My best friend and beta reader just gave me her feedback on my latest manuscript, a dystopian superhero novel. (Heroes, villains, vigilantes, romance…and explosions. Who doesn’t like explosions?) She loved the concept and the fundamental story, and she had some utterly fabulous feedback for me to consider. But one comment she made really resonated: She said that her favorite thing about the book was that it was a superhero novel about two women — and not women in a sidekick or love-interest role or intrepid reporter role: powerful women who were heroes — and villains — in their own right. Strong women, with their own issues, and fears, and motivations.
That got me thinking about female characters overall, especially in romance, which still tends to lean toward the alpha male. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Mmmm, muscles…) Sure, there are plenty of stories that have strong heroines…but do they stay strong once they hook up with their alpha male hero? Or do they morph into an appendage, someone who doesn’t think without looking to the hero first?
I’d like to think that even once lurve gets thrown into the equation, strong women remain strong. (Meljean Brook’s DEMON ANGEL is a glorious example of that — man, do NOT piss off Lilith.)
I tend to read paranormal romance, which has an abundance of strong women before, during, and after sex. While I’m not well-read in the other romance genres, I’m pretty sure that there are plenty of stories out there that have women who bloom once they hook up with their hero…as well as stories in which a heroine’s strength gets exchanged for her sex drive after she meets the alpha male. Right?
So…sock it to me: give me an example of a romance (any subgenre) with a heroine who remains strong after she meets/falls for/has sex with the hero, and an example with a heroine who checks her brain in the coat closet before her head hits the pillow. Tomorrow, I’ll pick a name at random to win a copy of one of my last ARCs for THE ROAD TO HELL.
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Vicki Pettersson’s Signs of the Zodiac series has a heroine who remains her strong self throughout. I have really enjoyed her world.
by Little Lamb Lost
on September 12th, 2007 at 10:56 am
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I think Daphne from Savanna Russe’s Darkwing Chronicles has remained her true self with her opinions and morals after meeting Darius and falling for him. They’ve had problems and even though she could have caved in and go with him, she stayed true to her responsibilities.
It’s very hard to think an example of a heroine who checks her brain in the coat closet before her head hits the pillow (lol!) and I really can’t think of one right now! 
by Wendy
on September 12th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
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I think that the heroines in Jacquelyn Frank’s Nightwalker series are strong even after they meet their heroes. I can’t think of any women who check in their brains after falling in love. Probably because if they did that I would not read it. I like my heroines to be strong.
by Cherie J
on September 12th, 2007 at 1:00 pm
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I like strong heroines—per Adair Radcliffe in Bertrice Smalls’ A Dangerous Love.
by Estella
on September 12th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
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I love strong heroines. The stronger the better. Some of my favorites are… Rachel Morgan from Kim Harrison’s witch series, Joanna Baldwin from Rachel Caine’s the Weather Warden series, Dante Valentine from Lilith Saintcrow’s Devil series, and just recently from one of my favorite romances of 2007 Raina Bowen from DRIVEN by Eve Kenin (Silver)
Personally, I haven’t read many romances that have had really strong heroines, as most of teh books concentrate on the heroes. Most of what I read is urban fantasy where it’s cool to be a tough, kick-ass chick.
by Vivi Anna
on September 12th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
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Jezebel, from Hell’s Belle? Oh darn it, is there something brown on my nose? 
I have a whole list of strong heroines, but for now I’ll just stick with most recent: Annie from Suzanne Brockmann’s latest. As for the other side of the coin, I don’t have any off the top of my head that are that horrible. Mostly because I am a firm believer in not waisting my time on bad books so I tend to chuck ‘em if the chick shows any sign of TSTL disease.
by LorelieLong
on September 12th, 2007 at 3:24 pm
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Most of the ones I can think of offhand aren’t actually published as romance: Joanne from Rachel Caine’s Weather Warden series, Dante Valentine from Lilith Saintcrow’s series, Jaenelle from Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels trilogy, Phedre from Jacqueline Carey’s Kushiel series.
That said. A lot of romances end when the hero and heroine actually get together. They may be working together during the story, but they don’t show how the heroine acts afterward. Yeah, there’s some books where the heroine turns into a weak little thing as soon as the Strong Man shows up, but those are pretty rare. It’s easier for me to name fantasy heroines, as they are usually part of at least three books, and there’s more to judge by there. 
by Nonny
on September 12th, 2007 at 4:01 pm
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Have to put Eve Dallas on the list. Adding Roarke to Eve’s life has only increased her physical and emotional power.
by Cathy
on September 12th, 2007 at 5:04 pm
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In Dragonflies and Dinosaurs, Randy Roman is a strong, courageous woman who has her own principles and values straight, even though she does encounter an appealing friendship which is worthwhile and beneficial.
