It’s been two years since I’ve released a book, but hopefully you’ll find Hero Debut worth the wait. It’s the sequel to Husband Auditions and book two in my Love Off Script series.
Many of you fell in love with Gemma in Husband Auditions, and I’ve had a lot of fun with her since. I wrote a flash fiction piece about her for Spark Magazine, so when my editor requested a full-length love story, I worked that piece into the novel. And if that’s not enough, she also makes a cameo appearance in my upcoming Christmas novella collection, We Three Kings.
But, in case you’ve never met Gemma, I’m going to introduce her to you now…
*** Excerpt from Hero Debut***
Karson leads the way to the front of the room. His gaze washes over the class, so I should have been bracing for impact, but the moment he spots me, I’m toppled by a sneaker wave. I lose my breath as I’m tossed in the depths of his ocean-blue eyes.
His head swivels, holding our eye contact, while he continues forward. What’s he thinking? He doesn’t smile, but I knew not to expect joy.
My chest tickles, and I’m suddenly an eight-year-old at Six Flags with my family. Mom had agreed to go on the free-fall ride with me because nobody else would. Strapped in seats, we faced outward, our legs dangling a couple of hundred feet in the air. At the very top, in the seconds before they dropped us, Mom yelled, “I can’t believe I’m letting you do this!” I yelled back in terror, “I can’t believe you’re letting me do this!” Then we plunged toward possible death. After the screaming stopped, we got back in line to ride again. There was nothing else as thrilling.
Could Karson be feeling the same thing? Is he thinking, I can’t believe I’m letting you do this? Is he afraid he’s about to fall for me?
Charlie grips my arm. “He saw you.”
“You think?” Kai quips.
A few of the participants glance our way.
I pat Charlie’s hand to hush him.
Karson’s cool gaze travels from me to Charlie, then back across me to Kai. He’s reached the front of the class, but he keeps walking toward the whiteboard, turning his back on us for a moment. He lifts an arm to run a hand over his short hair.
I curl my toes in my canvas slip-on sneakers.
He pivots to face the room but barely brushes me with his gaze before addressing everyone else. “Welcome. I’m Lieutenant Karson Zellner.”
Ooh, he’s a lieutenant now.
Charlie leans toward my ear as if he’s about to whisper. If only he knew how to whisper. “I wonder if he’s become lieutenant because so many cops have been taking early retirement or quitting.”
Karson crosses his arms and waits for us to quiet. This time when his gaze meets mine, an eyebrow arches in challenge.
I put the grin in chagrinned. He’s just so cute when he’s one-hundred-percent business. Which I’m beginning to think is always.
Rather than look away again, he narrows his eyes, so I know his tiny headshake is for me.
I feel special.
His eyes roll to the ceiling before he extends an arm toward his colleague. “Officer Drew Harris will be helping me lead this training. Our goal is to create a greater understanding of public safety’s role through education.”
I sigh with sweet anticipation. I have my summer off from teaching to really focus on writing, and I can’t think of a more inspiring way to spend it than right here. Thanks to my new muse, I may even become the next Nora Ephron.
“That’s right,” Drew chimes in. “During the first four weeks, you’ll be here at the police department. Then, for the last four weeks, you’ll be training with firefighters.”
Oh, I didn’t realize that. I hope Karson has to oversee the firefighting weeks, as well.
Karson glances at me as if he’d heard my thoughts and disapproves. “Here at the PPB, you’re going to get some experience with self-defense, work with our K-9 unit, and even race our cars through the practice course.”
Charlie straightens at the mention of a racecourse. “Seriously?”
“Seriously.” Drew nods. “Though you’ll have to get through tonight’s hands-on training first. And by hands-on, I mean we’ll be taking your fingerprints and running background checks.”
The class chuckles in response, but I’m too lost in my daydreams of Karson to join in. His eyes bulge my way in warning, and I realize I’m staring. I’m as bad as Charlie.
Karson clears his throat and angles his body so the two of us are not facing each other. “We’re simply making sure our trainees are law-abiding citizens. We don’t want any trouble here.”
I’m pretty sure he’s thinking about me again. I can’t wait to prove him wrong.
***
I hope you enjoy her story as much as I did. And I’d be honored to have you help me celebrate release day August 29th by sharing Hero Debut on your social media. You can also enter to win an autographed copy of the book by answering the following question:
What makes a memorable heroine?
Angela Ruth Strong survived breast cancer, works as a flight attendant, and uses her own crazy life experiences as inspiration for the stories she writes. Her books have earned TOP PICK in Romantic Times, been nominated for a Christy, won the Cascade Award, and become Amazon bestsellers. She and her husband also got to play extras when her novel Finding Love in Big Sky was adapted for film. To help aspiring authors, Angela started IDAhope Writers where she lives in Idaho.
How she reacts to her hero. I loved the toes curling in the sneakers. It’s an action you don’t normally read about but would be something a normal person would do.
Thanks for the excerpt! I thought Meri was memorable in Husband Auditions because of her fun personality–and for the changes she made in her life, some of which were unexpected to me as a reader in that book. But I cheered for her and admired her!
Sounds fun! I think they are memorable by their character traits.
