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:
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:
Very interesting post with a lot, lot of truth. My dad was my hero, now I suppose my eldest son is my hero.
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!
Linda, my sons (one by birth, the other by marriage to our daughter) are great heroes. Their fathering instincts are right on target.
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.
Love the reluctant hero or one that you least expect. great post!
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