Poll: Who Tops Your Dream Hero List? by Natalie Anderson
70 Comments March 3rd, 2010 in heroes, poll Posted by Amyby Harlequin Presents author Natalie Anderson
I’m busy planning a new story which is such a fun part of the process. I love ‘designing’ the world where the story is set, what the season is, why the heroine is there… but best of all… what the hero is like!!!
Where he comes from – his family and country are really important factors to consider, and at the moment I’m focussing on the location. I have been toying with the idea of a Spanish hero. Generally I write Kiwi, Aussie or British heroes – mainly because I’m most familiar with those countries. But one of my most favourite places in the world is Barcelona and I’m itching to set a story there. Mind you, I’m also very keen on the South of France; Florence, Italy; some remote Greek isle; New York; or possibly St Petersburg…
Yes, there’s a bit of wish fulfilment going on here and you can see my problem! So many options make for a really tough decision! But I’ve figured out a solution – yes, I thought I’d ask which gorgeous foreigners do readers love the most?
Are you the kind of reader who picks up every book with ‘Greek’ or ‘sheik’ in the title? Are you intrigued by some of those unfathomable Russian types roaming round? Or is it whispers of Italian in a delicious deep bass that make you melt?
As a bit of fun I thought I’d put the question straight to you. So please vote on the poll now and let’s see how they all stack up! Do comment and let me know your reason for your vote as well if you’d like, or if there any I’ve missed that you’d like to see more of in Presents and Presents Extra stories! Thanks so much for voting!!!
Tagged with: author Natalie Anderson • favorite hero poll70 Responses to “Poll: Who Tops Your Dream Hero List? by Natalie Anderson”
- 1 Pingback on Mar 6th, 2010 at 3:02 pm
I went for the nuclear-hot New Zealander (though I was torn — I love British & Australian heroes, too!). Maybe because there’s a new season of The Amazing Race on TV…I love me some Phil Koegan.
And can I just say how cute does that poll looks? If I do say so myself
~Amy
Amy – its does look VERY cute!!! And hey, we have some very fine heroes here in NZ!!! But I like those one with a different accent to mine… there’s something very alluring about a foreigner!
I voted for the fiery frenchman, cannot resist the accent, although I am partial to a shattering sheik. I think the polls a great idea.
Amy…I agree…it’s a darling poll. It caught my eye anyway.
I’ll twitter this and hopefully send a few more readers over to vote. The best decision is an informed one and I’m keen to see what others have to say.
Natalie…isn’t it interesting that the most votes are going for the Russian? I’ve been toying with the idea of writing a Russian hero for a while (got a couple of sheikhs to do first though). As for me, you can keep writing your Aussies, love ‘em!
Hugs,
Lucy
Lucy – it is interesting about the Russians isnt it?! But its also very early days… there could be a charge from another very shortly… fun stuff!
Lucy – Thanks! Saw your post on Facebook.
Natalie – I voted Greek, but it was a toss up with them or the Aussies. I do love the dark Greek looks, but I love the Aussie accent. Also, someday I’m hoping to visit both locations. Both are pretty good distances from my home here in Pennsylvania. And I agree with the others, the poll is very cute!!!!
Amanda
Yeah, the Russians are new and they’ve been fun! I’ll be controversial though and say, I saw a poll that was taken by er…well traveled women (that’s a quote!) rating the world’s best and worst lovers by country…Russians were rated as the world’s worst. Eek! But I have to say, I’m loving all the Russians I’ve read in the Presents! (I voted for Italians though.
I’d love to see an African American Presents hero. Throwin’ it out there.
Nat, you meanie… In the interest of complete electoral transparency you really ought to introduce a single transferable vote system here, because frankly trying to pick just one nearly killed me.
In the end I went for the Adventurous American (cos I’m thinking Johnny Depp, always a winner!). But hey, the Brooding Brit and the Intense Italian were pretty darn hard to resist too and then there was the…. Well, you get the picture. Have just wasted about twenty minutes of my life dithering over this…
Heidi xx
PS: Anyone wanna guess who Kate ‘Banderas’ Hardy goes for?
