 Theresa Romain Surrenders to the Bandits! Posted by Anna Campbell Oct 3 2012, 12:01 am
I’m delighted to bring to the lair as my guest today historical romance author Theresa Romain. Theresa visited us last year to tell us about her debut romance SEASON FOR TEMPTATION, which caused a lot of buzz in romancelandia. Now she’s released her second Regency romance SEASON FOR SURRENDER. Here’s the blurb: HONOR AMONG ROGUES Alexander Edgware, Lord Xavier, has quite a reputation—for daring, wagering, and wickedness in all its delightful forms. But the wager before him is hardly his preferred sport: Xavier must persuade a proper young lady to attend his famously naughty Christmas house party—and stay the full, ruinous two weeks. Worse, the lady is Louisa Oliver, a doe-eyed bookworm Xavier finds quite charming. Yet to refuse the challenge is impossible—he will simply have to appoint himself Miss Oliver’s protector… MISCHIEF AMONG MISSES Louisa knows her chance for a husband has passed. But she has no desire to retire into spinsterhood without enjoying a few grand adventures first. When Lord Xavier’s invitation arrives, Louisa is more intrigued than insulted. And once inside the rogues’ gallery, she just may have a thing or two to teach her gentlemen friends about daring… You can find out more about Theresa and her books at her website: http://theresaromain.com Theresa loves talking to readers on social media. You can find her on Facebook here: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorTheresaRomain And her Twitter handle is @TheresaRomain
Anna, thank you so much for hosting me! The Lair is looking lovely. SEASON FOR SURRENDER is a Regency-set story that takes place during the Christmas season. A rake and a bluestocking meet at a scandalous house party—except they’re not really a rake and a bluestocking, and the house party isn’t what either of them expect. I am tricky like that. Sounds intriguing! What were the inspirations behind this book? It was very much inspired by the personalities of the characters. Both Louisa and Alex appeared in my romance debut, SEASON FOR TEMPTATION. In that story, Louisa breaks an engagement as a result of her extreme shyness, and Alex takes the blame for spreading the resulting scandal all over London. So he seems like a villain, the last person in the world she would ever wind up with. I took it as a challenge to turn both Alex and Louisa into characters who were more than they seemed, and who had enough in common that their romance would be believable. Out of that grew a plot in which Alex gets himself in trouble with a wager involving Louisa. When she finds out about it, rather than being offended, she turns it on its head. Their sparring soon turns into a friendship neither expected, and that—of course!—turns into romance.
Yay, I can’t wait to read your bookworm heroine! Aren’t they fun? I think their appeal comes in part from sharing a love of books with the reader himself/herself. As a reader, I feel I can relate to a character who likes to settle down with a good story more than I can relate to, say, a werewolf. (On most days.) That being said, just reading about reading isn’t enough to carry a story. A bookworm character’s other qualities are what make the story come alive. They’re often curious, intelligent, and passionate about their interests. Those—as much as the love of books—are qualities I admire in characters and enjoy reading about. And as it turns out, they’re fun to write, too. Does SEASON FOR SURRENDER link back to your popular debut SEASON FOR TEMPTATION? Yes, the two stories have some connected characters—not just Louisa and Alex, but secondary characters like outspoken Lady Irving or babbling Freddie Pellington. But each story stands on its own; you can follow one without having read the other. What’s next for you? Thanks for asking! I’m working on a story for a character you’ll meet in SEASON FOR SURRENDER: Alex’s cousin, Jane. And I have a few other secret projects hiding under my hat; I hope to share them soon.
