Is there anything better, hotter or more intriguing than a sexy, brilliant and tortured hero? A man or a male, if you’re reading paranormal, who’s been deeply and irrevocably hurt by his family, a woman or another in his para clan? Lord, I don’t think so. I love them dangerous and lusty – undecided about kissing me or killing me. Yes, I know I sound crazy, but those interior or exterior scars just make a hero so damn intriguing – so difficult to change. If there’s no pain that affects every area of his life…or he’s not living, just existing, because of it, I’m not as interested in his story. And the same goes for love scenes. I need to have the hero come into those scenarios with a history of meaningless, just-have-to-release sexual experiences. Because if they don’t, the sex with our heroine isn’t as meaningful and life altering as it must be to make me care.
This theme is pretty much Beauty and the Beast, and it’s my absolute favorite. It’s the one I look for when I go to the bookstore and scan the shelves and back cover copy. It’s the ultimate dark and tortured male, who desperately needs the love of a good woman to heal. And for my fantasy, there’s nothing better!
What about you?
What do you think?
Do dark, angsty heroes draw you in? Or do you prefer heroes with a gentler style, and a past that doesn’t kick start every movement he makes?
By Laura Wright
New York Times bestselling author of ETERNAL SIN
I love trouble souls in need of love. They are the best.
Totally agree. When the hero feels he is not redeemable, when he has been through so much and he has put up walls and then BAM! The heroine ‘gets him’ and connects and the walls start to crumble!