Having spent the past few years spinning stories on my computer of the Historical Romantic persuasion, I find myself constantly challenged to define the Perfect Hero. We all have different requirements of our heroes. We all want them to be strong, smart, tall… or maybe short. Alpha – but we love our betas too! Dark and brooding – but occasionally mixing it up with a red or golden haired god with a sunnier disposition can make the heart sing (Hey, look at that – Jason from Follow My Lead has red hair. Whodathunk?)
So how what does make the Perfect Historical Romance Hero? After much consideration, I think I’ve narrowed it down.
Now, the Perfect Historical Romance Hero doesn’t have to have ALL of the following traits, but he has to have at least a majority of them. It’s like a Chinese food buffet. Pick and choose what you like.
1. Be good looking… or at least, distinctive looking.
On the most basic level, we want our heroes to be pretty. What’s the use of those hot guys on the covers if they don’t play into our fantasies? But more importantly, a hero has to look good to the heroine. She may not go for the Henry Cavill type (although if she doesn’t, she’s blind), but instead respond to a… Bradley Whitford (cute, sweet, but a romance hero?). That said there is a well-documented psychological phenomena that says that as one begins to fall in love, the object of their affection begins to look better to their eyes. So Bradley Whitford can turn into Henry Cavill to the heroine. It’s true… beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.
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| Which one of these men is a romance hero?...Both! |
2. Be unaccountably drawn to the heroine.
There has to be something about the heroine that drives the hero nutty. His eyes are drawn to her the moment she enters the room. She gets under his skin, without even trying. And in some cases, like Jason in Follow My Lead – he is so attuned to Winnifred Crane’s whereabouts, when he sees her boarding what he thinks is the wrong ship, he ends up following her all the way across Europe!
He may not like her initially, but there has to be something in him that ends up putting her front and center.
Also, the ability to spar verbally with said heroine is a bonus. Because that’s the fun part.
3. Wealthy and/or titled.
Who doesn’t want to hook up with an aristocrat? (Did I mention Jason from Follow My Lead is a duke, too?) Or a self-made millionaire? There is an aphrodisiac to power, and we readers certainly enjoy seeing it (note: this aphrodisiac is only potent if requirement #1 is also fulfilled.)
Also required: a certain amount of self awareness. Which is something the heroine can help give him, if he needs taking down off of a particular wealth and status related high-horse.
4. “Have you ever considered Piracy?”
My favorite quote from The Princess Bride best describes what is needed to be a historical Romance Hero. Not that they all become the Dread Pirate Roberts, of course, but they all have a twinkle in their eye, even if its under the coldest, iciest exterior, that could lead them into mischief. Never underestimate a willingness to cause trouble.
And if the hero is a pirate… well, that’s a bonus too.
5. The Indefinable. The X Factor.
Someone once said (and I’m afraid it might be Simon Cowell) that “either you’ve got it, or you don’t.” That extra something special. That undefinable, “it” factor – and to be a Historical Romance Hero, you definitely have to have it. Be it a dark and dirty secret, or a secret delight, or a way of dancing the waltz that makes the girls go all a flutter, a Perfect Hero has “it”. In spades.
So what do you think? What are some of the characteristics of your Perfect Hero? Let me know below, and you could win a copy of Follow My Lead!
12 comments:
Well Im a military wife and my ideal hero is a man of service.
1. loyal
2. kind
3. honest
4. dedicated to his job, his cause and his family
5. thinks of others more often than himself
6. takes care of his body
1. Tall and athletic
2. Eyes you could loose yourself in.
3. Love for his family
4. Enjoy children
5. Have purpose in life (or finds it after meeting his heroine) Wanting ot bee a better person because of her
6. Mature and responsible
7. Honest and honorable
8. Really listens to whoever he is talking with
9. Inventive with bestowing gifts, regardless of how small or big
10. Loves totally and completely
11. Protects everyone who he loves
12. Must be creative and skilled in the bedroom
My perfect hero has to be kind and compassionate. Maybe not at first, maybe he needs someone (i.e. the heroine) to show him the ways to be kind and commpassionate. He preferably has dark hair and dark blue eyes and be in perfect physical condition. No major muscle, but just enough to not be 'soft'. He has to be willing to go above and beyond to win the heroine. Basically, that's it.
My Perfect Hero:
1. 6'0" or taller
2. Muscular
3. Blond/blue-eyed
4. Honorable
5. Must love me explicitly
6. total Alpha!
7. could care less about his wealth
8. Good with his hands
I didn't mean to steal yours Artemis, but most of your "perfect hero traits" are on my list. I just had to tweak a few things. *wink*
Ok this is what I want..and what silly me want
1. Protective
2. Has a cool castle, palace, whatever
3. A bit broken (needs a big hug)
4. Loyal, will only love and look at her
5. Loves his family
6. Gentle
My perfect hero has to be honest, compassionate, loyal, alpha, protective, tall and preferably dark haired.
1. Have some muscles. Doesn't need to be 6' and beefy.
2. Respect the heroine/women.
3. Comfortable, not rich. Likes to work with his hands.
4. Kind to other people. Not abusive or arrogant.
5. Be drawn to heroine. Able to show her he loves her.
6. Be faithful.
7. Not be too good to be true.
8. I prefer dark hair and eyes, but that's not required for a hero.
9.Have a nice smile.
10. Have a sense of honor.
11. Prefer men in uniform, but not required for a hero. Can be a simple farmer.
My perfect hero:
1-10. Willing.
Hence, how I nabbed a husband.
My ideal perfect hero
1. Smoldering eyes
2. Wicked smile
3. Sense of humor-not the haha sense of humor, but able to laugh at life's ups & downs. Ok, haha is good too
4. Nice booty
5. Knows what he wants from life but also eager to explore & question life
6. Sense of adventure and not from an Xbox
7. A problem solver- a calm one
8. Spontaneous with surprises- only the good kind
9. KNows what I want/need before I do:-)
10. HAS to love sex, but also s-l-o-w making of the love! So, yes, he must be great with his hands as well:-)
My perfect hero:
The height of Blake Shelton.
The accent and deep voice of Henry Cavill.
The gorgeous eyes of Richard Armitage.
The disheveled locks of Robert Pattinson.(preferably washed on a daily basis)
The body of Jed Hill.
The easy goingness of Hugh Jackman.
The handyman-ness of Ty Pennington.
The kind of love that Wills has for Kate.
Oh, I got a little carried away. Um, as long as he's honest, committed, dedicated, somewhat good looking, loving and good with his hands; that's the type of hero I'd want.
A heart that adores the heroine and I'm good :-)
Give me a hero who adores the heroine, and I'm perfect :-)
justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
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