Guest Blogger – Vivian Arend!
Nov
16
2011

Please welcome fabulous author (and all around fabulous person) Vivian Arend to the blog today! She’s got a brand new book out with Samhain, a cowboy romance, rwrrrr!

Hating/Loving a Heroine

As an avid reader of Lauren’s books, I know she writes strong, kick-ass heroines. I love them—love that they stand up for themselves. That they are actively looking to the future to make their lives what they want, and to be whom they want to be.

So when I went to write the books in the Six Pack Ranch, I knew that the heroine of the first book was a strong woman. And as an author? I shivered a little. Because it’s not always easy to write a strong woman and have people understand her. The sins of a hero can be erased by a good grovel or two, but the sins of a heroine go on for a long time. And strong wills usually mean a muck up or two, even if it’s just a misunderstanding.

Yet—no one is perfect. We all make mistakes. To me, the strong heroine shows that by offering apologies, same as I expect the hero to do. Then they move on and grow. Because in any book It’s not a single moment on page X that makes me love or hate a character, it’s the revealing of themselves and how they grown from page one to The End.

In a man-centric world of ranching, this heroine has extra walls to get around, and in the end, I think Jaxi shows herself to be the perfect woman for the setting. Not a perfect woman, but then, she’s not partnered with a perfect man. But together they are exactly who and what the Six Pack Ranch needs to be able to move into the future a solid, unified family.

And that’s powerful, no matter what the gender.

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SIX PACK RANCH

The Coleman family has ranched in the Rocky Mountain House area of Alberta for generations. These modern day contemporary cowboy romance stories follow the current family members as they find both their place in the community and happy-ever-afters.

Book 1: Rocky Mountain Heat: November 15.
Book 2: Rocky Mountain Haven: January 10, 2012
Book 3: Rocky Mountain Desire: March 13, 2012

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Rocky Mountain Heat

Six Pack Ranch, Book 1

He’s the one who taught her to ride. Now all he wants is to ride her.

Blake Coleman is old enough to know that acting on impulse causes nothing but a heap of trouble. But when trouble’s a western-hat-wearing blonde with slim legs that go on forever, what’s a man to do? Wanting the sweet girl next door is just wrong. The responsible thing to do is keep his hands off.

Jaxi has other plans for Blake’s hands, and his heart. She may have once considered him a big brother, but that was a long time ago. She’s all grown up now and ready to convince him that she’s perfect for him. Except he can’t seem to see past the big “don’t touch” sign that’s apparently still hanging around her neck.

When Jaxi ends up living right under Blake’s nose, the undeniable heat between them slides off simmer and leaps up to barn-burning levels. However, a few of the younger six-pack Colemans have decided Jaxi’s brand of trouble is worth risking a few busted bones.

That is, if Blake’s finally ready to let go the reins and fight for what he wants…

Warning: Sexy cowboys seducing and being seduced in trucks, pool halls and barns. Droolworthy country charm, a little double-teaming, a few secrets and a whole lot of brothers to look forward to. Anyone wanna go for a ride?

~~**~~
First Chapter: Excerpt

Buy links: Samhain | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo |

Vivian Arend: Website | Blog | Twitter

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What do you think? Strong heroines FTW? Do you find that you admire a woman who takes her destiny into her own hands? Who is one of your favorite strong heroines? Leave a comment for a chance to win an advance copy of the SECOND book in this series, Rocky Mountain Haven, not out for everyone else until January!

Winner will be announced….

27 comments to “Guest Blogger – Vivian Arend!”

  1. RebeLovesBooks
    November 16th, 2011 at 9:01 am · Link

    Strong heroines must be hard to write, because so often a strong woman is considered a bitch. My favorite strong heroine is definitely Kate Daniels, from Ilona Andrews series of that name. She’s strong AND kickass.



  2. Michelle AB
    November 16th, 2011 at 9:13 am · Link

    Knowing that a book has a strong heroine is why I buy it. Both of you ladies have heroines that I love. Eve Dallas has to be my all time favorite. After thirty something books I am still in love with her.



