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Military men, why are they such great heroes?

by sue on Feb.25, 2010, under Book Chat

books 020210 romancebogo Military men, why are they such great heroes?

Well, because they just are! I mean, men, who have that kind of drive & focus, that want to fight for their country for their families & others, is such an unselfish act that there is no other word that describes them — it is heroism at its grandest!

Ok, here is where I have to tell you - - - I’m NOT a writer, not aspiring to be one, never wanted to be one - - - I’m a reader & bookseller. The reason I am clarifying this now is so when you read this post you’ll have expectations for the writing of an un-published writer - - - now you’ll know what to expect & won’t be disappointed ;)

So, back to my Military men . . . many authors have chosen to write this sub-genre in romance & I salute them for doing so & for doing it so well. Romance authors portray these men as the heroes they are: Robyn Carr in Virgin River - & what about Paradise Valley when Rick returns home from war?

Stephanie Tyler is rockin the romance world with her new series beginning with Hard To Hold, Navy Seals at their finest!
tight 190w Military men, why are they such great heroes?

Suzzane Brockmann was one of the authors that really set the stage for me: Unsung Hero with Tom Paoletti; Ken Karmody in Out of Control ; & my favorite with Lt Tom Starrett in Gone Too Far. Suz’s Troubleshooters have all found a spot in our hearts.
Gone%20Too%20Far%20Cover Military men, why are they such great heroes?

Military romances introduce us to a world we don’t even know - - - giving us a glimpse of impossible military situations & an authors point of view of how to get them out of it - - - & makes us think, and maybe even put ourselves into those situations wondering how the heck to get out of it!

When Military heroes come home from war, there is nothing better. Julia London’s, Summer of Two Wishes, was an emotional tear-jerker that delivered all a good romance should. As an escaped POW, Finn comes back from duty to find his wife has remarried during his long absence - - - Julia tells us both sides of the story . . . how Finn decides to get his wife back & how Macy really wants to come back to her first love but is torn by the love of her current husband . . . sigh. . . . this is why we read & love romance!

I also find reading about the Military, especially now, as kind of a tribute to our soldiers, and/or the Military unto itself. I am in awe of those men & women who will put their lives on the line for their country - - - even when at times, I feel like we (collective we) don’t show the appreication they deserve. It makes me more aware of these great men & women so when I see them at the airport on leave, I’ll walk up to them shake their hand, smile & say thank you & God Bless.

Bottom line, putting all that aside, as important as these occupations are & how revered they should be to all American citizens . . . our authors do a darn good job of writing these stories, creating the sexiest of heroes making these books the most fun to read! Thanks ladies!!

So, tell us, why do you read Military romances? Who are some of your favorites?
Thanks for having me blog today & please stop by Borders True Romance Blog, www.bordersblog.com/trueromance and romancerollcall.com & comment today — you may be chosen for a free book!

Happy Romance

Check out this great site where we’ll be posting comments as well — Romance Roll Call

header Military men, why are they such great heroes?

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61 Comments for this entry

  • Gregory Despain
    April 1st, 2010 on 12:09 am

    Any chance you have a link to where I can purchase more items like these? I breezed through the article but didn’t see any…

    Reply
  • Fedora
    February 28th, 2010 on 2:15 am

    Suz Brockmann and Merline Lovelace are two of my favorites for military romance :) And Marliss Melton does a series I enjoy, too!

    Reply
  • Linda Henderson
    February 27th, 2010 on 7:42 pm

    I really enjoy military heroes. I think Lindsay McKenna writes wonderful military heroes and heroines. I also like Suzanne Brockman’s Seals.

    Reply
  • Rosie G.
    February 27th, 2010 on 10:03 am

    I love reading about military heroes. Because they are so dedicated and have good ethics, they make a wonderful hero; if you add tortured soul to the story, that is even better. LOL. Catherine Mann. Suzanne Brockmann and of course the Virgin River men are a few that come to mind.

    Rosie G.

    Reply
  • Maureen
    February 27th, 2010 on 6:11 am

    Military romances are really enjoyable and I think I read them because just the fact that they are in the military tells me that these heroes and heroines have certain values and principles. They are the good guys and they are up against the bad guys and I know this when the story starts. Catherine Mann writes some great military romances.

    Reply
  • Amy
    February 26th, 2010 on 12:17 pm

    Definitely would recommend Cherry Adair’s T-Flac, Gennita Low’s Standing and Ready SEALs trilogy, and Marliss Melton. All yummy and sexy military heroes!

    Reply
  • Jessica
    February 26th, 2010 on 10:16 am

    Some of my favorite military stories have been written by Gennita Low. Her series begins with Into Danger and goes on through her current release Virtually Hers. Her heroes are to die for! I recommend them to anyone who enjoys military romance.

