in

Friday, January 4, 2013

Interview with Author Elizabeth Essex and Giveaway

Today I am happy to welcome back to the blog author, Elizabeth Essex. Elizabeth is celebrating the recent release of her newest book A Breath of Scandal and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Please give Elizabeth a warm welcome.

When not rereading Jane Austen, mucking about in her garden and simply messing about with boats, award-winning author Elizabeth Essex can be always be found with her laptop, making up stories about heroes and heroines who live far more exciting lives than she. It wasn’t always so. Long before she ever set pen to paper, Elizabeth graduated from Hollins College with a BA in Classics, and then earned her MA in Nautical Archaeology from Texas A&M University. While she loved the life of an underwater archaeologist, she has found her true calling writing lush, lyrical historical romance full of passion, daring and adventure.

Elizabeth lives in Texas with her husband, the indispensable Mr. Essex, and her active and exuberant family in an old house filled to the brim with books.

Places to find Elizabeth:

First off, can you tell us a bit about you? 
When not rereading Jane Austen, mucking about in my garden or simply messing about with boats, I can usually be found with my laptop, writing up stories about heroes and heroines who live far more exciting lives than I do. It wasn’t always so. Long before I ever set pen to paper as a novelist, I graduated from Hollins College with a BA in Classics, and then earned my MA in Nautical Archaeology from Texas A&M University. While I loved the life of an underwater archaeologist, I think I’ve found my true calling writing lush, lyrical historical romance full of passion, daring and adventure. I am an utterly devoted family person and homebody, and I am happiest when I’m with the indispensable Mr. Essex, and my active and exuberant family. I really do my best work when the house is loud and guitars are wailing and drums are beating and dancers are stomping on the floor. It’s as if our creaking, comfy old house is filled to the brim with love (and books).

Did you always want to be a writer? 
No! What I wanted to be was a reader. And then I wanted to be an archaeologist second, and I did that, but all the while I still read. Then when I decided to have a family, I wanted to do something with less travel and less time away from my family, so I thought I’ll write books. And I did. :) I’m very focused that way.

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter? 
I am mostly a seat of my pants, character-driven writer. I usually think of the characters first, and then maybe just one scene where the character’s personality becomes more apparent to me, and then I just start to write and see where it goes. Though, I will say, usually about Chapter 12 I have to stop (or I have already stopped) because I’ve lost the narrative thread, and then I’ll plot a little. It’s a big soup, but whether it’s turkey soup or tomato soup starts with the main ingredient—the character.

Where do your ideas come from? 
Everywhere! Irene Dunne movies: my first heroine, Lizzie Paxton in THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE was influenced by the kind of wise-cracking, whip-smart girls Irene Dunne made her name playing in the 1930’s and 40’s. Florence and the Machine songs: A BREATH OF SCANDAL was revised from an inspiration I got listening to Florence on a car trip. A glimpse of a character on the cover of Gameplayer Magazine: the street rat character of Meggs in THE DANGER OF DESIRE was partially inspired by a computer-generated image of a dirty, bruised, fighting-for-her-life girl on the cover of a mag my teenaged boys get. Real difficulties in the lives of friends: the dark, child exploitation sub plot from A BREATH OF SCANDAL came from a real friend’s real life crusade. A photo from the recent hurricane Sandy, when a tall ship went to the bottom: a friend sent me a note with the photo and the text, “Nothing romantic about this,” but my romantic brain immediately started telling a story with a happier ending. And I’m writing that book now!

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less. 
The lady is a knockout! Antigone Preston won’t go into an arranged marriage without a fight, and someone to fight for: Cmdr Will Jellicoe.

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read? 
I love adventure stories. And I love stories with humor. I love the zing and rhythm of the conversation between two people who know each other so well their conversation goes a mile a minute and five directions at once, like Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, or Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell, or William Powell and Myrna Loy. Smart, sassy and adventurous.

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it? 
Of all time? This is a really hard question to answer, because I love to read and have many, many favorite books, but my all-time favorite, and the story that I go back to again and again, like a touchstone, would be Elizabeth George Speare’s THE WITCH OF BLACKBIRD POND. I read it when I was about thirteen, and it just struck a chord about suspicion and bias, and pride and judgement that still resonates today.

