The Vicarious Thrill of Kick-Ass Heroines by Katrina Latham
I will never be a kick-ass heroine. Oh, I’ve had adventures and am proud of the things I’ve accomplished, but I’ve come to understand myself well enough to know my limits.
I will never chase after a villain. In fact, the second I get nervous about a situation, I’ll leave as run away as I can. And I am not a natural runner.
I will never investigate a crime. If I witnessed one, I’d beg for police protection, even if it was just a pickpocketing.
I will never be someone’s bodyguard. I’d like to think I’d throw myself between my husband and a bullet, but I say this with the confidence of knowing his reflexes are much better than mine and he’d shove me out of harm’s way.
The bravest thing I’ve ever done was telling a friend that I liked him in a way that would complicate—and perhaps even end—our friendship. Fortunately, he returned my feelings and we ended up falling deeply in love and getting married. At the time, I was terrified – stuttering and shaking with nerves. Looking back, though, I remember that I was spending the night at his apartment that night, and he’d invited me to share his bed instead of sleeping on the floor, so if I hadn’t been so nervous and ignorant I would’ve caught his massive flashing signals of interest.
Friends often tell me they love reading books with kick-ass heroines. While part of me is drawn to heroines who have infinitely more gumption than I ever will, I feel much more inspired by women who struggle with—and overcome—everyday insecurities, as I have.
Some authors can combine the two with fantastic results. HelenKay Dimon’s LEAVE ME BREATHLESS is a great example. Callie, the heroine, is a former FBI agent who’s now a bodyguard for a judge. (A very hot judge. Apparently it’s not an oxymoron.)
But Callie’s also insecure about things that, to me, make her human. She’s initially jealous of Ben’s close relationship with another judge, someone who’s better educated and seems more “right” for Ben. I’m usually not fond of jealous characters, but Callie never goes over the top with her jealousy, and she quickly figures out her jealousy is misplaced.
Kick-ass heroines usually have a very worthy goal—keeping someone they love alive, for example. In general, though, I’m more taken by heroines whose central conflicts are more personal—learning to trust again after being betrayed, or growing in confidence despite being a naturally shy person. These qualities sometimes earn a character the dreaded insult “Mary Sue”, but I think it takes a special kind of courage—a kind that’s often undervalued—to recognize what’s holding you back from achieving your dreams and decide to do something about it.
I’ve only read two of her contemporaries, but Lisa Kleypas springs immediately to mind. BLUE-EYED DEVIL features a woman who’s survived horrific abuse from her husband, and it affects the way she relates to the hero when she starts falling in love with him. She never uses her strength or intelligence to physically overpower her ex-husband. In fact, the hero saves her instead of the other way around. But she faces her issues and works through them because she refuses to be a victim.
To me, that’s the most kick-ass thing a person could ever do.
Do you prefer heroines who are physically kick-ass, or emotionally kick-ass. If you’re not a gutsy person, do like living vicariously through strong, brave heroines? Any books to recommend where the heroine is a good balance, or where she’s emotionally strong without being physically courageous? Comment and enter to win Jeaniene Frost’s THIS SIDE OF THE GRAVE, her books may not be contemporary but her heroines are certainly kick-ass!
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Kat Latham has been reading romance for a couple of decades. With degrees in English lit and human rights, she loves stories that reflect the depth, humor and emotion of real life. When she’s not writing contemporary romance novels, she can usually be found blogging or tweeting overly personal information. She loves meeting other readers and writers online, so follow her on Twitter or check out her blog and say hello!
I prefer a heroine who’s physically kick-ass. It makes me feel empowered when I read a heroine who can put a man, or anyone for that matter, in their place!
I love a kick-ass heroine. Some of my favorite heroines can be found in a series of futuristic books by Lauren Dane called the Federation Chronicles. There is a mini-series within that series called Phantom Corps also. All of the heroines are skilled in some way and can always defend themselves. They are always right by the hero’s side in a fight. I am a shy person so I love to live thru these women.
I like a heroine who has to learn to be kickass, or who has to be kickass against all her instincts telling her to run away–fast. I, too, am so far from kickass it’s pathetic. But that’s what fiction is for! I think one of the reasons I love Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series is Mercy’s vulnerability. She’s tough and smart, but also insecure and vulnerable at times. The perfect combination.
I’ll take a heroine who is kick-ass in any form — emotionally or physically! Tho do like the ones who can channel Buffy and take care of themselves and/or help the hero in a fight!
Ohhhhh I love kick-ass heroine’s! They absolutely rock! I mean we are all women and like to be taken care of, but when it comes down to it, we all have some kick-ass qualities in us! This is a great post!
I too love Kick Ass heroines but still have that sensitive side just underneath. Eve Dallas in the In Death series by JD Robb is a good kick ass heroine. Also Sophia in Claudia Dain’s Courtesan series.
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com
The only ones I do not like are the whinny, pouting kind. I love Jeaniene Frost. All of her works are great and I cannot, and I do mean cannot wait until I can get my hands on a copy!
I do prefer heroines who are physically kick-ass and emotionally kick-ass. So many novels focus on these traits in a man.
It’s great to see a woman stick up for herself or take care of herself and not rely on a man. UPPITY WOMEN UNITE!
Well, since I read mostly historical romances, most of the heroines I read are not of the physically kick-ass type but a lot are ‘bluestockings’ AKA emotional/intellectual kick-ass types! But I really love them all.
