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Friday, September 07, 2012

Carolyn Jewel: The Man On The Page

Recently, I had the bizarre experience of reading a book that I ended up loving even though the dynamic between the hero and heroine was not (as I soon realized) what I like best in a story. (Charlotte Stein’s Control.) It’s erotic romance, by the way, with some, er, issues about control. The hero of that story is a submissive man.

Almost as recently, I was at the hairdresser getting my hair beautified. There was one gentleman and six women in the salon and, as it turned out, all but one of us had read 50 Shades of Gray. The gentleman laughed politely when I suggested he should read it so he could be in the in-crowd. By completely unscientific polling, I determined that readers who liked Twilight tended to also like 50 Shades— of course.

I have a similar theory about readers who are Team Edward or Team Jacob (from Twilight) predicting whether one is likely to be Team Bill or Team Eric (from True Blood.) Me: Jacob and Eric.
                                           
These experiences got me thinking about the kind of Romances I like best. I have to say, I really, really, like the Alpha male. When a story is about power dynamics between a couple, it seems I prefer the hero to be the strong, silent type. The alpha-hole as some call a hero who behaves in ways that would get him arrested in real life, does not work for me, by the way. But mostly, speaking as a writer here, I feel that’s because the Alphahole is most often the result of weak writing.  The writer failed to see and resolve the issues of that extreme hero.
 
At the end of this post, I have a giveaway and a question for you.

Why, Yes! I Do Have a Book to Promote!

Actually, I have two.

Midnight Scandals is a historical romance anthology with stories by me, Courtney Milan and Sherry Thomas. We self-published this, by the way. My novella is One Starlit Night and it’s about former lovers who might still be in love. You can read more about the anthology, read sample chapters, and find buy links to your favorite vendors, at my website: MidnightScandals

One reviewer has said about this anthology: “pretty close to perfection.”

Not Proper Enough is another  historical romance, book two in my Seducing the Scoundrels series for Berkley. I describe the story like this: He’s loved her from the moment he saw her: she’s always hated him. You can read more about Not Proper Enough at my website: NotProper Enough

One reviewer said: “OH MY GOODNESS! What an awesome book! I loved every minute of it. “

What’s your favorite type of Romance hero? Are you like me, and the Alpha hero really works for you? Sound off in the comments.   I have five print copies of Not Proper Enough to give away.

Carolyn Jewel was born on a moonless night. That darkness was seared into her soul and she became an award winning author of historical and paranormal romance. She has a very dusty car and a Master’s degree in English that proves useful at the oddest times. An avid fan of fine chocolate, finer heroines, Bollywood films, and heroism in all forms, she has three cats and a dog. Also a son. One of the cats is his.

***Carolyn's winner is Jennie Coleen561!  Congratulations!  Please email your mailing information to totebag@authorsoundrelations.com.***

21 comments:

Mary Preston said...

I always expect an Alpha hero in my Romance reads. I do love a strong, intelligent proper Gentleman. Of course, the Rake makes for delicious reading.

Lory Lee said...

Oh yes, rakes makes reading so exciting. They're the type who "doesn't" believe in love at first, but get all to clueless, speechless and all flustered when it comes to dealing with the love of their lives. I've read a book, where the hero was a "perfect" gentleman, and honestly it was boring. :(

Karen H said...

I like the Rakes....because as they say about the TV program Leverage...sometimes bad guys are the only good guys you get! That said, I don't like the alphahole...nope...give me a good bad boy any day of the week.

host said...

Alphas are my thing, especially if they are a little bit tortured :)

Linda Henderson said...

Oh my gosh, that is so funny. I've never heard the alpha-hole term before. That's hilarious. And it fits so many men too. I do like an alpha hero but I want him to be willing to let his lady take the lead and I want him to also be kind and compassionate. I like bad boys too, but I don't like them to be self-centered jerks. I like strong men characters, but they need to know when to be show their weakness too.

CrystalGB said...

Hi Carolyn. Love your book covers. I like alpha heroes. They are so sexy and exciting.

Pat Cochran said...

My favorite hero is a combination: Alpha
strength and Beta protectiveness. He also
has a touch of the rascal in him which I
enjoy as well!

BTW, Super covers!!

Pat C.

Cathy P said...

Hi Carolyn! Love your books! I do prefer alpha heroes -- especially when they are Rakes that are rescued by their feisty heroine.

*yadkny* said...

Hi Carolyn!

I too am all about the Alpha hero! In fact, the more Alpha the better:) It's that whole take-charge mentality that really works for me.

CONGRATS on both of your stories!! Can't wait to read them!

yadkny@hotmail.com

Jennie Coleen561 said...

An alpha hero is a must read for me too! Nothing is a quicker turn-off for me than a weak or submissive hero. I definitely want to be in the drawing for one of the books. It sounds great!
jcn@centurytel.net

HankLover said...

I LOVE alpha heroes. I like a man who isn't afraid to take charge and be a bit aggressive. Yum!

erin said...

Thanks for a great post and congrats on the new releases! I'm kinda on the fence about alphas. Some of them are written very well and the dominance/strength is a plus. Others aren't so great and they come off as sociopathic, cavemen beating their chest and dragging the heroine into a cave by the hair. So it's a fine line for me.

Jeanne M said...

Carolyn -

I knew that Not Proper Enough was being released September 12th but was thrilled to see that you also had a novella included in Midnight Scandals with Sherry, Courtney and Carolyn!

You can send a Rogue to me anyday - exactly the type of hero I love! After being married to my husband for 42 years I can tell you a Rogue of the 1st degree settles in quickly to be a wonderful husband and life-mate who will always put you first! So feel free to give be a alpha hero everytime!

Martha Lawson said...

Congrats on the releases!! They both look really great. Alpha hero all the way!

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Leah Weller (leahluvsmedieval) said...

I like my hero to be strong, bold, and witty. I have fallen in love with the cover of Not Proper Enough. Her hair, the dress, the background, the colors just grabbed me. I can't wait to read what these two get into and how they find their HEA!

Thank you for the chance in the giveaway. :)

leahweller(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Tash M said...

I love alpha hero in romance as it means the man is strong and intelligent and cause heartache for the woman and makes for a great romance novel. Ohh I been wanting to read your anthology after I found out it features Doyle’s Grange

penney said...

Congratulations on your new book. I always like the Rakes and the Alpha hero.
I'm looking forward to reading this.
Penney

Laurie G said...

I like the alpha hero with a compassionate edge that a woman brings to the surface!

pamerd said...

Hi

Congrats on your book, I enjoy reading about the alpha hero - not sure I would want one in my life - but like reading about them and the usually great heroine that is paired with him.

Thanks for the chance
Pam

tpibrew@msn.com

Chrisbails said...

I love an alpha hero. I like a strong, dominate, protective hero. I also love him to be loyal & loving. I love alpha characters. This book sounds great. Would love to win and read. Thanks for the giveaway.
christinebails@yahoo.com

Na said...

I always enjoy reading about alpha heroes. I like for them to have a great sense of humor, be intelligent and have a big heart.
cambonified[at]yahoo[dot]com