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Alpha Heroes

2/28/2014

4 Comments

 
Alpha Hero
More and more lately I’ve been seeing blogs posts slamming the alpha male in romance novels. Now I realize that we all have our favorite types of heroes and I will not, let me repeat that, WILL NOT tell anyone the type of hero they should love. No, the problem I have with these posts I’m seeing is the author’s definition of the alpha male. Posts that define him as ‘Domineering, Stalkerish, Jealous and Insulting of his heroine'. WHAT?!

Let me first say that I too have seen the books with heroes of this type. This is a whole new breed of…well, I can’t call them heroes, after all I don’t find these traits remotely heroic. And yes, I worry about what we’re teaching our young women when so many writers and Hollywood producers DO call these men heroes. But, that’s an altogether different blog post because alpha heroes, true alpha heroes, do not have these personality traits.

Why do these incorrect definitions of alpha heroes upset me so much? Simple, I write alpha heroes. What is an alpha hero, you ask?

An alpha hero is strong, tough, protective, stubborn and extremely complicated. He is not abusive – verbally or otherwise – and never purposely humiliates a woman. An alpha hero is either born alpha, or becomes alpha through environment or upbringing. Believe it or not a beta male raised in a get-tough-or-die environment can become alpha. He is going to learn to fight, to hide his feelings, and in extreme situations, learn not to feel.

The biggest mistake that people make about alpha males is that they are insensitive, when in fact, usually the opposite is true. He has just learned to bury his weaknesses – yes, to an alpha, sensitivity and feelings are weakness – deep down inside. But here’s what I love most about true alpha heroes…once he gives in to his feelings and accepts that he is in love, he loves completely and without restraint.

So please, the next time you read a book, watch a movie or even read a blog post about domineering, stalkerish, verbally abusive men who are being called alpha heroes remember… These men are not alpha heroes, and in my book they aren’t heroic at all.

Thanks for reading!


4 Comments
Amie Louellen link
2/28/2014 04:10:53 am

Amen, sister! You know what I always say: In the event of the zombie apocalypse, the alpha hero is the one you want right by your side! :)

Reply
Calisa Rhose link
2/28/2014 04:12:58 am

I agree one hundred and fifty percent, Sarah. I've seen comments like you mentioned and I have to shake my head. Are the times changing so much that our beloved alphas are emerging as a whole new breed of...something so unheroic? Lordy, I hope not! Thank you for bringing this up.

Reply
Lynda J Cox
3/2/2014 04:20:38 am

AMEN! I think this skewed definition of the "alpha" hero is part of the *Twilight* effect. (And, don't get me started on what a horrible role model Bella is for young girls or the message being sent with Edward's behavior!)

Reply
Sarah Grimm link
3/2/2014 05:49:44 am

I agree, Lynda! I fear that is where all of this started.

Reply



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    Welcome to my blog. For those of you who haven’t stopped by before, I’m a romance author. I write everything from what reviewers have called ‘page turning, edge of your seat suspense,’ to contemporary romance with a touch of suspense. My books vary in heat levels. Some are sexy, a few are scorching hot, but all have a happily-ever-after.


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  • Home
  • BOOKS
    • All Books
    • Blind Man's Alibi >
      • WRECKED
    • Black Phoenix >
      • AFTER MIDNIGHT
      • MIDNIGHT HEAT
    • Stand Alone Novels >
      • NOT WITHOUT RISK
      • Word Search for WARRIORS
  • About Sarah
  • For Readers
    • SERIES READING ORDER
    • SARAH'S READER GROUP