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So as a romance author I spend a great deal of time thinking about what it is about a man that makes him sexy. It’s really part of the job description because it’s our duty to write heroes that our readers can fall in love with. So all this time I spend staring at pictures of gorgeous men, it’s all research, I promise.
But in thinking about this lately (since I’m working on a hero-centric series) I’ve wondered about a few things. Like why is it easier for us as readers to love a heroine who is plain or even not beautiful rather than deal with a hero is height challenged or follicle challenged. I happen to find some bald men quite attractive, but you rarely find that in books. Is it because that’s part of the fantasy? That as romance readers we like to put ourselves in the place of the heroine so having a plain jane works well since most of us consider ourselves in that category and nothing is sexier than being that plain jane and having the sexiest man cross the room to find you. Kind of makes your breath catch when you think about it, doesn’t it? I think that appeals to most women.
So let’s talk about this, what is it that makes a hero sexy? What makes you, as a reader, fall in love with some heroes but others you can put on the shelf. I know that for me as a reader I can still enjoy a book if I don’t love the heroine, IF the hero is scrumptious. But if that hero isn’t to die for, a great heroine will not save the book.
I present for you some things to consider… a sexy hero has great eyes. This is just as true for me in real life as it is in fiction and it shows in my books. I’m big on eyes. 
There is just something about a man with intense eyes. Dark eyebrows, long eyelashes, brown/blue/green or whatever color, that doesn’t matter as much as how he looks at you. Or rather the heroine. We like men that see past the heroine’s defenses, see past how she perceives herself or how others perceive her to the beautiful, passionate woman she is underneath. A man who can do that can penetrate our heroine’s walls and find his way into her heart as well as her bed. Joseph Fiennes is an actor who has those eyes. I can scarcily watch him in movies without being totally distracted by the sheer power in his eyes. Wooo!
A hero has to have a great smile. Now whether it be sly or fully dimpled doesn’t matter, but we like a man with a sense of humor. Growly, surly, brooding alpha males are great, but everyone finds something funny and it’s nice to see that. Especially if it’s the heroine that tickles his funny bone. Even if it only evokes a slight chuckle it grounds those characters and makes them more reachable to us, the everyman, because we laugh at ourselves (and eachother) all the time. Josh Holloway has one of those sexy, come-hither grins that just kind of melts the bones right out of your knees.
Let’s not forget that our heroes, more than likely, need a nice physique. That doesn’t mean they all have to be super athletic body builders, but even a London fop has nicely toned arms and a well defined stomach. More than like most of our significant others don’t look like this, but chances are most of us don’t have long flowing, gloriously curly hair with eyes that look great without mascara. It’s part of the fantasy and it’s okay to way our heroes strong enough to carry us over a puddle, among other things. Ryan Reynolds, I mean seriously, check out those abs! Scarlett Johansson gets to wake up to this every morning. does anyone else think that’s grossly unfair?
Okay this one might be a little personal, but I love a man in glasses. Matthew McConaughey in A Time to Kill, hello, so sexy in that with his wire-rimmed glasses! And while I dig the spectacles thing, I think it has less to do with the actual glasses and more to do with the fact that even though it’s a stereotype, glasses do tend to make people look smarter. I love smart men (hello, married a college professor, not one of mine though, in case anyone is wondering…) as smart often means witty which goes back to the sense of humor thing. But cleverness and intelligence are sexy. Who doesn’t want a man who can solve the puzzle and figure out who the bad guy is or build them a raft so they can escape the dessert island. Smarts are sexy as are glasses and just in case you were prepared to argue otherwise, I’ve provided proof a la Johnny Depp.
So what about you? What do you find sexy in a hero? What is the one thing that gets you everytime in a book and makes you swoon with delight? I’ll pick a random comment today to receive a prize packet from me including an autographed advanced reading copy of Seduce Me.
