A Man For All Seasons… by Anna Campbell

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Author: Anna
Published: Jan 13th, 2009

Hello, everybody at RNTV, my second home on the Net after the Banditas! Hello, Maria and Marisa. Thank you so much for asking me to blog today!

As you know, I hang around here so often, people have started mistaking me for an umbrella stand! No, PJ, you do NOT leave your raincoat hanging off my nose. Puh-leaze! And no, Buffie, you are NOT putting your umbrella there! I don’t care if it’s where the sun don’t shine!

Ahem!

OK, I’m officially here to talk about heroes. Not about people assaulting me with their wet-weather gear.

I was talking to Marisa about the differences in the heroes from my books and we thought it might make an interesting blog. I hope you agree!

Personally I like all types of heroes as long as they don’t lie – or if they do lie, they pay a heavy penalty – and as long as there’s a trace of honor in them somewhere. They can be the sweet beta types or the gamma types (a definition which I’ve never really understood!) or my favorites, the alphas. I like to see strength in a hero meeting equal, but different strength in the heroine. That’s when a romance really sparks for me. I’m not talking about physical strength, although obviously that can be a component. But I love to read about two strong characters battling their way (often against their instincts) towards happiness.

As many of you know, my third book TEMPT THE DEVIL just hit the stores and Julian Southwood, the Earl of Erith, is getting a lot of attention. Which he’s enjoying, he told me in our most recent communication He’s quite a different hero to my first two so I thought I’d play compare and contrast. And doesn’t that take me back to high school?

The hero of CLAIMING THE COURTESAN is an ultra alpha. He’s a duke, king of the beasts in Regency England, he thinks he’s pretty hot stuff and that he’s cleverer than most of the people around him. So shall we say there’s a hint of arrogance? He also has an investment in not allowing cracks to show in his carapace of assurance. So when love hits him like a ton of bricks, all his predatory instincts come to the fore. Kylemore was a really interesting hero to write – his intensity made him just leap off the page for me. He garnered strong reactions from readers too – a lot of people adored him, a lot of people wanted to lock him up and throw away the key (and those were the polite ones).

The hero of UNTOUCHED was a completely different kettle of fish. I wanted to write another uber alpha but Matthew Lansdowne, Marquess of Sheene, just wouldn’t cooperate. For all his sweetness of temper, he was a stubborn sod. Eventually after having numerous occasions where I stared at a blank page and he just wouldn’t come onto the scene, I decided to allow him his way. I wrote the first draft of UNTOUCHED before I sold so I told myself it hardly mattered if my hero made the book unsaleable! This story would just go under the bed with all the others I’d written over the years. But Matthew really touched a chord with readers too – I kept fending off marriage proposals on his behalf! He’s another alpha but in the knight in shining armor mold. More Galahad than Lancelot!

Erith (yeah, you’ve heard this before) was meant to be another uber alpha. But he didn’t cooperate either. He’s a strong, dominant man, but he’s willing to view himself, most of the time, with a hint of self-deprecating humor. One of the benefits of being in his late 30s rather than in his 20s, I think. He definitely likes to be in charge but he’s smart enough to know that sometimes a small compromise can lead to a big advantage. And when he falls in love with the least suitable woman in the world, the notorious courtesan, Olivia Raines, he’s mature enough to recognize that he has a BIG problem and he has to do something about it.

Anyway, I thought it might be fun to play compare and contrast where you choose three of your favorite heroes and talk about how they’re similar and how they differ. My top answer wins a signed copy of TEMPT THE DEVIL. Let’s have some fun with heroes!

57 Responses to “A Man For All Seasons… by Anna Campbell”

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Christine Wells
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 1:39 am:

Hey, Anna! Is there a golden rooster to be had here? No? Hi Maria and Marisa and all the RNTV’ers!

Oh, boy, compare and contrast. One of your past lives didn’t include being an English teacher did it, Miss Campbell?

I’m not surprised Matthew had so many marriage proposals. He’s my pick of your heroes to actually live with–he’s just gorgeous and honorable and noble. Sigh. Did I mention gorgeous?

And I really loved the way Erith got under Olivia’s skin. Kylemore gave me shivers–in a good way! But he’s the one I absolutely could not handle and I’m quite happy to leave that to Verity, thanks!
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 2:12 am:

Well, Christine, it was very good of you to choose three of my heroes to compare and contrast! Nice bit of plugging there Actually I think my favorite hero of yours is Vane, the one from WICKED LITTLE GAMES. Oh, that’s right – these people haven’t read that yet, have they? Bwahahahahahahahaha! Oh, it’s so tragic to enjoy being a tease! All your heroes are gorgeous, actually. Sebastian is just lovely and now he’s faced up to himself, he’ll make a lovely husband. Lyle is gorgeous too but in a different way – I think life with him would be fun and exciting.
Christine Wells
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 3:24 am:

Hey, Anna, I was too lazy to do anyone else’s and didn’t think about doing my own! Haha. Thanks for your take on my heroes. I’m still in love with Vane so it’s going to be hard letting him loose on the female population, but I’ll just have to keep my jealousy under wraps:)

Lyle in THE DANGEROUS DUKE is really tough and uncompromising and totally focused on getting a dirty job done (until felled by lurv, bien sur!) and Sebastian in SCANDAL’S DAUGHTER is the quintessential charmer, who just needs a little shove in the right direction to be a model husband (ably provided by Gemma). But in WICKED LITTLE GAME, Vane (aahhh, Vaaaane) is passionate and immensely big and strong and totally focused on winning the love of a very difficult heroine. Good thing he’s fictional or I think my dh would be jealous!
heidenkind
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 3:33 am:

Well, I already have a copy of Tempt the Devil (have I mentioned this?), so I don’t need another one. However, I will happily answer your question, Anna.

