Mandi, thanks so much for having me here to talk about Mistress by Marriage. This is the third book in the Courtesan Court series. (The fourth and final, Master of Sin, comes out next April, but they don’t have to be read in order or even together.) I’ve got a new series in the works, but am missing my Jane Street world already. It’s been the setting for three novels and two novellas, and plays a part in the next book even though it takes place on a Scottish island.
When I made up Jane Street, the home of London’s most exclusive mistresses, I didn’t plan on using it as a springboard for six books. See, I don’t plan on much of anything. I am the biggest pantser ever, and can show you the tag on the back of my jeans to prove it. I’m not orderly or organized, and sometimes I even forget the names of my characters as I’m typing. All those authors who have color-coded sticky notes and chapter-by-chapter, scene-by-scene outlines? Not me.
I am nothing like Edward Christie either, the hero of Mistress by Marriage. He’s always under control, makes lists, does the right thing. He’s a bit of a dry stick, humorless, proper. Sounds like a sucky hero, doesn’t he? A Regency Boy Scout you want to toss in a mud puddle and dirty up a little. Maybe set him on fire with a flaming marshmallow.
“Edward wore his impassive Christie face. His grandfather had been known for it. His father had been known for it. Now it was his turn. The house could be engulfed in flames, the ship sinking, the heart breaking, but a Christie was always cool and collected. He’d heard the sobriquet ‘Cold Christie’ a time or two and wasn’t offended. It suited him perfectly most of the time.”
I may identify with the heroines when I read, but the hero has to hook me. (ask Mandi how she felt about one of mine, LOL) As I was writing Edward, I worried that he was an unsympathetic character, no one I’d want to have a beer with, not to mention bed. But then his obstreperous children turned up (very briefly for those of you who hate kids in romances), and his grasp of his carefully-constructed world became even more tenuous. His estranged wife Caroline already drove him insane. He was at the perfect point for snapping.
So snap him I did.
That sounds too harsh. I took Edward, who was the stiffest of cardboard, and bent him. Now when I say cardboard, I don’t want you to think he’s a generic cookie-cutter upper-crust hero, because he’s not. As a writer you take the risk of imbuing your characters with personality quirks that might not work for all readers, and Edward is chock-full of them. So is Caroline, his very imperfect wife. It was enormously satisfying to torture them both sufficiently before they mended their marriage, and of the three Mistress books, this is my favorite.
Who is more important to you when you read—the hero or the heroine?
One commenter will get a signed copy of Mistress by Marriage, which has been chosen as the Smart Bitches Sizzling Book Club read for September. If you’ve already got a copy (thank you!), the winner can pick a book from my backlist.
Too late for cold feet
Baron Edward Christie prided himself on his reputation for even temperament and reserve. That was before he met Caroline Parker. Wedding a scandalous beauty by special license days after they met did not inspire respect for his sangfroid. Moving her to a notorious lovebirds’ nest as punishment for her flighty nature was perhaps also a blow. And of course talk has gotten out of his irresistible clandestine visits. Christie must put his wife aside—if only he can get her out of his blood first.
Too hot to refuse
Caroline Parker was prepared to hear the worst: that her husband had determined to divorce her, spare them both the torture of passion they can neither tame nor escape. But his plan is wickeder than any she’s ever heard. Life as his wife is suffocating. But she cannot resist becoming her own husband’s mistress…
Thanks Maggie!! To enter, leave a comment answering her question above. Open to US residents through September 23.
Hi, Mandi! Thanks again for having me. I think I am the sole support of the financially troubled US Postal Service. When I walk in they automatically hand me customs forms. I would be happy to have an international winner, so I just wanted to throw that out there. :)
For me both the hero and the heroine are important. If either is weak, the book will fail.
So hard to choose! If the heroine is annoying in some way or TSTL, or if the hero is a rapey a**hole or a milquetoast- either will kill the book for me, no matter how much I like the other lead.
The hero is usually more important when I’m reading a romance. No matter how many details are given about the heroine I always put myself in her place and the two overlap but I am always a stickler for his details and how the two interact as a couple.
I focus a lot on the hero and need him to really capture my attention.
It’s the hero for me in books. I have to love him or hate him. He has to inspire passion in some form.
For me a book evolves around the heroine, and I need a strong one. Which does not mean bossy. But she has to stand up to the hero, and not be a meek little miss. Independent, and with interesting traits or hobbies or quirks or whatever.
Thanks for the guestpost, and the giveaway Maggie, I hope I win this one. And as you would like an international winner, I live all the way in Holland ;)
auriansbooks at gmail dot com
I think that the hero is more important, because generally the man is the stronger one. Not only physically but I love that alpha male. the one that saves everyone. I do like a strong heroine, but love the strong, alpha male.
