Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Welcome Guest Blogger Jill Sorenson!
Surfer Heroes
When I started writing Crash Into Me, I didn’t know professional athletes were less popular than other types of heroes. I’d read thousands of romance novels, including Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ phenomenal Chicago Stars series, but I’d never blogged before. Perhaps you’ll agree that there are some things you can only learn from the online romance community.
I didn’t even have internet access until after I got my first publishing offer.
So I had no idea that a surfer hero might be a harder sell than your basic vampire, Navy SEAL, or Greek billionaire. I just wrote the story in my head, the way I imagined it. Crash Into Me began at Windansea Beach in La Jolla, California, with a famous pro surfer and his troubled teenage daughter.
I won’t go on about the plot, because you can read the blurb, or even the excerpt, at my web site, but I will talk about my inspirations.
First of all, I live in San Diego, and I see surfers every time I go to the beach. I’ll admit to ogling a few here and there. Surfing does a body good! Contrary to the stereotype, they aren’t all blond, or built like Greek gods. They aren’t all boneheads, either. Some are doctors, lawyers, and teachers. Most are just regular guys.
And yet, there’s something very appealing about men—and women—who brave crushing waves, cold ocean water, and (in California) great white sharks.
Another reason I’m attracted to the, er, subject, is its mystique. There is a science to surfing, a philosophy that outsiders don’t understand. Surfing can be dangerous and lonely, risky and satisfying, exhausting and exhilarating. Many of these are the same qualities I associate with romantic heroes.
Surfers may not be as common as small-town sheriffs in romance novels, but I think they’re gaining in popularity. Here are some titles you might want to check out:
Jane Porter’s Flirting with Forty features a surfer instructor hero. I haven’t read the book, but I watched the Lifetime movie starring Heather Locklear, and it was adorable. Surfing + movies = awesome. Hollywood producers—call me! ; )
In Jaci Burton’s Unraveled, the hero is a surfer/entrepreneur. I’m a big fan of Jaci’s Demon series, as well as her erotic romance titles, so I can’t wait to read this one.
Christie Ridgway’s Not Another New Year’s, in addition to being one of the hottest, coolest books EVER, includes a steamy romantic subplot with a sexy surfer.
Jeff Shelby doesn’t write romance, but his hero in Killer Swell and Wicked Break is a smart-ass surfer P.I. I love the San Diego flavor in these witty, fast-paced mysteries.
Have you ever read a book with a surfer hero? Would you like to? Why or why not?
Leave a comment and I'll pick two winners at the end of the day, one to win a copy of Dangerous to Touch, my debut novel (which features a detective hero), and one to win a copy of Crash into Me. You must be registered at Cigars to win.
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Surfers
Hi Jill,
I read a nonfiction surf book, Caught Inside, by Daniel Duane. I really enjoyed it but I read it during the pre-second baby period of my life which means all details are lost in the haze. ;-)
I cannot, however, let your post go by without mentioning my all-time favorite entry in the surf entertainment world, Point Break. Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, sky diving, the FBI--what's not to love? (Don't answer that. ;-))
Your book sounds great. Thanks for sharing it with us,
Ellen H.
Welcome Jill!
I love the idea of surfer heroes (and heroines)! Sarah Mayberry had a Blaze where the characters surfed, though it wasn't a huge part of the book that I recall, but I haven't read many others. I love to watch surfing movies, and my husband is into surfing, and when we were in San Diego, he definitely took advantage. They do have surfing here on the east coast, especially out on Nantucket from what I hear, but we've never been there. I loved watching the surfers out in CA, and I think it's about time we had surfing books! :) It's just the bit of beach I need this morning when the snow is blowing sideways!
Sam
Hi Sam!
My book is guaranteed to warm you up! ; )
I can sorta/kinda see why a
I can sorta/kinda see why a sporty hero would be a bit of a harder sell. Most people remember the 'jocks' from HS as jerks. Or the drunken 'check out my guns' guy in a bar. Would the cliche surfer make a good long-term lover? Aren't they always depicted as love 'em and leave 'em? I can see why you had a bit of a time trying to sell him.
Sure, I'd give a surfer hero a chance. :-)
How about a surfer heroine?
Stephanie Tyler wrote about a surfer heroine in Coming Undone (Blaze April 08). Of course the hero could surf, too. Heroine was a champion surfer who had wiped out and couldn't even walk on the beach anymore and hero asked for surfing lessons even though he was a SEAL and could surf.
I think there should be more sports heros in romances. In real life we hear about all the dumb things that athletes do but not about all the great ones. It's like life in general--bad new sells newspapers and good news is fillers if that. The world needs more good news and more romance.
Kaelee, I'd love to read
Kaelee,
I'd love to read about a surfer heroine! My next project features a hero AND heroine who surf. : )
Totally agree about the world needing more good news and romance! Thanks for your comment.
cliche surfer
The hero of Crash Into Me is a widower and struggling single dad, so I hope he breaks some of those surfer stereotypes.
