest Passion by Gena Showalter... there are no words to describe that man :)
ReplyDeleteThere's probably many, many more, but they're the ones that come to mind!
I'm with you, Cerian. Sebastian is one of my favorites as well!
DeleteRoarke... Rich, sexy, gorgeous and thoughtful....
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, May.
DeleteI have many fictional characters with a major crush on :)
ReplyDeleteMe too, Olga!
DeleteWell, I am a book lover , so I have many! But, my favorite one is Jamie Fraser of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I know, it was a long time ago, but I adored Jamie, as a young lad, then has the gorgeous Highlander married to Claire. I will never these novels. Beautiful cover! thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping one day I'll have time to finish reading Outlander, Nicole. I started it last Christmas.
DeleteFor me it has got to be the adorable Kayden from Jessica Sorensen's coincidence of Callie and Kayden, but i have lots of other crushes, a new one nearly every book i read lol. ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou can't have too much variety, Tracey. :)
DeleteThe Duke of Tresham from Mary Balogh's book More than a Mistress. He's wonderful and flawed. He just needs a wonderful woman to fix him and I wish I had been the one. He's haughty and really good at hiding his emotions.
ReplyDeleteP.S. I'm a sucker for Dukes. Most of my favorite historical romance novels involve the ever delectable duke.
Ooh, I'm a sucker for dukes, too, Landra.
DeleteI think I fall in love with just about every book hero I meet/read. Sergius from Christa McHugh's Tangled Wed is my latest crush. He's the ruler of the Empire yet humble & honorable.
ReplyDeleteSergius sounds great, Linda. ; )
DeleteDageus McKeltar from Dark Highlander- Karen Marie Moning.
ReplyDeleteI want to read this one, Sheila!
DeleteProbably my hero, Lord Marcus Finley, from The Seduction of Lady Phoebe. Next is Jamie Fraser from Diana Galbadon's Voyager series. I can't wait to read your newest book, Valerie. I tweeted.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Ella. And my own hero (in real life!) is named Marcus so I can't wait to read yours!
DeleteI like Carter Maguire in Nora Roberts' Vision in White. He is portrayed as a sexy nerd, but the sexy wins out totally. He is a little gawky, but lovable & hot in the love scenes. And tall!
ReplyDeleteTall, sexy, nerd? Sign me up, Sharlene!
DeleteAcheron he's just been through so much and survived it all.
ReplyDeleteWhich book is that Wanda?
DeleteI have to pick just one....currently it's Thane from the son's of navarus series.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Kimberly!
DeleteI have always had a crush on Devil Cynster...he just so tall, dark, and totally in control!
ReplyDeleteLove Stephanie Laurens, Joy!
DeleteIron man :)
ReplyDelete: )
DeleteRoarke, cause he's everything i dream of from a perfect man
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sienny.
DeleteRoarke, cause he's everything i dream of from a perfect man
ReplyDeleteI'm in lust with Ian MacKenzie from The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie by Jennifer Ashley.
ReplyDeleteWhy?...because he love Beth so much that he does everything in his power to change his condition to show her she means everything to him. You need to read this book to find out. 5* book.
It sounds great, Lori!
DeleteHi Valerie!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release of Secrets of a Runaway Bride today!
I love all your books but I never would have read them if I hadn't fallen in love with my favorite fictional hero Don Quixote many years ago when I was still in High School!
Who doesn't long for a hero who only sees the best in you after all! Like his "true love" Dulcinea I like everyone else isn't perfect and especially back then as a teenager I longed for someone to see only the "good" things about me and forgive my shortcoming and to be able to "Dream the Impossible Dream" of someone to love me for who I wished I was and not who others thought I was!
Now after being married for 43 years I've realized that it's the hard work you put into a relationship and loving the other person in spite of their shortcomings that is the most important thing of all!
Thanks for the wonderful hours of reading you've shared with me and all your other readers and giving us all those moments of knowing the Impossible Dream is possible as long as you open and heart and let it happen!
Thank you so much, Jeanne!
DeleteI have many fictional characters with a major crush on :)
ReplyDeleteMe too, Laurie!
DeleteI don't really have a major crush on any fictional character, I love them all, especially the bad boys. Maybe I'd choose Captain Jack Sparrow, he's definitely a favorite.
ReplyDeleteLove Captain Jack!
DeleteI have a major crush on Mr. Darcy. Besides him, I really in love with Jamie Fraser from the Outlander series.
ReplyDeleteMr. Darcy is my boyfriend!
DeleteI love Roarke from JD Robb's IN DEATH series. Irish, rich, sensitive, sexy, attractive and the most faithful man ever;)
ReplyDeletecc_clubbs[at]yahoo[dot]com
I *really* need to read that series, Cindi.
DeleteI've got a crush on lots of characters. Particular favorites are Gabaldon's Jaime Fraser, Frost's Bones, Moning's Adam Black, and Roberts' Cian (Circle Trilogy). I love them all for their dedication to their soulmates.
ReplyDelete"I love them all for their dedication to their soulmates." An excellent recommendation!
DeleteI have to go with Rhage from JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood. Gorgeous and sensitive.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ann.
DeleteJon Snow from the series A SONG OF ICE AND FIRE by George RR Martin.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Mary. I haven't read George RR Martin but my fiance loves Game of Thrones.
DeleteI have lots of crushes. Like Jason & Nicky from Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton. Chris Merit from If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones. Vishous from BDB by JR Ward. Alcide from Sookie Stackhouse-True Blood. And Bones from Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. I like alpha men. I like the protector and that in charge type of guy.
ReplyDeleteGotta love an alpha!
DeleteI have mayor crushed with Roarke from In Death Series. This man was capture my heart with his skill. Until now i just Raphael from Guild Hunter series can to compete with hin on my heart. LOL.
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for Roarke! I must read that series!
DeleteHmmm.. Too many to name :) So I'll go with a few =P Curran from Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series, Hawke from Nalini Singh's Psy-Changeling books, Mychael from Lisa Shearin's Raine Benares series. Lots of UF heroes for me.
ReplyDeleteI don't read a lot of UF but these sound great!
DeleteThe first historical romance I read where I couldn't get the hero out of my mind was Ainsley in Lorraine Heath's Waking Up with the Duke. He was such a gentleman, so sweet yet so protective, very responsible & loving with his family. I fell in love with him right along with Jayne. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Lorraine Heath, Maria!
DeleteGabe from Naked Edge by Pamela Clare
ReplyDeleteConnor from Standing in the Shadows by Shannon McKenna
Dimitri from Secret Fire by Johanna Lindsey
and many more :D
There are too many to name, aren't there, Izz?
DeleteHugo from Mary Balogh's 'The Proposal'
ReplyDeleteI don't really have a special crush since I love most of the characters I read. I guess if I had to name a few it would be Rhett Butler from GONE WIT THE WIND and Steve Morgan from the SWEET SAVAGE LOVE series.
ReplyDeleteSebastian St Vincent, he is just so sexy and sweet even though he tries to hide it.
ReplyDelete