August 24th, 2009 | by Kate Pearce |
SIMPLY WICKED, the fourth on my Regency erotic romances set in the House of Pleasure comes out in about 6 weeks and I just got my author copies of the book. The book is about Lord Anthony Sokorvsky, Val’s half-brother and Marguerite Lockwood, Helene’s oldest daughter. It’s always an exciting moment to open that box and hold a copy of your own book in your hands. Somehow it makes it all seem real. 
Of course, this particular book is the one everyone expected to come third instead of fourth in the series, and to be honest, so did I-until I realized that Anthony’s heroine had to appear in the third book…so I explained to my editor why I’d like to reverse the order of the two books and he was fine about it. Then, of course, I felt quite a bit of responsibility for getting Anthony right. He’s always been a favorite of my readers and writing his book wasn’t easy. He’s not exactly your conventional romance hero. He isn’t an alpha male, he’s annoying sometimes and could even be perceived as weak-but by the end of the book he’s finding out who he is, growing up and looking forward to a different future with a woman he loves, and who loves him just as he is.
How do you all feel about less than Alpha-male romance heroes? Do you like them or loathe them?
I’m giving away a signed copy of the book to one commenter here today.
love Kate x
Kate, while I do like Alpha heroes, I have to admit that what I like best is variety
So yes, there’s definitely room on my bookshelf for non-alphas! There are qualities that could make them unlikeable, but if at the core, he’s got integrity and other positive characteristics, I’m all for him! Congrats on Simply Wicked! I’ve got the first 3 already on the TBR 
by Fedora · August 24th, 2009 at 1:52 pmI like them but not as much as the Alpha’s… There is always room for a sexy male whether he is an in your face hardcore or a sensual and mysterious non Alpha.
by hockeyvampiress · August 24th, 2009 at 1:55 pmI like well rounded heroes. I like heroes that are less than alpha in ways like being considerate of women, stepping back to let the heroines make choices are decisions. Heroes that are ok with queen, a woman, ruling over them or having a female warrior fight at their side. I like that. I don’t like the type of alpha heroes that take the woman so to speak, I like the kind that win the woman. When reading romance I’m one of those readers that don’t like my heroes to be too alpha.
by Corneia Amiri · August 24th, 2009 at 2:01 pmWell, I cut my romantic teeth on the romances of the ’80′s where heroes were alpha with a capital “A.” I like the variety offered these days where the hero is able to have an emotion that doesn’t express itself in a grunt. In truth, wouldn’t a less alpha hero make a better lover?
by Rene · August 24th, 2009 at 2:02 pmHey Kate!
by Rachel Jameson · August 24th, 2009 at 2:07 pmI definitely am always interested to read a hero that isn’t your typical hero! Looking forward to reading your book!
Congrats!
-Rachel
Pretty much what Corneia said. As long as the character is believable and well rounded, it’s all good.
I’m a big fan of somewhat geeky/intellectual guys as hero – main characters though. They make me happy.
by Zora Stout · August 24th, 2009 at 2:12 pmI like an Alpha male but not an Asshat male, know what I mean? Honestly, I don’t know that I’ve ever read a well-done non-alpha male, so I MUST have this book!
by ArkansasCyndi · August 24th, 2009 at 2:16 pmOh I love them written by you and Joey W. Hill. They’re awesome when they’re done well and you do them perfectly.
by Jennifer Leeland · August 24th, 2009 at 2:18 pmCongrats on the upcoming release Kate! and holding that baby in your hands!
I’m a big fan of the alpha male — done right — but I’m with those above who don’t require it, as long as there is a good story and the characters are interesting.
Thanks for the giveaway!
~bella
by Bella · August 24th, 2009 at 2:26 pmI love Alpha males but I don’t mind if they are not alpha as long as they are not whiney. Ok, don’t like alpha males that are whiney either (such as Richard in LKH).
by Heather Brewer · August 24th, 2009 at 2:32 pmOoh! sign me up. I lure Kate’s work.
And I’m not into the alpha male beat em up kinda guys. I’ll take a lover over a fighter any day!
by Yvette Davis · August 24th, 2009 at 2:38 pmLike the ladies above me am not sure I have read a book with a non Alph-Male hero! I am so interested in Anthony’s story though! I want to know his secrets and how he has let Peter and Val influence him ……..I am so excited for ths book!!!
by Aurora · August 24th, 2009 at 2:43 pmI appreciate alpha traits, but you can get a little tired of the same old thing. I like variety. As long as the story is well written, I’m not very particular.
by Hailey Edwards · August 24th, 2009 at 2:53 pmNon alphas… I adore. They’re so cute and almost cuddly and sweet … and they just deserve so much love and attention and treat you so nice.
Alphas just take and often don’t think. Bossy, pushy… take charge which is nice but as a helpmate and life partner, I’ll take a beta anytime.
This is bound to be HAWT!!!!
April Morelock
by April Morelock · August 24th, 2009 at 3:44 pmI love alpha males that make your clothes melt off. But I also like it when the goody too shoes becomes the hero. I think its something out of the ordinary and diversity is great in romance.
by sara hurt · August 24th, 2009 at 4:15 pmcongrats on your release!
