Heroes, Anti-Heroes and Guys Who Just Need Their Ass Kicked Part 1 of 5
Over the next few weeks I will be posting my thoughts on the types of heroes I write for each series.
Ghostwalkers
I love a good hero or even anti-hero as much as the next person. Dark, mysterious and bad-ass make up the majority of the heroes I write, in any of my series.
Each series has a different kind of hero since each series highlights a different kind of world for those characters.
My Ghostwalkers are military men who were experimented on and had their natural psychic abilities enhanced. But, at their core they are military and they have traits you would associate with a solider. They want order, organization, they are suspect of anything out of the ordinary, they are honorable and trust mainly their own team. They swear, they’re hard, they fight, they kill. They are strategic and they go after an enemy with precision.
These are alpha heroes. They’re bossy, like their way and expect orders to be followed, especially theirs. If you’re looking for a beta hero, or a touchy-feely kind of hero, these are NOT them. They will take charge and push you if you let them.
Their heroines are women who were genetically enhanced. These women are sometimes abused, always mistreated to an extent, some are tortured and some are trained to kill. Some are abandoned and left to die. They are survivors with a lot of internal conflict regarding acceptance and trust. They are looking for a balance, needing help to adjust to a more normal life, needing guidance, but also needing someone worthy of their trust and loyalty. Some may be unsure of relationships and some may fight having one. Some may feel unwanted, unloveable, unworthy. But, in different ways, the heroines are equal to the heroes.
It is when two shattered lives find that their pieces fit that true love can exist even for the hardened, abandoned and unusual.
Ghostwalkers
I love a good hero or even anti-hero as much as the next person. Dark, mysterious and bad-ass make up the majority of the heroes I write, in any of my series.
Each series has a different kind of hero since each series highlights a different kind of world for those characters.
My Ghostwalkers are military men who were experimented on and had their natural psychic abilities enhanced. But, at their core they are military and they have traits you would associate with a solider. They want order, organization, they are suspect of anything out of the ordinary, they are honorable and trust mainly their own team. They swear, they’re hard, they fight, they kill. They are strategic and they go after an enemy with precision.
These are alpha heroes. They’re bossy, like their way and expect orders to be followed, especially theirs. If you’re looking for a beta hero, or a touchy-feely kind of hero, these are NOT them. They will take charge and push you if you let them.
Their heroines are women who were genetically enhanced. These women are sometimes abused, always mistreated to an extent, some are tortured and some are trained to kill. Some are abandoned and left to die. They are survivors with a lot of internal conflict regarding acceptance and trust. They are looking for a balance, needing help to adjust to a more normal life, needing guidance, but also needing someone worthy of their trust and loyalty. Some may be unsure of relationships and some may fight having one. Some may feel unwanted, unloveable, unworthy. But, in different ways, the heroines are equal to the heroes.
It is when two shattered lives find that their pieces fit that true love can exist even for the hardened, abandoned and unusual.
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CF, I do love your books and I think you are a phenomenal writer, but I stopped reading your Ghostwalker series a few books back. This wasn't because they weren't good, or anything to do with the individual books. It's just that I am only willing to read so many stories about abused/broken characters who have heart breaking backstories. I read the Carpathians and the Leopards and that's enough hard core heroes for me. Still, I probably will read them eventually, so keep writing please :)
Bigbooknut wrote: "Christine wrote: "It is when two shattered lives find that their pieces fit that true love can exist even for the hardened, abandoned and unusual."Perfectly said. I just love those hardened, aban..."
Thank you. I do love those type of characters. And I love to see that loves is out there for all of us.
Chill wrote: "CF, I do love your books and I think you are a phenomenal writer, but I stopped reading your Ghostwalker series a few books back. This wasn't because they weren't good, or anything to do with the i..."I realize that not all books and not all series work for everyone, and for different reasons.
I spent years working with abused and battered women. Women who'd been through real horror. It was my honor to help these women and I learned so much from them. They have a special place in my heart.
I want people to know that, no matter what happens to them in life, they can find love and goodness and kindness in this world. Sometimes you have to fight for it in different ways, but you should never give up.
I do appreciate your honesty and that you are still able to enjoy some of the other series.