I think that's great
Truth is, I think a lot of that has changed anyway, just like with bikers being mostly stockbrokers and lawyers because they're the only ones who can afford a Harley, LOL. But Mike has a boss who surfs, and I saw a TV bit on how surfing is one of the new versions of the "golf course" for business people, who will do business while surfing together. I don't think it's only relegated to beach bums any more, really.
Sam
real surfers
Thanks, Sam. I met the nicest group of surfers (men and women) on the plane coming back from RWA San Francisco. They were on a business trip to promote the Surfrider Foundation. So a lot of today's surfers aren't just business professionals, they also get involved with saving the ocean/environment.
surfers
I've read Caught Inside! I thought it was really good. And Point Break, yum! Keanu Reeves' most skilled acting job, haha.
I went to your web site
Read the blurb and a bit of the book--Sonora "Sonny" sounds like she is going to be a really stong heroine with some vunerable points. Didn't like her macho opponent.
excerpt
Thanks for reading the excerpt, Kaelee. Sonny is a strong heroine. And I imagine female agents encounter macho guys like her opponent all too often!
I think this sounds like a GREAT hero!
being an Avid surf fan (despite living deep in the Midwest) I see NO DOWNSIDE to this hero!
thanks December
I'm from the Midwest. Kansas, originally. Howdy do.
Jill's going to think
I'm stalking her or something, but I swear, I live here! LOL!
Ah, I miss walking in Pacific Beach on Saturdays. We used to go there and skate, push the stroller and go on for miles. There's something both relaxing and intense about the surf society. Laconic, easy going folks, but get them on the waves and you can feel the tension of getting the best out of themselves and their boards. I'd have to say the majority of the guys I used to see had dark hair, actually, though in the summer it did get sun-bleached. What got me was that they'd be out there in the dead of winter (cold currents, cold air, the best waves all year long)
Oh, and Jill, I'm totally planning out my snacks for Sunday. Be sure to have something sweet---I find they play better if I have something sweet in my mouth, lol. (Can't argue with a girl on a sugar high when her team bumps off Indy.)
Dee
Hi Dee
Good to see you here, football buddy! Go Chargers, woot!!!
Hi!!
Hi, Jill! I'm not much of an athlete, but for some reason, I have enjoyed reading about them--there's something about people who have such control over what their bodies can do :) I can't remember reading a romance where surfing figured prominently but I do remember the Sarah Mayberry that Sam mentioned. And I think I have Stephanie Tyler's on the TBR--I'll have to dig that out :)
I do like the sounds of your hero--is Crash Into Me a stand-alone, or is it part of a series?
Thanks for visiting today!
stand alone
Crash isn't part of a series. My next book, Set the Dark on Fire, is set in a small desert town with totally new characters.
Thanks for the question!
Hi Jill
I don't think I've ever read a book with a surfer hero but I love the beach even though I have to be under the shade all the time with my fair skin, so I think I would enjoy a surfer hero.
Hi Maureen
I'm also very fair/freckled, so I feel for you! Bring on the sunscreen. : )
I love the ocean and the
I love the ocean and the beach, so I know I would like a surfer hero.
I, too, love the ocean after
I, too, love the ocean after having seen it up close and in person a few years ago. I would love to read a surfer story- surfing takes power and is a challenge so these are good qualities in a hero.
Surfing
Hi Jill,
Congrats on your upcoming release. I like the idea of a surfer hero, but I've never read one. Surfing is a beautiful sport, but I don't think I would be able to stay on the board for even a second. One of my favorite movies featuring surfing is "Blue Crush."
Yes!
Hi Jill - Thanks for visiting with us! And congratulations on the upcoming release :)
I've read a few books with a surfer hero before - but I don't think the focus was ever much on his surfing. One was by Sarah Mayberry - Anything For You.
I enjoyed it a lot - and would love to try my hand at surfing at some point, though I think the experiment would be ultimate fail :P I'd still have fun ogling the hot surfers though!
Winners!
The winners are:
December--CRASH INTO ME
Estella--DANGEROUS TO TOUCH
Please contact me at my web site with your mailing information. Thanks for commenting and I hope you enjoy the books!
And thanks for having me here at Cigars! It was a lot of fun!!!
Funny that you ask that now!
Funny that you ask that now! I might have, but I can't think of any particular book. I did however just receive Jane Porter’s FLIRTING WITH FORTY from the publisher just yesterday! The lead male isn't just a surfer, he’s also a good deal younger than the heroine. I'm very much looking forward to reading this one. The obvious appeal of a surfer hero is he’s going to be in great shape, young and a bit of a free spirit.
Yay
Congrats to Estella and December.