I like all kinds heros…including Alphas, but I’m like some other commenters…I like well rounded best.
by Sabrina · August 24th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
I don’t mind the less than Alpha’s. Sometimes some writer’s take the Alpha too far, and he comes off like an a**hole. Don’t get me wrong, I do like them a little bit a**holy, but not extreme! I love this series. Can’t wait to read this installment! Please enter me!
by Erin T · August 24th, 2009 at 5:19 pmI think non-alpha heros add spice and variety… As soon as I read your post, Hugh Grant came to mind. Sweet and lovable and, at times, very sexy.
Congratulations on your new release!
by lynne Roberts · August 24th, 2009 at 5:24 pmHi Kate!
by Stacey A · August 24th, 2009 at 5:42 pmWhile I like reading about Alpha males, sometimes its nice to read one that isn’t alpha every once in a while. I have to admit that my dream guy isn’t alpha… he’s more of a nerd lol. But, its nice to read about a guy with more emotion. Im looking forward to this book. Congrats!
Nah, they leave me cold. I like a wimpier hero who reads, has nice hands, has sorted out his baggage enough to play well with others, and occasionally cries, and does not need the love of a good woman to make him whole because he’s pretty much there.
Yet he must also be a beast in bed.
by Janet Mullany · August 24th, 2009 at 5:51 pmAs long as the story is well written and the characters are interesting ,the hero doesn’t have to be an Alpha.
by Estella · August 24th, 2009 at 6:29 pmI love alpha heroes, but I also appreciate heroes that aren’t alpha males. It’s important he respects himself and the heroine.
by Jane · August 24th, 2009 at 6:31 pmAs much as I like Alpha-males they tend to be too high handed sometimes that I tend to get really annoyed with them. I think it’ll be a different experience to have a less than Alpha-male hero since there are very few of them. I like them because they are more real too me. A lot of us enjoy the fictional Alpha-male but most women would probably prefer the Anthony’s in real life.
by Chinnie · August 24th, 2009 at 7:28 pmThanks for the opportunity to win this book. I can’t wait to read it!!
Kate, congratulations on the release of SIMPLY WICKED. I love erotic historicals, just my favorite subgenres.
I love my heroes to be well rounded characters that pull at my heart strings, of course, I enjoy the Alpha but with a lot of heart and humor. Makes him much more enjoyable.
by Armenia · August 24th, 2009 at 7:58 pmHeroes can come in many shapes and sizes…and alphaness.
While I don’t like a wimpy hero (but then he wouldn’t really be a hero anyways) and most of my fav heroes are alpha…he doesn’t have to be alpha as long as he is a hero of the heart.
Can’t wait to read this one!!!
by Booklover1335 · August 24th, 2009 at 8:00 pmI love an alpha male. Someone to take charge in the bedroom and tell you how its going to be. I had never read one of your books before and my mother-in-law gave the first one in the series and i loved it so much i had to go out and get the rest of them and now we are counting down the days until simply wicked comes out. I love Anthony in the books but i have to say that peter is my favorite. So i hope that i win so that i can share it with my mother in law and fall in love all over again.
by amanda hampton · August 24th, 2009 at 8:01 pmThanks for all the comments-I’m not quite sure where dear Anthony falls in the romance hero spectrum-he’s probably too normal to be Alpha or Beta and he’s definitely kinky
by Kate Pearce · August 24th, 2009 at 8:04 pmI’ll announce the winner in a few days when I can find a space-thanks for entering everyone!
Oh me, I love me alphas, I love me betas and I love me the combinations. There have been alphas I couldn’t stand, even knowing it’s fiction. But I can’t say the same with betas; if I didn’t like them, it was the whole story I didn’t get into. So, yep, this would be one that I would want to check out, most definitely!
Lois
by Lois · August 24th, 2009 at 8:12 pmI am an alpha female so I like an alpha male. I am dominate so I like someone else who can dominate me that turns me on. But he cant be to butch and he has to be funny and have a good sense of humor. Of all the male characters peter of course is my favorite but I could live with philip. When i read your stories I weep (you know what i mean) cant wait till 9-29 will be at barnes and noble waiting for the doors to open. Love roz
by Rosalind hampton · August 24th, 2009 at 8:16 pmHi Kate, I am a huge fan of your books. I have all of your “Simply” books so far.
by Marial · August 24th, 2009 at 10:50 pmI love alpha males the most, but I’ll always love the hero no matter what. So he doesn’t have to be alpha
by Maija P. · August 25th, 2009 at 4:04 amCongrats Kate! Hum, personally I like the Alpha male characters better, I think I see less outside the world of my books and I enjoy the fantasy that they do exist!
by Book Junkie · August 26th, 2009 at 11:56 amI have a personal preference for Alpha’s but diversity is always nice in romance lit, too.
by Anya Howard · August 26th, 2009 at 1:07 pmBTW, LOVE that cover!
Congrats on the books, sounds hot!!! Personally I like alpha males (in books)
by Huguette E. · August 27th, 2009 at 7:40 amI really like Alpha males. I can’t really even think of one that I have read that the hero was not totally alpha! I don’t know how I would feel about one that is not. I might just have to give it a shot and see what I think Broaden my horizon some
Thanks
by Amy M · August 27th, 2009 at 1:45 pmAmy M