A recent enthusiastic tweet from my blogging friend Kate, from Too Read or Not Too Read, about Jody Hedlund’s latest hero, Carl from A Noble Groom got me thinking about heroes and what it is about them that appeals to readers. There are many different kinds of heroes – romantic heroes, unlikely heroes, heroes who save the day, and those that sacrifice their lives. I can think of a number of romantic heroes that I found quite captivating ~ like Kate, Jody Hedlund’s Carl, all of Ronie Kendig’s leading men but particularly Reece Jaxon from Dead Reckoning and Dane Markoski from Talon, Laura Frantz’s Silas Ballantyne from Love’s Reckoning, Susan May Warren’s Rafe Noble from Taming Rafe, Tamara Leigh’s Garr Wulfrith and Christian Lavonne from her Age of Faith series, Denise Hunter’s Lucas Wright from The Convenient Groom, Elizabeth Gaskell’s John Thornton and Jane Austen’s Colonel Brandon, and more.
That said, it’s not just the romantic heroes that stand out to me. Samwise Gamgee, Atticus Finch, Jean Valjean, Jack Ryan, Jason Bourne. These men exhibit courage, conviction, strength, integrity, and respect They have faults, and I love that. In fact, my favourite heroes are the ones who make a mistake and become better men for it. Ones whose vulnerabilities are shown, yet they work around or overcome them. I’m fascinated by what makes a great hero in your view, so my question for this week is:
What qualities do you look for in a literary hero?
(Feel free to share some examples!)
August 18, 2013 at 11:26 pm
Samwise Gamgee. Frodo would not have been the hero without him. I like selflessness and loyalty. Any character can be a hero, if only for a few pages, as long as he/she demonstrates those two traits. A good example of this is Uncle Haskell in Up A Road Slowly. (Author Irene Hunt).
August 19, 2013 at 4:52 am
Yes! Sam is a great example!
August 19, 2013 at 9:39 am
Sherry » Exactly, Sherry – Frodo could not have done without his faithful friend. It’s such a beautiful friendship – that unwavering devotion Sam had for Frodo and his willingness to address Frodo’s weaknesses – so special.
August 18, 2013 at 11:34 pm
My favourite CBA heroes are James McGrath from Fire By Night, by Lynn Austin, John Murphy from Vienna Prelude by Bodie Thoene, Silas McClure from Lynn Austin’s A Proper Pursuit, and John Falconer from the series by T. Davis Bunn. I like really strong heroes who have a way of bringing out the best in their heroines by forcing them to stand up for themselves and challenge their faiths. Neil MacNeill from “Christy” by Catherine Marshall is probably the best on this front. In the non Christian world, eccentric and brainy men win the day. I love Paul Emmanuel from Villette by Charlotte Bronte, Stephen Maturin from the Aubrey/Maturin series by Patrick O’Brian, Melrose Plant from the Martha Grimes Richard Jury series and (my favourite) Barney Snaith from the Blue Castle by LM Montgomery. It’s not always looks: it’s brains and perseverance and their willingness to go a thousand miles to earn the heroine’s hand; but not before learning a bit about themselves and challenging her to address who she is in the process
August 19, 2013 at 9:37 am
rachel » Oh, absolutely – James, John, Silas, and Barney!! How could I forget him?
And, I’m cheering this comment of yours: It’s not always looks: it’s brains and perseverance and their willingness to go a thousand miles to earn the heroine’s hand; but not before learning a bit about themselves and challenging her to address who she is in the process. So, so agree 🙂
August 20, 2013 at 2:28 am
I agree! James McGrath – one of my favorites ever.
August 19, 2013 at 4:21 am
First and foremost, if one is considering a hero in a romance, he has to RESPECT his love. That is a big thing for me. After that, a protector (not perhaps in the sense that he “smoothers” her or that she cannot take care of herself but… a protector nonetheless) and a leader. Courage is also another must (wimpy dudes do nothing for me) – I love what you said about being flawed and becoming a better man for it. Wonderfully put, Rel.
