I’m terribly picky when it comes to selecting books. I’m even pickier when it comes to books I actually enjoy (seriously, ask anyone who knows me, I can be a pretty daunting critic). I recently began to think that as I get older, I become more jaded. I love great writing and even more, I love a great story. If I can have both in the same book, I’m in heaven. I was heaven just the other day…
I recently read a book that reminded me why I read romance–why I love the genre. The prose is this book sang and had characters whom I ached for, loved, felt their every emotion…they made me love and care for them in every way. This book truly moved me. It’s been days since I finished and I’ve already gone back to read my favourite parts several times. In another month or so, I will go back and read it again, cover to cover.
What made this book so special apart or inclusive of the things I mentioned above? The Hero. His name is Ash Turner. The heroine, whom I loved dearly also, is Lady Margaret. The book is titled UNVEILED and the author who penned this beautiful book is Courtney Milan. UNVEILED won’t be available until February 1, 2011 but I was lucky enough to get my hands on the egalley and promptly devoured it.
After reading and reveling in every aspect of this book that made it such an emotional, so finely rendered, beautiful historical romance–and after adding Ash Turner to my mental Top Hero list–I thought it would be fun to write them down.
They are not in any particular order but here’s my Heroes Who Do It For Me list:
Ash Turner – UNVEILED – Courtney Milan
Marcus, Lord Westcliff – IT HAPPENED ONE AUTUMN – Lisa Kleypas
Logan Scott – BECAUSE YOU’RE MINE – Lisa Kleypas
Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent – DEVIL IN WINTER – Lisa Kleypas
Zach Zemaitis – NOT ANOTHER BAD DATE – Rachel Gibson
Jackson Lamott Parrish – DAISY’S BACK IN TOWN – Rachel Gibson
Rome Matthews – SARAH’S CHILD – Linda Howard
Camden Saybrook, Lord Tremaine – PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS – Sherry Thomas
Hadrian Braxton-Lowell, Duke of Clayborough – SCANDALOUS LOVE – Brenda Joyce
Alec Carrick, Baron Sherard – NIGHT STORM – Catherine Coulter
That’s only ten in an extensive list of fabulous heroes (Michael Stirling – WHEN HE WAS WICKED – Julia Quinn comes to mind). Heroes who made the story really work for me because, as I’ve discovered, if I can’t fall in love with the hero, I can’t love the book.
So I’ve shown you mine, it’s your turn. Who’s tops on your hero list?
Oh, can’t wait for the new Milan. Not fair it won’t be out until February 2011!
As for heroes…agree on Marcus, Lord Westcliff. *swoon* And also…
Quinn Jennings – LEAD ME ON – Victoria Dahl
Ethan Kelly – THE DARKEST HOUR – Maya Banks
Derek Craven – DREAMING OF YOU – Lisa Kleypas (not particularly heroic at the beginning but becomes so!)
Hands down:
Derek Craven – Dreaming of You by Lisa Kleypas
I can’t wait to read Unveiled.
My husband tops the list!
As for books:
Drake in HUNGERS OF THE HEART by Jenna Black
Garrett Lynch in A NECESSARY HUSBAND by Debra Mullins
Marcus Reece in WHAT A GENTLEMAN WANTS by Caroline Linden
Lord Aidan McBride in THE SEDUCTION OF AN UNKNOWN LADY by Samantha James
Sir High Douglas in TAMED BY A LAIRD by Amanda Scott
Okay, I’m only going with the few that immediately came to mind, but I bet I’ll be reminded of quite a few more as I read through today’s posts. 🙂
Sebastian, Lord St. Vincent–DEVIL IN WINTER–Lisa Kleypas
Gabriel St. John–NINE RULES TO BREAK . . .–Sarah MacLean
Trevor Sheridan–LIONS AND LACE–Meagan McKinney
Gage Travis–SUGAR DADDY–Lisa Kleypas
Hardy Cates–BLUE-EYED DEVIL–Lisa Kleypas
I read so many books I can’t remember the names of all of them but my favorite hero is Ranger in Janet Evanovich’s series.
I liked all of Stephanie Lauren’s Cynster heroes and Steven Morgan in Rosemary Rogers SWEET SAVAGE LOVE
The only problem with Courtney’s books is you have to wait for them to come out and I can’t wait to pick up Unveiled.
I’m going to reveal my age when I say me two favorite heros are Rhett Butler – Good with the Wind and Don Quixote – Man of la Manche (yes the book – not the movie or broadway shows). I love all romance and specifically historical romance so they would be too many to name!
My favorite of all time is definitely Marcus Westcliff follwed by his good friend Sebastian Lord St Vicent
The hero who springs to mind is Jamie from Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander.
So hard to narrow down to any one or two, so I’ll say The Briderton boys by Julia Quinn, The Cynster Cousins by Stephanie Laurens, the heroes of Sabrina Jeffries’ Prince series, any guy appearing in anything written by Liz Carlyle, Lisa Kleypas or Candice Hern. That’s a lot of heroes! But that’s OK…it’s all good! LOL
Oh my goodness…I almost always fall in love with the hero I am currently reading out….hehe!!!
