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When I first started reading romance, the ideal hero was often emotionally unavailable. He was arrogant, guarded, and determined not to fall in love. The heroine’s job was to break through his defenses and win his heart. These days, many readers seem to want something very different.  The perfect hero does exist! The Rise of the Alpha HeroWe all know the type of hero I’m talking about. I remember them from the historical “bodice rippers” I used to read, as well as the Harlequin Presents line. They’re the traditional tall, dark, handsome, wealthy, and powerful guy who is often so incredibly harsh with the heroine that I used to wonder what she saw in him at all! Some deep hole in his past meant he didn’t do relationships, and he was determined to protect his heart from the heroine, even if he did manage to talk her into bed. These heroes reflect the times in which they were written, when men were expected to be the breadwinners and to look after their families, while the wives stayed at home and had babies. Think Don Draper from Mad Men and you’ll be on the right lines. The heroines in Harlequin Presents began to challenge this by having careers and standing up to the hero when he tried to dominate, but the struggle for equality was real for these heroines, just as it was for women in the real world. The romance genre hasn’t completely changed. Powerful, controlling men remain eternally popular. One glance at the Amazon romance charts reveals page after page of Mafia Romance and Stalker Romances in which men dominate and control their women. Personally, I don’t see the appeal, and I’ve been relieved, if not overjoyed, to see a recent rise in readers’ requesting another kind of hero. Why Readers Want Something Different
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Most of us can't jump on a plane whenever we need a break from everyday life. That's one reason I love writing romance set in New Zealand. Every book becomes a virtual vacation, both for the reader and for me, as I get to research beautiful places to stay! When I moved to the Bay of Islands, I felt as if I'd stepped into Jurassic Park. The forests were full of palms and ferns, the sea sparkled turquoise blue, and the air smelled different. I remember thinking that if I was going to write romance novels anywhere, this would be the place.  Ferns in the NZ Bush |
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