Heather Long | My Favorite Breakout Characters

One of the best parts of writing a series is when a supporting character becomes an outstanding lead in their own right. It’s happened several times to me over the years, and I think it’s my favorite part of writing a series. Supporting characters give us a window into our leads. They don’t have to fit the tropes or the molds, or be heroic. In fact, they can be just about anything, because their part isn’t to succeed or to fail, but to merely give us another glimpse at the strengths and flaws of hero or heroine.

Wolves of Willow Bend has proven to be rich, fertile storytelling ground for supporting characters for me. I love meeting them and getting to know them, then watching them shine as they step up to be heroes and heroines. When I introduced Giovanni in ROGUE WOLF, the Centurion added some levity and friendship for the powerful Alpha Salvatore. I adored him, and wanted to see more of him—hence SINGLE WICKED WOLF. In light of that love, I wanted to share with you some of my favorite breakout characters from other series and programs:

1. Riley (Psy- Changeling series by Nalini Singh) – We actually met Riley in SLAVE TO SENSATION. He is the brother of Brenna and Drew, and second in command to his Alpha Hawke. He’s a tough bastard and he’s in so much pain wanting to know what happened to his sister. He’s mentioned a few times over later books, and he shines brilliantly when he gets to headline his own book BRANDED BY FIRE to become one of my all-time favorite heroes in this series. You could make this argument for many of the supporting characters in this series—they rotate from supporting, to lead to supporting again. It’s perfect.

2. Wolverine – Would it surprise you to know that Wolverine actually got his start as a villain? Then later he becomes a supporting character in the X-Men? That’s just in the comics. Of course, in the films, he’s a pivotal member of the team and a breakout star who was given his own films and, while it’s also due to Hugh Jackman’s portrayal, Wolverine is arguably one of the most pivotal characters in the Marvel universe.

3. Phil Coulson – Speaking of the Marvel film universe, Phil Coulson played by the delightful Clark Gregg was the supporting character who tied the films together leading up to the Avengers. His death in the first Avengers film united the fractious team to face off against Loki and the invaders. Coulson’s personality and strengths, however, were too vital and his “resurrection” to lead on Agents of SHIELD is a damn good show of it.

4. Castiel on Supernatural – Misha Collins portrays this fantastic character who came in as a supporting player for a short-term ARC in the fourth season of the long- running monster hunting show and he returned again and again. While the Winchesters remain the leads, Castiel has his own fans and is a lead in his own tales, too.

5. Spike on Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Love’s original bitch showed up as a villain in the second season and, even then, he was supposed to be second fiddle to Angelus. By the series end, he was not only a leading man who’d turned a Slayer’s head (with love instead of a neck twist to break her neck) and a hero who helped save them all.

Giveaway

Breakout supporting characters are the best! Do you have a favorite? Leave a comment below for a chance for to receive your choice of an eBook from my backlist. 3 winners; Open internationally.

About Heather Long

National bestselling author, Heather Long, likes long walks in the park, science fiction, superheroes, Marines, and men who aren’t douche bags. Her books are filled with heroes and heroines tangled in romance as hot as Texas summertime. From paranormal historical westerns to contemporary military romance, Heather might switch genres, but one thing is true in all of her stories—her characters drive the books. When she’s not wrangling her menagerie of animals, she devotes her time to family and friends she considers family. She believes if you like your heroes so real you could lick the grit off their chest, and your heroines so likable, you’re sure you’ve been friends with women just like them, you’ll enjoy her worlds as much as she does.

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About SINGLE WICKED WOLF

He's single, wicked, and a perfect pretend boyfriend...but exactly who is she fooling?

Murphy DeWitt enjoyed two years touring American consulates in Europe as an assistant to a diplomatic attaché. It was a dream come true, and a hell of a learning experience. A master of languages, she knows how to get her point across. Romance, however, proves to be a tongue twister. Now en route to Willow Bend for a friend's wedding--without the make- believe boyfriend she created for her family--she debates how to confess her deception. Luckily, her flight includes a fantastically hot wolf that leaves her breathless and contemplating all kinds of naughty things.

Giovanni Conti thrives on protecting others. As a Centurion for the Seven Hills pack in Italy, it's his pleasure to serve his Alpha wherever he is needed. Dispatched ahead in preparation for the Alpha pair's trip to Willow Bend, he has no problem entertaining the sexy wolf he encounters in the airport. The last thing the playboy wolf expects, however, is to find in Murphy the most captivating chase of his life...