What Is A Romance Hero?
Romance writers are often told that readers are the heroine but they read for the hero. The hero is one half of the romantic couple (or one third/two thirds of a romantic ménage) and is a key part of the story.
So what is a hero?
According to Dictionary.com, a hero is
1. a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities.
2. a person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal: He was a local hero when he saved the drowning child.
3. the principal male character in a story, play, film, etc.
4. Classical Mythology
a. a being of godlike prowess and beneficence who often came to be honored as a divinity.
b. (in the Homeric period) a warrior-chieftain of special strength, courage, or ability.
c. (in later antiquity) an immortal being; demigod.
5. hero sandwich.
Yes, he’s a sandwich. (grins)
I thought it would be fun to talk about some myths about romance heroes.
1. A Hero Must Be An Alpha
I love writing alpha heroes. I’m married to an alpha male and they are the types of men I’m personally attracted to. But there are some great non-alpha regular guy heroes in Romanceland. Yes, while they’re under pressure (while protecting the heroine or saving the world), they become take charge, more dominant males, but in their regular lives, they’re okay with being led, rather than leading.
2. A Hero Must Be Perfect
The perfect man is… well… imaginary but he’s also boring. He’s always doing the right thing, putting other people first, never has any bad habits or crazy quirks.
(Yawn)
Interesting heroes are imperfect. They might be strict rule-setters as Nate is in Breaking All The Rules. They might be terrible dressers as Hawke is in Sinful Rewards (releasing in July). They might not be morning people. They could be a bit selfish or focused on their own goals. Heroes should be human and real.
3. A Hero Must Be Good
Readers should (eventually) fall in love with the hero. Some newer writers think this means the hero must be perceived as being a good person on page one. He must never do anything bad, always be noble, a great example for others.
I have a big challenge, as a reader, believing in the good hero. I often feel that if he’s such a good man, he likely would have loved and been loved already. There’s not a lot of story. He’s a good man. The heroine would be a fool not to love him.
I prefer the not-so-good hero, especially the villain turned hero. Darius, the hero of Assassin Mine, is a cold-blooded assassin, working for the perceived-as-evil Balazoids. He does and says some terrible things but readers understand why he does and says these things. They see that he’s redeemable, that he will eventually become a male worthy of love, and read to find out when and how this transformation/character growth will happen.
4. A Hero Must Be Handsome
Tall, dark and handsome is the fairy tale description of a hero. A handsome hero can be interesting. Unless he’s intellect-challenged, he’ll know he’s handsome. He might be a bit vain or cocky or tired of women liking him only for his looks.
But an ugly hero can also be interesting. Henley, the hero of Flashes Of Me, is an ugly hero. It takes a special type of heroine to find an ugly hero attractive and that is important—that she find him attractive. There should be some sort of physical attraction between them, some chemistry on which to build.
5. A Hero Must Be Strong
We’re all independent, capable women but I think many of us do want a man who can, when necessary, protect us. It is much easier for our heroines to save the world when she has a strong man by her side.
But this doesn’t mean the hero has to be physically strong. There are all types of strength. He could be highly intelligent, lead a team of people, or have a special talent. Flopsy aka The Godrabbit is a bunny shifter so he isn’t physically strong. However, he has his minions who are completely loyal to him and he’s very competent with a gun.
Which characteristics do you like in a romantic hero?
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Guest Post, Writing Tips | Comments Off on What Is A Romance Hero?
A Simply Perfect, Spellbinding And Beautiful Book
Yay!
Brit Nanny Reads reviewed Breaking All The Rules.
http://britnannyreads.wordpress.com/2014/04/16/breaking-all-the-rules-by-cynthia-sax/
Here’s a snippet…
“This is THE perfect love story for the modern age and one that EVERY WOMEN should read!!!
A simply perfect, spellbinding and beautiful book which earns a 10 out of 10 from me…along with a few tears.”
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on A Simply Perfect, Spellbinding And Beautiful Book
Party Crashing With Cynthia Sax
I’m talking about crashing parties and pretending to be people I’m not. This post is hosted at Christine Warner’s online home!
http://christine-warner.com/2014/04/09/what-to-read-wedesday-with-cynthia-sax-and-giveaway/
Here’s a snippet
When I was in university, I was infamous for my mad party crashing skills (before Wedding Crashers made it cool). I’d drag a group of buddies out and we’d crash random parties, doing our best to blend in. If we attended an engineering party, we’d all be engineers. If we attended a chess club party, we’d all be chess players.
We mastered the art of making conversation without saying anything. We asked questions and listened. I knew nothing about chess or quantum physics before I attended the parties. After the parties, I knew a little bit about both topics (this splattering of knowledge is now invaluable for my writing).
I’m certain we weren’t fooling anyone but we were all female (in a very male-dominated school) and we were having a blast so no one said anything.