She’s unique in her own way, and is definitely NOT a mean person! She’s someone you’d love to meet in real life, down to earth, but fun to be with!
Her personality, and the way she reacts to different situations. How she makes people feel.
way she’s written
I think how the character acts and treats other characters makes her special and memorable. I enjoyed reading your excerpt.
Her personality/character traits and how she treats others
Someone who you think about after you have finished reading the book.
Her relationship with Jesus makes her memorable.
I enjoyed the podcast about your book.
Her personality/traits. This sounds like a great book.
A memorable heroine is one with such a big heart filled with love and kindness.
Their personality and the way the author portrays them. I feel like so many books, depending on the genre, make all the characters fall into some sort of cliche/niche. It really feels special when you find a book that makes them their OWN person, as well as seem human.
Wow, I’m in love with the cover! Can’t wait to read it – sounds like a fun read! And the heroine seems to be feisty – which would make it memorable :)
Definitely her personality, and I think, her sense of humor.
A memorable heroine has to be one that is unselfish and she does things with all of her heart. Have a great week.
I am drawn to characters with more positive traits than negative ones.
I really enjoyed Husband Auditions so looking forward to the new release!
I think a memorable heroine is someone who seems really real, not too perfect and who maybe makes mistakes, but the sort of woman you can imagine being a great friend.
Thanks! I think so. :-)
Awesome! Thanks.
Some more than others. :-)
No mean heroines!
Oh yes. We’re all remembered for how we make others feel.
Hopefully that’s memorable.
Oh good! And I agree. <3
Different things. How she treats others. Her passion or motivation for what she does. Her selflessness or caring for those close to her (hero and friends).
Loved this excerpt!
How she treats others and handles herself. Her desire to do good in the world and the world of those around her
Relatability. Humor and intelligence. Compassion. Those are all needed!
I agree with many of these comments. In addition, I think a unique quirk makes her extra memorable. Can’t wait for Hero Debut!
A heroine is memorable to me when she is secure in who God made her to be and she uses her strengths to make something or someone better around her! I love when she fights for not only herself but the underdogs! And she has to love fiercely!
How independent she can be in most situations. Thanks.
Happy pre-book birthday week! A character needs to be relatable, strong character, trustworthy, easy to love and caring. Thank you so much for the opportunity. God bless you.
A memorable hero trusts in the Lord and seeks His guidance.
I like a character who is nice but has spunk!
First, that cover is adorable! 🥰
Second, a memorable heroine, for me, needs to be someone I can see some part of myself in….not that I dislike heroines that I have nothing in common with, but I tend to really love & connect with the ones that I share something with.
I love a heroine who isn’t afraid to do what’s hard. Whether that be confronting someone, trying something she’s afraid of, admitting she’s wrong, having hard conversations, etc. I also like heroines who are quirky and funny. All of us have our own quirks and I love to see that played out in a story.
I think that it can be a lady with a ton of personality (very spunky and fun) and/or someone who has been through some very challenging circumstances and come out on the other side with a stronger faith and more mature way of viewing the challenges of daily life.
Yes!
Those are the best. <3
Oh good! I enjoyed the podcast too.
I hope so! And I think Gemma has a memorable personality.
Exactly!
How she laughs and loves!
Love it!
Me too! Hope you enjoy Gemma’s feistiness!
Humor always does it for me!
Oh, “all of her heart.” I love that.
For a romcom I love that snarky inner dialogue like Gemma has going on.
For a romcom I love a heroine who has a great sense of humor and is spunky
Makes sense.
All of the above!
Thanks.
I memorable heroine is someone like Clara Barton, a nurse who helped care for people.
Thank you for the opportunity and chance to win your wonderful giveaway for free romance book.
I love a strong sense of humor in a heroine and someone whose actions stay with me after I’ve finished the book.
Nice!
For sure!
Oh how I love a unique quirk. :-)
Absolutely! I love a good underdog story. And loving fiercely is powerful.
Resourceful. Capable. Independent. I like it!
Thank you, and you’re welcome! I agree with all of those.
Welcome today. Oh but this sounds delightful.
Hard to do sometimes.
Spunk is so fun!
Thanks! As an author, my favorite fan mail is when a reader can relate to the characters. Makes me feel like I brought them to life. In this book, even my mom messaged about the parts she could relate to. I hope you find parts, as well!
I love all of that! A good character is MORE afraid to NOT do the scary stuff.
So they make us think AND feel. Good stuff.
And how her love makes her laugh? ;-)
Boom!
One of my favorite answers. <3
World-changing.
Me too. They don’t tell you what to think but give you something to think upon.
Thanks, Lori! I hope so!!!
When they give their partner their whole heart Thank you for the post today Have a Blessed week
I like strong and independent heroines.
I agree with the previous thoughts. Also, her actions and thoughts when she’s alone count, too. And, how a heroine works through her own weaknesses makes her memorable, too.
I love a heroine who is kind and willing to ask for help. But who also is fearless and works hard.
Kathy, you are my winner. Please email me your address at angelaruthstrong@gmail.com.
A sweet, fun personality. Also, a heroine who can stand on her own but loves her hero.