I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I finished another fairy tale novella for Blaze–called A Prince of a Guy–which I really loved. And I was talking about the kick-butt heroine (the Amazon warrior.) One other thing I really loved about this novella, though, was the hero.
I am NOT a fan of the alpha hero and don’t think I’ve ever written a truly alpha one. Lucas, the werewolf from the last fairytale novella was kind of alpha, but he wasn’t a real overbearing jerk as most of them are.
Actually, I’d have to say most of my heroes are “gamma” guys–very strong but also able to flirt and laugh, kind of laid-back “real” men. But once or twice I’ve written a guy I consider an absolutely adorable beta. Rafe from A Prince Of a Guy fits that bill. He’s a carpenter, and sings in a band. He’s charming and incredibly sexy and so totally confident in who he is and what he’s doing that he really doesn’t care that this Amazon warrior chick is calling the shots much of the time.
One of my favorite parts of this story was getting to completely twist the “rescue the princess in the tower” bit. This time, it’s the hero trapped in the castle, the heroine has to leap out the window into the moat, promising she will be back to rescue him, no matter what happens. That just tickled me to no end, and he never comes across as anything less than manly, even when paired with this super-tough chick.
He’s also the kind of guy who just goes with the flow, even when he finds himself in an absolutely unbelievable situation. I’ve pasted a brief exchange at the bottom–when he first finds himself in “fairy tale land.”
So what about you? Anybody else like the occasional beta hero? I know alphas are all the rage, but do you ever just get a hankering to read about the boy-next-door?
“I still can’t believe this,” Rafe muttered, unable to tear his eyes off those mountains, the “borderland” she’d called them, between her world and his.
“I know,” Olivia replied as she reined in next to him. “Again, I’m sorry for not better preparing you. But I thought it would be easier to explain if I just brought you and let you see for yourself.”
“Yeah, uh, speaking of that, your definition of ‘explain’ and mine are very different.” She hadn’t explained much, other than to say this Elatyria somehow existed right alongside Earth.
It was the same planet, occupying the same space, at the same time. But different.
Which was impossible.
And yet…here he was.
“You’ll have to ask others wiser than me to make it clear,” Olivia told him with a sigh. “I’ve told you as much as I know.”
“Yeah, I heard ya, a world within a world,” he said. “Like we’ve fallen into a Dr. Seuss book and I’m right now sitting on a clover flower perched on an elephant’s nose?”
She didn’t catch the reference. “I’m sure wise men in your world—in the place they call the government—know the truth, too, they just don’t tell anyone.”
“I doubt that.”
“You don’t think they know?”
“I don’t think there are any wise men in the government.”
Her face serious as she tried to make him understand, she said, “All I know is what our wise men have said. Our worlds occupy the same space, but different dimensions.”
“And they share these borderlands.”
She nodded. “Yes. Some of the borders are incredibly small, passable only at certain times of the month, when the moon is at its fullest.” She nodded toward the mountains. “Others, like that one, are larger, more accessible. It was through a large one that my Amazon ancestors crossed over, most of them deciding to remain in Elatyria many centuries ago.”
“Gotcha. And all that stuff you were talking about with Ruprecht—the goose with the golden egg, King Midas…”
She rolled her eyes. “I know, I know. Pure fiction in your world. History in mine.”
History. All the fairy tales and fables, legends and myths of his life were the very fabric and foundation of hers.
“For what it’s worth, that government you were talking about? It’s set in Washington.”
A thoughtful frown appeared on her face, then she barked a laugh. “So he’s not a fictional character?”
“Huh-uh.”
“What about the strong man who wears the red cape and can fly?”
“That one’s fiction.”
“Too bad.”
Leslie Kelly used to say she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but then she discovered Nancy Drew books. Being a flashlight-under-the-covers-nose-in-book reader throughout her childhood, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do as an adult than continue to lose herself in fictional stories. Her real life marriage of 20 years to the man of her dreams is a constant reinforcement that happily-ever-afters really can happen…and that they’re worth writing about. Living in Maryland, Leslie spends her non-writing time laughing a lot with the above-mentioned romance hero and their three daughters. Though an author of more than thirty sexy, contemporary comedies, she has recently branched out to write dark romantic suspense under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish.
