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Get to Know Your Favorite Authors

Lorraine Heath | The Unexpected Heroes

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It's such a pleasure to be here with you at Fresh Fiction today. I always find blogging to be an enjoyable challenge. What can I say about my books that I haven't said before?

I am a by-the-seat-of-my-pants writer. While I have a general idea of where the story is going and who the main characters are, I seldom know the specifics and details of the story. I don't always know who they might run into or who will have an influence on the character or the story.

As I'm typing along, so many characters suddenly walk onto the page. As the author, I feel like I should at least know who the important ones are, but that's not always the case. I didn't know that the Rose sisters (The Rogues and Roses trilogy) had a brother until he slouched against a doorframe and introduced himself to the heroine in A DUKE OF HER OWN. I didn't realize that the Duchess of Ainsley (London's Greatest Lovers) would in fact have a wonderful lover herself, not until Leo made his appearance. I had always planned for her to be pining away for her first true love and that they would get together by the end of the series. But then Leo was so kind and so in love with her—and played a part in helping each of her sons find love—how could I not give him his happy ending?

Chetwyn was the same way. When he first appears in LORD OF TEMPTATION, he's such a likeable fellow, trying to do right by his brother, trying to ensure that Lady Anne finds happiness. Near the end of the story, on the morning of his wedding day, he goes to see Lady Anne, the woman who is to become his wife and asks her if she loves Lord Tristan.

"Do you love him, Anne?"

Tears burning her eyes, she shook her head. "It doesn't matter. The sea is his home ... and what sort of life would that be for a lady?"

"If it includes love, I should think it would be a very wonderful life, indeed."

I fell in love with him at that moment. I couldn't help myself. I wanted him to have his own happy ending, but the Lost Lords of Pembrook was to be a trilogy. So what do with Chetwyn? Thankfully, my editor was agreeable to me writing a novella for him. The electronic version of DECK THE HALLS WITH LOVE came out December 18, 2012. The print version was made available January 22, 2013.

We discover that Chetwyn was more of a hero than we thought. He was willing to give up his own heart's desire in order to marry Anne, but now that he is free, he's going to have quite the time of it convincing Lady Merry that she should trust her heart to him once again.

Who are some of the secondary characters that you've encountered in stories you've read that you would like to see have their own happy ending?

Two lucky posters will receive a print or electronic copy (winner's choice) of DECK THE HALLS WITH LOVE.

 

 

Comments

69 comments posted.

Re: Lorraine Heath | The Unexpected Heroes

I love that you let your characters be so alive, your
description of how they come to you is pretty neat.
(Vanessa Primer 4:02am January 30, 2013)

Can't wait to read this book...thank you and good luck!!
(Bonnie Capuano 6:10am January 30, 2013)

I love your method of writing and creating.
Blessings,
marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 6:23am January 30, 2013)

Hi Lorraine,

I want everybody to be happy and in love. I would like arrogant, Stephen Pollard, the Marquis of Fenton who was stood up at the altar in Suzanne Enoch's book TAMING AN IMPOSSIBLE ROGUE to find his HEA.
(Laurie Gommermann 6:30am January 30, 2013)

Hi Lorraine. I have several of your novels and love them! I can't read your other books too.
(MaryAnne Banks 7:31am January 30, 2013)

Loved the series and can't wait to read DECK THE HALLS WITH LOVE.
(Doris Losey 8:43am January 30, 2013)

"If it includes love, I should think it would be a very wonderful life, indeed."
What a wonderful line. Just bought Lords Of Temptaion on Kindle (It's on sale for 5.69) and can't wait to get started.

