Guest Author: Chloe Neill
First in a brand new series about a Chicago graduate student’s introduction into a society of vampires.
Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker—and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.
Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she’s traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan “Lord o’ the Manor” Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred- year-old vampire, he has centuries’ worth of charm, but unfortunately he expects her gratitude— and servitude. But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan’s attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone’s still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war—and there will be blood.
Make sure you stick around because we have a bunch of goodies we’re giving away.
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I Love a Good Hero . . . But Does My Heroine?
One of the most frequent questions I receive as an author is whether the events that I write about (presumably the non-supernatural ones) actually happened to me.
The answer that I invariably give–an honest one–is that I’ve already lived the stuff in my life, so why would I want to write about it? :) At least in part, I write so that I can try on someone else’s experiences, someone else’s friends, someone else’s drama.
But that’s not to say that my characters are any less real to me than if I actually knew them. And that makes one thing a pretty big challenge–connecting to the hero.
At least so far, in order for me to put the hero and heroine together (or, in Merit’s case, to think about how she and her hero might *eventually* get together), I need to connect to him. That is, even if he seems completely irredeemable in the beginning–as was the case in a half-finished contemporary romance that’s moldering in a dusty folder on my laptop–if I “get” him in some way, I can figure out a way for he and my heroine to make it work in the end.
Sometimes, that connection just isn’t there. Sometimes, no matter how many great qualities the hero has–charm, good looks, great personality–I don’t connect with him. There’s no pull. No spark. It’s like dating a guy who, on paper, is perfect for you, but who doesn’t trigger that tingle in your stomach when he smiles. And just like in real life, it’s not just about physical attraction; it’s about the connection, truly understanding someone. Truly connecting to someone.
If I don’t connect with the hero, how can I convincingly write about a heroine connecting with him?
Therein lies the problem–is it fair for me to bring my preferences (as an author) into her relationships (as a heroine)? It is her life, after all. Should I simply pick the “best” guy on paper–the one with the best resume and credentials and the least emotional baggage–and put her together with him? And if I don’t, am I giving the guy I *do* connect with a chance he shouldn’t have been given?
Here’s the moral of the story: relationships aren’t simple, fiction or otherwise. In both cases, you do the best you can.
Best wishes readers, and thanks to Literary Escapism for hosting me today!
~ Chloe
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Thank you Chloe for visiting Literary Escapism.
Contest Time! We’re giving away a Cadogan House tote bag, Some Girls Bite magnet, “I Heart Cadogan” bumper sticker, and an autographed Chicagoland Vampires bookplate to a lucky commentator and it’s very easy to enter. All you have to do is answer one of these simple questions (or all of them your choice): What are some of your favorite Heroine/Hero matchups? Has there ever been a matchup that you didn’t like (i.e. Bella should have been with Jacob instead of Edward)?
The contest is open to everyone, so everyone overseas can join in the fun as well.
As always, if you want more chances to win, you can post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, twit it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your answer (in the same post). The more places you share it, the more entries you get.
For 2 more entries, purchase either Some Girls Bite and/or preorder Friday Night Bites (through LE’s Amazon store or any other novel) sometime during this contest and send a copy of the receipt VIA email for your purchase to: myjaxon AT gmail DOT com. That’s a possible 4 entries if you purchase both books!
Join the Literary Escapism Facebook page and you’ll get an additional entry (for each page). Make sure you leave a comment so I know that’s why you’re joining. Only new readers to the group will be considered.
For 2 additional entries, subscribe to Literary Escapism’s newsletter in the sidebar. This is for new subscribers only.
I’ll determine the winner with help from the Research Randomizer. All entries must be in by midnight on June 9th.
One of the matchups that I wasn’t a fan of was Mercy Thompson and
Adam Hauptman (Patricia Briggs’ Mercedes Thompson series). I was pulling for Mercy to get back together with Samuel. I totally get why it ends up the way it does but a girl can have her preferences right?
Thanks for the great giveaway!
*Jen
Scarlett + Rhett = great matchup! And as far as Bella + Jacob, that resolved itself quite neatly in Breaking Dawn, didn’t it?? I’ve already read Some Girls Bite on my Kindle, so I would buy it if I needed to, but I don’t!
