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Jul
12 2009 | ||
Today’s prize comes to us via the uber fabulous Anya Bast! She’s offering up a copy of her latest Berkley Sensation book – Witch Fury!
Blurb: Sarafina Connell is having the worst week of her life. It takes an even darker turn when an infamous playboy kidnaps her and reveals a world she never knew existed….
It’s a world where magick is real, and where Sarafina is given a chance to join a secret cabal that is bent on gaining absolute power. They could use a woman like her—a witch with an untapped gift for creating fire. But she isn’t about to get in league with the devil.
Rescued from her captors, Sarafina is introduced to a coven that is duty-bound to fight the forces of darkness. She’s pleased that her savior is the imposingly seductive Theo—until the trust between them goes up in flames. However, as the war between good and evil is waged, Sarafina and Theo realize they have no choice but to unite in the battle for supremacy—that’s getting hotter by the minute.
Shouting came from beyond the room. Stefan turned his head and Sarafina took the distraction as opportunity.
She fumbled for a moment, wondering what the hell she should do next, when an uncontrolled burst exploded from her. It felt like she’d fired a cannon and hadn’t aimed well. It went wide, toward the door of the room.
The door burst inward, ripped from the hinges at the same time the uncontrolled blast of fire hit it. Sarafina screamed in surprise, stepped backward, tripped and fell on her ass.
For a hazy, confused moment she thought her magick had exploded the door. Then she focused past the smoke and saw the dark outline of a man–tall, muscular build, long dark hair, grim expression on his face.
The man glanced at her for the barest of moments. His long hair blew around his face from the force of the magickical battle behind him. His eyes were hard and dark. In his brutal expression lay control and power. Knowledge–deep and wide. Sarafina noticed all that about him in a second and it took her breath away.
What new nightmare was this man?
The newcomer turned and deflected an aggressive attack from Stefan. The room exploded into chaos. Two men barreled through the door after the intruder. Instead of using magick to defend himself, he punched one in the face, grabbed him by his shirt front and threw him into the second. Then he whirled to once again face Stefan.
The scent of white hot fire and dark, rich earth filled her nose as furniture slid across the floor and slammed into the walls. The floor itself rippled. It was like a battle of supernatural titans.
Sarafina clutched Grosset to her chest and crawled behind an overturned table, holding her trembling dog close and wishing like hell this was all some really strange dream fueled by her grief. Any second now she’d wake up and shake her head over it, tell herself she’d never eat cold enchiladas before bed again.
But this was no dream.
Shouting, cursing. Explosions. Fire crackling. Growing hotter and nearer until thick bursts of earth extinguished the flare-ups.
Silence.
Footsteps pounded through the rest of the house. Shouting in the distance. In the room where Sarafina and Grosset hid behind the overturned table there was no sound. Nothing.
Maybe the intruders–whoever they were–had forgotten about her. Maybe the hulking man in the doorway had gone away. Maybe this was her chance to get out of here.
Moving slowly, she peeked around the edge of the table and saw only a smoldering fire in a trashcan over in the corner of the room. Smoke wafted through the air. She inched out a little more, straining to hear any other sounds from inside the house. She didn’t know who the party crashers were and wanted to avoid them. With her luck they were worse than Stefan and his ilk.
Movement. The swirl of a long black duster.
The man was still there. Peeking out, she watched him circle the room, languid, lethal. His muscular body seemed tense with the desire to kill something, didn’t really matter what. The man turned toward her and she ducked back behind the table and closed her eyes, praying he’d pass her by.
“Warlock.”
A hand grasped her collar and lifted her straight up. Sarafina screamed and Grosset exploded in a flurry of Pomeranian rage. He snapped and growled at the man who’d trapped her in his big, sweaty, meaty hands–hands big enough to snap her neck in two seconds flat, she noted with unease.
Today’s question: When you’re reading a book with a lot of action, does it bother you if the heroine waits to be saved by the hero? Or does it bother you if she rushes in ahead of him? Neither? Both?
I’ll choose a winner at noon pacific, tomorrow! Remember to check in. Winners must claim prize within THREE days or I will redraw.
July 12th, 2009 at 3:59 am · Link
When I’m reading a book with a lot of action, I don’t really mind kick-ass heroine, or a hero. In the books I like, saving usually comes naturally – who’s in better situation do the job. If she (or he) forces things just for the sake of proving her(him)self, then I am bothered.
And I love Anya Bast.
July 12th, 2009 at 4:19 am · Link
Neither bothers me. As long as everyone that is supposed to gets out okay then all is good. I tend to be a rusher myself.
July 12th, 2009 at 4:33 am · Link
Hi! As said before, I also don’t mind either as long as it feels natural and necessary 😆
July 12th, 2009 at 4:34 am · Link
I prefer plots where men are in control. But I have a couple of favorite books that include a kick-ass heroine, so I think those are okay too.
