Monday 3 September 2012

Welcome Cynthia Eden!


Please welcome our first guest of honour to the party, the fabulous Cynthia Eden! Cynthia has some of the most appealing butt-kicking heroines in the business, and here she is to to tell us more...

Kick-Ass Heroines by Cynthia Eden


I love a strong heroine.

Sure, in all of my stories, I write about fierce, protective alpha males. But my females? They aren’t exactly delicate princesses in need of rescue. They’re heroines who are just as tough, just as fierce, as the heroes in my books. My heroines can kick-ass any day of the week, and, normally, they do.

To me, a heroine’s power isn’t just in physical strength.  I enjoy heroines who are risk-takers, quick-thinkers, and ladies who will do anything within their power to protect those that they love.

Standing in the corner and *waiting* to be rescued? No, thanks, the heroines I love the most enjoy getting their hands dirty as they fight to rescue others.

The heroine in my current release, HOWL FOR IT, definitely falls under the “kick-ass” category.  Kayla Kincaid is a hunter—and her prey of choice? The paranormal creatures that terrorize humans. Her latest assignment has her tracking down the big, bad wolf (rather literally) in the form of the story’s hero, Gage. But when Kayla falls for her prey, she prepares to battle anyone—and anything—who wants to take out her man.

Here’s a little excerpt from HOWL FOR IT, the moment when Kayla and Gage drop their secrets:
***
“Are you really going to kill me now?” Gage asked as he pulled back to study her with a cocked head. “On our wedding night?”
She was supposed to.
That was her job. As a hunter, she was the one sent out to keep the humans safe in this world. When a supernatural crossed the line and started killing, her team was sent in. They delivered justice. They were the heroes.
Only she didn’t feel like any kind of hero right then.
Killer.
“Was screwing me part of the deal?” Gage demanded as his voice roughened.
Her eyes slit at that. Maybe it was deserved, and maybe it damn well wasn’t. Instead of stabbing him, she wanted to punch him right then.
“If so,” Gage continued with a shake of his head, “that was a rather fatal mistake.”
They were at a supernatural standoff. Claws versus silver. If he’d just sheathe his claws…
     “Cause now that I’ve had you…” Gage smiled at her, and revealed his growing canines. Sharp. “I think I want another bite.”
     He’d kept his fangs from her. Kept the claws away last night. But it looked like he was done playing nice.
     So was she.
     The bed was rumpled. The air smelled of sex. He was naked.
     She stared into his eyes. If he knew what she was, then Kayla had no idea why he’d married her. Sure, she’d been ordered to say the “I do” bit. She’d been told to do anything necessary in order to get past his defenses.
     Gage ran the wolf pack in Vegas. Since the wolves had moved to town just eight months ago, hell had hit the city. Supernatural madness. Attacks. Killings.
     The pack had to be stopped. By any means necessary.
     But sex wasn’t a means. Making love was more. Far more.
     “Lower your claws,” she told him and managed to keep her voice totally calm. Rather impressive under the circumstances, but she’d been trained to be cold. Passionless. I’m not that way with him. “You aren’t going to kill me.” Those words were the truth because she’d learned a few things about Gage during their time together.
     More than a few.
     He wasn’t a heartless bastard. Not a cold-blooded killer.
     I won’t be wrong about him.
     His eyes narrowed as he studied her. Then that half-smile that had always charmed her curled his lips. “Killing you isn’t what I have planned at all.”
     He dropped his claws and there still wasn’t so much as a scratch on her skin.
     Gage glanced down at his chest. She’d nicked him with the blade, and drops of blood slid down his flesh. Blood—and the faintest plume of smoke.
     The old legend was true. Werewolves—or, in this case, wolf shifters—and silver just didn’t mix.
     “Now are you gonna cut my heart out?” he asked and his smile hardened. “Though to confess, sweetheart, it sure feels like you already have.”

***
Thanks so much for checking out my post—and my HOWL FOR IT excerpt about Kayla and Gage!  (And a big thank you to Marie for inviting me to the party!)

Now…how about some contest fun? Tell me your favorite kick-ass heroine, and you will be entered in a contest to win a $15 Amazon.com gift card. The winner will be randomly selected.

Good luck!

Cynthia Eden
HOWL FOR IT—Available now from Kensington Brava


To enter Cynthia's contest for $15 Amazon.com gift card, answer her question above, in the Comments. The contest will close at midnight tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow on this thread.

68 comments:

  1. my favorite kick ass heroine was kira nerys from star trek DS9. she was the kind of heroine who could stick up for herself but still be able to fall in love and be vulnerable

    parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

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  2. Oh, I am so glad you mentioned her, Laurie! I am such a Trekkie. ;)

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  3. Some of my favorite kick ass heroines are from Shiloh Walker's Hunter books.

    amysmith98@gmail.com

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    1. I have got to read more of Shiloh's stories. I always hear great things about her stories!

