Today Thea Harrison is back with us to talk about Alpha Males and celebrate her 3rd Elder Races release, Serpent’s Kiss.
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Alphas Aren’t EasySomeone suggested I write about the relationship of the heroes in my world. She stated, “Dragos, Tiago, and Rune are all very much alphas and sometimes that puts them in conflict with one another.”
So I got to thinking about alpha males. I did some web searches, and I asked my good Twitter buddies about any links they might have. If you are the type of person that enjoys reading a variety of things, here are a few sources I, and my folks on Twitter, came up with:
@Yami_Miko sent me this link to a Wikipedia article (thanks!): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alpha_%28ethology%29
@SpazP sent me this awesome link about social structure and behavior: http://anthro.palomar.edu/behavior/behave_2.htm
Then, because she was afraid that might be too nerdy, she sent me this one too (you have rocked it out for me today, girlfriend, on all your replies!): http://www.subliminal-messaging.com/alpha-male-traits/
@ReneeRBA shared this article from Suzanne Brockman (way cool!): http://www.likesbooks.com/alpha.html
Then I found this thoughtful post on the super-sizing of the alpha male by Jane Litte from Dear Author: http://dearauthor.com/features/letters-of-opinion/the-super-sizing-of-the-alpha-male/
Many of the ideas in the Dear Author article, along with the comments that followed after, especially resonated with me. I think the romance genre often does skew the concept of an ‘alpha male’ and we can run the danger of throwing too much of everything into one character.
In my Elder Races series, I have focused—to date—on writing extremely alpha-like males, or at least I’m writing my attempt at alpha males within the context of this alternative Earth. The thing is, I do not find the guys I have written about (to date) to be comfortable characters. The “hero” in DRAGON BOUND, Dragos throws an EMT out of an ambulance. That’s actually a pretty horrible thing to do. In real life, the action would be intolerable, and he would be arrested—and rightly so. In STORM’S HEART, Tiago is a very aggressive character, and Rune, who is the most easy-going of the heroes from the first three books, has his own spikiness of character. It just happens to be better hidden than the others and wrapped in an easy-going veneer, so people tend to forget Rune has that side to him.
The reason why I have written these characters this way is, I don’t think alphas are easy. I don’t think they should be easy, and I don’t think they’re always the romantic ideal. For example, Dragos creates as many interpersonal problems as he addresses. This seems fitting to me. He’s a dragon. And these guys, if I keep them true to their character types, are not always going to get along, because I don’t believe real alphas would. I think they would have intense conflicts with each other, and that, as a writer, makes me very interested in how that might impact the world around them. It makes things unpredictable and edgy.
I have other male characters I hope to explore at some point. Several readers have asked me about Graydon (the gryphons sentinel) and others have asked me about Duncan (the Vampyre). I hope both these guys get their stories, because I think they deserve them, and I have the seeds of still other characters germinating in my head. I don’t necessarily see all of my male characters fitting into a fictional alpha-type description, and I look forward to exploring all those guys. There’s more than enough room in the world building of the Elder Races universe to enjoy a variety of stories told about different men, and different women they come to love.
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Having read all three Elder Races novels, I can tell you Harrison’s alpha males are the perfect blend of sweet and tough. You don’t want to miss out on them.
To help you along, we have some books to giveaway. One copy each of Dragon Bound (for those of you who haven’t read it yet) and one copy of Storm’s Heart (book 2) and one copy of Serpent’s Kiss (book 3). Leave a comment on this post telling us what you think of alpha males – along with your choice of prize – and you’ll be entered to win. Contest ends 10/10 at 11:59pm. Please note: You must include a valid email address with your entry to be eligible. US and Canada only.
The series:
I think alpha males a super sexy!! I would like Dragon Bound and my email is temarasheppard(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the giveaway!!!
I haven’t read this author or series yet so I would want to start at the beginning with Dragon Bound.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
I love alpha males. Especially those that have a tortured past. It’s so much fun to watch them transform for their mate.
I have the first two books so I’d love to win Serpent’s Kiss.
Thank you.
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
I’m halfway through Serpent’s Kiss. I love the alphas. And Dragos is my fav Alpha of all time. And it’s hard to de-throne king Wrath.
Alpha males are HOT! Their confidence, courage, and muscles are extremely sexy.
Dragon Bound or Serpent’s Kiss would be great.
shygrumpychica1@hotmail.com
Alpha males are sexy!!! I love a good book with an Alpha male. Courage and protectiveness is hot.
serpents kiss please
deslauree3@aol.com
I have not read this series, so I’m one the ‘starters’ and would like Dragon Bound. And I want to be like the other readers and be able to say ‘Alpha males are Hot/Sexy’ etc. 🙂 Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.
Sebrina_cassity@yahoo.com
I like alpha males but at the same time I love it when the female takes him down a peg or two!
