Quick Six with Suzanne Ferrell
Debut author, Romance Bandit and all-round fabulous gal, Suzanne Ferrell is hanging out with us today for the Quick Six. I’m so excited about her super hot release and can’t wait to share her interview with you!!
The Surrender of Lacy Morgan, the first story about the brothers of the Los Hombres ranch, is a 4 &1/2 star Top Pick @ Night Owl Reviews.
Plotter or Pantzer? Pantzer. There’s no real rhyme or reason to how a book goes together for me, except I’m pretty linear. Each scene feeds into the next, affects how it flows. By the time I write, THE END (and I do actually write that), the book is pretty much complete. The second draft is more an editing pass, tweaking a scene here or there, catching as many typos as I can, tightening the writing so it flows well, adjusting the pacing, and making sure all the lose ends are neatly tied up! (Tied up. Hmmm…now there’s an idea.)
Historical or Contemporary? I love to read both. I’ve written both. Since I’m writing western historical eroticas and polishing up my sexy western historical romances for hopeful publication right now, I’m in a historical state of mind, creatively.
Shade or sun? Shade. Texas sun is very constant and very unforgiving. If I’m just outside to enjoy the nice weather I’m usually in the shaded part of the back porch. If I’m swimming then it’s sun all the way. Besides, as the resident vampire in the Romance Bandit’s Lair, too much sun might make me combust!
Scruffy or Clean Shaven? Well, now this would depend on whom we’re talking about, wouldn’t it? Gerard Butler is just fine with a bit of scruff and lends more of that bad-boy appeal he has going on. Shemar Moore, my inspiration for Will Danville, the newest Los Hombres Ranch hero in my WIP, has one of those sexy shaved heads that makes you go, “Oh Mama!”.Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy. I’m definitely a Jeopardy kind of girl. I drive my family crazy when I’m watching it. I love trying to get the answers before the contestants and anyone sitting in the same room with me. Physics answers are my biggest downfall though. Besides, with my luck, that big wheel on WoF would hit Bankrupt on me for sure.
Alpha, beta or gamma? Gamma. He could be an Alpha that is able to temper his warrior side to love his soulmate or comfort a grieving child. He could be a Beta who sort of floats through the currents of life, but turns into the warrior to protect his woman. He would be the complete hero to fall for.Suz’ Question: Do you like alpha, beta or gamma heroes? Give me an example from books or media.
Prize: $10.00 Amazon Gift Card and a bag of Godiva Dark Chocolate Caramels (because every Alpha should have a gooey Beta center).
Award-winning author Suzanne Ferrell often day dreamed of far away places, dangerous situations and strong, sexy men. When she picked up her pen to write her first novel, little did she know how powerful those dreams could be.
A lover of Westerns from a young age, Suzanne’s heroes stand tall in the saddle in the face of danger, living and loving by their own code of honor. Lucky are the women who find themselves at the center of their passions.
Born and raided in the mid-west, it took Suzanne a few years to get to Texas, the land of her favorite heroes. Now that she’s here it feels like home to her, her husband and mixed-breed dog, Rocky.
Hey, Suz and Tawny. Fun interview. I love all kinds of heroes — depends on the book, type of story, etc. But I love beta heroes when many people don’t. A friend of mine blogged about beta heroes the other day, and some good names came out of that discussion. Josh on the new American version of Being Human, Wash and Simon on Firefly, Sam in the earlier seasons of Supernatural, Peeta in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, Will in the early part of the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy.
Hey Trish! There are more beta heroes out there than we realize. As for Will Turner, he very quickly found his Alpha inside, didn’t he?
Yeah, and he was hot then too.
I also like all kinds of heroes, but I guess my favorite is the alpha male. I loved the highlanders in Julie Garwood’s books. Recent favorites have been Maya Banks’ brothers in her romantic suspense KGI series.
Congrats on your first book! How exciting!
Hey Cheryl,
High 5′s on JG’s Highlanders!! Of course, Tawny and all the Romance Bandits can tell you what a major fan I am of Ms. Garwood and all her Alpha heroes!
