Vikings and Other Bad Boys
Posted by Joanne Rock in Joanne Rock, tags: bad boy hero, Blaze historicals, viking
I love the Vikings. Not the Minnesota football team—I’m a Steelers girl all the way. I’m talking about the seafaring warriors who sailed to the New World and back long before Chris Columbus was born. They built kick-butt boats still admired today for their sleek construction. They brought trade and organized communities to many parts of England and beyond, leaving a lasting legacy.
Yet history so often paints these guys as bloodthirsty heathens who murdered and raped their way to power. Well, no surprise there since the Vikings did not leave a written record to tell us their side of the story. We only have the writings of the conquered, and how fair are they going to be?
I bring up the Vikings today because my current release features a Viking hero and I’m fairly partial toward him. And of course, in writing Wulf, I got to thinking about why—as readers—we’re continually drawn to those dangerous types. Vampires, Vikings, international super spies who can kill you silently in ten different ways. And this wondering brought me to my bookshelf—the source of answers to all of life’s questions for a reader.
I found a few different answers, but my favorite came from one of my personal writer heroines, the incomparable Susan Elizabeth Phillps. SEP has a contribution in the classic anthology Dangerous Men and Adventurous Women (Harper 1992, Jayne Ann Krentz ed.) Her essay about “The Romance Novel and the Empowerment of Women” reminded me: “The domineering male becomes the catalyst that makes the empowerment fantasy work. The heroine isn’t as big as he is; she isn’t as strong, as old, as worldly; many times she isn’t as well educated. Yet despite these limitations she confronts him—not with physical strength, but with courage and intelligence. And what happens? She always wins!” No wonder we love those dangerous guys—the harder they come, the harder they fall, right?
The essay is fun to read—the way anything Susan Elizabeth Phillips writes is fun to read. And I think she takes on a fundamental truth about romances that is deeply underscored with the dangerous hero. We don’t just read romance for the happy endings. We read to see a woman take on a man who challenges her in every way possible—and wins his heart. We love to imagine we have that kind of power. Sometimes maybe, we do. I know my Saxon heroine managed the feat. And I envied her the journey! I hope you’ll check out THE CAPTIVE, but either way, I hope you’ll enjoy the next feisty heroine you meet all the more – knowing she’s a reflection of the courage and strength we all strive for.
***So which bad boy hero lingers with you long after the book has ended? A bawdy pirate lord? A sexy bloodsucker? Maybe even a raiding Viking? Chat with me about your favorite bad boy heroes and I’ll give away a copy of THE CAPTIVE to one random poster.
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I admit it, I love the bad boy — he calls to the “naughty girl” inside the my “good girl” personality. I think SEP has a point in your article, though I never thought about it that way. Was talking to my niece just the other night about the appeal of the bad boy. I think it is part, opposits attract as well. The nice girl falls for the tough guy, the wild girl falls for the buy the book guy — sort of balances yourself out
yes! I agree on the balance… from a very practical standpoint, it helps to choose someone whose strengths fill in your weaknesses and vice versa. Makes for a strong couple!
Hey Joanne, no need to enter me, I already have this book.
Bad Boy heroes: Roarke from The Nora’s in Death series; Jason Bourne, “Shady Brady” Dan in Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series. Jamie Fraser in Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. Wrath from J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series; Michael Stone from Jessica Andersen’s Nightkeepers series; Wyatt Blackstone from Leslie Parrish’s Black CATs series; Stone Barrington from Stuart Wood’s Stone Barrington series; Sean Dillon from Jack Higgins’s books. I could go on and on.
I love the Vikings too. I have always had a fascination with them since I was a child. Leif Erikson (sp?) was my first introduction to him, and I wanted to learn more. I was intrigued by how they were able to build such big vessels. In my mind they were bigger than anything…I also love lairds, pirates, rakes, warriors of any kind.
I hope you are having a wonderful day.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
A smorgasboard of yummy heroes
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My favorite bad boy hero at the moment is probably Eric from the Sookie Stackhouse/True Blood book series. And yeah, now that I think about it, a major part of his dangerous appeal, as well as Spike’s from the Buffy TV series, is a feisty female going toe to toe with them, throwing them off balance.
By the way, The Captive sounds great, I love that Blaze offers such a variety of stories now, it’s great for someone like me who reads across the lines.
Thanks, Summer!! I like what Blaze is doing too… lots of great offerings.
Hmmm bad boys gotta love them!
There are so many great characters out there to enjoy… I have enjoyed dashing pirates, dangerous sheiks, vamps with attitudes, and love each and everyone that deals with the challenges handed to them… but most of all I love when cupid gets a hold on them! Off to meet more bad boys… 
Mmm… pirates! One of my favs was Susan Wiggs’ hero from The Charm School. Teresa Medeiros has a great one in Thief of Hearts, too.
I agree wholeheartedly with the first poster who mentioned the hotties from Ward’s BDB. Those men are all droolworthy and willing to put their lives on the line for those they love. Even though I love them all, I’m currently most obsessed with Qhuinn and am so psyched to see the jealousy he’ll be exhibiting in the new book.