    Reply
  • vickey r
    February 26th, 2010 on 3:07 am

    i love men in uniform! i think for the simple reason is because they are so well mannered and reserved that you can just imagine them with the uniform off. haha

    Reply
  • Lisa G.
    February 25th, 2010 on 9:17 pm

    I love a man in a uniform. They not only represent our country, they are strong, hot and oh, so cool! To me, they are everything a women has ever wanted in a man. Lora Leigh has some great military stories.

    Reply
  • Pat L.
    February 25th, 2010 on 9:09 pm

    I have read several - some Sandra Brown, All the Virgin River, and most of Suzanne Brockmann’s navy seals which started out as SIMs I think. Awesome all of them. I know there were others, but cannot remember the titles.

    Pat L.

    Reply
  • Angelique Richardson
    February 25th, 2010 on 9:01 pm

    I love reading romance novels with military men or women in them. For me, it’s something familiar. My Dad spent 20 years in the Army and, even though he retired when I was 5 (he was 38), I still grew up 5 minutes from a military base. Plus, we used to go there often and most of the military kids went to my High School. I’ve always had a soft spot for people who volunteer to serve our country. Growing up, whenever we would fly somewhere for vacation, we would visit the USO lounge to relax before our flight. Those experiences of seeing so many people coming and going - most new recruits since our airport was near a training base - have really stuck with me. It’s amazing to see young men and women so ready to put their lives on the line. It’s also great to see all the wonderful volunteers with the USO. They offer such great services for the military - both active and retired.

    Anyway, I sort of veered off the topic of books. :) Some of my favorite authors for military romance (both contemporary and historical) are Gaelen Foley, Suzanne Brockmann, Elizabeth Hoyt, Stephanie Laurens, and I’m looking forward to reading Stephanie Tyler’s new series. :)

    Reply
  • Chelsea B.
    February 25th, 2010 on 8:25 pm

    I have never read a (gasp!) book about Military men! I need to go change that!

    Reply
  • j.man
    February 25th, 2010 on 8:19 pm

    I’ve read Cherry Adair & Stephanie Tyler but looks like there are many more authors to look into. Nice! I love finding new-to-me authors.

    Reply
  • Sue A.
    February 25th, 2010 on 8:00 pm

    I don’t actively look for military romances, but I have read some. Linda Howard’s heroes often are in the military or have a military background. I think what appeals to me about military men is that they pretty much have all the characteristics defining the alpha male. A strong, courageous, independent, confident, take charge man.

    Reply
  • Pam Keener
    February 25th, 2010 on 5:06 pm

    I absolutely loved Suz Brockmann’s Unsung Hero. I loved how she incorporated WWII romance in the story. I also loved David & Mallory’s young love. I will have to check out Julie London’s Summer of Two Wishes. I am slowly working my way through Suz Brockmann’s Troubleshooter series. I last read Flashpoint and took a break with Hot Target next on my TBR pile.
    Thanks for the blog it was awesome!
    Love & Hugs,
    Pam

    Reply
  • jessica
    February 25th, 2010 on 4:46 pm

    Suzanne Brockmann totally got me into military men - SEALS in particular - then with the Troubleshooters. Cindy Gerard is also fantastic as well with former military men!

    I think someone earlier mentioned historical military men and it got me thinking about Suzanne Enoch’s England’s Perfect Hero, which is one of my all time favorites, as well as Gaelen Foley’s Lord of Ice.

    Reply
  • Kaetrin
    February 25th, 2010 on 4:14 pm

    I love a good “rescue” and a military man is perfect for that - they’re trained to protect after all!

    Reply
  • Virginia Kantra
    February 25th, 2010 on 2:45 pm

    I’m a big fan of Brockmann and Mann.
    And, oh, yes, let’s count those historical military heroes, too! Like Calila, I really enjoyed Hoyt’s Four Soldiers series. And Navy hero Ned Lockton, from Brockway’s recent The Golden Season, is to die for.
    It’s not their alpha-ness (is that even a word?) that I love about these guys. It’s their quiet dedication to something bigger/other than themselves that makes me fall.

    Reply
  • Amber S
    February 25th, 2010 on 2:31 pm

    It’s hard to define why I like military heroes. I will say, though, that I love what I’ve read of Catherine Mann’s backlist so far. She writes military heroes really well! Probably because her hubby’s one of them :)

    Reply
  • Natalie's Mama
    February 25th, 2010 on 2:28 pm

    I have Summer of Two Wishes on my tbr, will have to grab it off next to read.

    I love Brockmann’s and Sandra Brown’s military men books. There is just something about them. So strong, but they fall hard for the love of a good woman.

    Natalie’s Mama

    Reply
  • Karyn Gerrard
    February 25th, 2010 on 2:06 pm

    Wow, I haven’t really read any Military romances, but I love the choices you mentioned, I think it is time I checked them out!