Filed in: Our Books,Writers and Writing
Apr 28th
2009
5:19 am
Shana Said:
Interesting points, Robyn. I hadn’t thought of it this way. I guess we have a double standard in romance too! For me, a sexy hero has a sharp sense of humor.
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Apr 28th
2009
5:51 am
MJ Said:
The voice, for me. I mean, yeah, all that stuff, too, but he has to have a nice voice. Anyone remember the ice skater Phillippe Candeloro? My friend Cindi had SUCH a crush. We went to see him when an ice skating show came to town. And then we heard an interview and….screech! High and lilting….oh, no.
I love Josh Holloway’s voice, Taylor Kitsch’s drawl (even though he’s Canadian, he plays a great Texan!), Jensen Ackles, low and rumbly. Mmm.
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Apr 28th
2009
6:15 am
Fran Said:
Hi! I was smiling all the way through your post because this was the same thing I was thinking about yesterday. Especially the part about plane heroine and a bald hero
My conclusion is that I don’t care much about looks; more important is how the hero treats his heroine, and how he makes her feel. He also has to be considerate. Another favourite hero for me is the one who has some troubled past or some inner insecurity 
It’s nice when you know that he’s not so perfect himself. For the real life hero the ultimate request is that he’s clean and that he smells nice 
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Apr 28th
2009
7:04 am
kristan higgins Said:
Maybe it’s not the eyes, but how he looks at you…not his voice, but how he says it. Still, Russell Crowe could read me the phone book and I’d melt. I’m also a sucker for the reluctant grin…sort of like, “You’re driving me crazy, but I can’t help liking you in some weird way.”
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Apr 28th
2009
8:01 am
Gillian Said:
I want him to be kind. I want him to lay the bad guys low but sneak cookies to the little kids at the same time he’s acting like he’s ignoring them. I want him to hold doors open and say “Yes, ma’am.”
Whoa, I might be in my cowboy phase.
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Apr 28th
2009
8:17 am
RobynDeHart Said:
Shana, I love a great sense of humor too! I don’t think that double standard occurs as much in our real lives though.
MJ, yes, voices can be very sexy!
Fran, I couldn’t agree more. The way a hero treats his heroine is of upmost importance.
Kristan, so true. How things are said can be the difference between something being sweet or utterly knee-melting. And who doesn’t shiver a little with those reluctant grins? *sigh*
Gillian, great descriptions!
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Apr 28th
2009
8:19 am
Emily McKay Said:
Fran, I’m with you. A hero is only as sexy as he treats the heroine. I love a hero who is super protective. Who will walk through fire for his woman. A man who will lay down his life to protect the heroine, but is smart enough that in the end, he doesn’t have to.
That sense of humor thing is important for me too. Very important. But I like it best when only the heroine makes him laugh.
One last thing, once the heroine is in the picture, no other woman in the world exists for him. That’s sexy!
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Apr 28th
2009
8:32 am
Crystal B. Said:
For me, it is a good sense of humor, beautiful eyes, a great voice and a sexy body.
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Apr 28th
2009
8:44 am
Fran Said:
Oh Emily that is so true, so true…
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Apr 28th
2009
9:45 am
eap Said:
It’s a hero that has been there for the heroine.
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Apr 28th
2009
10:28 am
Serenissima Said:
Ladies,
I like my heroes tortured/badboys/reformed rakes…
But as soon as he meets the heroine from that on he has to `live only for her`! Good looks are not necessary for a hero to be sexy.
Yes, I could listen to Russell Crowe whitout food and drink a couple of days at least…
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Apr 28th
2009
10:37 am
RobynDeHart Said:
Emily, oh, that’s such a big one. It’s always so sexy to see a hero turn that corner where he becomes completely blinded to other women.
Eap, good point!
Serenissima, I figured someone would mention those tortured souls. There is a reason why vampires are so popular these days.