My guess is that it’s all in the writing. Movies made from the mid-1930s into the 1960s were pretty restricted in terms of content—no long kisses, no direct references to sex, things like that. So writers and directors got very creative with the way stories were presented. There’s lots of wordplay and subtext and sneaky ways to bend the rules. Historical romance writers and readers can appreciate this kind of storytelling, because we’re used to stories that work within rules too. There are things a Regency heroine can and cannot do, for example. And those rules of behavior can shape the stories that we tell and that we enjoy. Some of my favorite classic films are Alfred Hitchcock’s suspense films (especially REAR WINDOW which always creeps me out) and screwball comedies with great roles for women. BRINGING UP BABY, THE AWFUL TRUTH and BALL OF FIRE are all hilarious. Theresa, do you have a question for the Bandits and Bandita buddies to get conversation going? Anna, thanks again for hosting me, and for asking such fantastic questions. And now I’ve got a question for you, readers. Anna got me thinking about my favorite stories with her questions about the appeal of bookworm characters and classic movies. I’d like to know: what makes a book or movie especially appealing to you? Are you fond of certain plot devices or historical time periods, or do you have favorite types of heroes and heroines? Do tell!
Posted in Anna Campbell, Bandita Booty, historical romance, interviews, Regency romance, Season for Surrender, Season for Temptation, Theresa Romain, writing life Comments107 thoughts on “Theresa Romain Surrenders to the Bandits!” |
  
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Ooh, can’t wait to hear! I know we share a mutual love for the movies made during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Why do you think these films continue to cast such a strong spell on viewers? Would you like to share some of your favorites with us? 
There has to be a real storyline for me….how did they meet, what were the feelings, etc. I certainly like the hot and juicy parts, but I prefer it when they get to know each other first, not on page 5 or 6.
Congrats on the GR, Sheila! I’m sure you’ll have the chance to get to know each other today
Sheila, I’ve actually read books where they got and heavy in the first few pages and it can work – of course, it’s that constant proviso with books, it depends on the story! Congrats on winning the Golden Rooster for the first comment of the day!
Hey Sheila! I’m so with you on that! Like Anna says, it CAN work, but most of the time, for me, it doesn’t. Grins. I tend to like the slow fall, the sudden realization that, OOOPS! I’m in love with the guy I never thought I’d be in love with….
Yep. Love that!
Grins. Congrats on nabbing the Golden Rooster!
Sheila, I agree–watching characters fall in love is what makes me enjoy reading romance! In my favorite stories, the sexytimes have importance for the plot or character–often making the relationship MORE complicated.
Hi, Theresa! Congrats on Season for Surrender! How lovely to have a holiday story to look forward to
As for plot devices, types of heroines/heroines… I do admit I have a few favorites–I like the friends to lovers story, and also the plain-Jane wins the hero (especially when there is NOT a magical transformation revealing her beauty involved). As for heroines and heroes, I do have a fondness for ones with obvious faults–not the truly irritating ones like whining or stupidity, but where they are rather ordinary folks, not raving beauties, and maybe they’re shy or bookish and awkward and not always knowing what to say in social situations… It’s fun to see those characters come out of their shells and find a match with someone who appreciates their strengths 
Fedora, what a lovely list. I’m pretty much a sucker for most tropes in romance. I love enemies into romance and honor versus love and forbidden love and the slow seduction through pleasure into love and… Yep, pretty much anything goes for me!
Oooh, Fedora, you put in such a good list! So did you, Anna!
I love them all…
Fedora, what a great list. I’d happily read any of those stories! I’m with you; I like when the plain gal wins the hero because he falls in love with her from the inside out (so to speak).
Anna, you added some lovely story tropes too! This comment thread is making me want to grab a big cup of coffee and spend the day reading.
Congrats on the new release, Theresa. I adore brainy heroines. Sometimes it’s hard for me to pinpoint why a movie or book works for me and totally fail for someone else. Screwball comedies are the best. I especially love those starring Carole Lombard.
Jane, Carole Lombard was wonderful, wasn’t she? Such a tragedy that she died so young.
Jane–you’re so right, sometimes we can’t put a finger on what makes a story work (or not work) for us. But when we find stories that do…magic. Glad to find another fan of screwball comedies! Carole Lombard was such a talented comedienne. I loved her in To Be or Not To Be (her last movie), especially. What’s your favorite of her films?
