There is something so appealing to me about a man, fighting and sweating in a ring: if a book blurb says that the hero is a UFC or MMA fighter, there is a 100% chance I will pick up the book. No question about it. Broken bones and blood and tears. And then coming home to claim his woman with the high he has from winning his fight. It’s primal and sexy, right?

Granted, I know nothing about real life UFC or MMA fighting. My dad once took me to a WWE event and I got to see Hulk Hogan put someone in a headlock. I know professional wrestling is nowhere near professional fighting, I’m just giving you my frame of reference. In my head, professional fighters are very serious, dedicated men who still have time to romance their woman. I’m a romance reader, I can’t help it.

I can’t remember who my first fighter hero was, but the one that stands out to me most is Willing Victim by Cara McKenna. The hero is an amateur underground fighter who is a very no-nonsense type of guy. In this book, the hero likes to play out rape fantasies (not everyone’s cup of tea, but it is done really well in this book), and the backdrop of the fighting in this one really sets off the developing romance.

[Are you ready to rumble?...]

Kresley Cole
Lothaire
Gallery Books, $25.00/$11.99 digital, Jan. 10, 2012

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness— until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millennia old blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past...or risk everything for a future with her?

[Will Lothaire change? Do we want him to?...]

I love the Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) series by J.R. Ward. It is my crack, and I will never be able to not read it, even though the latest book in the series, Lover Unleashed, was disappointing. I don’t care. The world she has created sucks me in, and they are my most anticipated releases each year.

When she announced she was starting a new series about fallen angels, I was quite excited. I have read the first two, and will admit I don’t like them nearly as much as her BDB world, but it is Ward, and I’ll continue to read her.

The Fallen Angel series actually takes place in the same world as the BDB. In the first book, Covet, Butch (from BDB) appears very briefly in a church. And in Lover Unleashed, the hero for her next Angel release Envy, has a supporting role. But although these books exist in the same world, there are many differences.

[Let’s break it down...]

One Grave at a Time
Jeaniene Frost
HarperCollins, August 30, 2011, $7.99

How do you send a killer to the grave when he’s already dead?

Having narrowly averted an (under)World War, Cat Crawfield wants nothing more than a little downtime with her vampire husband, Bones. Unfortunately, her gift from New Orleans’s voodoo queen just keeps on giving—leading to a personal favor that sends them into battle once again, this time against a villainous spirit.

Centuries ago, Heinrich Kramer was a witch hunter. Now, every All Hallows Eve, he takes physical form to torture innocent women before burning them alive. This year, however, a determined Cat and Bones must risk all to send him back to the other side of eternity—forever. But one wrong step and they’ll be digging their own graves.

[Who doesn’t love the idea of living dangerously?...]

When I was asked to start blogging for Heroes and Heartbreakers, the first topic suggested to me was to name my top five hairiest heroes.

Is my love for hairy men that well known?

Okay, fine; I’m obsessed. I love a good scruffy face and a nice hairy chest. My grandfather always told me, eating the crust of bread puts hair on your chest. So I like men who eat a lot of crust.

But I’ve talked a lot about hairy men in my blogging days. What about those who lack that hair on top? There are some fierce bald-headed heroes out there who make me melt.

[Drumroll, please...]