In Honor of Dads

Since it's Fathers Day, I want to share some thoughts about dads from a writer's perspective. In romance novels, we read about the sexy hero - the guy who makes our heart quicken and stirs the old libido up. He has qualities we want in a mate - maybe he's tall and dark, tough but strong. Perhaps he's wealthy or powerful. But what is it that our heroines seek? It boils down to good mates in biological terms. Scientists tell us women instinctively look for men who have well-muscled shoulders, a full beard (or evidence of the ability to grow one) and a deep voice. These are all signs of a high testosterone level, which equates to a man who can impregnate a woman. Our body unconsciously senses that with this man, our offspring have the best chance of survival.
Emotionally, though, we seek a man who can be a good father, not just a sperm donor. He must show evidence of good character so we can know he'll not only father a child, but hang around to help raise it. So, is this the quintessential man we write as our romance hero? Well, I can't say I've ever read a romance novel where the hero was scrawny or a big pork chop. They never have high voices or lack the ability to grow a beard. So, all types of romance novels - from sweet historicals to sexy eroticas feature dad material. Even if your hero and heroine are too old or too young to consider such things, they are there.
So this Fathers Day, I'm honoring the romance hero - the dad in every man.