Thursday, June 6, 2013

Bad Boys of Romance Blog Hop



Bad Boys of Romance




Hello, and welcome to my site. Come on in, grab a seat, and make yourselves comfortable. Coffee and tea are on the table. Help yourselves.

Follow the link and fill out the rafflecopter to enter the grand prize: http://herdingcats-burningsoup.blogspot.ca/p/bad-boys-of-romance-hop.html

My gift to one random commenter is a $5.00 Amazon gift card. Please leave a comment at the end of the post with your email address.

Today we are talking about the Bad Boys of Romance. You know the type. The take charge men, the larger than life men, the muscular men, the handsome men...the alphas.

But what characteristics make up a Bad Boy in romance novels? Is he a character who takes whatever he wants? A character that oozes confidence? Is he fearless? Free from insecurities? Is he so sure of himself that he never second guesses his actions? Is he a character who believes he knows best?

Hmm. Yes, these are all traits of a Bad Boy. LOL, toss in a few criminal records, a scar or two, and we have the makings of an emotionally stunted, ego maniac that probably belongs behind bars.

LOL, seriously, I kid. The Bad Boys of Romance are all of those things, but so much more.

For me, I love a Bad Boy who loves hard, will do whatever it takes to protect the heroine, but also wears his heart on his sleeve. I love a B.B who shows his fears and insecurities, just like we all do. These traits make the B.B a three dimensional character instead of two dimensional. Confidence is great, but over confidence is a turn-off.

In my novel Love’s Prophecy, the Bad Boys are bad to the bone, and oh so handsome. They are larger than life, but also plagued with the same fears as we are. They second guess their actions. They fear the choices they’ve made are the wrong ones.

Mel, the heroine in Love’s Prophecy, is riddled with fears, worries, and pain. The only light in his life is Breeana, but he doubts his ability to keep her safe—alive.

If you adore paranormal romance novels featuring vampires with strong, real-life characters, super hot alpha male warriors, and an intriguing plot, then Love’s Prophecy is the book you’re looking for.






Excerpt from Love’s Prophecy:

A shiver of dread squirmed around Mel's heart. “What the hell is going on?”

“Let's go sit down,” Kal said.

Fear ripened in Mel's gut like fruit on the vine. “Just spit it out.”

Kal ignored him and headed into the living room. He sat on the couch and blew out a loud breath.

Mel followed. “Out with it. Now!”

With his gaze glued to the floor, Kal, muttered, “I killed her.”
T
here was only one her Kal would be talking about. The she-demon. “Where?”

“Downtown Burnaby. Black and I were patrolling when we saw her and another demon coming out of a nightclub.”

Mel slumped boneless beside Kal on the couch. “Are you positive it was her?” He heard the calm in his voice and wondered at how he managed it because inside he was screaming, lips peeled back, eyes squeezed shut, heart shattering. He screamed so loud he was afraid he'd never stop.

“Positive.” Kal brought his gaze to Mel's face. “So, what now?”

“I…I'll take Breeana home tonight.” Was it really over? Could he do it? Could he honestly set her free? One thing was certain; when she left, his heart would go with her.

“Welcome back to misery, my son,” his father's voice cackled in his head. “Never fear, I'll keep you company.”

Panic constricted his breathing. His chest tightened and the living room walls seemed to close in around him. Mel bolted up and tore into the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of J.D. out of the cupboard, ripped off the cap, and slugged down a large swallow.

“Are you all right, man?” Kal leaned against the doorjamb, eying him with concern.

Mel set the bottle down, placed his palms flat on the counter, and hung his head. “Yeah.” Keep telling yourself that.

Kal stepped nearer to him. “I'm going to miss Breeana too. The place won't feel the same without her.”

“Yep.” He could hardly squeeze the word through his constricted throat. He grabbed the bottle and walked back to the living room.

“She wants to stay with you, dude.”

Mel stopped in front of the TV and stared at the blank screen. “It's over. I knew as soon as it was safe, she'd be going back to her life.”

“Yeah, see, that's great and all, but things have changed. I see how much you two care for each other. And believe me, man, that's something you shouldn't lightly toss away.”

Red hot rage burned through him. “Lightly? You think this isn't torturing me?”

My question to you is, who is your favorite Bad Boy of Romance and why?

32 comments:

Unknown said...

I don't really have a single favorite bad boy, but I do have characteristics I look for in such a man. Of course he must be strong, sexy, faithful, he'll probably be flawed (that's what makes him a bad boy), beautiful of heart, paranormal (yeah, yeah, not gonna find him in real life), and secretly needy, but only of me...I mean of the heroine...and great in bed, of course. My email is michelle_willms@yahoo.com

Brenda said...

Excellent answer, Michelle! I totally agree.

Anonymous said...

I'm not usually a bad-boy person, but I can't resist Lucky in Eden Winters' amazing DIVERSION series. He breaks the rules of a romance hero (even in m/m, his genre)--he's a convicted felon, not handsome, and a total smart-aleck, but is sexy thanks to his brilliance, loyalty, and wit!

vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

laurie said...

i agree with Michelle Willms

parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

Zsadist from the BDB is the ultimate bad boy. A snarling, scarred and severely damaged emotionally. He is also loyal and honorable.

HaveBook WillSurvive said...

Remy from Real. I love the fictional bad boy!!!

