by Elizabeth Hoyt

The key, in my humble opinion, to a great romance is in the hero. I can get over a not-too-bright heroine, I can get over plot holes large enough to lose a minivan in, I can even get over tepid love scenes. But if the hero isn’t, well, heroic, then the book is a total loss

So what does make a hero?

In search of answers, I studied the lyrics to Bonnie Tyler’s well known anthem of feminine desperation, Holding Out For a Hero. Here I was helped by the fact that Bonnie’s song was on the only CD in the car on a long (very long) drive from Kentucky to Illinois that I recently made. What with the repeat feature on the car’s stereo system, I had ample opportunity to do in-depth research.

Let us consider Bonnie’s opening cry of pain:

Where have all the good men gone, and where are all the gods?

You sing it, sister! When I pick up a romance I want passion, I want pain, I want a guy who is willing to die for his love. Does that sound over the top? It might well be, but I can get average, nice guys everyday—I live with one. I’d never turn my hubby in because I wuuuuuv him, but when I’m reading romance I want that over the top fantasy hero.

Moving on the chorus, Bonnie states:

He’s gotta be strong
He’s gotta be fast

To which I reply, well, duh. Then Bonnie continues,

And he’s gotta be fresh from the fight

Now this line provoked quite the philosophical discussion between me and my critique partner as we drove from Lexington to Louisville. While I was all, Yeeha! I love a guy who can fight! My critique partner expressed dismay at the thought of sweaty guys. Hmmm. The thought of sweat does kind of turn me off, but not enough to reverse the whole I can defend you, babe, thing.

So that’s my thoughts on heroes. I end with the last line of Bonnie’s magnificent chorus which pretty much sums up this entire rambling column:

And he’s gotta be larger than life!

Below are some questions to ponder. I’ll be picking a respondent from EACH question to win an autographed copy of The Raven Prince!