The Wednesday Word

Author To Author’s Newsletter                                                    

April 9, 2014

The Sweet Romantic Hero – A Myth in Contemporary Romance?

Admittedly, I’m new to the publishing game. My love stories are sweet, contemporary romances with happy-ever-afters featuring male characters who adore their women. My men are patient, kind, sweet, and devoted.

According to some reviewers, my guys are also a little too perfect.

I had no idea this type of man was such a myth in contemporary romance, but according to some, these qualities in a man are unrealistic. As a new author, it makes it difficult to find a home in the writing world.

As a woman, it makes me sad.

In my latest novel, Mountain Charm, Dylan Thomas is a Nashville reporter who has been sent to the Smoky Mountains to write a story about Appalachian witchcraft. He falls hard for Angelina Clark, an Appalachian witch who had cast a love spell when she was a young girl. Dylan is stubborn and bitter—thanks to his father leaving when he was a toddler. Dylan also has quite a temper, especially where Angelina is concerned. He tends to act before he thinks, and he ends up in jail twice during the course of the book because of his short fuse. To me, Dylan is incredibly flawed, despite the fact he is very much in love with Angelina and treats her well.

Are fictional guys only realistic when they treat their women like crap? Or, do they have to be tattooed “alpha males” with rock-hard abs (not that there’s anything wrong with that) to keep the attention of today’s reader?

Maybe nice guys really do finish last, which is a shame, because women deserve nothing less than to be adored—in fiction and in real life.

I would love to hear your thoughts.

 By A2A Member and Contributor, Sydney Logan. http://www.sydneylogan.com  

Exciting News for Author to Author Group Members

It's Release Week for April Emerson

Check out the latest release news, blog tour, and Rafflecopter giveaway for The Righteous & The Wicked! http://ph.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/

Join Sandi Layne for a Christian Romance Discussion

Sandi Layne will be discussing Christian Romances on the Hummingbird Place on blogtalk radio on Monday, 4/24 at 7:45pm Eastern. www.blogtalkradio.com/hummingbirdplace Up for discussion will be Life, Books, and other Romance Industry issues. Their website is: http://www.thehummingbirdplace.com

Join A2A Authors for Some Viking Excitement!

Lissa Bryan and Sandi Layne are watching VIKINGS on History Channel. Not only do they live-tweet the episodes (@LissaBryan & @sandyquill), they do a day-after recap/discussion. Here's the latest from episode four: http://sandyquill.com/.../eye-for-an-eye-vikings-episode-4/

 

Join Lindsey Gray's Blog Hop and Giveaway

 A2A Author Lindsey Gray is participating in the Celebrate Romance Blog Hop! There is a great list of Romance Novels and their beautiful covers plus eBooks and soaps from The Soap BARista to giveaway! Giveaway ends 4/11. http://lindsey-gray.blogspot.com/.../talking-book-covers...

Enter a Book Trailer Contest!

Join Sherri Hayes and enter to win a signed copy of The Finding Anna series! All entries must be submitted by 04/15/2014! http://sherri-hayes.blogspot.com/2014/04/win-signed-copy-of-finding-anna-series.html?zx=7d7e0b13d1c32b72

Wednesday's Weird Word

Cynosure

A person who is the center of attention.

Oddly enough this word originates from astronomy, referring to the dog's tail in Greek, kunosoura. This term was used by Greek sailors to describe the handle of the Little Dipper. Like most sailors of the time, they greatly depended on astronomy for navigation. Hence the 'center of attention' meaning!

Thank you for reading this edition of Author to Author's The Wednesday Word! Visit us again in two weeks for more news and savings to refresh your bookish pleasures! As always, feel free to share and spread the word! Have a wonderful day!