A Hero Hop had to come with some sort of eye candy. And, really, look at those gorgeous eyes!
The Hero Hop is underway! Welcome to our five day celebration of yummy heroes. Join me and over a hundred other authors and bloggers as we share our favorite things about heroes, romance, and men in general. If the heroic goodness isn’t enough motivation to hit all the sites on the hop, check this out: Every stop on the hop is doing a giveaway. I’m giving away a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card! Even better, there are THREE Grand Prizes to be awarded at the end of the hop, and every blog you stop and comment on gives you an entry in the drawing. You can enter over 100 times! Grand prizes are: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet, a $50 Amazon or B&N Gift Card, and a massive Swag Pack, full of books and other goodies.
I love a good romance hero. It takes a lot for a character to turn into an actual hero in my eyes, and we’re not talking a gorgeous face, a sculpted physique, excessive riches, and a lot of–how can I put this delicately?–talent and stamina. Don’t get me wrong, those traits are nice touches on the finished package, but it’s what’s inside a male character that turns him into a romance hero. The heart and soul are the parts that really matter.
My favorite romance heroes, the ones I fall in love with reading–from the fiercest Alpha to the sweetest Beta to the most difficult Gamma–all have four traits in common. They are:
- A sense of humor. I’m a huge fan of wry wit and a bit of self-deprecating humor.
- A sense of honor. Okay, sometimes that honor is a little twisted in a Gamma, but they all have a code they try to live by. Even if they make occasional missteps, they try to do the right thing and be good men.
- The ability to learn and grow. The only thing better than a heroine who grows and develops into a fuller, richer person over the course of a book is a hero who does so. I love watching a hero come to an understanding of his personal failings or flaws and take steps to improve.
- A willingness to love. Yes, this applies to those heroes who start out Unwilling. Refer to trait #3, the ability to learn and grow. To me, there’s nothing sexier than an intelligent, funny, genuine man who’s willing to let go and love someone with every fiber of his being.
What’s a trait you love to find in a romance hero?
Remember to leave your email address when you comment for entry into my giveaway and the grand prize drawings. Click here to Continue on the Hop!
Lucy, I agree completely with you about romantic heroes – your 4 character traits are exactly what I look for in my heroes – and they’re the heroes I like to write about too. Hope you’ll take a look at my Hero Hop blog and decide which of my heroes you like best!
I’ll definitely hop over and check them out, Paula!
I love a hero that has strength of character yet tenderness.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com
Good traits, Yvette!
Those 4 traits make the best heroes. I think humor makes a hero. Nothing is better than to be reading a book and then starting laughing so loud my hubby looks away from his x-box. Well maybe the look on his face when it happens. lol Thank you for the giveaway.
kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com
I love a hero who can make me laugh. I really wish I was funny enough to write romantic comedy!
great blog contest.
kintana002000@yahoo.com
Thanks, Nina!
I love a hero that loves his lady with every cell in his body. He’s steadfast and loyal and would do anything to protect the woman he loves.
janna@jannashay.com
I love a strong alpha male, with a tender, gentle side when needed.
jlhmass at yahoo dot com
I’m a sucker for a smart quip – so humour has to be up there in my list. Honour is one that has to show as well- while situations may vary – your ethics and reaction to the adversity can’t.
oops .. glhince@gmail.com
i do agree with the four traits you listed in those being good for a hero.
great blog and i will have to try some of your books. i have never read any of them but they do look good
parisfan_ca@yahoo.com
Thanks, Laurie! I hope you enjoy them.
I love tortured heroes, but they do have to be able to grow and learn from past mistakes.
molly(dot)frenzel(at)gmail(dot)com
Those are all wonderful criteria that you’ve listed!
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
Awesome post! Thanks for the giveway! Oh those blue eyes get me every time….
kimberly.a.shook(at)gmail(dot)com
I couldn’t agree with your list more if I wrote it myself. What a great post, thank you for being part of this blog hop. Carin
mawmom(at)gmail(dot)com
I like a strong, confident man with a soft side. emily joy drake at gmail dot com
I love a hero who can be funny and can laugh at himself.
Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win.
reneebennett35 (at) yahoo (dot) com
This is an awesome Hop Idea”
vickie@innovativeonlinebooktours.com
Agreed! I love the ideas Carrie Ann Ryan comes up with.