3 Seductions and a Wedding
Hot Number
Play With Me
Wild For Him
Subscribe to Posts 
Comment
Sure, I love the boy next door type. I do love both alpha and beta.
Comment
I love the beta heroes…they are so laid back and like you said…confident in who they are without being overbearing.
This sounds like a fantastic book…put it on my TBB pile!!! :bigtree:
Comment
Leslie, what a great excerpt! I was totally drawn in and must read the rest. Of course, I feel that way about all your books. I love beta heroes.
Comment
I love the beta heroes. I’m writing one right now and he’s probably the first one I’ve ever really written. But I don’t think I’ll ever go back to alpha again because I love this guy! Often, the alphas are as you said, Leslie, major jerks. What’s good about that?
Great excerpt by the way.
It’s 5 degrees right now. We’re supposed to have a high of 12.
Cher :snowfight:
Comment
Hey Les, this one sounds great too. I am all about the guy next door too…Love the alphas, but the betas have my heart. They just seem more “real” let’s say…I could actually go out there and meet him; I think there is one working here right now, and he is so wonderful. The alphas are like fantasy level for me, but I adore them and their strength, but when a man can just deal with a woman in charge, it is one of the sexiest things about him. I love the fact that in this one you have an alpha female. Everytime I read a description, I think about Cheetara and Willow from Thundercats and She-ra, cartoons from childhood days. These women kicked some serious butt…oh and I can’t forget Lady Jane from G.I. Joe. Love the topic for the day. Can’t wait to read this Blaze too.
I will check in again later on today. I should probably get some work done.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Comment
It depends on my mood….
Comment
Love that excerpt! Thanks!
Since I’m married to my very own beta guy, I love reading about manly betas. I love it when they pop up occasionally.
Comment
I do love those kick ass Alpha’s but a Beta Hero is also fun! There is a lot to be said about the handsome, hunk-of-burning love, boy next-door hero. Oh yeah…
Comment
Gamma hero. I LOVE that label! I think most of mine fit that description. They can go all kick-@$$ when they have to but are mostly laid back and all male.
I loved Lucas. Heck. I loved Jack, too. Jack would be Julie’s hero in the novella. I can’t wait to read about Rafe! I did get some :santalights: up yesterday. Too cold and icy to do any more today. Stay warm, everyone!
Comment
:meepcold: It was down in the 20’s here last night & that is really cold for this area! We get more of the same tonight. There was heavy frost on the roof even after the sun came out! Now it is clouding over & not warming up!! :freezeman:
Leslie, your novella sounds great. I can’t wait to read it. Just to keep me happy in the meantime I have Pitch Black & Black at Heart to read. Right now I am into reading Christmas stories once I finish The Blind Side!! :SmallSanta:
:wreath: :bigxmas: :ccane: :reindeer: :treecut: :santabag:
Mostly I like any type of hero depending on how they treat the heroine in the book. I don’t like Alpha male types that act like jerks!!
:lights:
:hanstar: :happychan: :hann2:
Comment
I love Beta heros, and you write some of the BEST ONES, Leslie!
Comment
My beta heroes need a bit of occasional caveman attitude. Just read one of those not so long ago and totally fell for him : Eli from Lisa Dale It Happened one Night.
Comment
honestly…if theres a nicely written guy I’m there…where he’s alpha, beta, or my pain in the butt…men are nice no matter what shape, size or attitude they come with because there is someone for everyone and it usually means that the female written to match that particular male is going to be just as exciting and unforgettable…and when they get together…well…that’s always when the fun starts for me.
Comment
I love a happy hero. Why is it that Alpha heroes are so often gloomy/angsty/baggage-laden? My first “experience” with a happy hero was Shane McKade in Nora Roberts’ “The Fall of Shane MacKade.” He’s just so content with who he is and where he is. And he’s not afraid of a smart woman! (sigh)
Comment
Love both Betas and Alphas! I’m married to a fellow who is a “delightful”
combination of the two!! Don’t tell him I said that, he’ll go all Alpha about
the description!
Pat Cochran
Comment
I can’t wait to read this. I liked the other story about Elatryia, too.
Comment
It depends on what kind of mood in I like them both.
Comment
Can’t wait to read this story. Leslie, have you seen the movie Ever After with Drew Barrymore? There’s a scene where the heroine gets to do the rescuing, which is pretty awesome.