A new gothic romance by Anastasia Blackwell is scheduled to be published as an e-book in November, 2016. Creative Revolution Media announced the story of star-crossed lovers in an ancient carnival will be released as a paper-back in early 2017. Plans for sequels and a screenplay were are also in development.
In a series of interviews in historic Jacksonville, Oregon I was asked about the nature of obsessive possessive love and the character Ramey Sandeley. Here are my thoughts.
To view film trailer for The House on Black Lake go to website home page.
Ramey Sandeley, the alpha male antagonist in The House on Black Lake has it all. It has been said that “God gave him too much, as so he has a price to pay”. Born with astonishing good looks and enormous wealth, he proceeds to become educated at the finest universities, to learn how to ride a horse like a native, hunt wild game all over the world, and become a highly successful international entrepreneur. He has never known failure, and that is what makes him highly vulnerable. His power and wealth do not protect him from personal tragedy. Eventually his gilded life becomes a claustrophobic prison, and he, in turn, becomes little more than the animals he brands with his hand-made tools.
When he first meets Alexandra Brighton he realizes she is his soul mate, yet he is married with a wife carrying his child, and she is also committed. Their union would carry great sacrifice, and so they proceed with their lives. However, a vow at a shrine leads Alexandra back to confront the attraction that brought them together, and the battle for their souls to unite creates a struggle that threatens to destroy them and all they hold dear. This is the nature of the alpha spirit.
There is also a gamma male in the mix. Ramey’s first cousin, the supremely narcissistic rock god, Georgie La Pointe. A sociopathic master of seduction, he is a master class in why this kind of male needs to be avoided at all costs, no matter the level of social status and desirability.
I have compiled a list of the 30 top alpha male heroes taken from romance novel communities. Add your own, and submit to forums and book clubs for your pleasure.
1. Alexander Belov, from The Bronze Horseman by Paulina Simons
2. John Medina, from “ All The Queen's Men by Linda Howard
3. Jerico, from Fever Series by Karin Marie Moning
4. Domenico, from The Silver Devil by Teresa Denys
5. Lucan, from Midnight Breed Series by Lara Adrian
6. Jaime, from Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon
7. Wolf Mackenzie, from Mackenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard
8. Wrath, from Dark Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward
9. Lucas Hunter, from Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
10. Raphael, Guild Hunters Series by Nalini Singh
11. Hohn Huntington, from Midnight Man by Lisa Marie Rice
12. Iain sinclair, from Guardian Angel by Julie Garwood
13. Ian Mackinnon, from Surrender Book One of Mackinnon's Rangers, by Pamela Clare
14. Hunter of the Wolf, Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson
15. Lachlain, from A Hunger Like No Other, Immortals After Dark Series by Kresley cole
16. Darius, Lucian, from Immortals After Dark Series", by Christine Feehan
17. Bones, from Night Huntress series by Jeaninne Frost
18. Adam from Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs
19. Lucky Douchet, from Lucky's Ladyby Tami Hoag
20. Drustan, Dageus, Cian, from Kiss of the Highlander Series by Karen Marie Moning
21. Zadist, from Black Dagger Brotherhood Series , by JD Ward
22. Julian Darcagelo, from Hard Evidence by Pamela Clare
23. Damion de Jarnoc, from The Last Knight, by Pamela Proctor
24. James Diaz, from Cry No More by Linda Howard
25. Takashi O’Brien, from Ice Blue by Anne Straight
26. Drake, from Dangerous Passion by Lisa Marie Rice
27. Rolfe the Relentless, from The Conquerer by Brenda Joyce
28. Tegan, from Midnight Breed Series by Lara Adrian
29. Gregori Daratrazanoff, from “Dark Magic , book 4 of the Carpathian Series, by Christine Feehan
30. Sean Culhane, Stormfire by Christine Monson
It is well acknowledged that JR Ward and Linda Howard are masters of creating provocative alphas. It’s generally better to read about one than to have a serious relationship with an alpha. But then again . . . . They are fun to play with, as their egos make them highly vulnerable, and that’s why they make great romantic heroes. Dominance makes the game all the more fun, as it raises the stakes for the woman and creates an exciting emotional adventure. Also, they're usually wildly physical in all aspects of their lives.
And, of course, one must not foget the number one, most alpha male – Rhett Butler, from Gone With the Wind But the story ended before she twisted him around her finger one more time.
What would it take to tame his hunger, and take him as your own?
Hunger Untamed from Pamela Palmer's Feral Warriors Series.
I am in the process of creating a list of the most popular dominant romantic heroes. But, for now, trust me when I tell you - Ramey Sandeley, the "hero" in "The House on Black Lake" is a master of the craft, far more than the trailer on the home page implies. The trailer is only a taste - and there is another character, a certain rock God, Georgie La Pointe, who will either draw you in or repel you altogether, depending on your taste for very dominant men.
