Bestselling Harlequin Presents author Lynne Graham is back to tell us a bit about her Russian hero in her new book The Ruthless Magnate’s Virgin Mistress. Other books in her Virgin Brides, Arrogant Husbands trilogy are The Greek Tycoon’s Disobedient Bride (Dec. 2008) and The Spanish Billionaire’s Pregnant Wife (Feb. 2009).
by Lynne Graham
Nikolai Arlov is my first Russian hero and I thoroughly enjoyed dreaming him up. Russian men have the reputation of being more traditional in their ways and their expectations of women. Nikolai is very macho and unashamed of it. The instant he sees Abbey, he wants her and goes into hot pursuit mode. Abbey’s husband died on their wedding day and she still idolises the recollection of the love she believed was perfect. Nikolai is challenged by the discovery that he is competing with that memory and it only makes him more determined than ever to win her. In truth what he really wants even though he doesn’t understand it himself, is for Abbey to love him the way she once loved her late husband.
Nothing is quite as it might seem in this story, the second in my trilogy Virgin Brides, Arrogant Husbands. Nikolai has almost given up hope of solving the mystery of his mother’s identity but is he prepared for what he might find out? Abbey can’t leave the past behind until Nikolai unveils a secret that makes her take a more realistic look at the man she believed was the love of her life. I have to confess that I’m curious to see what readers make of a tougher, more forceful hero.
What are your thoughts on forceful heroes? Do like uber alpha males, or can they go too far?
Lynne, I adore all Presents heroes, as there is something appealing about each and every one of them. Hmm, now you mention it though, I think I like the forceful sort best of all. I am looking forward to reading all about Nikolai and Abbey.
BTW, I read your book The Greek Tycoon’s Disobedient Bride last weekend and absolutely adored it!
Trenda
Lynne, one question about The Greek Tycoon’s Disobedient Bride…oh, but I don’t want to spoil the ending for anyone who hasn’t read it yet…the person Ophelia is searching for throughout the book…is she ever found? You can just email me if you prefer…tren73@gmail.com.
Thanks so much!
Trenda
Well, I just feel plain silly now, Lynne. I thought to click on the link for your February release, and there’s the name I was wondering about. Duh!
Feeling none too bright at the moment,
Trenda
A Russian alpha? Sounds very interesting and I’m looking forward to reading is as well, Lynne.
I adore ultra-alpha heroes, Lynne, and yours are some of my favorites! Thanks for all your great stories!
I havem to say that you are my favourite Harlequin writer and Bond of Hatred my favourite book
Alex was the best alpha male
What are my thoughts on forceful heroes?
I dislike them. I used to try out far more “Presents” novels than I do now but I’ve learned through painful experience (and a lot of wasted money and novels that ended up in the trash bin) to be *extremely* selective. These days the only “Presents” novels I’ll try are ones that provide an explicit promise of a hero who is *less* arrogant and harsh than the “Presents” norm.
Do I like uber alpha males or can they go too far?
No, I don’t like them. Yes, they can go too far. One of the reasons why I come to the iheartpresents website is so I can get a sense of the flavor of new releases before deciding whether to pick them up. Obviously, this uber-alpha appeals to some readers and it’s great that the book provides pleasure for them. It’s also good for me that I read this description because now I know that this book is not the right fit for me. I’ll keep looking for a new release that better suits my particular preferences.
It is possible for them to go too far, but it isn’t the norm. I think the editors on the Presents podcast put it best when they said that there’s a difference between an alpha male and a bully.
I think when the motivation is strong enough you can forgive them just about anything! (Well, who couldn’t forgive a gorgeous Latin alpha who just needs the right woman’s touch, huh?)
I adore Presents. Escape at it’s finest. And there’s nothing better than seeing an out of reach, emotionally closed off, macho man changed by the one woman who is perfect for him.
Oh, I didn’t realize it, but I have this book sitting on my bookshelf with my other ‘to be reads’. I’m very excited about it now! It sounds great. I have all three in this trilogy (well, the third is in the mail) and I’m excited to get to read them all together.
I always love your books, Lynne, and these are right up my alley!
As long as my alpha male hero is gorgeous and sexy, I will probably forgive him just about anything. To Mayates-I fully agree. Just as reading Presents is an escape from the every day world, so is writing it!
And thank you for the compliments. I hope you enjoy the story.
I know this is way late now, but I just read this book last night and I have to say that Nikolai was a fabulous alpha male! Everything an alpha should be. Tough, but not mean. Arrogant, controlling, but never a bully. He was persuasive, but not to he point of being overly forceful. I loved the bits of humanity and emotion in him that not even he understood.
When he was alpha, he was very very alpha, and when he was sweet…he would make any woman’s heart melt!
Thanks for writing such a great character, Lynne!
Maisey