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  4. Hi Cynthia,

    My fave kick ass heroine is Charley Davidson from First Grave to the right series by Darynda Jones, because she doing a great job, so kind and brave :)


    eli_y83@yahoo.com

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  5. Hi Cynthia! I enjoyed your excerpt. Now for my favorite kick-ass heroine - MacKayla Lane from Karen Marie Moning's Fever series. I hated her during the first opening chapters of the first book in the series. But she sure grew up! Went from dumb, blonde, and spoiled, to someone very tough inside. It was a change I didn't see coming (and I hate really cliche, really obvious plot threads). She really knows how to handle Barrons! (grins).

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    1. Thank you, Claudia! I'm so glad you enjoyed the excerpt. And I love to see character changes like the one you are describing--those are the best!

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  6. My fave kick ass heroine is Angelina Santiago from here kitty kitty by Shelly Laurenston or any of her heroines from her stories, as well as kicking ass they make me laugh until i cry

    jessicaoz@hotmail.com

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    1. Her stories always make me laugh, too, Jessica! ;)

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  7. My favorite kick Ase heroine is Secret McQueen from Sierra Dean's books. With her unique heritage of wolf and vampire, and her other issues, she kicks them till they're done and goes on to the next challenge!

    nancyg5997 at gmail.com

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    1. Okay, I just love that character's name! How cool is that?

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  8. My favorite heroine is Jane Rizzoli from the Rizzoli & Isles novels. I love how she gives it her all to solve her cases.
    kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com

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    1. Kaylyn, have you watched the show? Is it similar to the novels or totally different?

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  9. Wow, picking one is like picking your favorite child lol. Today I'd have to say I'm liking Kit from Shiloh Walkers Blade Song. That is a really good book.

    ericka102207 at hotmail dot com

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    1. Now you've just made me move that one higher on my TBR list!

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  10. I love Merit from Chicagoland vampires!! She is bad ass!!

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  11. Enjoyed your excerpt. My favorite heroine is Savannah from Kelley Armstrong's series. :)

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  12. From movies.. it has to be 'Lora Croft' from the Tomb Raiders' movies. Books would be Jackie Collins' 'Lucky Santangelo'. Starts out as a spoiled, damaged little girl to a kickass woman who doesn't put up with any s**t. Leann leamei1981@yahoo.com

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    1. Oh, I do enjoy it when the characters don't put up with anything! Great!

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  13. I LOVE Maddie Black from Christina Henry's Black Howl series! She takes no c&@p from ANYONE! And of course she has a sidekick...Beezle the house gargoyle.

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    1. LOL, I have a gargoyle (okay, granted, he's just stone and not real) in my garden. Love them!

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  14. Hard question to answer as there are so many great ones to pick from. I think Eve from Kelley Armstrong's Tales Of The Otherworld series. She can be one really mean kick ass heroine or bad guy depending ;). Thank you so much!
    vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. Cat Crawfield in Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress Series - hands down. She's fiercely protective but still holds on to her sense of humor.

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  16. One of my favorite kickass heroines is Riley Jenson from Keri Arthur's series.

    mythic021@gmail.com

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  17. There's so many of them, how do I choose? One of my ongoing favourites has been Kate Daniels (Ilona Andrews).

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    1. It is hard to choose, isn't it? How about we just love them all!

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  18. I have a ton of favorite Kick Ass heroines and one of them is Mercedes Thompson from the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. Thanks for the excerpt!

    junegirl63 at gmail dot com

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    1. And thank you for checking out the excerpt! ;)

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  19. Hmm... strong heroines are definitely amazing! I've been reading through Joanna Bourne's Spymaster series recently, and while all her heroines seem to be smart and capable, Annique Villiers is one of my favorites--she is not one to let anyone keep her down, not even when imprisoned or disabled... Love that strength of spirit and brilliance!

    Can't wait to read about Kayla and Gage, Cynthia!

    f dot chen at comcast dot net

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  20. Mine is Bones/Temperance from Kathy Reiches and the Bones tv series. I just love her. I want to be her when I grow up, doesn't hurt on the show she's got Booth.ROFL.

    Great post Cynthia!!!! I can't wait to read this one. Thanks for the excerpt!!!!

    hugs,
    WendyK

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  21. Cynthia, I love all your characters - the good, bad and badder! Your heroines clash with your heroes so perfectly...I'm always sad when one of your wolf/vamp stories end! I want them to go on and on. :)

    Congrats on the new release. I'm off to get it on my Fire.

