The Stalkerific Romance Hero

I think you are probably going... The what hero? Well it's a made up word. It's my word for the romance hero who's obsession for the heroine borders on being stalkerish if it was real life.

The stalkerific hero has appeal in romances. Let me tell you something. I believe that most women want to be adored like in the Stone Roses song from the 80s. You want to feel like you are the sun and the man is the earth, orbiting around you. Does this happen in real life? Probably not to most women. But in the romance book...It can happen.

The stalkerific hero can also be called the hero in pursuit. Once he realizes that he is in love or maybe he still thinks it's lust, he becomes totally fixated on the heroine. His body, mind, and soul is focused on her. He'll do anything, break any rule to have her. Again, very appealing.

Real life, not so much. How would you feel if you were a heroine who always manages to see said hero staring at her at every ball she attends. He is invited to every party she goes to. He tracks her down, even buys the company she works at, just so she can stay in his proximity. He knows where she lives. He might even kidnap you and take you to his private island or enclave in the middle of nowhere. And forget about not ending up in this guy's bed or married to him. It's going to happen, whether you want it or not. Real life, that is a scary proposition, even if you like this guy.

In romances, if well done, I find this very appealing. That is not to say that I haven't read a few books where it icked me out more than a little. But I have to say it's a refreshing change from the hero who tried to avoid the heck out of the hero because HE DOES NOT LOVE HER!!!! HE REALLY DOESN'T. LOVE DOESN'T EXIST. You know the whole spiel. In their defense, some of these guys are shapeshifters or vampires. In other words, it's in their blood to be possessive over their mates. Maybe that's why I like paranormals. (Big grin). Let me just warn you, these books may not be the most P.C. romance novels. But I think they are interesting and enjoyable in a fantasy/strictly between the pages of a book capacity.

What are some good stalkerific heroes? Here is a list of the heroes in books that I have read that could be classified as stalkerific. Thanks to All About Romance as a resource, since I can't always remember the names of the characters.

