Monday, May 21, 2012

Guest Post: Tamara Morgan + Giveaway!


Tamara Morgan is a romance writer and unabashed lover of historical reenactments—the more elaborate and geeky the costume requirements, the better. In her quest for modern-day history and intrigue, she has taken fencing classes, forced her child into Highland dancing, and, of course, journeyed annually to the local Renaissance Fair. These feats are matched by a universal love of men in tights, of both the superhero and codpiece variety.
 
Where to Find Tamara:

Hero Love: Playing Favorites

As parents, we're not supposed to love any of our kids more than the others (even though I think most parents do and most children are aware of it).

As authors, we do the same thing. I know I should love all my heroes equally and without discrimination, but there will always be the one who holds a special place in my heart. He's the hero against whom I measure all other heroes, the one whose picture is set as my desktop wallpaper. I will always send him better Christmas presents and never forget to call him on his birthday.

For me, that hero is Michael O'Leary--the upcoming star of The World is a Stage. He is crass and foulmouthed and looks like a beach bum on steroids. And I love him.

What makes Michael...Michael?
T-shirts with snappy-sayings, for one! :)
It's hard to say exactly what it is that makes a hero an author's favorite. A lot of times, you'll see authors returning to the same general hero type (alphaholes*, betas who are good with kids, the mysterious stranger) in their books, but you  can never know for sure if that's because he's the type of hero they prefer, or if he's what their readers prefer, or even if he's what their publishers prefer.

Likewise, one has to wonder about physical characteristics. I know plenty of authors who base their characters' looks on popular actors, and even have Pinterest boards dedicated to the manly art of Those Who Brood in Front of Cameras. (As you can see here, I scrapbook mine on Polyvore.) But does that mean the author personally drools over every guy who looks just like that particular actor, or simply that the character she's writing fits the bill this time around?

I'm sorry to say that I don't have the answers for you. I imagine that fiction-love is a lot like real-life-love, in that it's the perfect combination of looks, personality, and values that makes one hero favored above all the rest. For me, Michael O'Leary's sense of humor is what really hits home, and I would gladly trade places with Rachel, his heroine, for a chance at hanging out with him for a while. (We don't even have to kiss! I just want to have a few beers together!)

It would be fun to hear from some of the top-hitters in the romance genre regarding who, among all the many men they've written over the years, they love the most. If I had to guess, I bet it's not the guy most readers would expect. There's always that one, elusive hero whose voice begs to be heard. He doesn't always have broad appeal, and he usually comes with a host of emotional problems, but he gets under the skin and won't let go.

In short, he's the problem child. He's the one we love the best.

Shhh. Don't tell the other heroes.  

~Tamara Morgan
*alphaholes = alpha assholes
 








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The World is a Stage by Tamara Morgan
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (June 5, 2012)
Series: Games of Love, 2
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Highland Games athlete Michael O’Leary is famous for his ability to charm a woman right out of her pants. Maybe a little too famous. When he’s sidelined with a knee injury, his wingman pounces on the chance to take full advantage of Michael’s idle time.

Trying out for the local adult-themed Shakespearean production seems simple, but there’s a catch. Michael must woo the notoriously demanding lead actress, Rachel Hewitt, thereby freeing his friend to pursue a courtship of Rachel’s sister.

Rachel hates the thought of handing over the lead role in her admittedly scandalous troupe to someone so wholly uneducated in the ways of the Great Bard. But she’s in a bind, and the only one who can step up is a man who looks way too good in a codpiece—and knows it.

To add insult to injury, he refuses to take the role until she agrees to take his place in some barbaric warrior race. She’ll do it, but not with a smile. Unfortunately, the hardest part isn’t antagonizing her Scottish foes. It’s resisting the one man who seems determined to line and cue her heart—forever.


Warning: This book’s half-naked Shakespearean actors are not approved of or acknowledged by people with actual literary merit. Neither are the dirty limericks.
 
Where to Buy*:
More Info:



Read my review of The World is a Stage
I loved Michael's book, he's one of those men that make you want to smile, no matter what! :)

Other Books in the Series:
Click on the covers to buy from BN.


Book 1: Love is a Battlefield
Read my Review!




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GIVEAWAY IS NOW OVER--THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!

Prize:
ONE (1) E-Copy of "The World is a Stage" by Tamara Morgan!




Winner will get to choose one of the following formats: NOOK or Kindle. I will be ordering the book once it has been released (after June 5th).

OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY!




How to Enter:
Mandatory: You must leave a comment on this post--Please Answer Tamara's Question!




Mandatory: You must fill out the Rafflecopter's first option (all other options are for extra entries and therefore are not required).




^A note on email addresses: Your email address must be visible to be entered into this contest. Why? This makes it easy for me to contact the winner and therefore get the prize out! Visible means: a) Email is left in your comment (ninja style is perfectly fine); b) Email is visible on your Blogger profile (or other such website--Twitter, Facebook, Blog, etc); or c) Email is used to log-in and fill out the Rafflecopter.








Tamara's Question:
Forget the authors--which unlikely romance novel hero is YOUR favorite?




Giveaway open May 21st through May 28th! I will pick and announce the winner Tuesday morning (May 29th). Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway







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Thanks so much, Tamara, for agreeing to stop by today, I loved your post! :) And Michael is just pure awesomeness. Oh, I had a blast reading his book--all his dirty jokes. I swear, after about 30 pages, I was taking every single sentence as a innuendo--thanks Michael! LOL.




Enjoy!




Until Next Time,
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*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

10 comments :

Unknown said...
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erin said...

Thanks for a great post! I just got the first book and I'm anxiously awaiting my vacation in June when I can dive in :) Grrr... it's very late here and my brain isn't firing on all cylinders so I can't really think of a good list... but right now the one that comes to mind is Roarke from JD Robb's In Death series. He's handsome, strong, very good w/ electronics, rich and will do anything for the woman he loves ;)

Thanks again for the giveaway!

Alexia Reed said...

I have no idea who would be my favourite. I know it's not a dark alpha. But favourite favourite, oh it'd be hard to decide.

I love Michael's personality. I was lucky to critique the book and it's awesome. Michael's personality kept me laughing through the whole book and I can't think of a more interesting character (although Tamara has written quite a few who would be in my top pics I think) who I'd rather hang out with.

The_Book_Queen said...

I couldn't agree more! :) Thanks for stopping by, Alexia!

Enjoy,
TBQ

The_Book_Queen said...

Is it sad that I stil haven't read her In Death series? I've read (and loved) pretty much all of her Nora Roberts books, but her JD Robb ones are still on my list... :) But I hear great things about them!

Enjoy,
TBQ

Tamara Morgan said...

I've always thought the ideal vacation would be two weeks of nothing but time and a stack of books to read.

(And I have yet to read the In Death series too. I should definitely get on that!)

Cari-Bella Creations said...

Not a novel - but I was so in love with Pacey on Dawson's Creek. On the novel front, I sadly haven't fallen in love with any recent romance heroes. Sad face.

Unknown said...

While it is considered paranormal romance/erotica my fav hero is Richard from the Anita Blake Vampire Hunter series. He's so mysterious and doesn't know what he wants. But he's the pack master for St. Louis. I really need to get out of the supernatural genre. lol

Tamara Morgan said...

I was such a Dawson's fan when it was on, too!

There's a television show on now called Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23, and James Van Der Beek is in it. He plays a washed up version of himself, and the Dawson's jokes alone are worth watching for.

Tamara Morgan said...

See, and I was thinking I really need to get into the supernatural genre, lol. I swear they have the best alpha heroes.