I’m so pleased to welcome fellow Kensington author Tina Gabrielle back to the blog. Tina writes wonderful historical romance, and she’s here today to ask us a VERY important question.
What makes a hero sexy?
First let me thank Vanessa for inviting me to blog. It’s wonderful to be here!
I’m Tina Gabrielle, and I write rich Regency historical romances for Kensington Books. My Regency Barrister series is about four sexy barristers and the women who wreak havoc in their chambers and steal their hearts.
I’m often asked how I came up with the idea of my series. I’ve always loved the titled man—the duke or earl who lives a life of privilege, dresses well, and can waltz. But there is something special about the self-made man who is just as intriguing and enticing. So, what type of profession to write about? For me it was a simple choice. I’m an attorney and the idea of my Barrister Series was born.
I especially enjoyed the legal research that went into the series. In the early 1800’s, law schools didn’t exist in England. Rather, a student would attempt to gain entrance into one of the four Inns of Court, find a pupil master, and learn the law. It was a much more practical nuts and bolts approach than an academic one.
The heroes in my Regency Barrister Series all start out as—you guessed it—barristers and self-made men. Both books also have a resounding theme of second chances.
Jack Harding from In The Barrister’s Chambers is a top criminal barrister who has an eye for Lady Evelyn, the daughter of an earl and his former teacher. When Jack was a student, young Evelyn fancied herself in love with him and followed him around like a lost puppy. A true adolescent crush! Years later, Evelyn has grown into a beautiful, intelligent lady. And for the first time in Jack’s life, he has to convince a woman that he’s the right man for her. He needs a second chance to make things right between them.
James Devlin from In The Barrister’s Bed (July 2012) always believed he was an illegitimate son of a duke until a twist of fate reveals he is the true Duke of Blackwood. He was raised as the scorned illegitimate child, but the first thing he does after unexpectedly becoming the new duke is to repurchase the country home he had spent summers with his father as a boy. It’s a second chance to fit in, to claim what’s rightfully his. Problems arise, however, when he shows up at the country manor to find a beautiful widow who claims the property is legally hers.
Bella Sinclair needs her own second chance in life after her abusive husband dies and she finally has the legal and financial freedom to buy a home of her own and live in peace. Until James shows up on her doorstep…
Both heroes are self-made men who grow and change to become much more after finding the strong-willed and intelligent women who are meant for them. They get a second chance at love and thankfully get it right!
So tell me: What type of historical hero do you think is most sexy? The self-made man or the titled one? For a chance to win a signed copy of the first book, IN THE BARRISTER’S CHAMBERS, just leave a comment. Contest limited to US/Canada. Good luck!
Tina Gabrielle, an award-winning author, is an attorney and former mechanical engineer whose love of reading for pleasure helped her get through years of academia. After multi-publishing for a prestigious Law Journal, she fulfilled her dream of writing fiction. She is the author of In The Barrister’s Bed, In The Barrister’s Chambers, Lady Of Scandal, and A Perfect Scandal from Kensington Books.
Website: http://www.tinagabrielle.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TinaGabrielle
Twitter: http://twitter.com/@TinaGabrielle
Here’s a sneak peek at IN THE BARRISTER’S BED (July 2012)
A Hotly Contested Claim
A bastard by birth, James Devlin lives on his own terms—until a twist of fate reveals that he is the true Duke of Blackwood. Though the brooding bachelor swears to hold on to his freedom, he does intend to take back his childhood home. But once at Wyndmoor Manor, he discovers an arresting adversary in Bella Sinclair. Her hot-blooded claim to his home is amusing…and arousing. Which is why he isn’t leaving until he takes possession of everything—starting with the bewitching Bella…
A Sensual Surrender
Bella is furious when the Duke barges into her home, declaring it rightfully his! The willful widow is not about to give up her haven without a fight, no matter how determined the Duke is—or how sensual the battlefield. But once she’s sharing a house with the beguiling barrister, she is in danger of losing everything—one deep, slow kiss at a time…
I like to see the titled who every one thinks is stuffy and non feeling fall for a woman they think is beneath them and become passionate and caring men. I love it when a woman unlocks things in a man that no one knew was there, therefore changing is rep…
Ohh! This is a great description!
A sexy hero is strong, smart, and able to laugh at himself. His heroine’s quirks (smart-mouthed, clumsy, whatever) turn him on like crazy! Don’t women want someone who loves her imperfections?
I like both. The self-made man you get to see come into his own, while the titled one you get to see humbled. If I had to choose, I’d say self-made.
Both can be sexy because sexy is a man who is confident but not arrogant, compassionate and kind and has a great sense of humor. That’s the type of man that makes me swoon.