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write? 
On any given day, it could be anything! I think transition scenes, where you have to get from one physical and emotional place in the novel to the next is a challenge. I work hard to smooth those transitions out, but they are super hard for me. Harder even than love scenes, which I have to write in layers of action, description and emotion to get right.

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why? 
This is an even tougher question than my favorite book, because there are so many I would like to chat with. I’m going to go for a bit of a hen-night, with only ladies whom I’ve never met, because I wouldn’t want to offend any of the fabulous authors I have met and have had great dinners with! :) So for wit, I suppose I will start with the obvious choice of Jane Austen, who I’m sure had witty opinions she might be persuaded to share. For genuine creative genius, I think I’ll have J.K. Rowling, whose imagination—an ability to harness that imagination— I greatly admire. And although dear Miss Austen would tell me I have ‘too many ladies,’ I’ll round it out with Beatrix Potter, who seems to me to possess a genuine sweetness and niceness along with all her marvelous, multi-faceted talent.

Last question, are you working on anything right now? 
I am ALWAYS working on something! I just finished up revisions for the story that will be coming out next summer, SCANDAL IN THE NIGHT, which is the story of a forbidden love in pre-Raj colonial India, but right now, I’m working on that shipwreck story I told you about, which is going to feature two secondary characters we’ve already met—Claire Jellicoe from A BREATH OF SCANDAL and Timothy Evans from THE DANGER OF DESIRE. And I’m working on a set of three novellas, the first of which will be the story of the effervescently formidable Lady Grace and her hero Owen Kent from ALMOST A SCANDAL.


There is always a lot of talk in romance reading circles of ‘alpha males,’ whether it’s the brooding, wicked dukes, or the strong, sexy, silent paranormal vampires. But I have to admit, the brooding type generally doesn’t do it for me—I like a hero who can make me laugh, like Will Jellicoe in A BREATH OF SCANDAL. But what’s your favorite attribute or characteristic in a hero, and a real man?! :)


Shockingly brash and scandalously independent, the Reckless Brides are boldly rewriting the rules of love and marriage—one smitten bachelor at a time…

In the game of kiss and tell, there are no rules…

THE LADY IS A KNOCKOUT
Forced by her family into an engagement with a man she can never abide, Antigone Preston knows only a scandal will save her from a loveless marriage. But knocking a man down to the ballroom floor with her fists brings dangerous consequences. She may have ruined her reputation, but now she’s endangered her heart…

THE OFFICER IS A GENTLEMAN
The son of an earl and a career navy man, Captain William Jellicoe has no interest in the frivolities of London—and even less in the institution of marriage. But there’s something steering him toward Antigone. He has never met anyone as brazen and unconventional as…himself. But will he risk it all for a woman who still has the breath of scandal hot on her lips?

Purchase:Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

Click for more info.

Want to win some goodies from Elizabeth? Check out whats up for grabs.


Up For Grabs:


To Enter:
  • Leave a comment answering Elizabeth's question: What’s your favorite attribute or characteristic in a hero, and a real man?! :)
  • Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.

Good Luck =)
a Rafflecopter giveaway

71 comments :

  1. Thanks so much~! I got to have them tall and sexy, compassionate and nice, protective and humorous~~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kip,

      I think I've got you covered with WIll Jellicoe in A BREATH OF SCANDAL. He is ..... all those things!

      Thanks for stopping by again today (see I haven't forgotten you from the Christmas blog chat) and best of luck in the drawing! Cheers!

      Delete
  2. Thanks so much~! I got to have them tall and sexy, compassionate and nice, protective and humorous~~

    parisfaN_ca@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Laurie,

      This seems to be the popular description of the morning, but I do have what you're looking for—Will Jellicoe gets to be all those things in A BREATH OF SCANDAL. Hope you enjoy!

      Thanks so much for chatting today, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers!

      Delete
  3. My favorite attribute in a hero or any man is compassion followed by a sense of humor. A man who can simply stoop to help a child or open a door for a lady is a gentleman. This is so much more important and being the most handsome guy anywhere.