I completely forgot about humor, or more like sarcasm I love that, but I love when they are so fiercely protective of the people they care about. That just gets to me every time.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
Honor tops my criteria for my hero
bituin76 (at) hotmail (dot) com
I think you pretty much nailed it w/ those traits. Generally, I’m looking for a witty, loyal/honest, and passionate/caring hero.
~Tracy
bluebubbles24(at)hotmail(dot)com
Protective is a top one for my hero. Thanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_ 8 at hotmail dot com
Those are great traits!
I love someone who is kind, strong yet gentle.
Thanks so much for the giveaway!! =)
I forgot my email address, sorry.
JJs2468@aol.com
I agree with all four of your traits as well as strength of character & a protectiveness for those he loves
Wolphcall(at)bellsouth(dot)net
Lisa G
I agree with your list. I would also include devotion to family, protective of those he loves, compassion and kindness to those weaker than himself (even if he isn’t at first) Always kind to animals.
oeamis(at)carolina(dot)rr(dot)com
Honor and sensitivity in my hero…have a great summer!
It’s not so much a trait of the hero, but it’s the situation really… it’s the fighting against the feelings and the intensity and the passion until suddenly it all explodes… just love it !
I love a hero who is fiercely protective of those he loves. Thanks for the opportunity!
tccmp30@msn.com
Great traits above, but in my humble opinion you’ve missed a few.
Intelligence, charisma, and a willingness to sacrifice everything to protect his lady love.
Enjoy the hop.
bidelia78@yahoo.com
I wholeheartedly agree with these additions to the list as well as the others that commenters have left. My list could have gone on and on and on, LOL!
I actually {for grins and giggles} a while back asked my Marine friend {who is the most “alpha” guy I know, next to hubby} what in his mind makes an alpha and then answer blew me away. XD
When I think of a hero I think Loyal, brave and snarky. I love a hero with the ability to crack a joke as he’s saving your butt.
Ooopppss
email: achbarrow(at)gmail(dot)com
Sense of humor, honor, protective of those he loves… Oh… I think there’s too many to list.
Flowerlady_23@yahoo.com
I love a hero who is always ready for adventure.
Debdebss@yahoo.com
I love a hero with a sense of humor and one who isn’t afraid to admit when he / she is wrong. Thanks for being a part of this awesome blog hop and for the great giveaway
cms72023(at)gmail(dot)com
The only trait for my perfect hero is that he puts all above his/her needs and don’t expect a reward for it afterward. (The best rewards are the ones given from the heart)
minnie2297@yahoo.com
I agree with all of your traits! Humor is a must for me
laceyblossom1(at)gmail(dot)com
Mysterious sexy micheleannoboyle angelwolfmystic@yahoo.com
I love a hero that is emotionally wounded and a strong alpha!! Only in books though. lol
Thanks for doing the Hop!
gatormaryd(at)yahoo(dot)com
I love a hero that is strong & can make me laugh! Thank you for participating in this great blog hop. I’m having alot of fun & discovering new authors.
JessieL62@comcast.net
My favorite heroes are ones that are strong, dominant men. Those that are protective, responsible, caring, and respectful of others.
manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com
A Hero. Strong ,caring ,handsome and loves his woman with all his heart and soul.
Beyond all the standard alpha traits, the willingness to open himself to love is one of my favorites.
Caity_mack@yahoo dot com
I love a hero that will protect the woman he loves by whatever means necessary, strong but still have that soft side.
mythic021@gmail.com
Totally agree to every point you stated. Perfect criteria for a hero. thesolitarybookworm(@)gmail.com
Ooh I totally agree with all the traits you’ve mentioned for a fabulous hero!
Sense of humor is a must
Thanks for the giveaway!
justjanhvi at gmail dot com
I also agree with your traits.. I love a hero that is strong and loyal..
ronnkelly3@aol.com
Wonderful description of a romance hero, I agree completely
sugerlady@aol.com
My hero would be loyal to me and loving. He would also have to be able to express and show me how he feels. I want to feel secure with him and have no doubts.
I like funny and honest guys. A nice six-pack doesn’t hurt either
Thanks for doing this giveaway!