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on Party Crashing With Cynthia Sax
Why Does Camille Have Green Hair?
Lush Book Reviews interviewed me!
(I have serious book brain so please forgive the typos)
http://lushbookreviewss.blogspot.ca/2014/04/q-with-author-cynthia-sax.html
Here is a snippet…
This might sound totally silly but what made you pick green hair for Camille?
Cynthia Sax: That is a GREAT question and I’m so glad you asked it. (big excited hugs) Camille aka Goth girl is a woman of contrasts. She rebels yet is the most loyal friend a woman could wish for, breaks rules yet lives by her own personal code, pushes people away yet yearns for love. It made sense that she would have a hair color that exists in natural (with plants, birds, and lizards) yet is unnatural for people. She also has a deep connection to the Earth (again, contrasting with her love of technology).
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on Why Does Camille Have Green Hair?
Breaking All The Rules Is A Battery Burner
Snarky Mom Reads has reviewed Breaking All The Rules!
http://www.snarkymomreads.com/?p=4648
Here’s a snippet…
“I really enjoyed the character development and of course, this IS an “erotic novella”, so needless to say… it’s a battery burner! But what really makes this a fun read is the quirky female characters that Cynthia Sax develops and their inability to deviate from their ultimate goal – a relationship with their flawed business superheroes!”
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on Breaking All The Rules Is A Battery Burner
The Glamorous Life Of A Writer
Girl Meets Books interviewed me!
I talk about the glamorous life of a writer. (grins)
(I was targeting classy for this interview and didn’t mention the grubby pajamas or the collection of licked clean Nutella jars)
If you’re not writing, what occupies your time?
When I’m not writing, I’m usually sleeping or eating or laughing like a fool at some of my dear wonderful hubby’s antics. I’m working on Sinful Rewards, a 12 novella serial for Avon (the first story releasing in July), so I don’t have much time for anything else. I haven’t been outside in over two weeks.
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Guest Post | Comments Off on The Glamorous Life Of A Writer
Hooked From The First Elevator Ride
Save Your Money For Books has reviewed Breaking All The Rules!
http://saveyourmoneyforbooks.blogspot.ca/2014/04/review-giveaway-breaking-all-rules-by.html
Here’s a snippet…
“Ms. Sax does a wonderful job of building this story and I was hooked from their first elevator ride together and this story kept me turning the pages. I gave this novella 4.5 Stars and you can be sure anything Cynthia Sax writes will be added to my TBR list!”
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on Hooked From The First Elevator Ride
Top Reasons To Read Breaking All The Rules
Literaria has listed the top reasons to read Breaking All The Rules.
http://sede-literaria.blogspot.ca/2014/04/if-you-like-to-break-rules-come-and-read.html
Here is a snippet…
“This is one of those books of which I’d be happy to have a print copy, so that I could touch it, feel it and just open on a random page and be joyful all over again.”
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on Top Reasons To Read Breaking All The Rules
Great Review For Breaking All The Rules
Yay! I have a review for Breaking All The Rules
I am, Indeed, shares “Full of fun, passion and characters with trust issues, hangups and concerns, this story manages to keep you smiling and wondering from start to finish.”
Read the full review here
http://iam-indeed.com/breaking-rules-cynthia-sax-excerpt-giveaway/
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: Reviews | Comments Off on Great Review For Breaking All The Rules
Interviewed At Harlequin Junkie
I’ve been interviewed by Harlequin Junkie!
http://harlequinjunkie.com/spotlight-giveaway-breaking-all-the-rules-by-cynthia-sax/
Here’s a snippet
If you could have given your characters one piece of advice before the opening pages of the book, what would it be and why?
Cynthia Sax: I’d advise Nate and Camille to savor each scene. Firsts (first touch, first kiss, first encounter, first ‘I love you’) only happen once. They’re making memories they’ll revisit for the rest of their lives.
Oh, and be nicer to Gladys. She’s being protective, not judgmental.
Nathan Lawford, Blaine Technologies’ chief financial officer, is known as the Iceman. He conducts his personal and business affairs without emotion, never allowing himself to become involved with anyone. When Nate sees something or someone he wants, he negotiates, paying a simple, set monetary price.
Now he wants Camille, the company’s green-haired intern.
Camille Joplin Trent never expected to be paid to pleasure the man of her dreams. She can’t quite figure out why this is a bad thing. Nate is intelligent, handsome, sophisticated, everything she’s ever wanted in a lover and never thought she could have. Their contract is for a month, thirty lust-filled days of making every sexual fantasy they’ve ever had come true. At the end of this month, the rules state their relationship will end.
Of course, Camille has never been good at following rules.
Buy Now At Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Breaking-All-Rules-Erotic-Novella-ebook/dp/B00F2I2GXY
Buy Now At ARe: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-breakingalltherules-1453084-149.html
Topics: New Releases | Comments Off on Interviewed At Harlequin Junkie