Valerie
in Germany
So hard, but yes, Marcus, Lord Westfliff, and Ross from Lady Sophia’s Lover, Jamie Fraser – natch, and I too love Camden from Private Arrangements, but also, Stuart from Sherry Thomas’ Delicious. I also love Iain Maitland from Julie Garwood’s The Secret, Alec Kincaid from Garwood’s The Bride and Colin Bridgerton from Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn. I know there are tons more, but those come to mind first.
Call me easy but I tend to fall in love with all the heroes, especially when I enjoy the book. I’m not much for rereading. Too many new books out there.
Logan Scott-Because You’re Mine-Lisa Kleypas
Derek Craven-Dreaming of You-Lisa Kleypas
Zsadist-Lover Awakened-JR Ward
These are just a few of my choices.
Ruark Beauchamp-Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss
James Malory-Gentle Rogue By Johanna Lindsey
Anthony Bridgerton-A Viscounnt Who Loves Me by Julia Quinn
Morgan Lyons-Passions of a Wicked Earl by Lorraine Heath
Nicholas Eden-Love Only Once by Johanna Lindsey
Leo Hathaway-Married By Morning by Lisa Kleypas
AH there are so many that I love!
Lisa Kleypas knows how to make heros! I love Lord Westcliff and St. Vincent and Derek Craven. But I also love Merripen from Seduce Me at Sunrise.
Another favorite is Dain from Lord of Scoundrels.
Then there are Zsadist and John Matthew from JR Ward’s Black Daggar Brotherhood.
And my new guy is without a doubt Jude Bertrand from Victoria Dahl’s A Little Bit Wild
I am sooo looking foward to reading UNVEILED!
Some great heroes here!
And you just HAD to rub it in, that you’ve already read Courtney’s latest! GRRRR! Can’t wait to read it!
Heroes? Lets see !
Wulfric Bedwyn from Slightly Dangerous (and the entire Slightly series)
Sebastian St. Vincent from Devil in Winter
Ian MacKenzie from The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie
Dain from Lord of Scoundrels
ANY hero by Anna Campbell, but most especially Kylemore from Claiming the Courtesan and Matthew from Untouched!
Ivan Thornton from Rexanne Bechnel’s Dangerous to Love
Christian from Flowers from the Storm
That’s just off the top of my head!
Lisa Kleypas does some all-around great heroes. Matthew from Scandal in Spring is probably my favorite of hers. Others I love include Colin Bridgerton from Romancing Mr. Bridgerton and V and John Matthew from the BDB. It’s so hard to choose just a handful of great heroes!
Nice list. I’veonly read one book on it. I’ll be looking for these books to see what I’ve been missing. Many of the heroes that come to mind are from the first romances I read – Julie Garwood’s Highlander’s in particular and the hero in THE WOLf AND THE DOVE by K. Woodiwiss. I know there have been many since, but I’d have to start digging through my boxes of books to find them.
I agree with many people about Derek Craven, Sebastian St. Vincent, and Lord Westcliff by by Lisa Kleypas but I would also add:
Bones- Jeaniene Frost
Roarke- J.D Robb
I also love Derek Craven. I’ve always liked Heathcliff from WUTHERING HEIGHTS.
Harry Rutledge from Tempt Me at Twilight by Lisa Kleypas
Hardy Cates from Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas (totally fell in love. I mean straight fell for him. Still get goosebumps over his story)
Rhage from Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward
Royce from Prize by Julie Garwood
My Hero to Die For is without a doubt, Jack Campbell from Hope Tarr’s, ‘My Lord Jack.’ Kind, honorable, loving and passionate – especially for an executioner!
I must admit, as an avid reader, who devours books, my Heros keep changing quite often. There are a few that will forever be on my mind and here they are, not in a perticilar order either:
Gabriel St. Croix – “Broken Wing” by Judith James
James Fraser – “Outlander” by Diana Gabaldon
Sir Thomas of Reed – “Honor” by Mary Spencer
Ian Sinclair – “Anne’s Perfect Husband” by Gayle Wilson
Jack Wyndham, the Earl of Gracechurch – “Barely a Lady” by Eileen Dreyer
Bey Malloren, Marquess of Rothgar – “Devilish” by Jo Beverly
Thomas Effington, Marquess of Helmsley – “The Marriage Lesson” by Victoria Alexander
Lord Ian Mackenzie – “The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie” by Jennifer Ashley
Major Lord Newbury, the Earl of Kilbourne – “One Night for Love” by Mary Balogh
Lord James Harkness – “The Bride Sale” by Candice Hern
Through the years there have been many, many more, but those have stayed with me throogh many, many re-reads!
While its not a historical. I absolutely love Roarke from the In Death series. He is by far my favorite.