    Looking forward to reading your novels, Elizabeth! They sound fabulous!

    Connie Fischer
    conniecape@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Connie,

      Yes, yes! Compassion and a sense of humor—you are describing the Indispensable Mr. Essex! (organizational skills not included.) There IS so much more than being the most handsome guy in the room. SO. MUCH. MORE!

      I think you'll like my heroes as a result! They tend to be the smartest guy in the room, even if they're out of their element.

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  4. Replies
    1. Thanks so much, May. And yes, I hadn't thought of loyalty, but I think, looking back at my heroes, that they generally have a tremendous sense of loyalty, which is often translated (by them) into duty.

      Thanks so much for chatting today, and I hope this time's your lucky day in the drawing. :) Cheers, EE

      Delete
  5. Loyalty, strong, with a sense of humor, tall, sexy and compassionate. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Olga,

      This is what I call a 'laundry list' (all the things you could possibly want) for heroic characteristics. In real life, we're all lucky to get one or two of these things, but in a romance novel you are guaranteed to get most of what you want. And with Will Jellicoe in A BREATH OF SCANDAL, you will get them all. ;0

      Thanks so much for coming by to chat and best of luck in the giveaway. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  6. I think compassion and a willingness to be vulnerable are very important.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes, Jen,

      This is tricky territory in a romance novel. Many readers love their 'alpha' heroes, who would rather take a knife to the gut that admit to any vulnerability. This is one reason I like to write men like Will Jellicoe, who are a little more "beta,' and who can laugh at themselves. Usually it's easier to convince such characters to open up. ;)

      Thanks so much for commenting today, and best of luck in the giveaway. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  7. Thanks for a fabulous post and congrats to Elizabeth on the new release! I love a great sense of humor!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Erin,

      I'm so glad you like humor! This will definitely be a romance book for you, with a hero who wins over a reluctant heroine with his sense of humor. And then he keeps her with other marvelous attributes, as well. :)

      Thanks so very much for visiting and chatting with us today, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  8. I love my man because he is passionate person and has a good sense of humor. He must have them to live with me every day! lol Both those qualities apply to a Hero in my favorite stories. I would love reading one of your book! Thank you for this nice giveaway!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nicole,

      This is the Indispensable Mr. Essex's description as well—His chief virtue is mostly he puts up with me! (And he makes divine latte's for me every morning.) I do think we feel a special bond with heroes who have some less than perfect characteristics—it makes them more three dimensional and much less of a cardboard cutout.

      You are welcome for the nice giveaway. Best of luck and thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me. Cheers, EE

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    3. Elizabeth, Mr. Essex must sometime say to you "it's a good chance, there is "only" one of you" lol . They made one mold of us, and they broke it after!! llollll I hope mold is the right word!

      Delete
  9. Hi

    I think humor, compassion and loyalty.

    Thanks for the chance
    Pam
    tpibrew@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Pam,

      You are going to love my heroes—they are FULL of these qualities, especially Will Jellicoe in A BREATH OF SCANDAL, who is actually the first hero I ever thought up. It took me a couple of years to learn my craft well enough to write his story. I hope you like it. :0

      Thanks so much for coming by to comment and chat today, and best of luck in the drawing.

      Delete
  10. He has to have common sense which so many lack these days. I believe if he has this the rest of the characteristics we all admire so much will follow except maybe the physical appearance. And while a guy might be a hunk it matters little if he doesn't have a good personality and heart ;)
    Thanks,
    Lori
    lorih824@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. BD,

      I completely agree. One of the things I get a little tired of in romance novels is our tendency to expect a beautiful heroine and a handsome hero. In this book, the first time the hero sees the heroine he thinks she's plain. And she is. But it's only through her personality, and her common sense and sense of humor that he begins to think of her as beautiful, because he sees the whole person. It's always, always, always about heart. :)

      Best of luck in the drawing, and thanks so much for stopping by to comment today. You've given me something to think about as I begin writing my next hero. :) Cheers, EE

      Delete
  11. He has to have a great sense of humor and no smirking.

    maryjo@maryjoburke.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, Mary Jo,

      The smirk is ALWAYS the kiss of death, isn't it? I am very fortunate that I have a most excellent critique partner who is exceptionally vigilant at keeping me from using any smirks—even for the villain. It's just too chiche in a villain, and any kind of contempt between the hero and heroine makes for an unequal relationship, and, I think, kills the chemistry between them.

