Anna Campbell decided she wanted to be a writer when she was seven years old. If she couldn’t be a writer, she wanted to be a ballet dancer. Luckily for the world of dance, she sold her first book in 2006.
Avon will release CLAIMING THE COURTESAN as a Romantic Treasure in April, 2007. You can find out more at www.annacampbell.info
Would Santa Claus cut it as an alpha romance hero?
Mostly because it’s fun, I’ve been discussing romance heroes lately. Tough work, but somebody has to do it. It’s particularly difficult when visual aids are involved. NOOOO!!! Don’t show me another photo of Hugh Jackman! Hmm, Hugh in only a
towel? OK, go on, show me! I can take the pain!
I started to wonder about the man of the moment. Well, 25th December, anyway. Does Mr. Claus cut it as a romance hero?
That red and white wardrobe isn’t up to scratch, especially the naff fur trimming. He’s on the mature side and overweight, and heroes sport a six pack. At least mine do. And that facial hair is a distinct turn-off. Has anyone read a hero with a moustache? A schoolfriend’s German mother once announced that a kiss without a moustache was like bread without butter. Hmm. Jury’s out on that one.
But a leading man needs more than a pretty face and taut abs. An alpha hero is a leader. Santa is that – look at the way he wrangles reindeer. Not to mention getting those elves to produce to deadline in a spirit of goodwill. An alpha hero is faithful to his woman. I’ve never heard a whisper that Santa has looked at anyone but his wife for hundreds of years. Santa has paranormal powers to rival those of any vampire. He’s more generous than the sexiest billionaire adorning his sweetie with diamonds.
So, yes, Santa Claus is an alpha hero. Although he’s not featuring in my dark Regencies any time soon.
Character is what makes a hero, not good looks, although usually good looks come with the package. A hero is a man with heart and courage and integrity, even if he doesn’t immediately recognize those qualities in himself.
Tell me about your favorite hero. The comment I like best wins an advanced review copy of my first book CLAIMING THE COURTESAN. Two runners-up win the Anna Campbell 2007 desk calendar – gorgeous scenes from round the world.
30 comments:
There are so many fantastic heroes in romance fiction. Anthony Bridgerton from The Viscount Who Loved me by Julia Quinn, Daegus MacKeltar from Karen Marie Moning's The Dark Highlander, and Brahm Ryland from Still in My Heart by Kathryn Smith to name but a few.
So I'll pick ONE of my favorites and say Marcus Lord Westcliff from It Happened One Autumn by Lisa Kleypas. Westcliff takes charge of a situation and is intelligent as well as being a loyal friend. He is extremely disciplined yet there is a core of kindness inside. When he falls he falls for a woman he deems completely inappropriate for him yet he loves her with a passion that's simply breathtaking.
He's a man's man who, when he allows himself to love, does so completely. He's a wonderful hero :)
Wow Anna, I've never thought of Santa in this light before. But I suppose you're right - definite hero material.
For me I like the guy-next-door hero. Average Joe who we can all attain but loves his woman to distraction.
And of course Hugh Jackman in a towel, is also a very appealing hero.
Oh and I have to agree with Annie - her hubby is cute ;-)
Sorry Anna, forgot to say - fab picture.
And great cover.
Wow, it's really great to see all these great husbands getting a mention as a favourite hero! I mean, that's romance in action, isn't it? Annie, your husband is fantastic (you know I think that!) although your two sheikhs are pretty special too. Bonnie, I love your list of romance heroes. I'll have to check out the Lisa Kleypas. I haven't read it yet. Alissa and Ellie, your guys sound great! Amy, I hear you about average Joes although I don't think my heroes fall into that category. I think that's one of the reasons I write historicals - you can do those rip-roaring alpha heroes and they can still be (fairly) realistic. All real heroes have that one quality you mention, though - they love the heroine to distraction. Hey, this is fun! Thank you all so much for responding.
