JC Cassels on Big Damn Heroes

We'd like to welcome guest blogger, JC Cassels to Spacefreighters Lounge to talk about one of her favorite subjects, Big Damn Heroes.

Thank you for hosting me today.

I appreciate the opportunity to talk with your readers about one of my favorite topics: the Big Damn Hero.

We all love the larger-than-life heroes, especially in sci-fi. The term comes from an episode of Joss Whedon’s short-lived Firefly television series. I have to admit that Whedon presented the Big Damn Hero better than anyone.

I’ve always been fascinated by the Big Damn Hero, especially as portrayed by Errol Flynn in his swashbuckling adventures. When I was in high school, I first started writing seriously with intent to publish. Errol Flynn’s autobiography, MY WICKED, WICKED WAYS had just been re-released and it was all the rage among my friends. The actor’s real-life story was so fascinating, filled with action and adventure, even fighting in the Spanish Civil War, that I was inspired to create a hero who was both holofeature hero and real-life hero. Blade Devon was born. Possessed of a devil’s charm and an adventurer’s spirit, he was the quintessential swashbuckling hero in the Flynn mold.

Since then, Blade has evolved into something more than just a pale copy of Errol Flynn or Douglas Fairbanks. He’s wicked for sure. He’s mad, bad, and dangerous to know. Most of all, he’s fun for this writer to play with.

When I think of the term Big Damn Hero, I think of none other than Blade Devon, who at 6’2” with his shaggy blond hair, blue eyes, chiseled features, dimples, and lean, muscular build is guaranteed to make any damsel in distress swoon in delight. I hope when others read SOVRAN’S PAWN, they are as taken with him as I am. I freely admit that I am his number one fan.

SOVRAN'S PAWN

United by extortion, divided by duty, someone wants them both dead. They want each other. The catch is, nothing is what it seems, including them.

BO BARRON is the pawn in two Sovrans’ struggle for power. As the Chief of Barron Clan she commands the Black Wing, a strategic asset crucial to the balance of power in a Commonwealth in contention. That’s the reason she was falsely convicted of treason and sentenced to be executed. Instead of letting her meekly go to her death, Bo’s people risk all-out war by breaking her out and smuggling her into hiding. It’s what they do. They’re pirates at heart.

But if she can’t be killed, she can be manipulated. How? By kidnapping her father. If Bo wants him back she has to take on a false name and steal the schematics for a phase weapon being auctioned off to the Sub-socia at a Five Point tournament.

BLADE DEVON knows all about false names. He has more than his share. As Darien Roarke, he’s a well-known Five-Point player. If Blade is willing to use his alter ego to retrieve those schematics, the Inner Circle is willing to overlook the fact that he’s technically a deserter.

A botched assassination under the guise of a bar brawl leaves Bo blind and Blade wondering if there isn’t more to this job than he was led to believe. Never able to resist playing the hero, Blade tends her injuries and delves deeper into the intrigue only to find this mission isn’t about a weapon at all.

The catch is, no one and nothing are what they seem…