• Simon Hunt from Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
• Derek Craven from Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
• Wynter, Viscount Ruskin from Rules of Surrender by Christina Dodd
• Christopher Raine from The Care and Feeding of Pirates by Jennifer Ashley
• Comte d'Esmond from Captives of the Night by Loretta Chase
• Charles Harcourt from Beast by Judith Ivory
• Ruan, Duke of Cynnsyr from Lord Ruin by Carolyn Jewel
• Arden Mansfield, Lord Winter from The Dream Hunter by Laura Kinsale
• Sylvester "Devil" Cynster, Duke of Ives from Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens
• Major Michael Fallon from Must Have Been the Moonlight by Melody Thomas
• Roger "Sam" Starret from the Team 16 Books and Gone too Far by Suzanne Brockmann
• Adrik Winter aka "Warlord" from Into the Shadow by Christina Dodd
• Jasha Wilder from Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd
• Rurik Wilder from Touch of Darkness by Christina Dodd
• Doug Black from Into the Fire by Christina Dodd
• Clayton Danvers from Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
• Nikolai Wroth from The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole
• Lochlain MacRieve from A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
• Sebastian Wroth from No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole
• Bowen MacRieve from Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole
• Conrad Wroth from Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole
• Courtland MacCarrick from If You Dare by Kresley Cole
• Hugh MacCarrick from If You Desire by Kresley Cole
• Ethan MacCarrick from If You Decieve by Kresley Cole
• Dageus MacKeltar from The Dark Immortal by Karen Marie Moning
• Cian MacKeltar from The Spell of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
• Remington Knight from One Kiss from You by Christina Dodd
• Gabriel Ansell, Earl of Campion, Scandalous Again by Christina Dodd
• Sebastian Durant, Viscount Whitfield from A Well-Pleasured Lady by Christina Dodd
• Luke Bardell from Ritual Sins by Anne Stuart
• Michael Dubrovnik from Glass Houses by Anne Stuart
• Anthony Malory from Tender Rebel by Johanna Lindsey
• Adrian de Lancey, Earl of Shropshire from Uncommon Vows by Mary Jo Putney
• Lord Raith from The Rogue's Seduction by Georgina Devon
• Ransom Quincy, Marquess of Blackburn from That Scandalous Evening
• Robert Mackenzie, Earl of Hepburn from Some Enchanted Evening
• Heroes from Once Upon a Pillow by Christina Dodd/Connie Brockway
• Damien De La Sola from Treasure of the Sun by Christina Dodd
• Adam Keane from Princess by Christina Dodd
• Prince Damior of Baminia from The Runaway Princess
• Crown Prince Damien from Penelope and Prince Charming by Jennifer Ashley
• Austin Blackwell from Perils of the Heart by Jennifer Ashley
• Rafe MacGinnis from Rafe's Revenge
• Nicholas Blackthorne from A Rose at Midnight by Anne Stuart
• Elliot Chalmers from Some Sort of Spell by Frances Roding
• Wolf Mackenzie from Mackenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard
• Joe Mackenzie from Mackenzie's Mission by Linda Howard
• Zane Mackenzie from Mackenzie's Pleasure by Linda Howard
• Chance Mackenzie from A Game of Chance by Linda Howard
• Micah Steele from The Last Mercenary by Diana Palmer
• Justin Kinmurrie, Duke of Kylemore from Claiming the Courtesan by Anna Campbell
• James Malory from Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey
• Christoff, Marquess of Langford from The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe
• Lucas Hunter from Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
• Vaughn De Angelo from Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh
• Clay Bennett from Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
• Michael Wyndham from Love's Prisoner by MaryJanice Davidson
• Vane Kattalakis from Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon
• Dante Pontis from Winter Born by Sherrilyn Kenyon
• Wrath from Dark Lover by JR Ward
• Rhage from Lover Eternal by JR Ward
• Zsadist from Lover Awakened by JR Ward
• Butch from Lover Revealed by JR Ward
• Vishous from Lover Unbound by JR Ward
• Gyles Rawlings, Earl of Chillingworth from All About Passion by Stephanie Laurens
• Marcus Savin from The Mercenary by Cherry Adair
• Lucas Kendrick, Duke of Harndon from Heartless by Mary Balogh
• Sir Ross Cannon from Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas
• Nick Gentry from Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas
• John McKenna from Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas
• Prince Dmitri Petroff from Secret Fire by Johanna Lindsey
• Phillip Caxton from Captive Bride by Johanna Lindsey
• Selig Hardraad from Surrender My Love by Johanna Lindsey
• Valerian from The Nymph King by Gena Showalter

...an honorable mention to most of the Harlequin Presents heroes who are stalkerific in a scary way as they really don't want to love the heroine, but can't resist her, and they make her pay for it.

If you see some missing, please feel free to post a comment. I haven't read Christine Feehan, or I am sure some of the Carpathians would be on here. I've heard about those guys. :)

Revenge Sex

Why is revenge sex so prevalent in romance novels? Maybe because it sparks the interest. I am no hypocrite. I am often attracted to books with revenge sex. Does that mean that my interests are depraved? I certainly hope not. If asked why I read those books, I would have to say that it makes a romance a lot more interesting. Some readers don't like revenge stories. I do. It's intense, it's edgy, it's powerful, if done by a good storyteller.



This is a challenge for an author: to take a couple who are brought together through a vendetta of one of the people, whether it be the hero or heroine. How can one go from hate to love? Well the old saying is that hate and love are opposites of the same coin. Passionate emotion is not always positive, but it is definitely tempestuous. It makes for good conflict in a novel.

