Holding Out for Any Hero by Anna J Stewart

Boy time sure flies. March 1st will bring the publication of ALWAYS THE HERO, my fourth Butterfly Harbor story and my sixth Harlequin Heartwarming title overall. I can't believe it was only Christmas of 2015 that my very first book came out.

My excitement over this book is a bit different than the rest. Of all the books and stories I've written, Lori Bradley is probably the character most like me. There's a lot of me on the page. There's also a lot about her that is complete fiction (my mom happens to be awesome and 100% supportive, LOL). I like to say I write independent heroines who don't need a man, but when they find the one they want, it's game over. For both of them. Lori, however, is going to need a bit of confidence building before she's willing to stake her claim on Deputy Matt Knight. Mainly because, well, Matt's kept a few secrets he shouldn't have and if there's one thing Lori can't abide, it's dishonesty...and being made to look like a fool.

Speaking of Matt, let's talk about heroes. I love looking for my inspiration pictures, not only because it's a massive procrastination technique I use (and is why my writing computer does not have virus protection so I don't spend countless hours of writing time online). From the second Matt walked on the page of THE BAD BOY OF BUTTERFLY HARBOR, I knew who Matt was. What he looked like. So...meet Matt.  :)



Okay, minus the scruff <G>, cause scruff doesn't cut it in Heartwarming (except in my own mind). I can't be the only Jeffrey Dean Morgan fan around, can I? Matt might be one of my favorite heroes I've written. Wait. Do I say that with every book? Huh. I probably do. But I did fall a little bit in love with him, flaws and all. And he is flawed. He's determined to do what he thinks is best for everyone without letting anyone down. Not entirely realistic, right? Yeah. And it definitely bites him. In regards to Lori, it bites him harder than he expected, meaning he's going to be working overtime to prove he's the man for her. But a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do when he falls hard for the perfect woman. 

So who's one of your favorite heroes either that you've read or written? For reading, for me, it doesn't get any better than J.D. Robb's Roarke. Sometimes I think I read those books more for him than Eve Dallas (shhhh...don't tell anyone). There's just something about a dark-haired, blue-eyed Irishman. *swoons*

Your turn! Chime in in the comments and share your heroes! In the meantime, happy reading!




He never relied on anyone but himself…but he needs her now!

Butterfly Harbor deputy Matt Knight wants two things: to date Lori Bradley and the chance to adopt Kyle, a troubled teen. Wounded in Afghanistan, Matt knows he can’t move forward anchored to the past. But once he regains the guarded hotel manager’s trust, will his need to protect those he loves cost him a future with this extraordinary woman?


Pre-order your copy of ALWAYS THE HERO right here!









USA Today and National Bestselling author Anna J Stewart writes sweet to spicy romance for Harlequin's Heartwarming and Romantic Suspense lines. When she's not writing, you can find her at the movie theater or binge watching her favorite TV shows and dealing with an overly affectionate cat named Snickers. You can visit her online at www.AuthorAnnaStewart.com.

Comments

  1. Love, love your Butterfly Harbor books. This cover is so pretty. I know I will like these characters and your story. Can't wait.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anna, I already love Deputy Knight. In my mind, he will have scruff. Lol. Hmm. Favorite heroes is a tough one. There are so many... I'm going to go with Virgil Flowers from mystery writer John Sandford's series. He's a detective whose good looks and good ole boy persona are often underestimated. (Plus, he doesn't like to carry a gun because he's a terrible shot. It gets him into trouble sometimes. Lol)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh, he's a new one for me, Carol! I read a lot of Sandford's Prey books (back when they first started). Which series is this? I might have to check them out! <3

      Delete
    2. Just put that on hold at the library...

      Delete
  3. That is such a beautiful cover. I can't wait to meet Matt. And I'm too fickle to have a favorite hero, although I have a soft spot for an old cowboy I wrote about a long time ago.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post, and I love Butterfly Harbor! Favorite hero... In 1984, Kathleen Gilles Seidel wrote a book called AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, and--after all these years!--my eyes still start stinging when I think of Tom Winchester.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love when a character stays with you for years to come, liz. I remember Kathleen's books--I think I still have some of them in a box! Might have to dig them out.

      Delete
    2. She has a new one out in June—I am so excited!

      Delete
  5. I agree, Carol, bad boys and scruffs go together. That's funny...a detective who's a poor shot. Hmmm...there's always Jamie with the Outlander series. I recently read A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles. Talk about the heroic qualities of forbearance and graciousness!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm one of the few who hasn't connected with the Outlander books or series . Bad romance author! Thanks for the recommendation of A Gentleman in Moscow!

      Delete
  6. Anna, LOVE your heroes, big and small (Hi Simon!), from BH and SO agree about Roarke. I think he was my first BBF, to be honest. And I tend to have faves with series: Matt -- yep, scruff deserves swoon. Will -- c'mon! Moving on [clears throat]: Sawyer from Head Over Heels by Jill Shalvis - gah, he gets me every time! Or Finn Andersson (he wears plain; all I'm sayin') in Only Mine by Susan Mallery...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I meant he wears PLAID. Geez, have trouble typing this morning???

      Delete
    2. And now I have lots more books to add to my list . Thanks, Gale! <3 Have to wonder if maybe I need to do a second generation BH series featuring the kids as the heroes and heroines. Hmmmm....as long as i don't have to kill anyone off, LOL

      Delete
  7. Your new book looks and sounds fabulous, as always. One of my fave heroes is Joe Morelli from the Stephanie Plum series. Also Joe Pickett from C.J. Box's series. He can't shoot either!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahhhh, Morelli!! Yes! I stopped reading those a while ago, but Joe was definitely a favorite!

      Delete
  8. Anna, I can't wait to read your new book---it sounds great. I wish you huge success with it. I'm with Beth. I love any hero who keeps me interested long enough that I keep turning pages and reach the end of the book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Catherine! And yeah, thank goodness for heroes to fall in love with, right?

      Delete
  9. I like that actor a lot. Thought he was a good match for Alicia in The Good Wife. The part didn't quite do him justice, though Love your cover! I never tire of saying that, apparently, about all the Heartwarming books! Congratulations.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I first became aware of him in Supernatural (he played Sam and Dean's father). Now he's everywhere...can't watch him in Walking Dead, tho. I don't do zombies, LOL. THank you for dropping by today! <3

      Delete
    2. Kind of makes me want to watch Supernatural. I keep meaning to, and now I have motivation! I'm with you on the zombies!

      Delete

Post a Comment