This is not really a romantic answer or hero, but my favorite real-life hero is actually my father. He and my mother met in grade school and have been married for 33 years. My father loves my mother very much and is devoted to her. When she hurts, he hurts...when she is happy, he is happy, etc. They have set a great example for me and my siblings. He has those character qualities you mention...heart and courage and integrity, but would never consider himself a hero. My father has a great sense of humor, is kind, works hard, and is strong (physically and emotionally). This has been a tough year for him...he lost his father in an auto accident...but he has still managed to be there for our family and keep our spirits up.
I love reading about all kinds of heroes, but when it comes time for me to meet my own Mr. Right (I am still looking), I don't need a storybook hero, I just hope he is at least half the man my father is.
Hi Anna!
I could say my favourite hero is my cat. Definitely an alpha male and he lets the whole neighbourhood know it. I hope my husband doesn't see this... (He's my *real* favourite hero. Really.)
Congratulations on your amazing first sale!
Vanessa
Congratulations on your first sale!
CLAIMING THE COURTESAN looks really good!
I have to pick Roarke from J.D. Robb's In Death series. He is everything you said and more!!!
I would also have to pick Rourke. I can't seem to keep measuring all heroes by him.
You will not believe this but I went to college with a girl with same name. LOL I like what you wrote in your blog about Santa.
My hero would be one of my Uncles since I don't have anyone special right now. They have always been easy to talk to.
Hey Anna! Love your post. The original Mr December, eh?
As to heroes in books, I looove Phin in Welcome to Temptation as a hot hero. Yummo!
Maybe not what you were after, but I enjoyed myself!
Can't wait to read your book!!!!! Neither can my mum ;).
Ally
Jennifer, thank you for sharing your thoughts on your dad. My dad is my hero too, actually. He passed away five years ago and there isn't a day goes by when I don't miss him. I hope you and your family make it through this difficult time and keep the good memories close to you.
Best.
Anna
Anonymous (although I think I can guess you you are!), snorted at your cat being your hero. Mind you, I've often read of heroes who cross the room with a panther-like stride! Little Lamb Lost, LOVED your post about your husband. He sounds like a real champion! Kim, your Santa sounds lovely! Roarke girls - I've got to get me these books in a hurry! Joan, I'm pretty sure I'm not the AC you knew in college! Ally, give my love to your gorgeous mum. And Phin is my favourite JC hero too. Yum!! I want some Shark's Phin soup for lunch!
oh dear, I am hopeless when it comes to faves. I can NEVER choose one.
Seeing we are talking Christmas, I have a really soft spot for Jack in the movie, 'While you were Sleeping.' The actor, Bill Pullman has played some roles of wimps but here he is divine...quietly falling in love but all his actions scream integrity especially as he thinks the heroine is in love with his brother.
I love that you put an alpha spin on Santa. Can't WAIT to read your debut novel
Fiona :-)
Pearl, lovely to hear about your wonderful husband. Fiona, I hear you about how hard it is to pick faves. I like to take the buffet approach!
Thanks Anna...New Years Eve will be the one year anniversary of my grandfather's death...this will be the first Christmas without him, but we will make it through. It will tough on my dad, but he is a strong man.
Ahhh, this is really hard. I feel so deprived after eading those posts, now I really want a husband! In books my hero would have to be Heathcliff(original eh?). Even though the book is cleaner than soap, Heathcliff's character is so rugged and rough and passionate which equals damn sexy!
Other heros include David Boreanaz as Angel in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The tortured soul. He really got me in that.
And what about Daniel Craig in the new James Bond? Oh.My.Lord. And Pierce Brosnan wasn't so bad either.
Do you see the pattern here? I'd only get my heart broken with these bad boys. But my oh my, do they make good fantasies!
It's great to find this blog by the way!
Maria
Jennifer, anniversaries are tough. Hang in there. Sharon, your husband sounds lovely too. Where are all these lovely husbands coming from? Where is the shop? Anonymous, I LOVE Heathcliff, although I don't think he's lovely husband material! And Pam, wasn't Rupert C the greatest? Nalini asked for the fictional character we'd like to meet in her original blog to get this party started and I said RUPERT, RUPERT, RUPERT FOR ME!!!! Well, not in so many words but that was what was happening in my head.