I agree with your comment. "But, in different ways, the heroines are equal to the heroes." We know Whitney ultimate goal was to have a pair that could work together, as well as their enhanced skills complement each other. This makes them the ultimate weapon. When these bossy men find these battered and mistreated women they find a way to make the relationship work and make them happy. I have my favorite couples but they're all amazing men and women! Whitney didn't take in the key factor. "Love!" He can't understand that emotion at this time. Maybe Lilly can save him in the end. Maybe.
I can't see him (Whitney) bring redeemed. Early in the series I hoped for it. I really wanted it for her. But with all that he's done to so many, no. It's too much. Maybe it could go down Darth Vader style. You know sacrificing himself at the end type thing. But other than that, sorry he needs to pay for the evil he has done and continues to do. For Cayenne alone he deserves to suffer. Especially since she had the bad luck to be paired with Trap, who treated her like crap, so she really didn't even get a HEA like the heroines in the other books. I'm hoping their story will continue as secondary characters in other books or in their own short story so that he can become more deserving of her. Cause as it stands now I feel bad for her. She got shafted. Whitney needs to suffer for his crimes.
You can find redemption even when you have to pay for your mistakes in life. Something dramatic or traumatic can happen and it brings' about moments of clarity where you realize that many of the things you've believed in have been wrong. Whitney doesn't get a HEA but he can realize he's wrong. It's really about Lilly finding peace and closer where her father is concern. Christine clarified her GW heroes and what they're about. We all have our favorite characters and some not so much. It happens. In all of the Ghost Walker books we see the males soften toward their wives when they make an appearance in future books. Trap will be no difference. Children are a great judge of character. If the little "viper gang" felt threaten by Trap they certainly wouldn't be clinging to his legs, which by the way I found adorable. They would avoid him. The little girls definitely have animal instinct and animals stay away from a stronger predator.
I see what you're saying about Whitney. She does need closure. But no matter what he has to pay.As for your other point, it's true, they do mellow with time, which is always sweet to see. But Trap needs to do a heck of a lot more than that, IMHO. He treated her badly. Sheesh, the things he said...not cool. Some might even call his treatment abusive and he's supposed to be the hero. I'm still angry with him. I don't like feeling that way about one of her heroes. I want to be able to like him and believe in their HEA as I have with all the rest.
Well, color me interested. I have absolutely got to push this up on my reading list. This is right up my alley, and this blurb has pushed me over the edge. I'll be starting the first in this series damned soon!
I have read and own almost all of your dark series. I own the entire ghostwalkers and leopard series as well as the drake sisters and sisters of the heart. I can't wait for more you are my favorite paranormal author keep up the good work.
Adaiah wrote: "I agree with your comment. "But, in different ways, the heroines are equal to the heroes." We know Whitney ultimate goal was to have a pair that could work together, as well as their enhanced skill..."Exactly! They are equal. Just in different ways. And sometimes it takes them a little while to discover what those ways are and they struggle. But, in the end they do compliment each other and are a force together.
What an amazing blog Christine. Great to understand the men and women of Ghostwalker world. Love this series.
♑Namita♑ wrote: "What an amazing blog Christine. Great to understand the men and women of Ghostwalker world. Love this series."Thank you!
Are the De La Cruz brothers heroes or anti-heroes? I wouldn't want to find out in ...real life... but I did have a dream once about running into one in an airport, then being taken to one of their South American ranches. I escaped...knowing that the only reason I did, was because they permitted me to. I know I'd never call Zacarias, though. I'd never...ever...would have the nerve.If I did by accident, I'd leave that phone on a city bus...and run.
Being human I think of Carpathian males as anti-heroes, but I like to Read about them...I don't think I'd like to Meet one, those. But I don't know if poor Noella was an anti-hero or just an unwise woman in love.
The Ghostwalkers was the first series I read of yours. Love each of these vastly different, extremely complicated characters. I appreciate that some couples get what I call the rainbows & unicorns hea while others get a different hea. Readers may not always like the version written but if all heas were the same, books would get boring really quick! Relationships in real life can be so different and I love that that is reflected in each story you write.
Thank you all for stopping by the blog. It's good to know the blogs are read and I love reading comments. It encourages me to write more blogs!
Haven't read The GhostWalkers series yet, but I've been skimming them. I might start it after the Leopard series.