      Here's to no smirks! Thanks so much for commenting today, and best of luck with the giveaway. Cheers, EE

      Delete
    2. Meant CLICHE! (sorry for the typo. :( )

      Delete
  12. Loyalty and passion :) those are always good.
    Great books and awesome interview!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for your kind words, Lily. :)

      I haven't chatted much about passion, but it's something we, as readers all expect from a hero and heroine, but it's hard to get the mix between them just right. I, for one, believe that in order to be believable, characters have to come to passion from mutual respect. Without respect for each other, I am convinced real passion can't exist.

      Maybe that's why it takes me so long to write each book, and get the chemistry between the hero and heroine juuuuussst right. At least I hope so. :)

      Thanks so much for stopping by, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  13. Great interview! I look forward to reading the next book.
    I trend to look for men who secure in who they are, but they must have a sense of humor so they can laugh at themselves! Of course they have to be handsome, tall and a little untamed. What I like the most is a hero who can see the best in the heroine and brings it out in her.
    Thanks for the post & contest!
    Jess

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jess,

      This is music to my ears! I predict that you are going to love A BREATH OF SCANDAL, because you are going to get exactly what you've asked for! :)

      I really, really like it when the hero and heroine see the best in each other, and help bring that out. That is my definition of romance perfection. :)

      Thanks so much for stopping by to add to the discussion today. Best of luck with the giveaway. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  14. Great interview! I look forward to reading the next book.
    I trend to look for men who secure in who they are, but they must have a sense of humor so they can laugh at themselves! Of course they have to be handsome, tall and a little untamed. What I like the most is a hero who can see the best in the heroine and brings it out in her.
    Thanks for the post & contest!
    Jess

    ReplyDelete
  15. I like when they are protective in a good way and always watch out for her so she knows she is important enough to stand up for.

    josiehink122026(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Josie,

      This is music to my ears. I don't want to give anything away, buuuttttt, this is exactly what I was going for in A BREATH OF SCANDAL. (I am soooo tempted to give you one line near the very end of the story to illustrate this.... OK, I'm going to do it. :) )

      Near the end, the hero tells the heroine that she doesn't have to do something, and that "He (the villain of the piece) is not worth it." To which our heroine replies, "I know. But I am." So she stands up for herself. :)

      I hope you love this book. :) Thanks so much for stopping by to chat, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  16. In a book I love to read about a hero that is wounded emotionally, but in real life I'll take my nice normal hubby. lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mary,

      I normally do like the hero with a little emotional baggage, but in this book I decided to reverse the roles, and have the hero be the 'whole' one and the heroine the one with emotional wounds. But the best things is that they work together to overcome those wounds, so that in the end, you believe that these two characters will end up being nice and normal, like really hubbies and wives. :)

      Thanks so much for stopping in to chat with me today, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  17. A sense of humor and being able to laugh at himself.
    Loved Almost A Scandal and can't wait to read A Breath of Scandal. Congrats on the new release.

    e.balinski(at)att(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne,

      I'm so thrilled to hear that you loved ALMOST A SCANDAL. That was one of those "books of my heart," that was a little hard to sell, because the 'girl in boy's clothing' trope is well worn enough, without adding all the ship/navy stuff on top of it. And you may also be happy to hear that I am writing a novella about Sally's brother Owen and his wooing of Lady Grace. :)

      Stay tuned (come find me on Facebook) and I'll let you know when it will be out. Thanks again for stopping by to chat today, and best of luck with the giveaway. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  18. Confidence with a sense of humor.
    Theresa N
    weceno(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Theresa,

      You are going to love Will Jellicoe. He is so confident in himself, that he will actually admit when he's wrong! And make fun of himself for being so! I LOVED writing him!

