What Can You Learn About Relationships On A Motorcycle

by Maureen L. Bonatch

I often refer to myself as a backseat-biker. My hubby controls the over 800 lb. sexy, metal beast while I sit on the back clinging to my hero. Last week my hubby and I made our yearly trek to attend Thunder in the Valley. One of Pennsylvania’s largest biker rallies known to attract over 200,000

One of my photos from Thunder in the Valley

bikers.

There’s a certain peace when you’re riding on the open road outside of the confinement of a vehicle. You see the world from a totally different up-close and personal perspective. 

As a writer, it’s always been a great way for me to work through a story. But this ride, while hugging my hero as we passed a multitude of other bikers with many toting their own heroine, I contemplated about how biking compares to the essentials of a relationship.

More Than Skin Deep

You have to look further than skin deep in a relationship. Just like there’s more to the stereotypical bad boy biker than what is on the outside. You know the loud, leather-wearing, tattooed, sexy, confident men that straddle the back of those metal beasts that the heroine loves to ride off into the sunset with? 

I’m not judging–lucky for me I have my own ‘bad boy biker’ and it came as no surprise to me to find that

in my book, DESTINY CALLING (on sale for 99 cents for a limited time), my Bad Boy happens to be a biker who despite/because of his bad boy persona, my heroine has a hard time resisting.

The outside appearance might draw you in, but it takes more than that to maintain and grow a relationship. But if you look a little closer at most bikers you’ll find many groups participate in fundraising/charity rides, support military, retirees or simply enjoy motorcycles as a social group.

It Takes Teamwork

As with any relationship, it only works well if it’s not one-sided. Even though you may ride in silence with only the company of your thoughts, there is a non-verbal communication occurring on a motorcycle. No words need to be spoken as you rely upon body language to lean together to take the twists and turns of the road.

There’s a certain comradely that comes from riding a motorcycle, a sense of community and connectedness with other bikers that you don’t share when you’re in a vehicle. Kind of like when you find that special person who you feel an instant, intense connection.

Trust

Don't be fooled- I'm getting on the back

Most bikers have a special bond with their motorcycle. When I didn’t ride, I used to be a tad jealous of my hubby’s love for her–his motorcycle. (I wrote about that here. ) I didn’t ride for many reasons, but one of the big reasons—which is the same with any relationship—was the fear of getting hurt.

When you’re riding a motorcycle you have to be much more alert to the scenery (wildlife, rocks, potholes, water) and other vehicles. Just like a relationship, one of the most important things necessary in order to relax and enjoy the ride, is that you have to trust your partner.

Did You Know About the “Biker Wave”

Biking seems like a solitary endeavor, and it is in many ways, but usually you wave when you pass another motorcycle. Even though the most likely a complete stranger, you feel compelled to greet them like a friend. The wave is a variation of two fingers pointed parallel or down toward the ground, as if a symbol of peace. There are different assumptions behind the reason for the start of the “wave”.  Some stating it stems back from when motorcycles weren’t as common, others state it was a “biker necessity” when they saw Arthur Davidson wave to William Harley.

Author Bio: Maureen Bonatch grew up in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—hockey, biking, sweat pants and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in writing or reading paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music, and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line. Find Maureen on her website, Facebook & Twitter

Do You Believe in Meant to Be?

Before the holiday decorations are put away we're bombarded with Valentine’s Day. Whether you love, or hate, the holiday, one thing is for sure, love is here to stay all year long. Otherwise our hearts wouldn’t soften at every romance we’ve read, watched—or lived. We wouldn’t covet television romance movies, the ones on the big screen, and those novel characters coming to life in our hearts and minds.

There are a multitude of methods to get the couple together, but the end result is the same—true love—whether it’s a happily ever after, a happy for now, or having loved and lost.

What's your favorite method of a first meeting for the hero and heroine? 

Chance Encounter or Destiny? 

Do you believe if something is meant to be? In a story, or real life?

My husband and I will celebrate twenty-two years of marriage this year in March. Like many unexpected encounters, the day we met might never have occurred if not for a few twists of fate.

My friend begged me to babysit with her. I reluctantly agreed. After we finished, she insisted we make a quick stop at the mall. I protested. I dressed for babysitting messy munchkins, not going to the local teenage hotspot. But...I relented.

We arrived, and ran into another girlfriend and her boyfriend. While we chatted, a tall guy caught my eye. I leaned in to my friend to whisper my thoughts. Unbeknownst to me, my friend’s boyfriend overheard—and he knew ‘the cute guy’.  He promptly went over and told my future husband exactly what I said.

