Robyn DeHart | The Hunt

I don’t really remember what it was that drew me to romance when I first started reading them. I was young, so I suppose the reasons then probably differ from what keeps me in the genre. I do remember that the very first Kathleen Woodiwiss book I read (A ROSE IN WINTER) was like a strike of lightening. Even though I was in high school, I knew in that moment that that was the type of book I wanted to write. I fell head over heels in love with historical romance and now here, twenty plus years later, that love hasn’t waned.

A while back I was reading a book and I had a big epiphany that doesn't really surprise me, as I can clearly see the pattern in my reading tastes and several of the books I've written myself, frankly I'm surprised it took me quite so long to notice. When it comes to guys, those romantic hero types, I am totally drawn to the pursuer. I suppose this might be why I don't gravitate toward the more traditional alpha hero because they aren't always pursuers.

Two books come to mind that offer great examples of this type of hero, Suzanne Enoch's THE CARE AND TAMING OF A ROGUE and Lisa Kleypas’s MINE TILL MIDNIGHT. Now Suzanne is one of my very favorite authors, she's definitely my go-to gal whenever I need a good pick-me-up because her books are just delightful and perfect in all the right ways. And I love, love, love her heroes. And her heroes are always pursuers, even if they don't quite understand it themselves, they are completely captivated by the heroine, just can't get enough and go after her full-throttle. Their unwavering pursuit just makes me feel all gooey on the inside. This is what romance novels are about for me. Lisa’s books do the same, they just hit all the right notes.

Now there are plenty of great ways to put together a romance novel, but at their core, you either have boy pursues girl or girl pursues boy and both work. But for me that one that makes me come back again and again is the former. It even happened in my own love story. When I met The Professor I wasn't so sure about him. He was really smart, an intellectual and frankly I felt a smidge intimidated and wondered what we'd ever talk about. And he was so very different from any man I'd ever dated or been attracted to. But he pursued me deftly and it worked!

So how about you? What kind of hero do you gravitate to? Do you notice when you're reading which character is the pursuer?

About Robyn DeHart

A life-long lover of stories and adventure, it was eitherbe come a stuntwoman for the movies or live out those adventures from the safety of her PJ’s and computer. Award-winning author, Robyn DeHart chose the latter and couldn’t be happier for doing so. Known for her unique plotlines and authentic characters, Robyn is a favorite among readers and reviewers. Publishers' Weekly claims her writing to be "comical and sexy" while the Chicago Tribune dubs her "wonderfully entertaining." Robyn is a three-time RT Bookclub Reviewers' Choice award nominee,and her book SEDUCE ME won for the 2009 Best Historical Romantic Adventure. The same book also won the inaugural RomCon Reader’s Crown award. In March, TREASURE ME, the much anticipated conclusion to her Legend Hunters trilogy hit stores.

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About UNDERCOVER WITH THE EARL

To capture the most eligible bachelor in London...

London, 1838

The handsome Earl of Somersby may just be the most eligible bachelor in London, but has no interest in a wife. As a member of the Brotherhood, Bennett Haile is far more vested in his undercover duties for the crown and protecting the Queen from would-be assassins. For now he has the perfect tool with which to lure out the villains-a young woman with an uncanny likeness to the queen.

The spirited Evelyn Marrington is about to live out every country girl's dream-becoming royalty overnight. Under the tutelage of the arrogant Earl of Somersby, she'll have to fool the entire court that she is, in fact, the queen. But as danger threatens from every side, Bennett realizes that his lovely little protegé isn't just placing her life in his hands... She's stealing his heart.