It really depends on how well the author has written the story to make me be able to feel the connection between the characters & make them come alive & me rooting for them. Having said that when I’ read the book blurb if it says bluestocking heroine, healer or dragons (i love fantasy) that’ll guarantee to make to take a 2nd look! I love intelligent hero/heroines & also the honorable hero type.
Linda, I”m currently writing a bluestocking heroine for my second Sons of Sin book and I’m having such fun with her. Love dealing with clever characters!
Linda, yes! I’ve got those key phrases too. “Bluestocking heroine”–or hero!–will always catch my eye. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen as many scholarly heroes as heroines. Miranda Neville has written a great series about book-collecting characters (mostly men, though one woman too), which was SO much fun.
I love those books of Miranda’s! Especially THE DANGEROUS VISCOUNT.
I too LOVE old movies! TCM is my favorite channel! I like all sorts of movies, from GASLIGHT (one of the scarest movies, IMO ever made and not a drop of blood!), to THE LONG TRAILOR, with Lucy and Desi. Some of my favorites are anything with the great Katherine Hepburn, specially when she’s teamed with Spencer and absolutely anything with Cary Grant. Ahhhhh Cary Grant…
Amy, I’m with you on Cary Grant! Wow, what a leading man. And he was a leading man for so long too! In my family, Gaslight was a favorite and we used to joke about ‘gaslighting’ each other. Eeeeeeek!
You’ve hit it dead on, Amy! Isn’t Gaslight scary? It’s one of the best, and as you say, nary a drop of blood!
*shiver!*
Amy, great choices! Gaslight is so suspenseful–I love it. I got my husband to watch it with me once and I think it got under his skin more than he cared to admit.
Yay for Kate and Cary! Have you seen Bringing Up Baby? I have a lobby card from that movie (just a reproduction, alas) on my office wall. It always makes me smile.
Congrats on the new release Theresa!
I love rakes and bookworms but my favourites are beauty and the beast stories. I love discovering the beast’s soft gooey centre.
So of course I loved Seven Nights in a Rogues Bed. Looking forward to reading Season for Surrender soon.
Hey, Beebs, what a lovely thing to say. Thank you so much for mentioning Rogue. I’m a goner for a Beauty and the Beast story too (but you kinda knew that, didn’t you?).
See, I KNEW I wouldn’t get in the first mention of my beloved Beauty and the Beast stories! This is one of my all time favorite themes. :>
Must be why I’m still most fond of Anna’s Matthew. Grins.
Oh yes! Loved Matthew too, haven’t finished Anna’s backlist yet, but I’ve loved the books I’ve read.
Hey, thanks, Beebs! Actually Matthew wasn’t a very beastly beast in the long run! Definitely a sweet man!
Matthew waves back! Thanks, Duchesse!
Hi, Beebs! Yes, there’s something about finding the inner beauty in someone who seems so rough, isn’t there? I like these stories too. Some of my favorites are Judith Ivory’s Beast and Eloisa James’s When Beauty Tamed the Beast–and I’m loving Anna’s new book, too. Jonas is hiding such warm-heartedness under his harshness. Such fun to reveal.
Haven’t read Judith Ivory’s Beast, must add to wishlist. Loved When Beauty Tamed the Beast too and Jonas is wonderful.
Beebs, Eloisa’s BATB story is wonderful!
So glad you like Jonas! Thanks!
Thanks so much, Theresa! My idea for J is that he’s more mistreated dog who’s people shy rather than bad to the bone. Love JI’s Beast!
Congrats on your new book!
For me, it’s got to be the time period and costume from that time. If it’s the movie ‘Pleasantville’ I love the 1960′s it goes back to… a rather pretty time where the cars were real cars and people actually worked on them. Women went to beauty parolours and they had the Beehive hairstyle.