While I don’t like Silas and Eden’s story as a “sweeping” romance (I just didn’t love them together – for some reason, I didn’t “feel” the love), I was unusually impressed by Eden’s quest for seeking Christ – it was wonderful! In that vein, Silas was a wonderful leader to her – he helped her with her questions, making her desire seem important not useless (that was the role of her father). I am trying to think who I like as leading men in Christian fiction – of course, I adore Thornton, Col. Brandon and the like…
Nate Kenneth was a cool guy, Bane is exceptional (he is probably one of the best examples of being a “lost” soul coming to Christ without reservation yet he was still humanly flawed), love Morgan (‘The Breath of Dawn’), and I also liked Alex from Nicholas Sparks ‘Safe Haven.’
NEED to meet Rafe and Lucas. 😉
Ooo! And I agree: Jason Bourne is a an EXCELLENT hero. 🙂
August 19, 2013 at 9:35 am
Rissi » Thanks for sharing, dear friend! Love your thoughts about Silas and Eden. It was Silas’ spiritual strength that I loved. So often, it’s the bad boy coming to faith in Christian novels – to me, there is nothing more appealing than a man who holds deep spiritual convictions – love that.
And respect – that’s a big one for me, too. Courage, yes, but mental and emotional courage more than “I can be a man of courage because I have the muscles to be courageous”, you know? That’s why I adored Lori Benton’s Neil MacGregor and I should have mentioned him in my actual post. It’s that kind of courage that is so appealing about Jody Hedlund’s Carl in A Noble Groom. He has no physical skills or farming knowledge and is laughed at by the other men in the community and yet he acknowledges his weaknesses and throws himself into bettering himself in ways that would help the heroine and her community. Love that!
Bane, Morgan, Nate…yup!!
August 19, 2013 at 10:35 am
Alexander Banebridge! You can’t go wrong! Courage is quite an appealing quality.
August 19, 2013 at 5:48 pm
Ganise » Loved how we got to see his transformation throughout the two novels. Sweet!!
August 26, 2013 at 1:19 pm
That was the best thing about Silas and Eden’s relationship! It was so precious to “feel” his support for her journey and know that he was going to protect and nurture that desire in her for seeking out God.
I know exactly what you mean! Brawn is good when necessary but emotional courage is also important to any stable, mentally healthy hero.
“…He has no physical skills or farming knowledge and is laughed at by the other men in the community and yet he acknowledges his weaknesses and throws himself into bettering himself…”
This^ is what makes a memorable and courageous hero – the kind that is flawed yes, but also strong in the face of that. Great thoughts and question!
August 26, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Rissi » Lovely comments, Rissi – yes, courage when you are at your weakest is so admirable as is the “mentally healthy” hero – I like that!
August 19, 2013 at 6:25 am
As a guy, I’m sure my feelings about this are different. I prefer what is called by some as a Beta Male over an Alpha Male. When I finish a book, I want to think the hero and heroine (if linked romantically) will actually have a good marriage and not break up a couple of years in the future because they fight all the time. I want my hero to be strong of character more than of body. Examples from Christian fiction are Evan Whittaker from BJ Hoff’s Emerald Ballad series, Davis Winslow from “The Dixie Widow” of Gilbert Morris’s the House of Winslow, and especially Clark Davis from Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series. What an example of illustrating the love of Christ Janette created! From superhero world, which I love those stories, I love Superman over Batman and X-man Cyclops over Wolverine. I want a hero who has problems and struggles but who is not a bad boy turning good. I want the boy scout who struggles by still chooses what is right. Like Jimmy Stewart’s George Bailey in “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I also love a good patriotic hero like Captain America. I thought the latest movie of that character, showing him as a slight young man who just wants to be a hero for his country, was a fantastic example of what really makes a man a hero, not might but right.
August 19, 2013 at 9:30 am
Aaron McCarver » I really enjoyed your comments, Aaron and completely agree with you about Captain America and men whose character shines more than their muscles. I LOVED that about Lori Benton’s Neil MacGregor – he has enormous courage and inner strength and despite his knowledge that his physical prowess could not match a man he was challenging, he stood up to defend a woman knowing he would take a beating…and he did! He was still heroic to her and to me! Have you read her Burning Sky? I can’t remember if you have or not, but you would love it, I think!
