Happy Tuesday! Today’s theme for Top Ten Tuesday is ‘Reasons I Love … ‘ so I decided (with a little help from my book sisters) to talk about why I love heroes being featured on book covers. For many years in the genre I spend the most time in (Christian fiction), having a guy by himself on the cover was rare and almost taboo. I’m delighted to report that this trend has been changing in the last couple of years, giving plenty of hunky heroes their time to shine!
But… you know… instead of telling you why I love this fairly new trend, I think it would be better for me to show you. đ
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cutie cowboys
why do we love cowboy heroes so much? there’s something so swoony about their loyalty, their protectiveness, their work ethic, and their strength, isn’t there?
rugged rescuers
these heroes may be first responders or bodyguards or crime fighters, but they all have one thing in common – they rescue. our reasons for loving them are similar to why we love cowboys – loyalty, protectiveness, strength.
historical hotties
these heroes prove you don’t have to be a contemporary hero to be swoonworthy.
Whew. I could keep going but I don’t want to short-circuit anyone’s computer or smartphone screens đ
What about you? Why do you love having heroes on book covers? Did I miss any of your faves?
Ooooh! I’m so glad somebody said this! I love seeing the hero on the cover. I don’t know why that hasn’t been done more. I know we’re supposed to put ourselves in the heroine’s shoes, but I’d rather see the hero than see her. I love all these covers. Thanks for inviting Drew! đ
yes!! A good compromise (i suppose) is having the couple on the cover but I’m all for a hero-only cover too lol
Some good ones here and hunky guys đ I did my Favourite Tropes over at The Phantom Paragrapher
oh fun! Thanks, Paula!
Well! That was nice to wake up to. đ
hahaha!
I’m glad to see this trend as well. “The Spice King” is one of my favorite covers and the character in “The Noble Guardian” was a favorite as well.
yesssss!!
Best. Post. EVER!!!!
Hahahahaha
I love seeing them on covers so when I start reading I already have what they look like pictured in my head!
definitely a plus!!
Oooh I love all of these!
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I support this message!!
Thanks for the PSA! I think I’ll leave this tab open on my laptop for a while! LOL
I didn’t even realize there were that many on my KF!!
(BTW, I have several – or at least seen – the ones you originally posted!)
Healing Hearts series by Ginny Sterling
Wildflower Wishes series (#`1, #2, & #4) by Mary Manners
Boarding House Misfits series by Annie Boone
Billionaires with Heart series by Juliette Duncan
Billionaires of Manhattan series by Jenna Brandt
Billionaires with Heart series by Liwen Y. Ho
Black Tie Billionaires series by Jo Grafford
Disaster City Search & Rescue series by small # of various authors
Some of THE LAWKEEPER books feature just a guy on the cover too
Men of Fire Beach series
Sweet Billionaires series
by Lorana Hoopes
Dalton Brothers series by Merrillee Whren
Gabriel’s Atonement (Land Rush Dreams Book 1)
The Prodigal’s Shotgun Wedding
by Vickie McDonough
5 of the books in Wyldhaven series by Lynette Bonner
Everyday Heroes series by Margaret Daley
Blind Date Disasters series by Evangeline Kelly
Hostage (The Navy Justice Series Book 2) by Don Brown
Where Can I Flee (Ancient Words series, #1)
Out of the Ashes (Ancient Words series, #3)
by A. M. Heath
Brothers of Miller Ranch series by Natalie Dean
The Kavanagh Brothers series by Kathleen Ball
Believe it or not .. a couple of The Pinkerton Matchmakers series has a guy on the cover!
A Billionaire Romance series by Bree Livingston
The Blair Brothers series by Brooke St James
The Billionaire Surprise series by Emma St. Clair
The Legacy (The Restoration Series Book #4): A Novel by by Dan Walsh
The Callahans of Texas series by Sharon Gillenwater
Lacy Williams & Liz Isaacson & Debra Clopton & Hanna Hart have LOTS of handsome cowboys!
Several of the LIS K-9 Unit books have a guy on the cover
Oh, Carrie, this is so great! I definitely agree with this post! Having the hero on the cover is the best trend!
This is a fun, unique spin on today’s topic! Not gonna lie, though, I tend to avoid books with a solo man on the cover (especially if they’re half-naked). It’s not that I don’t appreciate a good-looking man, but those kinds of covers tend to be on books that aren’t really my genre, if that makes sense. I’m glad you enjoy them, though!
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Le sigh…..this is definitely the most drool worthy blog post I have ever seen.
Lol!
Omg! This is such a fun post, and I especially love the historical hotties đ
–My TTT
You included some of my favorite books and covers! Great post!
What a fun post! I love heroes on covers. I have been missing them a bit lately with all of the illustrated covers in the romance world.
Fun list!
Did we get Take A Chance on Me by Becky Wade? Unforgotten by Kristen Heitzmann?
Mary Connealy has some swoon worthy covers in addition to those you mentioned. Her High Sierra Sweethearts series (especially The Accidental Guardian and The Reluctant Warrior), Trouble in Texas series, and the Kincaid Brides series (especially Rafe on the cover of Out of Control) are all worthy of more than one look.
Love this! I am definitely one who would rather have the hero on the cover. I prefer the original cover with Morgan Spencer from The Still of Night by Kristen Heitzman. I was sad when they replaced him with Jill.