We Need a Hero!
What is the purpose of writing a story? Any story no matter what genre. What exactly are the authors trying to get you as a reader to feel?
First off, authors will create true-to-life main characters. What does this mean? This means that our main characters (hero and / or heroine) will have faults. Our heroes will not be the perfect Prince Charming we have seen on the Disney movies, but they will have blemishes (usually more than one) in their personalities. Sometimes they’ll have tough problems that seem impossible to overcome. They will make mistakes along the way. They’ll start to improve on their faults, but then something happens and they’ll stumble. Being the hero of the story, the character will always pick himself up and forge onward, ready for whatever stands in his way. He doesn’t need a red cape and tights…or a magic sword that fights fictitious dragons, but he’ll do the best he can, and in the end, he will prevail and overcome. He’ll save the day.
I know you’re agreeing with me so far, aren’t you? Well, did you know this? Writers create their stories to take you as the reader out of your everyday problems into an imaginary world. It’s our job as writers to make you think of nothing else but the story and what’s happening with the hero and heroine, and if the villain is about to attack, or if the train is going to be robbed, or if the killer is hiding in the shadows just waiting for the exact moment to pounce on the good-guy as he walks by. We as writers want you to hold your breath in fear—or anticipation—or exhale a relieved sigh when all is well…for now, anyway.
No matter what kind of story you read, everyone needs a hero. Everyone wants a story that takes their mind out of their own problems and lets them pretend—if even for a day or two—that you are someone else. That you are invincible. That you are the man all women swoon over, or you are the woman all men fall over themselves trying to meet.
Romance writers especially want their readers to fall in love with the characters so that you can experience once again (or maybe for the first time) what it feels like to fall in love, or what it feels like to lose someone and have your heart broken—only to have it pieced back together a few chapters later.
Every reader needs a happy ending! And in my opinion, if you have read a fiction novel and haven’t received the happy ending that makes you smile or sigh with happiness, then you aren’t reading the right genre! In today’s world there are so many obstacles to overcome…so much heartache in the world…so much sadness over losing someone we love. Why not put all of that pain on the back burner while we indulge ourselves in a great story?
Come on, I dare you. Let an author be your hero!
And while I’m talking about heroes, let me introduce you to Andrew Merrick, the hero of my recent release, Love Lost in Time, a time-travel romance.
Andrew Merrick was whisked from his home in England, 1848 to another time, the very day a mob had attacked his family. Wondering why he remains in this strange place, all he wants is to find the treasure his father had hidden, hoping this might take Andrew back home. But he’s running out of time. When he meets a lovely woman in this new century, he feels she is the one who will help him.
Halle Chapman has come to England to find her missing father. What she finds instead is a nice man who claims he’s from the past. Although she doesn’t believe in time-travel, deep in her heart, she knows she must help Andrew. What she finds instead is that discovering the key to her future lies in the past. Now, to return to her own time, she needs to solve the mystery surrounding Andrew Merrick and his family’s murder.
Excerpt:
A slight pound knocked against Andrew’s skull. What in the blazes was Miss Chapman talking about? “Why do you say that? I’ve heard you say it that way a few occasions. Pray tell, what does time have to do with it?”
“Believe it or not, time has everything to do with it. I wouldn’t be here if not for time. I would have never met you if not for time.”
Andrew rubbed his forehead, baffled.
She reached up and took hold of his hand, moving it away from his head. She kept it in her grasp as she ran her thumb across his knuckles. She was a bold woman to touch him in such a personal way. Yet it amazed him to think this small gesture softened his heart, and eased his headache slightly.
“My words are going to become very confusing here shortly,” she said. “I just want to make sure you are prepared for what I have to tell you. I desperately want you to understand what I’m about to say. It would kill me if you don’t understand or believe me.”
The pleading in her eyes let him know how important this was. Whatever she had to say, she struggled with it, yet she acted as if she wanted to deliver the news to him in a calm, gentle manner. “Tell me.”
Softly, her fingers stroked his hand. Her touch was so very tender. So soothing. Affectionate. And so very personal. A different emotion leapt inside of him, and once again, he received the impression they had known each other before, but he knew not where. Now as she touched him, peace settled inside him. He was not as confused as he’d been moments earlier, and it really didn’t matter what explanation she gave about her confusing actions. As long as she continued to gaze into his eyes and stroke his hand…he was fine.
Little by little, he became mesmerized by the passion in her green eyes—the way her gaze slid over his face slowly from the top of his head, to his eyes, his nose, and to rest of his mouth. The lovely color of her eyes darkened, which made the desire he had for this incredible, interesting woman kick up a notch. For a fleeting moment, nothing else mattered but holding her. This woman made his thoughts jumbled, yet all he wanted to do was close his eyes and enjoy her touch.
The moonlight peeked through the leaves and highlighted her hair, making the golden strands in her locks stand out more. It took all of his willpower not to pull the pins from her hair and admire the way her length tumbled over her shoulders in a seductive manner.
With his free hand, he cupped her face. She gasped, but then a dreamy sigh quickly followed as she stared deeply into his eyes. She even snuggled closer to his touch.
Never before had a woman’s reaction to his caress been so rattling, but he knew without a doubt Miss Chapman was attracted to him…nearly as much as he was attracted to her. He wouldn’t stop to question why things were happening so quickly. There was time for that later. Now, all he wanted to do was…
He moved his hands in a different direction as he circled them around her and pulled her up against is body. Her palms rested comfortably on his chest, and he was certain she could feel the quick beat of his heart. When her attention dropped to his mouth once again, his breathing became ragged.
“What are you doing to me?” he whispered, lowering his head. “And more importantly, why do I not want to stop this from happening?”
“Then let it happen,” she muttered before his lips silenced hers.
Marie Higgins is a best-selling, multi-published author of sweet romance; from refined bad-boy heroes who make your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com
