I started writing this as the typical author bio, and how I got into writing...and I then I chucked it. I wanna talk hunky Alpha Males. Why do you think women want to read about Alphas? My answer is probably totally unrealistic, but I'd love to be looked at by some incredibly hot laird, or werewolf, or vampire, and just be told "Woman, you are mine." Then he'd haul me over his shoulder and take me to his man-cave and we'd spend endless nights exploring each others' bodies and falling asleep sated and in love.
Riiiight.
In real life, if some guy told me that, I'd think "Stalker!" But in Romancelandia, it works. Why is that?
I got to thinking that it might be the whole fantasy thing. I read for both escapism, the chance to "be" someone else, if only for a few hours. And I read because it's more fun for me than TV (granted with 2 small kids, my tv programs are usually Spongebob and the Wiggles). But If you read some of those early bodice rippers (the kind with Fabio on the cover), you get a lot of forced seduction. And they would fly off the shelves! Why? What's the draw? And I truly think it's because in our fantasies, we are "safe." But in my fantasy, maybe I don't want safe...
Well, my fantasy started with me and some hottie Scottie hunky highlander (I'm known as the Highland Hussy after all). But I still want to be my snarky sarcastic lovely self with this chauvinistic Scottish Alpha male. Instantly I've time-traveled to Scotland. But I need him to not only believe me, but believe in me as well.
And that's how I started my book, Highland Destiny.
I'm not some super kick-ass heroine like Buffy, but I am a strong woman of the 21st century and I wanted my character to reflect that. I know we suspend belief when we read fiction, but I don't want it to be too "out there." So I made Mackenzie a believable girl from our time. But something has to tie her to my Alpha male's century. So I gave her a dream. A recurring nightmare that she's had since she can remember. And spoiler alert...it's not about our hero Connor.
So how does she get him to believe she's not just a nut job or a witch? How does she show him that she's not affiliated with his rival clan, as he is led to believe? All these things factor into how my Alpha hero is going to treat her, and how she's going to not only deal with the time-travel, but how will she survive?
Places to find Laura
http://www.laurahunsaker.wordpress.com/
If you check out the site below you'll find you can read the first two chapters.
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/laurahunsakerbooks.html
Highland Destiny blurb:
Mackenzie Stewart’s in Scotland for a much-needed vacation. During the castle tour, Mackenzie becomes completely enamored with a painting of one of the previous lairds. Two gentlemen come up behind her and, begging her pardon, they kidnap her, dragging her through time.
The men are sorcerers attempting to end a feud that has plagued their lands for years. Their patron has begun to dabble in the black arts, and between his irrational thirst for power, and his dark secret, the sorcerers are frightened. They believe Mackenzie can break the Stewart curse. They try to convince her to play along with their crazy scheme: marriage to the evil John Campbell.
Before Mackenzie can protest, her carriage is halted and the door thrown open. For a split-second she is arrested by the same beautiful piercing blue eyes that belonged in an oil painting.
Mackenzie then finds herself the victim of a second kidnapping!
Her new captor, however, does nothing but tempt her body and her temper. Believing her to in fact be the betrothed of his mortal enemy the Campbell, Connor originally sets out to capture his enemy’s betrothed. He never thought he would be so attracted to her that he’d want to keep her.
Giveaway time!! Please leave an email to let us know your entering.Giveaway ENDS Dec. 23 midnight!
So my questions to you are, what's your fantasy? Do you prefer an Alpha male? Or do you like the beta? One lucky commenter will be chosen to win a copy of my ebook Highland Destiny.


I love Highlander stories. I do prefer an Alpha male.
ReplyDeleteseriousreader at live dot com
I am just now falling into Highlander series and addicted to them. I will always prefer the Alpha male. I love the dangerous and dark males. I agree its one place where you don't have to be safe.
ReplyDeletevampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
It was a really interesting post to read. My fantasy? Definitely the Alpha Male - strong, sexy and mine. What there's not to like? Also, thank you very much for organizing this giveaway!
ReplyDeleteBarbara
himilika[at]hotmail[dot]com
I would definitely have to say Alpha. Old World Scottish Clan Leader that takes charge. Strong and intelligent as well as caring and very very passionate. I love highlander novels- where men actually took care of their women. Thanks for the giveaway Laura!
ReplyDeletejimi61280[at]yahoo[dot]com
Maybe the Beta that is actually the Alpha? I like twists. Having said that, the classic strong, thoughtful hunk is always appreciated. I like a hero that can recognize what he wants, I mean you want a man like that to really see you - know what I mean? Great post.
ReplyDeletelildevil911[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
ReplyDeleteFantasy::: Vampire, angel, demon... or any combination of the three. That about sums it up! LOL.
ALPHA!!! Who wants a beta???
Yay, Laurie! I'm so excited for you, love!!!! :)
When reading Highlander (or Paranormal) books I prefer the males to be big strong Alphas! Although it is ok if they carry a little trauma and need a little guidance and support to work through it!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Maria
mmafsmith@gmail.com
Oh I definitely love the Alpha especially if he's wearing a kilt. When they had a woman they let her know she was his.And isn't that what we all like :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays. I'm a GFC follower under Lucky47.
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com
oooh!! What do I like? I want a leather broody who also wears a kilt with leather straps on his arm and a mysterious tattoo (what? This is a fantsy... I'm allowed a long list) that at times is a beast and at others is a lamb..... But I guess I'm more into the alphas... but I want to be the one that tames them. Oh... and if he's a werewolf then more squees to ya!!