My top three romance heroes, at least at the moment, are Mr. Darcy from Pride & Prejudice, Eugenides from The Theif, The Queen of Anatolia, and The King of Anatolia; and Sir John Smythe (aka Tregarth) from the Vicky Bliss Series. Oh, but I just realized Eugenides is from a YA series and not romance novels. And the Vicky Bliss series is actually mystery. Oh well. Anywayyyy, Eugenides and Sir John are very similar in that they are both clever thieves; yet in their own way, men with honor and hearts of gold. As for Mr. Darcy, well, rawr.
Christine Wells
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 3:56 am:

Heidenkind, have you trademarked that expression or can anyone use it? Rawr!! LOL

Just had to pop back and agree *wholeheartedly* about Sir John Smythe!! Elizabeth Peters would make a fantastic romance writer. My fave Vicky Bliss is Night Train to Memphis.
Anna Sugden
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 6:11 am:

Hi Anna! Hi Maria and Marisa – great to see you gals (and yes, I really miss NJ!)

Fascinating topic, Anna. My first reaction when thinking about my heroes was ‘they’re all hockey players – ’nuff said’. But, of course, as there is more to the sport than fighting and hitting, there is more to my heroes than their chosen profession/sport. I know they’re not yet published, but I hope you don’t mind if I use them.

Jake (from Bad Boy, Good Man) starts as the archetypal, successful professional athlete. That air of invincibility, the arrogance born of undisputed skill and talent and, of course, the charm and good looks that enable him to lead a glamourous off-ice life. He fits the way Maureen Child describes her kind of alpha – the kind who’s bemused by challenge *g* and that he could be wrong. When tragedy forces him to rethink his life and his actions, he tries to ditch his bad boy ways and become a ‘good man’. Until it affects his game! Like many heroes, his journey of discovery shows him that being a good man is something that’s inside you.

Tru (from Tough Girl, Pretty Woman) is the fixer. Second son of a family that struggled when their father left their mother to look after four boys! He’s the kind of earnest gamma hero (too much alpha being a hockey player to be beta *g*) who always tries to put things right for everyone else. The boy next door/best friend type of guy. he has to learn that you can’t fix everything for everyone all the time. And that sometimes the best solution is for a person to fix themselves. In some ways, to be more of a hard man.

Ike (from Catching Tracy) is a goaltender (a unique kind of man *g* as any hockey fan will tell you) – serious, responsible, focussed, single-minded, determined. He’s the oldest brother, who was the man of the family after his father left. As you can probably guess, he learns to loosen up, take more risks and let go!

The interesting thing about writing about hockey-playing brothers was thinking about how their shared past shaped them all and turned them into the men they are. And how the same experiences affected them in different ways, because of their age at the time or their order (oldest to youngest).
Marisa
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 6:46 am:

HI Anna! Wow, so much to think about!

Hi Christine, sorry we have no golden rooster here, just the RNTV Chicas. Anna, we miss your being here in NJ, but I bet you don’t miss all the snow and ice.

Heidenkind, I was just having this discussion with Kati and PJ about YA novels and how they are beginning to cross generations and genders, and how the romance element is really very much a part of the YA novel right now. Things are changing fast and furiously in the publishing world and reflecting the times we live in.

Ok Anna, I’m getting to your question.
I have to say one hero that really sticks we me throughout so many of the books I’ve read is Derek Craven in Lisa Kleypas’ Dreaming of You. An Alpha in every sense of the word – grew up from nothing and made himself into a prosperous business man with lots of connections and power and in many ways he is untouchable. He operates not only with his ’street’ smarts but with his uncanny ability to know his opponent. His feelings are buried deep – his down fall – you guessed it, a woman. And Sara is a match for him in every way.

When I think about him and let’s say another favorite hero of my Phury from J.R. Wards Lover Enshrined they couldn’t be more different. But their approach to the people they love and how they protect them and love them is very much the same. Here we have 2 men who are cut off from their emotions and yet they FEEL everything.

Derek and Phury couldn’t be more different from one of my new favorite heroes Parker Harrigan in Catherine Anderson’s Star Bright. Oh – he’s the kind of hero you want to come to life and run into on the #6 train on your way home from work, have dinner, bring him home to meet your family and then marry. No joke. For me he’s become the romance hero that has it all, looks, charm, personality, money, work ethic, kindness, compassion, intelligence, humor and sex appeal. He has no angst, has a loving family, a good steady occupation that he loves and his sure of himself. So it was very easy to ‘fall in love with him’.

With these three heroes you have the self made man with a lot of anger, the addicted angst ridden vampire who had everything and had to hit bottom to realize what he’d lost, and the centered clear thinking and loving rancher who naturally does what is right. All three made me keep turning the pages and made me wish for more. And that’s the thing about characters/heroes. I want the variation, I need the variation.
Caren Crane
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 7:21 am:

Anna, so great to see you here! Favorite heroes is a tough one for me. I started out loving Roarke from the “In Death” series by J.D. Robb, but I almost think I know too much about him now. Not that I love him any less, but he’s so >i>familiar now that it takes a bit of edge off. Of course, he is gorgeous, intelligent and sensitive, so maybe I can cut him some slack for the familiarity. He is incredibly Alpha and I love that about him.

