L is for Logan

Logan Reed is the hero in Debra's This Time for Always.

I have to admit that while I'm working on a particular story, I've fallen in love with each and every one of my heroes in turn. Which isn't a bad thing. But I also have to admit that out of all of them, Logan holds a special place in my heart. Because he was my first.

The hero in your first published novel is someone you never forget.

Logan has the proverbial chip on his shoulder from being born on the wrong side of the tracks. In high school he meets and begins dating Sharlie Montgomery, a girl from the other side of town. They fall in love, but Sharlie's father is against the match, and, though little did Logan know it at the time, is the cause of their break up. Logan hates being poor and never felt he was good enough for Sharlie, and her father's actions help prove the point...at least in Logan's mind.

Fast forward about twelve years. Logan has returned to town a changed man. He's all grown up now, with money of his own, and he's there to prove a point. He wants the whole town, and especially Sharlie, to know he's made something of himself. Finding Sharlie working at the bar he wants to buy isn't part of his plan, and the sparks fly immediately between the two: both residual anger and residual passion. Logan is confused to discover her father is no longer a part of her life, and their financial situations have reversed. He's the one with money now and she's living day to day.

I find it interesting that in working on this first manuscript way back when, I felt Logan needed to be angry...all the time. I think that came from my reading background. In high school I read lots and lots of romance, and most were filled with alpha males whose main emotion was anger. Perhaps a comment on the style of the times. Beta heroes were definitely not in vogue at that time. I don't remember if it was a contest or a submission to a publisher, but someone commented after reading the mss that Logan was too angry.

The beginning of mss did wind up winning first place in a contest, and eventually went on to be my first published work with TWRP. By that time Logan's anger had been toned down a bit, and I was able to share a bit of his softer side as well.

And it was probably that softer side that made me fall in love with him, and why out of all my heroes, he'll always hold a special spot in my heart.

Until next time,

Happy Reading!

Debra
www.debrastjohnromance.com

P.S. Not only did I fall in love with Logan, but I fell in love with the setting in that first book, too. Two other books went on to complete my Corral series, and even then I wasn't ready to leave it behind. I started a spin-off series or novellas, Holidays at The Corral. I'm pleased as punch to say I just signed a contract for the second book in the series, Valentines Day at The Corral. Yay! And while we don't actually get to 'see' Logan in this story, he does get a mention! :)