Thursday, February 4, 2016

Unconventional Heroines



I came across an article where a few readers complained that most of the romance heroines are in their mid-twenties, fresh out of colleges, or running away from their homes or difficult past, and working low-paying jobs while trying to earn their way to college. Some have a child they are trying to raise without the missing father. These readers wanted to discover unconventional heroines.

Are my heroines unconventional? They are career women who graduated with advanced degrees and dedicated themselves to build a reliable future. Ranging between twenty-eight and thirty-five, they are fiercely independent and struggle with different problems while trying to succeed in life. 
Several are doctors—pediatricians, psychiatrists, neonatologists—exposed to life and death situations every day, or scientists, architects and engineers competing in a man’s world, reporters and fashion designers who travel a lot. They represent the modern woman that many teenagers want to become.
Although they are attractive women, they count on their brains more than their looks. When they meet their special men, they allow their tender side to surface. 

I have one exception, Barbara, the fifty-five-years-old heroine of Mother’s Day Babies. She never went to college and raised five daughters, all grownup and successful career women. Barbara is the American Mother, the loving young grandmother, who finds her own romance and convinces women that love is available at every age.
 
 
Who are the men who love my strong-headed heroines?
They are doctors, lawyers, engineers who do not feel threatened by the personality and success of the women they love. These heroes are smart enough to share the decision making with their heroines, and they are not afraid to show a soft side from time to time.

Who are your heroines?





As Valentine’s Day is nearing, I will introduce you to my Valentine Babies heroine, Roxanne, a fearless reporter who doesn’t think twice before traveling for important assignments, even in a war zone. But her last trip led to a life-altering mistake.
Getting involved with the strong-headed and too generous reporter involves more complications than Dr. Greg Hayes faces in the OR. Yet what wouldn’t he do to save the love of his life and her baby?





May I remind you of the Sweet Romance Reads Valentine’s Day Party being held at our Sweet Romance Reads Cafe on Facebook. The authors will be available all afternoon and into the early evening, from 2 to 8 PM (Eastern Time), on Friday, February 12th. There will be games, prizes, giveaways, and more! Please come join in the fun!

9 comments:

  1. I read a really sweet story about a couple in their 50s and enjoyed it so much! They both had kids in their 20s. I'm open to all kinds and ages of h/h

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    1. I know so many women in their fifties who look like thirty or forty!

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  2. I love unconventional heroines. I have one story about a widow who finds love again in her fifties. Love comes in all shapes, sizes and ages!

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    1. Forget the birth certificate. It's how you look and act that give your age.

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  3. Replies
    1. Me too, Merrilee. I write what I see around me. Women in their thirties are now looking younger than I did at twenties. They work or study, raise children, exercise, eat healthy and find time to socialize!!!

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  4. Unconventional and strong heroines are great. So much more fun to read than tried and true.

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    1. Unconventional and strong, and yet realistic and appealing.

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  5. My heroines are strong, successful women, who have gone through difficult times to emerge determined to make it on their own.

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