I also totally loved Jamie Fraser in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. The interesting thing about Jamie is that he was quite young (19 or 20 maybe?) when we met him. We watch him grow up and mature as the series progresses. And he does. At first, he is manly, but still willing to be guided by Claire, who is an “older woman” (a ripe old 27!). As he matures, he comes into his Alpha-ness. Verra nice. Like Roarke, though, he is willing to show his sensitivity to Claire and the helpless and oppressed. *sigh*

For a third, I loved Bentley in Liz Carlyle’s The Devil You Know. Poor Bentley had all sorts of trauma in his childhood, which left deep wounds (kind of like Roarke and Jamie…I’m seeing a pattern). Part of what makes Frederica such a great match for him is that she can see past the rake to the wounded little boy. She is about the ONLY person who sees this, too. I adore Bentley!

So, I really like a wounded Alpha, I suppose. Kind of like my husband. Hm. Sensitive, but not in an obvious way. Stubborn as anything, but not in an unreasonable way. Hey, I think I married a romance novel Alpha hero!
Marisa
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 7:33 am:

Caren – I really get the whole wounded alpha hero thing. And all three, Roarke, Jamie and Bentley, are not only wounded alphas but gain even more ’strength’ because they have a give and take relationship with the heroine. A relationship that doesn’t diminish them but rather makes them that much stronger.

How lucky are you married to a romance novel Alpha hero? What kind of heroine are you?
Gannon
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 8:31 am:

Ah, heroes! Yours are top notch, Anna, and as I am currently in the middle of TEMPT THE DEVIL, Erith is front and center. I do believe I will skip the housecleaning in favor of finishing the book. Yes, I do have my priorities straight!

I’m going to have another dose of caffeine before I choose my three heroes, but Caren has chosen two of my favorites: Jamie and Roarke!! *sigh*
Stacy ~
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 8:36 am:

Hi Anna! I have all 3 of your books and loved each one, so please don’t enter me in the contest.

Hmmm, 3 favorite heroes…. today it would be Sam Starrett from Brockmann’s Troubleshooters, Michael Stirling from Julia Quinn’s “When He Was Wicked” and Justin Vallerand from “Only With Your Love” by Lisa Kleypas.

I think why I love them all is that they have such a deep capacity for love, and they all hide a sensitive, vulnerable side. They definitely fall under the “the bigger they are, the harder they fall”. Each rakes/players in their own way, women were merely an amusement until the right woman comes along and knocks them on their feet. Nothing more glorious than a sexy alpha man in love
Kati
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 8:48 am:

Hi Anna! I love when it’s an “Anna Day” at RNTV! And this is a too fun question!

Three favorite heroes. Hmm, that’s a toughie for me. OK, here goes: Rhage from LOVER ETERNAL by JR Ward. I love Rhage because of the way he loves his woman. He meets Mary and time practically stops for him. Immediately. There is no length that is too great for him to go for Mary and he loves her singlemindedly. I love that about him. My next hero is Lucas Hunter from SLAVE to SENSATION by Nalini Singh. Again, he imprints on Sascha almost immediately and will go as far as he has to to make sure that she’s happy and sustained. Plus, he’s a toucher. He’s dominant, but totally willing to allow for the fact that he needs constant contact with her. Third hero, Jack Sheridan from VIRGIN RIVER by Robyn Carr. What a hero! Seriously, if I were to ready order a romance hero to come to life to marry me, it would be Jack. He’s a hero, he’s honorable and generous, he’s a good friend, a protective brother, and when he meets Mel, his world is rocked. He does everything in his power to make her love him, and that starts with being her friend, and respecting her as a woman. Who can deny how sexy that is?

So, in looking at my three heroes, I find that what pulls them together is that they all realize very early on that they know the woman for them, and it is the courtship and gradual love that builds between the H/h that make the stories so compelling. But the common thread is that they know early on who they want, and are willing to do anything to make that happen.
Marisa
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 10:01 am:

Stacy – Sam Starrett, how could I forget him? He does have a deep capacity for love and struggles so much with the right thing do to. I love that about him.

Kati – Rhage really does know how to love Mary and that is one of his most endearing qualities. I have yet to read the Virgin River Series, I know, I know – I’m working on it.
Beth Andrews
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 10:10 am:

Hi Anna! Hi Maria, Marisa and everyone here at RNTV!!

Ahh….heroes. One of my favorite topics *g*

Three heroes in my heart are Ethan from Nora Roberts’ Rising Tides (Chesapeake Bay series), Nick Angel from Tawny Weber’s Risque Business and I have to say Dillon, from my upcoming release A Not-So-Perfect Past (because he’s tormented and I had so much fun writing him *g*)

Also want to add my vote for Sam Starret. Oh, and the first hero I absolutely fell for was Warren Anderson in Johanna Lindsey’s The Magic of You
Jeanne AKA The Duchesse
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 10:23 am:

Goooood Morning Anna! Good morning Maria and Marisa! (Can you tell I’ve been hanging out at my youngest son’s daycare too much this week?)

