Chiming late..
but I think the final draft finished of the novel i did finally write, ( nonny, you met the characters ages ago!) I did nail the balance between characters.

The women aren't helpless sods, they take charge of their own situation, and in more than a few spots, they're the alpha of the guys around them. Of course it varies by scene, but they stand out as strong, competent, non-"save me obi wan!" sorts.

The guys aren't all "rawr alpha save the lass".

There's balance, and I'm pretty darn happy with it. There's shifting relationships, and character growth and sex isn't a "tool" to win prizes but more of a 'human experience", take note, Ms Blake!

But I've largely stayed away from urban fantasy since it's just so hit and miss and when my reading time is at a near non existence, well..yeah.

I could do better on the non-caucasian front but I'm frankly terrified I'll biff it up.