Guilty as Charged: Favorite Suspense Clichés

Please welcome Jill Sorenson back for her second day on the island!

The romance genre is notorious for its clichés. Romantic suspense, my favorite subgenre, is full of them—and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m a huge fan of fresh, unique storylines, but I also have a soft spot in my heart for those tried-and-true themes that have been done so well, and so often.

My name is Jill Sorenson, and I’m a cliché addict. If loving an overdone trope is wrong, I don’t want to be right.

I asked Katie Reus, fellow sexy suspense author and partner in crime, to discuss this seriously awesome problem with me here at DIK. We’re going to name names, point fingers, and admit to our own guilt. It’s confession time, ladies!

Here are some of our favorite suspense clichés:

1. Serial killer villain

Jill says: This cliché is popular because it works so well. What’s more unsettling than a murderer on the loose? A multiple murderer on the loose! Serial killers can be scary, sociopathic, and sadistic. You just know that they’re going to kill again. They enjoy inflicting pain, and they want to do all sorts of nasty things to our poor heroine. Allison Brennan and Brenda Novak excel in creating realistic villains in this vein, but favorite serial killer book is Nora Roberts’ Carnal Innocence. Sexy Southern slacker Tucker Longstreet and vulnerable violinist Caroline Waverly steam up the pages while thwarting a dangerous sexual predator.

Katie says: I’m in total agreement with Jill. It seems that serial killers are often sociopaths and to me, there’s nothing scarier than a sociopath. Well, except a sociopath who’s also a killer. Yikes! These individuals have the ability to walk through life like ordinary people yet underneath the surface they’re monsters just waiting until they can strike again. I just finished reading Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan and all I have to say is the killer kept me up at night, especially after I found out who he was.

Guilty or Innocent?

Jill: I’m guilty. Both of my first two novels, Dangerous to Touch and Crash Into Me, feature serial killer villains.

Katie: Guilty as charged. Not published yet, but the manuscript I just sent to my agent features a vicious serial killer.

2. Wrongly accused hero

Jill says: The only thing better than a wrongly accused hero is a wrongly convicted hero. Two of my favorite romantic suspense novels, Karen Robards’ One Summer and Pamela Clare’s Unlawful Contact, use this plot device to full effect. It’s an instant source of conflict and a fountain of angst. In both books, the heroes are infatuated with the heroine before incarceration and fantasize about her at night in their jail cells. OMG I LOVE IT.

Katie says: I love this theme! In Kimberly Dean’s Manhunt (Red Sage Secrets Volume 11), the hero is wrongfully accused of a crime he didn’t commit but instead of going to jail, he takes the heroine hostage and asks orders her to help him clear his name. So hot!

Guilty or innocent?

Jill: Guilty again, hah. I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that Ben Fortune, murder suspect hero of Crash Into Me, is a stone-cold fox, not a stone-cold killer.

Katie: Not guilty (right now), but I have plans to amend that in the future. Being guilty is so much more fun than being innocent ;)

3. Sheriff Hero

Jill says: A law enforcement hero is often a reformed a bad boy. Now he’s a fine, upright citizen, as smart as he is strong. His jaw is chiseled, his uniform is sharp, and his muscles are rock-hard. “Just the facts, ma’am.” This kind of hero begs for a wild, sexy heroine to shake him up. Two great examples are Cameron Rafferty from Nora Roberts’ Divine Evil, and Ben Lawson from Victoria Dahl’s Talk Me Down.

Katie says: Something about a man in uniform turns me to mush. I like men in military uniforms better (Marines to be specific), but a man in uniform is still a man in uniform. Yum! He’s not a sheriff, but Detective Daniel Cardenas in Tracy Montoya’s I’ll Be Watching You is smoking hot! Oh, and there’s also a serial killer in that book too. I think I might have a problem ;)

Guilty or innocent?

Jill: Guilty and proud! Luke Meza, the hero for my latest release, Set the Dark on Fire, is a straitlaced city-boy sheriff who gets extremely hot under the collar for my small town, bad-girl heroine.

Katie: Guilty again! Remember the manuscript I mentioned above? It’s got a serial killer AND a sheriff hero. I just couldn’t help myself. Two clichés for the price of one!

Thanks for another fun post, Jill! Don’t forget, one lucky commenter will win a copy of Crash Into Me! With a smoking hot surfer hero and a diabolical serial killer on the loose, romantic suspense doesn’t get much better. Trust me, this book is awesome! Don't believe me? Click here to read an excerpt and more!

Jill Sorenson - Day 1

Please welcome fantastic author, Jill Sorenson, to the island!