What a fascinating look at heroes. I’m so non-caffeinated at this point, I’m not sure I can compete with all this fabulous analytical brainpower. Then again, I managed to put that sentence together, so perhaps I’m not totally worthless this morning. Snork.

I think, like Anna S., I’ll use my own heroes because I know them best. And there are so many out there that I love (Roarke, Rogan, your Kylemore, all the heroes from the Romance Bandits books, Ward from Patricia Brigg’s Dragon Bones, Cassondra’s hero, Cam, from one of her books, JT’s romans…) we’d be here all day if I started on describing and comparing THEM.

So, here goes…

Caine Bradley, in my first book Dark and Dangerous, is definately alpha. He’s an undercover FBI Agent and he’s trying to atone for what he perceives as his failure when his (female) partner was killed. He respects women, likes them, and admires strong ones, but he just doesn’t see himself as partner/mate material. He’s determined to focus on his task, bringing the villain Donovan Walker, to justice and he pretty much plans to die doing it. It isn’t until he meets Dana, the heroine, that he realizes it might be just as good to catch the villain and live. Dana is the villain’s ex-wife, so she has her own traumas. They heal each other, which is a pattern I like.

In my second book, Dark and Deadly, the heroine, Torie Hagen, describes the hero as “that odious Paul Jameson” and snarls when she says it. They’ve known each other since college and familiarity surely bred contempt. Paul is Gamma, I guess. Not obvious in his power, just sure in it. Secure in his own skin, covers stubborness with a sheen of amiability, and he’s known what he wanted in a woman since college – Torie. He’s straightforward, but deeply honorable, so he’s never made a move on Torie because she was “his best friend’s girl.” He’s done pretty much everything he can to keep her at arms length.

In the book I’m working on now, the hero is another Gamma. Smart, canny and strong, Gates Bromley is the power behind the throne. He likes that his boss is the one everyone sees, while he gets to do whatever he wants and no one even sees it because they’re focused on Gate’s boss, a billionaire named Dev. He’s self-deprecating, but secure. He knows his stuff. However that’s his Achilles heel as well because he failed at his own entrepreneurial business and he isn’t “the boss” so he thinks he doesn’t deserve a strong, powerful, smart woman. And of course, that’s the only kind he’s really attracted to, darn the luck. Smirk. So I gave him one to twist him up and teach him he can be all that and a great catch too. Ha!

Where Caine leapt in, Paul watches and waits. Gates manipulates and pulls strings behind the curtain to make what he wants happen. All three are strong, powerful in their own way and very much men of their own mind. But very, very different.

Huh, interesting that I managed to actually be analytical about them. :> Maybe the Starbucks is finally kicking in….
Jeanne AKA The Duchesse
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 10:26 am:

Marisa, I really want to read the Virgin River series too. I keep frustrating myself by adding to the TBR pile, but I keep doing it because there’s so many great authors out there…so many great books, so little time…
Sophia Nash
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 11:38 am:

Hi Anna, and M&Ms!

Compare and Contrast? Oh dear. Well, since I am an admitted contrarian…and already the proud possessor of TWO copies of “Tempt The Devil,” it seems I DO NOT have to obey the teacher this morning. Instead, I stopped by to just say that I adored this book. I think I once likened Anna’s first book to molten chocolate cake, and the 2nd was strawberry shortcake. This one is Devil’s Food Cake. I know. Very, very poor pun. Must go wake up on the exercise tricycle–it is 11:30am for goodness sake.
Much love from Sophia, who is banging her head over her mythical alpha male who refuses to cooperate in the current wip. Naturally.
Gannon
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 12:24 pm:

Jeanne and Marisa, the Virgin River series is sooo worth reading–move it to the top of your TBR pile!

Sophia, Devil’s Food Cake is a perfect description of TTD! I’m over half way through and I really love Erith! Is there anything more appealing than a hero with emotional wounds that can be healed by the love of his heroine?! Go whip your mythical alpha male into shape!
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 1:42 pm:

Heidenkind, thanks for picking up the book! And for still playing the game. Actually talking about heroes is never terribly onerous, I find – sure beats housework!

Rawr, huh? Can I steal that? I think that’s great. I can hear it echoing in my mind. Kinda sounds like a hungry lioness who’s seen a nice fat gazelle!

Hey, I don’t see why the heroes have to be from romance. One of my favorite heroes is Prince Andrei from War and Peace. He’s tremendously romantic and there’s a lot of romance in that story but I don’t think I’d really call it a romance! I haven’t read the Eugenides books – they sound great. Christine lent me (wiping the drool from her chin) Night Train to Memphis. Sir John is just gorgeous, isn’t he? I love an air of mystery about a man like that! Oh, and who could go past Mr. Darcy? Certainly not ME!!!! I love the way Lizzie rocks his world.
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 1:44 pm:

Oh, and of course, the next post is Christine drooling again (well, at least cyberly!). Wipe your chin, girl Sounds like Rawrs are going to be heard all over the world now, Heidenkind! Lord Vane, RAWR!!!!! Seriously, you girls have such a treat ahead of you with Christine’s new one.
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 1:57 pm:

Hey, Vrai Anna! Another Bandita!
Wow, these guys sound great!!!! Thanks for telling us about them. I think that’s one of the really interesting things about writing about siblings – the birth order starts to affect who they are! As the oldest child of two, I definitely think it does. Not that I’m in any way implying I’m bossy – I’m just always right! Why do you think hockey appeals to you so much as a sport?