Or the 1970′s where the Farrow Fauwcet hair style was in… and I’m now saving up for it myself. I have the length – but people are saying I *must* be a blond to pull it off… not so! I have had many hair dressers tell me that I’d be able to take on that style easily. I also love the 1970′s dress sense too… so cool and yet still daggy as well.
But then again, I also love sci-fi… all that futuristic stuff. But not too far into the future; just about 3 decades so we kinda know it’s possible; and yet can scare us just enough too.
Mozette, I thought Pleasantville was a really underrated movie. Some lovely performances in that!
Mozette, thanks for stopping by! It’s great when a movie really gets across a sense of history, isn’t it? Pleasantville suggested that “feeling” of a different time, not just in the look of everything but in the behavior of the characters.
Hmm, could be time for me to rewatch that. I’d forgotten what a fun movie that was!
My favourite character is the father who is so very 60′s… he reminds of how my Dad used to be. He’d come home from work and say, “Hey, I’m home.” Then, he’d expect dinner on the table by 6pm with his scotch and drop his bag near the kitchen. He still controls what they watch on the tv… even now.
A touch of humour goes a long way for me in movies & books. Even the most dramatic tale benefits from a light touch now & then. Even if it is droll or a touch black.
Mary, I so agree with you. Even in something like Claiming the Courtesan, Kylemore had a black sense of humor. I think those touches of lightness can make the black seem even worse and raise the stakes!
marybelle, I agree! I come from a family that loves to (as my young daughter would put it) “be silly.” Humor in stories can help so much to leaven a dark mood–and, as Anna said so well, it can be used to make the bleak times even worse by contrast.
Hi Ladies
I do love the premise of this book I actually just got it as an e book and I am looking forward to reading it.
For me I love historicals and I am very partial to Cinderella stories and beauty and the beast types as well although I do love a good adventure that takes me back in time into the future and around the world LOL.
Congrats on the release
Have Fun
Helen
Helen, those fairytale themes are always popular, aren’t they? I love them too!
Helen, thanks so much for getting hold of SEASON FOR SURRENDER! I hope you enjoy it.
Well said, on how a story can pull you to a different time or place. I love that about reading–especially since I’m not much of a traveler in real life!
Sounds like a great book! I am a fan of historicals primarily although I take side trips to contemps, and paranormals on occasion. I always come back home to historicals.
I favor feisty in your face type of heroines, the bookworms with spines of steel work real well for me. I like it when the hero has to look for the women behind the mask so to speak.
Dianna, that’s so true. You want the hero and heroine to be challenged by the other person.
Dianna, a bookworm with a spine of steel sounds like my kind of gal. Louisa, the heroine of SEASON FOR SURRENDER, definitely tends that way–which the hero wasn’t expecting!
Teresa, Season for Surrender is a terrific addition to my Christmas romance collection. I wanted Louisa’s story as soon as I finished Season for Temptation, and I love the story you gave her. Those library scenes are certainly memorable.
I loved all the literary references too. And I’m so glad you’re writing Jane’s story. I posted my review of SFS today.
Reunion and redemption stories are my favorites, but I love many others as well. And for almost every trope I think I dislike, I have keepers that employ the trope. It’s really all about the skills of the writer and my falling in love with the writer’s voice and the characters she/he creates.
Wow, Janga–thank you so much for that thoughtful and very kind review on your blog. I’m so glad you liked SEASON FOR SURRENDER!
I agree, there are authors and books that can pull off every trope, even the ones I might think I won’t care for. If I love the characters, any type of story can work.
Janga, so glad you loved SEASON FOR SURRENDER! I agree with you that it’s all in the execution.
Hi Theresa! Welcome back to the Lair! Thanks for noticing the decor – we’re about to get into full Halloween/Fall mode here before too long.
That is, if we can keep Ermingarde the dragon from devouring all the pumpkins. Sigh. Once they’re Jack-o-Lanterns she leaves them alone, but Sven and Paolo can’t carve quick enough to keep them away from her. :>
I love the sound of both your books! I’ve been so deep in the writing mode that my TBR mountain hasn’t had that many additions, but I know I’ll be adding your two!