July 12th, 2009 at 5:02 am · Link
Oooo…sounds good. I like a good story. If the heroine goes in first…who cares, so long as the story moves forward logically and doesn’t make you go WTH?
July 12th, 2009 at 5:13 am · Link
Hm… the heroine’s actions only bother me if it doesn’t fit with the heroine. For example, if she’s someone like… well, me – if she rushes headlong into danger, or insists on going along with the hero into dangerous situations, I think she’s TSTL.
But if she’s say, Mercy, from Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh – a Sentinel – well, she can kick ass and take names all on her own.
So really, it depends on the character.
But I think it’s good for a heroine to be capable, yet know her limitations. Creating more danger for everyone else… not something I respect.
July 12th, 2009 at 5:27 am · Link
I prefer when the heroine saves herself – but not due to the incompetence of the antags. Because then it wouldn’t really be her win; it would just be their loss 😉
July 12th, 2009 at 6:22 am · Link
As a general rule, I like it when the man is in total control, which mean she would have to just wait it out. Now, I have read plenty off books where the heroine was kick ass and I liked those as well. But my preference would be a very strong, dominant male hero who would not want her rushing into danger.
July 12th, 2009 at 6:37 am · Link
It depends on why the heroine is waiting but it doesnt really bother me at all.
lexeetoste at sbcglobal.net
July 12th, 2009 at 6:58 am · Link
When you’re reading a book with a lot of action, does it bother you if the heroine waits to be saved by the hero? Or does it bother you if she rushes in ahead of him? Neither? Both?
For me it depends. If the heroine comes across as a know it all and does not listen to reason, then yes it bothers me.
July 12th, 2009 at 7:08 am · Link
I like the heroine to actually do something for herself. I want her to at least attempt to help herself even if she isn’t successful and needs the big strapping alpha hero to rescue her. It is also fun once and awhile for her to rescue mister macho…
Michelle B.
July 12th, 2009 at 7:16 am · Link
It bothers me when the heroine waits to be saved. I like a story where heroine can take of herself. She can fight for herself or outwit the villain, just as long as she doesn’t act helpless.
Now if the hero comes in and saves the day while she trying to help herself, I have no problem with that. 😉
July 12th, 2009 at 7:20 am · Link
I love a kickass heroine. Waiting on the hero is okay if there’s nothing the heroine can do.
Being dumb and rushing ahead and then ending up in trouble just pisses me off.
The Witch series rocks! Have them all so don’t enter me for today’s contest 🙂
July 12th, 2009 at 7:22 am · Link
I don’t mind as long as it feels right for the character.
July 12th, 2009 at 7:50 am · Link
Good Morning Lauren:
I don’t have a problem with either scenario as long as it fits with the plot and personalites of the characters developed in the story.
Thanks for another great day in your contest. 😀
L
July 12th, 2009 at 8:12 am · Link
As long as the heroine doesn’t do something stupid that puts herself and others in danger, whether it’s jumping in or waiting, I enjoy the story.
July 12th, 2009 at 8:37 am · Link
I don’t think either bothers me, as long as it’s not a habit, like the heroine is too dependent upon the hero.
I think it’s awesome when an hero/heroine are both strong and can rely on one another or work together.
July 12th, 2009 at 8:40 am · Link
Either way as long as it doesn’t break the flow of the story.
July 12th, 2009 at 8:41 am · Link
I prefer the heroine to save herself if possible. But I want her to be smart about it and not make things worse.
July 12th, 2009 at 8:48 am · Link
Sometime it bothers me while other time it doesn’t. I guess it all just depends on my mood.
July 12th, 2009 at 8:48 am · Link
I prefer the heroine to save herself while being smart about it. If she can’t then she needs to wait for the hero.
July 12th, 2009 at 8:57 am · Link
As long as it isn’t a TSTL move, I don’t mind. If she rushes in just to give her somethingdangerous to do in the book, I hate it.
July 12th, 2009 at 8:57 am · Link
Oh great question.
It doesn’t bother me so much if the heroine waits to be saved as usually it’s the smart thing to do. In most cases the heroine is put into situations where it isn’t her expertise to get out of the situation. For instance, if the hero is in hand to hand combat to get them out of situation, it drives me nuts that the author writes that the heroine interfers and makes the situation worst. To me, it just dumbs down the heroine.
I totally love when the heroine can get herself out of a situation and doesn’t need a man (hero) to get her out. I like when the heroine has her own speciality, like the ability to defuse a bomb, and she can get both the hero and the heroine out of a situation together. I prefer stories where the hero and heroine are more equally matched. I am not a fan of a woman constantly needing a man to save the day.
