My First Vampire Heroine
Over the course of my writing career, I've written different sorts of heroines. Some have been human, some werewolf, and some...well, I guess I'll go with "supernatural mutt" to describe them. All of them have been capable and strong, since weakness is my biggest pet peeve in a heroine. But with the release of Shadow Rising, the newest book in my Dark Dynasties series, I've written a heroine who differs from the rest in a couple of important ways.
Ariane is a vampire. But more importantly, she carries an arsenal of swords and daggers, and she knows how to use them.
Okay, so probably my excitement over the sword thing has a lot to do with the fantasy geek inside me. Still, I've never written a heroine who carried weaponry. And with Ariane, the scimitar she wields is a lot like her—beautiful, old-fashioned, and extremely dangerous. She's a woman out of time, leaping into the modern world after almost a thousand years hidden away in the desert compound of her bloodline, the Grigori. Despite her age and unusual background, I found her weirdly easy to relate to. Ariane might be old in number of years lived, but in so many ways, she's young. Her hero, Damien, likens her at one point to a fairy tale princess (this disgruntles him, but you'd have to know Damien). I suppose Ariane does have that fairy tale quality to her, with her ethereal looks and relative innocence. But Cinderella wouldn't have dreamed of chasing Prince Charming with a sword, and...well, let's just say that Ariane has no such reservations!
Ariane needed to be unusual because, honestly, there aren't many women who could handle her hero. Damien Tremaine is...a jerk. He's an immortal assassin with a sharp tongue whose main concern is saving his own skin. A human couldn't have survived his lifestyle, and a normal vampire wouldn't have interested him, even if she'd been inclined to try and deal with his multiple issues. But Ariane's openness and lack of cynicism allow her to see Damien in a way that no one else does. Her resilience, honed by years of being hidden away and told she was without value, gives her a high tolerance for his particular brand of BS. And her skill with weapons allows her to hold her own at Damien's side in battle. She is, in short, perfect for him. And watching the sparks fly as each of them struggled with this was one of the best parts of writing this book.
I hope you'll check out my sword-wielding heroine in Shadow Rising! I have a signed copy to give away to one commenter today, so please be sure to say hello. I'll be hanging out here all day! So tell me, what are your favorite qualities in a heroine?
Thanks so much to Stephanie and Athenna for having me here today to celebrate my new release!
Kendra Leigh Castle is the author of the Dark Dynasties series, as well as several other paranormal romances. She lives in Maryland with her husband, three kids, and menagerie of pets. Kendra can be found at http://www.kendraleighcastle.com/, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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35 Comments:
Hi Kendra :)
I am so excited that SHADOW RISING is finally here!!! I have been dying to see who you paired Damien to :) Ariane sounds perfect for him, lol.
But to answer your question, I want a heroine that can handle her own. I can handle the occasional time she needs some help, but I can't stand to read a book that portrays a heroine as someone that cannot help herself in the world; that if she didn't have the hero, she would just shrivel up and die, BORING!!! I want a heroine to be tough, that can help her man in situations and occasionally lean on him. Key word "occasionally" :)
I do have one question, any word when IMMORTAL CRAVING will be out? Yes I'm such a fan of yours that I need to know how long I will have to wait to be able to read another one of your books :)
My favourite qualities in a heroine is her strength, not just physical but emotional. I need them to be strong or at least see them grow into some strength through conflict.
Hi Kendra :)
I prefer heroine who can stand in her own feet, strong, say not sorry when someone disagree with her, but not too bitchy. Oh and she's definitely not TSTL and some kind of damsel in distress, lol!
Thanks for the giveaway :)
A heroine has to be strong and capable, sure she can accept help, but she can also safe herself and her friends. I like it when she is witty/snarky and has special abilities. Of course weapons are great!
I like heroines that are independent, tough, and snarky. Snarkiness is a must!
Hi Michele! Aw, thank you! *blushes* I definitely can't deal with weak heroines. I want her to wind up as a partner to her man, not as a dependent. Immortal Craving comes out I BELIEVE January 29 (last Tuesday of the month, and it's technically a February release...publishing is weird). I'm glad you're excited for it!
Hi Patricia! I totally agree. I always want inner strength and growth. In this book, Ariane definitely finds out that she's stronger than she thinks.
Hi Ren! Omg, the TSTL heroine. Yeah, I try to avoid that! I think we've all read heroines who were tough to like because they crossed into "bitchy," though everyone has a different threshhold. I don't like to read outright abrasive heroines either. I firmly believe you can be likeable and still kick butt! In fact, strong, snarky female characters are some of my favorites to write. They don't have to be perfect...I just want to feel like "This is someone I'd have fun hanging out with."
