I've been reading a lot of PNR (Paranormal Romance) lately and of course, most of the have alpha male heroes. I got thinking what makes alpha males so attractive?
I started reading romance when I was probably about 12 to 13ish. Like most novice readers of the genre, it was Harlequin, Avon, and the like. I was a sucker for Historical English and Scottish novels. Give me a dude in a kilt and... man, but I digress. Then, and now, I read for the escapism, back then I really wanted a Prince Charming to come and save me. Reading how the hunky Lord swept the heroine off her feet and bedded her with his pulsing manhood was tantalizing. Also, I was 12 and there was the thrill of reading a naughty book. Although my Mom never seemed to mind. Trying to read that now just leaves me in fits of giggles. I still enjoy romance although I've upped my game preferring the more erotic genre.
After reading a bunch of articles, including some not so savory ones geared directly toward men, I formed a few of my own opinions on this. How I see this is that within the genre of romance, be it contemporary, historical, paranormal, etc, what is perceived as the alpha is not the same as what we perceive to be alpha in the real world.
In books, our alpha is handsome, charismatic, confident, and while he might come across as an ass at first you discover he's sensitive if emotionally distant due to some past trauma or hurt. This is not always the case, but your typically alpha hero needs to have some base things to make him what he is.
- He needs to be a leader and/ or protector. I feel this goes back to our primal need to have a mate who can protect their family.
- Confident. I mean this goes without saying.
- Handsome. This is relative, we all have our own varied opinion of beauty.
- Some sort of flaw. Our hero needs to have some sort of flaw, either physically, emotionally, has a past trauma or some deep dark secret. Basically, we need something to keep him from being perfect.
In my opinion, it's not really the alpha male in books that we love so much as the idea. Personally, I like the idea of having a strong man to protect, care, and love me. There are times when you'd like to have someone toss you over their shoulder carry you to the bedroom and have their way with you. Reading gives you that. It's the fantasy more than it's the fact that we actually want an alpha male.
What's your opinion on the alphas in books? Do you want an alpha or are you content with just fantasizing?
You make a very good point about the alpha in romance novels not being perceived the same as a real life alpha. I like a good alpha in the romance I read, especially paranormal or romantic suspense for all the reasons you mention. And as you said, it really is more the idea of them that I like so much.
ReplyDeleteMy husband likes to joke that I prefer a alpha male in romance, but in reality I probably wouldn't tolerate one all that much. LOL He's probably right.
Thanks! I agree while I like a good alpha male hero, I wouldn't be able to deal with one in real life.
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