Beautiful, stunning cover, Anna :)
I can't pick just one either. I want to say it's usually the one I'm reading about at the moment lol. That's why I love to read romance.
In real life my dad would definitely be my hero. He was a deputy chief on the fire department and would never send his men anywhere where he would not go first. (It's late and I am not sure I am even making any sense.) He died 35 years ago after a long battle with cancer. A battle he fought with grace and dignity, never complaining.
In literature my hero would definitely be Roarke. The loving, caring support he gives Eve is awesome.
Now come on, Ms Campbell! What's with the vendetta against facial fungus? I'll have you know I've never seen my husband's upper lip - NEVER! Nor do I want to. *shudder* Come to think of it, I haven't seen his chin for about 30 years either.
But I've been kissing him for longer than that (not continuously, of course) and I'm here to tell you, it's perfectly fine. More than that would be TMI. heheh
Well, one of my heroes is my English/Swedish teacher from elementary school. He wasn't just a great teacher (anyone who can hold the attention of 30 noisy kids has my admiration), but he also didn't hesitate to jump into the sea to save a guy who was at the mercy of a current.
My husband is my hero because he is doing most of the Christmas shopping.
First let me say I absolutely love the cover for CLAIMING THE COURTESAN and I collect ARCs. I have sold my soul to the ARC devil and my love for them runs deep.
My hero was my Dad and he passed away this February. He was a man well liked and known for his integrity. I have so many good stories about him but the one I'd like to share is of me, him and my cat. When I lived with my parents in Orlando my cat (who is the love of my life) loved to hang out doing cat things in their garage. One day I whistled for my cat to come in and my Dad came to stand beside me and he said "I've never seen a cat come to a whistle." I laughed and kept whistling and kitty came in. It's funny..I was talking about Daddy this morning. I was telling my roommate how he'd put the shuttle launch on TV and after they did the countdown we'd step out the front door and watch the shuttle take off. Oh my...
It's been rough this fall watching football and not being able to call him and talk about his favorite team (University of Texas in Austin) HOOK 'UM HORNS! They've done well this season and I like to think it's for him. I miss him so...
I'd say my husband's my hero. He's just everything I'd ever want in a guy. And he's always there for me, which I adore.
I've 2 heros. My spouse and my dad. The first for being there for me through recent tough times and the second for being there, period, all my life. Love u both!
And if we're talking fictional heroes - Mr. Darcy of P&P fame!
My dad, my brothers and my dear husband are my heroes. They all have been faithful, hard working husbands who would do anything for their spouses. and would go out of their way to help someone in need.
Hey, thanks everyone for commenting. Crystal, it sounds like you've got a wonderful family. Bookworm, I'm SO with you about Mr Darcy. Yum! And he's a man of principle as well, which I always find attractive. Nicole, another GREAT husband. Meljprincess, loved your cat story. So happy for you that you have such lovely memories of your dad. Maureen, do you think your husband would come and do MY Christmas shopping? Minna, I had a very inspirational teacher when I was in the last few years of primary school - I'll always be thankful to him. His name was Campbell, oddly enough. Danny, I love your description of the ideal male. Denise, laughed at the idea of Mike without beard and mo - hard to picture! Joyce, I found your comment about your dad really touching. Catslady - sounds like you take the buffet approach to choosing a favourite too! Nalini, so glad you love my cover too!
Phew! I think that's everyone. Now for the really hard bit. I have to choose three winners. Wish me luck. Or perhaps I should be wishing YOU luck!
My favorite hero would be a man who can come on and sweep me off my feet. He would be romantic and be good looking. He would not have to
be extremely handsome. The main thing would be that he could steal
my heart away.
Hey Anna, I can't wait to read your book.
I have no doubt your duke is going to go onto my list of favourite heroes. I've heard so much about him.
Tessa
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