Some of my favorite man-pics...

When I need something to stir my libido...

and get my muse to perk up...

 I run through my "hot guy" files...

 And I wear my drool bib...

 Then I check out my Facebook page for more hot guys...

And then I check out my Caveman photos...

  I can usually get some great ideas for heroes by doing that...but the big problem is...I sometimes just keep staring and forget to write. Sigh.

Multicultural and interracial romances...

I never really thought about it when I was writing these stories, but each one of these has a non-white hero. A hero of "color". To me, the heroes are simply heroes...sexy men with enough alpha appeal to wipe out any woman's resistance. In Never Tempt Fate, the hero is Hispanic (or as many reviewers say, "Latin/Latino). Tonio is one of my special men...hot and sexy and vulnerable. But his vulnerability makes him stronger.

My identical twins in Double Your Pleasure are Native American. Hot, delicious, and total opposites in personality, if not in looks. Hard-headed but soft hearted. They share cars, clothes, an apartment, and sometimes, women. Jonathan and Jason are modern big city guys. But they never forget their roots.

In Nothing but Sex, the hero, Mike Running Elk is a down-to-earth Native American. Strong and loving, and in love with an older woman who was once married to a man with looks and charisma...something Mike doesn't believe he has. But those who have read this book know that this man has more than enough of both to sink a battle cruiser.

The hero of My Sexy Sensei is Korean-American.  A man with a mission. And that mission is to overcome the resistance of one hot female black belt who thinks that work and sex don't go hand-in-hand. But James Rhee can't afford to let her off the hook, because she's the first woman in a very long time who has exactly the combination of attributes he wants...

Azrael Thunder Horse is one hard-headed, powerful man who firmly believes that Native Americans should stick with Native Americans. In Woman on Fire, our hot, sexy hero tries his damnedest to fire the new teacher he just hired...because she isn't a "real" Indian. But he can't seem to get the sexy red-head out of his thoughts...and he sure as hell can't keep himself out of her bed.

Each one of my "men of color" has very real issues...issues that helped make him what he is.  But I didn't write my stories with the color of his skin in mind...rather his cultural difference that builds conflict and tension in the story. But I am learning that there are many readers and reviewers out there who buy these books because they love romances between interracial or intercultural couples.

Never thought about that until my books began to show up on review sites that specifically review such books. I am learning as much from my readers as they are learning from me. And I love it!

My latest wip is about a Native American hero who is also a shapeshifter...now there's a combination of cultural conflicts if ever there was one. Again, I never thought about that while writing. But if my editor likes it enough to contract it, that will bring my special heroes to a total of seven. And it will be my first Native American heroine...

What do you think about interracial/intercultural stories? Any thoughts?

Fran Lee

I'm never sure when I post to this blog if anyone will read it...

I don't always go to the loops and ask for folks to come and read...

And when I do, I still only get a few folks who drop over and read.  So I blog mainly for myself...talking about how I feel and what is bugging me. I have a couple of good pals who drop over and comment, and I count myself lucky to have them.  To those of you who drop in every now and then, my deepest thanks.

 It's wonderful that you are kind enough to encourage this old broad. LOL!

Some of us have been friends since I first started writing, back in 2008-2009...and it thrills me to see you writing and getting your work published.  I know what a challenge it is to keep fighting to get your muse to work, and to get your work accepted.  Some of you have gone to mostly self-publishing.  Others have branched out to other smaller publishers.  It amazes me how proud I am to know each of you...for many of us began writing and getting published around the same time.

Thanks so much for your courtesy and concern.  And thanks for being there for me.

Hugs,

Fran Lee