I’m fascinated by complicated characters. My favorites include Sherlock Holmes (played by Jonny Lee Miller in Elementary), Raylen Givens (Justified), Mary Shannon (In Plain Sight) and James Bond (played by Daniel Craig). They are prickly, a bit dark and extremely hard to love.
No wonder their characters rarely have serious love interests. When they do, the two seem to be a volatile mixture of chemicals ready to blow at any moment. That’s what makes writing a complicated character in a romance a bit more challenging.
After all, in a romance we are essentially guaranteeing a happily ever after, or at least a happy for now. Something we rarely see complicated characters in television and movies get.
That’s because loving and living with a complicated person can be taxing. But if the character grows as a person over the course of the story, it can be a truly beautiful thing to watch. Yes, they make us frustrated and angry, maybe even bring us to tears. Yet, we are thrilled to see them reach a point where they are open to being loved and are able to do so in return. Despite their imperfections.
Jamie Charles, the heroine in my latest release, Love Me Not, is definitely a complicated character. She had a very difficult childhood. In response, she’s developed a thick outer skin. Like a callous that forms to protect the raw, damaged layer underneath. Jamie can be sarcastic, judgmental and sometimes plain mean. Yet, she’s bright, talented and fiercely loyal to the people she loves.
Fully aware of her flaws, Jamie has made a conscious choice not to get emotionally involved with anyone. She doesn’t see herself as the kind of girl capable of giving her heart to someone. The risk feels too great. However, when Miles Copeland comes along, he isn’t convinced by Jamie’s tough girl act and he believes he’s just the man to prove her wrong.
Miles is also a multi-faceted character. On the surface he’s handsome, affable and charming. However, below the surface he is battling demons of his own.
Loving Jamie is certainly a challenge. One Miles believes is worth it. As long-held secrets are revealed, Jamie comes to terms with her past and slowly begins to recognize that she is indeed capable of loving Miles and worthy of his love.
Do you like complex characters in books, television and movies? If so, tell me who your favorites are in the comments below. If complicated characters drive you crazy, tell me why you loathe them. Your comment will enter you for a chance to win a digital copy of my Bad Boys Gone Good series, which includes Love Me Not, and signed Keeper Kase postcards for both books in the series (mailed to U.S. and Canadian addresses only)
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Love Me Not Summary
Tortured artist, Jamie Charles’ life is a careful balance between flashes of brilliance and self-loathing. Her art is as dark and dramatic as her painful past. Her resentment of the biological parents—who were too preoccupied with their addictions to bother with her—fuels her ambition to succeed as an artist, but also takes a heavy, personal toll.
Miles Copeland climbed to the top of his advertising agency because he isn’t afraid of taking risks and because he has something to prove to the father who betrayed his family. But when he falls for a moody, Gothic beauty with zero interest in anything but a purely physical relationship, he finds himself in dangerous territory.
Jamie prefers living hard and fast without the complications of love, but finds it impossible to resist the stunningly handsome, yet incredibly sweet man who is determined to have every piece of her–including her heart. Miles shows Jamie the beauty of being loved madly and deeply, but is it enough to make her finally learn to love herself, and open her heart to him?
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I’m an analyzer. I love to analyze books, tv and movies…and if it’s a suspense…I try to figure out who dun it…Tuesday we went to a play at our local outdoor theater and it was a mystery. I had it figured out before we found out who done it! LOVE IT! SOOOOOOO complex characters are awesome as I try to figure them out!
books4me67 at ymail dot com
My husband and I are big fans of murder mysteries. I’ve gotten pretty good at figuring out who done it. I’m always thrilled when a movie or TV show surprises me. 🙂
I love complex characters and I guess the one that is at the top of the list would be Scarlett O’Hara from Gone with the Wind. She was spoiled, married men she didn’t love, stole her sister’s fiancée, and did anything she could to keep her home Tara. I remember reading a blog post about her in which the writer wrote, “whether you love her or hate her, you will never forget her”. So I believe complex characters leave their mark and I just added Love Me Not to my to read list. Thanks for having this giveaway.
Hi Ginger. Thanks for your comment. I love Scarlett O’Hara, too. By all accounts, Scarlett should be the villain of the story. She does some truly awful things in her quest to save Tara. Yet, we can’t help but to cheer her on and hope she finally gets her happy ending. I can’t talk about Gone with the Wind without stating how much I adore Rhett Butler, too. 🙂 I love the quote about Scarlett being unforgettable. So true!
yes, JR Ward’s BDB series
This is a series I’ve been seeing around for some time. I think it’s time to add it to my TBR list. Thank you for your comment!
I love Sherlock too, but I love the BBC series with Benedict Cumberbatch. He’s just adorable. Anyway, yes I do like complicated characters very, very much.
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
Thanks for your comment, Michelle! Everyone really seems to love this series. I watched one partial episode of the BBC series, but couldn’t quite get into his character. I need to go back and start from the beginning and really give it a shot. After all, it took me a couple of episodes to warm up to Jonny Lee Miller’s character, too.
I love complex characters. Some of my favorites are the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward and the Dark Hunters by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
Another recommendation for J.R. Ward’s BDB series. Okay, I really need to read this one, and soon. Thanks the recommendation of the BDB series and Dark Hunters.