Lisa Kleypas and Stephanie Laurens always write really long series where almost every character gets their story. Which I love. Two of my favorite characters who got their own story and HEA were Beatrix and Captain Phelan in the Hathaway series installment Love In the Afternoon.
I love when you get to read about all the characters in that fictional world and especially when the original characters do a little matchmaking because they want everyone to be as happy in love as they are :P
(Sharon D 8:48am January 30, 2013)

Hi Lorraine,
I'm going to speak in general terms because all the
secondary characters I love- do get their stories. Authors
are great that way. But I always love it when the heroine's
sisters get their own stories, or the hero's incorrigible
best friends get theirs.
(Susan S 9:11am January 30, 2013)

I love learning the way authors create - so thank you for sharing. I always love "series" books because we get to know a whole cast of characters and learn their individual stories. That's so much fun. Thanks for the chance to win - your newest book sounds wonderful.
(Nancy Reynolds 9:28am January 30, 2013)

..looks good
(Kent Cook 9:49am January 30, 2013)

Love the way plot weaves and turns
(Debbie Rudder 9:57am January 30, 2013)

sounds like a good book, thanks for this chance,
(Debbi Shaw 10:02am January 30, 2013)

I just finished reading Roxanne St. Claire's Barefoot In The Rain. I am hoping in the next book, Jocelyn's dad ends up with Zoe's great aunt! I could see a lot of fun stuff with that!

Thanks for the chance to win.
(Sue Galuska 10:12am January 30, 2013)

I read a werewolf series where their is a fairy named Blue that I would love see have his own book!! He has been in all the books of the series and there are hints that one of the docs in the series likes him, but I want to see it flushed out.
(Angie Lilly 10:32am January 30, 2013)

I love that you have the ability to breath life into you
characters and it seems so effortless. Can't wait to read this
book.
(Mary Maxwell 11:04am January 30, 2013)

I'd love to see Jamie's nephew Ian get a happy ending in the Outlander series.
(Cheryl McEwen 11:18am January 30, 2013)

love the series books and love the historical romance
(Barbara Studer 11:46am January 30, 2013)

I can't wait to read Deck The Halls With Love. It sounds like
a great read. Thanks!
(Teresa Balderas 11:57am January 30, 2013)

I love seeing secondary characters having a chance at their own HEAs... I will say there have been times when I was hoping some characters would have their own book, but never did... can not think of the specific characters at this moment...
(Colleen Conklin 12:04pm January 30, 2013)

L-o-v-e your books. Read my first one from library... well, the
rest is history after that. :P
(Joy Johnson 12:25pm January 30, 2013)

Sometimes the best characters in a book are the "supporting
actors" those whose lives are not clearly outlined to the
reader. It always makes you wonder what molded and shaped
them as they matured and lived their lives. I think that's
why I love book series that provide an opportunity to learn
more about the secondary characters!
(Marguerite Guinn 12:47pm January 30, 2013)

Julia Quinn's Bridgerton brothers and sisters in the Bridgerton series all called out for a book of their own. Maya Banks' brothers have been great secondary characters and main characters in the KGI series so far.

Chetwyn sounds like a great character, and I look forward to reading his story!
(Cheryl Castings 12:51pm January 30, 2013)

Your books..ROCK!! Always look for them at bookstores.
(Jk Vaid 1:08pm January 30, 2013)

HI LORRAINE, YOU ARE NEW TO ME BUT I'LL CERTAINLY ADD YOU TO
MY TBBL!
(Linda Bass 1:22pm January 30, 2013)

I can't wait to read Deck The Halls With Love!
Thanks for the chance to win!
(Natasha Donohoo 2:00pm January 30, 2013)

I love when a character that figures highly in a book gets his own book!!
(Marcelle Cole 2:37pm January 30, 2013)

Hi Lorraine, I'm a huge fan of secondary characters getting their own books and I can't really pick out any because most of the authors I read usually write trilogies or series which does my heart good. But usually if the main character is from a big family, I like to see their relations (not just siblings but cousins as well) get their own books and happy endings.
(Ada H. 2:43pm January 30, 2013)

Like most people above, I can't just name any. I read a lot of series and thankfully, most authors write books for them eventually. I do really like it when they do multiple books with groups of friends and each friend gets a book, like Nora Roberts Bride Quartet series.
(Anita H 2:47pm January 30, 2013)

sounds like a book I would enjoy reading!
(Dianne McVetty 3:00pm January 30, 2013)

