Friday, July 13, 2018

What’s a #Hero? by Diane Burton




With all the recent movies about super heroes, we have to wonder what makes them a hero. Superman, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Black Panther. Captain America. What qualities do they all possess? Leadership, courage, selflessness, bravery in the face of danger.

We call the characters in our novels heroes—non-gender heroes. My female characters have the same qualities as super heroes. In my newest release NUMBERS NEVER LIE, a romantic suspense, Maggie Sinclair needs to know if her brother Jack’s fatal car crash was an accident or something nefarious. She’s determined and plunges ahead even when confronted by danger.

Drew Campbell, Jack’s best friend, is a reluctant hero. Though he doesn’t believe the police are wrong, he’ll help Maggie, if only to keep her out of danger. Maggie’s the leader. She buries her grief to find out what really happened to Jack. But when the villains go after Maggie, Drew protects her.

In real life, most of us don’t have opportunities to be heroes, let alone super heroes. Yet, mothers and fathers are heroes everyday. They support their families—financially, emotionally, physically, educationally.

Think about it. By being there, parents give their children time, a commodity more valuable than money or things. Parents are leaders and show their children, by example, how to be leaders. We’re raising the future super heroes.

Maggie Sinclair teaches high school students. Frequently, she chastises parents who don’t give their children time. The reader sees this when she scolds Drew for not spending more time with his daughter. Since his wife died a year ago, he has to be both mother and father. Yet, what Maggie sees is him spending too much time at work, leaving his daughter in the care of their housekeeper or his parents.

What Maggie doesn’t realize is he’s wrapping up his cases so he can leave the law firm or start his own small office. Like many men, he keeps things too close to his vest. He doesn’t share his plans with his daughter until Maggie insists.

Heroes are selfless. They put the needs of others before their own. When Drew’s daughter asks him to chaperone her camping group on a weekend trip, he agrees even though he dislikes camping. The group of fourteen-year-olds know more about the outdoors than he does. He’s definitely a fish out of water. Yet, to please his child, he’ll put aside his own needs to support her. That’s a hero.


NUMBERS NEVER LIE
A Romantic Suspense
By Diane Burton
Release Date:  July 9, 2018
Length: approx. 80,000 words
Available at Amazon  http://a.co/gUmO9wZ
Free with Kindle Unlimited




Blurb:
 A shocking secret brings danger to Jack Sinclair and his sister Maggie.

As kids, they were the fearless threesome. As adults, Jack's an accountant; Drew, a lawyer; Maggie, a teacher and camping troop leader. Upon returning from a weekend camping trip, Maggie receives horrifying news. She refuses to believe her brother Jack’s fatal car crash was an accident. If the police won’t investigate, she’ll do it herself. Convincing Drew Campbell to help is her only recourse.

Drew Campbell was too busy to return his best friend’s phone call. Too busy to attend a camping meeting important to his teen daughter. Too busy to stay in touch with Jack. Logic and reason indicate Jack’s accident was just that--an accident caused by fatigue and fog. Prodded by guilt, he’ll help Maggie even if he thinks she’s wrong.

A break-in at Jack’s condo convinces Maggie she’s right. Then her home is searched. What did Jack do that puts Maggie in danger?

Excerpt:

Maggie clapped her hands. “Girls, break time is over.”
The Drill Sergeant was back. Hup, two, three, four.
Groans from the girls met her announcement. Drew knew exactly how they felt.
His legs ached, a blister—no, make that two blisters—had already formed on both sides of his heels. Ellen had warned him not to wear brand-new hiking boots. But he always wore the appropriate footwear. He had golf shoes, tennis shoes, ski boots, and now hiking boots. A pair of bloody hiking boots.
Damn, he needed to take a leak. He never should have stopped at 7-11 for a Big Gulp of coffee no matter how much caffeine he required to start his engine this morning. Ellen warned him it wasn’t a good idea. He should have listened.
Jack would be laughing his head off if he knew Drew was actually hiking and camping. Both Jack and Maggie had inherited their parents’ enthusiasm for camping. Drew shuddered. Not him. After that disastrous Cub Scout campout, Drew vowed never again to venture into the wild.
Still, when Ellen begged him, he thought a little hike in the woods would be the perfect opportunity for some father-daughter bonding. This trip was not turning out the way he anticipated.
Ellen surrounded herself with her friends, staying as far away from Drew as possible. With the exception of their brief conversation a few minutes ago—and only after he’d pulled her aside to ask about the facilities—she barely talked to him. So much for father-daughter bonding. All he had to show for his efforts was a stitch in his side, a charley horse in his left leg, those bloody blisters, and chafing from his new jeans.


Despite all that, he doesn't quit. Is that a hero or what?



5 comments:

Nightingale said...

Very interesting post with a lot, lot of truth. My dad was my hero, now I suppose my eldest son is my hero.

Nancy Gideon said...

Reluctant, maybe but at least he's there! I was assistant leader to both my boys' scouting experiences and there was a wide gulf between those two kind of parents, the involved (even if inept) and the quick to pawn off on any babysitter. Drew is learning which kind he wants to be. Hero material!

Diane Burton said...

Linda, my sons (one by birth, the other by marriage to our daughter) are great heroes. Their fathering instincts are right on target.

Diane Burton said...

I agree, Nancy. I saw that in Girl Scouts, too. Love the guy who isn't sure what to do but is there to help.

Maureen said...

Love the reluctant hero or one that you least expect. great post!