The world needs more Welsh heroes

I read a lot of historical romances (I mean…a LOT), but it’s only recently occurred to me that there are very few Welsh heroes. We have plenty of English dukes, earls and knights, Scottish lairds, Irish warriors, Vikings, Roman tribunes and gladiators, but hardly any Welsh.

I can’t think why that should be, considering that, in my opinion, Welsh men make the hottest heroes ever. For me, it’s got to be the accent – just listening to those soft, melodic tones makes me want to close my eyes and drift away. Admittedly, that makes it hard for me to hold a rational conversation with a Welsh man…

Of course, a hero has to have more than a gorgeous voice. I like a hero to be courageous, prepared to stand up for what he believes in, fight for it if necessary. And, naturally, to protect those he loves. Here is what Gerald of Wales, writing in 1188, says about the Welsh:

‘They anxiously study the defence of their country and their liberty; for these they fight, for these they undergo hardships, and for these willingly sacrifice their lives…’

As Bridget Jones would say – ding dong! These are the qualities I have tried to give to Huw ap Goronwy, my very own Welsh Hero – the spy of the King of Gwynedd.

In case I haven’t persuaded you, here are my top five Welsh men for you to feast your eyes on. In no particular let me present to you:

1. David Gareth-Lloyd, otherwise known as Ianto Jones from Torchwood. When his character was killed off, a bit of me died with him.

2. Luke Evans. If you want to know what I mean about the accent, watch him in his role as Bard the Bowman in The Hobbit. Also he’s dark, brooding, gorgeous.

3. Ioan Gruffudd. Dark, brooding, gorgeous. Yum!

4. Aneurin Barnard. Dark, brooding, gorgeous…beginning to see a pattern forming?

5. Andy Whitfield (who sadly died in 2011). He’s the closest in appearance to my Welsh hero, Huw ap Goronwy. When I was searching for a picture that I could put into my character page on Scrivener, the moment I saw him, I knew my search was ended. Huw’s colouring is slightly different, but the cheekbones and the strong brows are pure Huw.

So what do you think? Have I persuaded you? If so, here’s the begging bit – please read my chapter on the Mills and Boon blog and vote for Huw!

Mills & Boon Historical Heroes

What a day I’ve had! 

 I was planning to do a blog entry today all about my experiences on my first ever RNA conference – an inspiring weekend, by the way. However, while taking a short break from my work this morning, I opened up my emails to find one from Mills & Boon saying that my entry in their Historical Heroes competition had been awarded first place in the Medieval/Tudor category. 

I was gobsmacked – not least because in all the conference excitement, I’d completely forgotten about the competition. That’s how good the conference was! So to all my friends from the RNA Birmingham Chapter who were cross that I didn’t breathe a word of it over the weekend – I would have done if I’d remembered!

You can find my entry on the Mills & Boon blog. It’s up against stiff competition from Faye Delacour and Phoebe Randerson. Please read and vote for your favourite!

'My Main Character' blog hop

Oops! I've really let this blog slide. But rest assured that I've been slaving away at my WIP, desperate to get it edited in time to submit to the New Writers' Scheme before the August deadline.

Thankfully, the lovely Anne Harvey tagged me in the 'My Main Character' blog hop. That's given me the kick up the backside I needed to post an update! I've chosen to introduce my hero, rather than my heroine, because he's the one I'm having to get to grips with more as I edit.

Wroxeter today

What is the name of the main character? Is he real or fictitious?

My hero is called Justus Drusus Metellus – a bit of a mouthful, so I usually just call him Justus. He is fictitious, more’s the pity!

When and where is the story set?

The story is set in Roman Britain – in Viroconium (modern-day Wroxeter, in Shropshire) during the second century AD. 

What should we know about him?

Before the story begins he served as a centurion in Dacia but received a severe leg wound and was invalided out. He now runs his family’s import business from Viroconium. Civilian life is something of a mystery to him – he’s abrupt with people and expects them to do what he says without question. Then he wonders why he’s not Mr Popular…

What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?

When Livia appears – seemingly out of nowhere – he takes her under his protection. He expects her to slot neatly into the role he assigns her, but when she refuses to conform, he finds his life turning in a direction he didn’t expect.

What is his goal in life?

He still believes that if he trains hard enough, he will get strong enough to return to his legion.