How Do I Create My Hero?

I'm noticing a trend in my male characters. It isn't a bad thing. I guess I know what I like and it's coming through in my written word.

I've written a sexy YA tale (18-24 target - Jocelyn's Choice), two BDSM novels (Be My Everything and The Lonely Dominant) and one endearing m/m (Embracing the Unexpected) novel. In all of them, I've created some pretty hot, sexy and unforgettable men. I personally can't forget them;) I hope you'll agree.

In all of my current novels, my men are strong, sensitive and not afraid to show their partner exactly what they want in the bedroom. They're all successful, educated, professionals. Two of them have attended Yale and one went to Harvard. Two are psychiatrists, one an attorney and the others are prominent businessmen.

The only conclusion I can draw...the women is my novels are lucky! lol

So, what is it about the underlying commonality my heroes seem to possess? I certainly didn't do it intentionally because each story is different and each character has their own unique back story. To me, there's something hot about a smart, take charge guy. When I write my romances I want to get lost in the story and creating these types of heroes gives it that fairy tale feel for me. I try to develop realistic characters, but it's still fiction and I want to give my men that flair of fantasy, intrigue and charisma.

Of course none of my heroes would be worth the paper they're written on without a strong, sassy, intelligent counterpart. When writing my hero, I make sure I develop a partner that's just as captivating and knows how to keep that sexy man in line.

KWIM?

In this chapter One excerpt from The Lonely Dominant, Clara let's Alex know in no uncertain terms that she will not be bought...

Please don't feel uncomfortable." I took her hand in mine. "I want to help you."

"Why?" She glanced down at our joined hands. "You don't even know me."

"I can help you."

The appropriate thing for me to do was rent her an apartment, and offer her a job in my office, but that wasn't what I wanted. And, since I was ruthless, I was going to make sure I got exactly what I wanted out of this deal.

"I have a rather large house about twenty minutes from here. There are more rooms than I can count, a swimming pool, hot tub, and every amenity you can imagine, and some you can't. The house is entirely too big for me."

"I don't understand. What exactly are you offering?"

"I want you to come and spend the holidays with me, and if you like my home, you can stay until you get your degree." Will she think I'm some lunatic serial killer for offering her this?
"Why would you do that for me?"

Because you are the most beautiful, intriguing woman to me, and I can't stand the thought of you being homeless and alone.


"Because I can." It was that simple. "You need help and I want to provide it." I also wanted her in my house, and even more importantly, in my bed. I felt my cock jump around in my pants, letting me know he agreed. Okay, I'm getting way ahead of myself.


"I don't mean to sound ungrateful, but I can't accept," she firmly said, as she let go of my hand. "I appreciate your offer, but I can't."

I shook my head; I wasn't the kind of man who took no for an answer.

"Clara, do you want to leave college?" I knew how much this degree meant to her from our previous conversations, so I had to use that information to my advantage.

"No," she mumbled. "I'm too close."

I saw her eyes fill and the tears threatening to spill out. She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes, but it was too late; I was breaking down her defenses.

"Then I don't think you have a choice."

"Oh yes, I do," she said in a tone I'd never heard her use before. "I'm not some sort of prostitute you can just buy."

I laughed because I didn't know what else to do. She was a kitten trying to be a lion. Amusing, and cute.

"It's not funny. Just because I'm struggling right now doesn't mean I'd sell myself." She shook her head. "I can't believe you'd think I'd move in with you and let you pay my way in return for—"

"Whoa!" I put my hands up in the air. "That's not what I'm doing. My old friend Jack said you needed help. He's concerned for you and noticed we've been talking and he thought I could help you. I agreed. I am not a pimp. I'm a prominent businessman who gives back to society when I can."

"Oh," she said as her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red. "I didn't mean to accuse you of anything inappropriate, but you have no reason to help me and I don't know what else to think. You said you go after what you want."

"I think it's good that you're cautious because there are plenty of inappropriate men out there." Hell, I'm one of them, but only in a consenting relationship.

***

Alec just may have his hands full.

Remember, if you'd like to be entered into a drawing to win The Lonely Dominant, leave a comment on any one of my posts today and I'll randomly choose a winner. 

Why the Male POV?

Did you know The Lonely Dominant is written entirely from the male POV? In first person.  I know, right? What was I thinking?  I often asked myself that question and at times, I thought I was out of my mind to attempt doing the whole book from the male perspective.

When developing the plot, Alec's voice spoke the loudest to me. When I came up with the title, I knew the story had to be told from his voice. He is The Lonely Dominant.

***

I broke the kiss and gently stroked her hair. "Thank you for letting me be the first to bring you that pleasure. You don't know how it pleases me."

I continued to stare at her for a few moments, occasionally placing a soft kiss on her lips.

"I want to please you," she said. "I can't explain it, but I have these urges to make you happy."

"What do you mean?" I said, figuring we might as well put it all on the table.

"Ever since I met you, there's just been something about you. It's the way you act, and you always seem to have control over everything. It's really sexy."

I smirked, because she got me completely.

"When I hear you on the phone for work, you just say what needs to be done. You never ask, and you always get results. There are times when I think I want you to talk to me that way. Is there something wrong with me? I can't even believe I'm telling you this."

I laughed, because if there was something wrong with her, then I was certainly a head case.

"Clara," I picked up her shirt from the floor and handed it to her, "there's nothing wrong with you. I think there's a very specific reason we're drawn to one another."

"Why?"

"Do you know what a Dominant is?" Why waste time?

I was never the type to beat around the bush. When I wanted something, I put it out there. This was no different. She may not have realized it, but she was attracted to me because she was submissive. Exactly how submissive? I wasn't sure, but I hoped to find out.