August 19, 2013 at 10:19 am
It is in my TBR pile as it is a time period I love! I hope to get to it soon. School is starting back this week so that hampers so of my reading. Thanks for the recommendation!
August 19, 2013 at 5:51 pm
Aaron McCarver » Understand – love to hear your thoughts when you get the chance to read it, Aaron 🙂
August 19, 2013 at 8:30 am
I love male leads that are not what they seem to be. Either they have a bad boy image, but underneath actually have a good heart – a bit misunderstood. Or, they appear a little silly because they are deliberately covering up who they are whether it’s because of fear or because they are a real hero. One of my faves is Sir Percy Blakeney from The Scarlet Pimpernel. Another is Jace Buckley from Linda Chaikin’s Under the Eastern Stars series.
August 19, 2013 at 9:26 am
Amanda Deed » Yes, Jace Buckley – that takes me back a while 😉 I agree with you, Amanda, about the importance of a character that has depth. There are very few of us who are a completely open book. Unlocking the hidden qualities of heroes is always rewarding. Thanks for sharing xo
August 19, 2013 at 10:41 am
I also like when they show a ‘tough’ exterior but beneath their expressions and all, they are some of the most generous and sweet heroes in Christian Fiction. It’s enough to make a girl literally swoon!!
August 19, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Ganise » Always lovely to discover good swoon material, right, Ganise?!
August 19, 2013 at 9:54 am
I have strongly like Landon Blake’s character in Karen Kingsbury series that involved Ashley Baxter and Landon’s story. Especially so when they lost their daughter Sarah. That he pursued Ashley. Being affected from 9/11 where he couldn’t do his job as a firefighter….the depression, loss of career, to find value n reason to live on….
August 19, 2013 at 5:53 pm
Dianne » Oh, Dianne, you are right. I think Landon was my favourite in that series. Such quiet strength, determination, and a heart so full of love he couldn’t stop hoping! Love it 🙂
August 19, 2013 at 9:56 am
As a reader I have never really liked the pretty boy hero’s who seem to know that they are the hero and expect everyone to see that. The bad boy turned hero to a point. I love the heros that are strong in their faith like Silas from Love’s Reckoning. To a point Ian from the Frontiersman’s daughter. The bad boy turned hero who finds faith like in The Colonel’s Lady though I actually liked the fact that he was a soldier. The Military man has always been a favorite type of hero of mine.
I also like the sidekick heros because without them the hero wouldn’t be a hero. Also the unlikely hero.
August 19, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Carissa » If you love military heroes, Carissa, you must read Ronie Kendig’s books! Maybe you already have – she writes the best kind!!
And I love your last comments, too – I agree. Thanks for sharing!
August 19, 2013 at 10:27 am
Atticus Finch! Very good choice. Worthy hero. I remember when an author asked the same question on Twitter and my answer involved attentiveness, wonderful wit and sense of humor, strong and soft heart. I would also throw in there, Godliness, attractive confidence and determination, as well as the ability to stand up for righteousness. With that in mind some of my favorite heroes are James MacDonald in Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano, Salmone from Pearl in the Sand by Tessa Afshar, Luke McGee from Hope Undaunted by Julie Lessman, Ridley Cooper from To Whisper Her Name by Tamera Alexander and Connor Blake from Just Between You and Me by Jenny B. Jones and more! Good question, Rel! I’m interested in coming over later and reading what everyone has to say.
August 19, 2013 at 1:28 pm
May I throw ‘intelligence’ also in the list? Smart, knowledgeable.. characteristics manifested in ways that don’t make the hero appear too proud of what he has.. Goodness, I could go on and on…
August 19, 2013 at 5:45 pm
Ganise » you may! All good points 🙂
August 19, 2013 at 5:50 pm
Ganise » I was only thinking about Salome a day or two ago and berating myself for not mentioning him so thanks, Ganise! James, Ridley, and Connor – sigh! Luke – yes, but I also got a bit cranky with him – haha!