*snicher* Heidi, I don’t pick books based on hero nationality because…I love them all. I do. There are far too many wonderful men in all cultures to only like one. Why discriminate??
‘I’d love to see an African American Presents hero. Throwin’ it out there.’
Absolutely Maisey, I’d second that… Which of course has nothing whatsoever to do with my obsession with local Hackney boy Idris Elba (aka Stringer Bell in The Wire!)
I went with the Brit — a bit of a salute to the hubby today as he’s being absolutely fabulous as I muck my way through the muddy middle of this book.
But all my heroes have been American so far, so I’m guessing there’s a soft spot in my heart (and a warm place in my libido) for my countrymen!
Too Weird — my captcha is “the Viennese” I think it might be trying to change my vote!
You second it eh…Hmmm…maybe I’m the one that oughtta run with it…! Using my husband as the model, natch.
Maisey – don’t ruin my Russian fantasy girl!!!!!!!! LOL… but yes, you run with the African American hero – would love to see that fly in Presents!
Picking just one is impossible huh? Kinda like trying to read only one Presents a month…
Shame we can’t vote more than once!
And interesting how so far we’ve all picked a FOREIGNER – see, so fascinating…
my captcha this time is ‘which wrestler’ – funny!
If it’s any consolation, American men ranked quite low too…but Spaniards and Italians were at the top!! LOL!! Australians didn’t do so bad either…
But yeah, the foreigner thing…it’s that contrast I think. The otherness…
LOL, Heidi. Whatever made you think that Kate ‘Banderas’ Hardy would pick a Spaniard? (I’d say sexy rather than stormy. And sweetheart. And… some of us are on deadline and shouldn’t be here
Nice choices, Ms Anderson!)
And I nearly, NEARLY picked Italian. (Hey. Guess where I’m going in four weeks and six days??)
(Dear ed. I’m working. Honest…)
While I love American men, and especially my own American hubby who is always so wonderful to me, I don’t especially have a desire to write about one.
I chose the sheikh, just because that’s the first HP I ever read and I still love those heroes! So far, I’ve written a Spaniard, two Italians, an Argentinian, a sheikh, and I’m currently working on a Russian.
So this poll makes me happy!
I’m almost halfway through the Russian book, so I’m glad that he’s a popular guy. I’ve been to Russia, so I was excited to get an idea that let me write about it. The book starts in Red Square, with it’s luscious church, red brick buildings, and uneven cobbles. It was so much fun to revisit in my story!
Kate – I had a hilarious time coming up with the ‘tags’ for those guys… and a big yes to sexy and sweetheart but I still kinda like stormy though – very thrilling!
Oh Lynn, we had a Russian day with our kids the other day and cooked a Russian dinner and baked some spiced biscuits and watched stuff on YouTube – i would LOVE to go there. Hubby and I were booked to go on the Trans Siberian Railway a few years ago – had paid deposit and everything but then he got a job opportunity he just couldn’t turn down… we’ll get there one day!!! Can’t wait to read your book
I chose the gorgeous Greek. However, my absolute favorite is today’s Scottish Highlander. Love the modern muscle man in a kilt…
Well, I’m like you, Nat, Kiwis, Brits or Aussies mainly. But I’m planning a story with a naughty Frenchman just now because…well…that accent is hawt. Oh and Heidi’s Irishmen do it for me too.
OMG. I think the captcha is psychic! You want to see what I got? ’screwed him’. Lol!!
Arrogant Australian?
Nope, not many arrogant guys here.
Now if you’d said amorous, I would’ve voted for the Aussies…
oh Nic- darn! I should have thought of that one… but I was trying for some ‘Presentsy’ tags…
And okay yeah I admit it, I wondered if one of you Aussies would call me on it – LOL!!!
Jackie – yay to the Frenchman!!!! Are you going to the South of France? Gotta LOVE the South!!!