I actually love heroin who is both physically kick-ass and emotionally kick-ass too. The first person comes to mind a heroin like is Eva Dallas from the In death series by JD Robb.
Great post. I like STRONG heroines, too. But I prefer that they use brains rather than brawn to triumph over adversity, since that’s somewhat more plausible than having a 110 lb woman take down a 220 pound PCP addict who’s coming at her in a dark alley with a hard-on and an ax. But I could be wrong. I think some of the best qualities of women are their capacity to endure, to persevere and do what needs to be done to pretect those they love…by being smarter.
I read books for the vicarious thrill that it brings. Falling in love, being a kick-ass heroine, fun, adventure….well, you see some of the things I love about reading. That said, it depends on my mood whether I want to read about a physically kick-ass heroine or whether I want to read about an emotionally kick-ass heroine.
I’m probably in the minority here, but to me, a heroine who’s physically capable of kicking ass isn’t going to be pulled out of h er comfort zone when she has to do the ass kicking. If she’s a cop, or a martial arts expert, or any one of dozens of professions where she’s doing physical stuff as part of her job, where’s the challenge.
I want to see the heroine who thinks her life is normal, with normal everyday skills like so many of us have, find out what she’s capable of doing when push comes to shove. And to me, being able to meet THOSE challenges make her more kick ass than if she arrived in the book with that skill set. If it’s easy, what’s the point?
Yes, Eve Dallas has the physical part down. But it’s her having to deal with her off-the-job conflicts that make me love her. (When I’m not loving Roarke, of course)
So, given your choices, I’d go with emotionally kick ass all the way.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I enjoy reading about both types of character. A few people have mentioned Eve Dallas. I thought her hard-edge was good at the beginning of this series, but it gets a little tired after 20 books. NR has softened her character a bit, but I find that Eve isn’t always growing. I’d like a few more scenes showing a more sensitive side, too.
I like a kick-ass heroine in certain genres. Definitely in paranormals. I LOVE Kim Harrison’s Dead Witch Walking, etc
And Angela Knight’s heroines in the Mageverse series really kick butt!
Karen Rose writes some great kick butt heroines as well.
When it comes to historicals I prefer to read about intellectually and emotionally kick butt heroines who drive the hero nuts!
I like heroine’s that can kick ass if I am reading a contemporary. If I am reading historicals I like my heroine’s to kick ass mentally.
I love kick ass heroines, either strong emotionally or physcially works for me, because I am totally not! One of my favorite heroines that was emotionally strong in both heart and spirit was Liv in Shannon McKenna’s, Edge of Midnight. And by the end of the story she got to show off just how physically strong she learned how to be, as well.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
I like heroines who are physically kick ass.
I generally like heroines who are both, but if I had to pick just one it would be a heroine who can physically kick ass. By the way, I really love this series!
I’m a wanna be both ways but unfortunately am not so I do love to read vicariously through the heronine. I seem to think most of them in my reading are more kick ass than not lol.
I love kick ass heroines. I really cannot stand one who is submissive. Makes for a very boring book.
I prefer heroines who are physically kick-ass. I like living vicariously through strong, brave heroines, because they get to stand up to the bad guys and make their wishes known, or just kick them to the curb.
I like heroines that are either physically or emotionally kick-ass, or both, but when I think of an author who does that balance really well, I think of Patricia Briggs. Both of her heroines, Mercy Thompson and Anna Latham in the Alpha/Omega books are women that are surrounded by much stronger beings, yet both manage to triumph because they never give up and they refuse to believe that something is impossible or “beyond” them. They are smart and resourceful. Everyone around them underestimates them, but they always come out on top.
As for kick-ass in general – you can’t get much more so than Cat Crawfield and she gets Bones to go home to at the end of the day!
I like all types of heroines. I like to experience the danger and adventure vicariously through the heroine. There are few opportunities for me to live that life, and at my age, I don’t think I could manage it.
I actually was a bodyguard for the former Vietnamese ambassador when I was in college. Our International Relations Club had sponsored him as a speaker. This was during the Vietnam war and there were problems with protestors. The contract the club president signed said we would be providing extra security. There were two campus policemen, which the ambassador questioned. The president pointed to a male student and myself standing at the door and told the ambassador we were martial arts experts hired to protect him. I knew nothing about it until after the speech when we dropped our guest at his hotel. Thank heavens there were no problems. Unfortunately his flight was delayed, so I had to escort him around for several hours the following day. I was rather uncomfortable knowing he thought I was there guarding him.
I think I admire heroines who are strong in character the most. Just to survive the daily chores and challenges pioneer women. The young widow with no family nearby who must raise her children alone and a find a way too go on. For the women whose husbands are away at war (in the 1400’s or 2010) it takes takes a lot of courage and strength.
I like to read both types, physically or emotionally kick-ass. Love Cat, and yeah lucky girl gets to go home to Bones, Jen.
Mercy Thompson is another favorite, I agree with others Briggs gives us kick-ass heroines with a balance, showing their vulnerable emotional sides.
Kick-ass Heroines are the best! How could I not but admire a woman who stands up for & is capabale to defend herself.
Those ladies make me believe in myself, that I can AND should take control and put others back in their place from time to time.
I like when a heroine is both physically AND emotionally kick-ass, but if I had to choose I would say emotionally kick-ass
I love kick ass heroines …both physically and emotionally -combined is a major win!
I like both, combined they are really a force to be reckoned with. Cat is actually a great example. And I do much prefer to live the adventure though them as I will never do or have the courage or strength even a 10th of what they do.