As always, love what you share, my friend xo
August 19, 2013 at 10:48 am
I love when the literary heroes have the perfect blend on strong but soft. When they are manly and confident but also have a sweet side. And nothing makes me melt more than when the hero is great with kids! I also like them to have a sense of humor! So I guess tough, gentle, and funny about sums it up!
August 19, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Thank you very much! All these qualities you’ve mentioned definitely help in endearing a reader to a hero.
August 19, 2013 at 5:47 pm
Abbi Hart » Sounds like my husband, Abbi 😉 I obviously thing all those things are appealing!
August 20, 2013 at 1:19 pm
Abbi, you sum up my thoughts too. Strong (in character) but gentle. Gentleness is a much misunderstood attribute but is one that can so demonstrate God’s love very powerfully. Funny, it’s what I look for in heroines too. But I’m increasingly drawn to heroes who are I could meet down the street rather than a romanticised version of one that we’re unlikely to meet. I think that’s a sign of old age.
I think Jim Rubart does an excellent job of portraying heroic men that one could easily meet in any walk of life. Jim also does a great job revealing how a man thinks and feels. I also really enjoyed Kristen’s Morgan Spencer and Erin Healy’s Vance Nolan in her latest “Afloat”
Cherish is a prominent theme in my life so a man that cherishes another whether that be woman, man or child will always grab me.
Great question Rel.
August 22, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Ian » Love having you visit and share your thoughts, Ian – always great to get a male perspective. I don’t think it is a sign of old age that you like ‘real’ heroes – I’m the same, so it’s DEFINITELY not age, right?!?! Please agree ;-D
Cherishing is a much needed and rare entity these days – probably a word that is not truly understood.
August 19, 2013 at 2:06 pm
I analyzed my own romance hero love awhile back to make sure I wrote heroes that I actually enjoy reading the most, why write heroes that don’t make myself swoon, eh? There are other things, like intelligence, wit, love for children, etc. but these are the foundational things about a romance hero that makes me happy.
Hero – 1) His unaltering love despite the hardships, obstacles or flaws of the heroine. You sense that NOTHING will ever change his desire to love her (even when he’s not exactly feeling it, you know it). Seen in his POV and in the subtext nuances that YOU catch in the heroine’s POV that she doesn’t.
2) I love the physicalness that drives him because we women want to be considered highly desireable by our mate, BUT he’ll curb his physical desire whenever it is better for her that he do so, because he truly loves her.
3)That you believe he’d die for her.
August 19, 2013 at 5:45 pm
Melissa Jagears » I so appreciate you sharing this, Melissa – makes me even more keen to read your debut novel, A Bride for Keeps, when it releases in October. Can’t wait to meet Everett – looking forward to introducing your novel later this week!
As for your points about heroes – yes, yes, and yes!
August 19, 2013 at 2:39 pm
Some of my favorite heroes? Carl (A Noble Groom) that you mentioned. Neil MacNeill (Christy), Russell Crowe in Robin Hood and Gladiator, Levi (To Win Her Heart) —he had an unfair advantage by being a blacksmith/learning disabled/former bad guy which is my husband in book form!–, Mr. Darcy of course, Captain Wentworth (Persuasion), Captain Dobbin (Vanity Fair), Michael Hosea (Redeeming Love), Fletcher Streiker (Streiker’s Bride), Sean Donovan (Sean Donovan), Mr. Thornton (North and South) I think they all fit my criteria and are why I love them.
I loved everyone of your non-romance hero list too. haven’t analyzed what I like about non-romance heroes yet, but I need to get back to writing….though now I want to reread half the books I just listed!
August 19, 2013 at 5:40 pm
Melissa Jagears » Some great choices there, Melissa. Sean Donovan was my favourite in that series, too. It ages me to say I have the first editions of those books!! Wentworth is also a fav.
