Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion

Though an emotionally-balanced guy is what we seek in real life, we drool over tortured, broody heroes in the pages of our romance novels.

Whether fighting against a horrible past, battling inner demons, and/or resisting any soft emotions like love, they capture our imagination and make us sigh both in sympathy and admiration.

Our latest discussion challenge is to list those we know who belong to this category, all complete with emotional scars, baggage and issues.

Aren't they all tortured and tormented in some way. That's what makes them so desirable in our books.

Oops..sort of forgot this thread.

Yes, plenty of heroes would fall under this category, but some are more than others.

The first one that comes to mind would be Zsadist from JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood. His tortured past had burned out all the softer emotions in him, leaving him burning in hate and malice. Touch is painful to him, and pain is the only way he can feel. I think he definitely falls under the category of Tortured and Tormented.

I think Zsadist is sort of the penultimate of tortured and tormented heroes. Like Stephanie said, there are TONS of those in romance, especially in PNR, but Z really stands out.

I of course have to plug Dante from Adrian Phoenix's series since I LOVE those books so much. Dante's got it coming from all sides, and reading his story is really heartbreaking.

And then there's V, also from the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Almost as tortured as Z, and twice as hot (IMO).

Oh yes, Dante of Adrian Phoenix's books should belong into this list. I've only read the first books, but the hints of what he went through, is enough to send shivers down my spine.

what about Acheron when he was a human, OMG you couldn't get more Tortured and Tormented than that:: that part of his life is nothing like you've ever read in any of the previous Dark Hunter Books and is truely truely heart breaking, more so than Zsadist i think. haven't read any of the Adrian Phoenix books but will see if i can get hold of them as they seem to have found me. (great believer in things finding you rather than you finding them)

I cried while reading Archeron. His childhood was heartbreaking. I think Dante has to win the award for the most sick, twisted and evil abuse ever suffered by a child. It's a wonder the man still has his sanity.

Lori wrote: "I think Dante has to win the award for the most sick, twisted and evil abuse ever suffered by a child. It's a wonder the man still has his sanity."

I think that's debatable... the sanity part, that is. :)
But I agree. The poor guy had everything he ever loved taken from him, and yet he still has this huge capacity for love and compassion and wanting to see the good in people and share himself with them... I really love Dante.

Vishous - but then I'm a sucker for that possibly swings both ways kinda tortured hero =) And most definitely Acheron. I cried buckets. I have yet to try the Adrian Phoenix books (our public library is a tad bit slow so may have to buy them in ebook). And possibly Jonas Wyatt from Lora Leigh's Breed series - although maybe not as much as the ones you've all listed previously. Mr. Rochester (aww I know, kick me later) and Heathcliff (not paranormal or anything like that at all but looking back all that emotional torture made quite a big impression on me at 11 yrs of age).

Zarek, from the Dark hunter series.

I mean OMG.. talk about tortured. The poor guy is abused by his family, he's disfigured and blinded. Then he comes back as a dark hunter only to be ignored by everyone and sent up into the middle of nowhere to suffer. How terrible!!! Even when he went to New Orleans to help out Ash, Talon and all of those guys, no one would offer to let him stay with them.

I mean he did act a little insane, but I would be insane if I had to live in below freezing temperatures for 70 odd years without anyone to talk to. :( Now I want to read his book over again lol.

LOL. tosca, Mr. Rochester and Heathcliff were the original tortured heroes. ;)

Weren't they just? I re-read the books even now and get all twisted up over it. Even though I know how they're going to end *sigh*

When I think back to Wuthering Heights, I can't ever remember actually liking Heathcliff. I also don't remember any redeeming quality about him, except of course for his love for Catherine.

He was definitely tortured..

Heathcliff was a terrible person. Either that or he was just terribly human. I can't say that I liked him and certainly I didn't identify with him but he made a heck of an impression. Something about that push-me, pull-you destructive bent - how on earth that can be romantic I have no idea but it was :-)

I've just finished A Rush of Wings and agree with Lori:: Dante now gets my award for most tortured and tormented his torture and torment continues right up the last page and its just so sad:: now I can't wait to read In The Blood.

Adrienne,
In The Blood was just as awesome as A Rush of Wings, and you get even more insight to Dante's childhood and the way people continue to use him...
I sure do love Dante....