      Thanks so much for stopping by to visit with me today, and I wish you best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  19. Protective and a sense of humor. Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Natasha,

      I love it when a hero is protective, as well. I think all readers like that in a romance hero. But the combination of protective, and having a sense of humor about it, is absolute gold to me. :) I can't resist. And I can think of a particular scene in A BREATH OF SCANDAL when Will Jellicoe rushes off to protect the heroine, only to find it unnecessary. And he is confident enough in himself to tell her that he came to "save her from my imagination." :)

      I hope you like these characters and this book as much as I do!

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me, and best of luck in the giveaway. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  20. I like heroes that are intelligent and have a sense of humor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jane,

      I predict that you are going to like our hero, Will Jellicoe. He's smart enough to know that laughter is most often the best medicine, even if it's self-administered. :)

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me about the book, and best of luck in the drawing.

      Delete
  21. Loyal, strong and have a good sense of humor are my #1 criteria

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sienny,

      I hope I've made a hero just for you—our Will Jellicoe has all those attributes. There is even a scene in which there's a fight in a tavern where he proves he is all those things. :)

      Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it! Thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me, and best of luck with the giveaway. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  22. My very favorite attribute in a hero and any man really, is a sense of humor. If we can't laugh together, life gets dull fast. Of course a man who can cook is another favorite, there's nothing like a man cooking me dinner. I don't even mind cleaning up after his cooking.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Barbara,

      There are days when I want to clone the Indispensable Mr. Essex and loan him out to my girlfriends. Not only does he have a marvelous sense of humor (and an appreciation for the ridiculous) but he cooks! And like you, I don't mind in the least cleaning up after his cooking. :)

      Our hero in A BREATH OF SCANDAL doesn't cook, but he teaches the heroine to laugh with him. :)

      I'm so glad you were able to stop by today and chat. Best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  23. I have to say compassionate, sexy and honest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sheryl,

      That is an absolutely unbeatable combination. And I think that if a man is compassionate and honest, his sexiness is automatically enhanced. And I'm sure my heroines think that way.

      Thanks so much for stopping by on your Friday night to chat, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  24. Replies
    1. Lori,

      With me, my heroes are going to be a little bit more to the beta side. In my mind, this sense of not putting themselves forward all the time comes from having been in subordinate positions in the Royal Navy, where merit and proficiency are the only way to earn advancement.

      But if they aren't total alpha males, they do make up for it in sexiness, which for me includes a great big helping of humor. Even the few total alphas I've written (like Viscount Darling in A Sense of Sin) have a wry sense of humor.

      I hope you enjoy Will Jellicoe in A BREATH OF SCANDAL, and thanks so much for stopping in the chat. Best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  25. I love a male who's loyal and has heart, an alpha with a soft side that may not be so obvious.
    ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PC,

      That is a marvelous way of putting it—an alpha with a soft side that may not be so obvious. It's giving me lots of ideas for my current hero. :) Thanks!

      I think for this book at least, the hero is pretty much an open book. He's very comfortable in his own skin, and likes who he is enough to be very forthright about it, and even a little self-deprecating in his humor. But when push comes to shove (and it does in A BREATH OF SCANDAL), he's the fellow you'd want at your side.

      Thanks so much for stopping by to chat, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  26. I love the honourable hero best. The type that tries to do what he thinks is best & correct.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda,

      This is what I call the bedrock of all the male heroes I write. I'm my fictive world, the heroes are all Royal Navy men, and honor and duty are the building blocks of their character. Everything they are is based upon their sense of honor and duty.

      So I think you're going to be very well pleased with not only Will Jellicoe, but all the rest of my heroes as well. :)

      Thanks so much for stopping by this late to chat, and best of luck with the giveaway drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  27. I think being honorable would be the most important attribute in any hero

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. J,

      I have to agree. :) As I just wrote to Linda, above, in my fictive world, honor and duty are the bedrock of the heroes' characters. Everything else that they are—loyal and protective and funny and determined—is built upon those two primary characteristics.

