It’s my significant pleasure to host author and friend, Rosanna Leo, on my blog today. Rosanna’s here to give us a exciting peek at her latest romance novel, Predator’s Fire! Without further ado – take it away, Rosanna!

“TOP FIVE TRAITS FOR A ROMANCE HERO”

Thanks so much to my lovely friend Jianne for hosting me today! I’m here to discuss my latest paranormal romance Predator’s Fire, Gemini Island Shifters 5. However, I’m also here to wax poetic on my favorite thing ever: romance heroes.

You know the ones I’m talking about. Those dashing dudes who toy with our imagination, making us want, making us compare every other man to them. I love romance heroes. And in my time creating them, I’ve come to learn they need to possess some specific traits.

Now I could go on and on about them having to be handsome and strong, blah, blah, blah. We all know it’s not just about their looks. They need to have oomph. When the reader and the heroine first meet them, it has to feel like a sucker punch to the gut. We need to be winded. So what does a hero need in order to give us this sensation?

1) He must be an enigma. None of us like the man who wears his heart on his sleeve, at least not in a book. We like the man who gives us a sense of mystery. The man who makes us want to learn more. An enigmatic personality draws us in, captures our imagination.

2) He must be smart. Now, a romance hero need not be a super intellect. Perhaps he’s worked with his hands all his life, or had little education. That doesn’t matter, but he does need to demonstrate his natural intelligence. Otherwise, he’ll lose us.

3) He must 100% focused on pleasing the heroine. Now, this may come with time. Not every romance begins happily. Sometimes the hero and heroine hate each other at first. However, once he decides she is the woman for him, she becomes his number one priority. Oh, and if part of that entails panty-melting sex, all the better.

4) At heart, he must be good. Of course, he may not always be good. In fact, we encourage a bit of conflict and naughtiness in our hero. But at the end of the day, he need to be convinced this man has honor and values, no matter what they be. And we need to buy into those values, if only for the duration of the book.

5) Last but not least, our romance hero needs drive. I have never encountered a lacklustre hero. I have never met a hero who is content to hang out on the couch watching football while his heroine goes on an adventure. He wants to share her adventures and give her new ones. He wants to succeed and he wants his heroine to succeed. Sure, they may enjoy quiet moments together, too, but this is a man who will never settle for half-way. He will fight to get what he wants, including his woman.

Thanks for joining me today. What traits do you desire in a romance hero?

Blurb:

When Nina Suzuki discovers the body of her best friend Janine, her world turns upside down. Things go from bad to worse when Janine’s corpse seems to transform into that of a large, brown wolf. For the first time, Nina is faced to confront all the clues indicating her BFF was not what she seemed. A letter from the dead woman opens Nina’s eyes to a strange, new world. The same letter warns of a sinister group called the Alpha Brethren, and urges her to find Killian Moon of the Ursa Fishing Lodge and Resort on Gemini Island.

Killian Moon is a jaguar shifter and teen mentor at the Ursa Lodge in Northern Ontario. He may be a comfort and inspiration to confused teen shifters, but he also has a fiery past. His past comes back to haunt him when human Nina arrives at the resort, demanding to speak with him. Demanding answers. Can he trust her with knowledge that will not only change her life, but possibly endanger those around him?

As Killian begrudgingly tutors Nina on all things shifter, their mutual curiosity flares into passionate need. Once they touch, once they succumb to desire, there is no going back. Killian realizes Nina is his mate and they both begin to comprehend the terror threatening those on their shifter-friendly island. He is forced to confront the tragedy in his family and determines to protect Nina at all costs.

But can they protect everyone they love from a cult of dangerous shifters, intent on horror and destruction?

Excerpt from Predator’s Fire:

“How much longer do I have to wait? I want to see Killian Moon. Now.”

The feminine voice, strangely soft despite its insistence, echoed deep in his being, awakening his jaguar. The great cat roared to life, turned toward the office and inhaled deeply. Its eyes flashed in interest.

In…recognition?

Killian breathed in at the same time, catching the scent of cherry blossoms through the door. The sweet perfume, mixed with human outrage, proved a heady distraction, making him forget why he was there. Shaking his head, he tried to dismiss the odd sensation as Ryland opened the door.

The door swung open and the first person he glimpsed was one of the clerks from reception, trying his hardest to placate the unexpected guest. “I’m sure Mr. Snow and Mr. Moon will be right back.”

And then his gaze landed on the petite human. Tapered Asian eyes, so dark and mysterious, but rimmed with circles of exhaustion. Smooth, cinnamon skin hinted at a mixed background. Wearing no makeup, she appeared younger than she must be, but her presence and keen eyes pegged her at around thirty years old. She had a riot of curly, black hair and feminine curves that ought to come with a warning. He could see it now. Beware: this woman’s body will cause insanity in men. Even as she gesticulated at the clerk, her boobs jiggled in such a way his throat went dry.

He pictured her in a corset, her breasts spilling over delicate lace edging, and almost forgot his name.

This Nina Suzuki was damn hot and his jaguar seemed to agree. The animal licked its lips, its golden gaze assessing and appreciating every detail, from her rounded hips to her come-hither rack.

Yes, the creature uttered on a frenzied breath.

Buy link: Predator’s Fire, Gemini Island Shifters 5, is available at http://www.lsbooks.com/predator-s-fire-p946.php

as well as Amazon, Kobo, ARE, B&N and other outlets.

Thanks so much for giving us this delicious taste of Predator’s Fire, Rosanna!

Cheers,

Jianne