Thanks for the congrats! It’s been a wild ride so far!
Hi, Suz and Tawny! Great interview–I’m with you, Suz–shade it is, although I like that there’s sun when there’s shade; I just don’t like to be sitting directly in it! As for heroes, it kind of depends on my mood and on the story–but ultimately probably I most enjoy the gamma variation… I love alpha heroes, but I love when they’re soft for just the right woman (or family). I’ve recently started Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changelings, and most of those heroes are that type–warriors, but just a sucker for the ONE
Gotta love that gooey center, for sure!
Hey Fedora!
LOL on the shade part. I’m so bad that when my boss hired me and I had to do a month of dayshift, I wore my super black vampire shades every morning for the first week. She said I had to take them off as I was intimidating my co-workers. hehehe
I think the right woman will always bring out the gooey beta center of a good alpha male, don’t you? And that’s the moment when I really fall in love with them.
Should we be talking gooey centers – or gooey ANYTHING for that matter – with Suz? Grins. Then again, we could give you more ideas for you books, right? Hahahah!
I love Gamma heroes, but I’ll take a good Alpha too. And don’t even get me started on how much I adore Shemar Moore. Yuuuummmmmmmmmeeeeeeee! Grins. (But you knew that, right Suz?)
Love this story, love that it’s been picked up, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that you have Westerns! This is just nothing like a good western. Did you know there’s a great, but weird, Western coming out this summer called Cowboys and Aliens? Grins. Harrison Ford. Daniel Craig. What’s not to love?
Congrats, again, Suz! And yeah, Tawny for having Suz on today!
Jeanne!! The Duchesse is in the house!!
And why would you be afraid to talk gooey centers with me? hmmm? And as for Shemar, sigh, he is such inspiration!!
YES! I did see the trailer for Cowboys and Aliens and will be seeing that the week it comes out. What’s not to love? A western-sci-fi with Harrison and Daniel. Did you see Daniel in his black cowboy hat? Yummo!!
Gosh, I forgot to say that I really love a good Beta male too. :> I love ‘em all.
So Jeanne, is there a male you don’t love? hehehe
Hey Suz and Tawny – great interview! Especially liked the Shemar Moore mention – could do without Gerry Butler, though
Gamma heroes are my faves, though I suppose with my love of hockey hunks, alphas do slip in there.
I’m a big fan of westerns. For me, they’re much more fun than other historicals, because it’s not my country’s history *g*. And who can’t resist a cowboy or two?!
Hey Anna! I’m so glad you love westerns, too. For me I love them BECAUSE they’re part of my country’s history, but then your country’s history has been the core of historical romances for a decade now.
Yep, some time for some alpha, beta and gamma cowboys. Just so happens I have a whole stable full of them!!
Wonderful interview! Always enjoy seeing how an author answers the quick six questions. As for Alpha, Beta, or Gamma heroes… I go with the flow… I love variety in my reading and that includes the type of heroes I read… as for a fav, I am leaning towards Alpha.
Hey Colleen! Tawny’s quick six questions are great fun and they made me have to think!
I love a variety in my heroes, too, but which ever they are, alpha, beta, gamma, they have to make me care. They do that and I’m theirs for the entire book!
I like the alpha male. I finished Sandra Brown’s Tough Customer. I loved Dodge and Ski.
Hey Runner!
Ooo, I haven’t gotten to that Sandra Brown book yet! More alpha males to add to my list! Yummo! Thanks!!
Hey, Suz! Hi, Tawny *g*
Alpha, Beta or Gamma? Yes, please! I do love them all
I’m so excited about your book, Suz! It’s going to be my reward when I send this proposal in. I first fell in love with western romance when I discovered Johanna Lindsey. I must have read Savage Thunder and Angel 20 times each
Hey Beth!
I’m so happy TSoLM will be your reward! I had Susan Sey’s Money Honey as my reward for revisions on TSoLM!!
OMG ANGEL….There’s this scene on horseback in that book…OMG…must’ve read it a hundred times!!
WOOOT! Suz is in the house
I slept late, so am dragging in tardy to the party (hey that rhymes *g*) But I’m so jazzed about your release, Suz! Can you tell everyone a little about it?
