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Marie Force | The Unforgettable Hero
June 24, 2010
What makes a hero unforgettable? The answer to that question is no doubt
different for each of us. We all have a certain idea of what we’re looking for,
and of course no one guy is going to have every quality we’re seeking. However,
romance heroes have to be a step above. They have to transcend our every
expectation. Nick Cappuano in Fatal
Affair is the man. Tall, handsome, smooth, elegant, smart, sarcastic, neat
(to a fault), sexy, thoughtful, persistent, and (this is very important in
Washington) well connected. By the time we finished work on the book, my editor
Jessica were both in love with him, and kinda fighting over him if the true be
told. I adore him. I flat out love him. I want him for my very own (but please
don’t tell my husband that!). Nick is the kind of character who becomes so
real, so tangible, that I find it hard to believe he’s not really out there
moving and shaking on Capitol Hill. I’ve spelled out some of Nick’s finer qualities above, but there’s another fine
quality that reviewers have pointed out more than once: Nick is not afraid to
apologize when he’s wrong. One of my favorite scenes in Fatal Affair follows an
incident where Nick badly overreacts to something Sam does. Later, he apologizes
and she is so shocked that she asks him to say it again so she can be sure she’s
hearing him correctly. "This is quite a moment for me," she says. That, of
course, irritates Nick, but he doesn’t retract his apology. A guy who can say
he’s sorry? Shiver me timbers. Who wouldn’t want him? I suppose it’s great that I really love Nick and Sam because I’m hoping to write
a lot of books about them. But I want to hear from you! What makes a romance
hero truly unforgettable to you? What qualities must he have to earn your heart?
What’s an automatic turn off? I’ll give a copy of Fatal Affair to one
respondent. Thank so much for coming by today! About Fatal Affair
On the morning of the most important vote of Senator John O’Connor’s career he
is late--again. His best friend and chief of staff, Nick Cappuano sets off to
O'Connor’s apartment expecting to roust him from bed and hoping he is alone. But
what Nick finds is that O’Connor, the handsome, amiable Senator from Virginia,
has been brutally murdered, and Nick’s world comes crashing down around him.
Complicating the disaster, the detective assigned to the case is none other than
Sam Holland, Nick’s one-night stand from six years earlier, the woman who broke
his heart and haunts his dreams. With six years worth of unfinished business
hanging between them and more than a few scores to settle personally and
professionally, Nick and Sam set out to find the senator's killer while
trying--and failing--to resist the overwhelming attraction between them that
seems to have only grown over the years. It soon becomes clear that the senator’s past holds secrets that not only led to
his death but now endanger Nick and Sam as well. Working together to find a
killer and to rediscover the love they thought they lost long ago, they must put
the past behind them and build a future that offers a world of new opportunities
for both of them--including an offer from the Virginia Democrats for Nick to
finish the last year of John’s term. And about me:
Marie Force’s first
romantic suspense, FATAL
AFFAIR, will be out June 21, 2010 from Carina Press. Book 2 in the
Fatal Series, FATAL JUSTICE, is coming soon from Carina.
She is also the author of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE and LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT. Of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, Booklist
said, "With its humor and endearing characters, Force’s charming novel
will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, reaching far beyond sports fans."
Wild on Books said, "LOVE AT
FIRST FLIGHT by Marie
Force is most definitely a keeper. It is an astounding book. I loved every
single word!" A third contemporary, EVERYBODY LOVES A HERO, is due out
Feb. 1, 2011. Since 1996, Marie has been the
communications director for a national organization similar to the Romance
Writers of America. She is a member of RWA’s New England, From the Heart and
Published Author Special Interest Chapters. While her husband was in the Navy,
Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and is now settled in her home state
of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two children and a feisty dog named
Brandy. For more information check her website or
blog .
You can also find Marie at Facebook and her
Twitter page.
Contact
her at [email protected].
Comments
46 comments posted.
Re: Marie Force | The Unforgettable Hero
A tough guy with a heart of gold hidden inside is a hero who stays with me.