Cali W. said...

Great excerpt! I love this bad boy hop. <3 Thanks for the giveaway too.
caliwillette(at)gmail(dot)com

Amanda D said...

I am a sucker for the bad boy is a historical romance. It's a bit unrealistic that a rake would reform for one woman but hey it's fun to read and fiction.
My favorite would be Gateway from To Win His Wayward Wife by Rose Gordon
asdidonato77(at)yahoo(dot)com

Nay Nay said...

I love the bad boys, whether they be shifters, aliens, doms, or cowboys. And since I only read romances with a happily ever after, they keep me coming back for more. We know that underneath that bad boy exterior lies a hero who is strong, sexy, loyal, confident, and protective of their woman.
Some of my favorite bad boys are: Justice, Fury, Obsidian, Brawn, Valient, Wrath and Moon from the New Species series by Laurann Dohner and Flint, Steel, Coal, Iron, Krell ,and Ice from the Cyborg Seduction series (also by Laurann Dohner). Then there’s Briec the Mighty, Gwenvael, the Handsome, Fearghus, the Destroyer, and Ailean the Wicked from the Dragon Kin series by G. A. Aiken.
Thanks for being part of the hop and for the chance to win. <^_^>
reneebennett35 (at) yahoo (dot) com

meryvamp said...

No one really knows my bad boys. I’m a geek and I love anime. I love the anti-hero, and so far, I’ve not found better examples than Lelouch from Code Geass and Light Yagami from Death Note. They are bad boys you really, really wish you could side with, but at the same time, you know their methods are completely wrong.

Anyway, thanks so much for the giveaway :)

mearles1982(at)hotmail(dot)com

Danielle B! said...

I love Noah in Pushing the Limits. Thanks! :)

laughs4life14(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

Meghan said...

Mmmm… bad boys. Excuse me while I salivate. To pick just one bad boy is so very hard, but I will try! I enjoy Christian Grey (who wouldn't? Am I right, ladies?). His compulsive need to control is scary and hot all at the same time. Another bad boy who has me slobbering all over myself is Travis from "Beautiful Disaster!" A man who makes a living by punching the shit out of another man!?!?! Hold me back! Thanks for the giveaway! It's always a pleasure for me to participate in these, especially when the topic is so utterly delicious.

mestith at gmail dot com

mareb said...

I do not have one favorite as well, but I like those who are "bad" because of their upbringing/history. What I'm saying is I don't like bad boys who are assholes just because they can.

Brenda said...

Mervyvamp, I'm also an anime lover.

Unknown said...

My perfect bad boy is tall, muscular,confident,loyal, Alpha,bad-ass, intelligent, protective, vulnerable and majorly damaged -- but ultimately redeemable!
I have too many faves to list just one -- the short list? Roarke from J.D. Robb's In Death series, Curran from Ilona Andrews' Kate Daniels series, Death from Kalayna Price's Alex Craft series, Dante Baptiste from Adrian Phoenix's The Maker's Song series and Terrible from Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts series.

Thanks for the amazing giveaway!
elizabeth @ bookattict . com
GFC: BookAttict

Unknown said...

I love bad boys, the badder the better and number one on my list is Acheron from the Dark Hunter series.

dragon5174 (at) gmail . com

Unknown said...

thanks foe being part of the hop. I love bad boys! neonangelwings(at)yahoo(dot)com

gamistress66 said...

there's just too many yummy bad boys to pick just one, fave can change depending on the mood or book i'm reading ;) so can't pick one -- i'm too greedy :D

Booklover Sue said...

Soooo many bad boys and so little time to read them all.

susanmplatt AT Hotmail DOT com

Tiffany Drew said...

I have to go with Warner from Shatter Me, I can't get enough of him! Thank you!

jaidahsmommy(at)comcast(dot)net

Anonymous said...

Some of my favorite bad boys...don't even know they are bad boys! Like Fury, Wrath, and Moon from Laurann Dohners New Species series.

angelheart618@gmail.com

BookLady said...

Love the bad boys! One of my favorites is Zsadist from the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Thanks for the great giveaway.
bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com

magic5905 said...

Wraith from Dark Lover. Thanks.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

bn100 said...

Rehv from the BDB series because he's different

bn100candg at hotmail dot com

Daniel M said...

Spike from Buffy and Angel - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

Shadow said...

Hi! I love Lora Leighs Nauti series. Shes got some sexy bad boys in them! :) Thank you! Thank you for sharing and for being apart of such a great hop!
shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

MistyRios said...

I dont really have a fav but I love the alpha males!
farmaki(at)live(dot)com

Unknown said...

I love Lee Nightingale from Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley and Vlad Tepesh by Jeanienne Frost.

JanD said...

One of my favorites is Zarek from Dance with the Devil because he's a good mix of fearlessness and insecurities.
bituin76 at hotmail dot com

Anna (herding cats-burning soup) said...

Thanks so much for joining us in the hop!

~Anna

Meghan said...

I would have to say Jesse Ward from the This Man series. He is just so protective and unpredictable, but in a completely intoxicating way :) Thanks!! fishinlovingal @ yahoo . com

Brenda said...

Thank you all for stopping by my site, and for joining in the Bad Boy of Romance blog hop.
I will be emailing the winner of the $5 Amazon gift card shortly.