Fresh Fiction Blog | Zoë Archer | I'm a sucker for ....

Confession: I'm a sucker for commoner heroes in historical romances.

Titled heroes are wonderful, larger-than-life characters. In romances, these heroes are rich, powerful, and part of esteemed lineages that stretch back generations. Sometimes the titled heroes are reluctant heirs, sometimes they inherit failing estates, sometimes they had terrible relationships with their parents—it's not all champagne and ballrooms. Even so, heroes with titles are usually wealthy and influential men at the top of Society's food chain. It's incredibly seductive. Besides, how often do any of us get to meet a real duke, marquess, earl or baron?

Even so, give me a hero who's had to fight his way to the top, and I'm putty. Nothing's been handed to him. He has no birthright, no inheritance. Everything he has now is because he made it happen. He takes nothing for granted—especially not the heroine.

In DEMON'S BRIDE, Leo Bailey is the only one of the Hellraisers that isn't of gentle birth. He's the son of a saddler, a man who, through is own determination and intelligence, has become one of the wealthiest non-titled people in all of England. Part of his motivation in his climb to the top is simply the acquisition of fortune and power. But he has other, darker motivations—to make all those who have or continue to mock his low birth suffer for their arrogance. And Leo will go to any lengths to make them pay, even if it means making a deal with the Devil.

Leo doesn't know that his Devil-given magical gift cost him his soul, and may cause him to lose the only woman who ever loved him. Both he and Anne, his aristocratic bride, must fight through fear, suspicion, and his own greed in order to salvage Leo's soul.

So, my question to you is, do you like commoner heroes? Why or why not? Leave a comment, and I'll pick on US/Canada winner to receive a copy of DEMON'S BRIDE.

DEMON'S BRIDE
The Hellraisers, Book 2

Hell to Pay

Leo Bailey may have been born to poverty, but ruthless business sense and sparkling intelligence have made money worries a thing of his past. It doesn't hurt that the Devil himself has granted Leo the ability to read the future.

But even infallible predictions are a déclassé commoner's trick to some members of the ton. They'll never see Leo as their equal - one good reason to prove himself their better. And a noble marriage is an obvious start.

Bookish Anne Hartfield, daughter of a baron, is hardly the flashiest miss on the marriage market. But her thoughtful reserve complements Leo's brash boldness in an attraction neither can deny. A whirlwind courtship sweeps Anne and Leo into a smoldering marriage before either can believe their luck. But happiness built on Leo's dark powers can't last. Soon, Anne will have to save her husband...or lose her heart.

Zoë Archer is an award-winning romance author who thinks there's nothing sexier than a man in tall boots and a waistcoat. As a child, she never dreamed about being the rescued princess, but wanted to kick butt right beside the hero. She now applies her master's degrees in Literature and Fiction to creating butt-kicking heroines and heroes in tall boots. She is the author of the acclaimed BLADES OF THE ROSE series and the paranormal historical romance series, THE HELLRAISERS. She and her husband, fellow romance author Nico Rosso, created the steampunk world of THE ETHER CHRONICLES together. Her steampunk romance, SKIES OF FIRE, is now available from Avon Impulse, and Nico's steampunk Western, NIGHT OF FIRE, will be available in July. Zoë and Nico live in Los Angeles.

Excerpt

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To buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Chapters Indigo, Amazon UK

Hellraisers

Devil’s Kiss
Hellraisers
#1.0
December 2011

Demon's Bride
Hellraisers
#2.0
May 2012

Comments

Yes, I like commoner hero's but I also like other types of hero's. The most important thing is his personality and the way he acts. A hero must have a strong personality and be will to fight for what is important to him as well as be able to defend the heroine if needed.
(Chelsea Knestrick 6:01am May 2, 2012)

Yes, I do like a down to earth man, one who is not afraid to show his emotions and feelings. He must be strong and love his woman!
(Ann Thaxton 8:05am May 2, 2012)

I love commoner heros because I can relate to them more than the others. But I enjoy any kind of hero! LOL Thanks for the chance to win!
(Angie Lilly 8:24am May 2, 2012)

By all means...a commoner hero..they can relate to us every day people and yet stand out amoung us...Would love to read this book Thanks
(Bonnie Capuano 8:50am May 2, 2012)

