The #HistoricalHeroes contest is winding down-the last day to submit is July 6th! Meanwhile, here’s a peek into the heroes that catch the UK editors’ attention… (Originally posted on the M&B site!)
Who are the best #HistoricalHeroes of all time?
With our #HistoricalHeroes contest well under way, here at Paradise Heights we thought the beginning of Week 2 was the perfect opportunity to chat Historical Hunks, and what it is about men from the past that get our pulse racing (I know, right, any excuse to chat about gorgeous guys)!
A quick poll of the office reveals that our tastes at Mills & Boon are wide, varying and sometimes downright bizarre! Answers ranged from Robin Hood (it’s something about the bow and arrow), to Cesare Borgia (if you can look past some fairly dubious qualities) to Mr Rochester (we love our heroes dark and moody). Then there was Claudius from I, Claudius (our heroes have to have layers!), Leonidas from 300 (he respects women but is also the ultimate hardcore warrior), Jin from House of Flying Daggers (the perfect hero for a feisty heroine) and William Thatcher from A Knight’s Tale (he’s funny, charismatic, charming and knows how to dance!). And finally, my favourite answer of all was from someone who shall remain anonymous, who declared that their secret historical crush was the real life Prince Rupert – long hair, pantaloons, debonair poses and all!
So, with so many different heroes with such varying traits, we had to ask ourselves, what is it that links them all together? Maybe it’s their alpha qualities that attract us, and the knowledge that they willalways be able to protect us, even if as 21st century women we like to think we can handle ourselves on the battlefield (as anyone who has braved the London Underground during rush hour can testify to)! Or is it the way they appear brooding and aloof at first, but ultimately show themselves to have a heart of gold, only revealed for the right woman of course? Or perhaps it’s that taste of the exotic, a flavour of another time and another way of life, which can’t help but spark our imagination and make us picture ourselvesin the place of Elizabeth Bennet, of Isolde, of Juliet? Whatever makes them stick in our minds long after we’ve met them, there’s one thing you can be sure of, at Mills & Boon, historical heroes are here to stay!
The Historical team are ready and waiting to find their next favourite historical hero, so what are you waiting for?!
Good luck!
Linda, Kathryn and Nicola
Harlequin Mills & Boon Historical Romance team
PS: if you can’t get enough of #HistoricalHeroes, check out #HarlequinHistorical author Bronwyn Scott’s fabulous blog of her favourite heroes – hunky pictures included!https://bronwynswriting.blogspot.co.uk/
3 replies on “Favorite Historical Heroes…”
Lol. Really enjoyed this post.
For me it’s the air of mystery. I mean who were these guys really?
As a child I grew up with cartoons of Robin Hood and Ivanhoe.
I’m actually fascinated with Frederick the Great (or II). I mean he wasn’t the most attentive husband (you know, visiting her once a year doesn’t count)… but yeah. Interesting life story. xD
On a broader basis I’ve got a bias for stories set in East Asia (i.e. Jeannie Lin). Give me a warlord or ronin, please!
Hmn! Interesting. As a child, I really did hanker after Robin Hood. Although given how much I dislike camping, it would never have worked. Currently, I’m interested in the early nineteenth century men who built our modern world. So men of intelligence and capability like Darwin and David Bryce (Scottish architect).
I love those clever quiet brooding types too but my vote goes to the men of action. Crunchy on the outside but with a soft centre!
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!