Next up it's the fantastic author Amanda Bonilla! She is the author of Shaede Assassin series. So, when I first saw what she is sharing with us I think I read it like 10 times lol. She brings up ALL my favs...you'll see :) But first; here is a little more about Amanda.
Amanda Bonilla lives in rural Idaho with her husband and two kids. She’s
a part-time pet wrangler, a full-time sun worshipper, and only goes out
into the cold when coerced. She loves the outdoors, black clothes, pink
appliances and thinks junk food should be a recognized food group. In
the summer, she can be found sitting by the lake, enjoying the view from
her dock.
Take it AWAY Amanda!!!
The “Lando” Character
Thanks
so much to Cynthia and Book Reader Addicts for inviting me to join in
the anniversary festivities. Congrats on hitting the two-year mark!
One of my favorite characters in the Star Wars franchise is Lando Calrissian. Even though his role is relatively small in the movies, his character is indispensable to the over-all story. Without him, Han wouldn’t have been turned over to Jabba
and Leia would have never fallen into Darth Vader’s hands. And, without
him, there wouldn’t have been a daring rescue, either. There’s
something that I find appealing about a character that can charm you one
second and stab you in the back in the next. These characters, while
genuinely likeable, can easily be classified as protagonists. I can’t
help it, I love a charmer! And here are a few examples of some great “Lando” characters.
Ian – From the Night Huntress Series
Okay, so Ian is sort of borderline for me as a Lando
character, but I still love him! Ian is incredibly charismatic, but
he’s also self-serving. The only person, vampire, or other creature Ian
is concerned with is Ian. Plain and simple. He’s the type of character who subscribes to the theory that it’s better to beg forgiveness than to ask permission. He might do things that drive his friends crazy, but in a pinch, you can bet Ian knows whose side he’s one.
Lothaire
Even the Valkyries, ancient rivals of the Enemy of Old, can’t help but admit that there’s just something about the half-mad, sexy vampire that’s claw-curling. Like Ian, Lothaire is only concerned with himself. And in the case of the IAD series, his endgame. Throughout the series, Lothaire
tips the scales, helping his foes in one instance, and throwing them to
the wolves in the next all in the interest of making sure all outcomes
benefit him. He’s not especially polite, and he can be a little creepy
at times, but I have to say, his character is magnetic. Lothaire draws the reader in and doesn’t let go. I can’t wait to see more of him in future novels!
Lestat
I’m a huge Anne Rice fan. I think that Lestat
may be one of the most charismatic characters I’ve ever read. At times,
it seems this centuries-old vampire has no conscience whatsoever, and
just when you’re about to write him off, he does something, or you learn details about his past that redeems him. But just because he has his moments, it doesn’t mean that Lestat won’t turn his head and look the other way if need be. Especially if it benefits him in the long run.
Captain Jack Sparrow
If Lando Calrissian was a pirate, he’d be Captain Jack Sparrow. Even Han admits that Lando isn’t always on the up-and-up and the same can be said of Captain Jack. (In fact, the Millennium Falcon was gambled away. If that doesn’t make Lando a pirate, I don’t know what does.) Captain
Jack is charming. He has a lady at every port. And his crew will follow
him to the ends of the world, so he’s obviously charismatic. Time and
again, Captain Jack has double-crossed his so-called friends. And
time and again those “friends” return, ready to fight, and even to
trust this fast-talking, side-stepping pirate. Because you never know,
the next time might actually be the time he’ll fight for his comrades
instead of turning his back on them. He’ll do it all with a cocky smile
on his face, too.
Can you think of a character that fits the Lando Calrissian archetype? Who are some of your favorite charismatic, double-crossers?
Darian finds herself struggling to keep her employer Tyler
at arm’s length, especially since his seductive smile makes her want to
break her rules about love. The work he offers is necessary to protect
the innocent—and a welcome distraction. But when Darian’s next mark
turns out to be Xander Peck, King of the Shaede Nation, her whole
worldview is thrown into question. Darian begins to wonder if she’s
taken on more than her conscience will allow, but a good assassin never
leaves a job unfinished…
Darian is determined to reunite Raif and the daughter he thought was dead, but her mission quickly proves dangerous when her lover Tyler is almost killed. And when a brooding and mysterious Fae warrior offers his guidance—at an extraordinary price—Darian finds herself willing to risk everything. As her single-minded hunt turns into an obsession, and she and Tyler grow further apart, Darian finds herself caught between the man she loves like a brother, and the man whose love she can’t live without…
Thank you Amanda so much for stopping by and celebrating with us!
Amanda would like to giveaway 1 copy of Blood Before Sunrise!
This giveaway is for US/Canada only. If you are International and have an address you can use then please enter. **wish I could enter!**
All giveaways this month end October 7th.
Great to meet you Amanda! I'm sorry, having a terrible brain stall - I can't think of any great double crossers ugh. :)
ReplyDeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI loved Shaedes of Gray and I am looking forward to reading Blood Before Sunrise. I enjoy the Karen Chance's Cassandra Palmer series and love Pritkin, he is also enigmatic and seems to be out for himself and the goal of the Pythia.
Thanks for the chance
Pam
tpibrew@msn.com
One of my favorites is Rex, the Revenant that has possessed Charlie Madigan's ex-husband's body in Kelly Gay's Charlie Madigan series. He seems on the up and up, but Charlie can't really trust him.
ReplyDeleteI love Lestat from Anne Rice's series too. :) Thought that he is the best character in a long time!
ReplyDeleteOh, Iago is my absolutely FAVORITE double-crosser. Can't beat Shakespeare for great villains :)
ReplyDeleteThere are so many characters that are great double-crossers that I can't pick just one! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDelete-Dawn aka dawnmomoffour
thedoyle6@rogers.com
How about Snape. You never knew what to expect with him.
ReplyDeleteI think Trent from the Hollows series by Kim Harrison is a very charismatic double-crosser! Hard not to love him!
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Leanne
I cant think of a good double crosser.. thats a tough one.
ReplyDelete