Six years ago, eighteen-year-old Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized all of London by eloping the night of her come-out ball with the notorious rake, Lord Mac Mackenzie. After three turbulent years of marriage, she scandalized London once again–this time by leaving him.
Now the reformed Mac has returned, and he wants one thing: Isabella back in his life, his house, his bed. He’ll do anything he has to, play any game, as long as he gets her back. Isabella resists, but when she agrees to pose for erotic paintings he’s been working on, she realizes her body has never stopped craving her husband’s very skilled touch. Mac is determined to show Isabella that he’s a changed man, but three years without her has only increased his hunger for her.
When an ingenious forger with designs on Mac’s paintings, and Isabella herself, comes dangerously near, Mac sets himself up as Isabella’s protector and vows to never leave her side, whether his independent and proud lady likes it or not.
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Thank you so much for inviting back to Novel Thoughts! I always like guest blogging here.
A couple weeks ago saw the release of Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage, Book 2 of the series featuring the Mackenzies (go here for blurbs, excerpts, character bios, etc.). I’ve gotten terrific feedback on it, and especially on Mac, the hero. Thanks to everyone who’s written to tell me you enjoyed it!
This series, thus far features the brothers Mackenzie: Hart, Cameron, Mac, and Ian. I started with Ian (The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie), who is the youngest, and I’m working my way up the list.
All of the reader response I’ve had to Mac and Ian got me thinking about heroes and how I write romance. Looking back at the dozen or so historicals I’ve done as Jennifer Ashley I realize that all of them are hero-driven.
Which leads me to conclude that I LOVE heroes!! Oh, my, yes! I love a strong heroine too, because the hero needs someone to challenge him, but when I come up with my books, the hero pops into my head first.
In Lady Isabella, I introduce Mac (nickname for Roland Ferdinand Mackenzie—when he was little, he could only pronounce the “Mac” part). Mac is a painter, but he’s definitely not a dreamy artist type. He’s a virile Scotsman, with a tall, hard body, and he paints wearing nothing but a threadbare kilt, painting boots, and gypsy scarf to keep paint out of his hair.
A tasty picture, I thought. In Madness of Lord Ian, Ian can be just as tasty in his casual kilt, especially when he’s out fishing. I seem to have a thing for kilts.
The next two brothers, Cameron and Hart, will be just as delectable. Cameron raises horses, and Hart is equally at home in an elegant suit among the ballrooms of London or in a kilt in his Highland mansion.
But heroes are much more than good looks and what they wear. Romance heroes need to have certain qualities to make us fall in love with them, and to make us want the perfect heroine to fall in love with them. We enjoy reading romances because they fulfill a basic need we have to get people happily together (at least that’s my need). However, the hero and heroine have to be the right people—the best romances take two people we absolutely adore through their troubles and into a happy-ever-after ending.
My question for readers today is: What qualities make a great romance hero? For me, it’s strength, protectiveness, focus on the heroine, and vulnerability (that vulnerability can be hidden from the world, but the heroine figures it out). Sexiness is good too, but for me, that strength and intense focus can become incredibly sexy.
Post in the comments what qualities you like to see in heroes, and if a favorite hero comes to mind, name him (any hero, not necessarily one of mine). I’ll be giving away one copy of any book in my backlist, written under any name. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
Thanks so much for letting me guest on Novel Thoughts! And I hope you love my latest Mackenzie installment, Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage.
Best,
Jennifer Ashley
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Thank you for visiting us, Ms Ashley, it’s always a pleasure!
Honorary Mention of Book Sluts 'R' Us Blogger Awards by 
RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Talk 
Sounds so good, I look forward to picking it up. Thanks for the introduction.
Great post! I’m just about finished with LISR, and I’m loving it! I can’t wait for Cameron’s book!
Hi Jennifer,
Congratulations on the release of the next book in this wonderful series. I read Ian’s book and totally enjoyed it. I’m so looking forward to the next 3 books…those guys are hot, hot, hot!
I have a list of books to buy and I’m showing Cam’s book titled as ‘The Many Sins of Lord Cameron’ and is scheduled for release in August of 2010. Is that still correct information?
Karen: Thanks for the question: The book is still called “The Many Sins of Lord Cameron,” and there’s an excerpt of it in the back of Lady Isabella. Thus far the pub date is Aug 2011, though that’s far enough out that it might change (hopefully for the sooner). I’ve had them move my pub dates earlier before, so I’ll keep everyone posted.
Hi Jennifer. Your heroes sounds amazing. I like the qualities you mentioned in a hero. I would add wit, and intelligence, and a sense of humor.
What makes a great hero? That’s a hard question. First let me say I can’t wait to get my hands on this one. I’m trying to decide if I want it in ebook or print! or both!
Now to your question, as you said strength, focus, morality (even if it’s only his set of moral rules and not necessarily the rules of a given society), and as you said the touch of vulnerability all make for a good hero. But I think for me it’s a bit more elusive……one of my favorite heros of all time is Sin from Kinley MacGregor’s BORN IN SIN and Jude Deveraux’s Gavin Montgomery from VELVET PROMISE, who many see now as not being a hero due to one scene(but when taken in context with the times written and setting makes sense)…….Both have this quality that’s hard to explain. With Sin I think I fell for the tortured soul who just needed someone to love him and only him. So see his faults and still see someone worthy.
I love the heroes who appear to be one thing but in truth aren’t as hard/tough/sharp as their bark makes them seem.
If that makes any sense at all.
A sense of humor is good even if it’s dark and misunderstood. Larissa Ione has serveral heroes who are demons, Eidolon, Shade, Wraith, and Lore to name a few………….all are “supposed” to be evil but they are heroes still.
