Ok I will admit this right up front I totally stole this idea from a blog post I read by Lorraine Heath, but since I’m going to gush over her books, I hope she won’t mind.  (Of course that anticipates she would even know-hah!)  But when I read how she knew she had to write Chetwyn’s story from Lord of Temptation, I thought, “Yes!  What about those secondary characters who are great, but may not be in the running for their own story.

Now I know I’m dating myself, but some of the best TV comedy and dramas I watched growing up had one thing in common.  A fantastic supporting cast; one which not only supported, but added to the main character’s story and development.

There was Mary Tyler Moore, MASH, All In the Family, Hill Street Blues, The Odd Couple.  But all these shows had/have marvelous secondary characters, and some of them got their own show and became successful in her own right.

When I read Lorraine Heath’s post on people asking for Chetwyn’s story to be told, I was in total agreement.  Lord of Temptation, as a matter of fact the entire Lost Lords series is filled with wonderful characters; each of the brothers has his own book (and “Temptation” has to have one of the most tortured souls I’ve ever read in Tristan-there is one scene of his that brought me to tears), but there was the nice guy who sort of got left out.  Now he has his own story and finds his HEA.  So Good.

There are other books where the secondary man or woman rises up and demands that someone pay attention to him or her-Lisa Kleypas had Cam Rohan from “The Devil in Winter” take the main male lead in “Mine Till Midnight“,  and one of my favorite rogues of all time, Suzanne Enoch had Tristan Carroway  move from acting as the Duke of Wycliffe’s sidekick to his own book, “The Rake”, which has some of the funniest scenes I have read in a romance novel.  I can and have read that book many times,over and over and never get tired of it.  (I’m a big fangirl of Suzanne Enoch).  More recently, my favorite has been Lucas Denning, from Grace Burrowes newest, Lady Eve’s Indiscretion.

One of my favorite female characters is Amy Hardwick from Vicky Drieling’s How to Ravish a Rake,  and Julia Quinn had Penelope in Romancing Mr. Bridgerton.

Yet there are some characters who haven’t spoken quite loud enough.  On my wish list, I would to see Benedick from Sarah MacLean‘s Nine Rules find his true love.  I am hounding Danelle Harmon to give Conner Merrick his story and match him up with Rhiannon Evans.  (Yes people,  I am sick.  I am matchmaking for fictional characters.  I really need the vacation I have planned for next week). Theresa Romain has an odious character in the Marquess of Lockwood who many believe is irredeemable.  I think he would make a fabulous book, it could become one of the great reformed rakes stories.

Those are my choices, and I know I am missing many. many more.  I didn’t pick characters from books that are too old, as there is no hope. (sniff).  Although I have been haunting Brenda Hiatt to write Harry’s story from Saint of Seven Dials and Lord Rush’s story.

Who are you wishing an author would write about?  Are you waiting for a character to get their story?

As an author, have you had a secondary character steal the spotlight?  Feel free, if yo like, to post his or her excerpt!