What About Those Alpha Guys?

From Tarzan to Blade to Indiana Jones...
Alpha heroes have always been popular.

But deep down, who are those hunky, take-charge guys so often referenced in romance novels? Depending on whom you ask, an Alpha male might be likened to the biggest jerk imaginable.

I read a lot of comments from readers remarking on a like or dislike of Alpha heroes usually based on a skewed perception of what an Alpha really is.

So let me tell you - if you read a book where the hero was an obnoxious jerk, then he was just that, an obnoxious jerk.

If you read a book where the hero was wonderful and protective and determined to save the world, well, there you go. Hunky hero.

Alphas, like everyone else, come in different personalities. But please know, an Alpha does not automatically mean a know-it-all, bullying, SOB.

Just the opposite, in fact!

Dictionary.com describes "Alpha" as being "the highest ranked or most dominant individual of one's sex."

Please note, it does not say “being a jerk.”

It doesn’t say “cruel and conscienceless.”
It says dominant, which according to the dictionary is "Exercising the most influence or control."
Ah ha!

Control.

Yep, yep, I’d say Alpha Heroes are very much in control, and controlling.

NOT because they want to take away from anyone around them, most especially the heroine, who they hold in high regard.

But because they’re more capable and possess more confidence based on experiences.

Have you ever watched 24? If not, oh honey, you need to!

Jack Bower epitomizes the Alpha male.

I keep telling my husband that if everyone else in that show would just trust Jack, and always do whatever Jack asks of them, the world (at least, the world according to 24) would be a safer place.
Does Jack make mistakes?

Course he does.

Alphas aren’t perfect. They’re human beings doing the best they can with the circumstances before them.

In Jack’s case, while saving the world and all the innocents in it, he errs with compassion, with honor, with a dedication to what he thinks is right and wrong, and with a deep, abiding love of his country.

If Jack needs to kill a man for the better good of his country or to save a hundred thousand other people, he’ll do it.

Then he'll sit in his car, all alone, and suffer greatly because of it.

So here I am, explaining - based on flimsy dictionary descriptions and a really awesome television series - what Alpha heroes aren’t.

Now I’ll tell you what I think they are.

Alpha heroes are, 1st and foremost, emotionally and mentally strong.
True Alphas don’t need to bully or belittle others to feel better about themselves, and in fact, they’d stop anyone else from meanness if it was in their power to do so.

An Alpha hero is a defender of the underdog. Anyone smaller or weaker than himself automatically gets his protection, which also makes him protective and pro-active.

An interesting side note on being pro-active...

I read this personality test (an intelligent one, not a silly one off the net) that showed one major difference between Alpha people, and the rest of us: Their need to act, regardless of what anyone else might think, or their own misgivings.

Did you know that if there’s a crowd of 10 people, and one person collapses, the odds are better that the remaining 9 people will wait to see what someone else plans to do before attempting to help?

It's the old, safe, "wait and see" attitude.

But if there’s an Alpha in the group, he’ll be the first one to his knees, administering whatever CPR he knows – even if he’s never had formal training.

Alphas don’t care what anyone else thinks because they’re so confident and secure in their own worth.

My male protagonist in Say No to Joe? is totally Alpha.

For those of you who read it, remember the tattoo on Joe’s behind?

It read, “I Love Lou.”
(Within the story, you learn why it's there - but I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't read the book.)

The female protagonist, Luna, is surprised that Joe hasn’t had it removed, and asks him if he worries what women think when they see it.
Joe’s response is that no woman would ever question his sexual orientation, especially once she had his pants off, which is the only way she’d see the tattoo.

Usually Alpha’s are physically strong because it would go against their nature to be weak or ineffectual in any way. But those Alphas without physical might will make up for it with mental superiority or good old-fashioned hard work.
One way or another, they’ll stand out as exceptional.

Because they don’t like relying on others, Alphas are independent.
Think Bruce Willis in Die Hard.

Almost single-handedly, his character as John McLane takes down a group of terrorists.

Not just once, but in the sequels as well.

And each time, he’s alone in his efforts, going against authorities to do it – not because John McLane is a law breaker, but because he trusts himself more than anyone else, and never once doubts his perception of the situation.

Naturally, his perception is the right one.

No matter what it is, an Alpha will be sure he can handle it, and handle it right.
That means an Alpha can...

Make love like a stallion. An Alpha’s ego would be enough to ensure he’ll learn what’s necessary because leaving a woman dissatisfied would be a personal insult, a chip to the ego, and no true Alpha would allow that.

For this one, think Mel Gibson as Sergeant Riggs, in Lethal Weapon 2.

Note: In Lethal Weapon, Sergeant Riggs is suicidal over the death of his beloved wife but, when needed, he puts his own suffering aside and kicks some major butt for the better good.

