In Which We Speak of a Hero
by Fionn on April 7th, 2008
Everyone loves an alpha hero. They’re strong, sexy, charismatic, and they tell us to do whatever it is they want us to do. Be it washing their dirty socks, cooking their dinner, or taking care of their children.
Wait.
Is that an alpha hero? Sounds more like a male chauvanist to me.
What is an alpha hero?
He is someone who takes charge of any situation and one who can make a woman faint just by looking at her with his soulful eyes. An alpha hero can make or break a romance novel. From fantasy to ancient Rome to future human settlements on Planet X, everyone looks up to that alpha hero and when a meteor or some other catastrophe looms on the horizon, everyone looks for him to save the day.
They also look for him to snag the girl who, in all honesty, probably doesn’t want to be snagged and has girl power written all over her face.
So…what makes a heroine fall for a hero?
His sexy bod. His thoughtful comments. His smoldering smile. His six pack.
And the way how he can make love ALL NIGHT LONG.
Okay, I maybe sounding a little sarcastic and snarky about the typical alpha hero, but what if a hero in a romance isn’t exactly alpha material?
What if he doesn’t have a six pack, can only do it once every six hours (and you know what I’m referring to), and starts to stammer when he gets really, really excited?
Would that still turn people on? Would he still make women faint in droves?
What do you look for in a hero when you first open a romance novel?
April 7th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
You forgot his bulging bank account.
April 7th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
[...] CP Fionn’s blogging about alpha heroes today. Go check it [...]
April 9th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
LOL!!!
Well, I like those alphas that have a certain hardness about them (internally!)*wink* but reveal a tenderness–only to or toward the heroine.
**sigh**