Help—it’s just clicked that I may have a little problem with Authority. From the storylines of each title in the Black Ops Heroes series, it would appear that I don’t like it, I don’t trust it, and I have a tendency to push back against it. By applauding rule-breakers—say a cautious ‘hi’ to my heroes and heroines—who I always reward with a hard fought for happy-ever-after once their crazy, hazardous journey is complete.
Take Hard to Protect (Book 3 in the series), the characters and storyline grew from a single seed—or rather two short sentences: Him bate a honey-trap? Not bloody likely! See? The resistance to obey is evident from the start—so it could be I need therapy…or cake, I’m always more compliant after consuming sugar.
So when building a story, I have a key ingredient: resistance. It’s a key flavor in both the romance and plot. Then I delve around for something to bring out that piquancy. Betrayals, trusts compromised, a high body count, and conspiracies make for wonderful seasoning, as does a healthy doze of British humor and sarcasm. But the true deliciousness comes from whisking together two people, who are often at odds but destined to fall in love—against their initial instincts.
And the key seasoning in Hard to Protect? A relationship that needs beating hard for the two parties to blend. Angel’s holding dangerous secrets, Will Berwick’s nursing a deep hurt. Both raise their barriers fast. But as the old saying goes, love conquers all—including the treacherous bastards who would happily see these two burned to a crisp.
The heat level at which the concoction cooks? Moderate to high. Though individuals’ appliances vary so adjust accordingly.
Caveat: Hard to Protect has absolutely nothing to do with baking or kitchen work of any kind, although Will Berwick does use a can of peaches to subdue Angel—it doesn’t work, but it satisfied him.
It took a swan dive from a roof to convince Incy (aged 5) she wasn’t an avenging fairy and no, she most certainly couldn’t fly. Bruised, but undefeated, she retreated deeper into her imaginary world populated with the brave and the poisonous. When not fighting injustice and righting wrongs on “Planet Incy” she works as a Marketing Director. (Unfortunately, her law degree languishes unused, the distinction between good and evil proving too worrisome in real life.) Her five children are well versed in what scares her (most things) and delight in pushing her neurotic buttons, at their peril.
Some Black Op missions are too dark—even for him.
Volcanic hot and ambitious Special Agent Will Berwick doesn’t give a damn what his orders are; he’s not taking the enemy—the lovely but arctic Dr. Angel Treherne—to bed. Oh, he’ll root out her secrets, but on his own terms.
Caught up in a tangled web of deceit and betrayal, Angel trusts no one—certainly not alpha-cocky, cunning Will Berwick. First he’s hostile, then he’s charming. Why? What’s he hiding? With her life on the line, she needs to know. Preferably without losing her heart in the process.
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