September 8, 2009 | Filed under: Stuff
Alpha Man and I were up late the other night, vegging in front of MTV’s Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory. Man, that show is a total time sink, and yet somehow utterly inexplicably irresistible. I can’t explain it.
Anyway, afterwards we got the munchies and made one of our treks to 7-Eleven. We were standing in line when I noticed the woman in front of us. She had a young kid clinging to her designer jeans worn over some really pretty high heels that looked more expensive than everything in my closet put together, and a sweet angora sweater that I could never have worn because I’d probably spill my ice cream on it. Her make-up and hair were perfect. I looked at her buying her kid a movie and nothing fattening to go with, and then looked at myself.
I had my hair twisted on top of my head, held there by a number two pencil. I was wearing my oldest daughter’s basketball sweats, and because my feet were cold, ancient Ugg boots. The look wasn’t exactly designer, or remotely flattering. Plus I was holding a gallon of ice cream that I did not, repeat did not, intend to share. I turned to Alpha Man. “She’s single,” I whispered.
“How do you know?”
“Look at her. She’s in Impress-A-Man Mode.”
He gazed at her, and then at me. To his credit, he didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to.
“I’m in a different mode altogether,” I said a bit defensively.
“What mode would that be? Just out of curiosity.”
“How about I’ve Got My Man And He’s Damn Lucky To Have Me mode.”
He laughed and hugged me. And then bought me the ice cream …
P.S. I need a question answered … when you’re reading a romance, what age heroine works for you? What age doesn’t work for you? And what’s too old, or too young? THANKS! (Um, same question for heroes too, please)
Posted by Jill @ 1:00 am | Make a Comment
Edie says:
yay to alpha man shouting the ice-cream.
Too young below 20 and too old.. 60, for both.
Age pet peeve – too big a gap between ages of H/H
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 1:40 amJess says:
since I’m no longer 18 (lol), I like heroines/heroes to be between 20s – 40s
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 2:46 amJudy F says:
I really don’t care much for heroines under 20, I prefer late 20′s to late 40′s. I would be nice to read about a heroine by age 49.
For the heroes I like them to be around the same age as the heroine. Don’t like the 20 girl and the 40 plus guy.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 2:53 amStacy ~ says:
At least 25. I’m reading a series with a 22-year-old heroine and that’s a little too young. The issue I have with it is that rarely do 22 year-olds these days find love and settle down, especially if they’re fresh out of college.
I could see a heroine in her 40′s or 50′s. Not so hard to imagine. There are a lot of gorgeous women out there who could put those 20-year-olds to shame.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 3:23 amKris says:
i would say between 25 and 40 for both heroes and heroines.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 3:41 amCheryl McInnis says:
I bet that kid was a niece or nephew…no mother in her right mind wears angora sweaters!
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 4:26 amI like a H/H to be in their early to mid thirties….erm, but maybe that’s just because I’m pushing 35?
Booklover1335 says:
As I get older I like H/h to be older too. Thinking early thirties to forties. That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy books where they are in their twenties (mid not early) just that sometimes it’s nice to have some life experiences to add to the story that older characters can provide.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 4:44 amKim says:
Oh, good answer, Alpha Man!
As for ages of the H and h…Now that I’m in my mid-40s, I prefer a heroine with some maturity, at the very least late 20s, preferably into her 30s and 40s. I rarely read about a woman in her 40s, though.
The same applies to the hero — 30s and 40s preferred, but NOT a huge age gap between the hero and heroine. Yuck.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 5:29 amStephanie says:
I say 20′s to 40′s… I’m going to be 23 in about a week so I like them near me but my mom reads romance too (she got me into it) and she probably likes them older so I say whatever you enjoy writing because there hasn’t been one I didn’t enjoy reading…
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 5:29 amjean says:
I think someone who is about to turn 47. Yes, that would be the perfect age for your next heroine.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 5:41 amtennismom says:
Since 50 is the new 40…LOL. I agree about the not too young. I don’t have an upper limit. I think age is a small part of the character if the story is strong enough. I really have no restrictions (except I still hate skinny girls with big egos if you know what I mean.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 5:45 amSabrina says:
I say between 20 and 40. Preferably late 20s early 30s. I met my husband when I was 20 so I would certainly read a story with a young h/h. It made life a little more difficult being that young but I wouldn’t trade him for all the cookies in the world!
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 5:51 amDru says:
Alpha Man knows the right thing to do.
