What is it about the alpha male that we love so much? I’ve been a fan of alpha heroes from my very first Johanna Lindsey novel. Since then, I’ve read as many books as I could get my hands on that featured strong alpha males: Julie Garwood, Linda Howard, Christine Feehan to name a few. When I started to write my own books, I created the kind of heroes I liked to read—dedicated heroes with very alpha traits.
Alphas are bigger than life, take charges kind of guys. They’re the kind of men who stick to their convictions and who will go out of their way to support family or friends in need. While they’ll fight tooth and nail for the ones they love, these men also live by a strong code of honor.
Writing an alpha male that doesn’t come across as a jerk can be tricky. I personally believe it all comes down to striking a fine balance between making him “very confident and strong” and giving him the right “chinks in his armor” (at least one is usually related to the heroine *g*).
Yes, alpha heroes can be arrogant and strong-minded, even pigheaded at times, but these very same qualities are what gives the alpha hero that “extra edge” we slurp up with a spoon as we watch him fight for his woman. Whether that “fight” is against a villain or his own internal issues keeping him from accepting how much she means to him, nothing melts our hearts more than to see a very strong Alpha male brought to his knees by the love of woman.
So how do we present this strong, dominant Alpha male’s loyalty and dedication to the heroine? How do we show his emotion and just how deep his love runs? We convey it through dialogue, yes, and also through finer, more subtle ways via the hero’s actions, making it crystal clear to the reader how very much this Alpha cares for the heroine.
If you’d like to read excerpts featuring alpha heroes paired with heroines to match them, I hope you’ll check out my website. Whether they are seductive vampires or werewolves, or sexy, rugged cowboys, all my heroes have one thing in common--they’re very Alpha and very dedicated to their women. :o)
Question: What are some traits you feel qualify a hero for “Alpha” status?
Join in the discussion and at the end I’ll pick a winner to send a download of my latest eBook, SUSANNA’S SEDUCTION!
Now let's chat!
Patrice Michelle
Patrice’s Upcoming Books:
Anticipation – October 2007, Samhain
Scions: Resurrection (book 1) – January 2008, Harlequin Nocturne
Places to find more information about Patrice:
Patrice's Website
Patrice's Blog
Patrice's MySpace
33 comments:
Hi Patrice... Hope you are having a good day. I have read you Kendrian Vampires. I totally fell in love with these characters. I hope there will be another book to the series someday. :)
Hi Anna,
Thanks so much on your compliments on my vampires. Yes, I do plan on having more Kendrian vampires. Crossing fingers current proposals go somewhere. *g*
In the meantime, my upcoming January 2008 Nocturne release SCIONS: RESURRECTION will feature a sexy alpha vampire. If you liked Ronan from A Taste for Control, I think you'll enjoy Jachin.
Hi Patrice! Welcome to Jacki's blogspot! :)
I, too, like alpha males who have strong convictions, who are confidant ---just shy of arrogant, and who are extremely protective. Of course, they must be ready and willing to fight for their woman, friends, family or some worthy cause. And they do not give up on anything!
With that being said, however, the alpha males that most capture my heart are also those who exhibit some weakness or character flaw. To me, there is nothing sexier than a strong character who is humbled by his own faults. And I love when the heroine discovers that trait, works it to her advantage and helps her hero work through his shortcomings.
Someone tell me I am not the only one who loves an alpha male with at least one significant limitation!
That is great! Good luck with your propsals. I am loving the Nocturne line! I'm looking forward to reading Resurrection. :)
Hi Christine,
I so agree on the "protective streak" in alpha males. Watching the hero protect the heroine rivets me to the pages...not to mention giving great 'awwwww' moments. Nothing compares! :)
You're not the only one who likes to see a flaw in the hero as well. Sometimes flaws can take a physical form or a mental one, making the hero very dynamic.
Thanks so much, Anna. There are some great mainstream story lines in the Nocturne books. I'm excited to see them going over well with readers.