      I hope you like Will Jellicoe, and all my Royal Navy heroes. I want to thank you for stopping by to chat with me so late on a Friday night, and wish you all best luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  28. they must be honest and not a playboy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Murmawati,

      This is a particularly good one! Although in romance, readers seem to like the idea of a REFORMED rake, or playboy, we definitely don't like him carrying on with this playboy ways once he's met our heroine. In my books I don't think I've ever tried a playboy character—my heroes are all too honest and forthright, and frankly, their lives in the navy leave little room for those kind of antics—but now maybe I'll have a go at reforming a rake. :)

      But honesty is still a characteristic I have to have from a character. I'm glad you brought it up. :)

      Thanks for stopping by to chat with me, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  29. Intelligent, honorable, sense of humor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well, Mary, my heroes are going to be your cup of tea. These are the basic characteristics I start with for most of my heroes, and especially with Will Jellicoe in A BREATH OF SCANDAL. I predict he's going to make you very happy indeed. :)

      Thanks so much for stopping by to comment and chat with me, and best of luck int he giveaway drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  30. honest - honorable - sense of humor
    would LOVE to win & read! PICK ME!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PM,

      With that list, you are going to love the hero of A BREATH OF SCANDAL! And you can even get a little sneak peak at him by going back through the Christmas story posts on this blog to find my short story about an accidental fire on Christmas eve!

      As to the drawing, Danielle, the owner of this marvelous blog, will put all the names into a random number generator, which will do the picking, so we have no say in who gets picked. :( But wishing you the best of luck anyway, and thanking you so much for stopping by to chat! Cheers, EE

      Delete
  31. I think my favorite attribute is compassion - and not arrogant (tho confidence is great).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Di,

      It's a fine line between confidence and arrogance, isn't it? I think that's where humor comes in—if someone has a sense of humor about him, along with his confidence, I think I'm more inclined to believe him, or like him. But that's just me. :)

      Anyway, I hope confidence and compassion—a willingness to put himself in other's places—are attributes that I've given Will Jellicoe in A BREATH OF SCANDAL. Lord knows I tried! :)

      Thank you so much for stopping in to chat with me, and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  32. Favorite attributes are honesty, compassion and passionate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Phoenix,

      I was just thinking about what makes a person compassionate—a willingness and ability to put himself in the place of others—is what also makes a man better able to be passionate—he can think of what his lover wants and needs, sometimes before she does. :) Now that's pretty sexy.

      I want to thank you for finding us here, and stopping by to chat. :) Best of luck in the drawing as well. Cheers, EE

      Delete
  33. In a Real Man I love someone who isn't afraid to be in touch with his emotions. In fact I think a hero in a book is also hot if he's in touch with all his emotions, even those considered feminine.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Brittany,

    Now this is something the Indispensable Mr. Essex and I discuss all the time. He says that I imbue my heroes with waaaaayyyy too much emotional intelligence. "Men simply don't think or feel like that," says he. "That's a girl thing." But as I'm writing for women readers, who generally do like a man with slightly more emotional capability than a teaspoon, I go ahead and have my heroes articulate those feeling an emotions in an intelligent and understandable manner. :)

    So I do think you're going to like the hero of A BREATH OF SCANDAL very much, as he's is a confident, breezy young man well in touch with his emotions. :) It's rather charming, if I do say so myself. :)

    Cheers, and thanks for stopping by to chat. Best of luck with the drawing, EE.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I want him protective, an Alpha who can and will take care of the heroine. Maybe rip some bodice *grin*
    Thanks for the giveaway & Happy Monday!
    //Linda
    fr_larsson at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda:

      (I know it's not the politically correct thing to say, but whenever someone says, "Oh you write those bodice rippers," I always grin and say "ABSOLUTELY! Bodices MUST be ripped!," even though I don't think anyone has torn clothing—pausing to think my way through 5 books—OK I do think clothing has been torn, but it was mutual, consensual tearing. And buttons were popped and cravats crushed, as well. :)

      I like a hero who is protective of all the people within his sphere, especially the heroine. But I also like a heroine who can take care of herself, but learns that she can count on, and rely on the hero as well. :)

      Thanks so stopping by to chat (and for finding me on Twitter!) and best of luck in the drawing. Cheers, and happy reading! EE

      Delete
  36. My favorite was tall, sexy, protective and humorous.
    Thanks for giveaway :)

    ReplyDelete