Nina Bangs | Heroes We Love and Remember

January 26, 2011

Comments

82 comments posted.

Re: Nina Bangs | Heroes We Love and Remember

Wow! It's so nice to have you her and thank you for blogging today. I just received my order of Wicked Pleasure and Wicked Fantasy and can't wait to start reading them. As for heroes, there is just something about a dark and dangerous man and his personal fight with the hero within him. Add a romance and all I can say is ahhh!!
(Christine Stack 8:36am January 26, 2011)

So many fictional heroes to choose from--one of my favorites is Jack Reacher from Lee Child's thrillers--it really depends on how one defines urban "fantasy," as Reacher is way bigger than life. A man of honor, he always treats ladies with respect, and will come to the rescue when needed, even years later. He may love and leave, but never loves and forgets.
(Janet Martin 8:54am January 26, 2011)

I can't believe you mentioned "Meet Joe Black"! That is one of my all time favorite characters... but don't you think that she will be disappointed in the 'real' doctor after Death leaves? I mean who could be more dark and dangerous than Death himself? I think Brad Pitt did an excellent job separating the two characters in the movie, but then I'd watch him paint a fence and enjoy it!

I've fallen in love with Devlin Bane, from "Dark Protector" by Alexis Morgan.. talk about dark and dangerous! All of the Paladins are wonderful, but Devlin was my first and by far the finest of the crew.
(Sonja Warmath 10:10am January 26, 2011)

Wow, those are generous prizes!!!

I love Bones, from Jeaneanne (spelled that wrong I'm sure) Frost's 'Grave' series.

And of course, Roarke from J D Robb's 'In Death' series.

Usually I'm in love with the hero I'm currently reading...until I meet the next one...hehe!!!

Valerie
in Germany
(Valerie Bongards 10:30am January 26, 2011)

Christine, I agree completely. I find the hero's personal journey fascinating, especially if he's conflicted about the heroine. I've never been a huge fan of stories where the hero and heroine fall instantly in love and then join forces to find a solution to the book's outer conflict. Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 10:31am January 26, 2011)

Wow I would love to win these books. I have been eying these
books up for a while and they have been on my TBR list for
just as long. This would be a perfect opportunity for me to
read them :)

Ok about the heroes...I love a strong alpha male who is
tortured. I love it when they find their one true love and
that women is able to break the ice and heal them. It is
amazing when an alpha male is brought to his knees by the
women he loves.
(Leagh Christensen 10:33am January 26, 2011)

Nina -

I love your books because you always bring excitment and something new with each of your books. You manage to make me feel like I'm in the scene with your characters and keep me spellbound from the first paragraph to last last final sentence.

Once again you've managed to come up with another original story line and to make us all wanting to keep coming back for more.
(Jeanne Miro 10:35am January 26, 2011)

Janet, I love your last thought. I've never read Lee Child's books. I'll have to give one a try. I sometimes think that heroes by their very nature have to be bigger than life. It's what makes them heroes. They do the things that ordinary men might hesitate to do. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 10:37am January 26, 2011)

Sonja, I agree about watching Brad Pitt paint a fence. :)Now that I think about it, I suppose she would've been disappointed. The two men wouldn't have had the same personalities. I felt so bad for Death in that movie. And I've read Alexis Morgan's books. I enjoy her heroes. They fit into the tortured hero mold.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 10:45am January 26, 2011)

Valerie, we think alike. Bones and Roarke are two of my favorite heroes. Bones was my type of hero from the beginning, all dark, dangerous, and mysterious. I wasn't sure I'd like Roarke as a hero when I read the first J.D. Robb Book. But wow, has he grown on me. He might be elegant and sophisticated on the surface, but underneath he's still the dangerous predator he once was, only not so obvious. Love him!

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 10:51am January 26, 2011)

Leagh, good luck with winning the books. :)

Yes, it's all about the heroine being the only person who can influence the big bad hero. I don't want to use the word "tame" because I never want to see my hero tamed.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 10:56am January 26, 2011)

Jeanne, thanks for the kind words. I truly appreciate them. I think each author has to write to his or her strengths. Heaven knows, I have a lot of weaknesses, but I do try to create an original plot with unique characters. Only the readers know if I've succeeded. :)

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 11:02am January 26, 2011)

I love the handsome heroes with a bit of softness around the hard. They can't be bad all the time and need at least one redeeming factor. It helps for a spontaneous occasional romantic gesture, too.
(Alyson Widen 11:30am January 26, 2011)

I must be honest here. I just started to get into this genre of books, so I can't give you a name, but as far as heroes go, even though I know that they have a bad side, they have have a tender side to them when it comes to the woman they love. I think a bit of a mysterious side is good as well, but of course the woman should be able to figure it out. The magnetism is a given, as well as the looks.
(Peggy Roberson 11:48am January 26, 2011)