Thank you all for stopping by and for your comments about secondary characters. There are so many wonderful characters out there and thankfully most do get their own stories. Lately it seems as though I don't have nearly enough time to read.
(Lorraine Heath 3:03pm January 30, 2013)

Love your books. Thanks for the giveaway.
(Bonnie H 3:04pm January 30, 2013)

I can't wait to read your book it sounds fantastic!
(Jane Thompson 3:22pm January 30, 2013)

Oh boy! I really was interested in this story last year, but it was only in digital - so glad it's in print now. I think most of the time that there's a good character the author does give them their own story.
(Diane Sallans 3:47pm January 30, 2013)

Thank you for the giveaway... Everyone deserves a happy ending
That is why i love series so much because most secondary
charcters get their happy ending.
(Jeannie Platt 3:57pm January 30, 2013)

I'm so excited for a chance to read your book. I am a fan.
(Pamela Kline 4:06pm January 30, 2013)

Oh, too many to name!! I devour books and it's a common theme with me that I usually fall in love with a secondary character rather than the main hero--because, after all,, he's destined for the heroine, not for me. :) With secondary characters I can imagine myself as their fantasy love interest. :)
(Deborah Anderson 4:09pm January 30, 2013)

looks steamy!
(Callie Stuck 4:16pm January 30, 2013)

I am looking forward to reading this!
(Janet Evans 4:39pm January 30, 2013)

I've read so many books! I'd say the best friend, single mom, the woman who works at home to avoid people after a bad relationship (neighbor of someone??)
(Michelle Schafer 5:01pm January 30, 2013)

Can't wait to read this book!!!
(Anita Waters 5:59pm January 30, 2013)

I really enjoy your booksand buy them as soon as they are released.
(Kay Kerkeslager 7:06pm January 30, 2013)

I really like Ms Heath's books. She does romance so well. Thanks for sharing..
(Belinda Payne 7:34pm January 30, 2013)

Most of the time, the interesting secondary characters do
get their own book or novella. I am thinking of Loretta
Chase's Scandal Wears Satin & the secondary character is
Clara, who was originally supposed to marry the hero. She
wouldn't allow him to marry her out of obligation, knowing
that he loved someone else.
(Sharlene Wegner 7:41pm January 30, 2013)

I'm sorry i haven't read any of your books yet as I just discovered you; so I can't comment on a secondary characters. But I am so impressed by authors like you, you have a way of getting into reader's heads and writing the words we sometimes can't say. Thanks
(QuenKne M 8:06pm January 30, 2013)

Many of the secondary characters that I've wanted to have stories have, in the meantime, gotten their HEA's, such as Kenyon's Acheron, Cole's Lothaire, and Duvall's Bastien. One favorite that I'm particularly looking forward to is Cole's Nix (Immortals after Dark).
(Janie McGaugh 8:11pm January 30, 2013)

Sounds like a good book---thanks for the chance.
(Kathy Fowler 8:11pm January 30, 2013)

I enjoy good books and love the chance to win them, too.
(Mary Hay 8:26pm January 30, 2013)

Hi Lorraine!

You do know how to write a character that we will fall in
love in and I especially like how you write your secondary
characters so we want to see more of them!

I loved Lord of Temptation and Chetwyn had a lot to do with
my feelings! Yeah! He's back! Who can resist a man who
knows exactly what to say and you don't even realize at the
time how wise he truly is!