So I think making a great hero can be extremely hard, he’s got to be real, but not too real.
Does that make sense?
Great post! Now I’ll be thinking about this all day. LOL
hugs,
WendyK
Makes perfect sense. Sin is one of my favorites too! I love the dark, tortured soul.
Hi Jennifer, congrats on your new release. I would love to read it. I have been hearing a lot of good things about this book.
You’ve named excellent qualities for heroes. Others I would include are intelligence, honesty, and a sense of humor. Love those Mackenzies!
I like, well, actually it all depends, sometimes I want my big bad alpha who is all protective and tough.
Then there are the others, like in Julia Quinns That happens in London, where the hero was a beta, a nerd and lovely.
As long as he is nice I am happy
This book sounds great! I love my heroes to be strong, protective alpha males with a strong code of honor and with some hidden vulnerability that the heroine has to heal to help make him whole again.
I agree about the sense of humor, and will add that to my list. I love a hero who can be funny! All my books have a thread of humor in them–I can’t help that; it just comes out. 🙂
I think my favorite quality that I see over and over in the books I like is that the hero is willing to accept what society deems as a more unconventional heroine. Over and over they toss aside what society dictates as the “perfect” woman and it’s usually what makes her unconventional to society that he finds most endearing (whether its intelligence, opinionated, spiritedness, or just plain not following the rules).
But then again, that is the hoyden in me coming out!
My favorite hero isn’t necessarily looking for a heroine, but knows he wants one when he meets her. I like him to think highly of the heroine for all her qualities, good and bad, and treat her decently just because she matters to him. I hate men who are simply out for what they can get for themselves & not see the woman as a person in her own right. I live wth one of those, so I like to get away by reading about decent, caring men who want partners, not slaves. I so enjoy your books for taking me away….. 🙂
Your books sounds great!!! I definitely love reading about heores that have a great sense of humor, that are supportive, can admit they are wrong, and do all they can to protect the other characters in the book…
Congrats on the release, looking forward to reading it. Things I like in a hero — strength (not just physical, but that intangible that the heroine can lean/count on if needed); sense of honor (even if slightly tarnished), respect for the heroine, love of family, humor (even if quirky, hidden or sarcastic)
My idea of a great hero is a man that is a bit of a bad ass, who sees the humor in every situation, is protective towards the weak and innocent, including the heroine (even if she doesn’t need protecting), a soft side that he will only show to those he trusts, and of course, sexy.
I’m looking forward to starting this new series, starting with The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie, which I still need to get my hands on.
hi Jennifer,
Your book sounds great!
I agree with your list of traits for the hero. I’d add sense of humour too.
I like a sense of humor, intelligence, protectiveness and a love of the heroine in the heroes I read a bout.
Congrats on the new release! I loved Ian and look forward to all his brothers. The best kind of hero is one who’s physically strong, devoted to the heroine, willing to sacrifice everything for the heroine, listens without judgement, and have a little bad boy to him–after all, he can’t be too perfect.
I remember the hero of Lorraine Heath’s Always to Remember as being absolutely perfect. He’d been through so much during the Civil War, and came home to even more cruelty, but was still willing to sacrifice himself for the heroine even though she kept pushing him away.
I love alpha heroes who are funny, like Mitch in Shellly Laurenston’s The Mane Attraction. He’s courageous and down to earth but super hilarious!
Oh, my do I love heros too! I think what really makes me love a hero is vulnerability as well.. but more like humanness. It happens in real life as well as romances. I like my men imperfect. I think of Julia Quinn’s The Duke and I with Simon the stutterer. I love it when they have something personal they have to overcome. Confidence is another big one but normally thats not hard to find in a romance novel! I LOVED Lord Ian too. So unique! So lovable!
a wonderful posting…i admire the characteristics of your ‘hero.’ i’m in total agreement w/ you. 🙂
I agree with you on what make sa great hero! I love when he is all big and strong and growly, but is a complete teddy bear when it comes to his heroine 🙂
A sense of humor, honor, smarts and able to laugh at life in general. It helps if he’s strong, muscular and handsome 😉
I like a hero that is strong and confident. Can laugh about himself. Who shows compassion and understanding. He cares about his family and although it’s totally unlike him will be romantic when madly in love.
I like my heroes strong, alpha and a little bit tortured *g* if they have humor they are even better… other qualities are the icing on the cake…
greetings, Ina
My favorite hero is Aragorn from The Lord of the Rings movies. He’s strong, handsome, caring and has a soft spot for his close friends.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Mmm, Viggo.
Smart, strong, Handsome and loving ! that a must have for my hero 🙂
I’m soooooo looking forward to read your books, coz you are a new for me author !
I love heroes with a great sense of humor! Sometimes the serious ones bore me to tears…
To me, the best heroes aren’t always the most handsome or popular, but ones who have a strength of character and compassion and an ability to laugh at oneself. If he can make me laugh, too, I’m completely won.
Hi Jennifer! I do love those alpha heroes but those that are more in the alpha of really caring for their heroines. They come first to them. I do love when they protective of them. I too so love the ‘strong and silent type’ Those heroes say so much with their actions rather than their words. He can so show his love more that way. So those are so my favorite heroes! SO can’t wait for this new Mackenzie! I loved IAN!
I like a hero to be really strong and really nice. Super alpha males aren’t for me, I like a nice, sweet, loving guy who’s not afraid to show the heroine how much he loves her!!
I’m looking forward to reading Lady Isabella!
I also agree with your list of what you want in a hero plus like a ot of the other I would also add some humor. Your book cover is beautiful.
I’d at honesty to the list. Great book!