Hello Readers! Today I bring you one of my favorite people, author Stacey Kennedy. Stacey is an urban fantasy lover at heart, but she also enjoys losing herself in dark and sensual worlds. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who gave her a happily-ever-after. Together, they have two small children who can always make her smile, and who will never be allowed to read Mommy’s books. If she’s not plugging away at a new story, you’ll find her camping, curling up with the latest flick, or obsessing over Sons of Anarchy and Game of Thrones.
Stacey is here today to talk about tortured characters and her latest release, Werewolves be Damned. Keep reading for a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card! Please help me welcome Stacey to That’s What I’m Talking About. Tortured Characters
So, I got to thinking the other day about tortured characters. I’m not going to name certain books as examples, but there are books out there that have heroes who are the definition of an emotional mess. And I fully admit I enjoy the tortured hero.
Why?
Good question.
Is it a woman’s caring nature that makes us want to somehow fix him? That makes us accept him, no matter how flawed he is? To be honest, I haven’t a clue. What I do know is that I like emotional journeys. I love seeing a character start out in one place and end up somewhere different by the end of their story. I don’t mean how they feel about something or someone, but I mean that their life comes full circle. That they find peace and happiness within themselves that couldn’t be achieved without the crazy adventure authors put their characters through. And for me, this can’t happen with one book, but needs a whole series to allow the character the time to grow.
In the end, it gives me that appreciation of what a person has been through, and maybe makes their happily-ever-after more deserving, even if that person is imperfect for a little while. Really, that’s what makes us people. Haven’t we all been angry when we’ve lost something, or sad when things didn’t go our way? Or haven’t we all acted a certain why we wish we hadn’t at some point in our lives?
Now, on the flipside, what happens when it’s the heroine who is tortured?
Nexi, from my newest release, Werewolves be Damned, is flawed. She’s the first heroine I’ve written who I’d consider tormented right from the get-go. Only a month has passed since she witnessed the murder of her family by a group of werewolves. Everything she’s known has been ripped out from under her and she’s been thrust into an uncertain supernatural world, leaving Nexi grieving, angry, and hungry for revenge.
For me, writing emotional characters keeps ‘em real, and I enjoy watching them grow and change in their new life.
Luckily, for Nexi (and us), I’ve always believed true love is seeing into someone’s soul and accepting them regardless of their flaws. Maybe that’s the romantic is me. But that’s the one thing with Nexi and her hero, Kyden that honest-to-god melts my heart. He sees past the anger she feels, past the feelings of injustice she experiences toward the world, and he understands she is grieving. He’s patient and understanding, simply being supportive. He gives her a safe place to let go of all that “pain” that comes with her past and he’s there for her to fall safely into his arm.
Yeah, and that makes him a hero in my eyes.
So, now, I ask you: are emotional journeys as important to you? And can you forgive a character for being flawed?
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about tortured characters, Stacey. Here is more about Werewolves be Damned:
Werewolves be DamnedBook 1 of the Magic & Mayhem series
Entangled Publishing, April 15, 2013
Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.
Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.
But when a vampire paints a bull’s-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.
You can find Stacey online …
Website – Facebook – Facebook Fan Page – Twitter – Goodreads
GIVEAWAY:
Stacey is generously giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card. To enter, please use the Rafflecopter form at the end of today’s guest post. Contest ends May 20, 2013. Stacey will announce the winner on her website after the contest is over.
If you have problems with the Rafflecopter form, please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com, and we can add you manually.
You are a new author to me but I can’t wait to read the book.
Sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This book looks like good fun. I like the emotional books .They draw you in to the story more. I like to laugh or cry along with the characters. keep them coming.
petula.winmill@gmail.com
LOVE this cover!! I didn’t even know you had a new one coming out. I suck. 🙁
I enjoy reading about emotional journeys for characters. There is more depth to the characters and the story to me. Same with flawed characters – we get to see imperfect people that make mistakes and we get to see them grow.
strive4bst(At) yahoo(Dot) com
Oooh this look like a great book. Can’t wait to ead it!!!
Thanks to everyone for dropping in, and sharing your thoughts! <3
Love this cover! Can’t wait to read it!
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Emotional journeys are important. You watch them grow and learn from the experiences. I think stories would be boring if we didn’t see our beloved characters make it through tough times. Going through it with them and seeing them make it out to the other side.
I have this book fired up and ready on the ereader. can’t wait to read it.
This book WAS FANTASTIC!!!!! I loved it and am already anxious for #2 to come out!
I love the look and sound of Werewolves Be Damned…hoping it’s released in print at some point since the e version is not available for me.
I love werewolves. thanks for this fantastic giveaway.
Love the cover and the blurb. Looking forward to reading this. It’s on my TRL.I hope it’s in print.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
I really love that cover. Thank you for the giveaway!
Emotion is at the heart of every story, or the ride isn’t usually worth it. Be it love, lust, anger, friendship, there must be something there.
Books sounds like something I would love.