What attracts hero to heroine and heroine to hero?

We've all read books that have a little attraction between a guy and a girl or a man and a woman. Heck, even some of the hard core mysteries have a little romance in them, right? They do if real life seeps into the story.

I thought a fun discussion topic would be what attracts a hero to a heroine and what attracts the heroine to the hero.

Is it that the guy can actually match his clothes when he gets dressed in the morning all by himself or that he washed his morning whiskers down the sink?

Is it that the woman doesn't cake her makeup on so she reminds him of his grandmother or that when he asks her what she would like for a dinner out she actually answers him and says chicken wings?

Let's see what everyone has to say. Share your ideas/thoughts in the categories below. Share what you believe or what you've read or written about in books.

Hero to Heroine: (What attracts hero to heroine?)

The way the heroine carries herself when she walks into a room (like she knows what she is doing)
An independent woman who does not rely on the man
Someone who is fun and outgoing
A woman who is not afraid to challenge him
The way her hips sway when she walks
Her smile
Her laugh
Her intelligence and that she's not afraid to show it

Heroine to Hero: (What attracts heroine to hero?)

A guy with a sense of humor
Nice butt in a pair of jeans
His intellect
His crooked grin
That the hero is not an easy catch
The deep sound of his voice

The Home Stretch

Had an amazing day of writing yesterday. Wrote several chapters and in the last one kind of peterd out so this morning I had to revise it. I do believe it is much better.

But now, I'm literally on the last or second to last chapter and I haven't a clue of how it should go. Every time I start an idea I end up not liking it. I think I've started this chapter at least 3 times.

I even tried going for a drive, thinking that would clear my mind enough to get past my writer's block and get it done.

Is this happening because the end is near, I'm in the home stretch, or because I should have planned this?

With my last book I didn't have this big of a problem, although I did write it twice. I had an original idea but during the actual writing of it, the chapter took on a life of its own. The girls in my writers group straightened me out on that one so of course I fixed it.

But this one is killing me. I need the hero and heroine to catch the bad guy and the heroine to tell the bad guy she loves him. I mean come on! How hard can it be?

OK - enough ranting. Any suggestions on how to get past this would be greatly appreciated.

What's in a name?

What does a romantic suspense writer name her cats?

Mischief and Mayhem, of course. See photos on the left. :-)

When you name your cats or dog or characters do the names have to fit?

In the case of my characters...I think yes. Look at it this way. When you hear or read the name "Ralph", what do you immediately envision? Me, I envision a Beagle with big floppy ears who just kinda does things at his own pace. Why? Because when I was younger a neighbor had a Beagle named Ralph.

Now, try the name "Jake". What do you envision? I envision a taller than average guy, who likes to be outdoors and work with his hands. Jake describes the kind of guy when he walks down the street us ladies do a double-take.

Would I ever name one of my female characters "Charlotte"? Maybe, if I shortened it to Charley. I like strong female characters, and calling an intelligent, spirited, and independent character Charley comes across in the name.

What about you? What names do you like for a hero, heroine, or villain? Why?