To my mortification, my future hubby walked over and said, “I heard you think I’m cute.”  I promptly died of embarrassment on the spot. Since I’m alive to tell this story, I’ve disproved the possibility of dying of embarrassment, because if there was ever a time it could happen, that was it.

Tempting Fate 

I could’ve refused to go to the mall, or fled when my future hubby mortified me with my own words, but I didn’t. I suppose, if we were ‘meant to be’ then I would’ve ran into him another time and allowed our fates to intertwine.

Sometimes it’s nice to believe things are following a predetermined path, but other times, I like to think I’m in more control of my destiny.

Holding Out for A Hero 

I have a little more control over my couples in my novels. I can throw them together through fate or circumstance.

Destiny Calling

Hope and Griffith were connected through dreams, so their meeting was inevitable, but their destiny together, was not.

Grandma Must Die

Carmen and Dylan were thrown together through coincidence—or not. Only you can decide if it was fate.

Do You Believe in Fate or Do You Make Your Own Destiny?

About Me:

Maureen Bonatch dreamt of becoming a Solid Gold Dancer. When the show ended, she followed other paths. Surviving twins gave her confidence to belly dance, declare herself a tequila connoisseur and biker babe to her alpha hubby. She lives in small town Pennsylvania and her love of the four seasons—biking, sweat pants, hockey and hibernation—keeps her there. While immersed in paranormal romance and fantasy, she survives on caffeine, wine, music and laughter. A feisty Shih Tzu keeps her in line.

Check out all her books on her Amazon Author Page

Find Me:

Writing on my Website

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Paranormal Warriors

hmmm hero with a sword

There is something very attractive about a man who knows how to use a sword ;)

The warrior is a type of hero who often graces the pages of paranormal romances, and with good reason. Aside from being fit, he is willing to do anything to get the job done (be it saving the world or defeating evil)—as long as it fits within his code of honor. 

He has duty and honor—what’s not to love about him?
In paranormal romances he is usually the paranormal part of the romance. Vampire, shapeshifter, goblin…not exactly the kind of guy that the heroine would take home to meet the family (assuming her family haven’t all somehow been killed, but the orphaned heroine is a whole other blog post). 

The paranormal is attractive because of its otherness as well as the sense of danger. The hero is often in need of taming and his moral code doesn’t always align with a humans.

My fairies in The Court of Annwyn series are very different to humans in what they think is acceptable behaviour, but they will never lie as that is seen as weak and showing a distinct lack of skill. They also avoid falling in love because it is seen as risk and their lover could be used against them (this of course means that when they do fall in love everything gets 10x worse).

There is something to else to think about when writing the warrior hero and that is the need to heal. At some point the warrior has to lay down his sword and say enough. 

Roan in The Goblin King did just that. The curse was taking over and he was done. Sometimes the biggest battle is not with an outside enemy but within and if he’d kept fighting he would’ve become 100% goblin.

For the Love of a Goblin Warrior touched on one final important issue when thinking about warrior heroes, something that after decades of conflict in the real world is becoming a very real challenge for many soldiers: post-traumatic stress disorder.

After fighting and witnessing countless horrors (and in paranormal romance this can literally be hell) there needs to be a recognition that this leaves a mark. For Meryn in For the Love of a Goblin Warrior that meant facing up to the death of his family and the destruction of his tribe at the hands of the Romans and trying to work through it so that he could live again. He’s had a couple of thousand years as a goblin to really let it sink in, but being goblin has also changed him and left a wound. 

While a warrior hero might be great in a fight, and he will achieve his goal or quest, it is important to remember that beneath the armor and the fierce expression there is a heart. If he’s too broken inside he won’t be able to fall in love (and love really can't fix everything). 

However he has to be a little bit broken otherwise he’d too boringly perfect. 

As with any romance hero, beauty is in the eye of the heroine (or the other hero). As long as they see the hero as worthy of love the reader will too no matter what creature he is or what he has done or the scars he bears (visible or not).

A Good Knight is Hard to Find

Heroes, they're the stuff that dreams are made of. In the 1980's all a hero had to do was be handsome and chase the virginal heroine around in order to end up with a happily ever after. Readers wanted a man that displayed great courage and even perhaps made a personal sacrifice for the greater good in the face of danger, adversity or a position of weakness. Isn't that what heroism is all about?

Thirty years later, the heroism factor hasn't changed but the hero certainly has. Romance readers want a man of today with true emotions and vulnerabilities. Many readers don't care if he looks like Paul Giamatti or Gerard Butler or Sam Heughan (personally I think Graham McTavish is awesome). Handsome doesn't always translate into muscular or even gorgeous. Maybe it's his smoldering eyes (sex still sells) or his heart-stopping smirk when his heroine's intelligence shines (he'll let the reader know but he won't tell her until page 300). It can be almost anything. Most of all readers want insight into a sensitive man who needs to work out his own emotions in order to get his prize. It's how he faces and eventually resolves his internal conflict that keeps them reading.