    Reply
  • chey
    February 25th, 2010 on 2:04 pm

    I enjoy military heros. They are often doing something unusual. I like Sandra Hill.

    Reply
  • Susan Mallery
    February 25th, 2010 on 1:51 pm

    Over the years, I’ve written a lot of military heroes, most recently in Lip Service, the second book of my Lone Star Sisters series. Military men are irresistible. One of the defining traits of my heroes is their compulsion to take care of the people in their lives, and military men exemplify this in a very distinct way. They will make any sacrifice to keep the rest of us safe. Heroic and admirable.

    Plus, who can resist the muscles? ;)

    While I was researching Lip Service, I tapped into the war veteran community online. Our real-life veterans are more heroic than anything any writer can dream up! I was moved to tears frequently.

    Reply
  • Tia
    February 25th, 2010 on 12:57 pm

    The stories seem to be intense and just well written. A few authors are Robyn Carr, Sandra Brown’s Above and Beyond, and Lorelei James.

    Reply
  • Ina
    February 25th, 2010 on 12:41 pm

    Hi there :D
    oh, I recently rediscovered books with military men and can’t get enough of them - just finished Stephanie Tylers new series (oh, the books are fantastic!!!) and reread Marliss Melton *sigh*
    thanks for your post today!
    greetings, Ina

    Reply
  • Karen H
    February 25th, 2010 on 12:37 pm

    1) Men in uniform are so hot.
    2) Air Force brat (emphasis on the brat). Actually, we’ve become a 3-generation AF family with my Dad; my sister, a couple of brothers-in-law and my boyfriend; and now two nephews. And not a pilot among them. (If I had joined the military, though, I would have picked Navy because their uniforms were better looking.)
    3) I agree with the modern-day warrior comment above. I want a man to be strong and confident and ready to handle things, though I want him to tell me why I need to do whatever he just ordered me to do (I’m not really good at blindly following orders).

    Faves: Suzanne Brockmann’s SEALS, Sandra Hill’s SEALS, Christine Feehan’s Ghostwalkers, Lindsay McKenna Morgan’s Mercenaries, Elizabeth Hoyt’s Four Soldiers, Stephanie Laurens Bastion Club, and all those other Regency dudes who were spies, etc. during the Napoleonic era, Lora Leigh, Cherry Adair’s TFLAC operatives (I think they count), and I know there’s more I’ve read and enjoyed but cannot recall right now (as soon I as post this, they’ll all crowd into my brain).

    Reply
  • Isabel
    February 25th, 2010 on 12:12 pm

    Men in uniform. That’s all I need to know!
    But I do have to check out some of the newer titles. I’ve read a few Brockmans and enjoyed them.

    Reply
  • Debra
    February 25th, 2010 on 11:48 am

    I love the military hero. I read stephanie’s books in one sitting. Couldn’t put them down. I also love Lora Leigh’s, Catherine Mann, Christy Reece. And lets not forget Linda Howard’s Zeke and Chance. I don’t know what it is that draws me to these books. I just know if it has a military man in it I will buy it.

    Reply
  • Stephanie
    February 25th, 2010 on 11:18 am

    I love Military Romances!!!

    I thought Stephanie Tyler’s trilogy was amazing and I can’t wait for her next books! Blaze did a series of Military Men last year and I always got impatient waiting for the next month to show up…

    Reply
  • Helen L.
    February 25th, 2010 on 11:05 am

    Navy seals are great - Suzanne Brockmann’s and the military men of Virgin River are awesome.

    Helen L.

    Reply
  • Scorpio M.
    February 25th, 2010 on 10:38 am

    I actually started with Stephanie Tyler’s, SEAL trilogy. Bk 1: Hard To Hold was awesome. Jake epitomized the military hero: strong, built, dignified, disciplined and exuding goodness.

    I am really liking this new sub-genre in romance.

    Much thanks to all the men & women who serve the USA.

    Reply
  • Lucy Monroe
    February 25th, 2010 on 10:07 am

    What a great post! Yes, I too love to read about (and write about) military men. There’s just something about them…I remember doing interviews of Army Rangers for my original merc stories and just being in awe of the men who pushed through to Special Forces, you know?

    I think it’s everything you said in your post, plus, for me, the idea that these men live on the edge. Their lives aren’t nine-to-five safe. They are our modern day warriors and the ultimate premise for the alpha hero.

    Suz Brockmann and Lora Leigh are my fave authors in this theme, though I’ve enjoyed stories by many others. If you like gay romance, Bobby Michaels and Sean Michael write amazing Marines (though SM is a very sex heavy author). :)

    Reply
    • sue
      February 25th, 2010 on 10:49 am

      Nicely put Lucy — modern day warriors. I just commented on the ROMANCE ROLL CALL blog how far removed I feel from the Military . . . ‘Since I am so far removed from this type of lifestyle I find it fascinating to just get a peek of what Military life is all about. Strangely enough, I didn’t even have friends in school whose parents were Military . . . cops or firefighters for that matter. Lots of stuffy white collar papa’s in my hood.’

