Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Of Heroes and Rain

It's a rainy, rainy day in my neck of the woods and I've just finished writing a letter to readers talking about Archangel's Storm. The letter will be appearing on my publisher's website during release week - I'll put up a link once it's live so you can swing by and read it. :-)

Part of the letter talks about Jason as a hero - with his wings of black and spymaster's ability to keep secrets, he is intense in his quietness. But when he does speak, he commands the attention of the archangels themselves.

I've wanted to know his secrets from day one - and more, I've wanted to see what would happen should that fascinating, compelling restraint snap.

I've also been working on Walker and Lara's novella, which will be releasing next year as part of Wild Invitation (March 2013), and Walker, too, is a man who guards his words - and yet there is no doubt in anyone's mind that he is a power.

That got me to thinking about quiet, powerful heroes in general. I think done right, these heroes can be incredibly intriguing.

Can you think of some examples of quiet heroes who aren't stuffy (though we know I love those, too! Mr. Darcy, be still my heart), but simply prefer to keep their silence? Do you like reading about these intense, contained heroes?

27 comments :

Schenni said...

The silent, contained hero type has been my favorite from the beginning. It's just great to watch them thaw out with the ones they care about. You just know that they'll say something when it's important and won't make any false or empty promises.
Some heroes like that...
Judd ;] He's still my favorite hero of the series. I just love him.
Then there's Diaz from Linda Howards's "Cry No More", Ethan from Cindy Gerard's "EDEN" series and maybe Julie James's Jack Pallas (although he's more the brooding type ^.^).

Really looking forward to "Archangel's Storm" and "Wild Invitation"! :)

Anonymous said...

I love those kind of heroes. They're usually very complex and mature and therefore refreshing. Unfortunately, I have yet to read a book with one. I see it more often in TV shows and games. I guess it's easier to use silent types when the audience can see his actions from the outside.

But I still love fun Bluebell lots. Heehee.

Anonymous said...

Hm..have you ever read Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins? Loved her hero Malone. (This book is one of my favourites).

http://www.kristanhiggins.com/KH-Catch-of-the-Day.html

Saiqa said...

I also love these types of heroes.Judd is my favourite and can't wait to read Jasons and Walkers story. I also am dying to read Aodhan's story.

Kelly said...

The quiet, powerful hero is my favourite (or my favourite attribute when they're not always quiet). Jamie from Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series, several characters from Patricia Briggs writing, Saeten from Anne Bishop's Twilight books. I could go on and on. On Tele, the epitome must be The Stig from BBC's Top Gear (funny car guy show). He doesn't speak at all and I find him my favourite personage!

Anonymous said...

Love those type of characters. One of my favorites is Z (Zsadist) from J.R. Ward Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

sarah said...

Those are my favourite heroes too. Corlath from The Blue Sword comes first to mind, and since I'm currently reading The Snow Child I ought to mention Jack from that book, although he's more a character than a hero, if you know what I mean. Someone else mentioned Judd and I have to agree. The strong silent type is always the most compelling.

Readsalot81 said...

I really like Lisa Shearin's hero, Mychael Eiliesor in the Raines Barnes series. He's quiet and strong, not overbearing in the slightest. She lets glimpses of humor and frustration peak out to round out the character and it's just very well done.

Michelle Sagara also does a wonderful job with a character called Corporal Severn Handred. It's fantasy rather than romance, but I love that character something fierce. I love male characters that help rather than hinder.. and that are not insecure when put into the unflattering position of being the 2nd banana so to speak.

me said...

I love Diaz from Cry No More. I loved the epilogue too where you see him surrounded by family

reese

Courtney said...

Like Anonymous said above, Zsadist from JR Ward's BDB series is my favorite "quiet" hero. When he speaks, it's important to listen because he says a lot in few words. I'm looking forward to More Jason and Walker--bring in the quiet ones!

Judy from NJ said...

From day one I've always said my favorite type of hero is Mr. "Dark and Broody" I love they guys that are more self contained because it's always more interesting to find out who they really are. Trying to choose my favorite dark and broody hero is sooo hard because there are so many good ones. I would have to single out Zsadist from JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Gideon from Jacquelyn Frank's Nightwalkers, Jonas from Lora Leigh's Breeds, and Tegan from Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed series. All are the epitome of "Dark and Broody"!

Lisa said...

Terrible from Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series. Love, love, LOVE him!

Anonymous said...

Charles Cornick from Patricia Briggs Alpha and Omega series is quiet, deadly, intelligent and gorgeous!

