All blogs are property of authors and copying is not permitted.

Click image to one-click your copy of Soldiers of Fortune

CLICK BELOW & SUBSCRIBE TO THE RB4U NEWSLETTER

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Guest Blog: Kelley Heckart: Warrior Women Have Better Aim

I like writing warrior women. Maybe it’s that bit of the feminist in me or perhaps it’s because I think that women can be every bit as dangerous and battle experienced as any man. But mainly it’s because a warrior woman is way more complex to me than a typical woman staying at home and waiting for her knight to return from battle.

A couple of my warrior women wielded swords, but I prefer female archers. Not sure why except that the bow and arrow seems like a natural weapon for a woman, especially if she is small and not as strong as a man. Plus she doesn’t have to get into the crush of battle with the messy, unpleasant aspects of fighting, but can fight from a distance. The bow and arrow is a graceful weapon that requires aiming skill and patience. I’m also a fan of the Greek moon-goddess Artemis who used a bow and arrow. I think I invoke Artemis, the huntress, when I create my female archers.

My women warriors also have a warrior heart. This means that something in their life put that fierceness into them that makes one become a dedicated warrior. I needed to have some reason that would make a woman give up a normal life to be a warrior. For instance, one woman was brutally raped as a young child and another lived through a terrible experience. Both of the women were left with vengeance in their hearts and this gives them the motivation for battle.

I’m not saying that men can’t handle a bow and arrow with skill, but in my fantasy worlds it’s the women that make that arrow sing from the bow and into the target.

Kelley Heckart
'Timeless tales of romance, conflict & magic'
http://www.kelleyheckart.com

BIO:
Kelley writes Celtic historical romances with fantasy/paranormal elements. Her stories reflect her passion for history, storytelling and the supernatural. Inspired by the ancient Celts, her tales are filled with fierce warriors, bold women, magic, conflict and romance.

BLURB for "Beltaine’s Song":

For each of them, spring's song has a different meaning.

Aedan and Domelch must battle earthly foes—enemy kings and traitorous allies. For the first time, the arrival of spring heralds the sound of a harsh battle horn as their foes close in. Through all this turmoil, can their love survive?

For their son, Gartnait, spring brings with it the promise of new love and the thrilling sound of the battle horn, putting those he cares about in danger.

4 comments:

Gina Ardito said...

Sounds like something I *want* on my bookshelf! I love stories where women can rescue themselves and their men.

jean hart stewart said...

I think most of our heroines have at least a bit of a warrior woman in them. Wish we'd had an excerpt, though. Jean

Paris said...

I love a "warrior woman" attitude in my heroines and your book sounds wonderful!

And I agree with Gina, give me a woman who can rescue themselves and their men. And, ahem...much like Jean, I would have loved an excerpt too:)

Kelley Heckart said...

Hi Gina, Katherine, Jean and Paris,

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. I don't think I was allowed an excerpt for this post, but I do have an excerpt on my website-on my book shelf page, just click on the Beltaine's Song book cover. I did have an interview on Romance Books R Us on 3/31 and there was an excerpt posted then.

Share buttons