I wanted to buy “Serpent’s Kiss” for my Kindle this morning from Amazon but it wasn’t available so I’ll choose that one.
sspaw@optimum.net
I ADORE alpha males. A good reason why I love the Elder Races! 🙂
Would love to have SERPANT’S KISS and thank you for the giveaway!
west.danielle.r(At)gmail(Dot)com
I admit to loving alpha males in print. However, if I had to be married to one, it might be problematic and we would likely end up in divorce court.
Would love to have Dragon Bound, have heard so many wonderful things about this series.
I love alpha males and the way Thea writes them is delicious!! I would love to win Serpent’s kiss.
proudarmymom32@yahoo.com
I’m a starter in the series (I hope) as I haven’t read any of them yet. Love Alpha heroes as long as the heroines can keep up with them.
This comment has been removed by the author.
Oh!!! Can I say, I have read the first two books and loved them! Tiago more than Drago b/c he was the type of alpha male that’s sooo hard to find – protective and alpha w/out truly streamrolling.
I love alpha males, to a point. It’s when they start to steamroll the females, in that “only-I-know-what’s-best-for-you-so-I-will-override-and-force-you-to-do-what-I-tell-you-whether-you-agree/like-it-or-not” way that I chafe. This is when I’m like, whoa! Back up it boyfriend and take a breather. While it’s nice to have someone take care of you, it’s another for someone to take complete control of your life b/c he/she thinks you are incapable or incompetent.
Ok… this is kinda a hot button for me since there are a lot of alpha male books out there that I couldn’t finish b/c the male was a caricature of a true alpha.
I would love book 3, Serpent’s Kiss! These keep getting better and better!
efender1(at)gmail(dot)com
GFC ~ erin
I really love reading about them. They are so strong and caring in books.
My choice would be Storms Heart
bacchus76 at myself dot com
I absolutely love reading about them, but I think if I ever were to have to deal with them in real life, I’d throw something. Or leave.
Storm’s Heart or Serpent’s Kiss, please!
julieguan AT gmail DOT com
Love alphas as long as there is enough sweetness in them! At least for their heroines 🙂
I would love to win book 2, Storm’s Heart!
justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I love Alpha males. They are just so sexy and fierce!
I would love to win a copy of the 2nd or 3rd book.
iqb99@yahoo.com
I love alpha males as long as they got a soft spot for the heroine. I already have Dragon Bound and Storm’s Heart so I’ld love to win a copy of Serpent’s Kiss annhonATaolDOTcom
Alpha males are sexy!
Dragon Bound, please.
kissinoak at frontier dot com
I love alpha males because it is interesting to see how their personalities interact with othet characters especially with their mates.
I have read the first two so I would like Serpent’s Kiss. Thanks for the giveaway.
smccar1 at hotmail dot com
I love to read about Alpha males. I don’t think I could live with one, I’d probably strangle him, but I love that they’re so protective and strong.
I’d love to win a copy of Dragon Bound since I haven’t had a chance to start the series yet.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
Interesting blog. I admit I enjoy alpha males in my romances even if they are a little over the top 😉 recently picked up Dragon Bound to add to the TBR pile after having seen so many good reviews & the blurbs for all three peak my interest so would be happy to win either Storm’s Heart or Serpent’s Kiss to go with the one I already have 🙂 thanks for the chance.
gamistress66 (at) aol (dot) com
I was initially drawn to DRAGON BOUND’s yummy cover but the story inside really floored me.
I enjoy reading about alpha males, much more than I would meeting one in person. It’s fun to read about one thawing enough to love even though he may still be an arrogant, overbearing idiot.
I haven’t gotten around to reading STORM’S HEART yet so that would be my choice.
ironss [at] gmail [dot] com
GFC follower
Alpha males in fiction are great – especially when there’s an alpha woman pushing back. But I strongly suspect that in the daily grind of Real Life that alpha = unbearable bossiness!
I made the mistake of passing Dragon Bound on before I realized it belonged on my re-read shelf. I didn’t make the same mistake with the other books…So Dragon Bound is my choice.
Mickie T
mdturett at juno dot com
A strong alpha male is great to read sbout. They always have that soft spot also 🙂
I would love the 2nd or 3rd book!
girlie0620@yahoo.com
I love reading alpha males.There are so hot 🙂 And you know the heroine has him eating out of the palm of her hands.So the big alpha stud has a spot spot.
I would love to win book 2-Storm’s Heart
elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net
Alpha males are definitively my favorite type of hero to read about!
I’d love to win Dragon Bound.
marieimy (at) gmail (dot) com
I love alpha males. those are my favorite kind.
I have the first 2 books in this series and would love to win the third one.
scrtsbpal at yahoo dot com
I love alpha males, they are my favorite type to read about. I haven’t read any of these books so I would love to start with Dragon Bound. Thanks for the giveaway.
jcalvert719(at)yahoo(dot)com