The overwhelming amount of books that I read with revenge sex come from one line: Harlequin Presents. And most of the time, it is on the part of the hero. He is mad for some reason, so the first thing he thinks about is taking the heroine to bed to "teach her a lesson." And it's not going to be rape, because he will seduce her body and steal her soul until she is his, until he is done with her. Only he doesn't feel done when it's over. She gets under his skin, and it must be love. Sound familiar? It probably does if you've read more than ten Harlequin Presents romances in your life.

When the woman is the perpetrator it seems to backfire more quickly. Again I am likely to be accused of sexism. But I fervently believe that most women are not wired to isolate sex from love. I am not saying that some can and do have sex without love all the time. But I don't want them in the romance novels I read. Again I guess I am a sexist. But to be honest, I don't like heroes who have sex with women they don't and cannot love. The heroine is exempt because she is already in there, so to speak.

Women use sex as a weapon all the time, but generally not the romance heroine in the books I read and like. I know a lot of women love Sex and the City, but I hate it because I don't agree with that sexual attitude. Yes I said it. If you don't like it, we can agree to disagree. So back to what I was saying. Most romance heroines cannot go through with using sex as a weapon. At least not succesfully. I have read very few romance heroines who were able to do this. And I am not sure I would like a romance heroine who did. Fundamentally, I need to have some degree of respect for the heroine, even if I hate the hero. If I don't respect the heroine, it practically destroys the book for me. When I have read books with the heroine as the "revenge sexer" she usually cannot go through it with the hero. She either values herself too highly to take this step, or she is love with the hero by the time they finally have sex/make love. The exception to this rule is the assassin heroine. She might do this and it is done for the mission. I don't like it (too much like prostitution) but I can live with it. I usually stand up and take notice if I read this in a book. And there are times when I really like books that challenge my notions. But for a heroine to do this merely for revenge, it feels wrong because it goes against her nature. Evolutionarily speaking women are wired to seek a safe and lasting committed union with a man. It would be a disadvantage to accept any man who would not give her this as a lover. This wiring is deeply entrenched and that is why I think it goes against most women's natures. Again you may call me a sexist, but I am a scientist and this holds up scientifically. This heroine who does have sex for revenge has put herself at a disadvantage to be used and abused. Heroes who are stupid enough to use revenge sex deserve to have it blow up in their faces, as it always does.
Now that I have probably infuriated any person who reads this blog, lets move on to the next point.

Why would you want to take someone who you clearly despise to your bed? That is a question I have never been able to answer. I wouldn't even want to spend time in the same room with someone I can't stand. But these men definitely want these women in their beds. Of course there is the matter of a sexual attraction between them, no doubt intensified by the apparent so-called hatred they feel for these women. What really bugs me is when the hero is not even mad at the heroine per se. It is her father, brother, step-father, uncle, grandfather, you name it. I guess the hero doesn't want to do time for murder and wants to get some sex with an attractive women in the bargain, so off to bed with you. It's laughable when you think about it. That doesn't make me avoid these books, unless I get burned out. Sometimes I read one where the hero is particularly idiotic, or the heroine is doing her impression of a doormat, and the unavoidable urge to throw the book against the wall surges within me. Then I have to take a time out from the good old revenge sex books. But when I get over burnout, I pick them up again. It's a great catharsis, it's not my life, but fiction. And at the end of the book, all is well.

It sounds crazy, doesn't it? Well maybe I'm crazy too, because I find myself reaching for these books first, if I want to read a romance that packs a punch. Well second, anyway. First of all, I reach for the tortured, scarred, virgin heroes. (Smile). It's not pretty or nice, but for the hours I am reading the story, if it is told well, I am far from bored. And if the author does her job well, I am wowed at how I got from point A to point Z. An excellent example of this is Comanche Moon. Hunter hated whites. Loretta hated Indians. By the end of the book, true love was felt on both sides. So it is very possible.