I like my heroines and heroes in their thirties and forties.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 5:52 amJulie H says:
I would REALLY like to see a heroine in her late 40s…I am 47…and I just got married to my total alpha hottie husband…tattooed his name in a most discreet place on my body that peeks when I wear my bikini (which I still rock by the way) and that I wore on our honeymoon during which we had complete destroy the hotel room swinging from the chandelier sex!
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 5:54 amThis is such a rant for me…waaaay too many books think the heroine needs to be in her late 20s or the oldest early 30s…it makes me crazy! Trust me…sex just gets hotter and hotter the older you are!
I will get off my soapbox now..haha
Amber says:
I’m in my thirties but I like to read about the mid to late twenties. For me, at that age is when you finally get your head straight and know what you want. Nothing wrong with the other ages, just what I like. I don’t like below twenty three…
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 5:56 amAshley says:
I agree it’s nice to read a romance where the couple is in your own age group because sometimes it’s easier to relate. But I have to say I don’t really get too caught up on the age, I would say mid to late 20′s to late 40′s for both. Also, I agree that there shouldn’t be too big an age gap between the two.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 6:01 amDiane W says:
Heroine…..mid 20′s to 40′s.
Hero…..30′s to mid 40′s.
I like the Hero to be the same age as, or no more than 5-7 years older, than the Heroine. Love and romance are for all ages (I am 46), but I read for escape and fantasy and I like to read about younger couples. More mature relationships are great, but for me I would like to see them as a secondary couple. Like you did in your Wilder Adventure series.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 6:13 amLiza says:
WTG Alpah Man! I like both H/H to be in the late 20′s to mid to upper 40′s. Even early 50′s is ok with me, as long as there isn’t too big an age gap between the hero/heroine.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 6:37 amJen R. says:
I like my heroes and heroines to be in their late 20s (28, 29), 30s, and 40s. Anything younger than that there better be a good reason why they are considering marriage (since it seems like most romance books end in marriage/babies). Now, if it is just a love affair or a fling or something, any age works for me.
I know I married young (24), but I don’t recommend it for most people, and reading about people who are 24, single, no kids getting married just ecks me out!
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 7:36 amWest says:
Well, as long as everyone is at least legal, I won’t pitch too big a fit, but I’d really prefer them to be at least late 20′s. I have issues with credibility and suspension of disbelief when they’re barely old enough to drink and they make all the right decisions/have grown-up epiphanies/are at the height of their careers and things like that. I have this thing about characters being fairly realistic, you know?
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 8:03 amD says:
Age means nothing..a good story is all that really matters. I met my hubby at 18, dated him 5 months and we eloped. Our families disowned us and told us not to come crawling back in 6 months when it ended. Ok , 30 years later we’re still married have 3 great kids and are in-law free!!!!! I know it’s not for everyone, however, I learned a great lesson.. I can’t live my kid’s lives and they have to learn by their own mistakes. I’m not a religious person but I figure I’ll let God do the judging and I’ll just enjoy the ride called life. Oh yeah, way to go Alpha Man..a man is always at their sexiest when he loves his woman(sweats and all).
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 8:26 amtrish c says:
Sounds to me like Alpha Man is very content with his life. All men should have that!!! I love a man who will buy the ice cream. Mine does too! I don’t share either. Right now Edy’s has a special ice cream out with butterfingers crushed into it. Oh my god, to die for. I eat the whole pint in one sitting. So far, can only find it at CVS. My husband gets the one with drumsticks crushed into it. We do not share with each other. lol
As for age, under 20 for the female only if it is a historical. I prefer 25 and up for the women and over 30 for the men. I don’t get too caught up in age though.
Go Alpha Man!!!!
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 9:57 amMegan says:
I like my H/H’s around 70-90! haha, just kidding. 20-40 are good ages.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 9:59 amSALLYE says:
HI, I WAS MARRIED WHEN I TURNED 19 AND WE HAD A 58 YR WONDERFUL MARRIAGE THAT I WOULD NOT TRADE FOR ALL THE COOKIES IN YOUR KITCHEN LOL. HE HAS BEEN GONE FOR 6 YRS AND I STILL THINK OF HIM EVERY DAY. THERE IS NO AGE LIMIT TO HOW MUCH ONE LOVES THE OTHER, SO
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 9:59 amJUST KEEP WRITING YOUR WONDERFUL STORIES AND DO NOT MIND ABOUT AGE I AM SURE WE ALL LOVE THE STORIES WHATEVER THE H/H AGES ARE.
