Bromances…ahhh, bromances.  Butch and Sundance.  Batman and Robin. Holmes and Watson.   The MacKades, the Quinns.  Into threesomes?   How about Kirk, Spock and Bones.   Yep, all bromances.

I love romances (which I suppose is a given, since I’m a romance writer visiting  today on a site filled with awesome romance authors, right).   The give and take, the attraction and emotional growth, and the commitment that goes into seeing a relationship from spark to flame to burning embers – that’s a major part of what makes a romance so incredible to read.

But it’s also what makes a bromance awesome.   Whether it’s a hero’s best friend, a brother, or his comrade-in-arms—that kind of relationship adds so much to the story, to showing the depths of the hero’s character and really giving us a bigger picture of who he is.  I’m just as big a fan of BFF relationships and seeing the heroine through her bestie’s view.  But there’s something extra special about those hero connections.  Maybe because guy’s don’t seem to get quite as close as gals, or because as a rule, men aren’t quite as into the sharing of emotions as women *g * but I think those friendships add so much to a story.

Since it’s something I love reading, it makes it an extra pleasure for me when I find a way to bring that same element into my own books.  The friendship between the heroes in my current books, Blake Landon in A SEAL’s Seduction (2/13) and Cade Sullivan in A SEAL’s Surrender (3/13) was the starting point of these stories.  In part, because I love writing friendships for all the reason’s I already listed *g * But also because the incident that motivates both heroes emotional journeys in their stories is a shared one.  Both Blake and Cade are Navy SEALs (the titles sort of give that away, right) who, along with their best buddy Phil, have all served together since their BUDs training days.    When Phil is killed on a mission, both men face questions about their career, their lives and their commitments.

Want a peek at these guys?  Here’s a little excerpt from the opening scene of A SEAL’s Seduction.

            Cade Sullivan, Blake’s team commander and the third amigo, subtly came to attention.  With a quiet word and a brush of his hand over Mrs. Hawkins’ shoulder, he turned and strode across the lawn. 

            “Sir?”

            “I’m assigning your men leave.”

            Blake and Cade exchanged looks.  All it took was two seconds, a slight furrow of the brow and a shift of their shoulders to know both men were in perfect accord.  They didn’t want to go on leave.

            “Sir?”

            “Two weeks R&R, effective immediately.”

            For the second time since joining the Navy—and both in the space of the last few minutes—Blake wanted to protest an order.  He didn’t want time off.  He needed distraction.  Work.  A mission.  Preferably one that included blowing up large buildings and letting loose vast amounts of ammo. 

            Fury was like a storm, brewing and stewing inside him. 

            It needed an outlet.  The shooting range would work.  Or the base gym.

            As if reading his thoughts, the Admiral inclined his head, offered a stern look and added, “You’ve just finished a tense mission, and lost one of your own.  I hope you have places off-base to stay, as I’ll be leaving word at the gate that you’re on inactive duty until September seventeenth.”

            For a second, Cade’s usual charming façade cracked, the same anger Blake was dealing with showing in the other man’s vivid green eyes.  In an instant, it disappeared and his smile—the one that lulled friend and foe alike into thinking he was a nice guy—flashed.

            “Looks like it’s time for a trip home.  My father will be thrilled.  Thank you, Sir.  I’m sure the team will be excited about the R&R.”

            You had to admire Cade’s talent at lying.  The man had a way with sincerity, that, when added to that smile, was pure gold.  At least, it was if you weren’t the one he was conning.  The truth was, the team was going to be pissed, Cade hated visiting home and his father hated having him there.  Yet the guy still smiled like he’d just been pinned with the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

            That’s why Phil had always called Cade Slick.  Blake was Boy Scout.  By the book, a goody goody, his whole life was focused on being prepared.  On being the best SEAL he could be.  And Phil?  He’d been the Joker.  The last thing he’d said before that bomb had blown him in two?  Knock knock. 

            Knock knock. 

            Jaw clenched, Blake glared at the sleek black lines of the casket. 

Now, it wouldn’t be a love story if they fixed all those problems, just the two of them over a bottle of beer and a pizza.  It takes two very special women to bring them around to not only face their loss, but to figure out where they want to go next.  But that core bromance, that friendship, does help along the way.  And, of course, it gives for some fun scenes and interaction between these two very strong, very sexy and very independent guys.

Bromances are like bad boys.  I love reading them, but I don’t have to have them in every book to make it a keeper.  But they are something that always makes me sigh and sink into the book just a little deeper.

How about you?  Are you a fan of bromances?  What are some of your favorites?

Tawny Weber has been writing sassy, sexy romances since her first Harlequin Blaze hit the shelves in 2007.  A fan of Johnny Depp, cupcakes and color coordination, she spends a lot of her time shopping for cute shoes, scrapbooking and hanging out on Facebook. 

Readers can check out Tawny’s books at her website or join her Red Hot Readers Club for goodies like free reads, first chapter excerpts, recipes, insider story info and much more.  And for a limited time, she has a few open spots on her Street Team!