Today I am throwing out a question to all readers and authors. It’s all about the alpha male, a title quite significant in the romance genre. How would you describe the perfect alpha male? What character traits do you look for in your perfect alpha? Do you prefer him to be all domineering or with a few soft edges? Tell me your thoughts and please tell me the genre in which your alpha male struts.
Sharon Donovan
Romantic Suspense with a Twist of Faith
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HER BIGGEST FAN
CHARADE OF HEARTS
MASK OF THE BETRAYER
19 comments:
Sharon
My alpha males have to have soft edges. Even the most blatant alpha male has a soft spot for the woman he loves. I sometimes enjoy books where the hero is so domineering that I know if I met him in real life, I'd want to hit him upside the head. But I just go with it and enjoy the book.
The heroes in my book are strong and alpha in some ways, but they have their soft spots. Dominic, the hero of my latest book, Murder, Mi Amore, is an Interpol agent. He's strong and a fighter, but he has a protective streak toward women because he had to raise his younger sister. He has to protect my heroine, Lexie, from the bad guys, but Lexie learns to hold her own against the baddies.
Hi Cara, thank you so much for your valued opinion. Lexy sounds like the perfect match for Dominic and it's definitely a book for my TBR add. I had to laugh when you said you'd like to slap some of the more domineering upside the head. LOL I'll get him from the other side and together, maybe we can knock some sense into HIM. Wink
My alpha heroes soften by the end of the stories when they fall in love and are at a loss on how to handle that alien feeling. Alpha heroes create great conflict.
Mona, thank you so much. I love your description and sigh how lovely to think a woman can soften a man's alpha exterior through the power of love
All the usual and I want him to be able to hug me! My DH is not a hugger and I miss it.
Oh you mean in books!!! LOL
Same thing there too!!!
LOL Mary, you are so right. We all need hugs and guys should never be too cool to give us a hug.
I think a hero should be intelligent and strong, but I part ways with the traditional alpha hero definition in that I cannot tolerate arrogant. To me, an alpha male is a leader, and people generally don't follow a person they don't like.
Jacquie
I have coined it "The Romance novel syndrome", when a good friend falls for a man who mistreats her, but explains his behavior by saying, "He just needs the love of a good woman."
BS! What he needs to do is grow a pair, and grow up. He needs to realize that other people think of their agendas as just as important as he thinks of his. Alpha males are sexy in books (sometimes), but don't ever fall for one in real life! They expect to always get their way. And some are violent if they don't, just like the toddlers they behave like.
Give me a real man, who can be loving towards his woman, his children, and his mother. Now THERE'S a sexy man!
Love the alpha-male look (hot and a bit on the cocky side) but truth is I fall for a good beta guy every time (and looks are not generally limited to an alpha guy. I agree with Fiona. Those real-life alphas don't seem to follow the character arc we romance writers think they should, lol.
Thanks Joanna, wonder what we'd do if we ever met these romantic heros we write about. Love 'em or leave 'em
Jacquie, arrogance is not a becoming trait at all. Beware of alpha self centerness.
Amen, Fiona, very well said.
Hmmm...alpha...strong and dominant - but not domineering, knows what he wants and goes for it without hesitation, but has patience for others to catch up; likes to touch...mmmm. LOL What a fun question!
Thanks Donna, fun answer. Wink
Alpha males definitely need a soft gushy side! That's why I write contemporary cowboys and medicals.
Thanks Calisa Rose, softness rounds out the rugged cowboy.
Ooh, just caught up on this Sharon.
In real life, for me a man definitely has to have a soft side - it's nice when he's strong and goes for what he feels is right,but he should be gentle and loving to the woman who loves him and have consideration for people around him.
In my own stories, my heros are usually strong alpha males - who nevertheless don't push their weight around and who have a soft, vulnerable and caring side. I also have a couple of beta males, who are sensistive, caring sales but won't let anyone walk over them - or their women.
Thanks Lyn, loving and gentle is definitely good. How nice in real life to have a perfect man, part alpha and part beta, the best of both worlds. Grin
Lol Sharon, I just noticed my typo, 'sales' when I meant 'souls', but I guess you knew what I meant! :)
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