Tomorrow is release day for Angels’ Blood, the amazing new paranormal from one of my favorite authors. Nalini Singh has proved that she has what it takes to write a paranormal that stands out. Paranormals are everywhere these days, so I think that only a great author can write something good enough to stand out. Nalini already had me hooked with her Psy/Changeling series. Angels’ Blood has only made her better. Nalini is with us today to talk about Raphael, the hero of Angels’ Blood (and he is effing amazing).
I had a few people email me after reading the excerpt of ANGELS’ BLOOD, asking if Raphael was the hero. The answer, of course, is yes. But he’s the hardest-edged hero I’ve ever written.
He is an archangel—he’s lived for over a thousand years, seen humans come and go like so many fireflies. Is it any wonder he considers them nothing but amusing, useful or irritating toys depending on the occasion? And beyond it all is his power – he has so much that he could wipe out a city if he so chose.
I’d say arrogance is a given.
But I think that’s exactly why Raphael makes a fascinating hero. He is so very inhuman, and yet, when it comes to Elena, the distance fades. There’s nothing more compelling than watching a hard hero realize he’s met his match—emotionally, if not physically. Elena might never best Raphael in a fight, but in matters of the heart and soul…well, let’s just say it’s a much more level playing field. That, I think, goes to the core of why we love these heroes.
Do you love hard-edged heroes? Who are your favorites? Are there any anti-heroes you can’t help but like?
Everyone who leaves a comment goes into a draw to win a book from my Psy/Changeling backlist (i.e. published before 2009). Prize will be posted out in March. You can check out excerpts and more on my website.
We are also offering three copies of Angels’ Blood! All you have to do is leave a comment by Tuesday 3/3 (release day) at 11:59 PST.
Ooh I love a hard edged hero – I enjoy Linda Howards dark hero’s, Nora Roberts has had a few and of course Judd from Caressed By Ice, exciting lover & dangerous assassin.
The one anti-hero who sprang to mind was Howard’s Louis Ronsard from All The Queens Men – although he was the ‘baddie’ I know of lots of readers who were rooting for him to have his own book!
Well, rats… I have all the Psy/Changeling books.
Well, okay, I don’t have the novellas, but still.
and I also have Angel’s Blood (me + ARC =happy dancing aztec)
My thing about heroes (or any character, really) is that they not be one dimensional, flat. Raphael is hard–arrogant, cold, distant from human emotion–but he is also complex. Further, he is still growing (despite the many centuries of his existence) and *that* is the secret of his attraction, I think.
My favorite character in Angel’s Blood, though, is Elena. Talk about strong!
I love a hard-edged hero as long as they’re not convoluted – which none of your characters ever have been. I just started AB this morning and have only read 1 chapter but I’m more than hooked! 🙂 Congrats on your release!
I love hard-edged heroes, esp. those written by Linda Howard and some by Judith McNaught.
I love tortured heroes who tend to be hiding behind a hard exterior. A good example would be Zsadist – my favourite BDB hero! Or just because I am rereading his book at the moment, Sebastian St Vincent from Devil in Winter.
The Queen of anti-heroes, IMO, is Anne Stuart. Her heroes are DARK, yet there is something so compelling about them and her books. My favourite of hers was Shadows at Sunset. I loved that book. *sigh*
Of course paranormals have introduced a whole new species of anti-heroes. You can’t help but love them.
I love dark heroes, they make a story that much more compelling. Of course, I can’t think of a single one right now, but I cannot wait to read this series, only 1 more day to go.
I love hard-edged heroes. They make the book so much more interesting.
Thanks for the giveaway.
I’d love to win a copy of Angels’ Blood. Thanks for the chance.
I definitely like hard-edged heroes, though I can’t think of any off the top of my head. There’s just something so intriguing about a hero with a hard edge, especially once like Raphael who’s been around for so long. I really look forward to reading Angel’s Blood.
I haven’t read Angels’ Blood yet and I already love Raphael.
I’ll take a real life version of him – stat! (we’ve probably kill each other)
I like hard heroes – the harder they are, the more resounding the thud when they fall. In love, that is. Lisa Kleypas does some good hard heroes.
Margay
Hard-edged heroes offer something other heroes don’t. Since they are hard-edged, they have a longer way to go emotionally than other heroes who aren’t, so that makes the story more interesting because you can see the heroes changing in a more dramatic way. I love all kinds of heroes though. I can’t think of any favorites to single out, except maybe Jericho Barrons from Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series. I’m not sure if he’s actually considered a hard-edge hero or not, but he is in my book, so I’m naming him.
I definitely like hard-edged heroes…but I don’t like them to lose their edges when they fall in love. After all, they are who they are 🙂
As for names…hmmmm. I think Judd (Caressed by Ice) is a very good example. JR Ward’s Zsadist too. Also the hero from Linda Howard’s Cry No More….Diaz!
All the best for the release of Angel’s Blood Nalini!
Thanks from the comments and congrats on the release! I’m loving hearing your thoughts about hard men 🙂
I’ve always had a weakness for the ‘bad boys’, so I enjoy reading romances with the rougher heroes. Of course, there are limits, but for the most part, I love them. It’s so hard to choose favorites… There are way too many!
I like hard-edged heroes that are perhaps not as much “tortured” as they are hardened eg. due to a tragedy and they have closed themselves off to love etc. – if that makes sense. I love reading how finding that person/other half of their soul 🙂 will rejuvenate their passion for living (and loving)! I can sort of see this in all of Nalini’s heroes, though they may be charmers etc. they still protect themselves from seeming too vulnerable.
I always love hard-edge heroes. A few that I can think of is Zarek, from the DarkHunter series. Zadist, from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, and I agree with nightdweller20 on Jericho Barrons.
I love the rough around the edges type of hero. Zsadist (J.R. Ward) and Zarek (Sherrilyn Kenyon) are two of my favorites!
All of the Black Dagger Brotherhood except Phury. Mmmm…
Judd and Dorian – those names might sound familiar to you. 😉
I love heroes who are a bit different…The Psy/Changling Series is wonderful and no hero in that series is like any other I’ve ever read. JR Ward kind of writes those kinds of heroes as well….Love luv luv Zsadist!! 🙂
You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to this new series!! 😀
I think that a tougher, edgier hero is much more facinating and compelling, because they usually have many different facets to their personality. Even though they might be tough due to their experiences and abilities, they usually show a more grounded and softened aspect in their feelings toward the heroine. Discovering this as a reader, makes me fall in love with the hero too.
One of my all time favorite heroes is Judd from “Caressed by Ice”.
I love hard-edged heroes! They’re my favorite kind. I think it’s because when they fall in love, the journey always seems to be more emotional and hard-hitting. The heroine’s love and understanding seems to mean even more to these type of heroes due to the life they have led.
Edges are great as long as there’s a good reason for them and as long as they add depth and character. If you never find out why the character is hard-edged it’s not as fun.
I love hard edge heroes and especially when they melt lol. My Angel’s Blood copy is enroute as we speak. Can’t wait to read this one.
I love a hard edged hero, the edgier the better!
Nalini Singh’s characters from her Psy/Changeling series are so complex and fulfilling to read about. So I am even more excited to read her newest urban fantasy series. I never in a million years would have thought an Angel could be presented as edgy, sexy and scary. . . but based on all the reviews I’ve been reading Singh has pulled off that feat and for that alone I would pick up this book! (But she’s already been on my auto buy list since StS came out 🙂
Yes and yes, love a hard-edged hero. A few that I can think of right of hand: Zarek from the Night-Hunters series, Eric from the Sookie Stackhouse series, Conrad Wroth & Bowen MacRieve from the Immortals After Dark series, and I will stop here. Or I will just keep listing…
Well I love hard-edged heroes because the make the novels more interesting and it’s fun to see how they are “tamed” by the heroines =)
Angels’ Blood sounds interesting and different from other paranormal novels I’ve read, so can’t wait!
I love hard edged heros, especially when there is a slight marshmallow center and it is fun to watch the heroine sand down the edges a little.
Angels Blood sounds awesome, I cannot wait to read it.
I was thinking Linda Howard too, but actual villains — like the unexpectedly sympathetic bad guy in Death Angel. I actually wound up feeling kind of bad for him.
Anne Stuart’s evil heroes fascinate me. I can never believe they won’t kill the heroines someday. 😉 — willaful
When anti-hero comes up I can’t help but go old-school and say Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights. Still one of my favorites even if it’s not exactly HEA.
There are some anti-heros that I can’t help but fall in love with. I can’t really name any favorites, cause most of the books I read seem to have anti-heros.
bad boys
gypsywitch36@yahoo.com
if my other comment didnt show up
No need to enter me, I already have all the Psy books 🙂
I love hard edges heroes. The always nice guys are a turn off for me. I like men to men… big, strong and a little bit mean. (not mean to the heroine, of course, but also not sickly sweet.)
I do love them too, who couldn’t help not too. One of my favs are Zadist from JR.Wards series, and Sherrilyn Kenyons Zarek…something with the boys beginning with Z 😉
Another who likes the hero with a hard edge and seeing him have to acknowledge something more deep inside when he finally falls. The two that came to mind for me were Kenyon’s Zarek and Moning’s Jericho Barron.
I have all of Nalini’s PSY books and anthologies, love to get Angel’s Blood. I downloaded the ebook and am already intrigued.
I love heroes who are hardened but fall for the heroine like a ton of bricks.
Some who come to mind are Kadan from Feehan’s Murder Game, Kell Sabin from Howard’s Diamond Bay and ditto Zarek and the Brothers of the BDB!
grabs hold of nearest chair because of wobbly knees
I would love to read Angel’s Blood. It sounds awesome.
Hi Nalini. I love hard edge heroes. I am looking forward to reading Angel’s Blood.
I’ve been hearing alot about this one, sounds good. I’ve recently started your PSY series and I’m loving them.
I’ve never heard the term hard-edged hero before, but since I see people mentioning Jericho Barrons I must like them because I love him. I also think Adrik Wilder from Christina Dodd’s Darkness Chosen series falls into this category.
I love hard edged heroes. I think that is why Judd from ‘Caressed by Ice’ was one of my favorite stories in your series so far. I also liked Jenna Black’s Gabriel in ‘Shadows on the Soul’.
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I can’t resist “bad boys”, either, especially the ones who are or look like villains first (eg. the previously mentioned St. Vincent in Kleypas’ Devil in Winter or Xia in Carolyn Jewel’s upcoming book). I guess it all comes down to learning new layers about multidimensional characters.
I think it’s also one of the reasons why I like paranormal characters. You have to question the rules of a human society when you’re not 100% human.
I am so excited about this book. I have just started reading your psy series and love it!
congrats on your release today!
Ooops! So excited I forgot the question! I do love hard-edged, but they don’t have to be. As long as they are strong, that they are not weak, I am good. I am horrible at remembering character names so this is a hard one for me to completely answer.
I like hard edged heroes. They have a longer path to travel, but once they fall, they fall hard. I can’t wait to read this book!
I love reading about hard-edged heroes because they are unpredictable in their actions. With all the books getting published these days, we need to read something different from a prince charming rescuing the damsel. Hmm, on the spot I cant think of a favorite hero but I always prefer my heroes to be the odd one of the bunch. The one least likely to take the mantle and save the world. Ohh, I have some few anti-heroes that I like. They are not necessarily the villain but there the ones who have more depth and character that just intrigues me.
Sue
okibi_insanity[at]yahoo[dot]com
Oi, I hope we can answer this question in general, because I (sadly) haven’t had the opportunity to read Nalini’s books. D: But I really want to!
I definitely love hard-edged heroes, but I have a soft spot for the soft-spoken heroes too. Like the ones that make unlikely heroes. There is a particular anti-hero I looooove. Alas, he’s not from a book. But Sol Badguy from the Guilty Gear videogame series is an anti-hero to die for. 😉
I like hard edged heroes – someone who’s somewhat of a challenge without being a jerk
msboatgal at aol dot com
I also like hard-edged heroes. I went to buy your book tonight, but Borders can’t “find” it. WTF?
I love hard-edged heroes. The ones that have a tortured past.
(singing badly)
Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? I just can’t get enough of you!
I have no problem with Hard edge heroes. In fact, we prefer our guy to be an ‘alpha’ somehow.
But too tortured hero doesn’t sit well with me. I’m getting into thinking that (bad luck and) pain is the hero’s name.
I love reading books – to be entertained and not to ADD UP my pain.
JUDD LAUREN is the perfect hard edge hero 🙂