Congrats on the release, (and Janga’s good review!) and enjoy the Lair today!
Jeanne, ha! Sounds like decorating the Lair is quite a challenge.
I’m very glad I don’t have to deal with dragons at home, though one active toddler can keep things plenty eventful.
Thanks for adding me to your TBR–and for the warm welcome to the Lair!
Theresa, if ever you have a free weekend, why not come and help us paint?
LOL! As long as you’re using pixels rather than a roller, I’m all in.
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Welcome back to the Bandita’s Lair, Theresa. I’m adding your books to be TBD list (to be downloaded) … my new way of convincing myself that my TBR pile isn’t getting any bigger *g*.
Add me to the list of Cary Grant lovers. The Philadelphia Story, My Favourite Wife and Charade are three of my all-time favourites.
Ha–thank you, Anna! I know what you mean about a TBD list.
I sometimes forget that I have TWO TBR piles–one on a shelf, and one on my ereader.
Ah, Cary…he was wonderful, wasn’t he? So dashing, but he could play comedy like none other.
CG is great in Charade, Anna! He and Audrey make magic together.
Ooh, this book sounds good. A rogue who may not be such a rogue and a shy heroine who may have more spunk than people realize….makes for a perfect, building and budding romance.
I like old movies. I think the dialogue is intriguing and subtle with inuendos. I like reading romances set in the Medieval, 1700s, or Regency eras; I’m not sure why, but I due prefer those time periods over the Victorian era.
Congrats on your release, Theresa!! Breat interview, Anna and Theresa!!
OOPS—make that great interview….
Deb, thanks!
Different time periods do have a different mood–I’ve noticed that in my reading. A well-told story in any time period can work for me, though–no surprise!–I usually enjoy Regency stories the most.
Deb, thanks for swinging by! istorical romance fans rule! Well, at least in my universe!
Hi Theresa!
Season for Surrender sounds like fun – sort of like a Regency version of chicken. (Oops – apologies to the GR). I love that you promise twists and turns in the plot. Sounds exciting.
My favorite classics are the Katherine Hepburn/Spencer Tracy movies. I think it was the appeal of the characters and the chemistry between those two stars that made the movies so fun. Cary Grant is another that had such a presence on the screen. I just loved the characters he protrayed. They were all similar
, but why mess with perfection!
“Why mess with perfection”–indeed, Donna! No one did exasperated charm like Cary Grant.
Which Tracy-Hepburn movie is your favorite? I love Kate the Great’s smart characters in Woman of the Year and Desk Set.
Donna, I love that the KH/ST movies were such classic romances.
I adored Season for Temptation and greatly look forward to Season for Surrender! In answer to your question, the things that I like the most about movies or books is realism. In other words, can I see the story as actually happening or does it seem plausible? If a story is in a fantasy or sci fi genre then it still needs to seem realistic or make sense in order for me to buy into it. A great example of this was the Harry Potter books and movies, these were brilliantly written and set to film and they are explained in such a way that it pulls you in to the story. I adore books and movies that use characters that are bookworms too, reading is sexy!
Lora, thank you! I hope you enjoy Season for Surrender.
I get what you mean about realism, even in sci fi and fantasy: the world has to be consistent with itself and be explained to the reader/viewer. In Harry Potter, there are limitations on who can use magic and what it can do, and we learn that along with Harry.
Theresa, that’s exactly the word I’m looking for – consistency!
Lora, that’s such an interesting comment. I agree with you – I have to believe what’s happening. And usually that’s not a function of setting but of character development. I think we’ve all read books where suddenly the hero or heroine acts completely out of line with the person who’s been developing before our eyes on the page and we just lose faith in the book as a result.
Hi, Theresa, welcome back to the Lair and congratulation on the release of Season for Surrender!
I adore stories about bookish types of heroes and heroines because the other characters in the books seem to highly underestimate them in so many ways. Makes for a delightful read.
