I
NEED A HERO!
Whether
it’s a tatted up biker, a devilish shifter, or a demanding billionaire, readers
love bad boys. But why? Is it that maternal instinct that drives women to chase
after the dangerous ones?
My
first introduction into the paranormal world was Anne Rice’s classic, An Interview With A Vampire. From then
on, I was hooked. I devoured every romantic vampire out there, then moved into
the shifters. Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, Chelsea Quinn Yarbro,
Jeannine Frost. You name it; it’s on my shelf. But when I sat down to pen my
first novel, I was shocked to find myself writing heroes. Still in the
paranormal world to be sure, but good guys.
My
heart was drawn toward the notion of a strong man fighting on the side of the
right. People doing the right thing for the right reason, and helping others to
find their path to peace and happiness. And of course, having them as drop dead
gorgeous specimens of pure alpha male power didn’t hurt.
To
create my first Guardian Warriors, Malakai, I stood on a very high bridge in my
home town of San Diego and looked over the edge. Things had not been going too
good and I was wondering what was on the other side of this life. I glanced
over for only a second when he appeared in my head, along with the rest of his
world. Needless to say, I spent the next two years discovering this strong and
chivalrous man who truly did save my life. Since then, I am eternally grateful
for the heroes that continue to speak to me in both whispers and screams.
Malakai hit the shelves in Spirit Fall in 2014, followed by Galen
in Spirit Bound in 2015. In 2016, my
most recent Guardian joined the ranks. Personally, Bastian was such a joy to
write. He is my grumpy protector. I wondered what would happen if what society
deemed as a “bad guy” was forced to fight for the side of right. Would he
rebel? Would he do his duty? What would any of us do?
As
a taste of my latest book, Spirit Song, here is a blurb plus a short excerpt.
Danger
has always swirled around reluctant Guardian Warrior Sebastian Lambert. Trained
as an assassin and recruited out of desperation, he now battles the evils of
power hungry Rogue Warriors in Chicago. When his friend and fellow Guardian
Viktor Arnhart drags him into Franchiolli’s, he would have never imagined to
find an angel at the mic.
Miranda
Devalande had long since given up on her dreams of a happy life. Forced to sing
at notorious mob boss Slick Sal’s seedy southside lounge to cover her brother’s
rising gambling debts, she survives from day to day as a caged bird. Things
shake up when she is caught by an intoxicating pair of whiskey eyes.
As
dark forces threaten to destroy them, can they trust and take a chance on
forever?
“Boss says he wants to see you
now.”
Miranda’s heart began to pound as
she frantically searched for a way out. “I’ve had a long night. I’m tired and I
want to go home.”
Salvation came in the form of a
deep and growling voice that flowed over her shoulders and a forceful physical
presence at her back. “I believe you have your answer, signore...I think it would be best if you got back into your car
and told your boss that you were unable to catch her before she went home for
the night.”
She fully expected a brawl to break
out around her. However, what she did see was a thousand times more
frightening. Sal’s lackey let go of her arm and turned away, heading toward the
black Mercedes on the curb. Her jaw hung agape as the man simply drove away.
Just like that.
This time, curiosity outweighed her
sense of self-preservation. She had to see what kind of man could order around
the meatheads that served as muscle for Francciolli. She spun around, eager to
get a better look at her timely shadow.
The fierce scowl aimed at the
receding lights softened as he shifted his whiskey eyes to meet hers. His face
was cut straight from some ancient battlefield. A strong, square jaw dusted
with the day’s stubble supported defined cheekbones chiseled out of the most
intriguing shade of sun-kissed marble. A faded scar ringing his throat peeked
from under the collar of his expensive-looking black sweater, further cementing
her opinion of his true nature. Another jagged pale line trailed from the
center of his left eyebrow to terminate somewhere in the thick hair.
“Are you all right?” His voice
rumbled low, gravelly and intoxicating.
His amber eyes remained passively
attentive as her gaze roamed across his face. Her head bobbed slowly as his
words wove their way into her ears between the rapid beats of her heart. He was
alpha male all the way, a predator who had seen the deadlier side of life and
come out on the winning side. She wondered how many bodies he had crawled over
to stand so casually before her on this cold night, one hand tucked into the
front pocket of his black slacks.
The more she thought about it, the
more she realized she didn’t care.
Tessa
McFionn is a very native Californian and has called Southern California home
for most of her life, growing up in San Diego and attending college in Northern
California and Orange County, only to return to San Diego to work as a teacher.
Insatiably curious and imaginative, she loves to learn and discover, making her
wicked knowledge of trivial facts an unwelcomed guest at many Trivial Pursuit
boards. She also feeds her artistic soul through her passions for theatre,
dance and music, as well as the regular trip to The Happiest Place on Earth
with friends and family. She is currently the treasurer of the San Diego
chapter of Romance Writers of America.
Website: http://www.tessamcfionn.com
Facebook Profile: https://www.facebook.com/
Street Team: https://www.facebook.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/
7 comments:
We all need heroes, don't we? From real life (my Hubs who is not a bad boy) to the ones we call up from our imagination, like the heroes in our stories. I'm glad your hero rescued you so you could tell your stories.
My prior heavy metal band, tattooed, motorcycle riding hubs might be considered a 'bad boy' although I think we women are drawn to the bad boy just so we can reveal the true 'softie' underneath the tough exterior. Loved the excerpt!
I say all heroes are awesome, whether they lean toward bad boy alpha or good protective guy. I love that the story in your head, just in the beginning stages, had such a positive influence on your life. For me, writing has always been cathartic, so I get it. Your books sound great!
Thank you. He is quite helpful. Then there are the times when he's sitting on the couch in my mind, watching hockey in his underwear and not doing his job as my muse
I completely agree! It's that drive to see what lies beneath. And thank you for your kind words
Thank you. Writing truly did save my life. Just like you, I'm sure, I love that sense of getting everything in my head out onto the paper. Makes the world seem like a much clearer place
Let's face it, heroes are why women read romance...
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