Jill Sorenson was born in a small town in Kansas, but she moved to San Diego with her family when she was twelve. After twenty years, she hasn’t lost her appreciation for sunny weather, her love for the Pacific Ocean, or her fascination with Southern California culture. She still lives in the most beautiful place on earth, San Diego, and currently holds the best job in the world, writing romance novels. When she isn’t daydreaming about characters or chasing after her adorable daughters, Jill enjoys going to the beach and taking long walks with her husband.

(Katie Reus) Please tell us a little about the genre you write and why you love it.

(Jill Sorenson) I love all kinds of romance and read across the genre, but I write romantic suspense because I think it fits my voice. I like a certain amount of realism, and I’m attracted to the thrill ride aspect of two people falling in love amidst danger. Maybe I’m a bit of a sadist, because I always torture my characters. They have to go through a hellish ordeal to get an HEA.

(KR) Your first single title was featured in Cosmo. That’s got to be huge for any author! How tumultuous was your writing journey? Did you get a lot of rejections before receiving ‘the call’?

(JS) Thanks for mentioning that! Yes, the Cosmo feature was a very lucky break. Second only to being offered a contract with Bantam Dell in the first place! I think most authors would say the journey is tumultuous. Getting published is difficult. We have demanding day jobs, growing families. I collected dozens of rejections, and wrote five complete manuscripts before I got my first offer.

(KR) What would you say has been your most significant accomplishment as a writer?

(JS) Good question! I’m not a fast writer, so finishing a novel always feels like an accomplishment. Finishing Set the Dark on Fire was probably the most significant. I started it in 2007, just after my second daughter was born. She was a difficult baby (constant ear infections), and it was a tough year for our family.

Of course, I’m also proud of my other books. Readers have responded really well to Crash Into Me, so that’s very satisfying. It makes my day when I get an email from a fan. A few months ago, Maya Banks contacted me to say that she loved Dangerous to Touch, my debut for Silhouette Romantic Suspense. It blew me away!

(KR) What’s the hardest thing about being a writer?

(JS) Getting rejected. Still happens, still hurts.
Amen to that!

(KR) What are you currently working on?

(JS) I’m working on my next single title for Bantam Dell.

(KR) Tell us something about yourself that we might not know.

(JS) I’m a high school drop out and a valedictorian.

(KR) If you were stuck on a desert island what 3 things would you bring with you?

(JS) Food, water, and a tent. (Or am I supposed to say pen, paper, and my favorite book?)
You can bring anything you want, but don't worry about the tent. I'll share my cabana ;)

(KR) What drink would you bring with you to the island?

(JS) My favorite drink is a cantaloupe licuado. So refreshing and delicious!

(KR) Anything you’d like to add for your readers and/or aspiring writers?

(JS) For my readers: THANK YOU. For aspiring authors: stay on a schedule, accept criticism, and don’t be afraid to submit.

(KR) Briefly tell us about your latest release.

(JS) Set the Dark on Fire features a sexy wildlife biologist and a straitlaced city-boy sheriff who team up to investigate a suspicious mountain lion mauling in Tenaja Falls, California. Sparks fly. Tensions smolder. Passionate fires rage out of control! (Excerpts and blurb will follow Wednesday)

Blurb from Dangerous to Touch, today's book giveaway
All her life Sidney Morrow had tried to repress her disturbing psychic visions. Until a vision of murder shattered her fragile serenity. She had to go to the authorities—make them listen. But Lt. Marc Cruz didn’t trust her one bit. In fact, the sensual homicide cop treated her like a suspect. And sent her senses haywire….

The dark-haired beauty knew something about the serial killer Marc was after. But he was certain “visions” had nothing to do with it. Determined to be her constant shadow, Marc wasn’t prepared when desire blindsided him—and put them both in the path of a relentless killer.

That's it for today! Don't forget, one lucky commenter will win a copy of Dangerous to Touch! Click here to read an excerpt!! Come back tomorrow and hear Jill talk about cliches in romance novels and for another book giveaway!