Thanks, Jo! It’s fun when the underestimated character surprises the others, isn’t it?
Jo, that’s a great theme! I agree with you. I’m currently writing a hero who fits in with that. One of my favorites of that style of hero is the gorgeous Rupert from Mr. Impossible.
Hi, Theresa. Welcome to the Lair. Your story sounds like such fun. I do love a good bookworm heroine. I think it’s because I’ve always been a bookworm, and I love seeing the bookish girl in stories get the awesome hero for her very own.
Trish, I’ve always been a bookworm too, so it was nice to imagine a story based around someone who felt more comfortable in a library than in a crowd. The research for this book was a lot of fun, because I got to go poking through printing and binding history.
Trish, I’m with you on relating to the bookworm heroine! And hey, people who read are interesting, we know stuff!
I’ve been hearing good things about your books!! As to favorites, I like variety so as long as I care for the characters I like most story lines although I tend to be drawn to historicals and suspense the most.
Catslady, one of the things I love about being a romance reader right now is that there is such variety out there. Seriously, I can’t see anyone getting bored with the current selection!
Thanks, catslady! I agree, as long as I like the characters, any story can work. But historical romance is my first love–I never get tired of finding new authors and books to enjoy.
I like smart heroines. They don’t have to be worldly but I like them smart. I also like them a bit sarcastic and smart mouth.
May, I get a kick out of smart dialogue too.
Yes, me too! I think that’s one of the reasons we enjoy those classic films so much, Anna. The dialogue was fast and funny in so many screwballs, or brilliant and dark in the dramas.
Welcome back, Theresa! Your books sound fabulous and will be a very good reward for when I finish my WIP *g*
For me, any story, movie or TV show is all about the characters. Give me engaging characters and I’m there, whether it’s a contemporary, historical or paranormal setting
Beth, I think you’re so right about characters being the key. If I’m interested by the characters (I don’t even have to particularly like them at the start although I like to see a glimmer of light in their souls that will lead them to being better people at the end), I’ll stick with the book to the bitter end. Or with a romance, the happy end which is MUCH better!
Thanks, Beth, and happy writing! Yes, strong characters have pulled me into stories I’ve never thought would be my kind of thing.
And Anna, yes, when it’s a HEA rather than a bitter end, it’s all the better!
Your book Season For Surrender is just what I need. I have to read a book for my Book Club with a seasonal Christmas theme…yeah! I found one. Thanks for the info.
Jackie, what great timing is that? Thanks for swinging by. I have to say I love Christmas books!
Oh, cool–thanks, JackieW! I’m glad the timing was right. Hope you enjoy Season for Surrender.
Enjoyed reading the comments.
I like to read a book that at the end of the first chapter I can tell the following: it is going to have a good plot/ the characters are believable/the characters have big and small challenges/there is humor in some of the challenges/and there will be tension between the characters… I also like secondary people that help make the characters come alive.
JOYE, that’s a wonderful combination for a story to have. I’d stick with a book like that too. As a reader, the first chapter is important to me too–which is why, as a writer, it so often takes me the longest to get right!
Joye, hasn’t it been a fun visit. Theresa has been such a great guest.
I love your list of things you look out for. And I think you’re right – you generally CAN tell by the end of the first chapter whether you’re in for a great read or just a so-so one.
In books, I love reading historical romance
series. I enjoy them even more if based on
families or closely connected persons. The
reader “knows” the characters and can
follow their storylines more easily.
In films, there is no one who can touch the
works of the maven of mystery, Sir Alfred
Hitchcock. I get chills just thinking of some
of the films he presented to the world! The
detail in those films could not be topped!
Yay, another Hitchcock fan! Which film–or films–are your favorites, Pat?
Pat, I was brought up on Hitchcock films. My parents just loved them. I think he’s such a master of storytelling and he can be so subtle. Masterly stuff. I think my fave Hitchcocks are a couple of his early British films before he went to America – the 39 Steps and The Lady Vanishes. The Lady Vanishes is really sexy in that prickly, witty way that I love in a romance novel.
