Comments on: Smart Heroes

By: Tammy Cravit

Tammy Cravit — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:52:54 +0000

I think my favorite alpha male hero has to be Andrew Vachss’s Burke. What intrigues me about him is that he’s a stone cold killer when he’s dealing with vengeance against “them”, but he can be almost tender with his “family”, those that are close to him, and he’s fiercely protective of those people he considers part of “us” rather than “them”.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:15:24 +0000

Alpha heroes….I think everyone has a different idea of what is Alpha. For example, I had a friend who wrote erotica (or romantica) and to me, her alpha heroes were OVER the top. I just didn’t love how they ordered the women around. I like strong, but I like my heroine to give strong back.

So, I guess my point is I’m wondering what really defines alpha. Is it different for everyone?

By: Allison Brennan

Allison Brennan — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 08:36:03 +0000

Wait, my husband is reading my blogs? Shoot, I’m going to have to be more careful . . .

Hi Mary-Frances! I love Dillon Savich. THE MAZE is one of my all-time favorite romantic suspense novels.

Well, Lynn, keep it up! Presents is probably the top selling line at HQ so obviously alpha males are craved by female readers.

B.E., you and me both. I was scared when I started this book–but by the time I was finished, Jack no longer terrified me. I wanted to do him justice. I hope I did. Now, I’m writing a strong, smart FBI agent . . . alpha in some ways, but more like Quinn Peterson from THE HUNT. Very reasoned and extremely smart. Though FBI, he’s more like Eliot Ness. He’s just as comfortable pouring over financial statements as he is confronting the bad guys.

Kendra, Suzanne Brockmann is the “mistress” of strong male characters. She’s brilliant.

No surprise there, Deb, LOL!

Hey Toni, ditto on Cindy! She knows alphas. I adore Trevor. It’s not an alpha name? Really? I mean, I suppose that Sheldon and Archibald aren’t alpha names, but Trevor seems strong enough to me . . . though my true alphas are John, Zack, and Jack. Hmm, seems to be a pattern there . . .

Hi Jennifer! I wholeheartedly agree! Any man who is confident enough in his manhood doesn’t need to belittle women. A leader and a hero in every sense of the word.

Well, kiss up now why don’t you Karin? Is your birthday coming up or something

Another Cindy Gerard fan! I agree about Gabe. He’s a fantastic hero.

Louisa, I’m with you 100%. A mix is really the ideal male. This is why I love Dillon Kincaid and Quinn Peterson so much. They have strength, but they are also thinkers–smart guys. And they are hugely sensitive to the needs and emotions of the heroine. Quinn was a little slow on the uptake, but Dillon had Kate pegged from the beginning, before he even met her.

Thanks Jen! I haven’t heard of Burn Notice. I have so many shows saved on my satellite box or my iPod, I don’t know when I’ll catch up!

By: Jen

Jen — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:34:33 +0000

I love the Kincaid family and can’t wait to see them again!

I’m currently loving the character of Michael Weston on the tv show Burn Notice. He’s very alpha, demonstrating the qualities you listed, but what I love most about him is the fact that he still needs to please his mommy.

By: Louisa Edwards

Louisa Edwards — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:51:12 +0000

I almost picked Jules Cassidy as my favorite Brockmann hero, but he’s like a part-time Alpha. When he’s on the job, heck yeah, no one can beat him. But he’s such a sweetheart with the personal stuff, it’s hard to know how to classify him. Actually, I have to say, THAT’S my favorite kind of hero. A mix of the best characteristics of Alpha and Beta.

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:37:57 +0000

I love Cindy Gerard, too. My favorite alpha hero is Gabe Jones from “Show No Mercy.”

By: Karin Tabke

Karin Tabke — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:07:00 +0000

you had to ask who my fave alpha hero was??? Why the hubster of course, and for all of the reasons listed above!

By: Jennifer Lyon

Jennifer Lyon — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:17:31 +0000

Sign me up as an Alpha Girl! But I don’t like jerks. This is a great topic. There is a difference between tortured into being a jerk, and Alpha. Alpha is leader of the pack. They are confident and self assured, which means they don’t need to berate or humilate a woman to feel stronger.

Also, Alpha men are smart, they know a smart worthy woman will make them pay for poor treatment.

However, they can be BOSSY. And taming them can be fun

By: toni mcgee causey

toni mcgee causey — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:20:03 +0000

Sign me up as another one who can’t wait for Jack’s story–especially with the glimpses you’ve given here.

I agree with Rocki–Alpha doesn’t mean asshat (and mostly because a true asshat can’t lead a group of people–they might bully a group, but they aren’t leaders, and true alpha males are capable of true leadership).

[I think this is why I like writing Trevor so much. Though I purposefully didn't give him an Alpha name. ]

Cindy Gerard also writes great alpha males–her new Black Ops Inc series is terrific. And Rocki’s rocked the alpha male, as well as Debra — Ryan McBride in Nameless is stellar as an alpha male–given what he’s coming out of, event-wise and what it’s done to him.

By: Debra Webb

Debra Webb — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:54:57 +0000

I love alpha heroes!!!!! The sexier and more rugged the better!