Holding Out for a Hero... a BETA HERO
When I hear/read about heroes, most times the word that comes before it is AlphaAlphas are the leader of the pack, the rough and tumble man who runs head first into the fray. The guy that can sword fight the enemy and defeat the Huns all while kissing the stuffing out of his lady love. He's big. He's rough. He's amazing!!
But I love my Beta heroes as well.
What is.. or rather.. Who is a beta? What is he like?
Betas are softer in some ways. We're not talking about a beer gut or couch potato... we're talking about different kinds of 'soft'-er.Where an Alpha may dive into trouble, the Beta may have a more intellectual method of problem solving. Where an Alpha maybe sweep a woman straight off of her feet and over his shoulder, a Beta might show her gentle affection. That's not to say he's not passionate, but he just expresses it differently.
Huh... still not sure?
Darcy - dark, brooding, brash Alpha
Tilney - witty, humorous, gentle strength Beta
How about Western TV heroes - Big Valley -
Nick - headstrong, fighter, ladies man Alpha
Jerrod - lawyer, more settled/mature, Beta
Pa, Almonzo, Adam (Mary's Husband) -
dependable, salt of the earth, gentle... but is there any doubt they loved their wives with passion and deep emotion? nope...
When I sit down to write, I don't say that I'm going to write Alpha or Beta. The character type depends on the situation, but when I write my Sweet Historical Western Romances, you'll find that my heroes are always Betas.
A simple touch, a softly spoken word, he's a man with more of an inner struggle than an external one with fists swinging or guns blazing. But he's a man who I think exemplifies the phrase 'still waters run deep.'
They're not always the men who call attention to themselves, but they're just as much in need of a good woman
Who are My Beta Heroes?
Hayden Samuels worked hard to make something of himself. Unable to follow in his father’s footsteps he found work that gave him a purpose and joy. Now he has to return and tell his father that he wants to live his life on his own terms, even if that strains their relationship to the breaking point. But when the stage rolls into town he comes face to face with a young woman that makes him think twice about leaving.
Hampton Wells has been working hard at one train station after another, biding his time until there’s a job for him to be the one in charge. Trouble is, he’s been hiding an important secret from his friends and his boss. And now, temporarily situated at Sweetwater Springs during a snow storm, his secret is about to be revealed and threaten his job. Or, he could let down his walls and ask for help. But that’s not really the kind of man that he’s been.
The Express took men and rode them hard across the West. That adventuring spirit belonged to men full of life, ready for whatever met them on the trail, everything, except for love.
Ransom McCain was the last man hired to ride for the Three Rivers station, but he was chosen to take the first ride west because he could think on his feet. Tensions are high because there are people determined to make the express fail, and little does Ransom know that he would fall for a woman caught in the crossfire.
'Quinn' - Most people in Bower know him as a hermit, a mountain man who hardly talks and likes company even less. His parents named him Livingstone Quinn, but unlike his namesake, he doesn’t want to explore. He doesn’t want to discover. He just wants his peace and quiet, all by his lonesome with his animals on his homestead. When Brigid literally falls at his feet, he keeps telling her she needs to leave, but shocks himself when he keeps finding reasons for her to stay. What will he do when he runs out of excuses?
What Betas await us in the future? I can't wait to find out!
Reina Torres -
Email - reinatorresauthor@gmail.com
You write marvelous Betas! I have enjoyed everyone one of these gentlemen.
ReplyDeleteThanks :D
DeleteI love betas so much I married one. :) Men like those you listed are just as strong as the alphas, but don't feel compelled to flaunt their strength. Great post, Reina.
ReplyDeleteBetas are the rocks that can support you and stand the test of time in their own way
DeleteI write beta heroes too. I don't like books with an alpha. My hubby is a beta. Love him to death! LOL I agree with Caroline, in that betas know their own strengths and don't need to flaunt it like an alpha. Great post!
ReplyDeleteLike any base of a character type, they have their own unique qualities... but for me the most endearing heroes are generally betas :D
DeleteI am married to an alpha who can be a beta with me and the kids; but alpha in his work, the ranch work, etc., which is why I call him Ranch Boss in my blogs. I think heroes can be both depending on where they are operating. There is also another category I read about in romances-- the wounded hero but I can't remember what they called that one. I think it started with a Z?
ReplyDeleteZ? Zeta?
DeleteI've recently heard of characters that are alpha and beta in different facets of their life... they were called Gamma I think