Fresh Fiction Blog | DiAnn Mills | Strong Women, Unlikely Roles

Women who accept nontraditional roles and succeed with dynamic outcomes are the heroines in my novels. These are Glock-totin‘ gals with southern charm who understand grits aren’t just for breakfast. These women embrace their femininity with an added boost--they aren’t afraid to go after the bad guys or say they love Jesus. This style of heroine understands her peace can be more about the caliber of the piece in her purse than the state of her spiritual life.

What makes a contemporary woman choose a career that has the potential of ending her life? Experts often point to personality differences or a "risk-gene" as an explanation why some are risk takers and others are content in less stressful lifestyles. I prefer courageous heroines who’ve been wired with a few more endorphins to balance the adrenaline, and they thrive on it.

If my heroine races down a dirt road on a Harley in the dead of night, or scales a cliff while someone is shooting at her, or stuffs a weapon into the waistband of her jeans, it’s to get the edge on the bad guys.

My heroines are not satisfied unless they are placing their lives on the line to protect or save innocent victims. These women are warriors who are trained to protect, defend, and hopefully outsmart the ones who will stop at nothing to obtain money and power.

Jack London said it quite well. "The adventurer gambles with life to heighten sensation--to make it glow for a moment."

Of course, in a suspense novel the heroine ends up being the prey, but the heroine and the villain are balanced in their skills and intelligence. Who knows? The bad guy may be a woman.

In short, the heroines in the Call of Duty series aren’t the women next door. Hmm. Then again, they might be.

The heroine in Breach of Trust is a CIA operative posing as a librarian in rural Oklahoma where the only excitement is Friday night, high school football or an occasional twister. Her name is Paige; she thought it was quite clever considering her role as the local librarian. And the hero is a football coach who has more "on the ball" than most would think.

Sworn to Protect calls for a different heroine. Danika Morales is a border patrol agent in McAllen, TX. She’s a widow, and her four-year-old daughter is hearing impaired. Every breath is a risk in her career, and the authorities have yet to find out who murdered her husband. So how does a doctor with activist sentiments fit into her life?

Pursuit of Justice delves into the life of an FBI agent sent to solve a series of murders in an area of Texas to which she swore never to return. What she thinks is an easy case explodes in her face when the accused killer is found innocent, and a nearly four hundred year old legend about lost Spanish treasure is still claiming victims.

Yep, I like a gutsy women who can work alongside a man, and a hero who appreciates her abilities, wit, dedication--and her beauty.

If you're like my heroines in the Call of Duty Series one way to ease the stress of a hard day is a long bath. One lucky commenter will receive a $25.00 Bath & Body Works Gift Card that can be used in store or online.

Comments

This type of woman is my role model! I love them!
(Lisa Garrett 5:54pm June 23, 2010)

Unwinding in a nice hot bath with a glass of wine and a good book, no better way to do it.
(Diane Sadler 6:00pm June 23, 2010)

Love the women in the Call of Duty series - we should all be able to kick a little (or a lot) of butt!
(Jessica Badeaux 7:00pm June 23, 2010)

Sounds like a great book. I love historical
romance, but lately books are getting too
sexed up. I'm hoping since your book is
billed as a "Christian" novel that it won't
have too much. So, I'd love to read it!
(Molly Wilsbacher 10:24pm June 23, 2010)

Strong women are the only kind I enjoy reading about!
(Darci Paice 1:31am June 24, 2010)

The Call of Duty series sounds great. Looking forward to meeting your heroines.
(Jane Cheung 4:44am June 25, 2010)

I love reading about daring and strong women who know what they want and aren't afraid to take care of it themselves.
(Joanne Reynolds 6:28am June 25, 2010)

Your series sounds great. I have Sworn to Protect, and it's near the top of my TBR pile. Thanks for visiting.
(G S Moch 8:14am June 25, 2010)

this sounds like a interesting read. i do love girls who kick butt!
(Christy Mitchiner 8:23am June 25, 2010)

am an avid reader. as yet have not read yours..but definitly will..
(Mal Kaplan 9:17am June 25, 2010)

I love a story about a smart and strong woman who can take care of herself. Your books sound great!
(Cheryl Castings 11:51am June 25, 2010)

I enjoy reading about strong courageous women who aren't afraid to stand up to others.
(Maureen Emmons 12:04pm June 25, 2010)

You have spent your lifetime writing and IU feel you are getting better and better.
Please keep writing.

Patricia R.
Smith Mt Lake VA
(Patricia (Pat) Pascale 12:21pm June 25, 2010)

Women who take charge. Are they unconventional? Nahhhhh. Women who take charge just know what they wnats.