The revenge angle is also used quite a bit in historical romances. In the past, it was not so unusual for a woman to be claimed as a spoil of war. In the medieval times, often the women left behind in a siege were taken as wives or mistresses or worse by the conquering party. I certainly don't mean to stereotype men, but I believe it is part of the nature to conquer, and to take women. It's a residual urge from the times when life was short and brutal, and the biological imperative to reproduce ruled. When the average life span was less than 35 years of age, whether the woman liked you wasn't really that important. Now men are not alone in primitive urges. It is a visceral part of a woman that responds to an aggressive, masculine man. If you don't believe it, look at the top-selling romance authors nowadays. Most of them write stories with strong, sexually-aggressive, alpha males who claim the women they want, and usually with little delicacy.

Is revenge sex rape? It's a kind of rape. If you make somebody feel things they don't want to feel, is that not rape? Sometimes I feel very unsettled when I read a romance with a hero who is determined to seduce a heroine who doesn't want to have anything to do with him, but might feel a reluctant attraction to him. This is not even necessarily occurring in just revenge sex-themed romances. I think that attraction is a visceral and carnal emotion that doesn't necessarily translate at the higher brain and mental levels. The sexual urge is powerful, but as rational humans, we have learned to control and sublimate those urges. So it is not fair to prey on a person's "lower urges." Especially when you make it clear you don't like her, and she'd be a fool to like you. Usually though, the heroine is halfway in love with the hero by this point. And if there is a past between them, she never stopped loving him.

Do I have you intrigued? Or are you merely scratching your head, wondering what I and many other romance novel readers and writers are smoking? Life is complicated. Life isn't pretty. Life doesn't read the book. Neither should romance novels. Some do, but for me, the most compelling romance books throw the books out the window. I can say no more to defend myself. If you have never read a romance with revenge theme, I challenge you to read one, and find out for yourself if you see the appeal of these books.

Heroes to Die For (Part I)

A hero to die for is a hero in a book that you simply fall totally and completely in love with. It may be for a variety of reasons. But this man has won you over so completely, you cannot help but compare all other heroes in future books to him.

My qualifications for heroes to be added to my list are:

• They show unforgettable traits such as bravery, love, selflessness, devotion to the heroine
• Some of them are just truly good, wonderful men
• They have had a journey that affected me deeply, such as going from a troubled past to become an honorable person
• They are flawed, scarred, but also able to show love and do have a sense of what is the right thing to do
• They show passionate, intense love and emotions towards the heroine that is distinguished from their interactions with other women
• There is something so sexy and so seductive about them that I would probably throw myself at them if they were real men :)
• They are strong and formidable in a fight.
• They may be a bad boy, rake, or rogue, but there is a core of goodness that makes them irresistible to me
• I could not get them off my mind long after I finished reading the book
• I want to reread their books just to experience more of them
• They have some ability that they are exemplary at

So now that you know what I look for in a Hero to Die For, let me tell you who my heroes to die for are (keep in mind this is an ever-expanding list as I continue to read more excellent books)

