Please note: the giveaway is now closed. The winner will be announced shortly.
I’m so pleased to welcome Shiloh Walker to my blog today! In addition to being an all around awesome person, she’s a wonderfully talented writer. I first “discovered” Shiloh after reading Stacy’s (Stacy’s Place on Earth) review of Shiloh’s romantic suspense novel (and recent CAPA winner), Fragile. Wow, I enjoyed that book. Gripping, dark, romantic, and one that stayed with me for a long time. After finishing Fragile, I sent Shiloh an email asking one thing: “When are we going to get Quinn’s book?”
Well, it’s almost here. Quinn (the twin brother of the hero in Fragile) is the hero of Shiloh’s upcoming release Broken.
He he, I’ve been lucky enough to read Broken and I loved it. If you like your heroes edgy, then this is the book for you. But enough from me… I’m going to turn this over to Shiloh:
He Wasn’t Supposed to Be a Hero
The first person to read Fragile was Lora Leigh. It was my first serious attempt at a full length romantic suspense with absolutely no paranormal elements and I was nervous as hell writing the book anyway.
Why? Well, it was my first attempt at writing a full-length non paranormal…and then there’s the fact that the story kept deviating from my plans.
How did it deviate? Well… the guy who was supposed to be the bad guy? He wasn’t cooperating. From the get-go, he was supposed to be the BAD GUY. I knew this. I knew why. I had it set up from the get-go. That was the focus of the whole damn book. The entire idea came from him being the bad guy. It was crucial, you see, to the story. I didn’t want this to change.
But, from the get-go, he wasn’t cooperating. You see, Quinn didn’t want to be the bad guy. Yeah, he was a bit antisocial and he was a lot stand-offish, and he’s more than a little unbalanced through half the book, although considering what he was going through, it’s kind of understandable—and I was willing to work with him through all of that—and make him a sympathetic bad guy.
The more of the book I wrote, though, the more obvious it became. He wasn’t going to be the bad guy. And not only was he fighting that tooth and nail, his brother was, too. So I had to change it, had to quit fighting those two and as I did, another bad guy started to emerge. Fine. Have it your way. As long as the story gets told. Even though that’s not that I wanted it. Fine.
The story gets written, that’s all that counts, right? So I finish the book. After I finished, I sent it to Lora and the first thing she asked me was, “When is Quinn getting a book?”
This was a major HEAD→DESK moment. Quinn? What the hell? No. He’s not a hero. He’s half crazy and I just spent a substantial amount of time fighting him over a book that wasn’t even his.
I told her, “I don’t plan on writing him one.”
I mean, why would I? He wasn’t supposed to be a hero, for crying out loud.
She just laughed at me and said, “You better. Trust me. People are going to ask when his book is coming out.”
She was right. The book hadn’t even been out a week before I got the first email and I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve been asked since then.
So yet again, Quinn had to go and change my plans. Even though I didn’t originally plan to give him a story, he definitely had one. And just like he fought me tooth and nail in Fragile, he fought me tooth and nail in Broken. The heroine I had planned for him? Hey, I liked her. She wasn’t a kick-butt heroine—she had a quiet strength, but she was also kind of a damsel—she needed rescuing. He’s a tarnished knight—he could have rescued her. Knights like that, right?
But Quinn spent most of his adult life saving people, ignoring himself and it ended up leaving an ugly scar on his soul. The last thing he really needed was a woman he’d constantly have to rescue. But of course, I couldn’t figure that out the easy way—I didn’t figure that out until I’d written a third of the book, stalled and then trashed it and started all over.
Turns out, he needed a different kind of heroine and once I met her? I didn’t like her. I loved her. Yes, he’s a tarnished knight and he wants to rescue his woman but what he really needs is somebody who can help him save himself.
Broken comes out on March 2. He really wasn’t supposed to be a hero, but I’ve got to admit, it turns out he made a pretty good one, I think. If you’d like to read more about Broken, I’m posting some excerpts at my blog through the end of the month, along with a contest.
If you’d like win a copy of FRAGILE, just leave a comment below, telling me what your favorite kind of hero is…the stubborn kind? The knight…tarnished or otherwise? Funny? Suave? How do you like your heroes? One random commenter will win a signed copy of FRAGILE.
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There you have it, folks. The giveaway will remain open until 10pm CST on Friday, February 19th. Good luck!
And if you’re in the Chicago area, Shiloh and I are doing a book signing with authors Beth Kery and Joss Ware/Colleen Gleason on March 13th at the Barnes & Noble Webster Place. Details about the signing can be found here.
Hi Julie
Thanks for having Shiloh over.She is one of my faves ever.