(Donna Holmberg 12:42pm June 24, 2010)
Donna,
So glad Nick appeals to you! I'll be in and out today. Big day at work! :-)
Marie
(Marie Force 9:14am June 24, 2010)
Tough good guy, not tough jerk -
tough sensitive?? I think there is such
a combo... A little arrogance is okay,
but not too much self-regard. An no
lying, at least not to himself... Being
able to say he's sorry, that's pretty
good, too.
(Shea Cooper 9:35am June 24, 2010)
I usually like the guy who is a hero, but isn't full of himself.
(Leni Kaye 10:28am June 24, 2010)
A tough exterior with insides that show a bit of compassion is what I'm looking for in a hero. Also, I'm amazed anytime the words I'm sorry escape from men's mouths, because "Love means never saying your sorry" a quote from the movie Love Story. But if that were true, a lot of ladies would be unhappy since we need to hear that occasionally. So a guy with a heart under a tough shell is my idea of a hero to wrangle with at least in a book.
(Alyson Widen 10:34am June 24, 2010)
I think a hero needs to be self confident, self assured, capable, with a side order of "tall, dark and handsome".
"Fatal Affair" sounds great...I loved "Love at First Flight".
(Robin McKay 10:41am June 24, 2010)
Marie, Kudos on your newest release. I
know I'm going to LOVE it.
Hmm, what makes an unforgettable
hero. One that is flawed and not afraid
to admit it and learn from it. Kind of
like my husband asking for directions.
Deb
(Debbie Haupt 11:48am June 24, 2010)
I love suspense books, through in a little romance makes it great. Maybe the next Brangelina screenplay :)
(Vikki Parman 12:25pm June 24, 2010)
Congrats on the new release, Marie. Nick sounds like a great hero.
(Jane Cheung 1:11pm June 24, 2010)
Anybody, especially a man, who can admit when he's wrong and apologize is in my "unforgettable" book. I also like men who don't take themselves too seriously. I guess that goes with being able to apologize.
(Sigrun Schulz 1:13pm June 24, 2010)
Sure can't argue with the traits you have listed. Big no-no's for me would be dishonesty and disrespect. Congrats on the release of your book.
(G S Moch 1:43pm June 24, 2010)
This sounds like a great read! I would love to read it!
(Gail Hurt 2:00pm June 24, 2010)
Congratulations on the new release. It looks like an exciting story.
(Maureen Emmons 2:41pm June 24, 2010)
Congratulations on the new release. Infidelity would definitely be a turn off.
(Andrea Infinger 4:23pm June 24, 2010)
He has to have a heart. Something most men would run from, but that he stands by.
(Cathie Veres 4:24pm June 24, 2010)
Wow, you guys have been busy while I was working. So glad to see so many kind remarks today! I'm glad you like the notion of a man who isn't afraid to say he was wrong. Nick is definitely that guy. Sam has bigger issues in that regard. She hates to say she was wrong! LOL
Thanks so much for dropping by to say hello!
Marie
(Marie Force 4:54pm June 24, 2010)
A hero has to put my needs first. A man who is sensitive & caring & protective. A man of strong convictions & principles.
(Mary Preston 5:10pm June 24, 2010)
Hi, Marie! An unforgettable hero is caring (although doesn't always wear it on his sleeve), competent, committed. And it doesn't hurt if he's hot :)
(Fedora Chen 5:46pm June 24, 2010)
I love a man that is caring & protective. Congrats on the new release!
(Colleen Conklin 6:01pm June 24, 2010)
Hi Marie;
I like a man who backs his heroine in every way and who isn't afraid to put his heart out there.
(Darci Paice 8:12pm June 24, 2010)
Love to read the book.
(Gloria Walshver 9:27pm June 24, 2010)
I love a man who is protective! Would love to read the book!
(Brenda Rupp 11:23pm June 24, 2010)
A hero is a hero who don't want to be a hero but steps up to the job of doing what's right.