I think the commoner hero reminds us that romantic men don't
have to be wealthy, titled men. (which I am lucky enough to
know already) Heroes with those qualities of kindness,
compassion, strength, a sense of humor & the ability to love his
lady are what we all look for and they come in every walk of life.
Love always supersedes money every time. We'll all go through
hell and back to be with that person we are loved by them.
(Penny Keeler 10:49am May 2, 2012)

Whichever a man is, commoner or titled, in the end, it all comes down to his qualities,so I do agree with the previous poster. I, too, am married to my hero,and in myeyes, he's always been the King of my heart.
(Lili Booth 11:36am May 2, 2012)

I like when a common man shows strength of character. Thank you for this cool contest...my fingers are crossed that I win!
(Jan Terry 12:28pm May 2, 2012)

I always prefer a hero who is a self-made man. They usually have a chip on their shoulder because they will never be fully accepted by high society. I have more respect for commoner heroes who make their own fortune than heroes who are born into it.
(Stacie Deramo 1:26pm May 2, 2012)

this book sounds really good cant wait to read
(Denise Smith 2:00pm May 2, 2012)

I, too, enjoy the "common man" hero - but, in agreement with the others who posted, character certainly does count as well - the hero who is secure enough to show his feelings - and I definitely look forward to getting to know more about Leo!
(Felicia Ciaudelli 2:02pm May 2, 2012)

I love commoner heroes. Some of my favorite historicals have featured successful commoners.
(Phyllis Lamken 2:02pm May 2, 2012)

Nothing wrong with it as long as the hero is a good guy. :) Don't always need a billionaire as a fantasy although I have nothing against billionaires in general. :)
(May Pau 2:18pm May 2, 2012)

Demon's Bride sounds like a great read! I'll definately have to check out the others in the series. Want to read more about Leo!
(Kaci Verdun 2:41pm May 2, 2012)

I love the many heroes out there... I want to see them all get past whatever struggles they have and find happiness... whether they are commoners, everyday joes or millionaires and royalty.
(Colleen Conklin 3:04pm May 2, 2012)

sounds like a great book and i put it on my wish list!!!
(Jennifer Beck 4:16pm May 2, 2012)

I like commoner heroes; heroes that have to struggle, work hard and earn their way to make things happen and must be strong, romantic and compassionate. DEMON'S BRIDE sounds like quite a good story!
(Linda Luinstra 4:31pm May 2, 2012)

I do like them because they don't have everything handed to them and their success in life is what they earn.
(Maureen Emmons 6:19pm May 2, 2012)

I don't have a favorite - lord or commoner, I love the character description - whether he has integrity, depth, and all important..passion (for life, love, desire, work, family).
(Carla Carlson 7:02pm May 2, 2012)

I like commoner heroes because they are the ones I can relate
to the best. While privileges of the higher classes are
great, it is nice to see someone rise above their birth. It
gives us all hope that we can do the same.
(Karin Anderson 9:07pm May 2, 2012)

I like heroes too, especially those that have suffered before.
(Molly Wilsbacher 9:34pm May 2, 2012)

Commoner's are more likely to be self-made, and probably don't
have a sense of entitlement, so they can be a nice change from
all the Lords.
(Diane Sallans 9:46pm May 2, 2012)

It's funny that you're asking that question!! Right now I'm in the middle of reading the Autobiography of Queen Elizabeth, and although I have the utmost respect and awe for the Royal Family, Especially the Queen herself, knowing everything she's gone through so far during her years of ruling England, I would prefer a commoner. I, by no means was raised with "a silver spoon in my mouth," and would be more suited to be connected with someone who more or less had gone through some of the same experiences with me. Interesting question, interesting cover, and book that I'm very interested in reading. Thank you for the great blog today!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:01pm May 2, 2012)

I like nobel heroes , maybe from a commoner's background. They have seen both sides of the track.
(Deb Pelletier 11:52pm May 2, 2012)

Do I like commoner heroes? Yes! They are men who have taken
the raw materials God gifted them with and made something
out of themselves. In some of the series' I have read they
start out as a secondary character. After several books they
demand their own HEA and I love that. Sabrina Jeffries
frequently does that. Hannah Howell has the Wherlocke Series
that has most family members not titled. So yes, I agree
with you self-made men are awesome.
glittergirl54 at ymail dot com
(Lenna Hendershott 5:14pm May 6, 2012)

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