I’m delighted to hear that you’ve been enjoying my books for years. That’s a lovely compliment. Thank you.

It’s true that Meditteranean heroes are very popular… but I have to admit that my Greek and Italian heroes, even my sheikh heroes, are almost always based in the USA and educated in American universities.

My current three sheikhs, for example, were all educated in NYC, live in NYC, and work in NYC.

I guess you could say I try to combine the best of both worlds, the world I know with a world that’s slightly more exotic.

But the bottom line is that a Presents hero is always an Alpha hero, and Alphas are truly the heroes those of us who write them, and read them, love.

Sandra

I’ve been reading and enjoying your books for many years. I’m glad to hear that you will be writing more books with American heros soon. It’s been quite a while since I have read any recent Presents set in the States, I’ll look forward to reading them.

I do agree with Mona on the saturation of Greek heros, it seems that most Presents books are about Greek or Italians, which is ok, but getting a little stale. Unfortunately, I am also a reader who is totally turned off by Sheikh books, I never buy them. But, I think that I am in the minority on this point, so I’m sure your new books will do well, they certainly sound exciting.

And, I’m looking forward to a new continuity series, although I’ve never gotten around to finishing all my Niroli books yet. I wanted to wait to read them until I had the whole set and didn’t have to wait for the next one to come out, but that wasn’t a very good plan because they got buried in my “to read” pile and never made it up to the top! I’d better finish them before the new series starts.

Cheryl

But we can definitely agree that the fantasy is the thing. As for American heroes… they’re among my favorites. Though my next hero is a Greek prince–the launch book for an amazing new continuity series, coming in July–I’ve just begun writing about 4 American guys for my next mini-series, the Orsini Brothers, which will begin in 2009. (Though I have to admit, I think my Greek prince is yummy!)

Sandra the exact meaning of the word “sheikh” means elder. This is commonly used in the Islamic world for wise Islamic scholar who is usually an older gentleman. If you ask anyone who is a Muslim to describe a “sheikh” the only answer you would get is associated it with religion, nothing to do with royalty and privilege like it has been romanticized in the west.

I should know sense they are several sheikhs in my family. But like you said romance is about the fantasy not the reality. But for me sheikhs will have to stay away sense I don’t want my uncles and grandfather in my fantasy. Give me City tycoon heroes any day.

Mona, just a quick response to your comment on sheikhs. The word is not really associated with religious leaders, middle-aged or otherwise. It’s a hereditary title of respect, royalty and privilege. Besides, as you know, Presents is all about fantasy and one of the oldest, sexiest, most romantic fantasies in romance literature concerns the powerful, gorgeous, I-am-in-control desert sheikh.

I still love them. The ones we create, anyway. But you know what they say: to each his (her) own!

Love,
Sandra

Can I answer your question? I’m big on the Aussie heroes — always have been, always will be!

Glad you could log in Mona! (you can change your password at any time, by the way)
~Amy

Mona, your comments made me laugh! I never thought of it that way before. So you must prefer Sandra’s fabulous city settings then, and tycoon heroes? Her New York City settings always blow me away. Sandra is so gracious and stylish, she’d fit in perfectly on Park Avenue if you ask me!

But just out of curiosity (and this sounds like a question Amy would ask), what types of heroes are you liking at the moment, if not Greeks and sheikhs?

Of course Layla isn’t obedient! As if! Sounds like another winner and I can’t wait to read it!

Hugs!
Marian Pearson Stevens