Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Romantic Suspense Heroes
I got the idea for this blog topic from the February Intrigue Authors Newsletter. All the authors said what they were looking for in the hero of a romantic suspense novel.
This was my answer:
For me, he’s got to be tough on the outside but tender at his core. A take-charge kind of guy who has his own inner strength and a strong sense of right and wrong–which might not dovetail with the conventional wisdom. I mean, he might bend the law, if he thinks the ends justify the means. And in a fight, he probably won’t stick to Marquess of Queensberry rules.
He’s got good instincts about people, a good sense of humor, a strong streak of personal loyalty. He doesn’t take himself too seriously, and he confronts problems head-on, which is good because danger has a way of catching up with him, sooner rather than later.
He’s a complicated guy, with something in his background that makes him wary of relationships. A woman who’s going to win his love must get past the protective wall he’s built around his emotions.
But he enjoys sex, and he’s an excellent lover, sensitive to his partner’s needs. And if he has something extra–say the ability to change into a wolf, like Cole Marshall, the hero of my Decorah Security novel, DARK MOON, that’s a definite plus.
And one more thing. He looks a lot like my husband. Only younger, thinner and taller. If I describe him as anything besides dark-haired and dark-eyed, with a five o’clock shadow, I’m lying.
These are the kind of alpha males I write about.
What do you want in the hero of a romantic suspense novel? Comment for a chance to win two of my favorite Harlequin Intrigues--autographed. If you want a chance to win, please include an e-mail address in your comment.