Nalini Singh Book Winners

Winner of a copy of Angels' Blood:

Ayesha

Winner of a copy of one Psy-Changeling book in Nalini's back list (winner's choice)

Willa

Congrats. Please mail be your address at 2aymless at gmail dot com. (Willa tell me which book you want as well)

Answer for About Nalini Singh:

1. What was the date of Nalini's first visit to the DIK island? September 4-6, 2008
   
2. Where was Nalini born? Fiji
   
3. Where does Nalini currently live? New Zealand
   
4. What was the title and publication date of Nalini's first book? Desert Warrior released August 2003
   
5. What are Nalini's vices? Books, Chocolate and Travel
   
6. What happens on Fridays on Nalini's Blog? Friday Book Club (make sure you check it out)
   
7. What was the date of Nalini first blog entry? Monday, July 4 2005
   

The Guild Hunters:

1. What was the release date for Angels' Blood? March 2009
2. What is the title of the second full length book and when will it be released? Archangel's Kiss will be released in February 2010
   
3. What is the title of the first novella and who is it about? Angels' Pawn starring Ashwini and Janvier
   
4. What is the title of the novella in the Must Love Hellhounds anthology and who is it about? Angels' Judgment is about Sara and Deacon
   
5. How many more Guild Hunter books is Nalini contracted to write? Nalini is currently contracted to write 2 more books!
   

The Psy-Changelings:

1. What is the title of the first full length book and who are the hero and heroine? Slave to Sensation starring Lucas Hunter and Sasha Duncan
   
2. Name the DarkRiver sentinels. Nathan, Clay, Dorian, Mercy and Vaughan
   
3. Who is the leader of the SnowDancers? Hawke
   
4. Who is the leader of the Rats and what is the name of their home base? Teijan rules Down Below
   
5. What does the Cannibal Princess keep in her pantry? Cake, pie and sausages as well as little boys
   
6. What does Faith see in Sasha's future? Lots of chocolate (and exercise)
   
7. What gift does Kit's parents leave for him? Tags with a special inscription
   
8. What is the title of the Psy-Changeling book out in November and who is the hero? Devraj Santos
   
9. Who is the hero/heroine for the Psy-Changling books 8 and 9 (after the one out in Nov.) Book 8 will star Max and Book 9 will star Indigo
   
10. How many more Psy-Changling books is Nalini contracted to write? Nalini is currently contracted to write 4 more books!
    

Nalini Singh's Back on the Island

Please give a big island welcome to the creator of the fantastic Psy-Changeling and Guild Hunters worlds,

The ONE
The ONLY
NALINI SINGH

She has given us so many yummy heroes to keep us company on our humble little island (and cabanas). The sexy DarkRiver Leopards, the scrumptious SnowDancer Wolves, the tantalizing Psy, the enticing Vampires, the captivating Hunters and the seductive Angels.

If you haven't had a chance to get acquainted with these luscious morsels of alpha-heroness, here's your chance.

It's a scavenger hunt!!! All the answers can be found either on Nalini Singh's homepage (here) or on her blog (here). Everyone who gets all the correct answers will be thrown into a drawing!

• To win a copy of Angels' Blood answer the questions for "About Nalini Singh" and "The Guild-Hunters"
• To win a copy of one Psy-Changeling book in Nalini's back list (winner's choice) answer the questions for "About Nalini Singh" and "The Psy-Changelings"

E-mail your answers to 2aymless at gmail dot com (that way you won't give away the answers). All entries must be in by 5pm PDT on Saturday, 29 August. Winners will be announced on Sunday, 30 August. Good Luck!

About Nalini Singh:

1. What was the date of Nalini's first visit to the DIK island?
2. Where was Nalini born?
3. Where does Nalini currently live?
4. What was the title and publication date of Nalini's first book?
5. What are Nalini's vices?
6. What happens on Fridays on Nalini's Blog?
7. What was the date of Nalini first blog entry?

The Guild Hunters:

1. What was the release date for Angels' Blood?
2. What is the title of the second full length book and when will it be released?
3. What is the title of the first novella and who is it about?
4. What is the title of the novella in the Must Love Hellhounds anthology and who is it about?
5. How many more Guild Hunter books is Nalini contracted to write?

The Psy-Changelings:

1. What is the title of the first full length book and who are the hero and heroine?
2. Name the DarkRiver sentinels.
3. Who is the leader of the SnowDancers?
4. Who is the leader of the Rats and what is the name of their home base?
5. What does the Cannibal Princess keep in her pantry?
6. What does Faith see in Sasha's future?
7. What gift does Kit's parents leave for him?
8. What is the title of the Psy-Changeling book out in November and who is the hero?
9. Who is the hero/heroine for the Psy-Changling books 8 and 9 (after the one out in Nov.)
10. How many more Psy-Changling books is Nalini contracted to write?
    

While the hunt is going, drop a comment and stay tuned to chat with the fabulous Nalini Singh.

o hai thirty!

