DIK's...It's the Whole Man

Born and raised in the Southeast, award-winning author Patrice Michelle gave up her financial calculator for a keyboard and never looked back. Thanks to an open-minded family who taught her that life isn't as black and white as we're conditioned to believe, she pens her novels with the belief that various shades of gray are a lot more interesting. She's a natural with a point-and-shoot camera, likes to fiddle with graphic design and, to the relief of her family, strums her guitar to an audience of one.

Please give a warm tropical island welcome to Patrice Michelle! *the crowd goes wild*

I wanted to thank Tracy for inviting me to guest on the DIK blog. As I was thinking about the blog post I wanted to write, I considered the range of subjects that have probably be discussed before on DIK…from, the men to…well, the men, and of course, we can’t ever forget about the men. ;)

Personally, I read my romances for the hero. Sure I want to like or at least be able to relate to the heroine (and I want to feel she’s a great match for the hero and visa versa), but really, I read to fall in love with that super sexy, irresistible guy, right along with the heroine!

I’ll be the first to admit that irresistibly sexy is always a plus, but when it comes down to it, what makes a book a keeper for me is the little things the hero does for the heroine that make me fall for him. Sometimes it’s a particular line of dialogue, whereas other times, it’s something much more subtle…like a gesture or a look.

My ALL TIME favorite dialogue scene is from the movie The Village by M. Night Shyamalan.

In this scene, Ivy is very forthcoming with Lucius when he comes to her rescue that night. (She's blind and is left behind in the chaos that overtakes the crowd, who run to their homes for safety when they learn that a creature has broken their town's perimeter. Ivy's frightened and is walking around calling for help, reaching out her hand...and Lucias grabs it). At this point in the story, Ivy realizes he cares about her and she's trying to get him to tell her how he feels. Marriage has never been discussed or mentioned. Lucius’ character is a very quiet, still-waters-run-deep type of man and that’s why this scene really grabs you.

Quotes below are credited to The Village by M. Night Shyamalan…

Ivy Walker: When we are married, will you dance with me? I find dancing very agreeable. Why can you not say what is in your head?

Lucius Hunt: Why can you not stop saying what is in yours? Why must you lead, when I want to lead? If I want to dance I will ask you to dance. If I want to speak I will open my mouth and speak. Everyone is forever plaguing me to speak further. Why? What good is it to tell you you are in my every thought from the time I wake? What good can come from my saying that I sometimes cannot think clearly or do my work properly? What gain can rise of my telling you the only time I feel fear as others do is when I think of you in harm? That is why I am on this porch, Ivy Walker. I fear for your safety before all others. And yes, I will dance with you on our wedding night.

Beyond dialogue and bigger actions, I’ve tried hard to include the “little things” that will make a hero desirable in my own stories. One example is a scene in my book COLT’S CHOICE, where Colt and Elise have just have had a sexually charged battle of wills and Colt walks out. In the very next scene, Colt and Elise get in his truck without speaking. Then Colt reaches across and puts his hand on her thigh. No words are exchanged, but Elise knows by the look in his eyes that he’s apologizing.

Another scene that pops in my mind is a scene from SCIONS:RESURRECTION, where Ariel realizes that Jachin had kept an earring of hers, even when he’d been willing to give her up…by that small action (of him keeping a part of her close to him), she realized just how much she meant to him.

Now that I’ve shared a few examples, what particular scene/dialogue/look/gesture, etc has a hero done in a book that has made that particular hero/story a DIK for you? Share and tell us why, and at the end of the day tomorrow (5pm EST, June 2nd), I’ll draw a name from those who’ve commented to win a signed copy of my print book ANTICIPATION AND SEDUCTION. (must be 18 years of age or older to win this prize)