Who Needs a Billionaire?
In a lot of erotica, including Release Me, our sexy, swoon-worthy hero has money. Often lots of money. And not “lots” as in his retirement account is sweetly on track, but “lots” as in he could fund the retirement of every citizen of a country the size of, oh, Austria.
The other day, someone posed the question to me of why? Why is the billionaire hero popular?
It wasn’t a question I answered at the time, but it stuck with me, and I think the answer is both simple and complex.
The simple answer is the most basic: the fantasy.
To me, the basic allure of erotic romance is the emotional, physical and sensual connection between the hero and the heroine. The relationship may be tumultuous, but that only makes the fantasy sweeter when the problems are resolved. And that rocky path doesn’t change the fact that as a reader, we want to slide into a sensual fantasy.
Call me shallow, but there’s more of a fantasy surrounding a billionaire sweeping me off my feet than the guy working overtime so that he can make the mortgage and cover his property taxes. After all, what woman doesn’t want the fantasy of a guy who can afford to whisk her away for a spur-of-the-moment romantic weekend? I don’t know about y’all (that’s my Texas girl showing) but in my family, sexy weekend trysts are not a line-item in the budget. Too bad for me …
So that hits the element from the reading side of the equation. The reader (and for my purposes, I’m considering the author a “reader” simply by virtue of experiencing the story) wants to get lost in the fantasy, and a billionaire hero is definitely fantasy material.
But there’s also the question of control. While it certainly doesn’t have to, a lot of erotic romance either touches upon or falls well within the framework of BDSM. And that world comes with an element of control. Assuming our hero earned his billions, it’s a pretty fair bet that he’s a guy who’s not only used to being in control, but expects it. And it’s a reasonable jump to move those expectations from the boardroom to the bedroom. From the moment that character appears, the reader knows about him, even if only on a subconscious level.
So that’s reason number two: the money fits the character.
In Release Me, I had a third reason, and it centers around Nikki. She needs money. She’s working, she’s saving, and she has a very specific goal in mind. I don’t want to get into spoiler-land, but if Damien weren’t fabulously wealthy, he could never have made the proposition to Nikki that is so central to the story and the relationship that develops between these two. He had to be rich for this story in order for Nikki to be this heroine.
So there you go: the answer to the 64 billion dollar question. At the end of the day, for me, a character’s net worth depends on so many factors. In this case, Damien’s stinking rich. He just is
How about you? Do you love a hero with the power and money to really make things happen? Or do you root for a hero who’s overcoming obstacles to succeed (and get the heroine, of course!)
J. Kenner is the pen name of USA Today bestselling author Julie Kenner (who also writes as J.K. Beck). Release Me, an erotic romance, will be available in the U.S. and the U.K. on January 1, and in over a dozen other countries later in 2013.
You can hang out with J.K., learn more about Release Me and her other novels, or just poke around and see what catches your eye at her website, www.jkenner.com, and also at her J. Kenner Facebook page, www.facebook.com/jkennerbooks and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/juliekenner
Giveaway Alert: Leave a comment on this post answering Julie’s question from above for a chance to win a copy of Release Me. Please Note: Contest is open to residents of the US only. You must include a valid email address with your comment to be eligible. Contest ends 12/31/12 @ 11:59pm.
Release Me by J. Kenner (an excerpt)
Thanks so much for hosting me today!
I have to say both really. A lot depends on the story and characters though and what fits better.
bacchus76 at myself dot com
Hey Julie! Beautiful Billionaire does seem to make frequent appearances in the genre, but as you say, it’s all part of the fantasy package, right? Can’t wait to read about your fantasy billionaire boy!
Densie
dwebb1@austin.rr.com
depends on the storyline
dholcomb1 @ aol (dot) com
Julie, I love it when the heroine has to chose from the boy next door and the hottie money maker. Especially if their both good guys. I love a good heart searching turmoil plot.
pamblakekenlilly@yahoo.com
thanks for the fun post and congrats to Julie on the new release! I guess both… money doesn’t solve all problems but it’s fun to read about a hero swooping a heroine off her feet but then again, seeing him work for stuff and the relationship is great too!
efender1(at)gmail(dot)com
I like both kinds of heroes.
bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
I have to say both. Variety is the spice….
Forgot my email. Sorry.
patoct@yahoo.com
Like both types of heroes.
I like all different types of heroes, it really depends on what they do during the story.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
When the story doesn’t have a focus involving money and status, the hero/heroine financial bottom line doesn’t matter. I like to escape into stories and tend to like those that takes me places out of my reach financially speaking and locale.
I do enjoy some of the billionaire babe 🙂 stories, but mostly when it has a purpose to the story (otherwise i spend questioning the characters). sometimes the stories of how the two meet and sustain a relationship are too crazy for me to suspend my disbelief 🙂
I have this on pre-order, so I can’t wait to read either way.
Nicole
eugenie1000@gmail.com
Sounds like something I would really enjoy reading.
lovesthemets@yahoo.com
Karen T.
I route for the hero that comes from behind, overcomes obstacles & then gets the girl. Thank you for this awesome giveaway! I love the cover of the book.
JessieL62@comcast.net
I root for the hero that overcomes obstacles to succeed. This book sounds wonderful and I’d love to read it. Thanks for having this giveaway.
ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net
I like them all roled into one – even the rich & powerful have obstacles to overcome, even if it’s just themselves & the feelings they often fight.
sallans d at yahoo dot com