Aurian, I agree with all of that! Like I said, this is my first sword-wielding heroine, and it was a fun thing to play with. Plus, she needed it. When dealing with Damien, at least in the beginning, it's generally best to be armed:)
Hi Molly! Yes, definitely. I get very bored if there's no snark going on:)
I love a heroine with spunk and sass, not impressed with a push over, and i love to see the Hero and heroine being equal in capability. Sure, i like being catched if i swoon, but it´s nice to know i can take care of myself, also =)
Happy Thursday!
//Linda
I like the heroine to have confidence, mad skill with weapons or her body and able to hold her own with the hero. A little sass and spunk too.
I like a heroine who isn't afraid to kick some butt. I hate for the heroine to be really wimpy. I love when they can actually take care of themselves.
Strength of character and who loves deeply. Same as my hero. :D Snark is totally bonus!
Hi Linda! Yep, that's what I like too...it should be a match of equals. Their strengths and weaknesses should compliment one another.
Laurie, me too!
Danni T, I definitely agree...she should always be able to handle life on her own.
Melissa, YES, snark is always the cherry on top for me!:)
Congratulations on the new release. I am so excited that SHADOW RISING is finaly here!
I like a heroine who is strong (physically and mentally). I don't want her to fall apart over some silly idiotic thing. Strength, to me, is knowing when you need to ask/accept help when you need it. She should be able to laugh and feel all emotions.
Courage, patience. It takes a lot sometimes to speak your mind or do the things you want to do without concerning yourself with others thoughts.
The heroine has to be able to take charge, take care of herself and know when to give in!!!
The heroine needs to be intelligent, witty,and able to take care of herself.
I prefer my heroines to be strong willed and able to fight and kick butt.A snarky sense of humor is a must.
Srong, sense of humor, caring, able to fight for what they believe and love, and able to give when needed.
Kimberley, thanks! I'm really excited that it's out:) Love your thoughts on a great heroine...I couldn't agree more.
wade2121, definitely. Even if a heroine isn't carrying daggers or growing claws and fangs, she should be courageous in her own way.
Diane, I agree! One of the fun things about writing Ariane and Damien was dealing with the push/pull of polar opposites. Each had to learn when to give and when to stand their ground.
Marlene, absolutely:)
Wanda, that's my preferred kind of heroine as well!
donnas, totally...love strong heroines. I wouldn't have them any other way!
I like heroines. I like strong, indepent heroines but with flaws, not perfect. I can't wait to read this book. I love your series!
She has to be smart, snarky, with the ability to kick ass and take names. She has to shake off the pain (physical and verbal) and just get the job done.
strong and smart, not overly emotional and know when she must ask for help.
My favorite qualities in a heroine are someone who is intelligent, witty, independent and can hold her own against an alpha male.
Smart and Strong! A kick butt character! (ileana-rafflecopter)
My favorite heroines aren't necessarily physically tough, although that's good too, but they have to be mentally tough, and have that attitude where they never give up, no matter how bad the situation looks (my favs are Patricia Brigg's heroines, Mercy and Anna).
I like my heroines to be intelligent with strength of character; who's not judgmental or blindly stubborn. Kick ass always works too!
I love a heroine, That is not always crying and whining, but is Strong and maybe a little naughty and sarcastic. Thx for giveaway.
blinkysthebest at aol dot com
I want a heroine who is feminine but strong and not whiny. I need one who undersyands his man and doesn't say she will understand and then go and do an absolutely stupid thing and betray her man either physivally or emotionally. sdylion(at)gmail (dot)com
I love heroines who are strong and can handle whatever life throws at them. They should not hesitate to jump in and fight when needed but should have the intelligence to try to solve problems without first jumping to blood shed. She should not allow anyone to push her around but should listen to others and accept help when needed.
I need a heroine to be intelligent, witty, capable & courageous.
My favorite qualities in a heroine would have to be confident, a little feisty, intelligent and brave. I don't like heroines, who are afraid of their own shadow or who over analyze everything to death. If there is a danger that the hero knows more about than the heroine, and the hero tells her not to do something really foolish, I expect her to do what he says and not huff at him thinking he's trying to be controlling. It's a definite plus if they can fight as well, or at least protect themselves. I think I really like the sound of your sword and dagger wielding heroine :)
Thank you for the chance to win one of your books.
msromanticreads(at)gmail(dot)com
I love emotionally strong heroines who can hold their own in a fight, loyal to their friends, family and mates, but can also be vulnerable enough to let their men in. :)
Ariane sounds like a great heroine. I don't usually like naive ones, but it seems understandable with her being sheltered for so long. Thank you for the chance to read it. It sounds like an awesome one. ;)
I love brave, resourceful heroines that are intelligent and have a wicked sense of humour.
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