It seems romance readers (and writers) never tire of discussing the big, bad, alpha male. Last week's discussion at Romancing The Blog is worth a read. Warning: strong opinions abound and varied definitions of "alpha" abound. Read through to the end of the comments to get the full scope.

As for myself: I define "alpha" as first and foremost, the leader, the one other men want to be, the one women simply want...because of his charisma and larger-than-life presence and dynamic get-things-done attitude. Sure, there's an element of arrogance in this, but it's well-earned. He knows he's the best at whatever he does, but he doesn't have to advertise the fact. In a classic case of show, don't tell, it's there for all to see in his actions.

And, yeah, I don't normally attach "big and bad" to my vision of the alpha hero, but then I'm not writing the warrior alpha or the rakehell hero or even the bad boy alpha. They do come in so many different flavours, praise the Lord.

In a similar vein, Yvonne Lindsay talks about the eye-catching "bearing" that draws eyes whenever this man enters a room. That's what I'm currently trying to get across with Ric Perrini, take-charge hero in Vows and a Vengeful Groom. He doesn't see himself as vengeful, by the way (and nor do I.) Kimberley Blackstone, however, does not agree.

Best get back to my sparring soon-to-be lovers. They have a looonnngggg way to go before reaching a lasting agreement.

Labels: romance heroes, Vows and a Vengeful Groom

I'm hard at work on a book due all too soon. In the meantime, I'll post some amusing stuff that has tickled my funny bone recently. This is an extract from "The Irish Medical Dictionary". Corny, but fun.

Artery.........The study of paintings

Bacteria.......Back door to a cafeteria

Barium.........What doctors do when patients die

Benign.........What you be after you be eight

Caesarean Section..........A neighbourhood in Rome

Catscan........Searching for Kitty

Cauterize......Made eye contact with her

Coma...........A punctuation mark

Dilate.........To live long

Enema..........Not a friend

Fester.........Quicker than someone else

Fibula.........A small lie

Impotent.......Distinguished, well known

Labour pain....Getting hurt at work

Medical staff..A Doctor's cane

Morbid.........A higher offer

Nitrates.......Cheaper than day rates

Node...........I knew it

Outpatient.....A person who has fainted

Pelvis.........Second cousin to Elvis

Recovery room..Place to do upholstery

Rectum.........Nearly killed him

Secretion......Hiding something

Seizure........Roman emperor

Tablet.........A small table

Tumour.........One plus one more

Urine.. .......Opposite of you're out

2 x Condoms....To be sure, To be sure

Labels: fun stuff

The annual poll to find the best romance novel covers of the past year is now open for voting. This is the one previously hosted by All About Romance but which now has its own dedicated site. It's always fun to see which covers the committee has chosen as finalists, how many I agree are fabulous and how many do nothing for me. Voting closes May 11. I tried to vote but for some reason am getting error messages. Hope you have more luck!

Labels: contest, covers, poll

Titles are SO not my thing. From 10 books this far (not counting the continuities, which are titled by editors from the start), only one of my original titles was used. I guess 10% isn't so bad, but I swear that percentage will drop the longer I'm writing. So, when Denise Rosetti posted this Titles Scorer, I was there! And according to Lulu, the title I'm currently writing -- VOWS AND A VENGEFUL GROOM -- has a slightly less than even money (50%) chance of being a bestseller. But then I'm pretty sure this scorer is set up to evaluate titles for the mainstream/single title market rather than category romances, and I know the odds of THAT degree of bestsellerdom is zero. I'm really loving writing this book (although it's way difficult, with loads of research) and I know it'll do just fine in the category market. But the title scorer was a fun diversion. Try it out and see how your title -- or one of your favourite titles -- rates.

A little late for Easter, but I reckon this Peep Show can be enjoyed all year round. Thanks for the link, Jen!

Labels: Easter, fun stuff

This post is thanks to Keziah Hill who blogged her top 13 romance heroes last week. This got me thinking about my favourites and sent me browsing through my keeper shelf. A week later and I've managed to whittle my intial list down to a tidy twelve. I'd aimed for ten, but I just can't scythe off any more.

So, in alphabetical order I bring you...

1. Cameron Quinn
2. Elvis Donnelly
3. Jamie Fraser
4. Lazlo Henriques
5. Mick Tremore
6. Roarke
7. Rupert Carsington
8. Sam Stark
9. The Marquis of Vidal
10. Tynan Spenser
11. Wolf McKenzie
12. Wyatt Bloodworth

How many do you recognise? (Not from the picture, that's just for decoration.) And who is missing from my list? Who is your favourite romance hero.

Labels: romance heroes

After five years as a Harlequin author I still get quite a kick out of each and every foreign translation I receive. In today's mail I received 3 new Scandinavian editions, including my first 3-in-1's. I love firsts, don't you? And I also love this cover treatment, with the curtain and the kiss, although the heroine looks more like Emily from A Tempting Engagement than Jillian from Just A Taste. Anyway, one of 3-in-1s has glittery gold hearts sprinkled on the cover and they catch the light as you move the book. Pretty.


The one with the glittery stars is Finnish, the other pair appear to be Swedish. I'm smiling at the titles. Mine is Sex, Logner...Och Vin. Not sure about the Logner, but I think I understand the Sex and Vin part without any translation. :-) The second book is Sheri Whitefeather's Cherokeee Stranger, although in Swedish he is apparently a Ratt Man. Can someone tell me what that really translates as? I am intrigued.

Labels: foreign translations, Harlequin, Just A Taste

Religious beliefs aside, what is the Easter weekend to you? Here in Australia it marks the start of school holidays (2 weeks), the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the autumn racing carnival, and a four-day weekend which sees most Aussies either immersed in family foodfests or camping. That long weekend paired with the weather--still early-autumn warm days, but with crisp nights that are perfect for campfires--has turned Easter into a massively popular time for camping in the land of Oz.

Myself, I've never been the camping type. Who was it who said something along the lines of: the only stars I camp under are the five-star variety? Well, that describes me, pretty much. Not because I don't like the outdoors--I do!-- but from what I've observed camping involves a lot of work, in preparation, in cooking over said fire (I cook every night at home; holidays for me involve NOT cooking), and in packing up and cleaning everything on return home.

That said, I admit to camping on the outback safari we did a couple of years back. That was pure necessity and we had guide-people who did the cooking and everything was supplied, pretty much, so I guess it was camping for cheats. And I must admit I loved the company and the conversations around the campfire, so maybe I should give it a try again.

Labels: Australian life, holidays

Access Romance is hosting a fabulous chance to win a whole stack of fabulous books. If you haven't entered yet, go hither and try your luck.

Labels: Access Romance, contest, win books