I’m thrilled to be celebrating the release of West of Want, the second book in my Greek-mythology-based Hearts of the Anemoi series! Part of my excitement comes from waiting so long for this book’s release (since it was originally supposed to be in April) and part stems from this being my first book in bookstores! What a thrill that is! 
Today I want to talk about alpha heroes. Traditionally the stars of all romance novels, alpha heroes are powerful, arrogant, domineering, protective, possessive bad boys. Nothing bothers them. Nothing affects them. At least they don’t show it if it does. And they often don’t even admit it to themselves. It’s not until all is lost that they finally confront their emotions and secret desires, and under emotional duress open up and admit what they feel.
But does that have to be the case? Can an alpha show some emotions? Admit some pain? Admit their fears, even if only to themselves?…and still be alpha?
The hero in West of Want is Zephyros Martius, Supreme God of the West Wind and Guardian of Spring. And he is an alpha (at least I think so) who shows emotions. dun dun dun.
“Hello, my name is Zeph, and I show my emotions.”
LOL!
Here’s why I think Zeph is an alpha:
- He’s the most supernaturally powerful of the four cardinal Anemoi and has extreme confidence in his powers
- He is decisive about what he wants and goes after it
- He is confrontational toward his brother, his greatest enemy
- He is dominating in the bedroom
- He is protective and hyper possessive
- He can be stubborn to a fault
- He can be suspicious and wary until you earn his trust
But here are the qualities that make him less than traditional:
- He can be temperamental, is sometimes sensitive, and expresses his pain
- He acknowledges his emotions, even if only to himself
- He is as prone to withdrawing from as confronting his problems
- He does care what people think
- He can be extremely caring and demonstrative with his emotions with certain people
So, can he still be alpha?
My all-time favorite alpha males are J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood vampires. Man, they are alpha like you hear about. And Zsadist is my favorite of all. Zsadist, who is powerful, confrontational, arrogant, uncaring, domineering, stubborn, and protective, and who is also temperamental, withdrawn, aware of his emotions (even if he hates them and tries to avoid them), and self-absorbed. Zsadist also shows his more sensitive, emotional, caring side well before the all-is-lost moment. I could make similar run-downs of Wrath, Rhage and Butch, too. (I’d say Vishous is more pure alpha, while Phury is a good example of a total beta).
So I’m wondering if there isn’t a new alpha in town. What do you think? Can an alpha hero shows emotions…and still be alpha? One commenter who leaves their email address will win an ebook of West of Want. Open to international! Good luck!
Thanks for reading!
Laura Kaye
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Don’t miss the West of Want Blog Tour (thru 8/15) and the West of Want in the Wild (thru 9/1) events, too!
“Laura Kaye’s captivating writing and vibrant world-building will have readers hooked on the gods of the Anemoi. WEST OF WANT is steamy, spellbinding, and a must-read for all romance fantasy fans.” ~Elisabeth Naughton, author of the Eternal Guardians series
About West of Want:
Betrayal is all he’s ever known, but in her, he’ll find a love strong enough to be trusted…
When Marcella Raines’ twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she’s gravely injured–and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce–Ella fights to survive.
Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn’t protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he’s sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph’s heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her.
Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting…everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want–a love that can be trusted.
About Laura Kaye
I think a hero can still be alpha while having some beta qualities. People are not black & white or absolute. There are many facets to a person & Admitting to having emotions to himself doesn’t detract from a hero’s alpha status.
Wolphcall(at)bellsouth(dot)net
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I agree that people are more complex than that–that’s a good point! Thanks for kicking off the comments, Lisa!
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I think that an Alpha hero can show emotions as well, just because they are strong and in charge doesn’t make them made of stone (well at least not a heart of stone, other places should be hard as stone lol) An Alpha my display emotions differently, I mean I don’t think they are going to have a pity party and cry maybe a brooding party and scowl :0) Just my 2 cents, Carin
mawmom(at)gmail(dot)com
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Laura Kaye Reply:
August 4th, 2012 at 9:35 am
Thanks Carin! I really liked where you said an alpha may display emotions differently–I think that’s very true!
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I think alpha heroes can show some emotion. It’s not really believable if he doesn’t. I mean, people are not stereotypes. Alphas may *hate* feeling or showing emotions, but it happens. I like my characters to be multi-dimensional, so I find it even more appealing if you have an alpha with a strong emotional streak, especially if the emotions lead to a happy ending and a fuller existence.
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Laura Kaye Reply:
August 4th, 2012 at 9:36 am
I so agree with this. I think the character arc and redemptive payoff can be emotionally huge and satisfying with a more multi-dimensional character, too! Thanks for the great comment!
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Thanks for this great insight, Layra! I love alpha heroes who show their emotion (or at least the authors who let us see it!). Zsadist is my favorite of JR Ward’s dark vampire heroes, too. Another great hero who was tortured, damaged and alpha, but oh so vulnerable is Gabriel in Judith James’ BROKEN WING–her first novel and one to which I gave 5 stars. It’s reviewed on my blog today (http://reganromancereview.blogspot.com) should you want to read about it. Of course, his heroine had to be amazing, and she is!
Regan
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Laura Kaye Reply:
August 4th, 2012 at 10:31 am
Thanks for the recommendation of another similar alpha hero! Can’t wait to check it out!
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I think a hero can be alpha and still show emotions. Some of my favorite alpha’s are the wounded warrior types. I like my heroes alpha strong but I also like them to be a little vulnerable too.
seriousreader at live dot com
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Laura Kaye Reply:
August 4th, 2012 at 6:08 pm
Yes! I love that combination, too! Thanks Linda!
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I need an alpha to have some softness. Otherwise they’re just possessive overbearing jerks and they just annoy me and i spend all my time wondering what the hell the heroine sees in them!
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Laura Kaye Reply:
August 5th, 2012 at 6:39 pm
I think that’s a good point. A hero can have asshole moments but 1) not all the time, and 2) you have to be able to understand the emotional reason behind them to keep them sympathetic. Otherwise, it’s just as you said and you’re wondering why she likes this guy! Thanks Amy!
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I’m with Amy. I need a little bit of softness, too. That’s what propels the alpha from asshole to endearing.
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Laura Kaye Reply:
August 5th, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Agreed! Thanks Tracy!
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I think that an alpha can show emotions.
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Yep, me too. I think an alpha can show his deeper emotions – as long as they don’t interfere with him getting the job done, saving the world and getting his girl. One of my favorite books and heroes is Robin Stone from The Love Machine. He was *totally* shut off from his emotions and yet was incredibly sexy and high-fuctioning. In the end he defeats his internal demons and becomes an in-touch – still incredibly sexy – alpha male. Gotta read that book again!
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i agree with you all. Alphaholes just don’t do it for me. Give me broader scope for my hero any day. West of want looks great! Congrats with the fab reception it’s getting!
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Laura Kaye Reply:
August 15th, 2012 at 8:05 am
ALPHAHOLES! Bwahaha!
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I believe that an alpha can show emotion. That just makes him more real to me.
mythic021@gmail.com
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