Today we have Harlequin author Cindi Myers visiting to celebrate her two January releases: The Father For Her Son and Melting Point in the anthology Baby It’s Cold Outside. It’s no secret that I’m a huge Harlequin SuperRomance fan. I’ve read several of Cindi’s novels and I’m very pleased to have her here talking about the perfect hero.
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The Perfect Hero
by Cindi Myers
What kind of man do you think makes the perfect hero for a romance novel? Are you a fan of Alpha males? Does a dark, brooding man do it for you? Do you think single dads are sexy, or do you prefer cowboys?
I’m always curious what readers are drawn to. I’ll admit I like a man who’s strong but not domineering. And I like a guy who’s a little rough around the edges — someone who’s made mistakes and learned from them.
The heroes of my two latest releases have those qualities. Troy, the hero of The Father For Her Son, had a reckless, impetuous youth. In fact, he ended up in jail for his mistakes. Now he’s out and determined to patch things up with the only woman he’s ever loved, and to be a father to the son he’s never met.
Then there’s Kristjan, the hero of “Melting Point” — my contribution to the anthology, Baby, It’s Cold Outside. Kristjan is Iceland’s Olympic gold medalist, a national hero with a reputation as a bit of a playboy. But all Kristjan really wants is to find his place in the world — to find the sense of purpose and belonging that the heroine can give him.
In real life, I think of lots of different types of men when I hear the word hero — certainly policemen, firemen and soldiers — anyone who risks his life for others. But single dads — and married dads who take an equal role in raising their children — are heroes. The mechanic who fixes my car is a hero. My own husband is my personal hero for little things he does every day.
So — what kind of man do you like to read about as the hero of a romance novel?
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Leave a comment on this post letting us know what kind of hero you like to read about, or with a question for Cindi, and you can win a copy of either The Father For Her Son or Baby It’s Cold Outside; your choice of either print or eBook. We have one copy of each to giveaway, so let us know which you’d prefer.
Contest ends Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 11:59 p.m.
THE FATHER FOR HER SON
Harlequin Superromance
January 2010
Life hasn’t been easy for single mom Marlee Britton, but she’s proud of her ability to look after herself and her son. Then old flame Troy Denton shows up after seven years, wanting to be a father to his son. and to rekindle his relationship with Marlee. While Troy struggles to prove himself trustworthy, Marlee wonders how she can ever give her heart to the man who broke it so long ago.
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MELTING POINT” in BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE
with Jennifer Greene and Merline Lovelace
Harlequin Anthology
January 2010
Kristjan Gunnarson is Iceland’s first ever Olympic medalist. Coloradoan Stacy Bristol thinks he’ll be the perfect model for her new advertising campaign, but she isn’t prepared for the impact handsome Kristjan has on her. As she supervises filming around Iceland, Stacy fights her attraction to Kristjan. Can a down-to-business American and a footloose Icelander find love in the land of ice and fire?
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Bio:
Cindi Myers became one of the most popular people in eighth grade when she and her best friend wrote and illustrated their own historical romance novel. The manuscript was eventually confiscated by her English teacher, who told her she should spend her time learning to properly conjugate a sentence. Since then, Cindi has gone on to write more than three dozen novels, both historical and contemporary. She also teaches writing and is a popular speaker and workshop presenter. She produces a weekly market newsletter at http://www.cindimyersmarketnews.wordpress.com Visit her website at http://www.CindiMyers.com
Hi Cindy!! I’m not sure if I’ve read anything by you or not. I do read a lot of anthologies and your name sounds familiar. I’m very glad you’re here today talking about your new books. I read ANYTHING by Merline Lovelace, and she doesn’t write a lot. I will be picking up this new book, if I don’t win it here!! I would want to win Baby It’s Cold Outside. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book about an Olympic athlete. I like all types of heroes, military, athletes, bodyguards, law enforcement, and of course cowboys. Mostly they should be Alpha males and bad boys who can be reformed by a good woman!! Good luck on your new releases!! Thanks, Sue
I would like Baby Its Cold Outside if I won.
I am not sure either if I have read any of your stories, Cindy.
I pretty much agree with Sue – I like all types of heroes – bad boy, boy next door, alpha – seal type, construction type, rich businessman. They are all good and diff in their own way. Need a little diveristy in my reading.
Both sound good! I would like Father for her Son…I can go ebook or paperback, no preference there!
I like Alphas. And Alphas with an edge are really hot! Slap a kilt on that bad boy and holy cow you better get outta my way…but I digress. Bad boy alpha types are my preferred hero, but Any alpha with attitude is good. 🙂
Hi Cindy~
thanks for sharing with us today!
i have just this past year gotten back into reading, so i have to say i am a newbie too you!!
i agree there are so many out there you can be seen as a hero. just depends on how you see heros!i also agree about your mechanic being your hero….but then again my mechanic is my husband soo.. ;0)
in books i read i like my heros to be strong men..but not dominating. soft but tuff. i def. like rough around the edges!! and he has to eventually learn from his mistakes!
Cindy~ so how do you decide which type of hero you are going to use in your book? do you decide the hero, then build the story are him, or do you decide the story and build the hero around it?
Thanks again,
JoJo
jojosbookcorner(at)gmail(dot)com
Such good comments, everyone. I’ll try to answer JoJo’s question about how I come up with heros — sometimes I think of the heroine first and try to think of a guy to go with her. And sometimes I think of the conflict and try to think of what kind of guy and gal would be in such a fix. And sometimes guys just come to me.
Troy, in The Father For Her Son was inspired by a man my husband used to work with. He’d been in prison for dealing drugs but met and fell in love with a woman who totally straightened him out. They have two adorable little children now and he is a model father and husband.
Kristjan, in Melting Point I wrote just because I like to write guys with sexy accents and skiing is my favorite sport to watch in the Winter Olympics.
I like all types of heroes—alphas, betas, or whatever.
I enjoy all types of heroes too – but I have a special soft spot for the super protective (without be a jerk about it) hero.
Please count me in for the giveaway for A Father for her Son. (I have a Sony reader, so I’d be happy with a digital copy.) thx!
Hi Cindy,
My favorite hero is the undercover cop, FBI agent, CIA, Navy SEAL, mercenary, or mysterious hero who saves the heroine from danger. Especially the ones who are strong and can pick up the lady and swoop her off her feet! Makes me swoon!
Would love to win BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE in print form. Your books sound fantastic and love romantic books! Many blessings for a fantastic New Year!
My favorite heroes are alpha males. If those alpha males are scarred and tortured, even better!
Both books sound nice, but maybe I’d pick The Father for Her Son. I’d like a print copy.
I would be interested in Baby Its Cold Outside.
Cindy, who are your fav authors/
I like all kinds of heroes – cops, man next door, rich, bad boy, boy comes back home cowboys, navy seals, tortured heroes.
Helen L.
Forgot to say in print form.
Helen L.
Also forgot to say print book too!! Thanks, Sue
Was a winner picked?
Winners will be announced Friday, January 29.