Romantic Alpha Heroes

Article written by Marilyn Lakewood

For me, it’s all about the hero. That’s why I read romance. Sure, the heroine needs to be likable—someone I can relate to on some level—but the hero needs to be awesome.

I want to be charmed, seduced, and fall in love with (for the duration of the book anyway) a sexy, powerful hero. I want to experience of the rush of his spine-tingling sensuality in every chapter. I want him to be heroic, almost perfect*, and I want him to be willing to give his all for me <ahem> I mean the heroine.

I know it’s all fiction, but those sexy, irresistible heroes win me over every time.

In erotic romance, a good hero can pull the reader into the fantasy and submerge her in high levels of sensual heat at the same time. A good hero can take his girl to new places and new passions—repeatedly, safely, and privately—within the story.

All my favorite stories have alpha males who take charge and sweep the heroine off her proverbial feet and into his bed. These guys are passionate, powerful and sexy. I think it’s safe to say that I’m not the only romance reader who likes strong alpha heroes.

In romance books there are certain qualities that make a hero attractive to me, and well, heroic. Also included are some traits that take a character off the A-list and put him in supporting roles:

Character traits­:

-Honorable, without being narrow-minded (no cheaters, swindlers, etc.)

-Protective, without being controlling.        

-Attentive, without being fawning.

-Decisive, without being stubborn.

-Confident, without being conceited.

-Calm, without being indifferent (no raving, screaming, or panic attacks allowed.)

-Intelligent, without being a smart___.

-Adores women, without trying to sleep with all of them.

-Compassionate (no cruel men or bullies.)  

-Courageous, without being a victim. (Although he would die for her, I want him to save the girl, and escape with her. Happily ever after, please.)

-Sex appeal. To me, this often intangible quality belongs in both the character and physical categories. After all, without sex appeal there wouldn’t be as much passion, and passion is a key element in romance. Both the hero and heroine usually have sex appeal to kindle the attraction.

Physical traits:

-Attractive face, especially eyes and smile.

-Muscled, lean body.

-Dark or light hair, it doesn’t matter, but I like longish hair.

-Well endowed (and skilled in operating their heavy equipment.)

-Nice fitting jeans. Okay, maybe a sophisticated, made-to-measure suit too.

-“Boots (grin).” * This was mentioned in the article below by author Jo Goodman. I think it’s so true! Quite a few leading men wear boots.

So what makes a good hero to you?  It’s subjective, yet most women have a set of core characteristics that define a hero.

* Here are thoughts about heroes from other romance authors:

http://socialpolitan.org/fiction-writing-craft/m/articles/view/Romance-Authors-Define-the-Perfect-Hero

http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2012/07/01/writing-romance-heroes/

http://thewritersalleys.blogspot.com/2011/01/tall-darkand-all-wrong.html

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Marilyn Lakewood is our latest UP and Coming author! Diving into Sugar Kink Ink, her debut novel "Chase's Hard Wear" is expected to be released December 2014. This new series revolves around light bondage and BDSM themes that tantalize until you scream! "Chase's Hard Wear" will be the first of three and maybe more in the series.

Marilyn writes stories with hot, alpha males to inspire her during the long Northwest winters. She loves creating XXX romances with protective, hard-lovin' heroes and sexy fantasies.  

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