“Jane will be quite an old maid soon. She is almost three-and-twenty! Lord! How ashamed I would be of not being married before three-and-twenty!” – Lydia, Pride and Prejudice

le sigh. Well, this is my last night as a twenty-something. It's funny but I do remember being a young teenager and thinking how OLD thirty would be. And here it is. I'll be too old to be the star of a regency romance. Maybe I'll have to start reading contemps. lol.

They say that things get better in your 30s. Better sex, better jobs, better whatever. Age being like a fine wine and all that. So in the spirit of older being better, I thought I'd post some of my favorite non-20-something menz. :)
































Oh and how bout this one? sigh....


Some things do get better with age.

My Thievery at Work

Jenre was so nice and sent me some beautiful men to get my collection going once again - thanks so much!

But I just hopped over to Ms. Moonlight's blog and the thievery began. Ok, is it really thievery when she says I can steal? I'm not sure. But here are a few of the lovely, lovely hotties I picked up. (I'll keep it clean)


Yeah, they don't call me the cali-butt-girl for nothin. :)

Pretties for a Monday

When my computer's hard drive died I didn't mind so much since I had everything backed up. Yeah, it didn't bother to back up any of my pictures. Luckily I had the ones of the kids and family on a flash drive but all of my lovely, lovely men pics went bye-bye into cyber dump.

So if you're ever just sitting around and you thinkto yourself: hey, I should emailTracy pictures of gorgeous men. Do it. Really. It would be greatly appreciated. :)

The Regency Romance Hero

Today, let us examine one of my favorite specimens of the romance genre, that of the Regency Romance Hero.

Species: The Regency Romance Hero, who is either a Rake or a Spy. (Remember, darlings, that Repentant Rakes make the best husbands!)

Appearance: Dressed to the nines in the most fashionable cuts of his year, the Regency Hero sets fashion standards in the Ton, even as he disdains society's pomp and whirl. His dress is typically from the English fashion plates of the years 1790 to 1820, but may well include the period of time when the Regent became King George IV, from 1820 to 1837. Expect polished black Hessians and an impeccably turned out cravat. His hair is unfashionably long.

Habitat: Never Almacks or anywhere matchmaking mammas can be found, at least until the parson's noose is about to descend over his handsome head. Unless, of course, his last name is Bridgerton, you may find him at the seediest hells, the most exclusive brothels, and his club, Whites. He spends his days gambling, whoring and drinking brandy. He may have an unfashionable business on the side, or, if he is a spy, occasionally make reports to Whitehall on the Napoleonic plots he has uncovered.

Favorite Phrase: Bloody Hell!

Heroine: Either a Hoyden or a Bluestocking Spinster. If the former, the fashion plates are based on her latest habille. If the latter, she wears glasses and dresses two years out of season. She rebels against the strict rules society has placed on her. Egypt is a passion of hers. She is often found caring for an aging, out-of-touch scientist father or her orphaned younger sisters. Odds are good she is a virgin.

Villain: Napoleonic spies, conniving ex-suitors, and evil stepmothers

The cream of the crop, six Regency Romance Heroes I would love to conscript to my hut:

1. Rupert Carsington from Loretta Chase's Mr. Impossible. A Regency-era Indiana Jones, this Egyptologist is both witty and endearing. What luck! I already have him in my hut. :D

2. James Cordier from Loretta Chase's Your Scandalous Ways. A world-weary spy, witty as all Chase's heroes are.

3. Alex, Lord Raiford from Lisa Kleypas's Then Came You. A notorious English lord, who turns out to be a sweetie pie.

4. Capt. Sebastian Kennett from Joanna Bourne's My Lord and Spymaster. A spy! A handsome, witty one!

5. James Durham, Viscount Sanburne from Meredith Duran's Bound by Your Touch. A bored, fashionable Rake. (who is apparently Victorian. whoops! he can be an honorary regency hero in my heart.)

6. Connor Kincaid from Teresa Medeiros' Some Like it Wild. A brawny highland highwayman in a kilt. Yum!

Which are your favorite Regency Romance Heroes?

The Steampunk Romantic Hero

Ahoy! A new breed of romantic hero has been spotted on the horizon, quickly sailing toward our island on his airship. How shall we recognize this paragon? Let us check A Natural History of the Romantic Hero for informative clues…

Genus: Steampunk Romance Hero (not to be confused with an unromantic hero, I beg you.)

Appearance: Most often found in Victorian garb: top hats and tails, polished black boots. The cut maybe be Victorian, but the cloth could very well be canvas or futuristic polymer. The Steampunk hero may fool you; he is anachronistic in essence, choosing the best from multiple time periods with no thought to linear continuity. Look for the brass goggles--they're a dead giveaway to identifying this reclusive specimen.