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Apr 28th
2009
11:35 am
Lori Ann Said:
Two things that I find really sexy are heroes who are protective and heroes who have a great sense of humor. If a hero acts protective of the woman he loves or his family, it always wins me over. It shows that he is passionate, and I love a man who is passionate about something. A sense of humor is great too. I like when a man knows how to have fun. Great blog, Robyn!
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Apr 28th
2009
1:04 pm
Kellie Said:
What makes me swoon about the hero is when they have layers, I think he’d be boring otherwise.
I love the look of the bad boy, the heart of the protector, and a kick-ass body that oozes passion and desire. And not just passion with the heroine, but in life whether it’s with his job or his family.
I love Sawyer! He can be my hero any day…so can Johnny Depp!
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Apr 28th
2009
1:09 pm
Romantic Girl Said:
Emily, you pretty much took the words out of my mouth.
My favorite is the tortured hero whose life is totally transformed by heroine. That this one woman gives him life and love. Ah, that will get me every time.
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Apr 28th
2009
1:30 pm
RobynDeHart Said:
Lori Ann and Kellie, you both bring up a great point. Passion, not just romantic passion, but drive – I love characters who have interests and are driven to do something. Passion is so very important.
Romantic Girl, i so totally agree!
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Apr 28th
2009
1:39 pm
Linda Said:
Can I steal everyones answers
I agree with them all. The tortured bad boy with eyes that melt you, yeah that’s my favorite. And his walk, the graceful prowl, kind of like a lion.
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Apr 28th
2009
2:27 pm
Frieda Said:
The hero that notices everything about the heroine – all the little quirks, idiosynchracies, all the bits that make her unique. Not only that, he puts them together to understand what they all mean. And since we’re talking fantasy here, he then knows how to react! lol. That’s not too much to ask, now is it??
I also love a man who carries an inner authority quietly. He can change the setting around him with one look. Then, ooh la la, when his control/authority take a backseat to his love for the heroine.
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Apr 28th
2009
2:33 pm
April Said:
What makes a hero sexy? The ability to keep the heroine safe and the ability to focus on the heroine and really see her and love who she is–not who she thinks she should be. Doesn’t hurt, of course, if he’s got a great butt.
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Apr 28th
2009
2:51 pm
catslady Said:
I can’t pick just one thing lol. He would put me first and could protect me and have a sense of humor and kind eyes and definitely a deep voice (with an accent too if possible) and a strong body, especially biceps and longer hair would be nice (has to be clean!).
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Apr 28th
2009
4:16 pm
RobynDeHart Said:
Linda, the way a man moves can definitely make him sexy.
Frieda, yes, I love it when the hero is the only one to notice the little things about the heroine. It reminds me of that great scene in When Harry Met Sally.
April, you know I thought about mentioning the great butt thing, but I didn’t. So I’m glad I’m not the only one.
catslady, clean heroes are always nice. It’s why most of us historical authors just pretend that all of our characters bathed regularly.
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Apr 28th
2009
4:33 pm
Solveig Said:
Hi Robyn :Ö) Great blog. I LOVE the “growly, surly, brooding alpha males” who can make the heroines speechless, whether it be from passion, outrage, love, modesty etc.. but are absolutely flattened by their love in the end and after that see no other :Ö) oh and broad shoulders and a handsome nose :Ö) (I have somewhat of a nose fetish)
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Apr 28th
2009
4:56 pm
Fedora Said:
Hi, Robyn! Sense of humor and seeing that person doing something competently is very sexy. It could be anything from shooting the baddies to reprogramming the DVR–confidence and skill are hot
And the funny gets me every time!
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Apr 28th
2009
5:41 pm
Kit Frazier Said:
Smart guys with a sense of humor get me every time. And, I love reading authors who understand that banter is not the same as bitching . . .just my two cents
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Apr 28th
2009
5:49 pm
B.G.Sanford Said:
For me personally, I think a man is sexy when he’s confident, intense, and sensual. What more could one want in a sexy male. Being a romance writer myself, let me promote my new book, “Beth:Love Along The Way…by B.G.Sanford”, and just released by Eloquent Books. It’s the story of one woman who overcomes all odds, and two bad divorces, to find true Love……Along The Way. It’s an amazing story you won’t soon forget. You can order it off the internet or have your favorite book store order it for you.