As for heroes, I love em. I think there are definite reasons to adore all three kinds. Hmmm, since Trish kicked it off with Will Turner, how’s this for a question
What would you categorize Jack Sparrow as?
Hey Tawny!
Thanks so much for having me here today! I love all your quick-six blogs!! You get to see another side of the guests with the questions.
Jack Sparrow, huh? Gamma. He’s what he needs to be, depending on the situation. Beta if smooth-talking is required, Alpha if he needs to weild his blade!
!
Hi Suz and Tawny!
I’m a bit late to the party too, but Shemar Moore?!?! WOOO HOOO!!!!! That is one SEXY HUNK! He can be alpha, beta, or omega, with those looks and that hot bod, I don’t care!
I’m anxious to read Lacy and can’t WAIT for your other westerns, Suz!
AC
So Cindy, want the low down on the brothers and how they fit in the mix? Here it is!
On Los Hombres Ranch each of the five adoptive brothers has their place. Quinn is the protector, Dakota the healer. Ian seeks justice, Nicco vengeance. Will Danville’s place is the hardest of all-he’s the peacekeeper.
Hiya Suz! Hiya Tawny! Ooh, lots of Bandita mojo here today. Suz, love your interview. You know, that’s EXACTLY how I write – except my first drafts are obviously much, much messier than yours. Each scene grows out of the one before. And I’m a Jeopardy freak too! We get it on cable here and I never miss it. Got a kick out of seeing my then editor Lucia Macro on it once! Hmm, not convinced of the existence of gamma heroes. I think what you describe is a genuine alpha. Sorry – I know people can argue definitions forever! Congrats on Lacy – I rather like the idea of you tying up all the ends! Snort!
Hey Anna C!
Yep, a girl can always count on her Banditas to keep her company!!
I remember Lucia Macro did a stint on Jeopardy!
As for Gammas, I do think they exist. They are probably Alpha males who have evolved. There are Alpha males, not necessarily heroes, who never find a place to give, while others are still evolving and have the potential to find that inner place of mush!
As for “tying” things up. I do write westerns with lots of rope lying about!
When I started to write an erotica, I wanted the sex to move the story along, to be an integral part of the story, not just sex for sex sakes, (although that’s not all bad either), but I wanted some real plot and characterization in the mix. So I thought what I’d want to read.
I adore western historical romances. So, yep, can do that. I adore strong men, yep, got that. What would be a woman’s fantasy? TWO men who put her needs before theirs, but are comfortable around each other. Yep, got that! A little submission. Check. A little bondage. Check. Bad guys that are despicable. Check.
So this is the website blurb. What do you think? Did we achieve all of that list above?
When two steely-eyed, lean-hipped strangers ride into town, Lacy Morgan knows her past has caught up with her. What she doesn’t know is that the U.S. marshals will do whatever’s necessary to capture her stepfather and his gang of murdering thieves, including bringing Lacy to her knees to serve their sexual needs.
Quinn and his blood brother Dakota are searching for the key to finding the band of outlaws who murdered their adoptive father. When they confront the sultry stepdaughter of the gang’s leader, they discover she’s unaware of her natural submissive tendencies.
As they journey to the gang’s lair, each day the men draw Lacy further and further into a sensuality she’s never known and a trust she’d sworn never to surrender to again. Using her lusty body for their combined pleasure, they find themselves ensnared in the same tender trap.
*drool* Wow, Suz–you sure have that down! And sexy cowboys?!! Bring ‘em on!! Yum!!
I love a good alpha hero but beta heros are good too. Mary Balogh has some good beta heros! Thanks for sharing!
Hey Johanna! A good hero is a good hero, no matter if he’s beta finding his alpha or an alpha tapping his inner beta, huh?
One of my daughters adores Mary Balough’s heroes!
Hey Suzanne,
Congrats on your debut release. I’m definitely a huge fan of alpha heroes. Some of my favorites are featured in Cindy Gerard’s Black Ops Inc. books.
Thanks, Jane! It’s been a ball having this book hitting the internet airwaves!