Marisa, thank you AGAIN for your hospitality. I love hanging out over here as I think is perfectly obvious!

You know, I’ve never read Dreaming of You although it’s been on my wishlist for ages. Derek Craven pops up whenever I talk about favorite heroes. He’s obviously someone really special. The other LK hero who pops up a lot is the redeemed baddie in The Devil in Winter (I would love to steal that title – I think it’s brilliant!) which I have read and loved.

Anyway, DK sounds absolutely fascinating. I love your comment about him and about Phury that even though they’re cut off from their emotions, they FEEL everything. I think that’s true about Kylemore too! Maybe that’s one of the endless fascinations of those dark heroes! Hey, I haven’t heard about the Catherine Anderson book but Parker sounds absolutely gorgeous!

I think your comment about variety is spot on. As I said, my natural preference is for an alpha of some description but I firmly believe there are many kinds of alphas. I think of the men of honor who Annie West, my critique partner, writes about. They’re strong leaders, sometimes (well, often! They’re men, what can I say?) they’re misguided but there’s that solid inner core of goodness to them. And then you get someone dark and dangerous who needs to dig a bit deeper to find the hero inside himself. All of them work for me!

I’m currently reading Judith Ivory’s THE PROPOSITION for Friday’s review. One of the loveliest heroes ever written – Mick the ratcatcher. And seriously, I’d marry him tomorrow. But he’s alpha! He’s kind and smart and funny but he’s sure no pushover and he knows what he wants.
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 2:05 pm:

Hey, Caren! It’s a Bandita invasion!

Roarke is another guy who comes up a lot on lists of favorite heroes. Having finally read my first In Death book, I can see why. Actually at this stage, I love that there’s so much I don’t know about him so I hear you on familiarity. But I’ve got a long way to go before that happens! And Jamie F is another favorite! I’ve said it before but I haven’t read those books. I’m edging there. It’s nothing to do with the book as such – it’s my Culloden phobia Hmm, am I hearing from a woman who likes a nice Scottish or Irish brogue? So far there’s been a distinctly Celtic edge to your choices, Posh! I LOVE Liz Carlyle. Read a couple of hers over Christmas (one of which featured Bentley as a kinda antagonist). She does the most wonderful heroes, doesn’t she? I’ve got The Devil You Know coming in the mail – another favorite hero is Devlin in The Devil to Pay. He’s so alpha and so clueless and love hits him like a ton of bricks. I LOVE it! And lucky you, with that husband!
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 2:12 pm:

Marisa, that’s one of the journeys I never tire of reading – that wounded lion brought back to life by love. I think all my guys are better men at the end than they are at the beginning. Well, Matthew is pretty nice at the start but he’s definitely grown in confidence and strength and awareness at the end of Untouched. Kylemore and Erith have a longer way to go but they’ve definitely gone through a transformation by the end of both of their stories. Actually something I notice with a lot of great alpha heroes is that somehow falling in love lets them grow into their incredible strength so that it’s like they’re in control of their super powers by the end whereas at the beginning, their super powers control them! I don’t think super powers is going too far over the top (well, maybe a little). Most alpha romance heroes have that larger than life quality!
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 2:24 pm:

Hey, Gannon, super cool you’re enjoying Erith! Hmm, now that brings up some images… RAWR!!!!

See, Heidenkind, it’s catching on already!

Gannon, I definitely think the housework can wait! We’ll see you soon!

Hi Stacy! Thanks so much for saying that about the books. I loved your take on Matthew when they had the virgin heroes week! Would you believe I haven’t read ANY of those books you mention. Oh, man, all these pick your favorite books/heroes blogs I’m doing are murder on the Visa card! Julia Quinn’s heroes are luscious, aren’t they? I did a blog yesterday on favorite party scenes from romances and that lovely scene in An Offer from a Gentleman came up. Do you remember it? It was very Cinderella-ish and a masked ball and just gorgeous! And I think you hit it on the head for one of the BIG reasons why we love to read about these guys over and over. That bigger they are, the harder they fall thing is just so endlessly fascinating, isn’t it?
orannia
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 2:33 pm:

Go straight to a hard question first Anna Hmmm….three heroes.

Lucas Hunter from Nalini Singh’s Slave to Sensation. I loved that although a dominant and a Changeling, Lucas only demands from Sasha what he knows she is capable of giving. And I adore how he seduces her with touch *daydreams*

Right, next hero: Lord Julian Brandon from Loretta Chase’s Knave’s Wager. Almost everyone I meet ranks Lord of Scoundrels as their favourite Loretta Chase book but from the first moment I met Lord Brandon I was hooked. He is described as a ‘bad, beautiful angel’, and that’s a very apt description. Unlike Lucas, everything is a game to Lord Brandon. However, he is honourable.

My third hero is Zane Mackenzie from Linda Howard’s MacKenzie’s Pleasure. All the Mackenzie men are lovely but, just like the other two heroes above, Zane is dangerous. Another alpha who knows exactly what he wants and goes out to get it, the difference being that Zane is all serious, no play.

I’ve just realised something else they have in common. They all have black hair; Lucas and Julian have green eyes and Zane ice blue. I’m sensing a theme
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 2:33 pm:

Hi Kati! Anna Day, huh? I LIKE it!!!

