Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group discussion

What do you think of heroes who are really just jerks, for whatever reason? Do you have a high tolerance for jerky behavior in a hero, or does it depend on the reasons?

Which heroes from which books would you consider jerks? They aren't necessarily evil, they are just tools, for lack of a better word.

Are there authors who seem to make a career out of writing jerks?

I created this thread because of Cal from Nobody's Baby But Mine. I think he's a class A jerk. Actually I think most of SEP heroes are somewhat jerky. That doesn't mean I don't like her, because I do. But I like to call a spade a spade.

Ultra alpha males and anti-heroes are my guilty pleasures. I love Alex from Kiss an Angel by SEP, Reese from Linda Howard's Duncan's Bride, all the heroes from Anne Stuart's Ice series, but especially Reno from Fire And Ice. Another favourite of mine is Gabe from Dream a Little Dream.

And at the top of the list is Domenico from The Silver Devil. A bit of warning here - this is not a book for the faint hearted. Read at your peril!

I think a large number of authors felt the jerky hero was essential back in the 80s but while we still get a few they are being replaced by nicer and more considerate heroes. Most of the jerky heroes I can't stand but there are a few that managed to steal my heart. Its all in how they redeem themselves.

Ross Coleman of Sunset Embrace was a jerk but I can understand to a degree the circumstances that caused his jerkiness. Warrick from Prisoner of My Desire also had good reasons. Then there are the ones that are simply abusive and never truly redeem themselves in my opinion.

Fire Songby Catherine Coulter has a jerk hero. Rapes the heroine and cheats on her for most of the book. It is a medieval though, so probably not unusual for the times.

If the jerky character is well developed I don't mind. There's a lot of series where the jerk ended up being awesome in later books.

However, I find a lot of authors can't pull the "jerk" of and I just end up getting ticked.

So many of the (sexy!) Scottish heros are arrogant/jerky (jerky is such a modern word) at first but then redeem themselves and that is ok. Then there is Barrons... who pretty much remains a jerk but hey, its BARRONS so who cares!

Oh, I forgot all about Gray from After the Night. Ugh. That's all I can say.

I agree that Barrons is a jerk, but I feel that he was trying to toughen up Mac.

@Pamela, I agree that I'm more likely to forgive a hero when I understand why he's being a putz.

Diana Palmer is the queen of jerky heroes. I still love her books though. :)