Donna said...

I do like the strong quiet man. Someone beat me to Charles Cornick who was one of the first to come to mind.

yurice said...

I do like quiet, intense men, they give that sense of reliability and stability. But I think the outspoken ones are more trickier to understand, simply because you just don't know when they're telling the truth or hiding something. Lol!

Those who keep their silence would break it after much thought, so they won't give away much either, but at least it's the truth most of the time.

I'm excited for Walker and Lara's novella! Looking forward to Grace and Coop's too!

Anonymous said...

Walker is one of my favorites as is J R Ward's Zsadist and Lara Adrian's Tegan. I especially enjoy the quiet heroes who are such tender, even reverential lovers, and can be powerful protectors when necessary. I also appreciate the intelligence and integrity of these characters.

Anna said...

Favorite Strong & Silent Types

- Charles Cornick from Patricia Brigg's Alpha & Omega series
- Gaetan from Ellen O'Connell's book Dancing on Coals
- Packer from Carolyn Crane's Disillusionists series (maybe not as silent as others)
- Lord Ian Mackensie from Jennifer Ashley's Highland Pleasures series
- Tom Knight from Sydney Croft's book Unleashing the Storm
- Lucivar Yaslana from Anne Bishop's Black Jewel series and short story "The Prince of Ebon Rih"(Dreams Made Flesh)
- Ethan MacCarrick from Kresley Cole's book If You Deceive
- Mercury from Lora Leigh's book Mercury's War
- Giovanni Vecchio from Elizabeth Hunter's Elemental Mysteries series
- Benedict from Eileen Wilk's World of the Lupi series
- Aodhan *cough* by you know who...he he

Sharese said...

Love the strong silent type of hero. They are a refreshing change from the overbearing hound-dog alpha males but people stand up and pay attention when they do speak or act. And I love to see what takes all that control and breaks it wide open. Yes, Jason, Walker and don't forget Riley! There is room for all types of heroes and they rock too.... Raphael leans more to that side as well. Hawke ---emmmm just love him anyway I can get him :)

Lisa Scar said...

Diaz
Judd (read his book numerous times ironic since during first read of book I wrote Nalini and told her I wasn't crazy about the book.
Walker
Jack Norton - Christine Feehan Ghost Walker series
Ilya P - Feehan's Sea haven series

parentof3 said...

I adore these types of heros. The kind of guy who knows what he can handle and doesn't feel the need to tell the world about it. Judd and Dmitri are two awesome examples. They love and fight fiercly, with everything in them. Lisa Marie Rice does an excellent job of writing about these types of heros too (Midnight Angel and Woman on the Run, anyone??)

Iulia Lesley said...

I love Jason! Can't wait for his story. The strong, silent type of man is not so common in novels nowadays, since most women prefer the Alpha male. I'm all for both; I don't make any discriminations.
As for my favorite silent men: Charles Cornick by Patricia Briggs, Zsadist by J.R. Ward, and of course Judd & Jason :-)
I love that they're so intense and most of all sincere...you know they are reliable and they will only open up to the people who are worth it! Swoon, much?

Anonymous said...

I can't wait for Jason's book, it will be so cool, and I just love Judd , dimitri, and zsadist. There is also a lot of the strong silent type in Christine feehans books, that just grab you. I wish I had a time machine it is so hard Waiting for the new books to come out. There is only so many times you can reread a series, and I can (if there is nothing else on and is a very lazy day) read three average size novels in one day.

Anonymous said...

Riley! Branded by Fire is the book that made me a fan of Nalini Singh cos of riley. oh oh and Clay! Hehe.
Other than Ilya, Aleksandr from Christine Feehan's Sea Haven series.

serenity said...

Judd absolutely epitomises the strong silent hero - delicious! Nykyrian from Sherrilyn Kenyon's Born of Night is pretty close behind though.

I reckon the cliche "still waters run deep" is where the quiet strong heroes get us. If you're special enough to get past their reserve, there's just so much waiting for you... sigh...

Fredi LJ said...

Judd is the first one that comes to mind! I also love Aodhan but think he's quiet because of some terrible thing that happened to him in his past. Also Zsadist from JR Ward and Daegan from JW Hill. Also Zarek from S. Kenyon. There's so many!! lol!

Unknown said...

Mercury Warrant from Lora Leigh's Breed series

Anonymous said...

Wolf, Joe and Zane MacKenzie from Linda Howard's Mackenzie series. Love them all.