What type of tortured hero do you like?
Women are born nurturers. We love making a difference in someone's life. We enjoy making someone happy. And we are drawn to a tortured hero. But what kind of torture gives a male character the label of a tortured hero?
Could it be something emotionally scarring that happened to him in his childhood? Like Storm Masterson's abandonment by his mother? Did this cause him to cling too closely and doubt so quickly?
What about physical scars from war? Can a hero with an amputeed leg be sexy? Can a heroine help him deal with his PTSD? I'm betting Win's virility will jump off the page at you, one leg or two. 
What if a hero's torture is self-imposed? Like if his fiance was killed because he did something wrong? Does the guilt he revisits every day qualify him as being tortured?
What if an error in judgement in a hero's teenaged years caused a family disaster? For example, the younger sister Jean-Luc was supposed to keep an eye on was kidnapped while the teenager flirted with a girl up the street. This constant source of guilt and pain causes a strong need to control everything and everyone. How would you help him change?
What is your favorite kind of tortured hero? I'd love to hear. Leave a comment with your email address between now and Saturday (4/27 at 6pm) and be eligible to win your choice of one of these titles.
15 comments:
I am completely stuck on an answer. Blank. Nada. :( However, I did just buy Those Violet Eyes from B&N to read. So I'll get back with you.
I just remembered I have read a few books where the hero blamed himself for his wife's death. They've all been historicals and society blames them as well. I like those.
Thanks for stopping in, Angel. Let me know how you like Win. I think he's my favorite hero so far.
Hi Vonnie,
I have Win in my TBR pile, I'm just so busy with my day job, writing and promo, I hardly have time anymore to read. My hero in Lost Hearts, Rab, lost his arm in the war and also suffered from PTSD. I was told by a category romance writer, that I couldn't have a hero who had lost and arm and who coped with his PTSD by drinking. I wonder what this person would tell you about Win.
I think as long as the hero loves the heroine and shows his heroic qualities, nothing else matters. Keep writing your tortured heroes.
Thanks for sharing that, Kathy. I think the category romance writer is very narrow-minded. Poor soul. Writing about perfect people all the time must get boring. LOL None of us are perfect, so why should our heroes be any different?
Funny to see this this morning. Were you involved in that tortured hero blog hop? I was and was going to hold a similar contest this week, until I had to have my op.
Whose my favorite tortured hero(s)? Well, Win, for one. He's at the top of my list. You did him beautifully. And JR Ward's Zsadist. And guys like them. Guys who have been through hell and have demons nipping at their heels. They make the nurturer in me want to hug them tight and take care of them. Love love love me a tortured hero.
Yes, Joanne, I was involved in the Tortured Hero Blog Hop. So much so I had all the links and info up and then a day later--after 41 views--I read the blog hop had been cancelled. I had NO clue!!! So I took out the blog hop info and tweaked it to this. You know me, always late...always...
Yup, I managed to catch her note about the cancelation about four days prior. Just happened to glance at her website, ironically. I'm going to hold my contest in mid-May. I have a week that's open and some goodies I'd had made to give away.
Wishing you lots of luck with yours!
I love tortured heroes, Vonnie! I have a number of them in my own stories. Not sure what my favorite is, but my hero in Erin's Rebel feels guilt for not being at his wife's side when she died shortly after birthing his daughter. Another favorite of mine is the hero in my vampire story, Sweet Redemption. He was a Catholic priest, who left the priesthood and the weight of that failure tortures him.
All of the above, Vonnie! :)
I especially like the PTSD scenario because it is very current.
How about the guy who loved completely and lost everything? (not his fault - 9/11 happened) It's hard to follow that act, isn't it?
If you ask me, I'll tell you who those guys are. ;)
I'm sorry. I had trouble reading your article as I kept getting distracted by the hunky guys! Yes, I like all kinds.!
Thanks, Joanne. I was a little miffed a mass email didn't go out announcing the cancellation.
Yes, Lynne, loss leads to torture. I enjoy reading about tortured heroes, too, but they can be emotionally hard to write about. I cry so bad I can't see the computer screen.
Why do you think I put the hunky guys up, R.E.? They help hide my grammatical and spelling errors. I mean, who will notice? LOL
I like to see a tortured hero who brings it on himself for not understanding women. Mine right now is acting very chauvanistic and is about to get his comuppance when his lady shows him the misconception he lives by.
Oh, Paisley, I can't wait to read it. I do love a strong heroine. Woot!
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