@Jen – sorry to hear you weren’t rooting for Mercy and Adam. I love them!
Along with Mercy and Adam some of my favorites are Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, Cat and Bones, and Kate and Curran.
There have been a few that I was ambivalent about but, at the moment, I can’t think of any that I thought were just all wrong.
matchups I like Faythe and Marc (Rachel Vincent),Elena and Clay(kelly armstrong),Victoria and Max (Colleen Gleason)
I’m also a new subscriber to your newsletter
My favorite would have to be Jeaniene Frost’s; Bones& Cat. They just complete each other.
Patricia Briggs; Mercy& Adam is also one of my favorite and I can’t wait to read her next book.
Carrie Vaughn; Kitty& Ben, I really didn’t think they should of ended up together, I was all but yelling and wishing for Cormac and Kitty to hook up.
And as for Charlaine Harris; I hoped Sookie would of ended up with Bill, it was just a romance/love at first sight thing when they first met but I’m not too upset with her being with Eric, I just find Bill more suitable.
Ohh and Karen Chance’s books; I wished Cass would of ended up with Pritikin just because they have that fight/fight/make up/fight relationship and it’s so funny.
Hi, commenters.
@ Michelle – Thanks for reading!
Personally, I’ve always wished that Rachel and Trent would end up together in Kim Harrison’s books. I still believe he’s redeemable! (which fits in with my guest blog today!)
Chloe, thanks for your thoughts on Merit and for insight to your creative process! I can’t wait for FNB!
Hmmmm, for the contest . . . I’ll always have a special place in my heart for Elizabeth and Mr. D’Arcy. Every time I read P&P I’m nervous it just won’t happen! Another of my all time favorite matchups is Harry and Ginny ;) A silly aside: I always giggle when I imagine Arthur at Weasly family christmases discussing endlessly with his son- and daughter-in-laws boring muggle trivialities like plugs and mailmen.
As for a matchup I didn’t like, I was never a fan of Sookie and Alcide – so I’m glad that didn’t pan out. I’m hoping she sees that Eric is worth the trouble and hassle (fingers crossed)!
Thanks for the fun contest :)
Hi, Chloe! I can’t wait to read Some Girls Bite, I love the cover so much!! :D
Chloe,
I’ve always thought Rachel and Trent should be together, but everyone I know that’s read the books thinks I’m nuts.I thought I was the only one.
I read your book in a day, it was awesome,I can’t wait for the next one.
What are some of your favorite Heroine/Hero matchups? Sookie and Eric!!
Jackie, I subscribed to your newsletter. :)
Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. I think I had more of a crush on Jane than her suitor!
@Sara – Thanks! I’m looking forward to having FNB out the door and on shelves!
@Wendy – Thanks! I hope you enjoy it!
I’ve always felt Bella should of ended up with Jacob. Edward dropped the ball. Besides Jacob was far more believable and down to earth. While on I’m the subject of bad matchup and Jacob, the whole Renesmee imprint wasn’t what I envisioned for Jacob. I would love to see Stephanie Meyers do an off shoot series centered around Jacob.
I just started off getting into Patricia Briggs , Mercy Thompson novels so I’m not ready to make a deduction there. Thanks for the opportunity!
I’m also now subscribed to you. Thanks! Indigo
I gave you an award at my blog!
Favorite hero/heroine matchup – Roarke and Eve Dallas. :)
Bella should have ended up with Jacob and I should be with Edward.
@ Chris – OOOOH, good answer! Roarke is the best. So’s Eve. :)
Favorite heroine and hero-Bones and Cat
Wow. This is tough. Truly my stand in forever perfect pairing was Rhett and Scarlet. The only guy that she couldn’t push around and saw her for what she was. Perfect match. I have to confess that I have yet to read Twilight, but my neice has been begging me to get into it. :)
Great giveaway but most of all, it is really just great reading Choe’s perspective on matching up the hero or heroine. :) Thanks!
