The one thing all newer authors learn pretty quickly is that there is no blueprint, no “how to” guide, to publishing.

I’m a new-ish author.  Even though I’ve published three books in the past year, I remain a novice in many ways and how I handled my first series certainly attests to that fact.

My debut novel, published in April 2013, was not the first manuscript I wrote; it wasn’t even the first book I sold. The first title I sold was Tempting Bella, the third book in the series. My fabulous agent went to bat for me right away, asking my editor to publish the second book in the series, Seducing Charlotte, first.

Why not the publish the first book in the series first? After all, that would make the most sense as reviewers have certainly pointed out.

One friendly blogger, who had given the first two books nice reviews, wrote this about Compromising Willa:

“Overall, not a bad read once I got past my confusion at the beginning.” 

Another reviewer, who gave all three books excellent reviews, wrote:

“For some reason ‘the men in suits’ that bought these stories, decided they should be published out-of-order. Don’t ask!”

I wish I could blame the ‘men in suits’, but the responsibility lies with an insecure author in elastic-waist pants. Yes, that would be me.

Diana Quincy’s Accidental Peers series in order of publication, although not in chronological order.

Compromising Willa, the first book in the series, was also the first book I ever wrote. It had finaled in contests for unpublished writers but had never won. By contrast, Seducing Charlotte and Tempting Bella racked up a number of contest wins and I thought they were “higher concept” and would sell better. In my mind, Willa was relegated to less-favored child status even though I loved the story and the characters.

Because of this, I never sent Willa to my agent and my editor wasn’t even aware Willa existed until she asked, “Do you have any other books in this series?”

“Um, yes,” I said and promptly emailed the manuscript. My publisher bought it, along with the unfinished fourth book in the series, demonstrating more confidence in me and my writing than I had.

I am sorry if this created confusion for my readers and, in some cases, diminished their reading enjoyment. Thank you for your patience.  The good news is that the next book in the series, Engaging the Earl, is being released in the proper chronological order!  

 

 

The hero in romance novels is often possessive, aggressive, dominant and protective—characteristics attributed to the alpha hero.

He is a leader of men and, more often than not, a serial seducer of women who can’t seem to help succumbing to his irresistible charisma. This leading man is often the bad boy until he meets his match in the heroine, who eventually tames him…a little.

Beta characters are usually relegated to the role of best friend in romance novels; they’re the amiable sidekick of the tough-talking, butt-kicking and, often, emotionally-distant alpha hero. There are times, however, when the beta takes center stage and creates a memorable hero for the ages.

Mr. Darcy, from Pride and Prejudice, is the ultimate beta hero. Darcy is quiet, contained, and seemingly arrogant, but we eventually learn he is innately kind and puts the well being of others before himself.

 Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in the BBC’s “Pride and Prejudice”

Sebastian, the hero in Tempting Bella, the second book in my Accidental Peers series, is also one of these kinder, gentler leading men. He is decent, honorable and essentially selfless. He’s also complex, virile and very sexy.

While I love a good alpha hero, there is something undeniably alluring about a beta hero, too.  Here’s a little primer on how to spot the difference between an alpha and a beta:

The alpha hero can have a little bit of a jerk in him.
The beta hero is a nice guy.

The alpha hero doesn’t always start out treating ladies with respect.
The beta hero treats a lady with the respect she deserves.

The alpha hero goes after what he wants.
The beta hero usually puts other people’s desires before his own.

The alpha hero loves sex and has lots of it with a variety of women…until he meets his true love, the heroine, and then sex becomes meaningful and monogamous.
The beta hero loves sex but is often not as sexually experienced as an alpha male, so intimacy is more meaningful to him.

The alpha tries to impose his will on the heroine, at least in the beginning.
The beta refuses to impose his will on the heroine; he prefers using gentle persuasion.

The alpha hero is never a wimp and he’ll kick plenty of butt to prove it.
The beta hero is never a wimp, but he often operates behind the scenes to achieve the outcome he desires.

The best alpha hero has a bit of beta in him.
The best beta hero has a bit of alpha in him.

The alpha hero is the guy you love to read about in books.
The beta hero is the guy you want to marry in real life.

Tempting Bella, the second book in my Accidental Peers series, features a kinder, gentler leading man.

In short, Sebastian is a beta hero. Betas are often consigned to the role of best friend in romance novels, the sidekick of the tough-talking, butt-kicking and, often, emotionally-distant alpha hero. As the hero in Tempting Bella, Sebastian is decent, honorable and essentially selfless. He’s also complex, virile and very sexy!

While I love a good alpha hero, there is something undeniably alluring about a beta hero—he’s the guy you’d love to marry in real life.

Here are my Top 10 Things to Love About a Beta Hero

1) He’s a nice guy.

2) He treats a lady with the respect she deserves.

3) He’s comfortable enough with his masculinity that he doesn’t have to act like a Neanderthal to prove he’s a real man.

4) He often puts other people’s desires before his own.

5) He is warm, tender and projects a quiet strength.

6) He is often not as sexually experienced as an alpha male, so intimacy is more meaningful to him.

7) He refuses to impose his will on the heroine.

8) The beta hero is never a wimp.

9) He has a teeny bit of alpha in him 

10) On top of all of those winning qualities, a beta hero can still be hot, charismatic and sexy!