When it comes to heroes, who keeps you hot and bothered, intrigued and absorbed and, of course, a little bit in love?
Thanks to the talents of Kensington’s Kristine Mills-Noble and the insights of editor Kate Duffy, all my covers from Explosive to The Midnight Man and — wait till you see Dangerous Games in 09 — feature images of amazing men daring you to pick up the book and get involved in their lives. They’re not easy guys to get to know for the reader or the heroine, but then, what woman doesn’t like a challenge?
So let’s do a survey. Please let me know which hero types do it for you — and why:
1. The rogue, playboy who puts up a fight and refuses to fall in love
2. The dark, brooding enigma with a mysterious past
3. The dangerous man on a mission to save the world
4. The everyman whose strength and charms are gradually revealed
Charlotte Mede lives to escape – and to take her readers along for the ride. While she’s done a lot in her life, from camping in the desert to boating in the Mediterranean, nothing compares to the thrill of creating unusual heroines and the men who love them. 
Well, any of the above, all of the above, none of the above. . . because it all depends on the story.
It’s probably safe to say I’ve read some of all the types, but if I were to go through all the books I’ve read, I can probably find ones that I loved for each of the four, and ones I didn’t for all of them. . .
And this answer is a nice diplomatic one too, for the fact that I just love and want them all!
Lois
All of the above.
will there be a reader contest this month
Oh, what Lois said–it really depends… depending on my mood and how the writer handles the story and what kind of story it is, I can find any of those either really appealing or not so much. Without more information, I tend to either favor the everyman or the dangerous one–because I’m a fan of “the guy next door” and also of bad boys
I have a hard time choosing between 2 and 3. I like reading about dark brooding heroes and I also have a thing for heroes that are spies. I like the intrigue.
I’m with Jane. 2 and 3 get me every time. And for me it’s a part of the fantasy, watching the heroine tame these men.
I can’t think this through right now, so I’m going to go with examples, and have those speak for me. I mean, the way these heroes are written and their stories really say it all.
1. Sebastian – Lord St. Vincent in “The Devil in Winter” for sure. 100% there- he’s the ultimate playboy rogue and I love love love how Evie puts him through his paces. (Lisa Kleypas)
2. Derek Craven – he fights so hard, and is so “noble” trying to save Sara from him. (LK again)
3. Any of the McCloud brothers [or any of the heroes from the books in that "series" by Shannon McKenna]
4. Oh this one is tougher – I’m going to say Kenny Traveler from “Lady Be Good” by Susan Elizabeth Phillips.
And of course which book I want like everyone else says depends on my mood- but all of them are really great at any time
I have to agree with everyone here – sometimes it’s the badboy, sometimes it’s the silent, sexy loner, and sometimes it’s the everyday kinda guy who sneaks up on you and wins your heart.
Roarke from JD Robb’s series is the ultimate hero because I think he embodies so many hero characteristics, though I don’t think he’ll ever be the everyday kinda guy.
Sam Starrett from Brockmann’s Navy SEALs series. A tough, heroic smart-*ss, Sam fell and fell hard. It was worth the wait for his HEA.
Howard from Jo Davis’ “Trial by Fire” (I blogged about him a few times at my blog). He’s the everyman but also a hero, and an incredible one at that. Masculine and gentle, earthy and caring, Howard is one in a million.
Those are just a few examples of my favorite time of hero.
All of the above! I have to say that 2 and 4 appeal the most, though. *G*