WHY DO WE LOVE TORTURED HEROES? A Blog Hop that attempts to answer this question...

James Macleod -- aka the White WolfThe Tortured Hero Blog Hop is the brilliant brainchild of fellow author Carrie Ann Ryan . She asked each of us to talk about our favorite characters in this heartwrenching category and why we love them so much.

Many of JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood characters qualify as tortured heroes (and I adore that series). But I'd have to say that James Macleod from CHANGELING DREAM, is the most compelling hero for me personally -- and maybe it's because I came to know him so intimately during the writing of that novel.

Here's the back cover blurb of CHANGELING DREAM:

Oh yes, James totally looks like
Chris Hemsworth in his Thor role.In times of stress Jillian Descharme has always found calm in her dream of a great white wolf with haunting blue eyes. But she is startled when the visions return and this time seem so real. Late at night he comes to her, speaks to her, touches her.... 

Thirty years ago James Macleod lost his wife and unborn child to a killer bent on destroying the Changelings. Though he longed for death, his animal instinct fought for survival and James has been a wolf ever since. 

Yet now a woman has reawakened the man in him, taming wild instincts but arousing still wilder needs. With his ancient enemy hunting the legendary white wolf, James must fight for new life, new hope, new love.....


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When I write a character, it's never a case of sitting down and deciding what that character should be like, who they should be. It's always a case of trying to get the character to talk to me and TELL ME who they are. 


Because of that, I don't always know why I'm writing a particular story. But James was both a powerful and a flawed hero for me, and that made him so, so real --- he'd been through hell and wasn't all that certain he wanted to return to a human world. Who couldn't relate to that?

After all, as a wolf, James didn't have to deal with painful things like human emotions, human grief. Of course, that meant he also had to miss out on family, on friends, and most acutely, on love. Changeling Dream follows his journey back to humanity. 

Which brings me back to the Tortured Hero theme of this blog hop. Perhaps we love them the most because they have the farthest to go....

And since we're on the subject of heroes with pasts to overcome, I can hardly wait to introduce my readers to a new Changeling hero in my October release, FIRST BITE, Book 1 of the Dark Wolf Series. I guarantee you will not forget Travis Williamson!  Check my website for more about this new story -  http://www.daniharper.com/NEWS_AND_NEW_RELEASES.html

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DANI'S GIVEAWAY


Meanwhile, I'm offering a giveaway --- this IS a blog hop after all!  You can win a signed copy of Changeling Dream, and a tote bag to put it in.

BUT THAT'S NOT ALL!  To help remind you of my October release, FIRST BITE (Book 1 of the Dark Wolf Series), I'll also include a black plush Webkinz wolf. This cute little guy will guard your computer or your bookshelf.


To enter, I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!  Leave me a comment about your favorite TORTURED HERO or talk about why you think these guys are so popular. Or tell me if you hate them --- whatever your opinion is, I want to hear it. 
PS -- Don't forget to include an email address so I can contact you if you win. On April 29, I'll draw a name at random from the comments as the winner.
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CHECK OUT THE LINKY LIST BELOW TO VISIT ANY OR ALL OF OVER 300 AUTHORS PARTICIPATING IN THE TORTURED HERO BLOG HOP!