Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find herself changed—an angel with wings the colors of midnight and dawn—but her fragile body needs time to heal before she can take flight. Her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, is used to being in control—even when it comes to the woman he considers his own. But Elena has never done well with authority…
They’ve barely begun to understand each other when Raphael receives an invitation to a ball from the archangel Lijuan. To refuse would be a sign of fatal weakness, so Raphael must ready Elena for the flight to Beijing—and to the nightmare that awaits them there. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan holds a power that lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena…
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Let’s talk heroines today.
I’ve written sensitive heroines – Sascha, in Slave to Sensation is an empath, able to sense and heal emotional wounds.
I’ve written alpha heroines – Mercy from Branded By Fire is very much a woman who is dominant and strong.
I’ve written outwardly weak heroines – Katya from Blaze of Memory is incredibly fragile as the book starts.
And I’ve written kick-ass heroines – Elena from Angels’ Blood and Archangel’s Kiss is certainly a woman who can kick some butt when necessary.
I love all of these heroines for different reasons. For me, they’re each and every one of them strong and capable—though their strengths may be expressed in different ways. And that strength isn’t necessarily always physical. It might be emotional, spiritual or mental.
What I want to ask you today is – what kind of heroine works best for you? Is there a particular “type” that you’re drawn to?
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Oh, great question, Ms Singh!
Leave a comment to enter a drawing for one copy of either Slave to Sensation, the first in Ms Singh’s Psy/Changeling series, or Angels’ Blood, the first in her Hunters’ Guild series. Visit Ms Singh’s website to learn more about both of these amazing series!
I really loved the heroine in the prequel to the Angels series.. Are we going to get more of her?
I like the crazy wild kick ass heroines – the ones that are slightly shady, often rude, non-apologetic, and can trip up or flatten the hero on more than one occasion.
BTW Please do not enter me in comp! I already gots. 😉
I lean majorly towards the kick-ass, crazy heroines that have guts and a mind of their own. Who voice what they think and chase after what they love (maybe with some kind of nifty weapon or skills in tow or just a full fervour of passion.)
I also like the mysterious “type.” The heroine’s that are crafted in shadow, who are more powerful than they seem whilst having a sense of vulnerability about themselves.
I like strong confisent Heroines. The type that knows who she is and is not afraid to be that person. No excuses, respect or die 🙂
Well, I tend to lean more towards a heroine who can kick butt but still loves to be protected by her man. I want her to own herself. To be self assured in who she is and what she has become. Yes, she will have her flaws, but to see her would be to see a confident, self assured woman. I do not like needy, clingy woman. I want her to be able to face danger without doubt of herself. =) Just a bit of what I look for! Thanks for having this contest!
Hi Nalini,
As you may remember I love all your writing and your heros and heroines. I’m one of those that likes a bit of it all in my heroine. I love the strong kick ass heroines, but I also want them to have a soft side. I think it all depends on the story, and the character. I mean it just wouldn’t work for a character/heroine to be all soft and fragile and yet survive tons of abuse and all, she’d have never survived. Does that make sense?
As long as she’s not a total wimp I’m good.
hugs,
WendyK
Hmmm…my knee jerk is to say ‘strong’ heroines, but you’ve broken them down and made me think harder. I like ALL the heroines you’ve described.
But still, I just want a heroine that knows and believes in herself, and while she may ‘need’ her hero, I don’t want her to be dependent upon him. I want her to be self reliant, independent and strong. She can take care of herself if needed in every way. I’m usually drawn to strong willed and feisty heroines, and big, alpha males for those very reasons.
Hi Naline –
I don’t think I have a favorite type of heroine. I appreciate the “every woman” types because they are more approachable as a reader but a memorable heroine to me has to fit the story and be believable. I tend not to like man bashing-ultra feminist types though, if that helps.
I love a strong heroine. She is not afraid to put her life on the line for the people she loves. Yet she also has a soft side, a vulnerability to children and those that are vulnerable and in need of protection.
I have not read your books before but have heard a lot about them. Please enter me!
what Quilt Lady are you serious! Honey email me!!!!! I’ve got an extra copy of one of Nalini’s books I’ll send you.
hugs,
WendyK
highlandlovesong at yahoo dot com
I am all for variety… To me each book and character are individuals with their own personalities and quirks… each one to enjoy and learn more about… love the variety…
The type of heroine that I am most drawn to are those who are strong, independent and knows what she wants.