Long story short, I don’t mind as long as the situation isn’t written to dumb down the heroine. I really hate it when woman or portrayed helpless. I love a big strong hunky hero but I also adore reading about strong capable women. (#1 reason I love Lauren Dane books)
July 12th, 2009 at 9:04 am · Link
I really like to see a man in action and taking control, but it also does my heart good to see a woman able to take care of herself. It really depends on the book. I want the characters to stay true to form.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:33 am · Link
A heroine who rushes in a saves the day is not a bad thing, but let’s face it. We all want to be a damsel in distress at some point, because who doesn’t want to be rescued by a huge hunk? 😆
July 12th, 2009 at 9:37 am · Link
I hate it when a heroine thinks she can fight even thought she’s never done it before and she just ends up needing to be rescued by the hero anyway. I like kick ass heroines but I also like smart ones.
July 12th, 2009 at 10:05 am · Link
I don’t have a problem with either, it depends on the book.
July 12th, 2009 at 10:20 am · Link
It doesn’t bother me either way as long as I’m enjoying the read!
July 12th, 2009 at 10:27 am · Link
I love it when the women is equally matched with the male charactors. I don’t like it when the heroine acts simple minded.
Make her just as strong mentally as he is physically… that’s HOT!!!
July 12th, 2009 at 10:55 am · Link
I really don’t mind a little “damsel in distress” If the heroine can stand up to her alpha-male when it’s necessary. I do think that she has to be able to take risks and confront her own fears if she needs to rescue her alpha- male. I fully believe in the “love conquers all” theory.
July 12th, 2009 at 11:16 am · Link
I like the heroine to be agressive but not stupid. If the situation is obviously dangerous she should never just rush in. Letting someone be the hero is not a sign of weakness.
July 12th, 2009 at 11:17 am · Link
I really prefer the heroine to take initiative to help her hero, or if she’s saving herself or mate to kick ass first. There are instances where the heroine has to wait it out and it depends on the situation. And yes, it feels good to be rescued by a hunky sexy hero. But generally, a “damsel in distress” continually frustrates me if she is not capable. There is always something she can do. 🙄
July 12th, 2009 at 11:20 am · Link
Neither bothers me. As long as it works for the plot of the story, then I am fine with either.
July 12th, 2009 at 11:23 am · Link
Neither bothers me. Sometimes there’s no other way out than to wait for the hero to rescue the heroine.
July 12th, 2009 at 11:51 am · Link
It all depends upon the story and the heroine.
I’ve read stories where no matter how strong or dependent the heroine is, she longs for her Knight in shining armour.
I’ve read others…where she has always dreamed of being strong and able to care for herself.
July 12th, 2009 at 11:58 am · Link
Neither bothers me as long as the story continues to flow. 🙂
July 12th, 2009 at 12:32 pm · Link
It depends on how the action is written. It needs to fit the character and not be TSTL.
July 12th, 2009 at 12:46 pm · Link
I don’t mind if she needs the hero to save her, sometimes we all needs to be saves. But if she is foolish enough to get into trouble and then he have to risk his life. Then I tend to be somewhat annoyed, but I do forgive too
July 12th, 2009 at 12:51 pm · Link
So long as the heroine isn’t rushing in without a plan or without reason then it doesn’t bother me. And if the heroine is supposed to be a character that can handle herself then it would bother me if she just sat and waited for the hero to rescue her but it wouldn’t bother me if she waited if she was just a normal everyday woman woman.
July 12th, 2009 at 12:59 pm · Link
I think it depends on the personality and skills of the heroine and if it fits the storyline and character profile. But for a plain vanilla answer… I like the heroine to be able to take care of herself.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:06 pm · Link
Neither bothers me as long as its good. I like that the heroine can take care of herself.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:10 pm · Link
It doesn’t matter to me, either, about who takes the first step. It just needs to make sense/flow. Different situations can have different outcomes.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:14 pm · Link
Like most have said it has to feel like a natural part of the story.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:26 pm · Link
I really don’t mind as long as it is in keeping with the character and moves the story along.
It has to be completely natural.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:28 pm · Link
I like both situations…again, like others have said, as long as it fits the character and the story I am willing to go where the author takes me!
July 12th, 2009 at 1:37 pm · Link
I don’t mind either as long as it fits the story.
July 12th, 2009 at 1:55 pm · Link
I don’t like helpless heroines and tend to get bored if they are always sitting around and waiting for someone else to bail them out of the messes that they have gotten into. I think relationships should be equal and the heroine should be able to bring as much to the table as the hero so it is fine if they trade off on “who saves who” but I don’t want it all one-sided.
July 12th, 2009 at 2:21 pm · Link
Neither bothers me, all depends on the characters and what fits. I do like when they are both strong and able, each in their own way, and work together.
July 12th, 2009 at 3:04 pm · Link
I usually like for the hero to do the saving, but it’s okay if the heroine helps him out!!
July 12th, 2009 at 3:24 pm · Link
I guess it doesn’t bother me as long as the story is good. 😀