• Ben "Ice Man" Richards from A Personal Matter by Karyn Langhorne
• Christoff, Marquess of Langford from The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe'
• Nikolai Wroth from the short story "The Warlord Wants Forever" in Playing Easy to Get by Kresley Cole
• Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent from Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas
• Cory Booker from Cory's Salvation by Shana Azor
• Scott Halloway from Fate by Pamela Leigh Starr
• Simon Hunt from Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas
• Roger "Sam" Starrett from the Team 16 Books, and Gone Too Far by Suzanne Brockmann
• Shane "Scarecrow" Schofield from Ice Station by Matthew Reilly
• Sin MacCallister from Born in Sin by Kinley MacGregor
• Rafe Kendrick from Baby Love by Catherine Anderson
• Alex Montgomery from Annie's Song by Catherine Stuart
• Colin Wescott from Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
• Sebastian Durant from A Well-Pleasured Lady by Christina Dodd
• Dylan Davis from Iguana Bay by Theresa Weir
• Wolf Mackenzie from Mackenzie's Mountain by Linda Howard
• James Ardmore from the Pirate Hunter by Jennifer Ashley
• Grayson Finley from The Pirate Next Door by Jennifer Ashley
• Austin Blackwell from Perils of the Heart by Jennifer Ashley
• Christopher Raine from The Care and Feeding of Pirates by Jennifer Ashley
• Captain Julian Reece Lambert from Wicked Lies by Laura Renken
• Zarek from Dance With the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon
• Vishous from Lover Unbound by JR Ward
• Butch O'Neil from Lover Revealed by JR Ward
• Hart Moreland from A Dangerous Man by Connie Brockway
• Sheridan Drake from Seize the Fire by Laura Kinsale
• Samuel Gerard from The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale
• Sebastian Ballister, Marquess of Dain from Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
• Jack Seward from All Through the Night by Connie Brockway
• Derek Craven from Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
• John McKenna from Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas
• Devon Mathewes, Earl of Kerrick from Rules of Engagement by Christina Dodd
• Lucian, Duke of Blackheath from The Wicked One by Danelle Harmon
• Lord Martin Kestrel from Too Wicked to Marry by Susan Sizemore
• Lochlain MacRieve from A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
• Ethan MacCarrick from If You Decieve by Kresley Cole
• Sebastian Wroth from No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole
• Conrad Wroth from Dark Needs at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole
• Viscount Wynter Ruskin from Rules of Surrender by Christina Dodd
• Robert Mackenzie, Earl of Hepburn from Some Enchanted Evening
• Jack Penmartyn, Earl of Penmartyn from The Price of Innocence by Susan Sizemore
• Remington Knight from One Kiss from You by Christina Dodd
• Hugh MacCarrick from If You Desire by Kresley Cole
• Courtland MacCarrick from If You Dare by Kresley Cole
• Talon Drake from My Lord Pirate by Laura Renken
• Marcus Drake from Night Shadow by Laura Renken
• "Chandos"Kane Straton from A Heart So Wild by Johanna Lindsey
• Lochlan MacGregor from Love Me Forever by Johanna Lindsey
• Sebastian Townshend from Marriage Most Scandalous by Johanna Lindsey
• Carter McKoy from The Texan's Wager by Jodi Thomas
• Sam Gatlin from When a Texan Gambles by Jodi Thomas
• Christopher, Earl of Blackmour from This Is All I Ask by Lynn Kurland
• Luke Bardell from Ritual Sins by Anne Stuart
• Reilly from The Soldier and the Baby by Anne Stuart
• Colonel Sam Oliver from Special Gifts by Anne Stuart
• Rafe McGinnis from Rafe's Revenge by Anne Stuart
• Patrick Winter from Winter's Edge by Anne Stuart
• Michael Dubrovnik from Glass Houses by Anne Stuart
• Simon Navarre from Lord of Danger by Anne Stuart
• Valerian Romney from Shadow Dance by Anne Stuart
• Nicholas Blackthorne from A Rose at Mightnight by Anne Stuart
• Harrison Bainbridge from Never Love a Cowboy by Lorraine Heath
• Jefferson Randolph from Violet by Leigh Greenwood
• Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Colin Berkhamshire from From This Moment On by Lynn Kurland

Okay so I love characters by some authors in particular! I will give you a break and post another list with more of my favorite Heroes to Die For. I'd love to hear who your faves are.

My Favorite Virgins

I am in the minority here. Simply put, I love virgin heroes in romance novels! Some readers want a hero who is very experienced with women because they find no thrill in the inexperienced hero finding his way with his first woman, the heroine. Let them have their rakes and players. I will take my sexy and novice heroes.

Fundamentally I am a romantic. I think that if the first person you sleep with is your true love, that is the best of both worlds. This is the ultimate romance, in my opinion. Also I like the vulnerability of the virgin hero. He had to have been through some journey in his life to lead him to the heroine's door in the unspoiled state. And finding out why is part of the fun.

