Cheryl Harper | So Many Heroes, So Little Time

I'm not gonna lie. My favorite part of writing romance is dreaming up the hero. For me, the characters come first and then I learn their story. I like to read about alphas who are also billionaire tycoons, licensed to kill either with an amazing weapon or a paranormal power, and leap tall buildings in a single bound, but I think it would be hard to fall in love with a guy like that. Just setting up a lunch date would be difficult. And possibly dangerous. Maybe it's easier to fall in love with a guy whose fatal flaw is a little less...fatal. My perfect hero might be larger than life, but he'd still be fun to play poker with and help me move my couch.

There are just so many attractive choices in the world, am I right? Who doesn't love a musician? A man who can melt your knees while he sings about love? I have to hold onto my clothes at the idea. They want to fall off. I've listened to and watched countless Elvis videos on YouTube while I was doing "research" and/or procrastinating while working on the Rock'n'Rolla Hotel series. And I get it. I get why girls screamed and cried and fainted at those eyes, that hair, and the...ahem, hip movements. And even better, I remember my trip to Graceland and how romantic and sad and magical it felt to be there. I understand why people still go, will probably always go to see this King's now-modest mansion. Willodean Jackson, owner of the Rock'n'Rolla Hotel, knew Elvis. It's no wonder she's a fan for life.

To make a hero for Laura, STUCK ON YOU's showgirl waitress with the heart of an accountant, I had to spend some time thinking. KT Masters is still larger than life. As I am somewhat more accountant-like than showgirl, I liked the idea of putting her pragmatism up against a little Hollywood magic. What would draw these two together? Charisma is a power a hero doesn't have to be rich or handsome or able to kill a man with his bare hands to have. Of course, being rich and handsome are never bad things, are they? To build him, I needed a guy who had the Hollywood polish, the crazy charm, and still had that average guyness that makes me think if we ever rubbed shoulders he might think my star-struck muteness was quirky cute instead of weird. Maybe a ruggedly handsome television star who's an ex-captain of a Firefly-class ship turned crime-fighting mystery writer would do as inspiration.

Honestly, I love KT. Teasing, charming, roguish with a heart of gold—what's not to love? You can meet him too in STUCK ON YOU (available now, just 99 cents for the ebook if you hurry!). But I also love the strong, silent type, a guy like Tony, the hotel manager who loosens up just a bit in CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE (the August Rock'n'Rolla Hotel book). He's just a regular guy, but you get the idea that he could move heaven and earth for the right woman. And I've just met Charlie McMinn, hero of Santa, Bring My Baby Back (out in December). He's too smart, way out of his depth, and so ready to find the girl of his dreams that I'm writing as fast as I can.

To find out more about the Rock'n'Rolla Hotel, my heroes, and my celebrity crushes, visit me athttp://cherylharperbooks.com. And let me know your favorite kind of hero. I'm always looking for inspiration!

Playlist

1. Stuck on You. I saw this video and wanted to scream at all the Elvis-ness. It'll have you snapping your fingers, whipping your hair, and wiggling your hips. It should come with a warning.

2. Hound Dog. How many times have I sung this to the beagles in my life? It's hard to estimate. Let's just say I hope I sell that many books.

3. It's Your Baby, You Rock It. Country Elvis! I heard this the first time on a free satellite radio weekend blasted straight from Graceland and now I sing it at unexpected moments. You've been warned.

4. Viva Las Vegas. If you've read either "Love Me Tender" from the Kiss Me Valentine's Day anthology or Stuck on You, you know I needed this for some inspiration.

5. A Little Less Conversation. I have to tell myself this whenever I write. There are so many things to love about this video. The grooviness! The computer! Studly Elvis! Plus, I like the word "satisfactioning" a lot.

6. How Great Thou Art. Did you know Elvis won three Grammy awards? All for gospel, not rock and roll.

7. Can't Help Falling In Love. It is the next book, of course, but there's just something about it that feels like romance.

8. Blue Suede Shoes. You must, MUST, must dance when you hear it.

9. Trouble. From King Creole, Elvis's favorite movie role.

10. Love Me Tender. Oh, man. Oh, Elvis. I do. I can. I will!