I also enjoy those motorcycle driving, tattooed, pierced, leather jacket wearing heroes like from Lauren Dane’s Laid Bare and Coming Undone. I’m becoming flushed just thinking about those boys. They give the impression that they don’t care about anyone, but in fact care oh so much. They have a tender side they’re not scared to show.
Hey Jody, my fave of the BDB is Wrath and Tohr. Okay, I know I said fave, but Tohr tears me up everytime I think of him and Wellsie, so I try to put him in a safe space for me.
Since you love bikers, you might want to check out the Fallen Angels series by the WARDen too. First book is Covet and it’s already out. Crave comes out next year.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Yes Paula, I have read and enjoyed Covet and very much look forward to more books in the series. I know that Covet was very polarizing in the review department, but it totally worked for me. And yes, those three motorcycle men were a big part of why I liked the book.
Jody, I’m excited to read the next book too… soon!!
I’m not crazy about reading about Vikings and all but for some reason this book has got me curious. Maybe its because I like all your other books. And you make the hero and heorine come to life and the love scences are really hot.
Thank you, Carole! The Captive does take a lighter hand with the historical elements, I think. But if you don’t love the time period, that might not matter. It’s definitely got a strong hero though… I really enjoyed Wulf
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I like bad boy heroes who think they know what’s good for them in terms of love, especially if they think that love’s not for them and then, of course, fall hard for the heroine. One of my favorite heroes is Bo Black from Aussie Rules by Jill Shalvis.
Love Jill’s books!! I haven’t read that one though, and I remember it got really great reviews…. will have to track it down.
Hi Joanne!
I just read a great Viking hero/bad boy in Sandra Hill’s ‘Viking in Love”, also the privateer in Tessa Dare’s “Surrender of a Siren”, I love romance adventures on ships, yours sounds right up my alley.
And don’t get me started on Highlanders…Och!
Karyn, I just happened to reading about Scots history tonight! Am hoping to do some more Scots stories for next year.
I do love a good bad boy, especially a tortured soul type or the bad boy who becomes the reluctant hero. There’s a certain confidence that you need to be able to ignore all the rules, a strength that if only can be tapped into, could change the world, sort of.
I’ve always had a soft spot for Robin Hood and similar characters. I’d put Gabaldon’s Jamie Fraser there, trying to stop the injustice/catastrophe while considered an outlaw by most.
I haven’t read much on the vikings besides their role in settling Ireland. A viking romance could be a lot of fun. I’m loving the historical Blazes, hope for lots more.
I’m a Robin Hood fan too… do you remember the Disney version? The Robin and Marian plot line was pretty darn romantic!
The Disney cartoon version is one of my all time favorites and I can’t count the number of times I watched that one. One of my favorite singer/songwriters wrote and sang most of the music, so I loved it on two levels.
I’ve never seen the older live action version, though Amazon recommends it to me every time I log in there.
For me, the ultimate Robin’s the BBC version, passionate, charming, cheeky. I’m curious to see what Russell Crowe does with the role in the movie out later this year. I’ve been a fan for years.
I also like the bad boys. There’s a sense of being needed that plays a role for the heroine’s strengths.
I love Vikings, one of my favorite bad boys. I’m also partial to vampires and werewolves. Something about bad boys calls to the reader in me.
Your book is on my list to buy. I’ve loved the Blaze historicals so far.
Thank you, Nicole!! If you pop back in, you’ll have to know what authors you love for werewolf stories… I haven’t read much in this subgenre, but I’m open to new things!
I really enjoyed Michelle Hauf’s Moon Kissed. I have Immortal Wolf by Bonnie Vanak in my TBR pile. I read her online story on eharlequin that tied in with this story and loved it.
Sooooo, Joanne, are your sons bad boys? I’ve got one. At least that’s the way I’m thinking of him Right This Minute. :-S
They’re young yet, but I’m keeping a wary eye on one of them!! He’s vastly charming and entertaining, so that rogue side can sneak up on you.
I like bad boys, I think they are much more interesting to read about. I like pirates, vikings, military, law enforcement and really just about anything that the Blaze authors can write about. I love my Blazes.
Hi Linda! I always like seeing what the other authors come up with. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read a back cover blurb and thought– wow! wish I’d written this! Of course, it’s much easier to simply enjoy someone else’s telling than to think up my own story, but I’m definitely always inspired to see what everyone else is writing about.
Hi Joanne, I have a thing for bad boys too, and I’d always like Vikings. There was a very interesting documentary on History channel where they traced the Russians’ origin to the Vikings.
Hi Joanne, I was here yesterday and left a comment but it still says waiting for moderation. Love your site and the heroes mentioned here.
(L) *** Winner!! ***
The thread prize winner is Laure. Congratulations! I’ll be emailing you privately, but all you need to do is send me a mailing address at jrock008@gmail.com and I’ll ship out a signed copy of THE CAPTIVE.
Thanks to everyone for visiting! I’m anxious to check out some great heroes I’ve missed along the way (H) .
Congrats Laure! (*)