ReplyDeleteSooooooo enter me to win your booky wook!!!!
GRETA
erikasbuddy(AT)hotmail(DOT)com
As always...Team RAWR!
P.S. To owner of bloggy - your montly give away pic with the bookcase coffin is TRE COOLS!! I loves it and now I want my hubz to build me one lolz! :) LOves it!
I definitely love an Alpha male who can take care of danger as well as know how to take a woman. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you Laurie for these wonderful giveaways on your site!
adorebill@gmail.com
I am so excited to see familiar faces!! Hey guys, and thanks for entering. Laurie's been nice enough to let me hijack her blog for a couple days :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you all liked my post...I wanted something different n good luck!
I've just recently been getting into highlanders. Idk I seem to like Alpha males better when they're wearing a kilt ;)
ReplyDeletethe[dot]distant[dot]light[at]gmail[dot]com
I definitely prefer an alpha male. A strong, dangerous, and sexy guy who would do what it took to protect me. Who doesn't love that. Highlanders are my most recent interest, but I also love vampires and werewolves. I often tend to find myself favoring the dark and brooding males the most. Although in real life I'd probably be terrified to ever talk to such a person. I just love reading stories about such characters, and discovering that they do indeed have a softer side along with the main heroine.
ReplyDeleteCrystal H
crystal_reaper@hotmail.com
Definitely ALPHA but the one that folds at a whim of his love. :D
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the book Laurie! I heard great things. I haven't read it yet but confident that I will LOVE it.
~angela
Macrn1@gmail.com
I prefer an alpha male. I like that he can be strong, but still fair and loving.
ReplyDeletesmccar1 at hotmail dot com
I definitely prefer Alpha males. They are so much sexier to be than the Betas. Especially if the Alphas are sexy Scottish lairds! ;)
ReplyDeleteOnce again, Laurie, the book is awesome. I love it and you :D
bella_loves_edward_forever(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Laura, Congrats on your book and I am definitly with you on your escapism. I love the alpha male and wish for one moment of the feeling "your all mine and then ravious each others bodies like there is no tomorrow".
ReplyDeletemrsqueentutt@yahoo.com
Stephanie, you were my winner at demonlover's, did you never get it? Oh no!!! Let me know!!!!!
ReplyDeleteDistant light, I totally agree ;)
ReplyDeleteCrystal- dark and broody is sexy!!
Angela-thank you. And I'm alpha all the way myself, but like Heather said, maybe a beta who's got alpha tendencies?
Artemis, Leah and Ronda, thank you alll and I love you!!
Oh, I LOVE an alpha male. I think thats why I like the highlander books so much because they tend to be that way. I would like to enter.
ReplyDeleteromancebookjunkiesdanielle@yahoo dot com
Kudos and congrats from me, too, Laurie, on the release of HD! I'm so thrilled for you and can't wait to read. You know I LOVE alphas--especially those sexy, alphas in kilts. :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely go for the Alpha male every time!! Have him throw me over his shoulder and carry me off :-)
ReplyDeletesmaccall @ comcast.net
Hi Laurie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post. Congrats on your book release!!! Beta heroes don't get my heart pounding like a good, old fashioned alpha. In real life, a guy like that would tick me off, but in my fantasy world, I'm with you--totally in love.
Danielle-I agree that the Highlanders tend to be more Alpha-y than most.
ReplyDeleteMonica-thank you so much!!!
Guys, she seriously writes the best Highlanders around!
Sarah-It's not just me who wants to be tossed over his shoulder and stolen away for a fantasy...thanks for agreeing with me :)
Laurie-thanks tons! Gotta love Romancelandia! Is that why you chose to write about vampires?
My preference is definitely for an Alpha male. I also love Scottish Highlands stories... Furthering my preference for stories such as these, I am owned by 2 Border Terriers, a breed that originated in the Scottish Highlands and is still popular there today. So... I love stories that are connected to that area.
ReplyDeleteThank you...
Loved your description of why we prefer Alpha males. I think that is so true that if a guy saw you in real life and said "You're Mine", you would totally run off screaming "Security, Security". Jocelin from Goodreads.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
ReplyDeleteOh, I love me some Highlanders!
And I definitely love alpha males. Especially the dark, sexy and brooding kind. Yum yum!
Merry Christmas!
folksohana(at)gmail(dot)com
Alpha male for sure!! They're so.... yum! :)
ReplyDeleteYou can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com
Alpha Male Without a DOUBT *giggles madly*
ReplyDeleteMy fantasy...how about a dream I had about Eric from True Blood
ReplyDeleteI am very much an alpha female so I prefer alpha men.
blogbaby(at)comcast(dot)net
Lindalou-I love that you are "owned by" your pups! lol I totally get that!
ReplyDeleteJocelin-I know, right? thanks for swinging by!
Crystal-Thanks and Merry Christmas to you too! :)
Pink Panther-true, yumm indeed!
Kylie1403- ::joins in giggling::
Shaiha- ::sigh:: Team Erik for me too! And I think sometimes being an Alpha female, we do need a man who can handle us...or manhandle us :P
And our winner is....D.L.
ReplyDeleteDistant Light, I'll email you a copy today!
Yep! It's all true.
ReplyDeleteJim Wallace =)
ReplyDelete