Talking about heroines . . . something that has always puzzled me. Every month, Romantic Times names its K.I.S.S. heroes. This month, James Burnett, my male protagonist in The Runaway McBride was one of them. I have nothing against singling out men for an award. But there’s no mention of the female protagonists. This seems odd to me. Since I was a young girl and reading on my own, I’ve always been influenced  by the heroines in the books I’ve read. Think Heidi; think Jo of Little Women; think Anne of Anne of Green Gables; and Jane Austen’s Elizabeth Bennett and Emma. Closer to my own time, think of Sara Paretsky’s V.I. Warshowski.

I don’t want to take the K.I.S.S. award away from the men. I just think our heroines should get equal billing.

Of all the books I’ve published, my favorite heroine would have to be . . . Rosamund in The Perfect Princess, I think. No, make that Abbie in Whisper His Name. No, on second thoughts . . . I give up. It’s always more interesting to hear what my readers think.