posted on August 1, 2013 by Susan Kearney

Alpha , non-PC and Kick-Ass Heroines

the challenge belle books (2)I like to write controversial books.  Hot books.  Futuristic romance  books. Ok, if I haven’t lost your interest already, you’re probably my kind of reader.

In romance, if you want to write for a huge publisher, for the most part, we’re mostly taught to write politically correct heroines. (There are exceptions) That means publishers want to buy  books that  don’t offend readers. But in THE CHALLENGE, I created a heroine who was an expert in martial arts, a woman who could adapt to any situation. She knew how to be strong—even if that meant sometimes giving in to an alien who came from a different culture. He wasn’t an Earthman—why would he act like one?

the dare belle booksAnd the sex—yes that was controversial too.  This book was not for everyone. It deals with subjects that simply are not acceptable to modern-day women. But it was a blast to write. And it was fun watching two alpha characters, fight, learn from one another, and eventually fall in love.  I had to wait ten years to sell the book, so while THE CHALLENGE was the first book I ever wrote, it was the twenty-third book I published.

And yeah, despite the ( I hate it/I love it) controversy, it appealed to enough readers that I got to write the 4-book Rystani Warrior Series.

the ultimatum belle books finalIn book 2, THE DARE, the heroine was a three-hundred year old computer who falls in love with a man and wants a body so she can have sex.  But it was her humanity that shocked me. Learning to be human is a subject I’d never written about before.  Because being human and allowing oneself to love and be loved means Dora had to be vulnerable—and that took guts!

In THE ULTIMATUM, my heroine comes from an alien world where the women must make love to stay alive—their biology requires it. And while my heroine scientist is searching for a cure to break this biological necessity, she’s kidnapped by a Rystani warrior who needs her expertise. Not exactly a conventional heroine here, either—but while the story takes them across the galaxy, it’s what happens inside their hearts that kept my interest while I was writing.

the quest belle books finalTHE QUEST is one of my all-time favorite books. The hero has one of the most powerful minds in the galaxy, but he’s been hurt.  Of course I had to match him with a very special woman. And while I don’t want to give away why she’s so special, she’s more than up for dealing with the hero.

The books don’t have to be read in order, and the first three books in the Rystani Warrior Series are now available in print and e-book formats.  The last book is due out Aug. 15th.  If you’d like to contact me or learn about more of my work, you can find me at www.susankearney.com.

Susan Kearney

Susan Kearney

Susan Kearney used to light herself on fire four times a day. Now she does something really hot — she writes romantic suspense for Harlequin Intrigue.

While she hasn't performed her signature "fire" dive from a 10-meter platform in years, she started diving at age 10. By age 12, she'd won the New Jersey State Championship, and by college, she was a three-time All-American Diver.

While attending the University of Michigan, she earned a business degree that led to her diverse careers as, variously, a partner in a barter business, a real estate appraiser, a mover and renovator of houses, and a once- owner of three hair salons. Finally, in 1995, she sold her first book and became a full-time writer. She's currently plotting her way through her 30th novel.

Of all her careers, her favorite is wife and mother. She married her teenage sweetheart and lives with her husband, two children, and Boston terrier in sunny Florida. She now beats the heat not by diving into cold water, but with her new hobby — figure skating. Susan also enjoys writing science fiction, screenwriting, boating, and traveling to foreign countries.

http://www.susankearney.com

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