by sabrina
on September 12th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
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Shelly Laurenston ladies are hell on heels and most of them are human lol. Very nice heroines strong even after sex. can’ t think of any romance book that I’ve read that the heroine lost it after sex. One because that book probably wouldn’t even haven’ gotten finished. Hate heroines that are tstl. Also rhonda vincents Stray is another good example. Lots of good books with strong heroes and heroines in them otu lately. I am loving that trend.
by Pamk
on September 12th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
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Shiloh Walker has some strong heroines in her Hunters series.
by Amy S.
on September 12th, 2007 at 8:25 pm
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Cant think of any who’s head goes to the coat closet but a strong heroine that comest to mind is Phoebe from It Had to Be You by SEP.
by Pat L
on September 12th, 2007 at 10:29 pm
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Alot of heroine’’s came to mind when I read this post but I’ll just mention my top two.
For heroine that is stronger after she encounters the hero and his romantic advances, I’d nominate Sookie Stackhouse from Charlaine Harris’s Dead series. Dead Until Dark being the first book. Sookie seemed to develop as a stronger character that could stand on her own more firmly after meeting Bill the vampire in the first book.
For heroine that loses some ground after a seductive encounter with the book’s hero, I’d nominate some of the ladies who found their mates in Christine Feehan’s books. I’ve noticed they meet their mate and suddenly seem to need the hero more. Not in all the books but in some. An example would be Libby Drake in “Dangerous Tides”.
by April
on September 13th, 2007 at 2:57 am
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Kate Conner from Julie Kenner’s Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series, she’s a total kick ass woman who stays strong even through the drama she goes through. 
by danette
on September 13th, 2007 at 3:18 am
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Jay in Linda Howard’s White Lies”. She reacts to a difficult ,desperate situation with intelligence and spirit!
I also liked Sydney in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s “Bad Attitude”. Sydney’s an independent BAD agent. Also very intelligent with a kick A attitude.
Boy, wimpy ladies….. probably all the heroines in the Barbara Cartland novels. I had a hard time reading her books.
by Laurie
on September 13th, 2007 at 5:34 am
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Karen Rose’s female characters always remain strong. They are wonderful complex women with many layers.
I guess I’ve been lucky in my choices of books because I haven’t had the misfortune of reading one where the heroine has become a wimp after sex.
by Susan
on September 13th, 2007 at 8:39 am
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The heroines of Nora Roberts/J.D. Robb. Eve Dallas is definitely my favorite! Barbara Cartland … I remember one of her books where the wimpy heroine’s very evil step mom was a suffragette and forced her to go to demonstrations with her. And the heroine rather would have left voting and politics totally for men and for her hero, who saves her from the evil step mom. I actually liked the step mom more than the heroine.
by Minna
on September 13th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
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My pick would be Victoria Gardella in Colleen Gleason’s the Vampire Gardella Chronicles.
by Teresa W.
on September 13th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
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Just finished SILVER MASTER by Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz) with a strong heroine, Celinda Ingram. She remained strong, helpful and very intelligent through the story which I enjoyed very much.
by Shari C
on September 13th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
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It’s not straight romance, but this got me thinking of Kelley Armstrong’s female characters. They don’t lose themselves after hooking up with their partners.
by Paula
on September 14th, 2007 at 12:50 am
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I would choose Keri Arthur’s Riley Jensen.
by Crystal B.
on September 14th, 2007 at 8:45 am
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My ultimate favorite female character with strength who I admire is Jo Fry. The Louis Kincaid series by P.J. Parrish. Love it.
by sabrina
on September 14th, 2007 at 2:23 pm
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My female character who is strong would be Sophie Metropolis from Tori Carrington’s Sophie series. A weaker female would be Stephanie Plum from Evanovich’s books. She acts tough but when it comes down to it she makes the most stupid mistakes and acts like she doesn’t have a brain sometimes.
I absolutely love the cover for The Road to Hell! It sounds like a great book!! I hope I’m not too late to enter because I’d LOVE to win this!
by RachaelfromNJ
on September 19th, 2007 at 12:40 am
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For a strong heroine, my choice is Anita Blake from Laurell K. Hamilton’s series. Anita is a true bad ass and I love her. I can’t think of a weak heroine. Jackie I love the cover for A Road to Hell! It is definetely eye catching! I read the excerpt on your website and I can’t wait to get my hands on this book!!!!
Hugssss
LindaH
by Linda
on September 19th, 2007 at 2:26 pm
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I’ve got two, Venetia Milton from Amanda Quick’s SECOND SIGHT and Victoria Gardella in Colleen Gleason’s RISES THE NIGHT.
by Lis
on September 21st, 2007 at 11:04 pm
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I want to thank everyone for your wonderful comments! The lovely NONNY was the lucky winner. But I’ll be sure to have another giveaway soon!
by Jackie
on September 24th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
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Congrats Nonny! So lucky!!
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Congrats Nonny!*tossing virtual confetti*
by danette
on September 24th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