  3. Pam B
    November 16th, 2011 at 9:22 am · Link

    I love stories with strong heroines, they make the most interesting fun books.

    There are so many series I am currently reading that have strong heroines including those written by Ilona Andrews, Ann Aquirre, Patricia Biggs, Jenna Black, Lauren Dane and so many more.

    Wonderful interview and thanks for the chance at the second book in your series.
    Pam



  4. ClaudiaGC
    November 16th, 2011 at 10:12 am · Link

    I love strong heroines! They are way more interesting than wimpy ones.
    I think there are a lot of books with strong heroines like the ones from Larissa Ione, Ilona Andrews, Anne Aguirre and, of course, yours.
    Lovely interview and thank you for the giveaway!



  5. SheriV
    November 16th, 2011 at 10:13 am · Link

    I love strong heroines. In fact since finding so many wonderful authors who manage to pull of the feat of writing them, I sometimes find other heroines wanting. I think you do a great job writing strong heroines and heroes. 🙂



  6. Sam Crescent
    November 16th, 2011 at 10:15 am · Link

    I love strong heroines and I love to see men trying to catch up with them. I think strong heroines provide a strength to the book and make it interesting when they have a moment of vulnerability as well. 😛

    I could list all the books with all the heroines I adore but Lauren Dane you know your great at writing them, Vivian Arend of course, Maya Banks, Delilah Hunt, Saskia Walker, I could keep naming people who I love so I’ll stop and say it was a lovely blog post to read. 😉



  7. CrystalGB
    November 16th, 2011 at 10:16 am · Link

    I love strong heroines. It makes the story so much better when the heroine can take care of herself and go after what she wants. Keri Arthur’s Riley Jensen and Rachel Vincent’s Faythe are two of my favorite heroines.
    Vivian’s series sounds great. Thanks for the great giveaway.



  8. elaing8
    November 16th, 2011 at 10:28 am · Link

    Yep,I’m with the others.Love strong heroines who can take care of herself and sometimes the ones around her too.My favorites are Rachel Morgan in Kim Harrison’s Hollows series and Riley Jensen in Keri Arthur’s series.



  9. Viki S.
    November 16th, 2011 at 10:38 am · Link

    Riley Jenson is one of my favorite strong females along with Kat Daniels and Faythe Sanders



  10. S.J. Drum
    November 16th, 2011 at 10:38 am · Link

    Joanna Archer from Vicki Pettersson’s Signs of the Zodiac series is one of my favorite strong heroines. I love the heroine’s who make mistakes but own them.



  11. Brenda D.
    November 16th, 2011 at 11:06 am · Link

    I feel that the best heroines have a backbone. They stand up for what they want and go after it when neccessary. Some of my favorite heroines are Merit from the Chicagoland Vampire series by Chloe Neill, Patricia Briggs’s Mercy Thompson, Riley Jenson, and Faythe Sanders. I love their strength of character!



  12. Louise
    November 16th, 2011 at 11:13 am · Link

    O love strong heroines. Both you and Vivian write such great ones. Maxi was awesome in Rocky Mountain Heat. She was definitely thefirl with the plan!



  13. JenM
    November 16th, 2011 at 12:19 pm · Link

    My favorite heroines are not necessarily strong because of physical strength, but rather through their strength of will. Kate Daniels is my favorite kick-ass heroine, but I also adore both of Patricia Briggs’ heroines – Mercy Thompson and Anna Cornick who are never the strongest person in the room physically, but they have the grit and determination, and they never give up.



  14. Lisa B
    November 16th, 2011 at 12:20 pm · Link

    I love a strong male lead but a strong female to go with it always makes it that much more fun sometimes. These days in the real world women have to take care of themselves so it’s awesome to see it in romance books as well. You don’t see enough of them. This looks to be a great series Vivian and I’m excited to start reading it.