Hey, how weird, Rhage is my favorite of the Brotherhood too! I love the others but there’s just something about him that really worked for me (perhaps the dual nature thing which I always find interesting). And I still think that’s my favorite BDB story too. I love how he basically falls for Mary like a ton of bricks the minute he sees her and NEVER wavers. And I LOVED Slave to Sensation too – Lucas is just gorgeous, isn’t he? That was my first shapeshifter book and I just gobbled it up like chocolate. And thanks to your recommendation, I’ve got Virgin River in the mail to me as we speak. I’ll let you know how I go with it. As I said, all this talk about good books has been terrible for my bank balance I really like good friends to lovers plots so I’m looking forward to this one.

Interesting about that immediate thing working for you. Actually looking at my guys, they get that this is their woman fairly quickly and don’t waver either so I’d have to say that works for me. I think those kinds of stories have an amazing intensity!
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 2:42 pm:

Marisa, sounds like we’re both Virgin River virgins. Sorry, it had to be said

Hey, Beth, another Bandit swinging by! By the way, I loved Jack in your NOT WITHOUT HER FAMILY. He’s a really straight guy and sometimes they’re hard to make compelling but wow, you sure made him compelling! He was great. I’m really looking forward to Dillon’s story.

I love all four heroes in the Chesapeake Bay series although I think my favorite was Cam because he was so typical romance novel alpha male at the start and then he just built and built until he’s this amazing husband and father by the end. Fantastic character development. Tawny’s heroes are gorgeous, aren’t they? I’d be hard put to pick a favorite although I think just by a whisker, my favorite is Dante, the bad boy from Does She Dare? Believe me, I’d DARE!!!! RAWR!!! TM.

Hey, Sam S is getting some votes. I’ll have to check him out.

I was just thinking back to my first romance hero. I think it goes back to the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. I used to cry my eyes out over him, especially when Beauty goes back to her family and forgets all about him and he suffers so much. Guess I was born to write tortured heroes, huh?

Later guys who made my heart beat faster? Let’s see. John of Gaunt in Anya Seton’s Katherine. Wulfgar in The Wolf and the Dove. ALL of Anne Mather’s heroes!
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 3:27 pm:

Hiya Jeanne! Don’t forget to share!

By the way, Caine was one of my favorite heroes from last year. You know I loved your book DARK AND DANGEROUS. The people at RNTV know I loved your book DARK AND DANGEROUS because I reviewed it here in tones of breathless admiration

The healing each other pattern is one I like to use. I think that’s particularly true for Claiming the Courtesan and Tempt the Devil. The characters in those stories have awful demons to fight!

Can’t wait for DARK AND DEADLY! Hmm, this is what I don’t get about gamma. Both these delicious guys sound like alphas to me! I love your analysis of the differences between them. Now I WANT their stories!

Hey, another Virgin River virgin. Snork!
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 3:32 pm:

Hey, Sophia! GREAT to see you! I always love it when you turn up! TWO copies (I was going to send you a freebie but maybe I should just shoot you off some Tim Tams instead, I know how you love them!)? That’s above and beyond the call of duty, my friend! I LOVE the Devil’s food cake thing. Rich and dark and delicious and you want more? Works for me! Thanks for saying how much you enjoyed TEMPT THE DEVIL! Good luck with both the tricycle (you’re a better woman than I am, Gunga Din!) and the alpha!

Hey, Gannon, weren’t you just over partying with the Vagabonds? Hey, excellent news that you’re falling under Erith’s spell. I thought he was lovely. I’m glad he morphed away from my original conception of him. He’s still extremely alpha but there’s so many layers to him! Yeah, I like the Devil’s Food cake thing too! Strange, that
orannia
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 4:49 pm:

I completely agree with all those who voted for Rhage. Lover Eternal is definitely my favourite of the BDB books. Plus I love that it is who Mary is as a person, who she is on the inside, that draws Rhage. *SIGH*

Anna – Cam is my favourite of the Quinn brothers too, although I also like Phillip. He has the suave, debonair side, but he also looks good hot and dirty! OK, I think I just over shared
Natalie
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 5:08 pm:

This was a hard question to answer and after reading everyone’s answers it reminds me how very different all these heroes really are. They all share either the alpha quality in a big way, or the emotionally unreachable hero, or the tortured hero. But the thing that strikes me about all these heroes is how very different they are and it is their uniqueness that draws me to each of them. Recently I’ve been drawn to three romance heroes Tempt the Devil’s Erith, with his self confidence and take charge attitude and Lover Entrnal’s Rhage with his duality and steadfastness, and Dark and Dangerous’ Caine, his single mindedness was riveting, his acceptance that there was something more exciting.
Annie West
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 5:27 pm:

Hi Anna,

What a great topic. Now, that’s got me thinking! Hm, which hero? I couldn’t possibly choose just one though there are several I have a weak spot for. To name two – Rupert Carsington in Mr Impossible (wit, amiability, strength of character and passion) and your Matthew in Untouched (just gorgeous – honourable, strong, determined, compassionate, brave…). Sigh. Just terrific. But you know, it depends on the mood I’m in as I read as to which sort of hero I want to read about. Erith, for instance, your current tall dark and dangerous guy, is just captivating. So sure of himself, so clever, so intriguing – I just couldn’t wait to see what happened when he and Olivia clashed and then they took time to discover more about each other.

I want a hero I can respect, even if along the way he does something reprehensible – he regrets it and pays for it – someone with a strong set of standards and someone with an honourable streak. But really the variations within those bounds are tremendous!