~Krista
pinkbonanza{ AT }gmail{ DOT }com
You’ve listed some great traits of a hero. Mine have to be strong, funny, smart and a bit vulnerable Thanks for participating! wilckjz(at)optonline(dot)net.
You summed up all the character traits I’d look for in a hero. I love a character who is strong (physically and mentally), loyal, honorable, protective, maybe a little dominant. Above all he has to have a sense of humor. I love to laugh and generally don’t like laughing alone
Thanks for the great giveaway!
msromanticreads(at)gmail(dot)com
You have a great list of character traits for a hero. I like a hero who is confident without being conceited, strong, determined, loyal, and caring. One you know will be there through the thick and the thin. Thanks for the giveaway!
suz2(at)cox(dot)net
I like a hero who is strong but also sensitive.
sqwalker2@hotmail.com
I like a Hero to be strong and loyal! I love alpha males the most!
Thank you for the great giveaway!
Latisha D
tishajean@ charter.net
Couldn’t agree more with your traits. Love a funny smart hero!!!!!
Thank you for the opportunity
Loving all the stories about Heroes!!!
brunettelibrarian AT gmAil . c0m
The Brunette Librarian Blog
My hero would be loving, loyal, and laughter would reign
in our household!
Pat C.
p-cochran@juno.com
My hero has to be funny, and loyal. Thx for giveaway.
blinkysthebest(AT)aol(DOT)com
Thanks fot the giveaway! I really love a hero who is strong and takes charge, yet can also be vulnerable for the woman he loves.
amandastar84 (at) gmail.com
My hero trait would definitely be an Alpha personality. Yummy!
Thanks so much for the awesome giveaway!
slinkydennis@yahoo.com
Love your merits of being a hero or Alpha. Thanks for being in the hop.
damianbloodstone@gmail.com
Great post! Sue lilysmom123@comcast.net
I definitely love my hero to be all ALPHA!!
Thanks for the chance to win
raynman1979 at yahoo dot com
I like reading about a strong, but compassionate hero!
Forgot my email
Jesscaashley(at)yahoo(dot)com
Great list of hero traits!! I am definitely on board with them. I love my heros to have the “will do anything for my heroine” attitude!
Mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
our hero are the fire dept and they are trying to not spread the fire it hit 120 acres and then in aura another 300 acres we do not have that much warter and then they are having hell of time aout the fire
desithe blonde at tmsn dot com
I like a hero who is loyal and true, brave, has a great sense of humor (no matter how odd it may be to others), and who isn’t afraid to do what’s right.
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love a dedicated hero. To his heroine, work, what’s important to him, etc.
Thanks!
acade29@gmail.com
Well said with your hero traits! I love how heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes they don’t even seem like a hero until they’re put into a situation that calls for them to step up to protect or defend.
Thanks for participating in the hop and for the giveaway opportunity.
sophiarose1816@gmail.com
A trait I like in a romance hero is confidence. No matter is thrown at them they seem to have a plan and a way to execute it.
Some of my favorite qualities is kindness, humor, loyalty, i love an alpha, i especially love a hero with a tragic past. One that needs a strong heroine to match him. Thanks for the fun hop and the awesome giveaway! Ya all rock!!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com
I agree with you and add a little bit of tortured soul to it. A woman likes to know she helped her man over come some obstacle…LOL
Michelle Bledsoe
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
I love your hero traits. I never really thought about the hero growing throughout the story, but now that I have thought about it, I really like that too. There are many traits that I love in romance heroes, and at the top of my list is probably loyalty. Although, I do like them alpha, protective, honorable, a sense of humor works, but I like the dark tortured heroes too. This is such a wonderful hop! Thank you for the fabulous giveaway!
trb0917 at gmail.com
yep humor and honor, thanks for the giveaway – regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com
I like my hero to be very alpha but sweet when he is around his love. Thanks for the giveaway!
flava_sava_chick@yahoo.com
He needs to be protective but also willing to find humor in life!
Thanks for participating in the hop!
OceanAkers @ aol.com
Kindness!! Our guys can be rough-and-tumble, foul-mouthed or worse, but when it’s all said and done and a toddler hands him a toy phone, if he’s not kind enough to answer, he’s no hero to me.