My favorite heroes are those in MM Kaye's novels...but more currently, I love Brisbane in Deanna Raybourn's Lady Julia series.
(Nan Zahar 11:51am January 26, 2011)

I love a rough hard shell on my alpamale than underlies a soft person underneath. It is wonderful when the women puts him under her spell and shows his soft side.
I would really like to get these novel to read and pass on to my sister to read. She is a highschool teacher with a large library for her students. There number one choice is paranomal.
(Kathleen Bianchi 11:56am January 26, 2011)

I am just starting to read more books and am finding I really like the hero that is not a hero at first. The suprise hero!
(Joanne Mckeareany 12:03pm January 26, 2011)

Hi, Nina! I really enjoy your books!

I love alpha males with a soft spot for their families and friends who are brought down to their knees by the heroine. As far as a favorite hero goes, I don't have one. I love them all. I just finished Beverley Kendall's Sinful Surrender and am now reading her A Taste of Desire. I love James Rutherford, Thomas Armstrong, and Alex Cartwright in these books, so they are my heroes as of this minute. LOL!

Thanks for such a generous giveaway!
(Cathy Phillips 12:33pm January 26, 2011)

My husband is my hero. He is sure that the tractor is in good shape before I go to the field.
Serious, my husband is a wonderful man, I can ask for nothing more!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 12:33pm January 26, 2011)

thanks for the chance to win this exciting book
(Debbi Shaw 12:39pm January 26, 2011)

I love that you gave Eric Northman as an example in your article because I love him! I was excited that you listed a character from the Fever series because I just bought the 1st book in that series. I would be very interested in reading your series. Thanks!
(Renee Pajda 1:23pm January 26, 2011)

Your books look very tasty!!! So I am leaving this comment in hopes of winning this wonderful contest! Joanne
(Joanne Bozik 2:31pm January 26, 2011)

So many great heroes out there... some I have enjoyed are the dark and broody ones. thanks for sharing with us today! :)
(Colleen Conklin 2:42pm January 26, 2011)

I agree with Valerie - I'm in love with the hero in the book I'm currently reading, even if he's a bit difficult at times. I love Roarke,too, along with the heroes in books by Katherine Shay, Tara Janzen, Catherine Mann, and so on. I read your books, too, Nina and thoroughly enjoy them/your heroes. So many books, so little money!! Offers such as yours really help. Thank you.
(Karen Cherubino 3:41pm January 26, 2011)

I have not yet gotten into vampire thing completely, but these books look like something I would love to read!!
(Joyce Bruner 4:13pm January 26, 2011)

Shallow & fun is great and so are Alpha Males.
(Mary Preston 4:30pm January 26, 2011)

Alyson, you're right. It would be hard to bond with a hero who was unremittingly hard or cruel, especially to the heroine, no matter how hot or gorgeous he was. The hero has to have at least one redeeming quality.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 5:03pm January 26, 2011)

Peggy, I agree. There has to be a time in the story when he shows the heroine a side to him that he might keep hidden from the rest of the world.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 5:05pm January 26, 2011)

Nan, Brisbane is an interesting name. I'll have to try the authors you mentioned. I'm always on the lookout for great heroes.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by.
(Nina Bangs 5:08pm January 26, 2011)

I love reading books about goodlooking hunks, who become our hero. Thanks for giving me a chance to win your book.
(Linda Hall 5:24pm January 26, 2011)

I always watched The Western movies with my Father as a child...I think that Gary Cooper was a great silent-type Hero. He would do anything to keep his woman safe! I like lots of Heroes from Romance novels...The Highlanders, The Western Guys, and the Historial Gentlemen. The Montgomery Men come to mind. I am friends with one of your class-mates..Gerry (Barbara) Marchetti. Thank you for your contest.
(Carolyn Pino 6:25pm January 26, 2011)

I like the hero, but more the unconventional hero. Like Snape from Harry Potter. Not a hero in the traditional sense but definitely a hero in my book. More because he made a mistake and then did everything he could to make up for it. Even Mr Darcy has his faults, but he learns from them and is better for the realization. that is what makes the ending so great.
(Pam Howell 6:26pm January 26, 2011)

Kathleen, tell your sister I'm thrilled that her students love paranormals. :)

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 6:41pm January 26, 2011)

Joanne, yes! I love a surprise hero now and then. Ahem, as long as he's hot. I know, shallow. :)

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 6:43pm January 26, 2011)

True heroes are not larger-than-life, supermen, or different or gifted
musclemen. They are everyday men who, when circumstances require it, step
up to the plate and can be counted on no matter what is needed. Yes, I like
Bones and Roarke and a few others whose names escape me now, but my
biggest hero is my husband. I enjoy reading books to escape the daily
problems but never to escape our relationship.
(Sandra Spilecki 6:52pm January 26, 2011)