    Lisa B



  15. Debbie Talbot
    November 16th, 2011 at 2:48 pm · Link

    I truly love reading about a strong woman in a book. One that is actively trying to help herself even while the Hero is out to save her. A couple of my Fave would be Riley Jenson, Kelly in the Sons of Destiny series and Tabitha Devereaux from the Dark Hunters series.
    Thanks for a great contest this series looks great and I would love to read it



  16. azteclady
    November 16th, 2011 at 3:30 pm · Link

    Definitely, strong heroines.

    The one who has been on my mind lately, due to Dear Author’s discussion on hero’s agency, is Reena Hale from Nora Roberts’ Blue Smoke



  17. Jewel
    November 16th, 2011 at 4:52 pm · Link

    I love strong heroines.

    Some of my favorites are, Tabitha (Dark Hunters), India (Rough Riders), Cat (Night Huntress) Renata (Midnight Breed) & from Vivian’s great series Granite Lake Wolves it would have to be Robyn.

    Thanks for this giveaway. I love Vivian’s books. 🙂



  18. Diane Sadler
    November 16th, 2011 at 4:57 pm · Link

    Love strong heroines; one of my favorite characters is Eve Dalls from J D Robb’ series In Death.



  19. Jen B.
    November 16th, 2011 at 6:39 pm · Link

    I just got my copy of Rocky Mountain Heat! **Happy Dance** It is my Thanksgiving reading! Now, to strong heroines. I love strong heroines and I loath heroines too stupid to live! My favorite strong heroine is Phedre from Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel’s series.



  20. Fedora
    November 16th, 2011 at 9:15 pm · Link

    Ooh, yes, I do prefer strong heroines–not ones with such a fierce independent streak that they’d sooner shoot themselves than get something done, but ones who are capable of doing for themselves AND who recognize the value of a helping hand once in a while 🙂 Looking forward to this whole series, Viv!



  21. Elizabeth
    November 16th, 2011 at 11:38 pm · Link

    I love a strong herion, and not just physical strength either. I love a herion who is strong of mind and heart also. Women who survive the most heartbreaking situations, but they survive. One that will allow no one to tell her she can’t, and make her believe it. Who knows what her heart and mind wants, and lets no one sway her. Women who can save the man they love with the same strength it takes for their man to save them. Some great examples of these women are ~
    Hex ~ Black Daggger Brotherhood, JR Ward
    Erin Brown ~ Laid Bare, Lauren Dane
    Isla ~ Untamed Highlander, Donna Grant
    Jessica Thornton ~ Pieces of Sky, kaki Warner
    Lady Sophia ~ Till Dawn with the Devil, Alexandra Hawkins
    and recently, Rionna McDonald ~ Never Love a Highlander, Maya Banks
    Just to name a few. 😉



  22. Lindsey E
    November 17th, 2011 at 12:58 am · Link

    A strong heroine is always preferred over a TSTL heroine. Strong women are not predictable and keep the story interesting.



  23. Dawn
    November 17th, 2011 at 1:42 pm · Link

    I prefer a strong heroine over a weak one. Can’t stand it when you want to slap them lol. Congrats on the release 😉



  24. Kris M.
    November 17th, 2011 at 7:14 pm · Link

    I love strong heroines, it is what i aspire to be 😉 Probably my fav strong heroines are Eve Dallas from the In Death series and Mercy Thompson. LOVe them. your release sounds YUMMY and I cannot wait to read it., off to amazon to shop 🙂



  25. Regina Ross
    November 18th, 2011 at 10:37 am · Link

    i love both 🙂 great giveaway !!!



  26. Angie M
    November 19th, 2011 at 1:22 pm · Link

    I love a strong heroine. If the female in a book is a wimp, I probably will not finish it! I was once asked by an author if I had liked her book and I had to to tell her that I found the heroine too whiny! I felt bad but couldn’t lie because she had asked for my opinion. Without strong characters, I will be bored by a book. My favorite heroine would be the one I’m currently reading!



  27. Vivian Arend
    December 3rd, 2011 at 10:31 pm · Link

    Hi everyone! Closing the contest now, and random,com picked #7- CrystalGB

    I’ll be in touch. Thank you, everyone , for sharing about your favorite strong heroines.

    Viv