She quickly put her blouse back on and buttoned it up. We'd have to work on her modesty, too. I planned to have her naked quite a bit.

"I think so," she said. "It's when a person takes on the dominant role in a sexual relationship."

I smiled. "Yes, that's part of it, but it's also the Dom's responsibility to teach and help his submissive reach pleasure beyond her wildest dreams. It's a mutually beneficial relationship between two consenting adults."

"Alec, are you dominant?"

"In almost every aspect of my life, especially in the bedroom."

"Oh," she said, as she adjusted her skirt.

"Does that bother you?" I'd give her the opportunity to run screaming from the house.

"Actually," she said, and the blush took over her face again. "It kind of intrigues me."

"Really?"

She nodded.

"Do you know anything about that type of relationship?" I pulled her closer to me. She was so soft and warm, and I couldn't keep my hands off her. I'd touch her all day if I could.

"Not firsthand, obviously." She traced my lips with her fingertip. I liked when she touched me unprovoked. "I had a human sexuality course last semester and we discussed dominant and submissive behaviors, and I realized I could be a submissive. Not extremely submissive. I mean, I don't think I could be someone's slave, or do it twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, but I found it a turn-on."

Is this really happening?

"The more I learned about the subject, the more I realized I wanted to be dominated," she said. "But, it wasn't something I thought I could explore. I wouldn't even know how to go about it."

Surreal was the only way to describe what was happening here. Anytime I'd engaged in this behavior, I'd had to seek out my subs as discreetly as possible. I would go through friends I knew in the community to find a woman who was into the same things I was. I'd always had difficulty finding someone who was only interested in light play. Most subs were looking for long-term, hard play, and as secure as I was, I just wasn't into beating or humiliating anyone. I also liked having the power of being able to play when I wanted to.

"I'm not a hard-core Dom. I've dabbled, but I've never collared a sub, and I've never been in a relationship with one before. I enjoy the lifestyle, but I did it only with a willing partner, and only for brief periods of time. We both took what we needed from the experience, and then we mutually parted ways."

She looked disappointed by my response. Maybe she thought I was more involved in the lifestyle?

"It's a very satisfying experience when both participants are open and honest about their wants and desires. The pleasures I've gained through my past experiences were like none I'd ever experienced before."

"I'd like to try it," she said. "I want to submit to you."

"You're so young." Her age didn't bother me. Rather, I knew she was so inexperienced when it came to sex and relationships. I wasn't certain she could make this kind of decision. "I'd need you to be absolutely sure."

"You said it was consensual. I wouldn't have to do anything I didn't want to, and if I remember correctly, there are safe words we could use."

"I think you know more than you're letting on." I arched a brow at her, but I was impressed by her openness. I was surprised she had the courage to press the matter.

"I may have researched the subject a couple of times."

"You're right about safe words. They are set up to protect not only your physical boundaries, but your emotional limits as well. I would push your limits, but only to show you how much pleasure you could gain. I couldn't do this 24/7 either. We'd have to come up with some sort of agreement, since we live under the same roof." Are we really entertaining this?

"Weekends?" She shrugged. "Maybe we could try it out?"

I smiled and gently kissed her lips. "Yes, I think weekends would work perfectly."

***

See...I needed to get the story out from his head. Now of course, Clara is a little disappointed she hasn't gotten her say. Something about every story having two sides;) So, after the holidays, I plan to work on the second book in this series, The Eager Submissive. And guess what? It'll be told entirely from Clara's POV. She's got a lot to tell you.

If you'd like to check out chapter one in it's entirety click here. You'll get to see just how Clara ended up in Alec's house.

Remember to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of The Lonely Dominant.

Thanks for joining me today...

Happy Sunday!  I'm Ella Jade and I'm celebrating the release of my BDSM Romance The Lonely Dominant. I'm excited to share this one with all of you and in the spirit of the holiday season, I'd love to give away an eBook copy (or two) to some random commenters today. It'll be fun! All you have to do is comment on any of posts today (there are 4) and you'll be entered into a drawing to win The Lonely Dominant.

I'm a multi-published author and am fortunate enough to be part of two really awesome and supportive publishing houses. The Lonely Dominant and Jocelyn's Choice are contracted to Noble Romance and Be My Everything (another of my BDSM romances) and my upcoming December m/m release Embracing The Unexpected are housed over at Beachwalk Press. I love writing strong romances with just enough drama to keep you on the edge of your seat. I always provide a lot of heat and I'll never end a story without the HEA. Real life is too crazy and I want you to get lost in my words.

Here's a little peek into The Lonely Dominant...

Successful businessman Alec Carter realizes his life is less than fulfilled when he meets beautiful Princeton University senior Clara Whittaker at a local coffee shop. Alec experiments in the BDSM lifestyle but doesn't consider himself hardcore until he crosses paths with the obviously submissive Clara. The more time Alec spends with young Clara, the more his dominant tendencies push to the surface. She could be what he has been missing.

After her grandmother's death, Clara ends up a guest in Alec's home until she can finish school. She quickly learns she's a natural submissive and decides she wants to explore this new side of herself with the man of house. Alec shows her a life she never knew existed as they enter a world of role playing, fantasy, and desire. Alec may be the Master, but Clara holds the key to his heart.

As the semester comes to an end, so does their arrangement. If Alec doesn't admit his true feelings for Clara, she could walk out of his life forever. But, Alec isn’t sure which she craves more . . . his dominance . . . or his love.

***

I'll be back in a few to let you know what motivated me to write this book entirely from the male POV.

Remember to leave me a comment and include your e-mail address so I can enter you for a chance to win my latest release.