The Call of Duty Series rocks!!!
(Kai Wong 12:27pm June 25, 2010)

These are my types of read. Can't wait to start reading.
(Theresa Buckholtz 12:35pm June 25, 2010)

I love when a heroine is a strong character... Thanks for the chance at a great prize!
(Colleen Conklin 1:15pm June 25, 2010)

My kind of reads! Sure hope I win. Thanks for many hours of reading pleasure.
(Shirley Akins 1:27pm June 25, 2010)

The Call of Duty series sounds great. I must read them!
(Cheryl Lynne 1:34pm June 25, 2010)

I like this type of women too! I have always done things like this. I have done a lot of the remodel work on our house right along with my husband!
(Gail Hurt 1:59pm June 25, 2010)

Sounds like a great series! I love spunky heroines with a strong faith.
(Cherie Japp 2:32pm June 25, 2010)

I want to thank you and compliment you - LOL On those days that everything is driving me crazy, reading your books is one way to take me away to a really nice place. Your skills are superb and I really get a "mini vacation" by reading :) Have a great day!
(Janice Crespo 4:06pm June 25, 2010)

I guess that I am a "gutsy lady" as I am a farm wife who has "slopped" the hogs, bailed hay, picked corn, etc. What a sonderful life!!!!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 4:45pm June 25, 2010)

What I wouldn't give for just a little bit of that 'risk' gene.
I love books and TV shows with strong kick but gals. Fionna on Burn Notice is very take charge.
Sworn to Protect looks to be an awesome book.
(Gigi Hicks 4:54pm June 25, 2010)

I would love to win this book. I learnt this lesson early in life when I was abandoned by my own parents and it has gotten me over a lot of hard times. I think Sworn To Protect sounds like an awesome book and sure would like to be lucky winner. Have a good day. susan L.
(Susan Leech 5:20pm June 25, 2010)

I always feel face life each day and do what must be done for each situation. I worked with all men in a machine shop doing a man's job, I worked as security officer to protect other people's property and I have helped so many weaker women face life and keep going and most of these were done after I was pronouced dead after a stroke that took five days of my life away. GOD had a purpose for me after the stroke deal and I feel I did a lot of help and support to many people who needed it. I never asked for a reward..just the feeling of knowing I helped some one out there who needed it. susan L.
(Susan Leech 5:25pm June 25, 2010)

All for supporting strong, positive heroines. Look forward to reading Sworn To Protect.
(Leni Kaye 6:06pm June 25, 2010)

These stories sound great! It's about time that the heroine is able to give as good as she gets. Times have changed and we need to get rid of the old stereotype.
(Rosemary Krejsa 6:34pm June 25, 2010)

My parents always told us we could do anything we wanted to do. We believed and we did. Thanks for writing about strong women.
(Maude Allen 7:21pm June 25, 2010)

A long soak in a tub sounds so
good right now!
(Margay Roberge 8:10pm June 25, 2010)

Wimpy women are the pits. I've stopped
reading many a book because the
heroines just weren't strong enough.
(Molly Wilsbacher 8:15pm June 25, 2010)

It's good to see women capable of doing more than wringing their hands and crying.
(Diane Sadler 8:37pm June 25, 2010)

Sound like great books. I like the books
I read to have strong heroines. Mystery,
suspense, and intrigue are all important
too. Sounds like your books fill the bill.
(Patricia Barraclough 11:11pm June 25, 2010)

I would love to win this book. I so enjoy your books and characters.
April Renn
(April Renn 8:51am June 26, 2010)

I can sort of relate to the characters in your books. My husband lost his job over 3 years ago, and we lost our house. We ended up packing our belongings into our pop-up camper and truck, grabbing our dog, and heading for a campgroud which I chose to be our new home. We had to do that for a while, but you have to have an inner strength and faith in God to see you through it. I feel it takes a certain amount of courage to go through what I did, not knowing what was around the next corner. Luckily, we found a place to live within a year, and are happy where we are.
(Peggy Roberson 11:41am June 26, 2010)

daring and strong women:maybe I can learn a thing or two from them by reading this book.
I love Bath & Body Works; thanks for the contest.
(Robyn Lee 1:16pm June 26, 2010)

sounds like a new series to add to my reading list:)
(Barbara Studer 1:22pm June 26, 2010)

I had a hard time getting to comment here. Tried yesterday, but could not get the comment box to open.

I like women who are intelligent and willing to try new things; but not women who are cocky, hate men or constantly yell "I am a feminist." There is nothing wrong with being femiNINE.
(Gladys Paradowski 3:17pm June 26, 2010)

Strong women are my favorite. The give someone for the rest of us to admire.
(Heather Minor 4:33pm June 26, 2010)

Being a femi-nazi (a little joke on myself) myself, I adore women who stand up for themselves but know when to sit down.
(Heather Lyn 4:38pm June 26, 2010)

I like having different heroines and not always the same old role. The freshness is something that makes me turn the pages quicker to see what fix she gets in and out of.
(Alyson Widen 4:55pm June 26, 2010)

I prefer a strong woman as heroine--as long as she isn't portrayed as perfect. She has to be able to show her womanly traits. It sounds as if this is the case in this book.
(Sigrun Schulz 7:30pm June 26, 2010)

Ok I want to read about some brave strong gun toten women.
(Bonnie Gonzales 2:10pm June 27, 2010)

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