With tomorrow being the Thanksgiving holiday and all, everybody's goin' all soft 'n squishy about how much they appreciate the good things in their lives. You know, saying things like, "I'm just so lucky I've got family; food on the table; a job in this crud economy; healthy children."
Blah blah blah blah blah blah.
Wow. That last phrase almost was in iambic pentameter, which always brings to mind the really important thing I'm most thankful for on a dreary Midwestern day before the day before folks start haulin' out 'ol tannenbaum: sexy historical romance heroes.
For one can't think of iambic pentameter without recalling some Shakespeare read back in school. And Shakespeare, of course leads one to envision men in cod pieces, or at least it does me. Which always encourages one to muse on what makes men in historicals so hot, which is...basically everything from the waist down.
Take medievals. In "My Forever Love," Marsha Canham turns the snapping open of closures on chausses into torturous erotic foreplay - especially because both hero and heroine are wearing them. And what chick who's a fan of medievals doesn't love a delicious descriptive of men's hose climbing the thigh, where they meet the velvet surcotte of the strapping knight who's cleaned up so well after battle, yet still is filled with blood lust while seated above the salt, exhibiting chivalrous decorum for his soon-to-be bride of convenience.
Then there's the perennial fave, the Regency Corinthian. I once asked bestselling historical romance author and history buff Loretta Chase (TwoNerdyHistoryGirls.blogspot.com) why fans are so enamored of the young-buck Regency hero. Is it his power, his prowess, his ultimate ability to do good with his vast surfeit of lordly, em, endowments? She replied something like, "No. It's the tight breeches."
Phew. So I'm not the only romance fan thankful for heroes in obscenely snug pants which outline lovingly well-hewn thews and reveal every twitch, throb and growing-impossibly-harder/larger/etc. dynamic of our always-in-control-but-once-he-meets-his-heroine-generally-out-of-control-of-his-unruly-placket-area hero.
One can't worship completely in (lower)extreme(ties) the historical hero without a fair mention of the most important sexy accessory: the boot. Whether floppier Restoration gear as in a classic like Edith Layton's "The Fire-Flower," or the marvelously ubiquitous, knee high, well-buffed-and-tasseled Hessians, gorgeous guy gams gotta' be thrust into a pair of boots that easily afford traction in any situation, be it on land, on horse or in carriage.
Oh, just thinking of Hessians and carriages and sexy historical heroes has made me go soft 'n gooey round the solar plexis. And isn't that what giving thanks is all about: making us feel all warm inside as we count our blessings, and thinkin about those things we could live without, but are grateful exist for our well being.
What about romance fiction makes you wax all thankful? Who are some of your fave historical heroes and why? Why are historical heroes sexier than contemporary heroes?
Hi Michelle!
Oooooo I love those historical heroes in tight pants and Hessian boots. Not only Hessians, but cowboy boots and jeans in Western Historicals. And swashbucklers on the bridge of a ship! Oh, yeah! Yummy!
As far as being thankful for romance fiction, I'm thankful for J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood, especially Vishous, Rhage & Phury. I love all the brothers, but those three are my favs. Thanks for that restaurant scene with Rhage & Mary. For giving us wallflowers some vindication by giving Mary Hollywood and giving him her. A lot of us will be forever grateful for that scene!
Kresley Cole's IAD series, with props for Bowen McRieve. What a Scotsman. If I could hear him speak in the dark, I'd immediately know his voice. I love that Scottish brogue and a man like him that would fight any and all for his lady love. Demons, The Fey and Vampires! Bowen you could be my hero anytime, anywhere!
Sherrilyn Kenyon's gorgeous, sexy, human/werewolf Vane Kattelakis in Night Play. Lawd, lawd, lawd what a man/wolf!!! He proved you don't have to be a size 2 to be his woman. Just downright delectable! He's one to drool over for a long, long time! Thanks Ms. Kenyon! I know you have others that I've yet to discover, but I'm still reading!
Male Perspective Guy I had to give you a laurel, because what you said was downright delightful and humorous!
Michelle, you know I'm a Marsha Canham fan! My number one all time hero is Alexander Cameron from her The Pride of Lions and The Blood of Roses. I'm a sucker for those Scottish heroes. Alex was one sexy, scoundrel with a the heart and courage of a lion. He possessed love for his country, his family, his friends and his woman in a time when all hell was breaking loose. He not only persevered, but he had a woman who was strong enough to take on his sorrows and hurts and help him stand straight and tall when the events of his life was knocking him down. Brava Ms. Canham. Thanks for Alex Always!!!
Michelle, thanks for letting us know about the new Marsha Canham book! I've already added it to my
Wish List! 
