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Thursday, October 18, 2012


Greetings from New Mexico! I'm at Gay Rom Lit this week, and writing from my lovely hotel room in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. As I write, I'm looking out over the miles and miles of desert, where the lights of Albuquerque sparkle in the dark from miles away.

Right now, I'm in a lull between books; The Bacchi released a couple months ago and Dream Hunter will come out in December. The interesting thing about these books is that they're both m/m, and the heroes have such diverse personalities. And...neither book features a truly alpha male, except in a supporting capacity. I suppose you could call Lefi and Afton from the Bacchi beta males, while Travis (Dream Hunter) is bordering on being an omega. And Dylan is a dominant man, but too much of a loner to be a real alpha.

When I think of an alpha male, I don't generally think of the lone wolf, strong silent type, nor do I think of the over-aggressive, over sexualized male. Because I have so much background in animal behavior, I see alphas are nurturers. They are care-givers and protectors. Sexually, they are often dominant, but not always. Sometimes my alpha males like to be tended to and protected, handing the reins of control over to their partner. It's what I see in the pack structure of my Siberian Huskies. My alpha male doesn't only control the other dogs, when they're out together he watches over them as they doze in the sun or play together. He breaks up squabbles and leads them in their happy howling sessions. He is also serviced by the other dogs, who clean his ears and wash his face. Levi (my alpha Siberian) is one vital cog in the functioning unit of our "pack."

The most overtly alpha male I've written to date is Chase Montenegro from the Truckee Wolves series. He's followed by Armand de la Croix in Belle Starr and Dane Blacque in Blacque/Bleu. Helios Dayspring lands in this list as well. With the exception of Helios, all the others are shifters from various paranormal series. Helios is unique because he's not only a human, but he projects himself as more of a beta male. However, Helios is firmly in control of his people and his family, though he rules with a soft touch. Armand is also very easy-going and isn't afraid to delegate. However, he knows that he's the one who makes the tough decisions and lives with the consequences.

Dane Blacque, on the other hand, is so alpha he's almost disturbing to write. He knows what every member of his pack is up to at any given time. He controls the breeding in his pack and generally is the only active male contributing to the bloodlines. Dane makes imperious demands of his adult children and expects to be obeyed. At the same time, he adores his children, grieves for years over the death of his estranged mate and will lay down all that he is to protect his pack. In the upcoming book "Dream Hunter," his son Travis notes that Dane is so in tune with his children and pack, that he knows the moment a crisis hits.

In the Truckee series, Chase hasn't yet developed the finely honed connection to his pack that Dane has, but grasped power by force, forging a pack from a rag tag collection of shifters who were imprisoned in labs and hunted by Abraxas. (a criminal organization) He took men, women and children who'd never walked free and forced them into the fringes of mainstream life. He helps them find jobs and learn simple skills, such as driving a car. Like Dane Blacque, he makes decisions for others and always acts in the best interest of his badly flawed pack, even if it means sacrificing his own happiness.  Chase will lie, steal and kill for his pack. Since his story plays out in an otherwise human world, the risks he takes are fraught with hazard. In fact, two of his lieutenants are given the specific task of disposing of bodies when pack members are forced to defend themselves.

Many, many people have asked when Chase's story is coming. At this point, I don't really know. I do know who is heroine is, though. I know the bare bones of his story but much of it needs to be told through the eyes of those who he serves, and who serve him.

What sort of alpha male do you enjoy reading about? What kind do you hate? Remember to leave a comment for your chance to win in the drawings for the Alpha Male Blog Hop! And be sure to visit all the participating authors!

Belinda
www.belindamcbride.com

39 comments:

Evie said...

I like when they're fun and a little bit sarcastic.
by.evie at yahoo dot com dot br

Anonymous said...

Great Post
kenny-jeanne@hotmail.com

Anonymous said...

Awesome blog thanks for a chance to win
stormyedmond@gmail.com

Sally Bibrary said...

Wow, what a great hop . . . so many reads to discover! I have to admit, I love my Alpha Males most when they're holding a leash, or at least a pair of fuzzy cuffs. :)

bellasbookslut [at] gmail [dot] com

laurie said...



Awesome blog thanks for a chance to win

parisfan_ca@yahoo.com

JeanMP said...

Great post, liked the comment about your dog, because I can see that behavior in my Akita.
skpetal at hotmail dot com

Jason said...

I love alpha males! :)

Jase
vslavetopassionv(at)aol(dot)com

Rachel said...

I love Alpha men, because I need someone as confident and dominant as me to have an equal relationship - I hate the feeling that my partner is less powerful than me and cannot make it without me.

And: my favourite Alpha male is Gabriel from Annette Curtis Klause's Blood and Chocolate.

Rachel oceanrebel333@gmail.com

Booklover Sue said...

I love everything about Alphas! Awesome Blog Hop!

susanmplatt AT hotmail DOT com

Anonymous said...

