Luke Buckton is one of the most stubborn heroes I’ve ever written. In some ways, his bull-headedness is what made him a successful rodeo star. He was more stubborn than the bull—until he wasn’t. The bull that injured him had the last word on Luke’s career. Or so he thought.
Stubbornness is required to heal, too. To dig one’s heals in and declare that an injury will not win is necessary to endure a long healing process like Luke does. His therapist and old love Ruby turns out to be a stubborn as Luke, determined to move past the wounds Luke inflicted long ago to make her own future.
As a reader, I love a stubborn romance. I love knowing two people are perfect for each other if they’d just get out of their own way. I love romances where I want to take the hero and shake him by the shoulders, shouting, “You foolish man, get over yourself and go get this woman you love!” I’ve shouted at a book or at the television set for a heroine: “He’s worth the risk, so just take it, why don’t you?!”
When stubborn characters finally come to their senses and open their hearts, it’s a marvelous payoff. We don’t want them to change the essential nature of their strengths—nobody likes wimpy characters—but we want them to tear down the useless walls keeping them apart.
I had great fun writing The Bull Rider's Homecoming and taking this stubborn cowboy to the place where his walls finally come down I hope you’ll enjoy the ride, too.
What about you? What stubborn hero or heroine have you enjoyed reading about?
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Sounds like a great story, Allie! I love when something seemingly insurmountable stands in the way of my characters having a happily ever after! And, yes, to strong heroes and heroines who have to see beyond themselves to find their own true love!
ReplyDeleteAllie, I love stubborn romance as well. This one sounds terrific.
ReplyDeleteGreat assessment, Allie. I'm sure the stubbornness of these characters will deliver a very satisfying ending to readers. Don't you love it when you can finally wrangle your characters into doing what you know they should be doing?
ReplyDeleteLOL, when you say stubborn, I think of Scarlet O'hara. She and I wouldn't have been friends. I'd be one of Ashley's snippy sisters, no doubt because I'm no Melanie either.
ReplyDeleteBut, stubborn. Wow.
And, I love bull riders :)
I love it when the LI heroes and heroines are flawed and human and have to work hard for their HEA. It just feels so good when they finally get it!
ReplyDeleteMaybe "stubborn" is too strong a word for it (although in Luke's case it truly fits!). Maybe strong willed feels like a nicer trait. Determined. Persistent. But then again, there are times when it is about just plain digging your heels defiantly in--and in that case, "stubborn" is definitely the word :)
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ReplyDeleteGreat post. I can't wait to read this one. The cover pulls me right in. And I kind of enjoy stubborn characters. They make the journey all the more interesting. Congratulations.
What fun! I love stubborn heroes and heroines as well. I love the cover of your book. So inviting.
ReplyDeleteAllie, I so agree. I love it when my characters finally "talk" to me.
ReplyDeleteI especially love alpha cowboys who have to get over themselves, because they're always paired with strong heroines who have to, shall we say, lend them a hand. Great post, Allie! And I love the cover.
ReplyDeleteI love a good stubborn character. They're tough to write, but so much fun to read, and there's always a life lesson or two in his or her journey.
ReplyDeleteI love to laugh--that's one thing I always appreciate about your books, Allie--the wonderful humor! Stubborn characters are my favorites--because they can always manage to get themselves in some kind of funny predicament.
ReplyDeleteI loved a stubborn man once. He was a trial and the best thing that ever happened to me all rolled into one. I like a stubborn hero. Can't wait to read your story.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great comments, everyone!
ReplyDeleteStubborn romances drive me crazy, but they keep me turning the pages. :)
ReplyDeleteThe book I just read The Nanny's Temporary Triplets had a stubborn character David McKay who fought falling in love with the Nanny Caroline. While the stubborn ones do frustrate me, I still enjoy reading them.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Allie. I know all about stubborn!!!!
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