I’ve been thinking about dark, tortured heroes lately. You know, the really angsty ones. And I’m trying to narrow it down to favourites. I’ve got Black Niall from Linda Howard’s Son of the Morning and J.R. Ward’s Zsadist - that is one seriously screwed up Brother! Then there’s Frances Crawford from Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond Chronicles - the subtle, intelligent sort of alpha.
I’m going to be guesting on the wonderful Lauren Dane’s blog this Thursday 25th September - yes, coming right up! For some reason (could it be that I’ve just written one of these guys? *grin*), I’ll be discussing just what it is about these “walking wounded, but I’m so tough” men that draws romance readers.
Dunno if it’s the stare or the cleft chin, or both… *shiver*
So help me out with my preparation here, guys. Who’s your favourite dark, broody guy in romance fiction? To partly answer my own question, Heathcliff never did for me. Here in Oz, we’d say he wasn’t the full quid, or he had a few too many ‘roos loose in the top paddock. Definitely a bit on the stalker side…
And, BTW, this is a BIG HEADS-UP!!! I’ll be giving away books on Thursday, so drop around and bring that strong, tortured eye candy along with you for a chance to win. 
Lauren Dane’s place, okay?
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First off - that picture is incredible, as both an image and as a Photoshop exercise. In case you haven’t figured it out, the face is the ever wonderful Timothy Dalton, and the ears, curls and shirt are Elijah Wood as Frodo. Or, I could be wrong, and it’s completely Timothy Dalton, as Frodo.
But, to answer your question - who’s the best dark and broody guy in romantic fiction? For me, hands down, it’s got to be Jane Eyre’s Edward Rochester, which is ironic, since the very best Mr. Rochester was portrayed by none other than Timothy Dalton. I agree that Heathcliff was more than a little mentally ill (and Kathy was just too stupid for words), but give me dark and dangerous Edward Rochester any day.
I just finished Liz Carlyle’s Never Romance a Rake, and I think that her Keiran Rothewell is one of my favorites too. Dark, dangerous and delicious. Also, just about any hero from Anne Stuart - but particularly Nicholas Blackthorne from To Love a Dark Lord. Adding to the list is Wulfric Bedwyn, who I must say seems to be modeled somewhat on William Cavendish, the 5th Duke of Devonshire - but only on the surface (I just saw The Duchess) - although Wulfric, being a Bedwyn, would never have an adulterous affair, least of all with his wife’s “best friend.”
Lita, this is terrific! Oh yes, Anne Stuart does a great line in dark heroes - especially the men in her “Ice” series. I loved them so much, I blogged about them, in fact. Here - http://www.deniserossetti.com/blog/2008/05/08/meet-the-picky-bitch/ And Wulfric, oh yum!
As for the photo, no, I didn’t realize. For a while, I had my wires crossed and thought it was Lawrence Olivier. Dalton looks a lot like him. And definitely a trifle off his trolley, despite being gorgeous.
Another one for the list is Zarek from Sherrilyn Kennyon’s book “Dance With the Devil”. Love that book.
I was going to say Wulfric and then Zarek but (sigh) someone beat me to them. How about Zarek’s brother Valerius from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s “Seize the Night” as well. He tried to do the right things but his acts always ended up hurting those he tried to help. So he formed the ice coating to keep the world at bay. Or how about Josh from Joey W. Hill’s “Holding The Cards?” He was wounded by a woman and needed to realize his worth. I could also say Jan from “Tailspin”. Again, a good man wounded who love needed to heal. Those are mine.
Denise, you’ve already mentioned one of my faves -Zsadist as well all those in the Brotherhood. All dark and mysterious. Another one is Quinn from Keri Arthur’s Riley Jensen series.
What about Archeron for his mystery and strength, from the Dark Hunter series?
Love the photo…
Oh yes, Meg, Sherrilyn is great at those dark broody guys. All that god-like stuff - honor and responsibility for saving the world. Definitely larger than life!
Oh Clynax, I love a wounded hero! It’s so deep-sigh satisfying when the heroine finally reaches that tortured soul. Ahh…
Oh Eleni, that Quinn is just drop-dead sexy! (literally?
) An absolutely perfect example of the allure of the dangerous, centuries-old vampire. Whoo hoo! Vampires make fabulous broody heroes, tailor made for the job really. 
Mary, I still haven’t read the Archeron book, though I know everyone has been hanging out for it. When I’ve finished the WIP, I’ll have him as my reward. *sigh*
Hmmm … I’d have to go with Zarek from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s series. And then there would be Z from JR Ward’s series as you have mentioned. Gee .. it must be a ‘Z’ thing LOL! I find myself very much attracted to these dark guys. I have no idea why. I know in real life I’d be ‘heading for the hills’ if I ever encountered one LOL!
Lyn, I think it must be the fantasy that appeals. In real life, I don’t think I could cope with all the emotional baggage, though the unbelievably brilliant sex would be some recompense.
And to be frank, I’d be itching to hit some of these guys upside the head with a lump of two by four. heh heh Just as well My Beloved is the steady, uncomplicated type.
I posted this over at the blog you were featured on and I’ll post it here too. LOL!
My favorite tortured hero (besides Jan and Fort) is Lachlan from Kate Forsyth’s Witches of Eileanan series. He was a prince that was changed into a bird by his sister-in-law and her mentor and they tried to kill him. He had been found by his aunt and changed back to a man, but he still had wings and if I remember correctly clawed feet. He had to wear a special cloak that hid his wings and make him look like a hunchback because he was still being hunted. All the while he’s trying to regain his throne from his SIL who is Queen and slowly killing his brother. There are other players in this series of course, but he’s one that stood out because he’s so angry about the things that have happened. The series is more likely to be considered Sci-Fi/Fantasy, but there is some romance in it. I recommend the series to everyone. You can learn more at her site. http://www.kateforsyth.com.au/
I’m not suprised to see Zarek (one of my favorites) show up here. On Amazon someone posted a question asking who people’s favorite Dark Hunter was and Zarek was everybodies choice (except for those who preferred Wren, 2nd most popular). A somewhat more obsucre but very interesting hero is Christian from Laura Kinsale’s “Flowers from the Storm”. He’s a regency rake who has a stroke and is unable to speak. The heorine is a Quaker and dresses in the way that Quaker’s of the era did and is his keeper at the “mental hospital” he is locked up in. Christian doesn not always treat her well nor does he completely recover all his speaking abilities. I read the book once when it was first published in the late 80’s but remember the book better than some I have read this year! It still sits on my bookshelf.
Jenny, I really have to get hold of Zarek! But as for Kinsale’s Flowers from the Storm, it’s one of the most extraordinary romances I have ever read. In a class of its own. Exactly like you, I read it many years ago, but Christian and Maddy have stayed with me ever since. An incredible book.
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