I like that they are a mix of bad and good :)I love when they are protective and make you feel safe.

Thanks for the hoppin fun !
~Kym
flwrs4ever(at)yahoo(dot)com

Liese2 said...

I love when they are confident and have a good sense of humor.
sqwalker2@gmail.com

Michelle Bledsoe said...

Alphas who are a little psychotic are the best...

koonie2888 at yahoo dot com

Brenda A said...

Wow! :) xstitchdiva at att dot net

Belinda G said...

Hey Lady!

Good to check out your site!

Doing the Alpha Male blog hop….oh yeah! I‘m excited to be a part of this hop! Wow, 200+ authors---a perfect opportunity to meet new authors! It’s always fun trying to visit as many sites as possible.

I love alpha heroes who are take charge men! They are loyal, loving and caring men. They usually have sexy looks, brains, money and a commanding presence that draws people. When they find their mates and fall in love they will move heaven and earth to stake their claim. This is exciting to watch even when they are not sure why they have to have or be with this particular person. An awesome love dance! It’s definitely addicting to read.

Thanks for the opportunity to win some great prizes.

Belinda G

belgre@comcast.net

Yvette said...

Great post and thanks for the chance to win.
Yvette
yratpatrol@aol.com

JanD said...

I love an alpha who respects others. It doesn't have to be overtly shown but at least he listens to others.
bituin76 AT hotmail DOT com

Deb PelletierC said...

Like that he is her protector.
r.d1@myfairpoint.net

Jennifer Mathis said...

i love that they are so protective about the ones they love even if it makes you want to choke them too


meandi09@yahoo.com

Alicia said...

I love that "take charge" attitude and how they are not afraid to go after what they want, even if it is no the easiest path.

Thanks for participating in the hop!

dmr8888 at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

I love my alphas to be strong, determined, honest, compassionate, and with something in their past that they had to overcome. I HATE whiny alphas.

phaedracamille@gmail.com

Jyl22075 said...

I like alpha males that are strong and have a take charge attitude. I also like a sense of humor. I do not like when they act like jerks.

Jyl22075 at gmail.com

rfg72 said...

You can have a strong powerful Alpha that enjoys a little pampering. The thing I hate is when they come off as arrogant asses cause they know it all!

rfg dot wwe at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

I love when they have a great sense of humor and take charge attitude (in books only lol). I hate when they are overbearing and chauvinistic!
Thanks for participating and best of luck!
Marlena
charmedpoms(at)yahoo(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I love when they have a great sense of humor and take charge attitude (in books only lol). I hate when they are overbearing and chauvinistic!
Thanks for participating and best of luck!
Marlena
charmedpoms(at)yahoo(dot)com

Tamara Hoffa said...

I like a caring, protective man. Hate the "I am always right" type
sugerlady@aol.com

magic5905 said...

Love alpha males, thanks for the hop.
magic5905 at embarqmail dot com

Cassandra said...

I love how brave, strong, possessive, protective, and capable they are :)
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

Ashley Applebee said...

I love an alpha male that is strong, protective, take charge and dominate! yummy!!
I hate ones that are overbearing, obnoxious, or pompous!
Ashley A
ash_app@hotmail.com

Natasha said...

Thanks for the chance to win!
natasha_donohoo_8 at hotmail dot com

Carol L. said...

Love a strong dominant Alpha who knows what he wants and has the tenderness along with it for those he loves.
Carol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

mariehahn13 said...

I love a dominantly possessive and strong alpha male who has a gentle and loving side :) And one who isn't afraid to get a little *ahem* kinky... in the bedroom :)

Thanks for a great giveaway! :)

Marie
songbird1613 at yahoo dot com

Barbara B. said...

I like a sexy Alpha male that is strong, muscular, dark, protective and loyal to those he loves, possessive of his female, a good fighter, and has a sensitive, loving side.

Barbara
bbsbooknook@aol.com

Kaylyn D said...

I love the Alpha heroes that have a sense of humor but I dislike the ones who don't listen. Thanks for the giveaway.
kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com

latishajean said...

Thank you for the great giveaway I love Alpha males who are strong and protective! What a fun blog hop Alpha males are my favorite!
tishajean@ charter.net

Veronika said...

Love this hop!
verusbognar (at) gmail (dot) com

Vanessa N. said...

I love alpha males because they're strong, confident, and will do anything for the one they love.

mythic021@gmail.com

Ramblings of a Part time Druid said...

Thank you for the chance to win. I love alpha males. Im super lucky in I dont have to read about mine he falls asleep next to me every night.

Debby said...

I like a touch of sarcasm and arrogance
debby236 at gmail dto com

felinewyvern said...

Thanks for the giveaway. I like Alphas who aren't afraid to show their emotional side.

ilona
felinewyvern at googlemail dot com