Just saying hi Shiloh as I have all your books (so don’t enter me). I know you’re probably bored with hearing how much I love your work. So looking forward to Broken.
I love characters with all of the above.
Add an alpha with a bit of vulnerability too.
Congrats on the upcoming release & all the great reviews it’s getting.
Great interview with Shiloh!
I would love to win a copy of Broken!
As far as males I love an alpha that’s a little tarnished, funny, hot and I looove and accent!
I read Broken and would love to read Fragile. What kind of hero do I like… while a stubborn knight who is tarnished, funny and suave! Is that too much to ask for?!
robin@intensewhisper.com
I just finished Fragile about 2 weeks ago and I loved it! And then I told all my girlfriends to go out and read it! I am so excited for Broken to come out!
I love a tortured hero! I have no idea why tortured heroes make my heart go pitter-patter but they do 🙂 I think that is one of the reasons that I love Quinn! He seems just a tad on the tortured side – LOL!
And why oh why can’t I live in the Chicago area? Julie and Shiloh together! That just isn’t fair…I am going off to pout
Loved “Fragile” from first page until the last page. And I’m very very pleased that Quinn got his own book! I can’t wait to read his story.
I like an alpha with a bit of mystery in his past, a sense of humor, a soft spot right in the middle of his heart for those he loves, and a twinkle in his big blue eyes.
Enjoyed the interview with Shiloh!
I haven’t started this series yet but it’s definitely tempting. As for heroes, I don’t really have a favorite kind. It all depends on the author’s skill. A good author can make me fall for any hero. But it’s true, those stubborn heroes are really appealing 😉
Great interview. My favorite kind of hero is the tortured alpha male. He isn’t perfect and he has his personal demons to deal with.
I’m definitely a Beta-guy girl. I like the strong but quiet or the sweet & funny types.
I like my hero to be a mix of mystery, hard-headed, tough, but sensitive when he needs to be.
Hi Julie and Shiloh 😀
oh, wow, I don’t know what to say after this post – I grinned, laughed and thought “oh, he’s so strong – when can I read this story?”
right now I love this kind of hero *sigh* someone who know what he wants and how to get it!
wish you all the best!
hugs, Ina
That’s a really intriguing backstory, I’d love a chance to read this book.
My favorite is the dark and mysterious type who has a secret that gets revealed! tWarner419@aol.com
Hello today Julie and Shiloh. My love for reading books has taken me on some strange journeys and the best part is the different heroes that have been created by the many authors whose works I have read. My hero is a strong alpha male who is not afraid to be tender and vulnerable with those he loves, who has a wicked sense of humor and fun, a man who at all times knows who he is and is not afraid to be himself, the kind of man who proves time and again his loyalty and will gladly step in and help those who cannot help themselves whether because of weakness, injury or lack of the will to do so!
In every Shiloh Walker book that I have read so far the hero has lived up to this and then some, in Fragile Luke Rafferty is the hero and I would really love to find out how he measures up.
jackie b central texas
jacabur2008(at)gmail(dot)com
I love the tortured, damaged hero, who just needs to find that special lady to love him and bring light to his world. Although the devil-may-care rakehell with the wicked sense of humor is a close second.
Wow, I love that cover! 🙂
And as to heros, I like them all 🙂
Wow, what a proud moment for me to successfully rec Shiloh’s books. So glad you liked it Julie 🙂 I’ve been stalking, um, following Shiloh’s work for years, and I think Fragile is probably her best work. Gripping and unforgettable. So obviously Broken is a must-buy for me!
The email is robsad79@sbcglobal.net and for me I would have to say for the hero, I love both the stubborn and tortured.
Thanks for the change to win what sounds like a great book. My type of hero is definitely a sexy, alpha male who has a sense of humour. Doesn’t hurt if he’s a bit tarnished and in the end of course he gets the girl.
My favorite type of hero is one that is a real man, kind, chivalrist, but not afraid to stand up for himself and has an actual personality.
kpic724 (at) gmail (dot) com
Hi everybody…thanks for dropping by. There’s just something about that tarnished armor and a sense of humor, seems like, huh?
Hi Shiloh,
i hope this one is my opportunity to get to know your work better by winning one of your book : ) coz i haven’t had any of your book yet.
My favorite hero, should be kind, have sense of humor, and smart !
I like my heroes strong, smart, funny, caring, and somewhat flawed. After all, they can’t be perfect. If they have a little angst over something in their past it makes them more interesting sometimes, not always.