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    1. Thank you, Misty!! You just totally made me bounce in my chair. ;)

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  22. Too many! Okay, let's see there is Tabitha from Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. Gotta admit that woman kicks ass. Mercy Thompson of course. Keira from Joan Swan's Blaze. Can I list a fantasy character? Tamra from Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar! Gotta love that Sword-sworn! Surreal from Anne Bishop's Blood series.. I could go on

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    1. So many great heroines! Thank you for sharing them!

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  23. I love Eve Dallas from the In Death series by J.D. Robb. I love the futuristic world that she fights in.

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  24. Eve Dallas, hands down! She kicks major ass :)

    Congrats on the new release!

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  25. Anita Blake and Eve Dallas were my first ever kick butt heroines. Been hooked on smart, sexy and strong female characters ever since.

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    1. I have so many of the In Death books with Eve--fabulous!

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  26. My favorite kick ass heroine - there are quite a few but I'll just list four: Jennifer Estep's Gin Blanco, Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock, Keri Arthur's Riley Jenson, and Jeaniene Frost's Cat Crawfield. They're all fantastic, strong, kick ass women with a softer side for those they care about.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  27. Wow, loads of kick-ass heroines there - some I hadn't even heard of! Taking notes :).

    Hello, Cynthia and everyone - great to have you at the party today, and I see it's been swinging without me! I just got caught on the hop - the family I thought was coming to stay on Thursday arrived today instead and I've been running around like a headless chicken ever since! How would a kick-ass heroine deal with that? Hmmm :).

    My favourite kick-ass heroine? Yikes, I don't know! Most surprising one, the strange, girl from Serenity whose name I can't remember now - the one with the doctor brother who rescued her and his her on Serenity.

    So Cynthia, what are you working on just now, and what's your newest heroine like?

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    1. Marie, thanks so much for having me over today!!! I've had so much fun talking with everyone!

      Right now, I'm working on a romantic suspense story for Harlequin Intrigue, and my heroine is definitely touch. She's an ex Air Force pilot who spends most of her days completing covert missions. I love her!

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    2. Ooh, sounds amazing! Look forward to that one too! And I'm so glad you could join us - it's been brilliant!

      Marie

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  28. Thank you for the excerpt, enjoyed it. My favorite kick ass heroine is Mercy Thompson by Patricia Briggs

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  29. I adore Ms.Eden and Ms.Laurenston!! I picked up Howl for it a few days ago but due to homework I am only half way through the first story; of which I am not disappointed! Both of these ladies never fail to deliver an excellent story.

    My favorite heroines would be Snow, from Silk and Steel by S&A Price mainly because she is so cut throat brutal, but seems to retain a child-like innocence and honesty that I find refreshing. All while she remains this strong female with no remorse but still cares deeply for her hero. She is not perfect in fact some would say flawed in that she used to be a prostitute but in that imperfection she is pretty amazing; despite her circumstances and past she retains this strong sense code of ethics where she will do anything for those she cares about. Not to mention she is a dog person!
    Another great heroine hands down would be Luna from the Harry Potter series by Ms. Rowling. Luna is someone that any person can strive to use as an example, in that individuality is something to be celebrated. I love that Luna doesn't conform to society standards, she remains a unique individual who has strong core beliefs, ethics and stands up for her friends and what is right.

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    1. Hi, Carolline! Thanks so much for coming by, and I'm so glad that you enjoy my work and Shelly's! ;) You've sure listed some wonderful heroines here. I always loved Luna, and I wished that she could get more story time!

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  30. My favourite kick ass heroine would be Cat from the Night Huntress series! I like how she can wield weapons and definitely hold her own while she fights vampires.

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  31. Some great kick ass heroines have been listed, some I've read and other I've been trying to get to. I think for me Eve and Elena from Kelley Armstrong's series and Mercy Thompson are a few of my favs. Thanks for the excerpt, can't wait to read more!
    Laurie F

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  32. Thanks so much for sharing all of your favorite kick-ass heroines with me today!!

    Have a wonderful week.

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  33. Gin from Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assassin series :D

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  34. My favorite kick-ass heroine is Kate from Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series.

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  35. My favorites are Cat from the Night Huntress series and Eve from the In Death series

    Congrats on the release!!

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  36. Trying to think of a different one from those listed. I love Larissa Ione's heroines. They are all tough and can kick some serious ass! One that I really love is Limos from the Lords of Deliverance series. And she is the only female of the 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse series.
    June

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  37. Thanks to everyone who commented and made the kick-ass party start off with a bang :). Hope you'll join us over ther est of the week too.

    And of course a very special thank you to Cynthia for being such a fabulous guest of honour!

    Back in a moment with Cynthia's winner of the gift card...

    Marie

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  38. And Cynthia's winner, chosen at random by my husband, is...

    LAURIE!

    Congratulations, Laurie! And we've got your email address, so you don;t need to do anything else but enjoy your prize :).

    Many thanks to all who entered!

    Marie

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