I voted for the Brit. Main reason is that in the early days the brooding Brit made for some great alphas. In the past few years there have been many of the other type.
There also haven’t been many American heroes lately but being an American I like reading about someone different in the books.
Lidia – there were some fab brooding Brits weren’t there? They’re half the reason I went to live and work in London in my early twenties!!! (Of course, I fell in love with a New Zealander over there!)
… and the Brits have taken over from the Russians in the poll now!
I voted for the gorgeous Greek, but it was a very hard choice.
Aha! They all sound hot dudes, but honestly, it doesn’t matter his nationality…what makes a hero is his integrity, his values…how he treats the heroine. I looove a strong sexy man w/ character…a dash of humor too!
)) Best!
Also, I agree w/ Heidi…an African American hero, or Asian, native Indian hero…it’s not his nationality that matters..oh yeah, I already said that!
Sun Chara
Hi Natalie,
I’m married to a Brit, tall, dark, handsome, and eyes like Clint Eastwood.
I don’t personally give a damn where a hero is from so long as he has all the criteria necessary to come across as “HOT”, has element of charm, is dashing, a good dresser, and knows how to make a woman feel exceptionally good in every way!
Though have to say don’t go a bundle on
a) gangster (Mafia) dude
b) out and out “brute”
c) sheihks on home territory, when in real life I know their women have to wear the burka or niqab (face veil).
Western women wedding sheihks just isn’t convincing and rarely do these marriages last. The only countries where women are not forced to wear the veil is Jordan and Dubai.
One time queen of Jordan (English rose) divorced King Hussein!
Jemima Goldsmith (English rose) divorced Imran Khan! Just two of many such partings of the way.
If women don’t divorce a muslim husband before taking up with another man they’ll likely be stoned to death. So NO, no sheihk stories in this house.
Hee hee, thought all East European males (inclusive Baltic states) were branded shady, or vagabonds and thieves, so yes, a lot of potential with a Russian character methinks!
best
Francine
Haha, I know why the Russians were in the lead off the bat! Malle and I were the first two to vote & Malle picked Russian so in the first 5 minutes of the post it was 50% NZ and 50% Russian.
~Amy
Oh and while we’re on the topic of some new nationalities for Presents, Sandra Marton has a May book called “Blackwolf’s Redemption” with a Native American hero…
~Amy
Sun and Francine – of course you’re right in that its not the nationality but the characteristics of the hero that make him a Hero – his integrity, humour, compassion, strength etc… but indulge me in the fantasy moment – where then would you like a story to be set? Would it be London or a small English village, a Greek isle? Manhattan?
I just love these choices – picking one is impossible!
And Francine – your hubby sounds just gorgeous!
oh wow Amy – I can’t wait – I bet Sandra’s book will be FABULOUS – great title too!
And funny about you and Malle leading the charge… I see the Italians and Greeks are storming up there now too…
I love this poll and I’m glad to see the Brooding Brits out in the lead! I voted British, but not because they’re my favourite foreigners. I am British and I love reading stories about British characters because they make the fantasy that little bit nearer home. I too could meet my blue-eyed billionaire on the bus! Well, maybe.
But I have to admit that nationalities do make a difference to how likely I am to buy a book. I’m not a fan of the Middle Eastern characters – the sheiks and Arabs are scary, not sexy, to me. I don’t warm to the characters from cold climates either – the Russians, for instance. Spaniards, Italians, Frenchmen – yup, they all do it for me. I find it hard to take the Aussies and Kiwis too seriously – but that can make their books enjoyable in a different way, too.
Ros – you can’t take the Kiwis and Aussies seriously?! Hee hee – that’s because of their delicious humour, right?!
You know, I think many might initially agree about the cold climates thing… but then have you read Kate Hardy’s Temporary Boss, Permanent Mistress?!
I love them all. I’m not picky at all. Bring them all on, er, one at a time though
.
Captcha – “our cannon”. Whose, exactly? I’d love to know.
