This is my first day at Writers Gone Wild so what did I decide to chat about? Men of course! Heroes in particular.
What makes the perfect hero? Apart from being tall, dark, sexy, and *cough* well-endowed, I’m very picky about the men I read.
I’m definitely not into the metrosexual man. Give me a dirty, rough-neck cowboy any day of the week over a man in a designer suit. However, there are a few authors who write about metrosexual types that I dig, but these guys are usually vampires and can kick anyone’s ass so it pretty much evens out.
I LOVE an alpha male, but not an alpha asshole. There’s a fine line between being a take charge kind of man, and someone who just takes over, regardless of anyone’s feelings, namely the heroine. So, the right kind of hero has got to actually listen to what his woman says and value her opinion. Linda Howard treads that line, and damn does she know how to write the perfect kind of alpha male.
Next on my list is the tortured soul. I definitely have a thing for the darker, lonely hero. Valerius Magnus from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Seize the Night will always be a favorite of mine for that reason.
A sense of humor is also a big thing. When bullets are flying, vampires are chasing them, or an angry goddess has unleashed hell on the world, I want a man who can make my heroine laugh in any situation.
I guess what the perfect hero comes down to for me is a man who puts the heroine before all others. At the end of the day, she’s the most important thing to him. He might not like her at the moment, or even trust her, but he’d do anything for her. I don’t care if he’s an alpha or beta hero, I just have to know he’d sacrifice anything for the woman he loves. What qualities make the perfect hero for you?
8 comments:
Hey! Great post. I totally agree! Yes, the tortured soul who puts a woman first--there is nothing sexier. As long as he's a little mussed up and checks his metrosexual hair gel at the door.
Katie, welcome to Writers Gone Wild! I, too, am a sucker for the tortured hero, as long as he puts his relationship toward his lady love first.
Historicals and paranormals lend themselves so easily to this type, but I love it when an author brings us an angsty,dark contemporary hero.
I love a hunky man in uniform - cop, military man. I'm with you - I don't care for Mr. Metrosexual at all - at least, not in a book!
Did someone say men in uniform? Where, where? :)
I agree, Dara, the air of commanding authority by a sexy man in uniform is irresistable. They just ooze danger and excitement...
I'm all for the multi-layered hero. And one who can't 'do it all.' Make him dig deep to solve problems. Confront his fears. Face his weaknesses. If he can already do it all, what fun is that?
And he definitely has to put the heroine at the top of his list.
Yes, I love a man in uniform! Can't believe I forgot to mention that ;) And double yes to the multi-layered man!
Ah, Katie, you just described my favorite type of hero to a T! LOL And since I tend to favor cops as heroes, the uniform works for me, too. ;-)
I don't mind a hero who's a little crabby to start off with, as long as he makes up for it later. *G*
I completely agree. Linda Howard's Gray Rouillard in After the Night is one of my favorite heros of all time. I think, for me, it's definitely got to be the alpha male. He has to have a sense of humor. And he has to be cocky! Not full of himself, but definitely SURE of himself.
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