Sunday, July 1, 2012

Celebrating Independence Blog Hop July 1-4

In honor of Independence Day in the United States, we're hopping about independence and what it means to us, so make sure you hop around to the other blogs to see what's being said in celebration of independence. (Celebrating Independence Blog Hop Blogger List and Details)

Raise your hand if you like needy, dependent types. Any takers? I didn't think so. Ironically, we are drawn to those who are independent and don't "need" us, aren't we? We usually want to be a part of an independent person's life, don't we?

Well, it's the same thing when it comes to book characters. Think about the characters we are most drawn to in the books we read. Do we like the pathetic leech who won't go away, or do we like the Wraths and Frodos of the literary world? We cheer for the independent hero, don't we? We want to be him or her, or we want to be their friend. But we want nothing to do with the hovering life-suckers who simply won't go away. As an author, I have to keep that in mind and give that type of character to my readers.

I write about strong alpha males and feisty females, all of whom run the gamut of being moderately to fiercely independent. I received a ton of compliments on my female protagonist, Samantha Garrett, in my debut novel, Rise of the Fallen, for this very reason. Readers said they liked that she was tough but feminine and that she didn't fall into the stereotype of a female character being weaker than (and dependent on) her male counterpart. They liked that she had a bit of bad-ass in her and carried a Beretta (and knew how to use it). They liked that she didn't take any shit from Micah (the male protagonist) and dished out as much as she took. Sam is a spunky, smart, strong-minded, and independent character, and it showed on the page. She doesn't need Micah to define who she is. She stands just fine on her own. But the two of them together are just POW! awesome! They set the pages on fire with their verbal sparring and sassy give-and-take, and she makes a perfect compliment to Alpha-dominant Micah.

Feel free to check out my books sometime, but in the meantime, hop around and enter to win some prizes from all us independently-minded blog hoppers. And for those suffering in drought this Fourth of July, stay safe and keep the fireworks for a later time. It's not worth the fire hazard, as those in Colorado and Utah can attest to right now.

My Prize:
A $10 Amazon gift card and free copy of my ebook, Rise of the Fallen (if you already have Rise of the Fallen, I'll mark you down for a free copy of Micah's Calling when it comes out).



Contest starts Sunday, July 1, 2012, and ends Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at midnight.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

27 comments:

  1. Another book about Micah!!! *sigh* anybody that follows your feeds knows how I feel about that. He is the most handsome,tender,touching tuff guy I ever read. Yes Sam, I am in love. But it is from a distance, so no problem lol. Another subject, I'm getting the shakes a little bit over this B&N thing with The Arms of Winter. Just so you know.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL. Micah, Micah, Micah. :) We love our Micah around here. And don't worry, The Arms of Winter will be available soon.

      Delete
  2. An Angel, Me & Demon sandwich! There would be nothing better ;)

    Rise of the Fallen sounds wonderfully exciting & right up my alley. Can't wait to read!

    Alyssa

    ReplyDelete
  3. Definitely team demon!
    Yvette
    yratpatrol@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I like them both, but I prefer demons, especially those with a bit of a soft side. I particularly like Al from Kim Harrison's Hallows series

    snhoveln AT gmail DOT com

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  5. i haven't read any of your books yet but they look good and i'd vote for team demon

    laurie

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I prefer angels. Just love those wings.

    mythic021@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Both. There is some angel & some demon in all of us. Why not enjoy both sides.

    wolphcall(at)bellsouth(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  8. Both. I like a bad boy, but I don't want anyone eating my organs. At the same time, someone that's a goody-goody all the time might get annoying real fast.

    HarperKingsley0.0 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Fallen angel...I like a nice boy with a naughty side :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. An angel because of their wings.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Depends on the angel or demon. I'd be much more selective with my demons just to be careful, but I love angels cause of the wings. I think a winged fallen angel is just uber sexy.

    tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Snuggle with an angel.

    Jess1

    strive4bst at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  13. LOL. I'm such a ding-dong. I forgot to change the comment question on my rafflecopter insert, didn't I?

    ReplyDelete
  14. I have fixed the rafflecopter question, but all comments will count. :) Sorry for the boo-boo.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think independence is the freedom to make ones own mistakes.
    Thanks for participating in the hop! Happy 4th!
    OceanAkers @ aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. independance = freedom for me to be me (which ever me ;) I want to be at that time) & for you to be you

    already read both AKM books & am looking forward to the next ones :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Freedom to be myself, love who I want to love,and read what I want to read.

    Caity_mack@yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I haven't read your books but that is what I like about these hops, finding new (to me) authors.

    ReplyDelete
  19. In a personal sense Independence means that I can make it on my own if I want or have to. In a broader sense I see it as being free to choose... whatever I choose! Thanks, Michelle

    chellebee66 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. To me independence is being able to love where I choose, how I choose, and with whomever I choose.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks so much! I love watching the fireworks with the kids! They get so excited!!! Indendence means I get to have more rights than some women in other countries

    forettarose@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. Independence means to me, our forefathers fought for us to have the freedoms we have today, freedom of speech, freedom of religion .

    vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. It means I can disagree with my government without fear of being jailed. We can protest without fear.

    geishasmom73 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Independence means being self sufficient and having the freedom to rely on myself...or not.

    penumbrareads(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. Everything! The ablility to make your own way in the world without fear is wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Going to the lake for a cookout and swimming is one of my favorite things to do. Thanks for the contest!!!!

    evelynmoly@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete