Loading ...
My Romance Hero — by Sue Grimshaw + Giveaway!
Hi everyone —
We’ve had fun with polls & posts regarding this topic on Romance At Random, and we never quite agree on things . . . We all seem to have a different image in our heads of what the hero should look like.
For me – he’s blonde, tall (better be, I’m 6′!), blue eyed, very muscular (but not Zeus), light on the chest hair 
But, for some of you, he is 6’5″, dark eyes, very muscular, Dark, wavy hair and ALPHA all the way.
K – this probably is a little extreme, don’t you think? LOL
So for once & for all — lets figure this out . . . Heroes should be:
1. Blonde – Yes or No
2. Light or Dark eyes
3. Nice build but not too bulky, or more like Zeus here
4. Tall or Average Height
Or #5 — forget trying to put him in a box that everyone likes — give the reader enough description to create their own hero, because, really, that is what we are going to do anyway . . . right?
Whenever I read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, I still see Jamie as a tall blond, & he is as red-haired as they come
It’s all about the reader & what we like so let us have fun & create the man of our dreams. So, who’s the man of your dreams — what would he look like? Let’s see if we have any similarities at all – Have Fun!
Remember, every week, 5 randomly chosen commenters will win a FREE book — winners announced on Sunday’s — good luck!
Okay, I’ll play. Tall between 5’11″ and 6’2″, with mid size muscles along the lean lines of Timothy Olyphant (I apologize Mr.Olyphant if I’ve objectified you ) How about dark hair slightly wavy but long enough to tie at the neck. Grey blue eyes that sparkle with humor. He loves to save the world, cook and clean not necessarily in that order.
LOL — sounds like fun!
How can you not objectify someone like Timothy Olyphant? Just sayin’.
6′-6′ 4″ Usually dark hair, dark eyes and built, but not like a professional body builder. I was a sports writer back in the day and I write athlete heroes, so lean, well-defined muscles are on my hero wish list, but not bulk.
Oh, and they are alphas, no doubt, but these guys have hearts of gold and when the right woman comes along, they follow their hearts and never look back.
Thank you for your questions and giveaway, Susan.
I think writers and editors should let readers create their own heroes. I always do, regardless of how the author describes him.
My ideal hero is an Adonis. He’s really handsome in the classical sense.
But I’ve never found a man who looks this way in romance fiction. A hero always has a harsh, rugged, craggy face with a perpetual scowl on it. The author typically describes him as “not handsome in the usual sense.” I’d describe him as not handsome at all.
As for below the neck, he’s invariably muscular. This is true even if he’s a CEO and can’t possibly take the time to work out at the gym. Or an aristocrat during an era when only social nobodies had well-developed muscles.
And when was the last time you read about a romance hero who was under six feet tall?
But more to the point, what a hero looks like doesn’t matter anywhere near as much as what he’s like on the inside. And here I really have trouble finding appealing heroes.
I go for beta males. But they’re like flying saucers. I’ve heard of them, but never seen one. That is, not in romance fiction.
But as you know better than anyone else, in recent years the genre has branched out into many subgenres. Maybe someday there will be a subgenre of “beta romances”, or whatever.
Surely I can’t be the only reader who would enjoy a romance about a hero who doesn’t have to be redeemed, about a couple who are dealing with issues other than the usual power struggles. Readers who go for alpha-male romances would still have plenty to choose from. It won’t hurt them if there’s something for the rest of us.
Great comment – thank you! It’s nice there is someone for everyone – thx!
At least six-two, black hair hanging almost to his shoulders, chocolate-brown eyes, lean and muscular, but not muscle-bound.
And like Gabaldon, I prefer the broad strokes so readers can fill in their own idea of the perfect hero. So the only answer that ‘counts’ here is #5.
Terry
ditto — safest route to go for the author too
I like a tall man that’s muscular but with a more lean, wiry build, not muscle bound. Dark hair, blue eyes, little to no hair on his chest, strong features, not a pretty boy. Doesn’t have to be an Alpha, but definitely assertive and self-assured.
For me when i start reading i make the hero up in my head as i go along. Sometime i see him clearly sometimes not as much. If there is a great cover that appeals to me that helps with my minds description and sometimes it’s his attitude that creates the picture for me. I generally go for taller 6 ft or taller Nice build with muscles but not crazy muscles. From there they can have blonde hair or dark hair. Same with the eyes. This is usually where the thing i mentioned earlier come into play though. I can never understand why so many heroes are 6’4″ or 6’5 inches. This a really popular height in books but not that big in real life i don’t think. I have two cousins who are actually that height which is funny considering I’m only 5’3″ lol We look funny standing next to each other. It can’t be that common a height.
Lisa B
Thanks Lisa & Barbara — love to see everyone’s hero
My fantasy guy is tall with longish blond hair and super gorgeous blue eyes. He also has a great tan and muscular!
Heroes should be:
1. Blonde – No
2. Light eyes
3. Nice build and a little lanky
4. Average Height
Well, I prefer my heroes from around 5´8, nice build, but definitely not bulky, not my type. I’m really not sure if I like better dark black hair and blue eyes, or blond hair and blue/green eyes… hard pick, but I do tend to fall over black haired guys, with pale white skin *swoon*
Their personality is what attracts me the most. They have to be independent, self assured, smart but with cute flaws along the way..(I mean, who doesn’t have flaws) AND romantic (faithful would be nice too)!
That’s the hero/man of my dreams. Can he come any sooner?
LOL – Thanks Melissa!
I prefer dark haired heroes, but I’m okay with blond ones, too. Light eyes(green), a nice build(not too muscly) and tall.
I say that five is right people all like something else.
sasluvbooks(at)yahoo.com
Tall – between 6 ft – 6 ft 3.
Dark hair, but not too long
Any color eyes are fine
Nice build but def not over the top muscular
Nice amount of chest hair – but not overly so
Thanks Pat, Jane & Stacey — fun to see everyone’s comments!
1. Blonde – No I like them tall dark and handsome usually…but that doesn’t mean blondes don’t cut it, I like them too.
2. Light or Dark eyes both work for me
3. Nice muscular build…but NOT over the top
4. Tall (I’m 5’9″)
6. Chest hair – not to much
LOL – We’re not picky are we?
I like my heroes to be at least 6 feet tall, nice smile, white teeth, dark hair, blue eyes, athletic physique independent but willing to embrace love.
1. Blonde – No, I prefer dark hair
2. Light eyes
3. Muscular, but not over the top
4. Tall, between 6′ and 6’4″
I think Richard Armitage is perfect for my hero.
This was fun – thanks for participating in this — you all are great
Hair color doesn’t really matter unless it’s gray. It’s not really attractive when an author puts those silver streaks in the hero’s hair. I also like a hero with light eyes and his height over 6 feet. I’m not crazy about short heroes.
He has to be an alpha. Hair and eye color don’t really matter, height between 6 and 6’5″, nice/lean muscle built not buffed. Light to none on hair chest.
I go for #5 myself, let me decide what he looks like. A lot of time I go for the tall dark hair hero, but it does change to my mood. Not much on a lot of hair on the chest though.
A question for Sue and everyone: Why is hair color so important for a romance hero? IMHO, what’s on his head is nowhere near as important as what’s inside it.
I have no preference in this department. Shucks, a guy can be bald; if I really love him, and vice-versa, that’s fine by me!
Why would you want a specific type? You know you’ll fall for the one you never expected. So I’ll go with #5.
all the above lol
like avarge
Tall, dark hair, blue eyes, lean but strong…well I’m describing the hero of the current book I’m reading because I tend to fall for all the heroes! Heroes are created everytime I read a new story and I always look foward to meeting them.
Hair.. I love dark hair, but I have met a few blondes who were hotties too. Hey my hubby is grey and I love that too.
Eyes..I don’t care what color they are as long as they have laughter and love in them.
I love my men strong, lean and protective. Alpha yes…gentle yes… and I do believe you can find both in one man.
I love my heroes tall…but since I am 5 feet even..anything is tall! I once dated a 6’7″ guy and that was downright difficult sometimes..LOL
I think if the hero is described in a novel in a abstract way like long wavy dark hair..I can do whatever I want with that. If the description is too limiting it may just be a complete turn-off. I don’t want someone else making up my ideal mancandy because I know mine and someone elses will never be the same.
This will be in the minority, but I like red-heads. I like tall, red-haired men with blue eyes and if they wear a kilt, it is an added bonus.