Hi Natalie,
Sun Chara
I love the Mediterranean settings, big cities London, Athens, Paris, Manhattan, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro, but it’s also wonderfully refreshing to see something different like Alaska, Antarctica… Moscow, Saint Petersburg… the cooler settings… Great contrasts! But who says it has to be one or the other? An English village is so charming, especially when the heroine is unexpectedly whisked to the cosmopolitan metropolis…ooh, a modern fairytale!
Aaand the sophisticate book covers, like a h/h in evening wear, limo in background, glitz ‘n glam…a real draw! But then again, a ‘mood’ piece set in a deserted castle/mansion out in the moors, or a snowbound lodge also captures the imagination! So much to choose from…
This is a fun topic, Natalie…thanks for posting!
I picked the Russian hero because I thougth no one else would and he’d be lonely — little did I know!
But when I think about Presents heroes, the hands-down winner, for me, is the fellow who does the Old Spice commercials (I’m on a yacht; I’m on a horse). Oh my! His shirtlessness does wonders for the female pulse. We need to start a campaign to get him on a cover.
Such a tough decision! I’ve always loved Greek men…so bad, so dark, so sexy. But lately I’ve been quite partial to Daniel Craig…hmmm…the strong, brooding, James Bond of a man.
Love this poll! I can’t wait to read the story and all about your Hero!
xo
Maggie Marr
Nat, what a delicious post. They all have their charms, don’t they? In books at least.
One thing about love in cold climates is how comforting in such places the average woman can find a big, hot, hefty hero. Better than a swansdown doona or a cashmere jacket from Max Mara, I’ve heard. (though I wouldn’t say no to the jacket)
Did anyone read Miss Smilla’s Feeling for Snow? Oh, that big warm mechanic who could cook a fine fish stew.
While I feel rather obliged to take Aussie and NZ people seriously since I’m surrounded by them and related to quite a few, I’ve opted for the classic Presents Italian hero this time.
Fantasy every time for me!
Malle!! I love that guy!! He has it all! LOL! Including a white horse and a handful of diamonds, not to mention serious muscles.
And he sort of reminds me of my personal alpha male. 
And I don’t think it’s a coincidence that after seeing that commercial I bought my husband Old Spice so he no longer had to use my lady scented body wash…
Nat, what a cool idea!! I voted for the Italian hero. I love, love, love them in Presents. (In real life, it’d be a Scottish hero and we all know why =) ) Can’t wait to see who wins!
Robbie
I did vote Italian because when you mentioned Florence, I could just imagine a scent on that famous Ponte Vecchio bridge or in Sigornia Square and of course “David”!
I find the Russian alpha interesting. I remember having a conversation with Jennie Lucas about her “Russian” release and I loved it!
You could always do what Lucy did, she ran a contest and I won.
I named the island for The Scorsolini Marriage Bargain and she dedicated the book to me…..great fun.
Love the post
To vote, to vote, who to vote for??? So many great choices
oh great votes and comments!!!
Sun you’re so right – more than one setting for sure!!! I love the ‘being whisked away’ fantasy…
And Amanda – way up the top of the comments there – your comment took longer to land – a big YES to both Greek and Aussie – how about a Greek Aussie? Or an Italian Aussie – huge big yeses from me on those ones!
Malle – I’m going to have to go online to find the Old Spice commercial…
oooh Maggie – I watched a Daniel Craig movie the other night – he does dangerous/protective/ultra physical veeerrrrry well doesn’t he?!
Anna and Robyn – yes, I’m very partial to the Italians too – and i’m very envious of your upcoming trip by the way Anna!!
Marilyn – those contests are SUCH fun aren’t they?! I shall think on it some
Joanne – its tough, but I’m gonna make you choose one. Just one now… you can do it…
Okay so its impossible – like having only one chocolate when a whole box is before you…
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, Oi, Oi, Oi!
Ummm my deepest apologies to those who have no idea what I’m on about.
I love my Aussie men, so I’ll go with the arrogant Aussie, besides it gives the heroine a challenge, bringing him down to earth.