As for Michael Hosea, I also love Mesu Andrew’s portrayal of Hosea in her Love in A Broken Vessel.
August 20, 2013 at 12:52 am
Oh, don’t tell me I’m aged, I have the first editions too. Actually that series, Whatever Tomorrow Brings, is the series that started me out reading again and what made me fall in love with Historical CBA romances. Probably responsible for me writing them now!
August 20, 2013 at 11:00 am
Melissa Jagears » That’s a great story, Melissa, and sorry for making you feel old!!! From you pic, I’m tipping I’m quite a bit older so hope that is comfort to you – LOL!
August 19, 2013 at 5:28 pm
I llike how you mentioned Samwise Gamgee. I think he’s an excellent hero who doesn’t really get all the recognition he deserves. His selflessness is astonishing. Romancewise, I think like Rissi said, he has to respect her and feel unsettled until she’s resolved whatever it is that she’s battling with. I believe the most unforgettable heroes however are those who prior to the story no one would’ve believed could be the hero. As in,someone with a past or a record of being the “bad guy” but who slowly changes and sees the light during the story, while at the same time, falling hopelessly in love. This also works well in movies.
Tell the World
August 19, 2013 at 5:37 pm
Funto » Hey Funto – appreciate you dropping by and sharing your thoughts. I agree the unexpected hero is the most rewarding to read or watch. I think it is their ability to overcome the odds of not being a hero and step up into that role when the need demands it.
And yes, we agree on Samwise!
August 20, 2013 at 1:20 am
Thanks for the mention, Rel, among these fine heroes :). Glad to know there are so many worthy ones out there that fuel our imaginations and keep us reading. I came over this morning to copy your link as I’m hearing from quite a few Oz readers lately and want to make sure they come your way – unless they already have, of course! Thanks so much for being here :).
August 20, 2013 at 10:59 am
Laura Frantz » Lovely Laura! Oh, I wish I had time to visit your blog more often – it’s been a while. I get your updates via email so I know what you are up to 😉 Such a blessing when you stop by and comment – thank you. And thanks for pointing some Aussie readers to my blog. The good majority of my blog readers are from America so I appreciate the plug amongst my fellow Australians! Hugs xo
August 20, 2013 at 7:00 am
I don’t necessarily have a “type” when it comes to heroes. The only requirements are that they have integrity and be devoted. I sometimes have a hard time with the bad boy type and the couple that constantly bicker as I have a hard time believing that a relationship like that can last. My recent favorites for heroes are Cassius McLinn from The Colonel’s Lady and Rolfe Van Horne from The Duchess. Oh my goodness, I completely fell in love with Rolfe due to his patience, persistence and tenderness toward a woman who most men would have given up on. And I couldn’t help but love Cass who hid a tender heart beneath a gruff exterior.
August 20, 2013 at 10:57 am
Brittaney » Love those qualities, too – integrity and devotion. And Rolfe – yes! He was a wonderful hero – very much enjoyed him.
August 20, 2013 at 8:45 am
Okay, so I’m not sure what this says about me but I am a SUCKER for that out-of-reach guy who totally falls for the girl. Like Mr. Darcy! Or….dare I say it? Edward Cullen! LOL. There’s something swoon-worthy about a guy who’s never been taken by a girl before all of sudden be head over heels intrigued with one. 🙂
August 20, 2013 at 10:56 am
Hey Katie – thanks for sharing 🙂 Nothing wrong with liking those kinds of love stories!!
August 20, 2013 at 1:39 pm
Depending on the story and author, I can fall for the unshakeable and solid-in-his-faith hero AND the bad boy who has a lot of work to do throughout the story. To name just a few, I cheered all the way for Michael Hosea from Redeeming Love, Beckett O-Reilly from Barefoot Summer (loved this bad boy turned good!), and Levi Grant from To Win Her Heart. So I guess I lean towards the guys with the negative past who come out strong with the biggest hearts. Though I did love the innocent Harry deVries from She Walks in Beauty.
August 22, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Marie Smith » LOVED Levi and Beckett, too! Thanks for sharing.