Hi Patrice
I adore Alphas, strong protective take charge and take no crap (except from the heroine, of course) kind of guys. They have strong convictions and stand up for them. I also like them to have some kind of torture soul to overcome in the end
Hi Liz,
Great description! Yes, these alpha males must be paired with heroines that can put them in their place if need be. The heroine can't be a shrinking flower or he'd walk all over her. I try really hard to find the right heroine to match to my heroes. I've written a couple kickass heroines, but, the majority of my heroines are strong-minded...the kind of ladies that don't take crap off their heroes. *g*
Hi Patrice...
I was browsing your website this morning. I am looking forward to reading your Nocturne series. And your Kendrian Vampires have been added to my list!
Hi Amyc,
Thanks so much for checking out my books. I hope you like my Kendrian vampires and my Scions series once it releases.
Oh yeah. I agree, Patrice... no shrinking flower heroines. I couldn't refer to the female lead as a true heroine if she wasn't somehow the kickass type... either emotionally or physically. Otherwise, she would just be a mere protagonist and in my humble opinion, alpha males require strong willed heroines in order for the story to be most satisfying.
Otherwise, she would just be a mere protagonist and in my humble opinion, alpha males require strong willed heroines in order for the story to be most satisfying.
Yep, Christine, I think that's what makes playing these two strong-willed heroes and heroines off each other so much fun in the story.
Hi Patrice - I love the Alpha males as well. I love that they are strong yet protective - especially toward family, friends, and of course the heroine. They're confident yet aren't afraid to show another side of themselves without looking "weak". And of course it's always great when the heroines stand up for themselves and dont' take crap! :) Great blog - thanks! I'm going now to check out your website!
Hmm what makes an Alpha...an Alpha to me is someone who takes NO crap whether it be from his woman or his subordinates. An Alpha to me will do whatever it takes whenever he can to further his own agenda or what he considers "right."
Hi Tracy,
You bring up a good point here They're confident yet aren't afraid to show another side of themselves without looking "weak".
This is one of those 'striking a balance' things I was talking about. Alphas, by natures, NEVER want to show a weakness, so for them to do so, especially when it comes to the heroine, is IMO particularly heart-grabbing in a story.
Hi Kellygrl,
You said: An Alpha to me will do whatever it takes whenever he can to further his own agenda or what he considers "right."
There is a certain ruthlessness that Alphas exude when it comes to their own agendas, but what makes them so yummy is that that ruthlessness is usually tempered by a very strong code of honor. Sometimes the hero's agenda doesn't fall in line with the heroine's, which makes for great conflict in the building relationship between the hero and heroine. *g*
Hi Patrice,
I, like most women, love the alpha male, but tell me, has anyone ever written a Beta male??
Barbara
http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880000288.html
Oops, I didn't finish my thought.
Kellygrl, you highlighted some very true traits about Alphas. These are some traits that I so love about alphas because these characteristics give us so much leeway in relationship building, such as learning to compromise, respect for differences and acceptance.
Hi Barbara!
Like you, I love reading and writing alpha males, but if written with the correct amount of depth, an alpha male can have some Beta traits. That's the best combination to me!
When I think of Beta male, I think of a male who has a nurturing aspect to his personality.
These beta traits usually come out with family and friends, and especially the heroine.
It's how the author tweaks the alpha/beta qualities that makes for a memorable hero, IMHO.
Another aspect of Beta males are heroes who are more brainy in nature and less physical. I know there are some authors who write Beta males. I remember seeing someone mention Vicki Lewis Thompson's "Nerd series" books as featuring well written beta heroes.
Love those strong alpha males with the sexy eyes and knowing smiles. They have the confidence to take on anyone and anything at anytime, except that one certain female who can get under their skin and cause total havoc with their lives...love it. The Nocture line of books is terrific and I will certainly be looking forward to reading 'Scions: Resurrection'.
Hi ShariC,
It's hard to ignore the one person who's wrecking havoc with your mind as well as your libido, eh? Yes, watching the hero fight his feelings for the heroine before finally embracing them is one of the best 'dances' to experience in a novel featuring an alpha male hero--because these men are fighters...in all aspects of the word. LOL!
