Macho, Macho Man...........
Now that I've got you all singing along with the Village People (LOL) ............
How about those Alpha Males? Love 'em? Hate em? Love to hate them? Or do you love them on paper and film but in real life not so much?
This week we're discussing Alphas and their counterparts, the Beta Male.
I'm sure all of us have a favorite Alpha. Maybe he's your guilty pleasure at the movies. Or perhaps the Dom in the BDSM book you just read. Just thinking about him curls your toes. But............
What about a man with feelings? A sensitive man who makes you laugh, listens to your concerns, dresses in something besides torn jeans and a leather jacket.
Why do women tend to forget the "good guy"? Or worse! Why do we always tell him: "I just want to be friends?"
Are we gluttons for punishment? Or does it go back to cave man days -- or *gasp* even further? High School? Are we still "wired" to look for the strongest, best-hunter of the group? When maybe we should have looked at the nerdy cave man figuring out how to make fire? (I'm sure he died a billionaire once he got that first patent going.) Are we still looking at the football hero when we should be looking in the computer lab? (Bill Gates. That's all I'm saying.)
OK, here's the really deep part. I think we write romance because we can create the perfect blend. The perfect BALPHA MALE. He's strong and stubborn, but he's sensitive and can cry. He will fight to the death for us, but let us drive his sports car. He can cook. And willingly washes the dishes.
He's perfect ........and he only exists on paper.
So what do you think, ladies? Do you find yourself drawn to Alpha or Beta males in movies or books? Action hero or Romantic Comedy? Rouge or guy next door?
Love to hear your thoughts!
He rode into town to buy supplies, not a woman.
For hunted recluse Rafe McBride, the raven-haired beauty on the auction block is exactly what he doesn't need. A dependent woman will be another clue his vengeful stepbrother can use to find and kill him. But Rafe's conscience won't let him leave another innocent's virginity to the riff-raff bidding. He buys her, promising to return her to St. Louis untouched. He only prays the impending blizzard holds off before her sultry beauty breaks his willpower.
She wanted freedom, not a lover.
Whisked to the auction block by her devious, gambling cousin, and then sold into the arms of a gorgeous stranger, outspoken artist Maggie Monroe isn't about to go meekly. Especially when the rugged mountain man looks like sin and danger rolled into one. But a blizzard and temptation thrust them together, and Maggie yearns to explore her smoldering passion for Rafe.
But when the snow clears, will the danger and secrets that surround Rafe and Maggie tear them apart?
Loving the sound of this book, Jennifer and I know it has received rave reviews. In fact, what the heck am I waiting for....
Waiting to hear your comments on the alpha/beta male, folks!
Hi guys,
ReplyDeleteI have to admit I hate the Alpha male. They tend to make me want to throw books against walls. lol I'm more of a Beta gal. There is something swoon worthy about a guy with a soft heart. *sigh* The hero of my book, Staking His Claim is a Beta and that's also what I tend to write. Though I have written your "balpha" male (love that term!) in a couple of books.
LOVE that cover, Jennifer!
Hi Joanne -
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I'm a stubborn, independent gal, so in real life I'd probably have to strangle an Alpha if he was mine. HA Thank goodness my hubby, tho' more Beta, does have a few Alpha traits, so he's a good blend.
Thanks for stopping by!
I tend to prefer the Balpha male, although I hate labels that put us in little boxes. I know in our business we have to do that to an extent, but I enjoy the peeling of the paper mache form of a person's soul to view all the delightful layers. My men are strong, hard-headed and smart--and damn sensative, too. Feelings? Oh yeah, they've got a ton of 'em. And when they pour those feelings into their love making, well...even my old heart goes "pitter-patter." Great post. Loved the pics! Most excellent choices.
ReplyDeleteDeep questions, indeed, Jennifer:). I prefer the Alpha male in stories. As you said, when we write them, we can make them behave the way we think they should Having known some in real life, I can say most don't behave in the way our paper heroes do.
ReplyDeleteGood post.
Hi Vonnie -
ReplyDeleteI read a post by Bob Mayer that (para-phrasing)
said to give your character a trait opposite of what you'd expect from that character and you'll have an interesting person that readers what to know. Like the peeling of layers you mentioned.
Thanks for stopping by!! :)
Hi Barb -
ReplyDeleteDeep questions for my shallow mind. HA HA Thanks so much for always stopping by, my friend;)
I love the alpha male...well, okay, I probably throw a little beta in there too. I think one of the reasons alpha males are so popular in romance is because the heroine can then bring him to his knees. And what's better than an alpha man on his knees? Ahem, I'm getting a bit off track, aren't I? Sorry about that. :)
ReplyDeleteI am a Beta girl all the way, in my writing and personally! I can't stand the rich playboy who treats his woman like dirt characters. My imagination just doesn't stretch that far for any man to act that way, yuck!
ReplyDeleteR x
Why can't we have our cake and eat it too? The Balpha sounds like what every woman deserves. By the way, I have read Rafe's Redemption, and it's such a great read. Great post.
ReplyDeleteOh my gracious! Alpha, Balpha...I'll just sigh and gaze at the primo examples of each, lol! And that is a gorgeous cover, Jennifer, I can smell the snow on the pines :)
ReplyDelete