I can be your HERO, baby!!

What would the ro no be without a sexxxy hero?!

E: I often find myself composing (fantasizing?) about who in my ro no catalogue would feature in my list of the hottest heroes. You know I cannot be forced to limit myself to only 5, so this is a list of my very favorite top 10 ro no hunks. And, yes, I will probably edit this, add to it, and change my mind frequently because I've read some damn good ro nos and it's hard (pun intended) for a girl to have to make Sophie's choice.

Ugh, it is so hard to reduce the list of hotties to just 10. I swear I've already re-edited this list like 200 times. 
10. I think #10 goes to Kev from Lisa Kleypas' Seduce Me At Sunrise (The Hathaway's series, which is outstanding and definitely in my top 10 series). There's something about a man who secretly burns for his love while being a steadfast, supportive friend to her (and her family)
9. "The answer is 'enigma'." Oh yes you are, Peter Madsen, from Anne Stuart's Ice series. His book was Cold As Ice, but IMO, there's nothing hotter than this 'still waters run deep' stud
8. Wulfric Bedwyn, eldest sibling in the Slightly series by Mary Balogh is a complicated aristocrat, but at his heart (hidden deep behind his pride) is a man very much worthy of making my top 10
7. Julie Garwood has been a staple for me since I started reading ro nos in high school and I've been a huge fan of her early historicals every since. You never get over your first love and that's why #7 goes to Iain Maitland, of The Secret. He is protective over Judith, but respects her unusual POV for the time and ultimately even lets himself learn from her (while, of course, falling madly in love). There's a lot to love about this laird
6. Aren't you a bonny one, Shawn Gallagher, of Nora Robert's Ardmoore trilogy (his book is Tears of the Moon)? There's something so sweet and special about Shawn. I love his quiet confidence and what woman could resist a talented singer who can whip up a delicious peach pie AND clean up after himself?
5. I realize this is a strange departure from #6, but #5 goes to Vishous of JR Ward's BDB. He's had a prominent role in many books in the series, and I am a HUGE fan of what he's got going on. I'd let him keep his shitkickers under my bed any night (although I doubt I could handle him)
4. Sebastian Wroth from Kresley Cole's IAD series (his book is No Rest for the Wicked). His devotion to Kaderin and his smoldering sexiness are quite enticing!
3. Dageus MacKelter of Karen Marie Moning's The Dark Highlander. Any man who says "Naught will be done to you that you dinna wish to be done" in a smokin' hot Scottish brogue can star in my dreams any night
2. Jericho Barrons of KMM's Fever series. This is a hottie with some serious animal instincts.
1. After much deliberation, I realized that I could never put anyone above Jamie Fraser, beloved hero of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. He is such an unusual hero (younger than the heroine, a virgin, ginger) for the ro no category, but so perfect at the same time.

** Just read yours, H, when I was editing my list and now I think I need to edit mine AGAIN! I do so love Zsadist (the only BDB I've reread) and Christopher is a gem!
H: Agreed. Every time I read your list I have to go back and edit mine. I hope to rearrange a bit as we keep reading because if we've maxxed out the hottest heroes we're in pretty sorry straits...

H: Just to show that there is no accounting for taste, I have just a few of the same beloved heros as my dear sister.

10. UM, Adam Black, E?! KMM's perennial hero from the land of fae is a ripped, sassy mischief maker, and when he finally falls in love, he falls hard. He shows up in many of the Highlander books, but finally gets his due in the Immortal Highlander and it is worth the wait. I love a good epilogue and this hero has one of the sweetest. [E- you are so right!! I do love most of the Highland hotness KMM puts forth -Kiss of the Highlander and after]
9. Shawn Gallagher. Like E, I am also in love with a man who cooks and has an innate instinct about what his lady love is in the mood for. That he is also musically gifted and blessed with some beautiful peepers is icing on the cake.
8. The Duke of Tresham in No Man's Mistress is pretty freaking awesome. He is a witty daredevil with a tender side (I'm sensing a theme in my hero list...). He is also named Jocelyn, but thankfully they mostly call him Tresham. I like when my ro no heroes cover up their insecurities with humor. [E - about to start this one. YAY!]
7. I'll stick Barrons on this list because obviously I liked him enough to think the Fever series was one of the best ever, but I am not sure I'd like to actually be in his bed. He might be a little too scary. But he is definitely sexy to think about.
6. Zsadist, from the BDB series by JR Ward. He has been tortured nearly beyond recognition, but under that abused body is a tender soul. His singing and the way he pulled himself together for his beloved were pretty damn sexy.
5. Captain Christopher Phelan from Lisa Kleypas' Love in the Afternoon is a lover, not a fighter. Only he's just been fighting for many long years and his sensitive side is revealed only through letters (and little drawings and leaf pressings and other heart-melty things). Call me crazy, but that is sexy as hell.
4. OK, I agree with E that Wulfric was a major hottie. That random quizzing glass? You can run your eyes all over me, Wulf.
3. Sebastian Wroth from No Rest for the Wicked. That first scene in his castle, a tortured recluse meeting his heart's desire, is pure hotness. Then his pursuit of said lady turns him into one seriously desirable vampire.
2. Durstan MacKeltar in Kiss of the Highlander. Hands down better than his twin and all of KMM's other heroes. Perhaps because this book was my gateway drug into the world of romance he will always hold a special place on my hero list. I had read a few Julie Garwoods, but after KMM's highlander I couldn't turn away. Durstan is smart, funny and personable. I could play some naked chess with this man, let me tell you.
1. Rupert Carsington from Loretta Chase's Mr. Impossible. Such a stupid title, such a wonderful character. He is hilarious and cavalier and sexxxxxxy. Seriously, he might tempt me from my husband, and that is saying something.