Argh! I keep seeing you guys talking about Dante and desperately want to read the books but gotta wait till our public library gets them in. I'm so envious! I might cave and see if I can get 'em in ebook format heh

Yeah, Heathcliff wasn't a "hero," per se, probably more an anti-hero, if anything. The appeal of the story was in the extreme passion/emotion, the turmoil, the angst, LOL.

tosca::if you can get a copy of A Rush of Wings it's so worth it::the style of writting is just so lyrical.

Nichole:: i too think Dante is so special:: i've read the first chapter of In the Blood on adrian phoenix web page::if ican't find a copy in the bookshop during the next few days i shall order a copy::my copy of A rush of Wings was bought here but is a US print so maybe we are a bit behind in getting In the Blood.

I just picked up a copy of A Rush of Wings because of all I've heard about it here. So far, a couple of chapters in, I like the style.

Plus I love a good tormented hero. ;)

Sarah::the whole story is totally awesome and (IMO) so well crafted::I love the idea of Fallen & Vampires too::don't think i've ever read anything quite like this::hope you enjoy it as much as i did:)

Was having a discussion in another group, and his name came up. Kylemore from Claiming the Courtesan, very tortured, leads to his later ruthless actions to get the heroine, LOL. Dark, overpowering guy. It's a historical though.

new_user wrote: "Kylemore from Claiming the Courtesan, very tortured".

Yea, he had it bad between his insane father and his equally loony, power hungry mother. He should have whacked the old bitch when he had the chance.

I've heard so much of this book, Claiming the Courtesan, I might just have to read it to satisfy my curiousity.

LOL, Lori! So true.

Yz, if you like Anne Stuart's heroes, there's a good chance you'll like Kylemore. :)

I haven't read any of Anne Stuart's books either, although I think I have here in my TBR list. I'll get around it sooner or later..LOL..just too many books..LOL

Mmkay, my memory was jogged again. LOL. I'm going to add Jonah, leader of the warrior legion of angels that protects a goddess and wars against demons in A Mermaid's Kiss . Very much a conflicted fellow. He is having some doubts about the goddess he serves and feeling betrayed. Very poweful dude. Good reading. He's another gamma, LOL.

New_user::Have just ordered a copy of above together with In the Blood by Adrian Phoenix::have found Amazon(and navigated it with success Yay) now my addiction will get worse Ha Ha

I agree that Zsadist and Vishous are pretty much the ultimate tortured heroes, but of course all the Brothers are to some degree. Here are a few more heroes that I think rank pretty high on the tortured/tormented scale:

Clayton Holland (Always to Remember by Lorraine Heath) - Tortured/imprisoned for being a conscientious objector to the Civil War and returned home to the scorn of an entire town.

Bentley Rutledge (The Devil You Know by Liz Carlyle) - He's pretty screwed up from being sexually abused in his youth.

Jamie Fraser (Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon) - I think he's suffered just about every bad thing imaginable.

Ryan Kinsmore (Fallen from Grace by Laura Leone) - Physically and sexually abused as a child/teen and is now a prostitute with zero self-esteem but an amazing capacity for love.

Damien Knight (Lord of Ice by Gaelen Foley) - Has one of the most vividly realistic cases of war-related PTSD I've read in a romance.

Sebastian Ballister (Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase) - Abandoned as a child by his mother, verbally abused by his father and constantly derided by his peers for his appearance, and thinks himself unworthy of love.

Samuel Gerard (The Shadow and the Star by Laura Kinsale) - Former child sex slave who, as an adult, now struggles with the meaning of sexual desires.

Heavy stuff, man. I plan to read the last three. :D

Yeah, these were not light reads. All of them rated 4-5 stars for me though. Hope you like them as much as I did.

Jess wrote: "Zarek, from the Dark hunter series.

I mean OMG.. talk about tortured. The poor guy is abused by his family, he's disfigured and blinded. Then he comes back as a dark hunter only to be ignored by e..."

Yes, between the Dark Hunters, it's a toss up between Zarek and Acheron. Though, things are looking interesting for Nick, too.

Oh, I find it hysterical how Zarek causes rain and snow to fall just on Val! LOL

Zsadist, in my opinion, is the most tormented of the brothers, though they all carry a crapload of baggage everywhere they go.

And I SOBBED reading Acheron, the part about his youth. I was a wreck for days!