BTW, congratulations on the release of TEMPT. It’s a fantastic read! (I know I’ve said it before, but I can repeat myself, can’t I?).

Annie
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 5:29 pm:

Hey, Orannia, great to see you here! Oh, those love scenes in Slave to Sensation! Hubba hubba! I was utterly mesmerised! I don’t think I would have put the book down even if the house was set on fire!

Actually I think Knave’s Wager is one of my all-time favorite books but hardly anyone knows about it so it’s often easier to talk about Dain in Lord of Scoundrels (who I also love). Julian in Tempt the Devil is called that because of Julian in KW. It’s such a fantastic book. I’ve read it at least 20 times. I love his character arc in that – he’s actually not THAT honorable at the start and he’s such a wonderful hero at the end. Do you remember his speech about why he wants to marry Lilith at the end? Still gives me goosebumps! Amazing stuff. I adore the Sandalwood Princess too. That’s got one of the best secondary characters in romance, Padji. Actually all the secondary characters in that are wonderful. How fantastic to meet someone else who’s read and loved KW! That’s made my day!

I’m a huge Linda Howard fan but I haven’t read the MacKenzie books yet (only slowly discovering her old categories. I think my favorite so far is Loving Evangeline. That one is amazing!).

Hmm, a soft spot for the tall, dark and dangerous, huh? Yeah, I think I can feel that vibe if I try REALLY, REALLY hard
heidenkind
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 5:30 pm:

Christine and Anna–NIGHT TRAIN TO MEMPHIS is my favorite Vicky Bliss book, too! I love the scene where they’re in the cave… and scene where John is lying in bed and she’s nursing his wounds (hahaha), and the scene where she realizes he’s married and she’s like, “Wha… wha… whatawhat?!?!” Basically, I just really like the book.

Christine, you can use rawr as long you give me credit for it. E.g., “rawr *c/o heidenkind.” LOL Kidding (of course).

Anna, I really enjoyed TEMPT THE DEVIL! I just telling one of my friends the other night that I wouldn’t mind if Erith dropped by my house for a while…. lol When he caught his daughter with Olivia, though, he was a real jerk! But I guess he made up for it eventually….
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 5:35 pm:

Hey, Gannon, I just realised you’re a Virgin River NON-Virgin. Just what does that make you instead? LOL!

Orannia, I too felt the magic of dirty Phillip. Hmm, that didn’t quite come out right! They’re ALL great heroes, aren’t they? I think Nora Roberts does great men. Actually, I think Linda Howard does too. I believe in them as real men, not just as romance heroes if that makes sense. Hey, and another vote for Rhage! Yay! I know the others all have their fans and I can see why but I just found the love story between him and Mary SOOOO powerful.
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 5:39 pm:

Hey, Natalie! I love your answer, and not just because you picked MY book, my favorite BDB book and a Bandita Buddy book! Actually I think one thing that comes out in all your picks is that they’re pretty decisive! Once these guys see what they want, they don’t waver. But I agree, a really great hero IS himself, a true individual.
orannia
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 5:57 pm:

Actually I think Knave’s Wager is one of my all-time favorite books

(((((Anna))))) It is so great to meet someone else who loves KW and Julian You’re right, I forgot to add the word eventually to my statement that Julian is honourable. I think it is because he sees everything as a game. And that’s why I like Lilith. And yes, his declaration is…very heartfelt

Hmm, a soft spot for the tall, dark and dangerous, huh? That describes me very well

Oh, and I should point out I’ve also read Virgin River and enjoyed them, thanks to Kati
Jeanne AKA The Duchesse
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 6:21 pm:

*Blush* I’m so glad you liked Dark and Dangerous, Anna. :> It was such fun to write.

Talking about Nora’s men…that sounds faintly naughty…I adore Cam in the Chesapeake series, but I really love Rogan in the Born in Ice, Born in Fire, etc. series.
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 6:44 pm:

Hey, Annie, great to see you! Did you see you copped a mention earlier on? I was talking about what wonderful alphas you write. I know you love Rupert (so do I – I think he’s just gorgeous!) and I KNOW you love Matthew (which always gives me a big smile!). One of the things I love about Erith is that he’s got a smart mouth (hmm, not taking that one any further!). Loved writing those bits where Olivia’s trying to get the advantage over him with words and she’s hitting more opposition than she’s used to! Thanks for saying such lovely things about my books and thanks for popping by RNTV!

Rawr (TM Heidenkind 2009)! I love those scenes in Night Train to Memphis. Actually I’ve only recently discovered Crocodile on the Sandbank too. What a great romance! Heidenkind, so glad you enjoyed TTD and that Erith made up for his faux pas! I wouldn’t mind if he dropped round either although I suspect he’s VERY happy where is right now!
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 6:46 pm:

Honestly, Orannia, I think KW is absolutely masterly. (mistressly has a different ring!) It’s not very long but somehow we get these amazingly complex characters, a really rich emotional arc ending in an incredible satisfying HEA. Not to mention one of the nicest secondary romances I’ve ever read. I don’t know how she did it! I’m in awe! Signet (I think) reissued KW in a double a few years ago but I suspect it’s long out of print. I’ve got one of the old Avon Regencies and I treasure it like gold. It does NOT leave the house!
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 6:47 pm:

Orannia, clearly you’re a Virgin River UN-Virgin too

Jeanne, looks like you’ve got a few fans here and I’m not at all surprised! I haven’t read the Born trilogy. Must find them!
Fedora
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 7:01 pm:

