Addicted to Pain

I’ll admit it. I’m addicted to broken heroes. I like them dark and teetering on the edge beyond redemption. Since I read primarily paranormal and urban fantasy novels, I’m cool with them being vicious and bloodthirsty. Sometimes a scrap of humanity is better than the whole human, you know? 

One of my favorites is Thomas Raith from the Dresden Files.

I ache for knowing he’ll never feel the slide of his lover’s skin against his again. 

It wasn’t always that way. And his memories of the past, the ones of Justine—before he loved her—are all he’ll ever have. He wants to believe it would’ve been better if he’d realized he loved her sooner, so he could have savored their time together. But he knows that’s not true. Once he realized he loved her, it was over. Physical intimacy is a thing of their past. They’ve accepted that. The question is…how long can you love someone you can’t touch? 

(Loved this picture of him. See more here.)

As for my favorite hero…hmm…it’s a tie between Aiden Campbell (Blood Tithe) and Nathaniel Berwyn (Wicked Kin). I’m a little obsessed with Aiden’s world. I’m asked often if I still plan to publish his story. I have to say—not yet. Give me a year or so to grow as a writer, then I’ll tackle that first draft and make him shine. When I turn him loose on the world, he will be wearing his best suit. As for Nathaniel, well, he’s caught up in submission at the moment.

This is probably my favorite summation of Nathaniel’s character: (In his own words.)

The hardened Weaver of Souls, collector of debts mortals owed to the divine, had shirked his duty, broken his oaths, failed in his loyalties, and lacked the sense to be terrified of the repercussions.