Sandie
I just can’t resist those Italian males so I’m sticking with them. All that dazzling masculinity, those clear blue skies* and the rustle of a warm breeze* through an olive grove…irresistible!
*other weather patterns are available but hey, this is Presents we’re talking about!
Aw, Janette, I knew what you were on about. Took me straight to the sporting field, it did. Oy.
I went Russian – Carol Marinelli gave me quite a taste for them.
I write a fair few SE Asian settings and looking through the options noticed that Asian heroes weren’t on the menu. I haven’t been game to write one yet – I’m a bit intimidated by the cultural differences and how little I know about them – but what do you think? Yes? No? Why?
Hey, I just realised you didn’t have Irishmen Nat. I would have voted for one of those… Not least because Ireland is such a gorgeous country, even the rain, which makes it so lush and green and is always great to shelter from with a nice strapping Irish lad, lol!
But then again, I got my first kiss from a Frenchman (well, we were both 12 so he was a boy really), in the sand dunes on a beach in Normandy and wow did that kid know how to kiss… So maybe I should have gone with the French guy…
Oh my goodness, I can’t believe I’m still debating this a day later! I may never get back to my WIP…
Heidi x
PS: That Sandra Marton book sounds fab!
PPS: Why are my captchas always complete goobledeegook? Am certainly hoping that’s not a sign too!
What about the brooding irishman? or the smart mouthed irishman? or the colin farrell irishman?
I love irishmen so much I married one…
I don’t really mind which country Presents heroes hail from but I don’t touch sheiks (the books!!!) because of reading too many “having to shelter from a sandstorm” scenes in the past.
How about a rugged, castle-owning, kilt-wearing Scotsman for a change? Okay, so the weather in Scotland can be dire but the scenery and beaches are absolutely breathtaking.
Scots? Heck yeah!
I can understand the appeal of a Russian, though the Russian, Vlad, in my novel series is definitely not the hero. Personally, I like the big Eastern European dudes. Serbs and Croatians are very hot…of course, they’re southern Europeans, and so are Italians, the guys who got my vote in this poll.
What fun! I went with the Brooding Brit, as the two books I’ve written so far have featured one. There’s something about all that cool reserve shattering…
This is a great idea Natalie. I went for the Sheikh, I adore them. Only thing was, I could practically have gone for each category. I don’t know what that says about my reading preferences.
xx Karen
I voted (not saying for who, hahaha!) but I was very sad to see no Canadian lumberjacks on that list. Ok, so we’re not ALL lumberjacks. But thinking about it I’m not sure I’ve EVER seen a Canadian hero in Presents!
Bueller? Bueller? Anyone?
Maybe Canadian men just work better for other lines…they seem to perform quite admirably for me in Romance and I’ve seen a few Supers floating around too… LOL.
Speaking of…I must get back to my rancher, he seems a bit forlorn all by himself.
xx Donna
P.S. Apologies for grammatical error in the last post. And also Lucy I’m with you about the brooding Brit and that calm reserve shattering (happy sigh!).
Kelly, I’m game!
I think it’s great to see all the brainstorming going on around here… But yeah, I see what you mean re cultural differences. I might be a bit intimidated too. I’ve been really wanting to write an Indian heroine actually, and the cultural thing sort of scares me off a bit.
Mary F, I’m writing a Sheikh right now, I promise there’s no sandstorm.
(Side note, is that the sheikh version of ‘let me show you my etchings??’ ‘we have to duck into this tent to escape a sandstorm’ 
)
Donna, why hasn’t there been a Canadian hero?? What’s not sexy about that accent!? Maybe because ‘lumberjack’ and ‘curler’ doesn’t really say Presents…. *ducks and covers*Only joking. You make me want to write one.
Oh, and my captcha was ‘nation yucking’ I think that means all the men from all these nations are now laughing at us.
Natalie,
re locations,
St Petersburg is stunningly beautiful.
Monaco is a great location and even Nice, which is coming back into favour again. I’d say the Med is okay but over indulged particularly the Greek islands, while places like the Azores get sadly missed out and have a beauty all their own.
