GUEST POST: MEN WHO MAKE ME SWOON

I’d like to thank author Jenny Schwartz for contributing this guest post about romantic heroes who make her swoon. I asked her to write one after we had a giggly Twitter conversation that involved creating a new hashtag – #whomakesyouswoon. Jenny is an Australian contemporary romance author. Her books celebrate the joy of falling in love and the freedom of choosing to follow your heart. She has a degree in Sociology and History — people watching and digging into the past — and a passion for reading, especially books with a guaranteed happy ever after. Her Jardin Bay series captures her love for Australia, and for sexy heroes and the determined women who drive them wild. You can find out more about Jenny at her website, on Facebook, or on Twitter.

Thanks, Monique, for inviting me to share five heroes who make me swoon. It’s been wonderful fun thinking about some of my favourite books, picking and choosing between so many (sadly fictional) men to share just five. I’m surprised at how varied they are. Here goes:

1. Superintendent Luke in The Tiger in the Smoke by Margery Allingham. Luke actually has his own romance in The Beckoning Lady, but Tiger was my first Allingham read and the power of her description of him just walked him off the page and into my heart. He’s not even the hero of the book, but Allingham was such a gifted writer that her characters don’t have to occupy centre stage to be unforgettable.
2. Charles Cornick from Patricia Briggs’ Alpha and Omega series. He’s such a loner, yet you feel his heart, his wanting to love and be loved, and how true he is to Anna. I adore Charles.
3. Saunders from The Mettlesome Piece by Anne Hepple—this is a difficult book to find. It’s from the 1950s and Saunders is the amnesiac hero. This is the wounded hero trope beautifully written, set in post-WWII Britain. A strong man constrained by his lack of identity, but fighting on, wanting more and achieving it. Daring to love. Being loyal. Oh, I could rave about Saunders forever. Also shows how achingly effective poetry can be when used to woo a woman and readers.
4. Almost any of Susan Napier’s heroes, but I’m going to go with Marcus Fox for being so honourable in Reckless Conduct, but I recommend picking up a five book collection for $10 on Amazon. The boss and secretary trope can feel tired, but this is an emotional, original story that still holds its magic after many rereads.
5. Carrot. No, I’m not crazy. A guy named Carrot is one of my favourite heroes—he’s from Terry Pratchett’s fantasy series, The Discworld, and he is amazing. Watching his growth through the series, watching his complicated romance with Angua. He’s fabulous. But then, I think Terry Pratchett may be the author I most admire. Such sharp social commentary combined with compassion—and it’s all there with Carrot. You can meet him for the first time in Guards, Guards.

And of course, I hope my own heroes appeal to you. Theo Morrigan, from my new release Kiss It Better, was fascinating to write as he struggled with some major issues to hold onto his sense of self and find his way forward. Here’s the blurb:

Dr. Theo Morrigan knows a thing or two about responsibility, leaving his own medical practice to take over a family business. He knows his mind, his future, and how he wants to live his life – until an old secret resurfaces and rocks his whole world. Suddenly, the man who needed no one needs a broken-hearted nurse, and a nurse who thinks she’s too weak will find her own strength. You can buy it here: Amazon

I’d love to know who makes you swoon – if you’re on Twitter, tweet me using the #whomakesyouswoon hashtag. Go!