Janice wrote: "Haven't read The GhostWalkers series yet, but I've been skimming them. I might start it after the Leopard series."Let me know what you think if you get a chance to read them!
I plan to start " The Awakening" in Fever, soon.
Janice wrote: "I plan to start " The Awakening" in Fever, soon."Sounds like you're ready for summer reading!
Very true, as the library system (Charlotte Mecklenburg Library; CML) that I 've worked at for about 30 yrs is getting ready for our Summer Reading program, but I've bee a big reader since I was a kid.
Just started The Awakening in Fever...love it. Can hardly wait to get into Wild Rain...sound like a pun to me. I'm not into jokes or riddles, but I do love puns.
Janice wrote: "Just started The Awakening in Fever...love it. Can hardly wait to get into Wild Rain...sound like a pun to me. I'm not into jokes or riddles, but I do love puns."I hope you enjoy the Leopards!
I do, and I'd love to see real Amur, Clouded, Persian, and Snow leopard...some day. Of course these leopard shifters would be fun to meet. Is the human more dominate, or the leopard in your shifters? I hope...the human.
It seems like a remember seeing pictures of Javanese leopards before, including a panther of that species. Very beautiful...
Haven't yet been able to get into the GhostWalkers series, though I've tried...and keep skimming them. I think I'll try again after I read the Leopard series, though I think Spider Game will be as much of a "struggle" for me to read, as much as Leopard's Prey, and Savage Nature, has been for me. I look forward to the newest books in the Leopard series though.
Since I was so heartbroken...and shocked to hear that the Rio Olympics people shot...and killed...Juma --their female jaguar mascot-- which they...allowed... to get loose-- I decided I'd rather read a book in the Leopard series, Wild Rain, rather than watch the Olympics this year.
The Carpathian, and the Shadow Riders, are still my favorite heroes/anti-heroes, but I still don't think I'd want to ever run into them...for real.
Janice wrote: "The Carpathian, and the Shadow Riders, are still my favorite heroes/anti-heroes, but I still don't think I'd want to ever run into them...for real."It would be daunting to deal with that family for sure! lol
Janice wrote: "Just started The Awakening in Fever...love it. Can hardly wait to get into Wild Rain...sound like a pun to me. I'm not into jokes or riddles, but I do love puns."Janice, you are so good about commenting here and I want you to know that I appreciate it. I get behind sometimes in answering comments, but I do try to read them all.
Sounds like you really love the leopards. I am very interested in what you'll make of Leopard's Fury when you read it. It's different from the other leopard books and I had such a wonderful time writing it.
I do love leopard--the rare Amurs, my favorite-- and the other wild cats, but....I have to say, I'm an Siberian tiger lady. I can hardly wait to read Leopard's Fury, as I loved The Awakening. I greatly appreciate you answering my wild questions and comments...I don't see how you find the time.
Janice wrote: "I do love leopard--the rare Amurs, my favorite-- and the other wild cats, but....I have to say, I'm an Siberian tiger lady. I can hardly wait to read Leopard's Fury, as I loved The Awakening. I gre..."I love leopards. All kinds, really.
I know you comment more than anyone. LOL And sometimes I read them, then I think that I need to respond and I run out of time. But, I do read them and I do appreciate you commenting.
Thank you much. I feel like I have so much to learn about your fiction universes...some facts, too. Just yesterday in Earth Bound I learned that Ferrara is a town in Northern Italy; I assume that the names Ferrari, and Ferraro, would have come from there. My prayers are with the people of Amatrice, and the other two Italian villages so badly damaged in Weds earthquake. Thanks again for answering my many comments.
I'm having trouble getting into Shadow Game, but I'll keep trying next year. I'm looking forward to reading Bound Together, as I fully expect that Blythe---with her magic--will ...get the "best" of any match with Viktor. I couldn't blame Lissa (Giacinta) for wanting to.
Counting the months for Bound Together, and the days for the re-release of Twilight Before Christmas.
Janice wrote: "Counting the months for Bound Together, and the days for the re-release of Twilight Before Christmas."Bound Together has been turned in so now it's with the publisher for editing, formatting, etc.
March is a long wait for Bound Together, but I'll be counting the months, and may re-read Fire Bound in Feb.
Perfectly said. I just love those hardened, abandoned, and unusual heroes and heroines. They're difficult, but so much more interesting.