Thanks so much for giving all your readers and followers the
chance to win a copy of Deck the Halls with Love!
(Jeanne Miro 8:50pm January 30, 2013)

Interesting...and I have always thought authors had "preplanned" their characters and where the story was going. Keep up the great work!
(Leanna Morris 9:14pm January 30, 2013)

I just finished the latest book by Janet Evanovich, and Ranger popped into my head. He keeps getting pushed aside for Morelli, and has a lot going for him. I enjoyed this last installment of the story a lot, and Ranger figured prominently throughout the book. He has a lot of great qualities, as does Morelli, but it breaks my heart when you can feel that he wants something more out of his professional/personal relationship, yet he sort of gets puts to the curb. Now what I'd like to do is stop reminiscing about what I've read in the past, and read one of your books, which I painfully didn't know existed!! The story line has me totatlly enraptured, and I could not think of a better way to spend the rest of the Winter!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:27pm January 30, 2013)

Fortunately most secondary characters I enjoy have gotten thier own HEAs or are in progress- it's just hard waiting for the story.
(Mary C 9:45pm January 30, 2013)

I really enjoyed Seduced by a Pirate by Eloisa James. Griffin really needed
his own book. I liked The Ugly Duchess and he was a great character.
(Ann Sheiring 9:52pm January 30, 2013)

sounds good, love a Christmas season book...
(Teresa Roberts 10:36pm January 30, 2013)

Love your books!
(Rosemary Caldwell 10:37pm January 30, 2013)

sounds great !
(Kim Atchue-Cusella 10:49pm January 30, 2013)

Sounds like a great book. Thanks for a chance to win. Also love the cover.
(Linda Hall 10:50pm January 30, 2013)

book sounds like a great story and have a very pretty cover...
(Kimberly Hoefs 11:13pm January 30, 2013)

Sometimes I see a "best friend" or a sibling in a family group that warrants a possible follow up. I love it when you get a series of books based on a first book so you can tie the characters all together. Reading each book makes you anticipate and enjoy the next one even more.
(Donna Holmberg 12:05pm January 31, 2013)

This sounds like a wonderful, loving read! I do enjoy series books where the secondary characters reach their happily-ever-after! I'm currently reading Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight and there's a lord/artist Elijah Harrington who disapproves of dishonesty, taking advantage especially of women, and isn't overly given to vices it seems--- he would deserve his own book and HEA.
(p c 1:19am January 31, 2013)

I was really pleased when Eowyn, the real hero (for me) of Lord of the Rings, got a happy ending with Faramir. If the secondary characters are so good you see them come to life and feel they deserve a happy life, that makes the book so much more solid.
(Clare O'Beara 6:02am January 31, 2013)

Love your books! :) Well... I always think that Hermione in HP was more interesting than Harry Potter...
(May Pau 9:41am January 31, 2013)

Most of the time I like a character they have gotten their own book, I love that.
Thank you for the giveaway, the book sounds great.
(Rita Wray 9:55am January 31, 2013)

Your book sounds like a great read. Would love to win it. When I read a book, I usually enjoy it fot itself, not thinking about future books about other characters in that book.
(Carol Woodruff 12:06pm January 31, 2013)

I love secondary characters and the continuation of a story - from Julie Garwood to Jo Beverley to Lisa Kleypas to Julie Quinn - oh, Barbara Dawson Smith and Stephanie Laurens
I will admit the one character I loved and followed through a series until he got his own book was Rothgar from Jo Beverley's books. I think I sometimes feel like a stalker until the secondary character gets their own story.
(Carla Carlson 1:40pm January 31, 2013)

I love secondary characters. They have a life of their own and demand that their stories be told.
(Kai Wong 11:26pm January 31, 2013)

Love reading stories of memorable secondary characters. Would love to read HEA for Elijah Harrison (disapproves of dishonesty, taking advantage of women and those less fortunate, not really into vices) from Grace Burrowes' Lady Louisa's Christmas Knight.
(p c 2:50am February 1, 2013)

I can't think of any particular secondary characters off hand.
Sometimes you do want them to have a HEA for themselves.
(Mary Preston 7:39am February 1, 2013)

I love your books. I can't wait to read this book. :)
(Ninoska Suarez 1:51am February 5, 2013)

In Lisa Kleypas' contemporary book, Sugar Daddy, I always thought Liberty's little sister should have her own story as an adult.
(Kim C 1:13pm February 6, 2013)

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