Friday, October 2, 2009

I Need a Hero

Since this is the first blog here at Naughty Author Chicks, I thought I’d talk about what I love most in romance. Heroes. When I read romance, I read for the couple, the journey that gets them to their Happily Ever After, and the hot smexin, but for all that to happen, I need a hot hero. I have a few deal breakers in romance, and a crappy hero is in my top three. If the man is a jerk or if he’s wimpy and whiny, the book quickly becomes a DNF! (even if I love the heroine)


As a rule, I love my men to be alpha. Sometimes alpha males get a bad rap, but that's because they're so often labeled as assholes. There is a huge difference between alpha and jerk. A man can be demanding, protective, and sometimes pig headed, but he can still be respectful of the heroine at the same time. Once the respect goes out the window, so does my interest in the hero and so does his so-called alpha label. And a man who's willing to die for his woman? There's not much hotter than that! I like my men tall, dark, and dangerous and one of my favorite heroes is Fang Kattalakis of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Bad Moon Rising. He fits the bill for my three 'requirements'. He's dangerous with a capital 'D' and alpha with a capital 'A' but when he falls for his woman, he literally sells his soul to save her.


Despite what I said above, a hero doesn't actually have to be tall (or wealthy), but as long as he puts the heroine above all others, even if the book is only so-so, I'm definitely finishing it to see how it ends. I'll even admit that there are a couple of authors I read solely for their hottie heroes (Linda Howard and Lisa Marie Rice come to mind). I love it when a strong alpha male falls for someone and his entire world turns upside down as he tries to figure out what the hell is happening to him.


What about you? What do you look for in a hero?


In honor of our first blog here at Naughty Author Chicks, I'm offering a free download of Adrianna's Cowboy, my latest release from Ellora's Cave. Just leave a comment and the winner will be announced here next Friday so be sure to check back! And be sure to check back over the next week to see what Jina Bacarr, Dara Edmondson, and Calista Fox have in store!

13 comments:

Wynter said...

I love alpha heroes, too. My faves are men in uniform because you usually know he's heroic from the get go. But I love finding out his flaws and what made him so strong.

Savannah Stuart said...

So true! You can't go wrong with a man in uniform ;)

Helen Hardt said...

You had me at the photo of Gerard ;). This is my favorite topic! I do love my romance heroes, especially alphas. My ultimate hero is fiercely passionate and willing to move the world for his heroine. And if he's a little tortured? All the more delectable, in my book.

Great blog! I'll be sure to visit often.

Helen
www.helensheroes.blogspot.com

Naima Simone said...

I absolutely adore Alpha males. Especially if they're hard, tortured and with a secret. I can't get enough of "witnessing" him melt only for the heroine (but not anyone else). And when her love heals him? *sigh* Those are my favorite. Brings to mind Zsadist in J.R. Ward's Lover Awakened. Great post! And I have to agree with Helen...Gerard Butler! I had to come out of my lust-enduced haze to read the blog! LOL!

Titania Ladley said...

Hi, ladies, awesome new blog! Congrats on its birth. I love the pink/ribbon/charms feminine atmosphere, and the name is very catchy. I'll be sure and subscribe in my RSS feeds thingie.

Oh yeah, I'm totally with ya on the alpha heroes. :D

Have a fun weekend, everyone!

Titania

Debra Glass said...

Heroes with power and wealth and looks and eyes only for the heroine!!

Savannah Stuart said...

Yeah, I often picture Gerard when writing about my heroes ;) He's too yummy!

Calista Fox, Author said...

Well said, Savannah! Nothing kills a book faster than a wimpy hero! I vote alpha all the way!

Lia Slater said...

I love your blog! Very cool! I like different things in different heroes. Anything from a confident bad boy with a tortured past to the funny guy next door. AND being tall, dark and handsome doesn't hurt. :-)

Lia
www.liaslater.blogspot.com

Zora Stout said...

I like all types of heros, honestly. So my answer is pretty much a mix of what others have said. Heros who are willing to move mountains, oceans, etc for the person he loves, mm, yeah, lol.

Shawna Thomas said...

What a wonderful blog! Congratulations. As far as heros, I can't say it any better than you: "I love it when a strong alpha male falls for someone and his entire world turns upside down as he tries to figure out what the hell is happening to him."

Yup, you do that, you got me. : )

Adele Dubois said...

Your blog looks great! Best of luck with your new project.

Best--Adele Dubois

Asylumgirl said...

Alphas are fine, as long as they don't think they can boss the heroine around. So not cool!

Deidre