I love your books!
I know I’m in the minority when I say I love innocent, shy heroines the most. But I can read about any type of heroines.
I’m not really too picky about what kind of heroine I like….as long as they aren’t unbareably dumb as in Too Stupid To Live.
I like a heroine who is smart and independent but has a hidden soft side. I can’t stand the TSTL heroine.
I like kick-ass gals…Riley Jenson, Anita Blake, Rachel Morgan and Ivy Tamwood, Elena Michaels…Good quetion; thanks for visiting.
That is an interesting question. I like almost all types of heroines and I don’t think there is one I’m drawn to more than any others. However, the truly weak female who has to be rescued by the male is the one heroine I really do not like. If she cannot take care of herself and needs those around her to do it for her, I have a hard time reading her story. I want a heroine who has weaknesses and strengths but can do what needs to be done to take care of herself.
I enjoy the psy series andI’m looking forward to this one!
Hi everyone! I’m loving all your comments on heroines.
Edie – yes, I do intend to write more about Ashwini and Janvier 🙂
sqqqquuueeeeeeeeeeeee
*happychairdancingallovertheplace*
I heart those two muchly.
I came back because it struck me while I was out that one of the things I hate, HATE in a heroine is when she THINKS she knows more than anyone else, so when the hero tells her STAY PUT and you know you just know it’s the RIGHT thing for her to do, but she doesn’t………….it drives me nuts…………….I see images of the woman running from the killer in high heels breaking one and stopping to cry and whine because her heel broke, HELLO YOU HAVE A KILLER CHASING YOU RUN BAREFOOT.
Anyway, those heroines drive me nuts. Otherwise I can deal……………………
hugs,
WendyK
I love the alpha heroines. I relate most to Mercy, and we’ll see how much I relate to Indigo. She’s strong and aggressive, but at the same time she’s sensitive. It was like I was reading a story with me as one of the characters when I read her story.
Ellie and Sara were very kick-ass, and nothing is better than a kick-ass female. Kick-ass females posses this certain “umph” to them and it’s very addicting.
I don’t really like the outwardly weak characters, mainly because they’re often walked over. I hate that.
But out of all your heroines, Sascha is my favorite.
For me, there isn’t a particular ‘type’ I would say, but I do love it when I can really relate to the heroine. I don’t know what it really is, but some of them just click for me 🙂 I’ve heard so many amazing things about your books! I love the cover for Archangel’s Kiss!!
I have heard a lot about this book and a lot about this author through twitter! i hope i win
I am drawn to many, I do like the kick-ass ones, the ones that are falling over their own feet. But yes like someone mentioned, I can’t stand the TSTL
Hi, Nalini! As Chelsea mentioned, I like a variety of heroines, as long as there’s some element I can relate to. I can’t stand the ones who are a little too sure of themselves, to the point where they ignore good advice, but I suppose that’s a very human characteristic, too! I do love a good mousy heroine who turns out to have a backbone of steel after all–it’s fun to see their “blooming.”
I have to say I love heroines like Mercy and Elena the best. Women who are strong and capable in their own right but would also like a true partner. And who wouldn’t like a partner like Riley and Raphael? (smile)
My favorite heroines have always beek kick-ass ones. They’re strong and independent but have deep vulnerabilities/insecurities. Elena Deveraux and Eve Dallas are my two favorites.
I like the kind of heroine that can take care of herself but doesn’t have so much pride not to take help from friends when needed. I like her to be confident about who she is.
Faith is actually my favorite heroine – her character is extremely strong in a quiet way.
I like most heroines, as long as they are fairly consistent (ie. not strong one minute, then a doormat the next, or TSTL).
I prefer the tough heroine who can hold her own, mentally and physcially, against any man!
Thanks.
Hi Nilini, Love your books. I have all of your psy/changling series but not angel’s blood. I have to say that I like heroines that aren’t afraid to fight for their men and those they love but also know how to be gentle and caring when they need to be.
