As an action heroine, you're going to bump into the occasional megalomaniac. Hey, everybody wants to rule the world, right? Since your plans will probably run counter to the wannabe king, at some point you'll undoubtedly find yourself an unwilling house guest. How you handle yourself in this situation will make all the difference to the success of your mission.

Step One: Rein in your alpha hero
The man knows you can take care yourself, but his first and last thought will be to protect his woman. His need to guard you is sure to be viewed as a challenge by the Emperor of Egotism and it will be up to you to keep your action hero alive and well. Sure, he'll be furious when you overrule him and defy his wishes, but an action heroine knows how to soothe her man's temper and enjoy some great kiss and makeup sex too.

Step Two: Bide your time
Impatience will get you nowhere except relocated to a cell that will be more difficult to escape from than your current quarters. Since there's a reason why your host had you kidnapped and not killed, pretend to consider his offer and take time to assess the situation carefully. An action heroine knows it's critical to play the megalomaniac's game while watching for the right opening to topple his kingdom and save the day.

Step Three: Strike a bargain with a disgruntled minion
You know he has at least one, after all, it's not easy to work for a despot. This savvy subordinate has been waiting years for the chance to stab the boss in the back. He or she is merely looking for a failsafe opportunity. A smart action heroine reinforces the idea that her presence is the sign the lackey has been hoping for. Find out what he wants; he won't help you without getting something in return, and take the necessary steps to make a deal. You'll find this insider's aid invaluable as you destroy the King of Conceit's empire and make your getaway.

Ok, so now that you're on your getaway, how do you maintain your sex appeal while eluding the bad guy?

For an action heroine, knowing how to run for your life from the bad guy is an essential skill for a long career saving the world. But let's face it, so is ending up hot and heavy at the end of the day with your hero, without looking hot and heavy yourself!

Sure, you've done the important part already—slipping from the clutches of the dictator, despot, drug lord, slave market goon, gangster, or mad scientist—now it's time to hightail it the rest of the way out of Dodge with the smart, disciplined, hard-body hottie with whom you've made your dash for freedom. If your goal is to stay kissable for that end-of-the-day speedboat escape into the sunset, take note of these simple tips.

Keep hair looking squeaky clean
No action heroine wants to deal with "dungeon head" when her life is at stake. Likely, you'll have little time for cleansing your locks during your escape, and if you do, you'll have to do the deed quickly in a rundown inn on the bad side of town or by dunking your whole head in a bucket of rainwater (hint: wait for the cows to finish drinking). Luckily, there's good news. "The average woman needs to wash her hair only every other day," says Oscar, a New York City hairstylist. For action heroines with curly hair, the news is even better: a shampoo every two or three days will keep you looking fresh and wonderful for your hottie commando, whose ubiquitous buzz keeps him from having to fuss with his own 'do.

When water is scarce
No time to get wet? Kick-butt gals can give hair back its volume after a long day evading capture by following Oscar's suggestion of flipping hair upside down, spraying it from roots to ends with a light-hold hair spray (lacking hairspray, use two handfuls of juice squeezed from a melon bought at the local market), then flipping hair back and combing through to reset the style.

Blow drying without electricity
Suggest that your commando companion blow on the back of your neck to speed drying. The hotter the breath, the better, but don't let it go too far. Remember, you've still got to make it to the dock and out of the country before the bad guy catches up. If necessary, whisper in your SEAL's ear that he save the neck (and other) kisses for later...when there's more time. He won't argue.

Style without fuss
There's nothing more annoying than hair in the eyes while aiming a semi-automatic. Long hair can be gathered up in many ways. Without rubber bands or clips, try braiding, bandages, duct tape (torn into think strips for less ouch) or twine. For those with short hair and the desire to spice up the style, try sticking a flower behind an ear. The judicious use of duct tape will keep the bloom attached during most car chases or while rappelling down the side of a building.

When there's more time
Thanks to your expertise and your partner's ingenuity, you've successfully escaped the evil empire. Now it's time to celebrate. Because you took these few simple steps to preventing bad-hair-on-the-run, as the sun goes down, you'll soon be closing your eyes in pleasure as your commando slips his fingers into your tresses and captures your sigh with his mouth. An action heroine always gets her man.

