For the love of the Balpha Hero by Joanne Stewart

All romance novels have a great hero. Someone who, whether he wants to or not, falls in love with the heroine. Do you prefer a hero to be charming or maybe you like them a little grumpy? This week I have guest author Joanne Stewart talking about her favorite type of hero.

Thanks so much for having me, Marlow! Thrilled to be here.

Balpha hero. Have you heard the term? This is a term I’m frankly stealing from someone else. I believe (but I’m not positive) it was fellow author and friend AJ Nuest who coined this term, and it fits perfectly. I’ve never kept it a secret that I’m not fond of what most people think of when they talk about alpha heroes. They’re usually jerks who treat the heroines with little to no respect. They’re usually very arrogant guys who think the world of themselves. So, it’s always a complete surprise to me that women actually find this sexy.

My kind of alpha is a cross between the alpha and the beta. Don’t get me wrong. I love a guy with self-confidence, who knows who he is and doesn’t make excuses for it. But I want him to treat the heroine with respect. I want him, essentially, to have a heart. So the Balpha guy is also that guy who’s also a good friend, a good brother, a good neighbor. Whether he’s good with kids or he’s a loner, deep down, he’s a good guy.

Some of my favorite alphas? Jamie Fraser from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander. He can be downright cocky, but he’ll do anything, risk his life, for the heroine, Claire. And he needs her.

Oh, his need for her is downright swoon worthy, but when he’s tough, it’s because he’s trying to protect the people he loves. He’d gladly give his life for them, but in the darkness of night, holding Claire, he’s soft around the edges (insert dreamy sigh here. lol).

Another favorite? Off the top of my head, Matthias, or Matty, from AJ Nuest’s Jezebel’s Wish. Jezzie was, well, honestly, I didn’t like her very much at the start of the book. She was rough around the edges, pushing everybody away, but he wasn’t intimidated by her in the least. Matty met every single of her attempts to push him off with a calm kindness. He was patient. I recall him having a sense of humor as well with her, which just made him sexier. In the end, he cared enough to break down her walls.

This is more my style of alpha. I like ’em strong but sensitive.

By the way, I hope Marlow doesn’t mind an obvious plug, but my balpha hero, Michael, from Her Knight in Black Leather, is now part of a bundle! 10 Contemporary Romances by some of Crimson Romances top sellers.
       Modern Love
       Only $0.99!


Buy links:
Crimson Romance (ePub) -- Amazon (kindle) 

When love calls, it’s rarely easy but always memorable, and definitely worth turning the pages. Recapture the thrill, the delicious anticipation of finding your happily ever after in these 10 unforgettable, hot stories by some of today’s brightest names.


               Her Knight in Black Leather – J.M. Stewart
               Destination Wedding – Robyn Neeley
               Drawn to Jonah – Jennifer DeCu
               On the Fly – Katie Kenyhercz
               Wildly – Debra Kayn
               Falling for You – Heather Thurmeier
               Beginning Again – Peggy Bird
               Spiraling – Rachel Cross
               Save My Soul – Elley Arden
               Sweet Gone South – Alicia Hunter Pace

Author bio:

JM is the author of passionate, heartfelt contemporary romance. She’s a wife, a mother, a spiritualist, and lover of puppies, and happily addicted to coffee and chocolate. She lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest with her husband, two sons, and two very spoiled dogs. She’s a hopeless romantic who believes everybody should have their happily-ever-after and has been devouring romance novels for as long as she can remember. Writing them has become her obsession. For more about JM Stewart and her books, please visit: http://authorjmstewart.com/

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