True Alpha behavior!

An Alpha would never cry ignorance at something as simple as laundry, cooking, or disposable diapers. And since changing diapers guarantees interaction with a baby, it proves that Alphas can be tender, too.

When I wrote The Buckhorn Brothers, for Harlequin, the premise sounded very strange in a synopsis.

Four grown brothers, from three different fathers, living together and lending a hand in raising the oldest brother’s son – who wasn’t actually his son at all.

See?

Sounds very odd, doesn’t it?

Yet that series: Sawyer, Morgan, Gabe, Jordan, and later, Casey, remains one of my most popular series with readers. I think it’s because they were the truest of Alphas.

Independent Alpha would never depend on someone else to complete a task that he can learn. He’s confident enough to share responsibilities, but for instance, if his wife/woman gets ill, he’ll insist on caring for her.
And if the Alpha happens to be rich, he might pay someone to do tasks for him, but not because he can’t do them himself, or is too lazy to do them.

That means an Alpha would never sit in front of the TV (day after day) drinking a beer while his wife worked tirelessly on house and food and kids.

(Everyone gets a day off, though, including the wife!)

In that regard, the Buckhorn brothers didn’t care what anyone thought of them living together. They willingly lent a hand to anyone in need. They loved Casey, regardless of his parentage, and not only did they divide the chores of laundry, cooking and grocery shopping, they reveled in everything concerning Casey, including bath time and diapers.

Let's don’t forget Denzel Washington, in Man on Fire.

Okay, Denzel's character doesn’t change diapers, but he relates to a young Dakota Fanning better than her own parents. He starts out as a burnt out, bitter man wasting his exceptional abilities, and through common sense and compassion, he not only loves Dakota’s character, but he allows her to change him for the better.

What a hero!

Some of my favorite Alphas today, which have inspired my current series of books such as Jude’s Law and Causing Havoc (not out until Feb 07) are from the Pride and UFC fighting circuit.

It’s such a striking contrast to watch men do battle with strength, wit and determination, and yet, win or lose, they show respect and friendship to one another.

Most of my favorite fighters are in committed relationships.

They're all in excellent shape with muscles on muscles.

And they're all courteous and considerate.

While holding a giant trophy, smiling around a mouthpiece, mottled with bruises and sometimes blood, they say hello to their mothers, blow kisses to their wives, or wave to their children. They say "sir" and "ma'am." They are grateful and sincere, and that, to me, is extremely sexy.

So who's my favorite?

I think Bas Rutten epitomizes STUD. He's married, has 3 daughters, does great commentary on the fights, was a champion when he still fought, and shows such an incredible respect to everyone, while being super funny and obviously smart. He's all that... he'd make a great hero in a book!

That's why he’ll be the inspiration for the next single title that I start.

(At least, I hope he will be. But if my editor has a problem wtih him being bald... well, I may need to reconsider that. )

Alphas are smart, and by being smart, they don’t show prejudice against anyone because of race or sex. Remember Tarzan, the original Alpha? He could barely speak English. I think "Ungawa" was one of his favorite words, though I'm not sure what it meant. I think it was a catch all to direct elephants, defeat tigers, and woo Jane.

However wild Tarzan might have been, he always tried to care for anyone smaller, weaker, or in a difficult situation.

(BTW, did you know the original Tarzan flicks were unrated, and therefore Jane was shown naked many times! Total, complete nudity! On TV.

My husband and I were watching old b/w shows one day and saw it. Shocked me, it did. But it was also very funny to see.)

Alphas trust in their own abilities a lot, but they don’t put their own worth above others.

Overall, Alphas are honorable, protective, kind, and yes, controlling.


Some of my favorite MOVIE Alpha Heroes are:
* Harrison Ford, in Indiana Jones
* Wesley Snipes, in Blade

* Bruce Willis, in Die Hard
* Denzel Washington, in Man On Fire
* Kiefer Sutherland, in 24

and yes

*Tarzan

Some of my favorite BOOK Alpha Heroes are:
* James Mallory, Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey
* Anthony Mallory, Tender Rebel by Johanna Lindsey
* Knight Winthrop, Nightfire by Catherine Coulter
* Duncan of Wexton, Honor’s Splendor by Julie Garwood
* Dane Hollister, Dream Man by Linda Howard
* Wolf Mackenzie, Mackenzie’s Mountain by Linda Howard

Who are some of your favorite Alphas, either in movies, books, or in real life?

And lastly, would you be turned off by a hero with a shved head, ala the photo of Bas Rutten above? I really am curious about that one!

Weeeeellll.... that's it from me. A slight rant on what those super sexy Alpha hunks are really about.

And it's not meanness or cruelty.

I suppose because I love to write them, I feel compelled to explain them.

Have an awesome weekend everyone!
HUGS!