Some of my favorite contemporary heroes are Suzanne Brockmann’s Navy Seals! She does them well. Cindy Gerrard’s guys rank up there with me, too!
It all depends on how the character is written, but I tend to favor gamma because they seem to be more mentally stable. Humphrey Bogart played many characters that fit this mold. The kind of person who wasn’t looking for trouble, but would take care of it if he had to.
Hey Leni!
Mmmmmmmmmm, love me some Bogie! In The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca and The Big Sleep, he is definitely on the alpha side finding his gamma self, but in Sabrina and The African Queen I think he’s much more centered, more gamma.
They don’t make them like Bogey anymore, do they?
Hi Suzanne! Full sun in the pool, huh? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten out of a pool crispy! SPF 50 doesn’t always do it for me.
In answer to your question, I immediately thought Alpha hero, of course; but the more I consider it, I’m a gamma girl. I love my warrior to go all gentle man, and vice versa.
Hey Tracy! Always so glad to see you! And yes, I can see you getting crispy in full sun, but other that a beat red nose, I tend to only get tan.
And a warrior needs that soft center to make him worthy of our love, doesn’t he?
Looks like this party is rocking! Hi Tawny! Suz, congratulations on a fabulous, sizzling hot debut. Readers are going to go wild for your two cowboys! So interesting about the gamma heroes. Food for thought!
Hey Christine! Thanks for the congrats and I do hope readers love my cowboys. They will get hearts racing!
I LOVE the alpha heroes of JR Ward’s BDB. I love their strength and take charge attitude. With men like them, you know you’ll always be safe.
Hey Joder!
I’m a big fan of the BDB guys, too, especially Zadist. Now that was one tortured Alpha male who goes all gushy when it comes to his woman and his child, isn’t he?
Hi Suzie,
Congrats on your release! I prefer alpha males in stories, like JR Ward’s BDB, but in real like I like betas or gammas.
Hey Karen!
I too prefer my Alphas in stories, because in real life I’d probably either brain them or castrate them! LOL
I’m down with Shemar Moore too! From all accounts he’s an alpha!
Love your answers, Suzanne! Congrats on your debut book.
Hey Jo!
Have you seen Shemar as Derek Moore on Criminal Minds? OMG! And he has this thin little goatee going now…excuse me while I go fan myself!
I love my alpha’s just as you described: with a gooey Beta center
Like Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice or Spike from Buffy.
Hey Chelsea!
Mr. Darcy is definitely an alpha with a gooey center. And I have to confess, I adore Colin Firth’s portrayal the best!
While we’re talking about Alphas with gooey centers, it takes a while for Quinn Halliday to tap into his, when it comes to Lacy. He has a whole lot of anger and guilt to work through. But with every time Lacy surrenders to him, he discovers more of that part of him that keeps him human. Then there’s Dakota…he’s a whole other can of hot man!
I love all types of heros, depends on the mood I am in at the time I am reading.
Hi Suz! Tawny, this is a very fun blog. I really like your 6 questions.
Suzanne, I look forward to reading your book with the uber alpha male. I love an Alpha male in books or in real life. I married a Scottish Warrior Alpha male. they aren’t always easy to live with but the payoff is worth it. Don’t they always have a tender heart beneath all that machismo? Isn’t that why they make such magnificent warriors and even better lovers? Thats why they are so driven to right wrongs and correct injustices – they care. I also like Tracy’s idea of a beta guy turning out to be all warrior like when the need arises. Kind of a Scarlet Pimpernel thing. Men, gotta love ‘em – beta or alpha!
Definitely a Gamma…someone like Matt Callahan in Geralyn Dawson’s book Never Say Never.
I like heroes like the ones in Suzanne Brockmann’s books. The strong silent types that have some beta characteristics that are brought out by the heroines.
I think I lean towards the Beta side as most of my favorite heroes aren’t the uber- Alpha variety. Some of my favorites are Chase from Victoria Dahl’s, Lead Me On and Gabe from Pamela Clare’s, Naked Edge…he’s a bit Alpha actually!