Who are my favorite virgin heroes? Well take a seat and I'll tell you:

• Samuel Gerard from The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale
• Francis Haile, Lord Middlethorpe from Forbidden by Jo Beverley
• Sin MacCallister from Born in Sin by Kinley MacGregor
• Conrad Wroth from Dark Deeds at Night's Edge by Kresley Cole
• Ciaran Tamberlane from My Forever Love by Marsha Canham
• Carter McKoy from The Texan's Wager by Jodi Thomas
• Scott Gregory from Secret Admirer by Susan Napier
• Wren Tigaran from Unleash the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
• James, Duke of Alford from The Naked Duke by Sally Mackenzie
• Colin Wescott, Earl of Haverwood from Touched by Fire by Kathleen O'Reilly
• Thomas Cavendish, Earl of Thornsbury from Three Dog Knight by Tori Phillips
• Pascal LaMartine from No Sweeter Heaven by Katherine Kingsley
• Simon Malmain, Earl of Falconer from Stolen Magic by Mary Jo Putney
• Dane Calwell from Surrender to a Wicked Spy by Celeste Bradley
• Michael McNeil from Wild at Heart by Patricia Gaffney
• Hen Randolph from Laurel by Leigh Greenwood
• Dr. Lawrence Digby from The Enchantment by Kristin Hannah
• Lee Raven from The Cowboy and the Lady by Lorraine Heath
• Noah LeCroix from Blue Moon by Jill Marie Landis
• Richard from The Marriage Bed by Claudia Dain
• Ford Colston from Forever in Texas by Jodi Thomas
• Clement Barto from Beginner's Luck by Dixie Browning
• Noah Cutter from His Secondhand Wife by Cheryl St. John
• Judd Laurens from Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh
• Jack the Hangman from My Lord Jack by Hope Tarr
• Michael Kilbride from The Last Bride in Ballymuir by Dorien Kelly
• Thorn Greenwood from Lady Lyte's Secret by Deborah Hale
• Oliver Armitage from "Cupid Goes to Gretna" in The Love Match by Deborah Hale
• Nicholas Arthur Seymore from Sweet Bargain by Kate Moore

..and, I feel both I and Cormia were cheated by the way that Phury from the Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward lost his virginity!!

Some of these heroes are patiently waiting to be discovered in my tbr (to be read) pile. So most likely I will have a Part 2 list. Of course, I will always be on the search for more books featuring these most wonderful of heroes, the innocent and awaiting initiation by their heroines. I hope that authors keep writing them.

Three Cheers for Beta Heroes

Beta heroes get lost in the shuffle when it comes to romance. But in real life, let's be honest. Who would you want to marry? A domineering jerk or a sweet, lovable teddybear. I know what my answer is.
What defines a beta hero? He usually has these traits:

• He thinks before he acts. He's a very good planner
• He is more likely to be open with his emotions
• He has a very essential core of gentleness that makes him want to care for others
• His gentleness can heal a tortured heroine's heart in a way that an alpha hero cannot reach
• He will be involved in cerebral/healing professions
• He's an excellent friend, and a loyal lover
• He's not arrogant, despite being very good at what he does
• His calm nature allows him to resolve tricky situations and to soothe a high-strung heroine
• His love for his heroine is an ardent, but steadfast flame that does not burn out
• He is often quite witty because his intelligent brain has the answers before he opens his mouth

Who are my favorite beta heroes?