All my best girls,
B.G.Sanford
http:www.eloquentbook.com/BethLoveAlongTheWay.html
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Apr 28th
2009
6:29 pm
RobynDeHart Said:
Solveig, I’m glad you enjoyed the blog. Broad shoulders are always nice.
Fedora, isn’t that the truth? There is something so attractive about men with skills. Makes me think of that one scene in Six Days, Seven Nights, when she says, “aren’t you one of those guys? One of those guy guys, you know those guys with skills? You send them into the wilderness with a pocket knife and a Q-tip and they build you a shopping mall. You can’t do that?” Makes me laugh every time!
Kit, ain’t that the truth?!
BG, confidence is definitely a sexy attribute.
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Apr 28th
2009
6:30 pm
Quilt Lady Said:
For me it would have to be charm and a since of humor. Looks isn’t everything, personality means more to me. Then you have Sam Elliott and this man has a voice to die for. He is one of my favorite cowboys and I find cowboys very sexy! I also find a man sexy when he helps his wife with the house holdchores. Needless to say I don’t have one of these sexy men.
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Apr 28th
2009
6:43 pm
RobynDeHart Said:
Quilt Lady, charm, yes, how could I have forgotten that?! Great point. I also find it very sexy when a man does household chores. The Professor is doing the dishes as we speak, what a hero!
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Apr 28th
2009
7:24 pm
RachieG Said:
I think Johnny Depp is so hot b/c he just doesn’t care! I think he’d be nice in real life and he has that hot I’d wash clothes and still be manly kind of feel to him.
Even when he’s a dirty pirate I still have the hots for him! Woo Woo!
rachie2004 AT Yahoo.com
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Apr 28th
2009
8:37 pm
Jane Said:
I find chin dimples very sexy, but a guy with a great sense of humor and personality is always attractive.
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Apr 28th
2009
8:50 pm
CCRogers Said:
For me, the hero has to be a little dangerous, but not in a way that’s scary – just enough that I want to learn what provokes his passions, and see if he has the willpower to control them when required.
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Apr 28th
2009
8:56 pm
Valerie Richardson Said:
My hero is tall with great eyes that have laugh lines in the corners. Color does not matter,but long lashes are necessary.Must be intelligent and have great sense of humor.Dimples are nice.Best of all he must love dogs and be kind to women.
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Apr 28th
2009
9:09 pm
Fedora Said:
I haven’t seen that yet, Robyn! That’s a hilarious description–reminds me of MacGyver. Just give the guy some string and a piece of chewing gum and he’ll manage to break you out of Lord-knows-what kind of emergency situation! Useful on a desert island, wouldn’t you think?
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Apr 28th
2009
9:10 pm
RobynDeHart Said:
RachieG, I so totally agree, even with dread locks and eye make-up, he’s still super hot.
Jane, ohh, chin dimples are very sexy.
CCRogers, oh yeah, I completely get that danger appeal.
Valerie, I love laugh lines. Nothing sexier than a man who isn’t afraid to smile or laugh enough to wrinkle a little.
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Apr 28th
2009
9:31 pm
RobynDeHart Said:
Oh, Fedora, you must rent it soon. It’s so great, one of those I can watch over and over again!
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Apr 28th
2009
9:43 pm
Gail Said:
I like mystery. I think it is important for you to know you will never be bored with this guy, because there will always be new and unexpected things to learn about him. I love when a hero still surprises me in Chapter 19 or 20. That keeps me reading. . . and wondering. . . what in the heck will this guy do next?
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Apr 28th
2009
10:13 pm
Lyoness2009 Said:
A great sense of humor can go a long long way…one tooth guy? If he can make me laugh, it’s ok
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