The Nocturne line is wonderful. I'm so excited about Jachin's story in Scions:Resurrection! I hope readers love him as much as I did by the end of the book...talk about a tortured hero. :)
Hi Patrice. I love your books.
Smooches.
Alpha males just are all that. I enjoy books with that type of leading man more so then any other kind. They are strong when need to be but are also very caring and supportive.
I cant wait for your next book...
Judy!
Smooches back! *g*
Yep, alpha males are my 'chocolate'. *g*
Thanks for your wonderful kudos on my books. Next book up features a cowboy names Jonas in ANTICIPATION with Samhain (in October '07) and THEN...a sexy vampire in SCIONS: RESURRECTION with Silhouette Nocturne (in January '08). Woot! I'm thrilled to have some new work to share with you all in the near future.
Hello Patrice.
I love your Kendrian Vampire series.I just recently read #3.
Very cool that there will be more in the series,cant wait!
Good luck to you and thanks!
I think being a leader is a required trait for an Alpha. I mean they wouldn't be Alpha with the Beta's - they'd be dominate Lone Wolves.
They should also be protective yet confident enough to have mates as strong natured as they are.
Hi Stephanie *magic*,
I'm thrilled to hear you've been enjoying my Kendrians series! I definitely have more stories to tell...I hope I get the chance to write them. Thanks for the well wishes.
Patrice!! Love this post :)
I just love alpha males.
Definitely all the qualities you've mentioned qualify him for alpha status. I love a strong alpha who wants to protect and serve ;)
I already have Susanna's Seduction, so good luck to the winner :) You'll love it.
Patrice said: There is a certain ruthlessness that Alphas exude when it comes to their own agendas, but what makes them so yummy is that that ruthlessness is usually tempered by a very strong code of honor.
Patrice, this is probably how your heroes manage to avoid creeping over to the "domineering-jerk-dark-side" of the alph male. I can't remember any of your heroes that I felt crossed that line.
I have to be careful reading romance that shouts about its "dominant alpha male" - too often, they're just stalkers in "romance-hero" clothing. One of my hot-button things with certain alphas is when they lock the heroine in a house/bedroom/whatever for her own good.
I just want to scream at them - "And what happens when the house burns down, you big arrogant jerk?!"
(Oops, sorry, ranting. Just finished an otherwise pretty good book, but simmered through most of the last third because the heroine was locked in her bedroom "for protection" when the big-dogs left town to take care of the bad guys).
Miki
Hi Arkiem,
I totally agree on the leader requirement for an Alpha. These alpha guys will find it hard taking orders from someone else, which again can be another opportunity for great conflict (or great sexual tension depending on WHO is giving the orders *ggg*)in the story.
Hey Miki *waves*,
Miki said: Patrice, this is probably how your heroes manage to avoid creeping over to the "domineering-jerk-dark-side" of the alph male. I can't remember any of your heroes that I felt crossed that line.
Whew, I'm glad to hear my heroes work for you. I try really hard to reach that balance.
Miki said: One of my hot-button things with certain alphas is when they lock the heroine in a house/bedroom/whatever for her own good.
I'd have my hero give the woman a VERY big gun and tell her to shoot anything that comes through that door! The heroine would probably surprise him by cocking the gun and saying, "Where do you keep your extra ammo?" *ggg*
Hi Ali!!
I'm enjoying seeing all the different perspectives on Alphas and why we love them so much, too.
And, woot, I'm psyched to learn you liked Susanna's Seduction. :)
I think it's safe to say that Alpha males are the favorite type of hero. They are strong (body and mind), confident (but not arrogant), and have some kind of flaw (don't we all?). Make him a romantic soul with a sense of humor and you have my ideal man!
Hi Jodi!
Yep, he's gotta have a sense of humor and for me...be very intelligent. Good point here on the humor. Many of my alpha heroes are pretty intense, so I incorporate showing their sense of humor. One, it's great for giving some tension relief (and can even be great fun during very high sexual tension moments) and two it shows another layer to the hero's personality.
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