Kelly
I joined your facebook page (kellyblackwell) Very cool. :)
I loved “Some Girls Bite” and am eagerly awaiting “Friday Night Bites”. I’ve enjoyed all the pairings in the J.R. Ward Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series especially in the latest book “Lover Avenged.” Rehvenge and Ehlena are a fantastic match. I also love the Sookie Stackhouse books by Charlaine Harris but it’s hard for me to select one match for Sookie. With this last book I’m leaning toward Eric but I still have a soft spot for Bill.
@ Kelly and Rose – Thanks!
Posted info about this contest on my twitter page.
I am with everyone who says Rachel and Trent need to hookup. I really can’t see them getting in a relationship, but I CAN see a total one night stand with lots of wild monkey sex and lots of fighting the next morning. I don’t know why, but I can totally see that. :)
Rachel and Trent?? Oh, no I can’t see that happening!
My favorite couples are: Mercy & Adam (Patricia Briggs), Kate & Curran (Ilona Andrews), Faythe & Marc (Rachel Vincent), Bella & Edward (Stephenie Meyer) and Clary & Jace (Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare).
Match ups I hate:
Kitty & Ben (Carrie Vaughn) – I want Cormac!
Jeremy & Jaime (Kelley Armstrong) – She’s so not who I would ever picture with him. I have no idea who else I would pick, but it ain’t her. I still refuse to read No Humans Involved – skipped right over it in the series.
Wishful Thinking:
Rachel & Trent (Kim Harrison) – Yep, I’m another one who would love to see them match up. They might kill each other in the end but, wow, what a story it would be in the meantime. LOL!
Chloe & Derek (Kelley Armstrong YA, Darkest Powers) – It’s headed for a love triangle right now, but I already know who I want to see together.
I’ve subscribed to your newsletter.
Thanks for a great interview and contest! :0)
I have to agree with your mislikes Dawn. I’m not a fan of Jeremy/Jamie or Kitty/Ben. I’m another one who wanted to see Kitty with Cormac (I’m still keeping my fingers crossed, he’ll be back soon). I just don’t see any chemistry with Jeremy and Jamie, I’m not sure why.
Hmm…I love Rachel Vincent’s Faythe and Marc. They’ve had a rocky relationship for awhile but they still are able to work things through. Can’t wait to find out how they get a long distance relationship to work. I also love Elena and Clay, again, another couple who’s had some rocky moments but manages to overcome that in the end and get back together.
I think there are many great matchups in romance books.
I’m really interested in seeing which one Eugenie (from Richelle Mead’s Dark Swan- series) is going to pick. At the moment I’m liking both men.
Some years ago I read one love triangle book in which the heroine ended up with her first husband. She thought he was dead and later married his best friend, but of course her first husband came back… I liked that second husband more and was very disappointed with her choice.
I am a real big fan of the relationships between:
Clay and Elena (Kelley Armstrong “Women of the Underworld”; Jaz & Val (Jennifer Rardin “Jaz Parks”); Rose & Dimitri (Richelle Mead “Vampire Academy”); Elena & Damon (L.J. Smith “The Vampire Diaries”); Eve & Roarke (J.D Robb “In Death”); Kelley & Sonny (Lesley Livingston “Wondrous Strange”, etc.); Clare & Jacy (Cassandra Clare “The Mortal Instruments”).
I would really like to see the following relationships develop further and/or stay together:
Merit & Ethan (Chloe Neill “Chicagoland Vampires”); Ever & Damon (Alyson Noel “The Immortals”); Miranda & Etienne (Richie Cusick “Walk of the Spirits”, etc.); Dru & Christophe (Lili St Crow “Betrayals”, etc.); Laurel & Tamani (Aprilynne Pike “Wings”, etc.); and toss up between Chloe & Ethan and Chloe & Simon (Kelley Armstrong “Darkest Powers).
And would have really liked to see the relationship between Rachel & Kisten (Kim Harrison “The Hollows) work.
Nice guest blog. I’d love to be entered. I’m a huge Harry Potter fan so I loved that Hermione and Ron got together. However, sticking with the same series…I wasn’t a huge fan of the idea of Harry and Ginny.
-Lauren
lauren51990 AT aol DOT com
What are some of your favorite Heroine/Hero matchups?
