{Shades of Rose} War's End by Imogene Nix #giveaway #blogtour #guestpost

I love strong heroines and exciting stories. War's End sounds like one of those stories. Imogene is offering some thoughts on strong heroines and is also hosting a giveaway. To enter use the rafflecopter at the bottom of the post! Take it away Imogene.

War’s End Guest Post Strong Heroines – Hot Passion

 As an author of romance, I know more than a little about how to make my characters yearn and lust. My friends regularly tell me how mean I am to my heroes and heroines — and I just adore that. I don’t want their story to be easy or soft. That’s not who I am as an author. Or a reader.

Where did this begin? Well, I have to be honest, it came from reading books where the heroine got hurt. Now that sounds plain evil, doesn’t it? But I’m a firm believer that heroines can be tough too. They can battle; help the — or sometimes take on the persona of — the hero. The scars and medals they earn along the way give the characters depth. I find that so very sexy as a reader.

After entering the reading market in the 1980’s the bodice rippers the shy retiring females left me flat. Why? Because it seems to me they can’t fully appreciate their role without feeling deep emotions. Unless they are sixteen and have lead a sheltered life (probably in a nunnery), I’ve yet to find a girl/woman who is as retiring as in some books. Now that’s my own personal perspective though.

Don’t get me wrong — I think this is because I like strong willed women who make their own way. For me the epitome of strong women is Tirla (Pegasus in Space), Seven of Nine (Star Trek Voyager), Sara Brand (Angels Meets The Badman) and even Eve Dallas (In Death Series) who have filled in the gaps for me. They are strong willed and capable. Willing to take chances in both love and whatever particular sticky situation they find themselves in.

That’s not to say heroines can’t/shouldn’t be retiring, just that I want my heroines to have deep and engaged emotions! And being deep characters they can then enjoy the full suite of emotions… including love, loss and the oh-so-rewarding lust. (To be honest, I rather enjoy the lust aspects!) Loss is a great motivator for the heroines. Whether it’s the loss of family, the loss of identity or the loss of love, the characters this gives them a depth of character that they wouldn’t have got as an innocent schoolgirl of the 1800’s… Lust can make a woman take a step she wouldn’t ordinarily – such as entering a relationship with a man who is outside her experience or world. It’s something that makes the whole situation so much more fraught with danger and utterly delicious! Loss leaves scars, and lust gives them experience.

 Love…? Wow!

The ultimate emotion.

This can be the love for a child or a child for its parent and siblings. But in a romance story, its the emotional connection of woman to man. Love can motivate a heroine to take any chance and to do anything. So long as love is at its heart – it can be the strongest and most awesome emotion imaginable. It’s the shining reward for the risks taken.

It’s the payoff… and it’s delicious!

Imogene

Genre: Sci-fiction Romance

Forced apart by war five years ago, Renjiro and Selina have another chance at love. Can they make it work or does fate have other plans?

Without the citizenship of the Federation, Indy pilot Selina Codecko is treated like a second-class citizen. When she gets caught up in a bar brawl she's arrested and finds herself in the hands of the Justice Officers.

Renjiro Ito has dreamed of Selina for five long years. As the Commander of the Justice Officers, the plight of this one woman will turn his life upside down.

But there's more going on than just the fate of one woman—there's a seething underbelly that wants to destroy their newly expanded Federation. The chances of a future together are slim, but they'll take any chances that come their way. Will it be enough?

---

"Sit down." Renjiro's terse words filled Selina with pain and sadness.

She acceded to his request in silence, holding her throbbing hand against her breast. He squatted before her, his face close to hers, his dark eyes shadowed. His touch was gentle as his fingers traced the line of her jaw. They shook a little and she felt the glancing caress. It warmed her.

He touched a raw spot on her chin and she hissed involuntarily.

"Where else are you injured?"

Selina shook her head.

"Captain Codecko? Selina?"

His gentle words nearly undid her. Tears burned in her eyes and she blinked, hoping to banish them. It didn't work though. They dripped down her face, scalding her frozen cheeks.

Now his hands dropped to her shoulders. "Where else are you hurt, Selina?" His gaze was hypnotic. It drew her words without thought.

"My hand, ribs, and the top of my head."

He frowned and started tugging at her shirt, pulling it free of the loose-fitting pants.

"What… What are you doing?"

He glanced at her, his face taut and strained. "I'm checking your injuries."

Selina blushed, the heat creeping over her face as she pushed at his hands. "No! You can't do that!"

"Just bloody watch me." His rough words surprised her and her hands dropped away. He continued his almost feverish work at her buttons and very quickly he had the shirt open. Selina thanked whatever had made her fasten a bra over her very tiny breasts. With gentle movements, he brushed the old material of her shirt to one side. He hissed through clenched teeth at what he saw. "You need a medic."

"I'm fine. I've lived through this before. Of greater concern to me is whether I'm going to be charged for causing the riot. I was just—"

"I know. Having a quiet drink. We checked the spy eyes. You will be free to go, so long as we can put together a suitable argument. But I have a proposition. One that would help you, I think."

In her experience, propositions never ended well, but she was desperate enough to listen to what he had to say. So she watched in mute silence as he rose. He backed away as she quickly refastened her shirt. Then he paced to the end of the room and back.

"I've just received a communiqué that there's some Indies about to plan an attack on this moon base. I need people I can trust to get information for me."

She waited. But as he started pacing again, it seemed she would need to ask the question. "What's in it for me?"

He stilled.

Selina held her breath. Waiting.

"I might be able to swing an official citizenship for you."

Just like that, he could brush away all the difficulties she had faced since the end of the war. But trusting people didn't come easily. Not for her. "You can just click your fingers and make that happen?"

He faced her again. His eyes shone almost feverishly bright under the lighting of the room. "No. But I know someone who might be able to make it happen, if you agree."

"Why? Why would you help me?"

He smiled. "Because I owe you." 

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Imogene is a mother of two, compulsive reader, and bookstore owner. She lives in regional Queensland, Australia with her husband, two daughters, dog, cats, guinea pigs, and chooks. She has a particular fondness for vampires, star ship captains, and things that go bump in the night (especially vampire types).

Imogene has tried many varied roles in her working life including kindergarten assistant, teacher, principal, and kindergarten and child care director, but rates owning a bookstore and writing her own novels as the absolute highlight.

In her mother and wife alter ego, she has travelled widely and lived in some very unique places including Far Western Queensland, Cape York, and even Tasmania. She loves to travel and rates China and Hong Kong among her favorite destinations.

She blames Star Trek Voyager, Firefly, and the works of Alexander Kent for her interest in naval activities and later space fleet interest.

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Imogene is giving away 2 eCopies of Wars End.

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