Like you, I love Jamie. From the first moment he showed up, I was hooked. Sam Starret and Kenny from Suzanne Brockmann's TS series, are two that I adore. They make me laugh and want to cry all at the same time. They both had to learn a lot to get their HEA.
(Maude Allen 7:11pm January 26, 2011)

I like Lee Child as well. The Killing floor was really good and dark and I am slowly making my way thru his series of books. Thanks for the contest. Will put these on my TBR list too.
(Teresa Ward 7:11pm January 26, 2011)

One of my favourite heroes is Clay (Otherworld series by Kelley Armstrong). Intelligent, strong, handsome but operating under a different set of values (to say the least). Great match for the heroine but not the type I would want to hook up with myself in real life.
(Carol Drummond 7:15pm January 26, 2011)

I have some of Lee Child's book. Need to really get more into it. My hero is Cottom Melone from Steve Berries books. I think these are great books. Love the adventure and a strong handsome hero type
(Diane Castiglione 7:20pm January 26, 2011)

I'll echo others with my admiration for Roarke. I agree with Carol about Kelley Armstrong's Clay. He's known for his barbaric defense of his werewolf clan but totally devoted to his mate. I also like Charles from Patricia Briggs' books. Another werewolf enforcer that has to maintain his tough rep to keep the others from "foolish" challenges. Only his mate sees his gentle,humorous side. My ficional heroes are the loyal protectors.
(r w 7:49pm January 26, 2011)

hi well you never have to many hero and then your cover is something else wow good luck with the book and hope there will be many more wish to win and blog on the book and i am following you on twitter
(Desiree Reilly 8:07pm January 26, 2011)

I like Roarke from JD Robb's In Death; because of the way he handles Eve without handling her; treating her as an equal and trying hard to understand what goes through her mind in order to help her.
(Diane Sadler 8:17pm January 26, 2011)

happy day to an awesome lady
(Melisa Clark 8:31pm January 26, 2011)

Great explanation on the alpha hero... the truly, madly,
deeply, oh, AND intelligently. No wonder I've loved reading
your books!
(Lori Howe 8:42pm January 26, 2011)

I think one of the reasons that we all love a good alpha male is that there are so few in real life. I say few because I am giving men out there the benefit of the doubt but I've never met one. It's nice to believe that as a modern woman we would be able to relinquish some of our responsibilities to another and know that things will be taken care of. Of course let's not discount the fact that alpha males are just so sexy.
(Kat Jameson 8:47pm January 26, 2011)

I loved Jim Heron from J.R. Wards The Fallen Angel series. He is the kind of Hero I like to read about. A bad boy who has had a tough past and is stuggling to get past it. Has erected emotion walls and is far from perfect. Has a bit of a wild side and once the story get's going we are able to see some of the walls drop and see he also has a good side and is s decent person full of compassion. It has me rooting for the hero by the end of the book and Jim had all that in spades for me
(Jolene Allcock 8:51pm January 26, 2011)

Cathy, jeez, another author I'll have to try. And thanks for letting me know that you enjoy my books.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 9:03pm January 26, 2011)

Marjorie, LOL and thanks for the giggles. Oh, and your husband is a lucky man.

Thanks for taking time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 9:06pm January 26, 2011)

Debbie, good luck in the contest.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 9:07pm January 26, 2011)

Renee, yes! Isn't Eric great? I love his dark humor. Of course, I've always had a thing for Vikings. Oh, and Karen Marie Moning is one of my favorite authors.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 9:13pm January 26, 2011)

Joanne Bozik (2nd Joanne), good luck with the contest.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 9:15pm January 26, 2011)

Colleen, I love dark and broody heroes. Of course, if I met one in real life, I'd probably just tell him to get over himself. :) But hey, my fantasy, my rules.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 9:17pm January 26, 2011)

there's nothing sexier than a stong man that can show a gentle side, especially to children & animals, but of course to their love interest.
(Diane Sallans 9:23pm January 26, 2011)

Karen, I agree with you. I tend to remember the heroes in recent reads, and forget some awesome men from older books. In fact, I just remembered Wolf from Justine Davis's Lord of the Storm. Now that was a tortured hero. I have the book on my keeper shelf. It was published back in 1994.

Thanks for taking the time to let me know that you enjoy my heroes.
(Nina Bangs 9:25pm January 26, 2011)

Joyce, I hope you give them a try.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 9:27pm January 26, 2011)

Sara, I'm curious too. I'll have to try Lee Childs.
(Nina Bangs 9:28pm January 26, 2011)

Mary, yay! Let's hear it for alpha males everywhere (at least in our books). Long may they feed our fantasies.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 9:32pm January 26, 2011)

I know that I shouldn't be swayed so much by a gorgeous exterior, but when I read I'm living for the fantasy, so he may as well be hot.

