ICLM - Guest Post by Jennifer Lane

Celebrating International Chick Lit Month, today we have author of "Good Behaviour" Jennifer Lane and she is discussing the topic of "Chick Lit Heroines.

Reader's Enjoy and while you are reading it , have a think about who your'e Chick Lit Heroine Is ?

How Strong Should a Chick Be?

For Chick Lit Month, I’m happy to visit Paula’s blog to discuss the strength of Chick Lit heroines. Do you prefer a heroine who’s strong and independent, pulling her own weight in relationships? Or do you like a softer heroine who needs protection and guidance from an alpha male?

As a feminist, athlete, and single woman, I definitely prefer a strong heroine—less “chick” and more “woman”. I like heroines who are intelligent and tough, while also maintaining feminine traits of intuition, caring, and a dose of vulnerability.

In Chick Lit romances, the strength of the heroine obviously influences the dominance of the hero. A lot of women like the strong, silent type who whooshes in to rescue and save his lady. I admit a muscular alpha man can be quite appealing, but I also like a sense of balance in romantic relationships, in which the partners support and influence each other in positive ways.

I’ve received some interesting feedback about my choice to create a beta hero in my romantic suspense novels, The Conduct Series (http://jenniferlanebooks.blogspot.com/2011/01/alpha-or-beta-how-do-you-like-your.html). My hero actually cries a few times *gasps* and for some readers, that’s a few times too many! It’s funny how I didn’t get any negative comments about my heroine shedding some tears too.

FOR READERS :

Who represents your idea of a Chick Lit Male or Female Hero ? What do you look for in a Chick Lit Heroine or Hero ?