Thanks for a great post and congrats to Tina on the newest release! I don’t really have a preference. I love ’em both 🙂 I go wherever and with whomever the author takes me and I’m just along for the ride 🙂
Thank you for the kind post! I love to write and always hope the books are highly entertaining no matter what type of hero!
A sexy hero is strong, smart, and able to laugh at himself. The heroine’s quirks also drive him crazy. Don’t we all want to be loved for our imperfections?
I have only read a couple where the hero is untitled and I really like having a change. Thanks for the giveaway!
reat responses from everyone! I’m reading an Eloisa James book now, one of her desperate duchesses series, and the hero is a brooding, but captivating duke! So yes, I love to read both the titled and untitled heroes too!
I like both!
I like both as long as he’s one of those tortured, hard working, brooding type. 😉
The self-made man who has integrity, determination and depth.
I like this too! What a great description. Sounds like he would make a wonderful modern day husband.
Both! As long as he’s brooding and sexy.
Both. Both. Definitely both. 😉
I love your books. Any sexy hero who strives for independence and lives by his own terms. Like James in Eloisa James in The Ugly Duchess. He became a man who sought a different kind of life. Thanks for the contest/giveaway.
I like a hero who takes life on his own terms. He values his talents to get what he wants. I do adore James in the Ugly Duchess.
He left his old life and began a new one as a pirate. Ymmmy
I haven’t read this yet, but it sounds interesting!
Tough question, I like a hero that is confident no matter what and he has to have a good sense of humor as well! Thanks for sharing today!
Titled or not doesn’t matter to me. I want a hereo to know what he wants and goes after it all the while showing that he has a sensitive side also. Thanks for sharing!
I like a hero who is strong, a little naughty, possessive, but still able to show his sensitive side.
Yes, a little naughty always makes for a great read!
It doesn’t matter to me, as long as he has integrity and truly falls for the heroine. But, since self-made heroes are found less frequently in historical romance, I do like seeing their stories featured.
I like the titled myself. Its cool that some hero’s can trace their hertiage way back. But I love history. 🙂
I’m a history lover as well! It’s why I read and write historical romance.
I prefer the self-made man who has to work hard to get what he wants. Even if the titled man claims to not care about money and is sensitive it’s just not the same as someone who truly has to struggle for everything he’s achieved.
This is so true! Thanks for commenting!
I like titled heroes, but I think it’s refreshing to read about a self made hero every once in a while.
I like the self made man or a titled man who has rebuilt his mismanaged legacy. I think they are more interesting and have a sexier strength which I find very appealing. Your novels sound really interesting and fun. I am always looking for a new author to read.
Thanks, Ann!
I love a hero is a self made man or a titled man who has rebuilt his mismanaged legacy. A sexy hero is one who is smart and strong. Your books sound interesting and fun, I am always looking for a new author and would love to read your books.
Fun discussion, ladies! Tina, thanks so much for being on the blog today, and for asking such a great question.
Thank you for inviting me, Vanessa! It is always a pleasure!
I tend to like titled heroes and/or spies.
The title doesn’t matter to me. One that’s alpha and funny.
I like the self made man. Especially the brooding dark type who end up the sweet romantic type!
Reading your works and the comments on this blog got me to thinking. I now…I mean JUST now…realize everyone of my heroes are perfect gentlemen, always missing signals from their(future) true love.
Also…dark demons from the past love these guys…
Well…maybe art is imitating life? MY life?
J gavin
Love them both. However, however, I love the self-made man who ends up finding himself next inline to receive a title. Especially, when they never saw it coming and they have to figure how to be a title gentleman yet try to keep their original self.
Yes! That is the theme for my latest, IN THE BARRISTER’S BED. James is shocked to learn he inherited a title and the book deals with his emotional growth as well as the heroine’s.
I like the titled ones.
I like variety so I would say both but as long as the titled one doesn’t feel “entitled.”
Funny! I like this!
I like both but I’m especially partial to the self-made man. There doesn’t seem to be many books written with this type of man. Maybe if we vote, more authors will write them!
Hi Tine, don’t enter me in the contest since I already have a copy of both Barrister books. Just wondering when you’ll put something up on your website about what’s coming next! You know, these hungry readers are never satisfied. Authors must constantly throw tidbits our way!
That should read ‘TINA’…where’s spell check when you need it? Actually, I just need larger type!
Hi Karen,
Thanks for the great comment. I hope you enjoyed the books and yes, I’m working on the next book and will be posting info on my website.
I like both the self-made man and the titled one if the titled one is responsible and appreciates what he has.