(Kai Wong 11:34pm June 24, 2010)
I like sincerity and hate conceited guys. He doesn't have to be a duke or such; an everyday fellow is fine with me.
(Gladys Paradowski 12:38pm June 25, 2010)
Personally, I like a hero that is strong, yet has a tender side. If they're too cocky, that's a definate turn-off!! I also believe if they're too perfect, it's hard to get into the character, because nobody is like that -- at least I haven't seen anyone like that yet!! They also don't have to be an adonis -- handsome is nice, though. A good sense of humor at the right time is a plus. I don't ask for much, just a few things that don't make him some type of super-human.
(Peggy Roberson 6:54am June 25, 2010)
the bad boy with a heart of gold. that is my favorite!
(Christy Mitchiner 8:18am June 25, 2010)
strong and sweet a nice combination
(Diane Sadler 8:41pm June 25, 2010)
A strong and down-to-earth hero is my favorite.
(Joanne Reynolds 7:10am June 26, 2010)
This story sounds great. Please enter me. April Renn
(April Renn 8:54am June 26, 2010)
A loyal hero is the greatest!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 9:33am June 26, 2010)
Looks like a great book and the reason I love this site: finding new authors!!!
(Teresa Alexander 9:59am June 26, 2010)
It's hard to say what makes a hero unforgettable, but there has to be something different about him and he can't just be a rehash of the same man as in every other novel out there. The stereotypes get boring for me (except for Mr. Darcy because he was the original before the stereotype).
(Pam Howell 10:50am June 26, 2010)
Saying your sorry is very important. Those words can save a life!!!
I love a hero who is tough on the outside but isn't afraid to fall on his knees for his lady....sigh!!!!
(Valerie Bongards 1:01pm June 26, 2010)
Nick sounds like a fantastic character. I also love a guy that can say he's sorry.
(Gigi Hicks 2:22pm June 26, 2010)
I love a guy who has been through rough times but uses it to better his life. Who is honest and keeps his word and it doesn't hurt that he's tall and handsome and kind and a good kisser.
(Lena Lee 6:18pm June 26, 2010)
A hero to me is a man who accepts a women as an equal (almost), will say he is wrong if he is and apologizes when wrong. A man who does not think he is always right and it has to be his way. A man who is faithful, sincere, honest and does not mind helping wash dishes or cleaning up to help you.
I don't think there are many men like that but I can always hope. lol
(Brenda Hill 6:37pm June 26, 2010)
the book sounds great
(Sagrario Vigil 8:05pm June 26, 2010)
Nick sounds absolutely wonderful, a man you could spend your life with. And romantic suspenses are always popular with me.
(Diane Sadler 9:45pm June 26, 2010)
Are there any men like Nick in the real world?
(Mary Lynn Hayes 10:23pm June 26, 2010)
A hero that looks after you, will do anything for you, protect you and admit they are sometimes wrong, how great would that be. Or would it be annoying after a while? Well as a fantasy he's great!
(Barbara Hanson 6:35am June 27, 2010)
this sounds like a riveting tale
(Debbi Shaw 11:16am June 27, 2010)
I am looking forward to reading your book
(Annette Cunningham 11:37am June 27, 2010)
can't wait to read sounds very interesting
(Stacy Fitzgerald 1:34pm June 27, 2010)
This book sounds like a book I would love to read.
(Cathy Phillips 3:02pm June 27, 2010)
He must have a good heart. It may be
buried in a cynical shell, but that is
OK. He must be reliable, have a sense
of humor (though not be funny). He
must have an ingrained sense of honor
and morality.
Someone who is full of himself and
doesn't respect others is an automatic
turn-off.
(Patricia Barraclough 4:08pm June 27, 2010)
Oh, a hero to fall into sweet dreams with! Sounds wonderful and I especailly like that he is willing to apologize. It takes a strong person to acknowledge that a situation may need an apology. True heros think about the needs of others before themsleves!
(Audrey Lawrence 7:33pm June 27, 2010)
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