Today's guest is multi-genre romance author Helen Hardt of Helen's Heroes...

If you are not familiar with Helen's Heroes, it's only the hottest collection of men you've ever seen.

Welcome, Helen! It's such a treat to have you here. I know you have something wonderfully seductive up your sleeves today. Can't wait to hear what you've got in mind to talk about.

Dayana, thank you for having me today! Let me ask a couple of questions.

WHY DO WE LOVE OUR ALPHA MALES?

What is it about those Alpha males?

Romance readers love them, and I’m no exception. The Alpha caters to our fantasies, our base needs. He’s devoted to his heroine with an almost savage intensity and is willing to move the world for her. He can make her his with a glance of his smoldering eyes. He takes control in the bedroom, fuels her own desire.

Is this what we want in real life? Today’s woman is independent and free thinking. Not too many of us would react well to a man taking Alpha control.

But in a romance novel? Oh yeah…

The Alpha of all Alphas is, in my humble opinion, the Alpha werewolf. The fierce loyalty and passion that floods him when he finds his mate gets me every time. Talk about belly tugs ;).


My upcoming dark paranormal, Blood Wolf, features just such an Alpha wolf. The problem? Damian MacGowan was abandoned by his birth mother and grew up as the adopted son of a castle caretaker in a small town in contemporary northern Scotland. Consequently, he knows little about his condition. When Suzanne Wood tumbles into his life, he wants her, needs her, must have her at all costs. But he doesn’t understand why. To make matters worse, a dangerous enemy lurks nearby, intent on destroying him.

Reaching into the psyche of both man and beast was a challenge I enjoyed. Damian is definitely Alpha, but he’s also gentle and kind. His struggle with his feelings and with his condition is heart-wrenching at times.

Do you have a favorite Alpha hero? Wolf or otherwise? Why do you love him? Tell me in a comment. You’ll be entered in my drawing for a prize package that includes a print copy of Lawmen and Outlaws which contains my western historical novella The Outlaw’s Angel, a book thong, and a download of your choice of one of my erotic shorts: Seduced in Seoul, Passion in Paris, or Thai’d Up.

Blood Wolf is one of the winners of the Got Wolf? Contest sponsored by The Wild Rose Press and is coming in October in an anthology with the other long winner. I hope you enjoy the following excerpt:

Damian approached her, took her hand in his, and caressed her palm with his scabbed fingertips. “I don’t expect you to understand this when I can’t explain it to myself. But there is not a doubt in my mind that you belong with me.”

“You don’t know anything about me.”

“I know your hair is the color of burnt mahogany, and it feels like silk against my skin.” He sifted her tresses with his fingers, then cupped her cheek. “I know your eyes are like the night fog, with little golden sparks that pierce the thickness around my soul.” He ran his thumb across her lower lip. “I know your mouth tastes of wintergreen and fresh blueberries. I know your body feels like heaven pressed to mine. I know your beautiful name fits you. I know there’s an idiot somewhere who let you go, but I thank God for his stupidity.” He lightly traced the angle of her jaw line. “I know ye’re mine.”

Suzanne quivered; her juices pooled in her panties. This man was seducing her with mere words. She was close to climaxing already, something she had only managed previously by masturbating. Never with a man.

“I won’t force you to lie with me,” Damian said, “but I will share this room with you. That’s not negotiable. I need to be close to you.”

“I can’t allow you to stay here. If you want the room—”

“I said it’s not negotiable!” Suzanne jumped as Damian pounded his fist into the adjacent wall. “I need to be with you. I need your scent near me.”

“What you want is impossible.” Her voice cracked with nerves. “I refuse to share a bed with a man I just met.”

“I will leave you alone, but we will share this bed.” He lifted his shirt over his head and threw it over a chair. She gulped in a sharp breath. His chest was golden and beautiful, pure muscle accented by a smattering of black hair. Suzanne instinctively looked away as he began to unbuckle his jeans.

“No.” He cupped her face in his hands, forcing her gaze onto his. “I need you to look at me. To see me.”

More about Helen:

Helen Hardt is an attorney and stay-at-home mom turned award-winning romance author. She met her real-life hero in law school, and they live in Colorado with their two teenage sons. Helen writes contemporary, historical, paranormal, and erotic romance. She is currently contracted with The Wild Rose Press and Ellora’s Cave. Her non-writing interests include Harley rides with her husband, attending her sons’ sports and music performances, traveling, and Taekwondo (she’s a blackbelt.) Visit Helen at www.helenhardt.com and www.helensheroes.blogspot.com