Lori at I Just Finished Reading… recently reviewed my newest from Harlequin Intrigue, NIGHT MOVES. I read the review and had a “she gets me!” moment. Specifically, she said this:
One thing that strikes me about both Dimon’s Intrigues is that both heroes come across as human, rather than superhuman. They feel beat up, tired, achy, and not just on the last page. But they summon up the strength to keep going, because to do otherwise would mean sure death for their women (ok, and themselves). They make mistakes, too. But always manage to squeak it out, with help from their heroines.
This part. Ah, this part. My goal in Intrigue is to write really fast-paced suspense. That means the heroes and heroines are in danger for a good portion of the book. They are on the run and under fire. They get hurt and have to keep going. The tempting thing was to make the heroes miraculously fast healers. I actually thought about it in UNDER THE GUN. Poor Luke got shot in the first scene. I toyed with giving him a Jack Bauer (tv show 24 reference) ability to bounce back immediately, but no. Luke goes through the entire book getting re-injured until he’s nearly comatose at the end. And it was the right writing choice.
So, here’s my Intrigue rule for heroes: if he gets shot, he’s going to be in pain and debilitated. If he has a phobia, injury or problem, he’s not going to suddenly get over it. He’s going to work through it. If that means he’s dragging a limb behind him by the end of the book, then so be it. To me, an Intrigue hero isn’t indestructible. He’s human and flawed and somehow manages to survive with the help of the heroine.
Lori – Thanks for noticing and for the great review!
Subscribe to Posts
I so appreciate that you don’t do the Jack Bauer quick-heal. Especially with Intrigues, which cover so little time, it would have been ridiculous. Plus, you give them a great excuse for listening to, and valuing the heroine’s strengths.
I really enjoyed it – can’t wait to read more!
by Lori June 22nd, 2010 at 1:11 pmI haven’t read this book yet, but I’m really looking forward to reading it.
by Linda Henderson June 22nd, 2010 at 7:02 pmLori – Thank you again! It was a lovely review.
Linda – I hope you enjoy it!
by HelenKay June 23rd, 2010 at 10:31 amGreat review! I haven’t read this book
yet, but thanks to the reviewer, I’m now
very interested!
Pat Cochran
by Pat Cochran June 23rd, 2010 at 8:30 pm