Why people love the twisted relationship between Jorge & Paige Hernandez ❤️(Updated)

A reader once referred to Jorge Hernandez and Paige Noël as 'the twisted couple of the literary world' but is this why fans love such an unconventional couple?

I think that once upon a time, we mostly saw 'too good to be true' couples in television and books, but somewhere along the way, we moved to the other extreme, where fictional couples appeared to have a lot of issues. Jorge and Paige are a couple that deals with problems but still manages to contain some of the 'magic' that we love to see in fictional relationships. There's a strong, almost instant connection between the two that is fascinating and yet they strive to deal with daily issues most couples have, such as dealing with children, jealousy, and worrying about your partner's safety. Granted, the latter probably is compounded by their less than traditional lifestyles.

The couple met in a very unconventional manner in my book, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey. Despite the dangerous circumstances, Jorge was immediately attracted to Paige, bolding making her aware of his feelings. Although she was hesitant, the two ended up sharing a glass of wine and had a very unexpected, whirlwind romance that quickly led to marriage. Although this isn't the kind of thing that I usually write about, there was just something so uncharacteristic about Jorge Hernandez being in this kind of situation that made me want to explore it. This storyline developed a part of his personality that countered his usual violent and heartless reputation, allowing readers to see another side of him.

As for Paige, it was interesting to see how someone calm, balanced, and yet very dangerous would react to the bold, abrupt Mexican because their personalities could've easily clashed. However, both find comfort and are fascinated by one another. Perhaps part of the intrigue is the fact that they demonstrate how two vastly different people can bond over their similarities and mutual respect, despite their many differences.

Love, Romance and Fictional Couples ❤️ (Updated)

A romance writer, I am not. However, you will find some love connections in a few of my books, specifically my most recent series involving a group of gangster-type personalities. This may not seem like the most natural place to find a romance, but then again, isn't that what makes things a little bit more interesting?

Someone once commented that Jorge Hernandez and Paige Noël-Hernandez were the 'twisted couple' of the literary world, and I certainly can't argue with that point. The couple hooked up in The Devil is Smooth Like Honey and have continued to be together throughout the Hernandez series. The pair didn't exactly meet most conventionally (I don't want to spoil the surprise 😉) but because of their shared attraction to depravity, their connection was a natural one.

What I love about this couple is that they are equals. Both are strong, vicious, and slightly sadistic in their ways, but there is also a soft side; Paige meditates and does yoga while Jorge has a very soft spot for his children. The couple is vastly different in personality. Jorge is loud, obnoxious, and blunt, whereas Paige is quiet and calmer, however, this is why it works. They balance each other out, yet neither feels the need to change the other. Perhaps this is why people find them so endearing.

Who are your favorite characters? 🤩 (Updated)

A few months ago, I took a survey with my readers. I asked them to pick their favorite character from my books. As it turns out, there are a few fan favorites. And now, the countdown.....

5. Paige Noël-Hernandez - The only female to make the top five, Paige is a character in my Hernandez series as the wife of Jorge Hernandez. People like Paige because she is strong and assertive yet has a gentle, almost zen-like side. She enjoys meditation, practicing yoga, and is an online self-help guru. Did I mention that she's also an assassin? 🔪

4. Jimmy Groome - A blast from the past! Jimmy Groome is the self-destructive, rebellious rock star from my second book. Readers often comment how they related to him since he was somewhat of a misfit. He struggled with his share of demons, learning many hard lessons along the way.

3. Chase Jacobs - Not surprisingly, the top three characters (and 4/5 on this list) are from my Hernandez series. Chase has been a part of this series from day one. He was the original protagonist for both We're All Animals and Always be a Wolf. People love his boy-next-door profile, his need to do the right thing, but mostly, he's honest and genuine. 

2. Diego Silva - This feisty character came along at the end of We're All Animals and has been along for the ride ever since. Diego is abrupt, fidgety, and carries a baseball bat in the trunk of his Lexus...you don't want to know why. 😏 This Colombian is the loyal sidekick of Jorge Hernandez and helps him with all his dirty work. 

1. Jorge Hernandez - Possibly the most notorious character I've ever written about, Jorge Hernandez came along at the end of Always be a Wolf and has been the protagonist for the rest of the Hernandez series. Arrogant, abrupt, obnoxious, and calculating at times, others would describe him as a leader that doesn't let anyone or anything stand in his way. A former king in the Mexican drug world, he now strives to have power over business, politics, and the media in Canada.

Why we need more strong female characters 💪🏼 (Updated)

It should be a given that we need strong female characters in our books and television shows. And to be honest, I've seen an improvement in this area since first writing this article, but are we there yet? 

It's disappointing that I still see a few cringe-worthy examples. I recently caught part of a soap opera where a woman talked about how she 'found happiness' with a new man in her life, which suggested that she couldn't be or wasn't happy before he appeared. In the same show, a woman played the whole eye-lash-batting, I-don't-like-you-but-I-do game that caused me to roll my eyes.

That was a fail. Women don't need to play games or feel less valuable when they're single, and TV shows that perpetuate this scenario need to refresh their storylines and remember it's 2022.

Not to suggest that my female characters are always strong. They have their weak moments, just as we all have but for the most part, I like to think that they are powerful, independent, and self-reliant. Paige Noël-Hernandez and Jolene Silva from my Hernandez series are excellent examples. Physically and mentally, these women can take on any situation fearlessly; no hand-holding or white knight is required.

One of the things that I think is important to mention is that I'm not just talking about adults when I insist on strong female characters. My series has a young girl, Maria Hernandez, who demonstrates a great deal of strength. I think we sometimes forget that young girls are learning how to be young women in our society, and it is important that they aren't taught to take a weak position to get attention or be accepted. Maria tends to stand her ground, and although she can get a little out of hand sometimes, for the most part, she demonstrates a strong, confident child who's an independent thinker and fearless by nature. She is smart, articulate, and bold.

I don't tend to write about the 'damsels in distress', and I'm certainly not writing a fairy tale scenario where the prince swoops up on his white horse...I will leave that book for someone else. 😒