• Carter McKoy from The Texan's Wager by Jodi Thomas
• Geoffrey de Burgh from the De Burgh Bride by Deborah Simmons
• Jake Burnett from Sweet Lullaby by Lorraine Heath
• Francis Haile, Lord Middlethorpe from Forbidden by Jo Beverley
• Avery Thorne from My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway
• Harry Braxton from As You Desire by Connie Brockway
• Justin Powell from Bridal Favors by Connie Brockway
• Robert Carroway from England's Perfect Hero by Suzanne Enoch
• Mick Tremore from The Proposition by Judith Ivory
• Nathan Senatra from American Dreamer by Theresa Weir
• Arden Mansfield, Lord Winter from The Dream Hunter by Laura Kinsale
• Samuel Gerard from The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale
• Houston Leigh from Texas Destiny by Lorraine Heath
• Cleavis Rhy from Garters by Pamela Morsi
• Dr. Winton Grey from A Convenient Wife by Carolyn Davidson
• Aaron Wallace from The Way Home by Megan Chance
• Dr. Caleb Chaney from The Doctor's Wife by Cheryl St. John
• Ford Colston from Forever in Texas by Jodi Thomas
• Ray Singleton from The Magic of Ordinary Days (Hallmark Movie, also a book that I haven't read)
• Noah Cutter from His Secondhand Wife by Cheryl St. John
• S.T. Maitland from The Prince of Midnight by Laura Kinsale
• Dr. Lawrence Digby from The Enchantment by Kristin Hannah
• Will Travers from River of Eden by Glenna McReynolds

Yes, alpha heroes are very sexy. But don't discount the appeal of these wonderful beta heroes. If you want a guy to knock your socks off, and keep your feet warm, these guys will come through for you.

Alpha Males: A Little Goes a Long Way aka Get Out the Shovel!

Let's face it, most women like the fantasy of a take-charge man. Even if some of us (like me) wouldn't go near that guy in real life with a 10 foot pole. That man of the hour is the alpha male.
What defines an alpha male? I define an alpha male as possessing the following traits:

• Tends to take charge in most situations
• Very protective of women and children
• Possessive of his heroine
• Can be bossy and domineering towards the heroine
• Doesn't easily open up about his feelings
• Has a high sex drive and is very dominant in sexual interactions (this causes some to be ladykillers)
• Likely to be employed in a dangerous or risky occupation

If you didn't clearly know what an alpha male was before, you can test a character according to these traits. I am sure that you can probably list more traits.

So these traits don't sound too bad, at least in moderation. But when the character is excessive about any and all of these traits, then you have the uber-alpha male. This dude has serious testosterone toxicity. He is so macho that you want to bring out the shovel and bash him over the head with it repeatedly, as you read the book. This is especially obnoxious if he is paired with heroine who cannot stand up to him.

Which authors do a great job writing alpha males?

• Sherrilyn Kenyon/Kinley MacGregor: I think that she is particularly good at writing alphas because she always gives them a fatal flaw so that they don't come off as being adamantine and unapproachable. Also she is very humorous, which dispells any tension from the testosterone fumes. Also her heroes have beta traits as well (see next post). You just want to heal them and love them so that their hearts aren't so sad.
• JR Ward: Her heroes are tortured and very sexy. They are also very sensitive in some ways, and display affection towards their women and their friends. I love these guys, but I admit I would run from them if I saw them coming down the street towards me in real life.
• Lisa Kleypas: Writes sexy, confident, but loving heroes who would do almost anything to take care of their heroines and keep them happy. In short, they become irresistible. She shows alpha heroes in their very best light.
• Connie Brockway: Writes intelligent, take charge, sexy heroes who are very demonstrative in their love for the heroines. They often have flaws that chip away at the stone facades of their composure.
• Gena Showalter: Like SK/KM, her characters are often deeply troubled, flawed heroes in need of saving by the heroine.
• Kresley Cole: Sexy, sexy heroes with marshmallow hearts. They are totally bonded to their heroines almost always early on in the books.
• Susan Napier: These guys are brimming over with sex appeal, but they are often self-deprecating and funny. They fall head over heels for their often pretty normal heroines.
• Jodi Thomas: Hard and desperate men of the west, who will always do what they can to protect the oneswho are unable to protect themselves and their women.
• Loretta Chase: She is great at writing sexy heroes who are often so funny you can't help but laugh at their macho facades. They are often tortured heroes or have some sort of damage or trauma. If you aren't sure what I mean, read Lord of Scoundrels.
• Christina Dodd: Her guys are seriously macho but you can't help but love them because they are so in love with their heroines. Also because they make you laugh.
• Anne Stuart: You never know if this guy is going to kill you or make love to you. You are sucked into the mystery and the danger of these guys. Once they are won over, their heart belongs completely to their heroines and they will do anyting to keep them safe.
• Carolyn Davidson: Very protective and loving, but often are not good at opening up. They are usually dragging the heroine to the altar instead of the other way around.
• Jillian Hart: Troubled and tortured. Very protective and loving. They typically are not too commitment shy.
• Celeste Bradley: A great mix of humor, tortured heroes, and madcap adventure.
• Jennifer Ashley: Can you say thud! These guys will sexify you at first read.
• Catherine Anderson: Her heroes are the ultimate protectors.
• Melody Thomas/Laura Renken: Sexbombs on legs!
• Nalini Singh: Women, children, any in need of protection, fear not. Well, the women must fear for their hearts.
• Jillian Hunter: Very large, sexy heroes who often seem to be a source of humor in the books.
• Jillian Hart: Writes strong, protective men.