Heroes can be swash-buckling, debonair, unassuming, and even unlikely. They don't necessarily have to be handsome with perfectly developed bodies although for that is still a plus *cheesy smile.* Readers want to cheer on the hero who struggles through his emotional quest, emerges enlightened, and wins the girl.

Once again, my critique partners and I have put together an anthology. Our Christmas offering is Timeless Treasures. There are five stories with a variety of heroes. My story, Whispers on the Wind, us about Lord Bran.

With their five years of training with the Druid Council completed, Arik and Bran, brothers in every way but blood, rush home to Fayne Manor in time for the new year's festivities. This year's celebration is special. After years of anticipation, Arik and Bran will receive their portions and at midnight, their sister Leticia will release the annual wishes intended for those in need of kindness, patience, courage and honor.

Arik, who is tapped to be the next Druid Grand Master, tells Bran he can have his portion, his childhood dream, Fayne Manor. Bran knows the ultimate decision rests with their father, Fendrel. Old childhood fears and insecurities about the loss of his parents and belonging to Fendrel's family resurface. He must find a way to cement his place in the family and obtain Fayne Manor. After much thought Bran sees the solution--marry Leticia.

His perfect plan begins to unravel when he realizes Leticia is in love with one of her father's allies. Do the fates have other plans for him when he meets Caylyn, a childhood friend, who stirs feelings in him he's never felt for any other woman? Will he be willing to give up everything he's ever wanted--for her?

Timeless Treasures is available for pre-order and releases on October 15.

Umm…really?

Okay everybody has their pet peeves in books, but lately I’m finding some of mine appearing everywhere (maybe it’s me and I’m just reading the wrong books).

The first one is the hero who just keeps going and going and…he’s instantly ready to go again and again…

I know it’s fiction but after a while it kind of bugs me (not enough to throw the book, but enough to pull me out of the story).

The next thing happens mostly in mmf erotic romances and it’s what I politely refer to as double dipping (use your imagination here as I’m not explaining it any further) and it is often a result of always being up and ready and needing to stick it somewhere else.

Seriously wipe that thing before sticking into the heroine or I’m spending the next 3 chapters wondering if she got an infection!

Lastly I’d like to talk about size. If your hero is a horse shifter I totally get that size is an issue. Romance-land (as well as being full of green eyed, red-haired, virginal heroines) seems to be full of guys with enormous attributes. Seriously if the heroine can’t get her hand around it I’m praying there’s lube or wondering what is wrong with her hands (although she’s probably been described as petite—how is it so many women in Romance-land are tiny and bird like? That might be another post).

I’d much rather my heroine be impressed with the hero’s skills as a lover than his size.

So, what is it about romance heroes that makes you go umm…really?

Listening to characters

I had to crowd surf for a topic.  So this blog is about...(drum roll)….”When the characters 'talk' to you...do you talk back?”

I think this question is related to “Where do you get your ideas?”

I was asked this by an editor I wanted to impress recently and I had to say "I have no idea the heroes just wander into my mind". Yeah, that sounded cool. It is however the truth. The hero, usually, just appears and starts dropping enticing hints about his world or his problem.

Seriously when Haidyn from Dark Secrets turned up in his lovely red coat and said he was a whore I just went, na-ah I can’t write that. Needless to say he stuck around until I did.

When the Goblin King arrived I just knew he had dreadlocks. Random, yes, but it was so much a part of the story in the end that I couldn’t imagine him any other way. (I know he doesn't have dreads on the cover but trust me by the end you will get it).

I guess I see and hear the characters in my mind, but most of the story is impressions that I give voice to, sometimes it like watching a film without sound—some scenes are so clear there is sound.

Other times I'm running around in the dark wondering who turned out the light and where is this story going, only to pop out on the other side with total understanding and a new appreciation for the hell I put my characters through (it’s for their own good, really, and not one has complained yet).

Once their story is written that is it, they leave me in peace and new people populate my mind.

 

I'm pretty sure non writers don't get it. When I get asked what I'm thinking about there's a dozen different things going on, like the heroine's backstory, how does the magic in this world work? Is the hero good at sport? Should I have another piece of chocolate? The heroine seems a little lost...is this about her self discovery? That is a very cool scar Mr. Hero, how did you get that? Oooh *shiny new hero walks past and flashes a grin* who are you? He brought wine! Plotting party in my head! I should totally have another piece of chocolate.