Then again, if someone really wants to push out the boat then why not Singapore and Raffles Hotel en route to Oz or NZ. I know someone is writing a novel set in Hong Kong, so how about China (?) the Great Wall etc., and, the paper lantern festival of remembering the dead (ancestors)?
Huge potential for imagination and wonderful places to be used for locations from all around the world, even the two polar regions!
best
F
I went for the Brit – biased? Who, me??
It’s like Lucy said. All that ice-cool reserve and I’m-in-control bit and then when he loses it – courtesy of the heroine
– watch out! All of that heat and blistering passion.
Not to mention that stiff upper-lip, of course ….
Jilly
Donna, after I read your comment I just HAD to go digging into the Harlequin database to dig up some Presents with Canadian characters! Catherine Spencer and Sandra Field apparently did us well… since 2000 (guess that’s how far back books were tagged by “ethnicity” or rather nationality), the two of them released 14 books with Canadian characters. The ones that say the HERO is Canadian are:
Passion’s Baby by Catherine Spencer
The Pregnant Bride by Catherine Spencer
Expecting His baby by Sandra Field
MISTRESS ON HIS TERMS by Catherine Spencer
THE MILLIONAIRE’S MARRIAGE by Catherine Spencer (apparently the heroine is the exotic one in this book – she’s Hungarian)
THE MILLIONAIRE’S MARRIAGE DEMAND by Sandra Field
Surrender to Marriage by Sandra Field
As for sexy Canadians: Ryan Reynolds. Have you SEEN his abs? I say no more
~Amy
p.s. I think we’ll need a new poll in a few weeks: Which nationalities do we need MORE of!
Francine – you need to read Kelly Hunter – she’s done some fabulous books in Asian settings – I think her next one out Untamable Rogue – is set in Singapore. And her very first – Wife for a Week – was in Hong Kong I think. Awesome, awesome stories!
oh Amy – Ryan Reynolds is so totally fine! Go Canada!
Sally and Heidi – I couldn’t put the Irishman in – the list was getting too long (and I couldn’t NOT put my kwi guy in there you know!)… but this has been such fun.
I think the Italian won it by a pinch – thanks so much for voting!!!
Interesting….Sheikhs work best for me (and I don’t care about stats – this is FANTASY!)
Spanish heroes seem to have received the thumbs down.
And Brits (currently up there with Greeks) don’t make regular appearances in Presents, do they?
Who voted most – readers or authors?
Francine, yes, Kelly Hunter wrote one that covered the paper lanterns and the festival of the dead you wrote about – so anything is possible
And if I knew the title of that book – it’s just the most fabulous story – hang on a while while I rummage… drat, can’t find it and now I won’t rest till I do. Awesome story.
Check out Kelly Hunter’s website. It’s a keeper – if only I knew where I kept it…
I agree with Sharon, Brits have definitely gone out of fashion in the Present’s line, really odd I think.
There are lost of yummy British men out there, but hey-ho, I don’t really mind where they’re from, as long as they sweep my off my imaginary feet! I’m that shallow.
I’m currently with Chantelle Shaw’s gorgeous Russian, now there’s a man, is he delicious or what?
xx Karen
This is just my guess, but are Brit heroes more in the Modern Heat books these days vs. the Modern Romances? Course they’re all published as Presents or Presents Extras over here (North America).
~Amy
I don’t see a choice for “all of the above”.
I think that all men are different in so many different ways. The ethnic variety is always the best. I thought long and hard about this and I have to admit as an American there are so many possibilities. In America our culture is that of a Melting Pot. We all consider ourselves Americans but we all have different ethnic backgrounds.
I have to admit I have a weakness for the Irish. It seals the deal when you visit Ireland.
Mary F- You can found rugged, castle-owning scotsman hero in Jessica Hart´s book Newlyweds of Convenience. Great book and great writer from Scotland.
Katariina
Oh no! No New Zealander would be nuclear-hot! They’ve had a nuclear free policy since 1984 — that’s WHY they’re hot.