Just wanted to say hi, Anna! Going to have to give the heroes question some thought and come back to answer–very fun to read everyone’s comments so far! So many excellent heroes out there!
Carol L.
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 7:06 pm:

Oh, I have to say “Devil” from Stephanie Laurens
Carol L.
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 7:12 pm:

Oh, I have to say first is “Devil” from Stephanie Laurens Cynaster clan. Talk about a strong, dependable Alpha male…sigh…
Second would be “Rafe MacKettrick” from Linda Lael Millers MacKettrick family and Then “Wulf” from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series. But actually, all the Dark Hunters are amazingly Alpha.
I can’t wait to read To Tempt The Devil so I can add another hero hunk to my list
Annie West
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 7:24 pm:

Heidenkind – Night Train to Memphis is terrific, isn’t it? I’d forgotten all about it till I read your post just now. Oh, must go looking for it.

Anna – No, I didn’t know I’d been mentioned earlier. How nice! Must say I love it that you like my heroes. Always gives me a thrill. Oh dear, so saying, I should head back to this wip. Am having a few hero troubles at the moment.

Annie
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 7:25 pm:

Fedora, hasn’t it been fun revisiting favorite heroes and finding out about future favorite ones? I’ll be around again tomorrow just in case anybody came by late and also to draw the winner of the book so definitely come back and share your hero thoughts.

Carol, I hope you consider Erith a hero hunk! I think that’s a true accolade

Ooh, I remember Devil in that first Cynster book. I read it on a Sunday afternoon and couldn’t put it down till I finished. He started a whole new fashion in alphas, didn’t he? I blush to say I haven’t read the others. Too many good books, too little time!
heidenkind
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 7:26 pm:

I wouldn’t mind if he dropped round either although I suspect he’s VERY happy where is right now!

Awwww. Darn. lol
Anna Campbell
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 7:38 pm:

Hey, Heidenkind, yummy romance heroes are just like buses – you miss one, another one will be along shortly
Laura
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 9:07 pm:

How do you compare three men that you love? Here goes. . .1st: Jasha Wilder(Scent of Darkness, Christina Dodd), I never knew how sexy a wolf could be. Who knew? 2nd: Zsadist( Lover Awakened, J.R. Ward)He’s a very dark and cynical man, but you can’t help but cheer him on as he falls for Bella. And 3rd: Rhage(Lover Eternal,J.R. Ward) Dah…. I think you all summed him up quite well. It’s the total devotion to the women that each and every one of them has that is a total sex factor. There’s something about a bad guy being totally soft for the women he loves. It’s a contradiction thing.
heidenkind
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 9:43 pm:

True, true… and I guess I could just read the book again.
Marisa
on Jan 13th, 2009
@ 11:59 pm:

Hi Anna – Thanks so much for hosting this wonderful discussion today (or night for us and day for you or is it day for us and night for you?)! There are at least three new books and their heroes I most definitely will read. Top of my list Miss Kati, is Virgin River.
Anna Campbell
on Jan 14th, 2009
@ 1:29 am:

Snicker! Laura, it WAS a tough assignment, wasn’t it? I haven’t read Christina’s paranormals. Sounds like I need to get them! Zsadist is an amazing hero – I love that he can sing, it’s one of those really lovely unexpected things that happen all the time in the BDB books. Hey, and cool, another Rhage fan!!!! I’m hoping this current book I’m working on will feature my first genuine bad boy – because as you say, that tough exterior and softness inside for the woman he loves just make all of us melt, don’t they?

Heidenkind, one can always catch the same bus every day! Especially if you like the destination!

Marisa, it’s been a great day! Thank you again for inviting me over. I’ll see you all on Friday. Seriously, this is my second home on the Net! Thank you to everyone for a really interesting discussion!

I’ll pop in tomorrow to see if I missed any stragglers. And don’t forget to check to see who won the book!
PJ
on Jan 14th, 2009
@ 8:59 am:

Hi Anna! Sorry I missed all the fun! It was one of those busy days when I was running to and fro all day. (((Hugs)))
Anna Campbell
on Jan 14th, 2009
@ 2:52 pm:

Hey, PJ, I’ll get you at a later date. Be afraid, be very afraid Actually it was a hugely fun day here. Thanks again, Ms!!!!
Anna Campbell
on Jan 14th, 2009
@ 4:29 pm:

THE WINNER IS ANNOUNCED!!!!

And it’s Orannia!

I couldn’t go past the only other person I know who is as in love with Knave’s Wager as I am. Congratulations, Orannia. Can you please email me on anna@annacampbell.info with your snail mail address and I’ll get your book off to you. Thanks for playing my hero game! I thought it was huge fun.
orannia
on Jan 14th, 2009
@ 4:53 pm:

Thank you so much Anna! And thank you Marisa and Maria! I’m so excited, not just from having won a copy of Tempt the Devil (after all the wonderful things I’ve heard about Julian I can’t wait to meet him ) but also to have found someone who loves Knave’s Wager! Two positives in my book

And it was great to read everyone’s picks of their favourite heroes!

PS Anna – I too have a copy of Knave’s Wager – it’s an old Avon copy I think, which I bought off Amazon and treasure
heidenkind
on Jan 14th, 2009
@ 5:56 pm:

Hoooray, Orannia!