 

Where was I...I listen to my characters and they tell me stuff, yes I know it's my subconscious but it's kind of cool that all of that is in there just waiting to come out.

Paranormal/fantasy heroes: A list of some characters who inspire my muse

A friend and fellow author did a similar post to this recently, and feeling inspired (I mean, who doesn’t want to write about hunks, er, I mean heroes?), I blatantly stole her idea, which I’m sure she stole from someone else, so all’s fair, right? Plus, I really couldn't come up with a better topic to blog about today. What are you gonna do?

Anywho. She did a list of her favorite heroes, from TV, film, and books, and gave an explanation of why they were hero-worthy to her. I’ll dive right in and offer up six of my own favorite paranormal and fantasy heroes. I really could have done a list of 100 of my favorite heroes, but I randomly picked these six. Can I please note that I also came thisclose to including some of the heroes created by Here Be Magic contributors, but since I haven't read everyone's books yet, I didn't think it was exactly fair to single anyone out. But it was tempting. Jax Garren, I'm looking at you. And you too, Veronica Scott. Points finger at Eleri Stone. And...I'll stop embarrassing myself now.

Feel free to leave your own favorites in the comments section. I adore being introduced to new characters!

Damon Salvatore. To be fair, I haven’t read The Vampire Diaries books, but I watch the TV show every week. Ian Somerhalder is just…wow. Love him. He took a character I thought was only eh in the first few episodes of this show and developed him into a complex bad boy who’s constantly torn between his own gratification and his love for his brother and friends. He’s relentlessly unpredictable as a result. And yes, I watch The Vampire Diaries and I’m not a teenage girl. Back off.

Bones, from the Night Huntress series. I love, love, love Jeaniene Frost’s series of books and fell in love with Bones just as the book’s heroine Cat did throughout this series. Gotta admire a man who joins a secret agency devoted to killing his kind simply to be near the woman he loves.

Dean Winchester. Supernatural is my favorite TV show for a reason, and Dean is that reason. He is THE alpha demon hunter on television. Jensen Ackles, who portrays Dean, rocks socks. And I wouldn't want to mess with him if I were a demon. Just sayin.'

Mouse Guard. Please tell me you didn’t just ask yourself, “What the heck is Mouse Guard?” OK, given my utter weirdness, it’s a fair question. Mouse Guard is a comic book written and illustrated by David Petersen. It’s set in a world of sentient mice who live in medieval times paralleling the same period in human history. The Mouse Guard are essentially guards/soldiers who help the other mice survive attacks and the such. I don’t even know how else to describe it, or one character to single out as the best hero, but if you’re open to comic books, this one is awesome. Plus, they're mice with swords!

Legolas Greenleaf from The Lord of the Rings. Confession time. I suffered through the books (please don't pelt me with rocks), but I enjoyed the movies, mostly. There was one character who stuck with me, and it was Legolas. The reason? I was drawn to his kindness and gentle nature, and he had some mad skills with that bow and arrow. Plus, he was kinda cute and all.

The Doctor. I’m a recent convert to this SF/F show from Britain thanks to Netflix, but I’m totally hooked on Doctor Who. What can I say? I’m a sucker for quirky, smart, and witty heroes who brandish nothing more than a sonic screwdriver when slaying aliens, monsters and the such. Plus, bowties are cool.

There’s my list. What’s yours?

Heroic Occupations

When I first started writing one of the rules of romance was never write a rock star or sports star hero. I don’t know how this rule came into play and it didn’t make sense to me. What’s not to love about a super fit guy at the top of his game? Who hasn’t eyed up a rock star and thought if I was ten years younger and not married… (that’s not just me, right?)

While I generally don’t read contemporary romances, for some reason rock stars and sports stars really work for me. Maybe because there’s that element of fantasy.

Fortunately for me that rule has been thrown out the window and I’m happily reading about hot rock stars in Olivia Cunning’s Sinners on tour series and there’s even a Pride and Prejudice remake “Fitzwilliam Darcy Rock Star” by Heather Lynn Rigaud (can’t wait to start that).While I’ve read a couple of Harlequin's NASCAR romances, I’m looking at dipping my toe into other sports.

Another reason I’m glad that these heroes are getting a turn in the spotlight is because I have a series of novellas with Ellora’s Cave about Lucinda's Lover, a Vampire electric string quartet, (because the only thing hotter than a human rock star is a Vampire one).

Lucinda's Lover #1

Lucinda's Lover #2

Lucinda's Lover #3

The first two Lucinda’s Lover books are available now and the third will be out next year.

So which do you prefer, rock star or sports star and give me some book recommendations (because my TBR shelf still has room on it—if I put them in sideways and double stack :)).