      Reply
  • KristiBug
    February 25th, 2010 on 9:47 am

    Suzanne Brockmann is my FAV and I have been trying to get some time to try Marliss Melton and now Stephanie Tyler.

    Try the paranormal military series by Christine Feenhan too, those are great eye candy. :)

    Reply
  • denise
    February 25th, 2010 on 8:48 am

    Great post!!
    Love our military men and women!! They have sacrificed so much for our country.
    I love Nicholas Sparks book Dear John. I haven’t seen the movie, yet.

    Reply
  • Carol L.
    February 25th, 2010 on 8:09 am

    I loved A Sunner of Two Wishes, what a tear jerker and heart wrencher that was. Great read.I also love Sandra Hills time travels with her Navy Seals and Elizabeth Hoyt’s Legend of Four Soldiers. I’ll have to try some of the ones you mentioned in your post as well. I have 2 sons who are career Army. One in Special Forces who is in Afghanistan right now somewhere. And the other is also overseas in Croatia training those soldiers.. So I pray for them and every other soldier out there. What they do is an amazing act of bravery every single minute.God Bless our Military.
    Carol L.
    Lucky4750@aol.com

    Reply
  • Mary
    February 25th, 2010 on 7:22 am

    I haven’t read many military romances other than the Virgin River series. Robyn Carr’s Paradise Valley is a tribute to returning and physically changed soldiers and their loved ones. I thought she wrote a beautiful and touching story. I’ve added the titles that you listed to my wish list. Thanks!

    Reply
    • sue
      February 25th, 2010 on 10:56 am

      Rick’s story in PV really touched me too — you can just picture a young guy returning from war today in a similar situation — hopefully they’ll have an HEA too.

      Reply
  • Laurie G
    February 25th, 2010 on 6:15 am

    Years ago I discovered Merline Lovelace and Lindsay McKenna. They write wonderful military romances with intrigue and strong females struggling to succeed in the male dominated military. Ms Lovelace was in the military so I feel that you get an accurate account of what goes on in the military. Ms McKenna incorporates her holistic beliefs into her stories. She exposes the scepticism that she encountered. Diana Palmer also has several stories with ex-soldiers, ex-mercenaries and how they settle into their lives in Jacobsville,Texas. The hard adjustments they must make to adapt back into everyday life and the woman they finally allow to enter into their lives and eventually fall in love with.

    I then moved on to Catherine Mann, Susanne Brockmann and Christina Skye (love her Code Name series).

    Why do I read military stories… because the men and woman are so honorable, so dedicated to saving our country and protecting us from danger. Terrorism is a real threat today. I grew up in the 60’s and 70’s with the Cold War with the USSR and the Vietnam War. We had drills in grade school where we went under our desks. Silly I know but we practiced. People did dig dugouts too with supplies.

    Reply
  • Virginia C
    February 25th, 2010 on 6:08 am

    Hi, Sue! Thanks for this great post! It’s always nice to hear your thoughts on any subject : ) The authors you mentioned are all terrific! We should never forget those who serve in our armed forces. Most of all, we should never forget that they are human beings with loved ones and lives outside the military. I have great empathy for military families, and I appreciate their sacrifices on the war front and the home front.

    As they say, there is definitely something about a man in uniform! Most of the service men in my family were in the U.S. Navy. My mother and I went to see my uncle when he served on the USS Enterprise, the world’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The ship was docked and they had a “visitor’s day”. I was just a little girl, but I remember all the men in uniform. My uncle was so tall and handsome, and very patriotic!

    I checked out “Romance Roll Call”. What a great bunch of authors posting on that site!

    Reply
  • Calila
    February 25th, 2010 on 2:45 am

    I think its the alpha-ness of military man that makes them such great heroes.

    Not contemporary but I loved Elizabeth Hoyt’s Legend Of The Four Soldiers series. That counts as military right? lol

    Reply
  • kh
    February 25th, 2010 on 2:24 am

    reading stephanie books and her blaze men of uniform
    they are just hot men and give thier all for our freedom
    make us feel safer so that i s hot and great
    love it
    whooo

    Reply
  • Jane C
    February 25th, 2010 on 2:24 am

    I love them because they’re brave and honorable. I love Marliss Melton’s SEALs books and Catherine Mann’s Dark Ops series.

    Reply
  • Beth
    February 25th, 2010 on 1:28 am

    The most recent book I’ve read with a military hero was one by Sandra Hill. She’s got Navy SEALS and Vikings and time travel all in one. Great reads.

    Reply
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