When I read a great book, I’m breathless when I’m done. I feel like I’ve made friends and enemies, visited new or exotic places, and been given a thrill-a-minute ride that I’ll remember for a long time after I come to The End.
I think this is why I love suspense so much. I adore sitting on the edge of my seat, wondering what will happen next. And I think this is why I love certain characters more than others. Sure, there’s something to be said about deep personalities or an emotional journey in a story, but you know what really gets me jacked up? That Dark, Sexy Male Lead that makes you forget you’re married to or dating another man. And we’ve all done it. Oh, come on, admit it. You’re as vulnerable as I am about these men. And who wouldn’t be? They’re perfectly imperfect and just who we want them to be and, because they’re fictional, we can fantasize about them all we want without anyone else knowing about it!
This is the wonderful thing about storytelling. You read about a character and are given tidbits and little clues into their personality, and the rest is left to you to fill in courtesy of your imagination. I think this is why the Dark, Sexy Male Lead appeals on so many levels. They’re good looking. They’re edgy. They’re strong and they stand up for what they believe in, regardless of the outcome. And they’re vulnerable. And yep, it’s that last one that really gets my blood pumping because my imagination can have all sorts of fun with their vulnerability. For me, I engage with the Dark, Sexy Male Lead on a personal level and that just makes him even more uber sexy.
I love a Dark, Sexy Male Lead who has to make a stand and a difficult choice. I need to see him worry, but not too much, yet stay in control and command. He’ll make decisions that feel real, and he’ll never, ever, ever weaken because he’s in love with a woman. Nope. Not. Ever. He’ll love her to the ends of the earth, but he’ll never give up who he is for his relationship. Instead, he’ll partner with his woman, keep her by his side, and rely on her as much as she relies on him. He will be his own individual and expect that his woman will do the same.
Oh, but he’ll have his secrets, too. We’ll never know everything about him (hell, I’ve been writing about David Bellotti for over 8 years and he still keeps things from me) because it’s not our place, and that makes him all the more intriguing. And sexy, damn it.
So what about you? What do you love about Dark, Sexy Male Leads? Let me know, leave your email address and enter to win a $100 or $50 Amazon gift card! And lucky commenters can also win an e-copy of IN THIS LIFE. Maybe you’ll find a Dark, Sexy Male Lead in my story to fall in love with. Just make sure you leave your email address to win!
Want to know how you can win ? See below:
In honor of the Dark, Sexy Male Lead, I’ve become involved with the Crimson Wonderland Blog Hop. I’m inviting you to visit the other wonderful Crimson Romance authors and also enter to win on their site. The more you visit, the better your chances of winning a prize! And, the more authors and stories you’ll find to entice you.
Find the entire list of participants to the blog hop here: Crimson Wonderland Blog Hop
Good luck!
Copyright © 2012 · All Rights Reserved · TerriPonce.com
Terri Herman-Ponce 
Ooops kwanawrites (at) yahoo (dot) com 🙂
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Lmao
You’re funny. Glad you got the email address in. And thanks for stopping by!
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Oh yeah. I’m with you on the Dark, Sexy Male. I love a deep brooding man. Let him just take me away an dlet me lose myself in the story. Great post!
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Thanks for participating in the blog hop!
bme722 at gmail dot com
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Pingback: Crimson Wonderland Blog Hop – Last chance for prizes | Suzi Love
Yay!! Just stopping by on my way around the hop! This is so much fun!
Rionna
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Oh, and here’s my email. sc_stargate_fan@yahoo.com
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I love that dark sexy male leads usually have dark brown eyes—mmm—that stare into your soul.
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I love ANY eyes that stare into your soul! LOL But yeah, dark eyes go with the dark appeal, definitely.
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I love the intensity, the protectiveness, and the bad boy swagger! Just a major turn on. Add a few tatts, and I am really in.
mel
bournmelissa at hotmail dot com
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Hmm. Tatts. My leading males don’t have tatts. Scars yes. But no tatts. Maybe I should reconsider that.
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We don’t need to jump on the tatts bandwagon, do we? Really? I can see it now. They’re gonna be ankhs on Galen. X-/
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No tattoo for Galen. Galen has other vices, and this isn’t one of them. David I can see getting one, though.
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Sigh. That has filled me with wonderful relief. I will hold you to that.
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I like discovering the vulnerable side beneath the tough exterior specially when it emerges because of the heroine.
bituin76 at hotmail dot com
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Oh yes. That’s a wonderful side indeed. Very very sexy.
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I like their intensity and their hidden secrets!
vitajex(at)aol(dot)com
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Amen to that!
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You are so right, Terri. I may love a heroine, but if the hero don’t have it goin’ on, forget it! I lean more towards the vulnerable side you spoke of, the guy that’s been put through the wringer and needs his heroine as much as she needs him. Have a great hop!
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Ahhh. My comrade in camel hair arms. Lol. But I agree!! So much to love and yeah, the heroine to me is a byproduct. How sad but I do so love those strong male characters. They can make or break a book for me.
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Not knowing how they will react to certain situations and how they always seem to be romantic at the weirdest times (but also the perfect time)
booksconsidered[at]gmail[dot]com
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For me, some of those romantic times can be a little too weird. But it still makes them special. Sigh.
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Dark, sexy male leads..hmm.. the world of romance just wouldn’t be the same without them, I suppose. 🙂 I do love those commanding, overly protective men. And you are right. Many are quite memorable long after you’ve finished the book. Thanks for participating. 🙂
imsocool(at)gmail(dot)com
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You know — I’m into DMSLs in almost every genre!!
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Mmmm. I love DSML’s. Irresistable!
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Definitely yummy. 🙂
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LOL…Got distracted by your bold writing of Dark, Sexy male lead. But I too agree that they are hotness!!! I would say I’m a player, I fall for each and everyone of them I meet. They’re too good to forget and not love. Who wouldn’t right?
kp_kazamei(at)yahoo(dot)com
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I think I’m right there next to you on this. It’s so very hard to ignore them and not love them. They get under your skin in a good way and stay there.
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I do love a dark, sexy hero, I’m not going to lie. I like a man who takes charge and loves his heroine fiercely!
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So true! I’m right there with you, Sharon!
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Okay, my turn. Terri knows full well that her character, Galen, has captured my fancy. It’s not so much his physical attributes, but rather his air of mystery. His quiet but, no doubt about it, forceful presence. His sexiness is understated but still very real and very there. He owns his scenes. No doubt about that too. And so, when he and David are in the *same* scene, the whole kit and caboodle zings!!! I love it. And he is so sure of himself but again in an understated way, not a huge egotisitical way. It’s surety and comfort in being who he is and what he is. THAT I find very attractive in a male.
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Yes, Narelle has a secret (okay, not so secret) love affair with Galen as I have a secret (um, blatantly obvious) love affair with David. I can see the appeal in Galen, and I have to tell you that feedback I get via email is pretty much divided between the two. And yes, though Galen’s emotion are far more evident than David’s will ever be, Galen has a side to him that isn’t so apparent and is almost secretive. Time will tell whether or not he decides to let us see it. *wink*
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How true!…it’s a secret romance we have with the Dark, Sexy Male Lead isn’t it?! Their strength draws us in and we don’t want to leave!
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Oh man I’d stay there all day. And night!!!!!!
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OH I love A Dark Sexy Male Lead, I won’t deny it either, I love how fiercely protective they are .
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
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I know. It’s a sexy and wonderful trait. So much to love about them!
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