It is my belief that dominant heroes are appealing to women because they create an instant challenge, and the vulnerability payoff is huge. The dominant male is decisive and confident and that takes bravery, passion, intelligence. It generally always leads to success, and a sense of security for the woman he chooses, no matter how self reliant she may be. Most women desire being submissive at times and also dominant when the need requires. Also, there is the excitement of being with a highly opposite version of the female gender and, perhaps, of being forced to do exactly what we truly desire.
The bottom picture is of a dominent male that will never be tamed, and is best left in the wild!
THE HOUSE ON BLACK LAKE HAS BEEN ADAPTED TO SCREENPLAY. GO TO HOME PAGE TO VIEW PROVOCATIVE CINEMATIC TRAILER
In the process of promoting my novel, I have spoken with many romance enthusiests and spent time researching forums devoted to the romance genre. I have compled a list of the fifty most popular themes. Asterisks are placed next to topics touched upon in The House on Black Lake.
Book Clubs may want to use list as beginning of discussion, or have members write their own and create an extended list that can be forwarded along to community sites. Knowledgable readers may add title examples for each topic to create a resource for individuals to find books that appeal to them. It is also helpful to the writers of romance novels to be aware of what their readers desire to experience. This is especially true if topics considered taboo are broached. Reading offers a great opportunity to release fear and repressed desires, and explore various aspects of ourselves and our life journey through the experiences of others.
A number of the themes listed below, such as alpha males, dominant males, cheaters, and forced love are dealt with in my other blogs, including reading examples. I plan to add lists, and will soon make site open to readers suggessions, so please return for more information as it is gathered.
The list of popular themes in in no particular order.
l. A broken heart. The greatest reading choice for this seems to be "Stormfire.*
2. Man uses woman for revenge, kidnapped, seduced, etc. "Stormfire" again, this must be a great read.*
3. Good sex scenes, either explicit or implicit.*
4. Heroine nearly dies, hero is terrified, realizes how much he loves her. Even better, is when hero is directly, or indirectly responsible for putting heroine in jeopardy...*
5. Second chance ex-spouses.
6. Cheating hero.* This one is very popular. But, some want him to realize he loves his wife and family and wants them back.
7. Less than perfect heroes/heroines – scarred or disabled.
8. Rugged cowboy-types.*
9. Hero helps deliver his baby.
10. Heroine saves or rescues hero from harm.
11. Bad Boys.*
12. Pent up sexual frustration – repression.*
13. Great grovel scenes – where rugged hero breaks down.* This is very popular, and an ideal topic for discussion.
14. Hero disappears and reappears years later.
15. Steamy AND emotional scenes between lovers.”*
16. Romance – candlelit dinners, walks in the park. Etc.*
17. Obsessed or deeply in lust.*
18. Villain in love with heroine.*
19. Dominant, alpha males.*
20. Romance and thriller.*
21. Widowed hero grieving over first wife.
22. Vampire and paranormal love.
23. Vikings!.
24. Smutty historical romance.
25. H/H in historical garb.
26. Men with long (preferably dark) flowing hair*.
27. Alpha female who isn’t borderline abusive*
28. Hero bribes heroine to be with him.
29. Heroine playing hard to get.*
30. Drunken sex.*
31. Bad boy falls for nice girl.*
32 Virginal or repressed heroine who falls apart at the touch of the RIGHT man.*
33. Forced mate scenario in paranormal.
34. Jealous bad boy.*
35. Ménage romance.*
36. Incest.*
37. Two men competing for woman.*
38. Forced sex where h/h have strong connection.*
39. Sheik books and big hunky H’s and the feisty heroine.
40. Bad boy who bosses H around until they fall in love.*
41. Spanking/forced sex scenes.*
42. Love triangles.*
43. Bisexual love.*
44. Older women/younger men.*
45. Rugged/outdoorsy men.*
46. Heroine enjoys sex.*
47. Haunted places/ghosts.*
48. Tattoos, piercings, branding, etc.*
49. Beauty and the beast themes.*
50. Time travel – men in kilts, on island, or anywhere ancient.*
Well, that’s a beginning. The list says a lot about what women really want, and discussing these topics is a great exercise in female empowerment.
When Alexandra Brighton enters Black Lake she only knows what she has been taught by contemporary society. The lessons she learns in the underground teach her about her deeper desires and instincts. Some of the topics are a bit disturbing, but I believe all women desire to reconnect with baser animal instincts and enjoy the powerful union between the sexes.
Most of us love a good vampire tale.