"Damn, cold," he muttered. "All these clothes."
"Adjust," she demanded. "I am." —From Day of Fire by Kathleen Nance

Between kicking butt and saving the world, an action heroine may find herself with limited time for relaxation, including making love to her personal hero. She has to seize the moments as they arise, even if there's no chance to find shelter. When she lives in the north, snow can easily be part of the outdoor scenario. Here's how to make the most of this stolen passionate interlude.

Step one.
Choose a partner with a sense of adventure as vigorous as your own.

Step two.
If you don't have blankets or thermal warmer strips, any surface cleared of snow will do—a tree trunk, a rock face, beneath an evergreen tree.

Step three.
Clothing doesn't need to be removed, only adjusted. Be creative. Use your hands to tunnel beneath sweaters. Unfasten buttons and zippers only enough for access. Remove your gloves and warm your hands with body heat.

Step four.
Let mutual vigor and frantic passion keep you warm.

There are some males that call for even more specialized advice. When on a particularly high-risk mission, take heed!

Every now and again, in the midst of bashing heads, taking names, and otherwise defending one's person, the kick-butt heroine will be confronted by someone who does not fit the usual target profile. A member of the royal family, an antagonistic yet outrageously sexy prince, perhaps, would be an example of such an exception.

In short, normal procedures for kicking-butt do not always apply to royalty. For one does not, say, punch a prince and straddle his body on a ballroom floor while attempting to throttle information out of the fellow with impunity. One really must consider the implications of burning one's royal bridges. (Please note that The Guide is not referring to—nor, indeed, recommending—any sort of problem-solving involving the combination of highly flammable substances and royal property.)

A prince is, after all, a prince. And it's a tricky thing to take down a prince, even when well-deserved. Pesky things like proper etiquette, honor, royal oblige, and the potential for being thrown in a rather smelly and otherwise unpleasant prison can often get in the way of delivering a well-deserved left jab or roundhouse kick. (Please note that The Guide, in an attempt to remain objective, will not opine on what constitutes "well-deserved" in the context of man-handling royalty.)

Though the average kick-butt heroine might resist defaulting to the notion that one should treat a prince differently than any other fellow who deserves to have his butt kicked, The Guide urges caution in this day and age (that would be 2176) where royalty has made a strong comeback and may very well eventually rule the entire world. In such a scenario, life could suddenly become very miserable for the kick-butt heroine if she has, say for example, recently boxed a prince about the ears.

Though it may fly in the face of the kick-butt heroine's right...and perhaps, very instinct, to kick said butt at the get-go, The Guide recommends caution in the administration of justice when bringing a prince to his knees, and has duly updated the instruction manual with one additional step:

Step 1 (Updated!): Administer a heavy dose of charm.

Step 2: In the event, the antagonistic yet outrageously sexy prince resists the administration of charm, proceed as usual. A sharp, pointed weapon should handle the situation nicely.

"I always take him on long treks. The neighbors complain that he howls too much when I'm gone." —Day Daniels from Day of Fire

For the action heroine who shares her home with a wolf, the job demands for frequent travel can present unique challenges. The wolf considers her part of his pack and will protest her absence. The answer? Bring the wolf along. When traveling with your wolf, always keep in mind his wild nature and these simple precautions.

Step one.
Choose the largest trek sled for your budget and your assignment. The wolf demands his territory and sprawls past your boundaries if you let him. Too small a vehicle and you will spend the entire trip with a nose in your neck or a tail swishing your cheek.

Step two.
Make frequent stops for food and recreation. A wolf is ruled by instinct, so never let his hunger become too sharp. When you stop, be prepared for a delay while he roams and hunts.

Step three.
Never let the wolf bring a bloody rabbit into the sled. The smell is unpleasant and blood is hard to clean up.

Step four.
Trust your wolf will return to you.

Step five.
If you find yourself sharing a sled with both wolf and a human male, assist them in establishing which one will be alpha male to your alpha female.

In fact, these guidelines are useful when traveling with any male companion. Except number three.

"The perfect combination of action, adventure, suspense and passion." —The Best Reviews

"Adrenaline-laced, romantic adventure." —Publishers Weekly

"Exhilarating." —RT BOOKclub (Top Pick)

"Fast-paced, keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat reading." —Timeless Tales

"Filled with humor, suspense, and romance." —Romance Reviews Today

"Action-packed and thought-provoking." —The Old Book Barn Gazette