~Show Them Love~

It takes a special kind of man to be a hero in his lover’s eyes. He doesn’t have to be muscle-bound. He doesn’t have to be domineering. He doesn’t need to smash and kill every enemy. Nor does he have to be a member of the military or the police force or the CIA. Yet, if you pick up a romantic suspense novel, those are the types of characters that you find.

Now I like reading about dangerous missions and sneaky spy operations as much as the next romance reader. But if you really study these stories, you will discover that those he-man, alpha-male, romantic suspense heroes win their counterpart’s love by doing the opposite of the cliché. When they are with the person they love, they are gentle, respectful, and protective in situations where danger lurks around every corner.

Here is a list of the things heroes worthy of love do in romantic suspense novels and hopefully in real life too.

1. 1. 1. 1. Feed them.
         2. Keep them warm and safe.
         3. Listen to childhood hurts and joys.
         4. Share secrets.
         5. Spend time together.
         6. Do some small disagreeable task for them.
         7. Surprise them with a gift or outing or celebrate a special occasion.
         8. Introduce them to other family members.
         9. Be patient.
         10. Kiss and touch them when they are not expecting it.
         11. Tell them what you love about them.
         12. Be truthful with them.
         13. Look into their eyes when you listen to them.
         14. Do things that make them happy.
         15. Communicate your feelings and needs.
         16. Don’t bad mouth them or argue in public.
         17. Put their needs before your own.
         18. Be a shoulder to lean on.
         19. Sacrifice something you love doing or having for them.
         20. Risk your life for them.

So, the next time you read a romance novel (or if you are writing one), be looking for the hero to be doing many of these things that show love.  And if you would like to meet some romantic suspense heroes who are not alpha males working in one of the protective services, read my Skin Quartet series.

My heroes are men who do not fit the image of the typical romantic suspense hero. In Beneath the Skin, the hero is a scarred, ex-Olympic wrestler.In Close the Skin, the hero is a crime boss. In Within the Skin, the hero is a tattoo artist caught in a web of crime. And in my newest novel, and last in the series, Under the Skin, the hero is a billionaire bridge building who is also an amputee. Yet, every one of them would risk their loves to save the woman they love.

As one of my reviewers wrote: “Ms. West turns this stereotype on its head and makes it do handsprings. ” 5 star AMAZON review

 

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Looking for your own romantic suspense hero or writing one?

Here are some resources about loving relationships.

10 Ways to Show Your Partner You’re in Love

Relationship Rules for Successful Love

More on writing romantic suspense.

What Makes a Romantic Suspense Suspenseful?

What Makes A Villain in a Romantic Suspense?

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I love to hear from my readers!

Do you have a favorite romantic suspense hero?