Habitat: From the Victorian age to the far future, the Steampunk hero can be found in his laboratory tinkering with extraordinary machines. Though gas lights his workspace, steam powers his experiments, and coal smoke fills the air, do not assume the object of his research to be so easily pinned down in time; Nanotechnology is a passion of his. When not in the workshop, the Steampunk hero enjoys flying his airship to parts undiscovered and riding his steam-powered bicycle through Hyde Park.


Heroine: Expect his match to be equal in daring and wits. The Steampunk heroine is no fainting violet. She is more likely to be the one fending off airpirates whilst her hero unclogs the engine of the airship. A corset is no impediment to her astounding feats of physical prowess. Her most distinguishing characteristic is subversiveness.

Villain: A megalomaniac, the Steampunk villain is set upon world domination. Often also a mad scientist, expect his takeover scheme to include giant machines.

By my calculations, the first Steampunk Romantic hero will touch down on the island in six months time. Let the mudslinging begin!

The 4 Heroes of the Apocalypse

Rumor has it from the Romance Writers of America national conference that Post-Apocalyptic fiction is hot. I am eager to get my hands on the new batch of heroes that announcement will inspire. If you think about it, post-apocalyptic settings are similar to desert islands: no running water; no supplies; just lots of hot, sweaty Alphas working under the hot sun to build cabanas out of palm fronds and break open coconuts.

Why do I like the idea of post-apocalyptic heroes? They have to be brave, rugged, and smart to survive in primitive, violent conditions. I have my eye on a hut full of heroes that I would like with me after the apocalypse:

1. John Connor. What other man could lead a group of under-prepared, weak humans into the lair of maniacal machines and return with every one of his troops alive? Seriously, this is the man for the job if you want to survive in the post-apocalyptic world. Forget about the dangers of being a secondary character. His hero power will save the world.

2. Curran, the Beast Lord. The anti-hero of Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series is a self-serving, dangerously sexy lion shifter. He knows how to rule in a post-apocalyptic world where vampires, demons and crazed mythological creatures stalk the night. He's loyal to a fault and takes no prisoners.

3. Wizard. Post-apocalyptic romance is plentiful in the SHOMI line. DRIVEN, by Eve Kenin is one of my favorites. Rough around the edges, but handy with a gun, Wizard is just the guy I'd want at my back in the arctic wasteland of a nuclear winter. I wouldn't mind having Raina on my team too.

4. Rogan. He might not be trained as a fighter, but when the going gets tough, Rogan gets going. The hero of Michelle Maddox's COUNTDOWN not only must contend with a post-apocalyptic world, he's racing for his life in a game show with deadly consequences. He thinks on his feet and rolls with the punches. All that muscle doesn't hurt either!



Who would you bring? Do you like apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic romance and urban fantasy? Recommendations?

Bookworm's Top 7 Hero Requirements

Hello ladies, for my third day on the island i'd like to chat about Hero Requirements . I think we all love our heroes for different reasons. So today, let's discuss some of those reasons.



Bookworm's Top 7 Hero Requirements

1. Tall, Dark and Handsome and has a great smile with good teeth. (okay, I know I really stuck alot in there, but read on)

This is a no brainer, the hero must look good. This means he's got good oral hygiene, takes care of himself and is an all around hottie. Hugh is 6 ft. 2, 'nuff said. Look at those pearly whites!





2. Bad Boy attitude, good guy heart.


I like my hero to have an edge, but I don't want him to be a jerk. I like a man who's not afraid to get into a bar fight, but who will also give me a foot rub later that night. He's got to be a sweetheart and treat his lady right!






3. Intelligent


He has got to be smart, I want to be able to hold an intelligent conversation with him. He's got to be able to talk books, politics and current affairs.




4. Good in Bed/Fabulous Kisser

This is self-explanatory. And a must for any hero. He's got to be able to make his lady swoon! Yeah baby!








5. Facial Hair

I like my heroes to have a bit of stubble. Take a look at Hugh here, he has perfected this look.





6. Sense of Humor

My hero has got to be able to make me laugh. He's got to be able to loosen up and not take himself too seriously. Laughing is great foreplay :)






7. Smells Good

Okay, my hero must smell good. I'm not a fan of stinky men. Look at Matthew here, you know he smells divine!








Those are my Top 7 Hero Requirements,what are yours?

Thanks everyone, it's been a fun three days here on the island...Hugh and I are off for now, he wants to take me for a midnight stroll on the beach, afterwards we can drink wine and snuggle while I admire his facial hair :)

-The Bookworm