I’m a big fan of Bones & Cat (Jeaniene Frost’s), Clay & Elena (Kelley Armstrong), and Roarke & Eve Dallas (JD Robb)
Don’t really like Mercy with Adam, but maybe it will work out.
Great questions!
What an interesting post! It’s always so interesting to find out the thought process that writers go through.
As for favorite hero and heroine, I choose Sunshine and Constantine from Sunshine by Robin McKinley.
I LOVE Kate and Curran. One of my favorites (only Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy could top those.)
I didn’t like Kitty and Ben, and actually stopped reading the series because of it. Also indifferent/dislike of Elena and Clay as a couple and Faythe and Mark as a couple. Somehow those two couples didn’t work for me much.
So I joined both Facebook groups, and signed up for the newsletter. I’m hoping to send receipts in tomorrow, once I pre-order! Also, very impressed with your marketing skills. Making those requirements as part of the contest was inspired. Hopefully one day I’ll have a large enough readship to sponsor a contest, and I’ll be sure to employ the same techniques!
personally i dont like twilight at all but I think bella should of gotten with someone other then edward just my opinion tho
my fav match up was n is mira n jack from anya basts novel witch fire
not familar with some of the other authors and havent had a chance to read my tbr pile but ty for the opertunity and i agree about was Rhett and Scarlet being a perfect couple awesome sugestion
I think i’d love to see Rachel and Trent (kim Harrison’s books) together. They are so different but i can see them together. He’s done so many horrible things but i’m always finding myself the Devil’s advocate when i read about Trent, always trying to find a reason that would make all of his actions a bit less horrible.
And Rachel is always trying to BE right, be a white whitch.
So yeah i know i won’t happen but i’m rooting for Trent and Rachel
As for a couple i didn’t like i’d say Cassie and Mircea (Karen Chance) i don’t like them together, it’s a one way relationship. I want Cassie and Pritkin =)
Well at least i can say that even when i don’t like a couple it’s still interesting . It wouldn’t be fun if all the books ended as i wish them to be, no surprises anymore.
My favorite couple is Jesse and Suze from the Mediator Series.
Enter me please!
One of my favorite heroine/ hero match-ups is Sookie Stackhouse and Eric Northman. Can’t stand Bill so I was so glad with the way Ms. Harris is taking her series. I honestly can’t think of a match-up that really bugged me off the top of my head… sorry, I’m an Edward girl lol.
I joined the facebook page.
I don’t think there’s ever been a match up I didn’t like, mainly just ones I would REALLY love to see happen instead. Like Al (the demon) and Rachel Morgan from The Hollows/Kim Harrison (it makes sense in my head! lol) and – like someone else said – Pritkin and Cassie from the Cassie Palmer series by Karen Chance. I would really love to see those two in some sort of relationship.
Some of my favourite couples are Cat&Bones (Night Huntrees – Jeaniene Frost) Georgina&Seth (Succubus series – Richelle Mead)
*Edit* Actually, that last one has me thinking up a couple I don’t like, Seth and Maddie from Richelle’s Succubus series. Not because I dislike Maddie, but Georgina’s pain was just so heartbreaking and real it was heart-wrenching to read. Very moving though. (It moved me to the tissue box as I practically sobbed – on x-mas day!)
My favorite couple is Jamie and Claire (Diana Gabaldon). I also like Clay/Elena, Sookie/Eric, Mercy/Adam (although I like Stephen, too), and Clary/Jace (Cassandra Clare). Bella and Zsadist are my favorite of J.R. Ward’s BDB.
I did not like Jaime/Jeremy, Hope/Karl (Kelley Armstrong) or Mary/Rhage (J.R. Ward).
I’ve read Some Girls Bite twice and I hope Merit gives Morgan a chance. Oh, and Luc and Lindsey.
Leave your response!
Contests!
Anya is giving away a copy of either Wicked Enchantment or Cruel Enchantment – winner’s choice. Contest ends Sept 7th.
We're giving away a copy of Ann Aguirre's Skin Game and a Sirantha Jax novel. Contest ends Sept 9th.
Jeaniene is giving away three copies of Eternal Kiss of Darkness . Contest ends Sept 9th.
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