Below are some great authors that I love, but often I have trouble with their heroes because they tend to be uber-alpha heroes (In other words, when I read them, I keep the shovel handy).

• Diana Palmer: These guys cannot open their hearts to love. You need a can opener and a suit of armor if you are the women who want their love.
• Linda Howard: They are fine if you like being dominated completely. In and out of bed. I had to draw the line at the hero with the gun rack on his truck. Sorry I just can't go there.
• Beverly Barton: See above for Linda Howard.
• Susan Fox: Pretty similar to Diana Palmer but you can usually get these guys to the altar without much fuss.
• Honorable mention to pretty much all the Harlequin Presents authors: Why must you be so alpha? These guys have terminal testosterone toxicity. It clouds their thinking and they cannot seem to tell the difference between the wicked man-eating, lying ex-mistress and the sweet, innocent, current flame or wife-of-convenience. A good bash upside the head with my shovel hopefully will fix this problem, or so I hope.
• Brenda Jackson: I have a love/hate for her heroes. They are almost always players. I hate players, but I think she tells a great romance story. My favorite hero by her is Sterling from One Special Moment (sigh)!
• Lynne Graham: Why must you be such a prick! Why does she love you so much when I just want to kill you!
• Stephanie Laurens: Sexy heroes but sometimes I don't know why they don't just put a collar and a leash on the heroine and get it over with.

The in-betweener. The romance author who can write a great alpha hero, or one that is completely shovel-worthy.

• Johanna Lindsey: Great alpha hero: Lachlan McGregor. Bad alpha hero: Bradford Maitland.
• Fiona Brand: Writes in the style of Linda Howard. Generally I like her alphas, but they are a bit too dominant for me at times.
• Kathryn Smith: Really sexy alphas but sometimes they just don't get it.
• Jude Deveraux: Bad alpha hero (I wanted to beat him to death with said shovel): Gavin Montgomery from The Velvet Promise (the only Montgomery I absolutely hate). Oh-so good alpha hero: J.T. Montgomery from The Princess.
• Beverly Jenkins: Great alpha hero: Galen Vachon from Indigo (I love this guy). Annoying alpha: Chase Jefferson from Night Song(get out the shovel). I liked the book anyway though.

I think that alpha heroes are like any theme in romance. You pull out these books when you want to have the romance and drama of an alpha male. And when you finish the book, you may sigh and say, wow these guys are awesome. But perhaps you may also sigh in relief that they exist best between the pages of romance novel, where you are safe from them and their excess of male hormones, and they are safe from your shovel.