Good luck in the contest.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 9:34pm January 26, 2011)

wow -- don't think i've read any of these... would love to
have the chance. take care.
(Sandy Haber 9:42pm January 26, 2011)

Carolyn, speaking of Highlanders, I was crazy about Adrian Paul's character in the TV show Highlander. I'd forgotten about him (There can be only one).

Wow, you know Gerry. If you stop back and see this, would you e-mail me at: [email protected]? I'd like to ask you something.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 9:42pm January 26, 2011)

Linda, this one was for you, but I forgot to put your name at the beginning. Sorry.

I know that I shouldn't be swayed so much by a gorgeous exterior, but when I read I'm living for the fantasy, so he may as well be hot.

Good luck in the contest.
(Nina Bangs 9:45pm January 26, 2011)

Pam, I agree with you about the unconventional hero. That's why I've been drawn to Thomas, the half brother to Harry Dresden from the Dresden Files. He's a vampire of the White Court, and he's done terrible things, but he fights every day to overcome what he is.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 9:53pm January 26, 2011)

Sandra, aww, your husband must be a wonderful man. Lucky you.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 9:55pm January 26, 2011)

Maude, ah, another Jamie fan. I haven't read Suzanne Brockman in a few years. Maybe I should get back to reading her.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 9:57pm January 26, 2011)

Teresa, hmm, another Lee Childs fan. I'm beginning to see a trend here. :) I'll definitely have to check him out.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 10:05pm January 26, 2011)

Carol, I've read a few Kelley Armstrong books. Some heroes demand a kickbutt heroine, something I'm definitely not in real life. I wouldn't know what to do with this kind of man. Okay, so maybe I'd like to try. :)

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 10:08pm January 26, 2011)

Diane, Steve Berrie is a new author to me. I'll have to check him out on Amazon.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 10:09pm January 26, 2011)

Robin, I'm a huge fan of Patricia Briggs. I agree with you on Charles.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 10:10pm January 26, 2011)

Desiree, I'm so glad that you like the cover for Eternal Prey. It's very different from my other covers, but I like it because it's distinctive. Love it or hate it, I don't think you can ignore it. Oh, and I'll look you up on Twitter.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 10:20pm January 26, 2011)

Diane Sadler (2nd Diane),another Roarke fan. Yes, he's quiet, dangerous, and loves Eve warts and all. She's a very strong woman, and it would take a special man to love her.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 10:23pm January 26, 2011)

Melisa, thank you so much!

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 10:24pm January 26, 2011)

Lori, how sweet. I appreciate the kind words.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 10:25pm January 26, 2011)

Kat, exactly. What a great observation. I'm impressed. :) Meeting a true alpha male with all the strength but without the Neanderthal tendencies would certainly be wish fulfillment.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 10:29pm January 26, 2011)

Jolene, I've read all of J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series, but I haven't started on her Fallen Angel books. Looks like I'd better get started.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 10:34pm January 26, 2011)

Sandy, good luck in the contest.

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 10:37pm January 26, 2011)

Diane Sallans (3rd Diane?), you've hit on something. I don't care how gorgeous a man is in a book, if he's cruel to small helpless things, I'm finished with him.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 10:40pm January 26, 2011)

I tend to love the hero in my current read as well. So I'll go with Fallon Jones from Jayne Ann Krentz books , most recently, In Too Deep.

Thank you for the contest.
(Lisa Kendall 11:53pm January 26, 2011)

As for tortured heroes, I think of "Moonlight" and the vampire hereo who was trying to make up for the sins of his past by helping people.
(Ginger Hinson 12:03pm January 27, 2011)

Lisa, Jayne Ann Krentz has always been a wonderful writer. I'll have to take a look at Fallon. Don't want to pass up a new hero. :)

Thanks for stopping by.
(Nina Bangs 9:54am January 27, 2011)

Ginger, I'd forgotten about Moonlight. Yes, Mick St. John as played by yummy Alex O'Loughlin was a great tortured hero. I was sad when they cancelled the show.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.
(Nina Bangs 9:56am January 27, 2011)

Nina--There are so many heroes...isn't that marvelous?
Someone else mentioned Jim Heron, he is intriguing. I'm wondering if he'll ever get an HEA of his own (after the 7 books are done).
Of course, there's JAMIE & ROARKE. They are so different, but so marvelous in their own right. There's also Rhett Butler, and what he had to go through with Scarlett. Reading is one way to meet men you wouldn't get to meet in real life.
(Ann Garland 2:18pm January 28, 2011)

Ann, I love your take. I guess that's it. I'd never even meet these kinds of men in my life. And if I did, I probably wouldn't know what to do with them, because I'm not my heroines. Too bad for me.

Thanks for the comment.
(Nina Bangs 2:54pm January 28, 2011)

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