Great interview! I love the idea of a character coming through as a fully formed idea that helps guide the story or fights you throughout! Though it gives me the mental picture of a thumb-sized Quinn that keeps pulling your fingers off the keys and hitting the space bar 😉
My favorite hero is the tarnished kind with a healthy dose of self-deprecating humor.. and hot as sin of course!
Good luck with the new book release!
Gimme a tarnished one, any day. It’s seeing them in the process of polishing that’s fulfilling.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Love the interview! My favourite is tortured, handsome…
This sounds like a great book! I hope I can win it! 🙂
I like heros that are tortured and a little bit mysterious.
First, I love the cover! For those that watch CSI, doesn’t he kinda look like Nick? I think he does. All love all that broodiness that the model is exuding.
Which is the kind of hero I like. Tortured, brooding, and becoming a hero in spite of himself. I like to see their inner struggle come outside and am thrilled when against all reason they get their HEA.
I would love a copy of this book! So I’m crossing my fingers and toes that I get chosen
I love the trying-to-be-the-antihero type of hero. There’s nothing better than the bad boy turned somewhat hero *sigh*
Great post and I love Shiloh’s books!
My favorite kind of hero is the tortured alpha bad boy redeemed by love.
Thanks for a chance to win her latest!
Count me in. The cover is great!
I have heard such great things about this book already! It’s on my MUST HAVE list, although yesterday I realized I need to buy/read Fragile first!
I like all different kinds of heros but I think the bad boy and tarnished knight are my favorite (as long as they’re redeemed by the end!)
How do I like my heroes? Fragile, broken and someone who needs looking after. Don’t necessarily always enjoy the hard-man hero.
WOW! I loved Fragile and I can’t wait for Broken. I can’t believe he almost didn’t get written! My favorite kind of hero? The damaged one who finds peace with the heroine, in her love, in her strengths and weaknesses. I like at the end of the book when you can feel like they completed each other! And if he’s really mean for part of the book he has to do a decent enough time being redeemed and really really sorry. I can’t take when they’re just ‘forgiven’ to end the book…
Grumpy men are so very sexy. 😀
Please count me in for the book.
~smooches~
Jase
vslavetopassionv@aol.com
I love a strong, honest, caring, loyal hero. I like a hero who’s a little bit flawed…has eccentricities…is willing to break rules if it means doing the right thing. I also love a tough guy…who’s maybe emotionally withdrawn initially but then through the course of the story for him to mature emotionally.
My favorite kind of hero is stubborn and snarky/sarcastic. Some leather wrist cuffs don’t hurt either 😉
It’s always a treat to listen to authors talk about the origins of their characters, especially when they are a challenge! I like my heroes a bit beta with underlying alpha tendencies: the witty guy next door who gets what he wants.
Hi Shiloh and Julie;
I finished Broken and what wonderful story. I guess I like a “tortured” hero but also a strong Alpha type. Although I have to say it really depends on the story because I’ve read books that are keepers where there is nothing “tortured” about the hero at all.
I haven’t read “Fragile” and intended to purchase it so I would love to win a copy.
Best to you both.
I always enjoy the witty rogue that has a heart of gold that he just can’t quite hide. I haven’t read Shiloh’s Fragile yet, so it would be awesome to win a copy.
I loved Fragile. It’s on my keeper shelf as we speak. Can’t wait to read Broken. (Lora was sooo right!) 🙂
Great interview with Shiloh! I would love to win this book. Pleasecount me in.
I like heroes to be intelligent, with a sense of humor. But a bit tarnished? Yeah, I can see that, too…no one’s supposed to be perfect! Great post. Thanks for visiting.
I like brainy hero’s with a sense of humor! Pref. they are really dark and handsome too, although depending on my mood I go for brooding hero’s as well.
I love your books Ms. Walker!
Broken sounds like it’s going to be another great masterpiece by Shiloh! Can’t wait to get my hands on it!
My favorite kind of hero is the real down to earth tough guy with the hidden heart of gold – ya, I’m a romantic at heart!
Hey everybody…sorry I haven’t been by too much-had something come up on a personal level that has been distracting me.
But I’ve been skimming comments and just wanted to say say thanks-those who pick up Fragile and/or Broken… hope you enjoy!
And again, thanks to Julie for having me here.
You all are going to LOVE Something About You.
My favorite is the tall, dark, tortured bad boy,it seems I’m not the only one…
These books sound wonderful, I’d love to win Fragile!
My favorite kind of hero–tarnished but redeemed 🙂
I can say that I have a favorite type of hero but it’s hard to turn down an Alpha, imo 😉
I like all kinds of heroes, funny with sharp wit and especially love the tortured hero who finds the love of a good woman to give him peace.