Wendy says:
I love Rob’s Fantasy Factory never miss it and Nitro Circus is great to watch too. Love watching other people do stuff I would never ever do in my life time.
Since I am getting older, going to be 40 this year I like my H/H to be early 30′s to late 40′s.
Enjoy all your books keep up the good work.
Wendy
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 10:37 amPat L. says:
Me too, as I get older the ages go up. LOL. So maybe I would say 28 – 42 for both the h/h.
Did I miss the winners from the end of August?
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 10:39 amFedora says:
What a wonderful guy Alphaman is!
As for heros/heroines–I prefer at least mid-20s, up until whenever… I can’t relate well to the extremely young anymore!
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 10:40 amKatie Mack says:
I prefer age 27 to late-40s for both H/H, because I like them to have believable maturity and life experience. Early- to mid-30s is my preference.
I don’t care much for romances with more than a 10-year age gap between the H/H, because then there’s a squickiness factor I have to mentally get over.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 10:44 amGeorganna says:
I agree with many of you, as I get older, I like my characters to be older too. I prefer th 25 – 50 age range.
I remember when I was a new stay-at-home mom with my first baby. I stopped wearing make-up and only wore jeans and sweats. My husband made a comment about me not fixing myself up anymore. After I ‘ripped him a new one’, he saw the light and hasn’t ever complained about my appearance in the 11 years since!
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 10:50 amBrandy says:
Your hubs is a good man. *G* As for heroines and hero’s? I prefer them somewhere in late twenties to early forties. Secondary romances in books, the ages can increase, but I like to be able to resonate with the heroine and since I’m in my mid-thirties…… *G*
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 11:11 amDonna M says:
Age in a romance should be beliveable in regards to the place the H/h are in life. Personally I love to pick up a book and find out the main characters are in their 40′s or 50′s but it is very rare. As I get older I like people to know that as you age romance is still possible. Look at the people these days that are living very full active lives into their 50′s, 60′s & up.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 11:32 amSusan says:
I think somewhere between late 20’s to late 40’s is fine.
Alpha Man knows he found his soul mate in you!
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 11:59 amsls-rainey says:
older than 20 — pet peeve is one way older. Side characters under 20 are ok, but not when their writen as oh so wise and found the perfect someone. Very few people know exactly what they are doing at that age.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 12:23 pmNicole S says:
For me 20s to 40s for both. I like when the heroine is in her 20s because I’m 24, but if they’re in the age range I said earlier I enjoy them. I would say too old would be 60s.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 12:41 pmJane says:
I prefer them to be in their late 20s to early 40s.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 2:36 pmlimecello says:
Ok… to be honest, any heroine younger than me creeps me out a little :X
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 2:50 pmI’m REALLY creeped out by heroines under 21 – come on! She should at least be able to drink. Anyway, I prefer heroines in their mid 20s-30s I guess. (I can’t go by a hard and fast age, because I get older every year!) Haha.
Kathrin says:
I think mid-20s to mid-30s would be nice. I don’t buy it when a “just out of high school” girl finds her Prince Charming and having a heroine in he 40s makes me despair.
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 3:49 pmI’m 25, single, and don’t like it too much. The thought alone of having to wait years and years to come until I – maybe!!! – find my Prince Charming is too depressing.
Angie says:
Late 20s to early 40s. Some of these books with 23 year olds finding the love of their life always leaves me with an icky feeling. Especially since the man is always older and more experienced. She hasn’t even lived any of her life – she just thinks she has!
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 4:31 pmCrystal-Rain Love says:
I guess I prefer the stories where heroines are in their mid-20′s to mid-30′s and heros in their late 20′s through 30′s…As I grow older, that may just change. ( – ;
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 7:52 pmCelise says:
I like my heroes and heroines to be in their late 20′s to late 30′s
Posted on September 8th, 2009 at 9:44 pmKarin says:
I like both my hero and heroine to be between 20 and 40.
Posted on September 9th, 2009 at 1:15 pmDeb says:
I have very little use for anyone under the age of 25, in real life or otherwise! I really prefer both characters to be in their thirties, but I will read almost anything…although a romance featuring anyone past 60 would probably not appeal to me (my parents age, and who want to think of that?).
Posted on September 9th, 2009 at 5:14 pmMelanie says:
Between 20 and like 35. For both hero and heroine. I can not stand huge age gaps tho. ew. The whole daddy fantasy is wayy too kinky and even more creepy for me…i’m just sayin.
Posted on November 4th, 2009 at 4:45 pm