A while back, a very astute reader of mine wrote (and I paraphrase) that the key to my heroes and heroines was that they were constantly trying to get control over one another. It was kind of a "duh" moment for me, because it was so on the money. On reflection, I thought that sensibility was probably informed by and unconsciously stemmed from the moment, when we were first married, that my husband said to me, "you're gong to try to bulldoze all over me -- and I'm not going to let you."

Well, what woman can resist such a challenge? I'm happy to report we're still married, we talk a lot, argue a lot, love a lot -- and among other things, he brings in the papers every morning; he cooks; he fixes things; he builds bookcases; and he's got my back -- but beyond that, even after all this time, I still feel enfolded by him.

He is my hero. He's the guy who drives me nuts, keeps me sane, is my best friend in the world, and tells it to me straight -- and you know the hero is the one who always tells you what you don't want to know.

But heroes in ficton come in a variety of flavors -- this is my list of heroes I love to love. Who's on yours?

The Good Guy:
Everyone loves the good guy, the renaissance man who's just been waiting for the woman of his dreams. Healthy childhood, no wounds, handsome, he's the one you lean on when your life is turned upside down; he's steady, gives fantastic advice, is decisive, funny, and loves his mother (always a prime point for mothers of sons). And he'll always fall for the woman who is in critical chaos because he's the problem solver, the rock, and will always be the thing a heroine wants the most: an anchor.

The Bad Boy
He's that guy in high school with that look in his eye. In just one glance, he knew everything: who you were, how far you'd go, and where he'd like to take you. He's magnetic, experienced, a little rough, a little rakish, a leader without really wanting to lead; strong, decisive, and probably doesn't like to talk much, especially about his feelings -- but oh, man, does he ever have them. He loves women, but no woman is ever going to tame him. And when he falls, he takes a nosedive to eternity.

The Wounded Hero
There's some great trauma in his life; he is psychically damaged and he's not going to let any woman into his life. He has nothing to give her; he's too busy tending that hurt crippled inner self. He doesn't want to feel, he doesn't want to do; and he habitually picks fights so he can chase everyone away. He can't share his life, can't allow the heroine to assume his stain, his burden, his guilt. He just wants to be off on some island, alone, nursing that part of himself that needs to be made whole. And guess who's right in the rowboat behind him?

The Unobtainable Man
Seems not to like women at all. No one gets to him. It's like battering at a wall. He's cool, logical, seemingly without emotions. He never lets you see him sweat. He's an island unto himself. He's got all the answers. And he always reveals them first so he can cover his behind. He doesn't need anyone, which he won't hesitate to tell you.. But of course, he's the one who needs someone most of all. The heroine has to storm the fortress, and when she finds his tender spot, he is hers forever.

Mr. Unflappable
Nothing rattles this guy, nothing scares him; there's no problem he can't solve, no situation he can't get out of. He's walking the line, but he's got such a sense of humor and irony, nothing jolts him. He mows down everything in his past. He doesn't take anything seriously, and he takes love too lightly. Some days the heroine can't even get him to commit to saying hello. He's a pretty happy guy, but somewhere along the line, someone probably hurt him, so his deal is, don't get too close too soon. And of course, our heroine can't get too close soon enough.

The Scoundrel
He was badly hurt by a woman somewhere deep in his past. He loves 'em and leaves 'em, uses 'em and loses 'em. Takes out his anger on all womenkind, but especially the heroine, particularly because she gets to him and he doesn't want to be gotten to. But she gets under his skin and before you know it, he's protecting, defending and loving her, protesting his misogynist nature to the very end.

The Outlaw
He's been convicted of a crime he didn't commit and he's on the run..But he's always got a reason, and it's always plausible as hell. He's going to protect the woman he loves by NOT letting her into his life, and by reappearing in hers often enough to drive them both crazy. And she can't stay away. Truth to tell, he doesn't want her to, but he'll never admit it. He'll protest he's a loner, but he knows not only does she believe in him, she'll even go on run with him. because ultimately she has faith she will clear his name -- and she will make him vulnerable -- and make him hers --

Vulnerable and yours -- just what we strive for -- in fiction and in life ...

Two lucky readers who comment will win copies of the 10th anniversary reissue of the Fascinated anthology along with copies each of Little Black Book and Bad As She Wants To Be.

Thea Devine is the author of more than two dozen erotic historical and contemporary novels and a dozen novellas. Look for Sex, Lies & Secret Lives, from Pocket Books, April 2010 -- If You Dare ...