Maggie is a new author for me and would love to win and read this book. I am always looking for new authors and books to read.
thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
I think both the hero and heroine are equally important. Their chemistry is what matters. If the reader doesn’t feel like she can connect and empathize with the characters, then it’s no good at all.
email: cruz042@csusm.edu
I think they both have to have a strong chemistry together or the book just doesn’t work.
I always prefer to peek into both the hero and heroine’s heads–their thoughts and interactions drive the story forward, together.
I prefer to peek into both the hero and heroine’s heads–they drive the story forward with their interactions and thoughts, together.
Hi Maggie! Your book sounds pretty awesome, can’t wait to read it!
As far as your question goes, I tend to lean towards the hero. I can dislike the heroine, but I have to like the hero to get into a story (that sounds horrible doesn’t it? LOL)
Maggie, that is a loaded question I think.
I do not think I can decide because every book is different. There are times when I prefer the hero and then there are times I prefer the heroine. It depends on the story line and plot of the story. It also depends on the personality of the character. There are times when I love them both and could never chose.
In the not-very-scientific survey so far, it seems to be heroes, both and then the heroine. Interesting! In my reading, I think I see so much more variation with heroines in terms of quirks. The guys are almost all alpha types. What does this all mean, LOL?
When I read, the hero really stands out to me, so I believe I would consider him most important to a story. I guess I turn to fiction to look for the ‘perfect’ guy, since they seem to be a little scarce in real life! LOL!!
I think both are equally important to me. Thinking of the books I really disliked, sometimes it was the hero I had a problem with, other times, the heroine. But in books I’ve loved, I think one reason I loved them is that I really liked both leads (or at least, understood and sympathized with their motivations). This book sounds great. I can’t wait to read it.
Hi Maggie. Your book sounds great. For me, the hero is more important. If the hero is weak, I can’t enjoy the book.
I will say hero, because I have to fall in love with the hero right along with the heroine! :-)
I think they are equally important. To enjoy the book I have to be able to connect with both characters
While both are important, I tend to put myself in the shoes of the heroine when I am reading so that means she has to be someone I can identify with or feel sympathetic toward. I like all types of heroines, as long as I can relate to them in some way or at least feel that their motivations are clear.
That’s a difficult question, I think it depends on the book. But I usually identify more with the heroine, so in most cases, it would probably be the heroine.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
The heroine! If she annoys me too much, I just can’t finish the book.
I think that both the hero and the heroine are equally important. I would not enjoy any book that had one that was was well writtern and one that was flat. But I will admit that I picture the males more, the females not much at all, lol. I too tend to just place myself in their spot, with the handsome, sexy hero.
Yeah, I’m going to have to place a vote for “Both Heroine and Hero” for reasons sited by others. If I don’t like the Heroine, the book is a bust no matter how awesome the hero is. But at the same time, if the Hero is a complete dud, then I don’t fall in love with him myself and there is absolutely NO romance for me no matter what is written.
akbabcock at gmail dot com
For me it’s all about the relationship between the H/h. I want to see the relationship grow and it has to be realistic.
However if I don’t like one of the characters for whatever reason it will spoil the book for me regardless of how good the storyline is.
Thanks for all these great responses! I think we may have swung back into the “both” column. I think all writers try to create the strongest h/hs they can. For me, I want some flaws along with the hero’s ripped body and heroine’s violet eyes, LOL. Thanks so much for your input!
Honestly, I have to like both.
I think both the hero and heroine make the story. So if they are weak and not strong or lack any chemistry then the book is boring. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com
It’s important for me to like both the H/h. I need to be able to connect and feel the chemistry between them. I like flaws that are realistic but I don’t like characters who are tstl.
Thank you for the awesome giveaway! :)
I would have to say both for me . Your book sounds great, would love to win it. Thanks for the chance.
Well it depends on what type of mood I’m in, if I’m in a feisty mood I want the heroine to be that way as well so she would be more important. When I am feel like being rescued the hero would be more important to me.
For me its the heroine. If she’s too annoying or wishy-washy, then its a DNF for me. There’s nothing more hateful for me.
For me it’s not about the hero or the heroine it is about them as a unit. They have to work together or I get lost! I don’t want to feel like the relationship is forced that the author used the “it’s magic” excuse to make it work.
jepebATverizonDOTnet
This is another vote for the “both” category. I like chemistry, passion and a good deal of dry humor between h/h. Flaws are good and I love it when both don’t give a rats about standing up to society and convention.
Cruelty on the hero’s part or a simpering TSTL heroine is a huge turn-off. I want to put myself in place of a strong, independent, intelligent heroine and I want an equally strong and rogue type hero.
You’re a new to me author and Mistress By Marriage sounds intriguing:)
They’re both important to me in books since they’re both the main characters and it’s interesting to read about both personalities and lives.
they are both important to me but a dynamic heroine is what makes me want to read a book over and over again
I tend to focus more on the hero but I need a strong heroine as well.