Day Three of #TemptedToWrite

Day Three:  Introduce Your Modern Tempted Heroine…

One of the things that drew me to the Modern Tempted imprint were the heroines.  Without exception, they all had a career, or a dream or something that they want to achieve; that, for me as a chick lit feminist, is kind of the point.

It’s not that they all have to be the same (because they’re really not), or that they’re perfect (because flaws make characterisation that much better) or even that they’re not after love (because anyone who says that that’s how all feminists feel is an idiot), but rather that they have drive.

They’re also, usually, pretty sassy.  And this works because who doesn’t like to see sparks fly between two romantic leads?

As for size, shape etc – that’s the author’s prerogative.  Curvy or slender, chic or casual, brunette or redhead; all of this fades into insignificance.  It’s who they are that drives the plot.

Example Number One:  Victoria in Natalie Anderson’s The Right Mr Wrong

Victoria Rutherford was never going to be a mouse again.

And…

Vivi Grace still felt compelled to prove herself.  She was better than brilliant and worked hard to be.

What makes Victoria/Vivi stand out?  The two names in the quote – Victoria and Vivi – sound like diferent people, and that’s because, in a way, they are.  Natalie Anderson opens her book with a proposal and then, Sliding Doors-style, shows what happens to the proposée when she says yes and when she says no.  It’s also like having two separate heroines, though each is recognisable within the other.

Example Number Two:  Cassie in Amy Andrews’ Girl Least Likely to Marry

Despite her earlier concerns about leaving Gina and Tuck together, Cassie had given it little thought in the fifteen minutes she’d been away.  Her brain had been mulling over the findings of an astronomy research paper she’d read last night.  She’d even applied the lipstick as ordered by Gina without conscious thought as she considered the fascinating data.

She was surprised for a moment when she arrived back at the table to find Tuck-Whats-his-name sitting there with Gina, apparently getting along just fine.  She slotted the research into a file in her head and shut it down with a mental mouse click.

What makes Cassie stand out?  Firstly, she’s ridiculously intelligent.  An astrophysicist working in academia, she’s social uncertain and is rather surprised when she finds herself first in lust, and then in love, with Tuck.  I like the way that Andrews challenges the preconception that women are usually the most emotionally-literate in a relationship.  And Cassie’s totally refreshing as a character!

It’s pretty difficult to pick my favourite answers as the submissions are daily getting better and more and more engaging.  However, Lorraine Nelson’s character Betsy caught my eye…  Congrats Lorraine!

Blond-haired, blue-eyed, tall, and shapely, Betsy Cavanaugh prefers to dress down so as not to attract unwanted attention. As manager of one of her father’s posh resorts, she comes into contact with many people. She also fills in where needed, not afraid to get her hands dirty.

That’s how she came to be working as a maid when she met Clint Flannigan. She’d knocked on his door and, when there was no answer, had gone in to clean his room and found him in bed, an empty liquor bottle and two glasses on the nightstand. He’d had the audacity to smile and invite her in…to his bed.

She’d refused and left, dubbing him a charmer and a playboy. When he made another move on her, she wasted no time putting him in his place. Betsy wasn’t looking for an affair, short or long-term. She had loved once before and lost her man to a drunk driver with a carload of partygoers. They’d all survived, but her beloved fiancé had died on the spot. That kind of love could only happen once, but the hate she felt for that drunken driver hadn’t abated one bit. Betsy knew it wasn’t fair, but the more Clint pursued her, the more she took her hatred and grief out on him.

So why did he persist in taunting her with his continued presence?

What makes Betsey stand out?  I love the fact that she's really independent, with a good career and a great work ethic, and very clearly doesn't need a man.  The fact that she meets one, in Clint, is a separate matter.  She seems sassy and vibrant and I can't wait to find out more about her!

Tomorrow brings with it my recap of Question Four, and we'll be delving into the psyche of our heroines...