I like strong, independent heroines who know how to kick some butt 🙂
I like a strong independent, heroine who is not afraid to ask for help if she needs it.
Oh, good question. *thinks* I need to be able to relate to a heroine. So, the strong, self-assured, kick-a*s heroine isn’t my favourite, because I compare myself to her and…well, let’s just say the scale is no where near equal 🙂
I prefer to see a heroine’s strength come through in other ways – emotional, spiritual or mental as you said. I also like them to develop and grow…stagnant heroines aren’t my favourite either. For all those reasons I love Sasha and Tally. Both had an amazing inner strength to survive. And both grew and began healing. And that’s what I love to read, that journey.
I also liked Mercy, which surprised me as on the surface she is a strong, self-assured, kick-a*s heroine. But, I should have had more faith – your heroines always have more to them that what’s on the surface Nalini 😉 I liked that, for all that Mercy was strong, self-assured and kick-a*s, she wasn’t that extreme caricature of a heroine who is just so special and different that you can’t find her realistic. And that’s another thing. That touch of realism needs to be there. Sorry, I rambled.
I’ll be honest, I did find it hard to relate to the Elena we met in Angels’ Blood, but I’m thinking the Elena in Archangel’s Kiss might be a different story *grin*
Nalini – all the best for the release of Archangel’s Kiss!
I like a smart and strong heroine. I want her to be able to take care of herself and not always need saving. I really enjoy a heroine who can seriously kick-butt.
I don’t really have a type for a heroine. But I do want to see her undergo personal growth and own her own power by the end.
Gads, I have to say I like both types of heroines. I love the virgin historicals as long as she has an independent streak…and I love the strong huntress as long as she has a softer side as well.
The kind that is real. Not trying to be cute here but I love it when authors write heroines who are not perfect. I really love leads who are strong, capable but at the same time are human. Some of my favorites female leads are Georgina (Succubus), Rose (VA), Faythe (Werecats), Elena (Angel) and Mercy from the Psy-Changeling series.
I really like that Elena and Raphael’s story did not end with book 1. I am quite excited to see their relationship grow and see how Elena handles the power dynamic between the two now.
I don’t really have a favourite type of heroine. I have enjoyed reading about and have really liked all of your heroines. As you said they all have different qualities which make them strong in different ways ( The only type of heroine I can’t stand is like the one mentioned by Wendy K, who doesn’t listen no matter what!).
I love intelligent, strong, imperfect heroines who demonstrate the ability to learn and overcome their weaknesses. By strong, I don’t exclusively mean physically, though that can be very cool–strength of character can be even more compelling. I’ve appreciated a lot of your heroines, particularly Mercy and Sascha (though I admit that it’s your heroes that I truly adore!)
I love a heroine that is strong with dry sarcasm and a couple close guarded phobias. Not too pretty please but I do seem to enjoy the really buff ones.
Come on, who doesn’t love a kick-ass heroine who can go head to head with the hero? That’s why I love the In Death books so much, Eve can keep up with Roarke physically. It makes a strong heroine.
I don’t think there is any particular heroine type i prefer; they do have to be confident and likable. However, I can’t abide “clueless” heroines who seem independent but whenever they get near the “hero” turned into simpering idiots.
Hey, Nalini! I think I really liked your sensative characters, like Sasha, cause I can relate to her. Although I tend to be more drawn to the kick-butt heroines, normally. Can’t wait for my copy of AK
There is something to be said for each type of heroine. Brenna is my favorite heroine from the Psy/Changeling series, and she’s a strong heroine who has suffered a trauma that left her needing to find her strength again. I’d say that’s my favorite type of heroine: strong-but-traumatized. It’s nice to read that you can bounce back to your former strength and more.
I love the Angel series. Its witty and exciting. Cannot wait to read Angels Kiss. Please coune me in.
My favorite heroine is the kick ass one who can go toe to toe with the hero she has to be spunky .I dont care for the weak willed waiting to have the day saved ones.
I like my heroines to be strong, sassy and funny.
I like all your heroines. Surprisingly, even the ones that are kick ass, as everyone calls them, considering how lazy I can be.
I like a strong heroine. There is nothing wrong with her needing help now and again, but I’m not fond of helpless wimpy heroines.