DS1 and I are big Hitchcock fans who are especially into his 1950s films such as Rear
Window. Son works for the Alley Theater
here in Houston. This past season, one of
their presentations was one I wanted to
see. ( But wasn’t able to!) They staged a
comedic version of 39 Windows ! Yes, I
said comedic! David worked on the pro-
duction and he says it really was good.
I told him I’d have to see it for myself.
Pat C.
Strong female warriors who can weild a sword and fight just as well as other men are the most appealing to me. There aren’t too many of them. So while I wait for them, I stick to historical romances. I tend to like the wallflower girls.
Alyn, I would *so* read a swashbuckling heroine. Wallflower heroines always catch my attention too, because they usually have an inner strength that I like.
Alyn, there’s a couple of wonderful books like that linked to the Robin Hood legend. See if you can find them. One’s The Last Arrow by Marsha Canham that I know is still available, at least as an e book and the other is The Baron by Julianne Garnet. Well worth hunting down. The hero is the Sheriff of Nottingham and he’s GREAT!
Theresa, sorry I’m so late saying welcome back! Your books sound terrific. I love Christmas stories, and I enjoy both bookworms and rakes, especially when there’s more to them.
Thank you, Nancy! Yes, Louisa and Alex have a few surprises for each other–and for everyone else. Actually, they even surprised me a few times while I was writing.
Nancy, lovely to see you here. I love it when characters surprise me, both as a reader and a writer.
I like a good, character driven story. In my romances, I particularly like Beauty and the Beast stories, and I enjoy those where friendship grows into love and where two people who (seemingly) can’t stand each other fall in love. I like my heroes and heroines to be intelligent and to have a sense of humor, regardless of any other personality traits they might have.
Janie, I so agree with you. Intelligence and a sense of humor make for great characters. I also like it if they have or find honor and courage.
Friends to lovers and enemies to lovers? Yes, those stories can be so much fun! And I’m with you both–intelligence and humor are just as enjoyable in book characters are they are in real life.
I love those old screwball comedies, especially anything with Cary Grant or Katherine Hepburn. What appeals to me is humor in a book or movie, even if there are dark moments and lots of adventure, I love those lighter moments of wise cracking and comedy. An example is Raiders of the Lost Ark – our hero is having all kinds of adventure, and is making smart aleck remarks to the bad guys all along the way.
Oh, Indiana Jones is such a great hero! And talk about a rogue. Actually I love his character journey in that first film. He’s a much better man at the end than at the beginning – and Harrison Ford really played him so beautifully, didn’t he?
Barbara, you said it so well. Even a dark story can include humor. And rogues with a sense of humor? Marvelous.
Thanks, everyone, for a great day’s blogging. And thanks to Theresa for being such a great guest. We’d love to have you back again. Good luck with SEASON FOR SURRENDER. It’s on my TBR pile – sounds absolutely delicious!
Don’t forget to check back to see who won the copy of the book. Good luck!
Anna, thank you so much for hosting me! It was a wonderful day at the Lair. I’d love to visit again.
Thanks to everyone who stopped by to talk about favorite story elements! I really enjoyed reading all the comments.
I like man against the odds : Man From Snowy River, Shogun , Across the Great Divide or people who are thrown into bad situations then rise to the occasion: Braveheart, Dances With Wolves,
Bourne series of movies, Mission Impossible
Like romantic comedies too: Pretty Woman, French Kiss
Liked Under the Tuscan Sun
Musicals: Phantom of the Opera , Moulin Rouge, Rent
Coming of age: Breaking Away
Disney movies: Beauty & the Beast, The Little Mermaid
Laurie G, sounds like you enjoy a little of everything. That’s great! Hope you find lots of new stories to love this fall.
Congrats on the new release. There has to be a great story. I love when a “plain Jane” gets the hunky hero, friends to lovers or even enemies to lovers stories.