Men and Their Weapons
By Nicole North
Whether historical, contemporary or paranormal, most of the stories I’ve written feature a man using a weapon at some point. Maybe it’s because I like a lot of action, suspense and adventure with my sizzling romance. But, let’s face it; a man who has a weapon and knows how to use it is hot. Not because I’m a fan of violence. I’m not. But I do like a hero who is protective of those he loves or cares about. And actually capable of protecting them.
What kind of weapons are we talking about? For my historical heroes, from 17th century Scotland, their weapon of choice is usually a basket-hilted broadsword. They’re much shorter and easier to carry around than the two-handed Highland sword. Gavin, the hero of my novella, Devil in a Kilt in Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures uses both. But of course it depends on whether the scene is a battle scene, skirmish, practice, or whether he is using it for general defense while traveling. At home (in a castle,) the swords and other weapons were usually kept in the armory instead of all the men carrying around swords, axes and pistols all the time, unless they’ve just been out fighting the enemy. But my Scottish heroes usually have a sgian dubh, dirk or dagger well within reach at all times.
Since early types of pistols were in use by the 15th and 16th centuries, my heroes sometimes use those as well, especially the Scottish snaphaunce belt pistols, sometimes made in matched pairs. But they can only get one shot off from each pistol, then they must charge in with their swords.
Showing a hero in action with his sword or other weapon is fun and exciting, so I always try to show that he knows how to use this weapon. It isn’t just for display. Something equally great is a man who can use his hands as weapons, such as in martial arts or simply punching someone out.
Back through history and prehistory, men were the main ones who protected and defended the social group. We see a man who can do this as strong, capable and confident. We want to be under his protection because he knows what he’s doing.
This is not to say women can’t do the same thing, because they can, of course. I love to have my heroines use weapons and save the day too. And the hero admires her for it, but does feel a bit sheepish that he didn’t accomplish it before she did. A hero who can protect his woman and fight alongside her is great to have around.
In my latest erotic romance novella, Kilted Lover, the hero is a modern day, hot, muscular, kilted guy who finds his warrior roots. He’s thrown into a dangerous situation in which he must protect the heroine from two villains, not once but twice. Definitely the kind of man I’d want protecting me!
What about you? Do you like sexy, alpha heroes bearing weapons (or using his hands as weapons)? Which is your favorite type: Medieval knights, Highlanders with huge swords, Western gunslingers, modern day cops, some other type? What about them draws you in? One commenter will win a copy of my erotic romance novella ebook, Kilted Lover.
Click to read a chapter one excerpt of Kilted Lover
Visit my website: www.nicolenorth.com
Blurbs
Devil in a Kilt: A trip to the Highland Games turns into a trip to the past when modern day Shauna MacRae touches Gavin MacTavish’s 400-year-old claymore. She finds the Devil in a Kilt she’s had erotic fantasies about for months. Can she break the curse imprisoning this shape-shifting laird and his clan before an evil witch sends Shauna back to her time and takes Gavin as her sex slave?
Watch the Secrets 27 book video.
Kilted Lover: When kilted cabertosser Scott MacPherson tosses Leslie Livingston over his shoulder to rescue her from two armed thieves trying to steal her priceless amulet, they are thrust into a deadly but sexy adventure. Though Leslie already has a lukewarm, uninterested boyfriend, her attraction to Scott is whitehot and undeniable. She wants to lick this tall, muscular alpha male all over and explore the depths of eroticism with him. But will he want anything more than one night once the danger is behind them?
Watch the Kilted Lover book video.
Bio: Nicole North’s erotic romance novellas have been described by reviewers as “exciting, high octane, captivating, scintillating, sinfully delicious and pure romance.” Her stories contain “heart and heat, killer love scenes, magic and extraordinary characters.” Her latest release from Red Sage, Kilted Lover, is contemporary erotic romance novella with a touch of paranormal. Her first story, Devil in a Kilt is in the anthology Secrets Volume 27 Untamed Pleasures, out now from Red Sage. The second novella in the series, Beast in a Kilt, will be in Secrets Volume 29. Her works have finaled in over a dozen writing competitions and won several awards. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and three chapters. She teaches online workshops about various aspects of writing, including sexual tension and how to write great love scenes. Though she has a degree in psychology, writing romance is her first love. She and her husband live in the Southeastern US, but she wishes she lived in the Scottish Highlands at least half the year. Visit her website at: www.nicolenorth.com
Aye, m’Lord? And why not?
Congratulations, Lisa G!!
Hi, I’ve used a random number generator to choose a winner. Lisa G! Congrats! Please email me and I will send you the copy of Kilted Lover. Thanks!
nicole (at) nicolenorth (dot) com
LOL! Fabulous beginning to the story, Jacqueline!! 🙂
“…..from her postion on the rocks, she followed his climb up the mountain after the blazing red dragon. Rocks rained down from beneath the mamouth beast’s talloned claws. Twisting to the left, he dodged the speeding boulders and shifted his tactics, moving out of it’s path. The muscles of his back and shoulders glisting in sweat, powerful, radiant, he continued his climb to the peak. Beneath the pleats of red and black tartan showed his mighty legs, pushing him forward up the rock face. This was her protector, her Highlander, her heart and soul’s love.”
OK, yeah, I can see a kilted dragon-slayer……….. 😉
Absolutely, Linda! I’m visualizing a kilted dragon-slayer at the moment. Very nice! 🙂
I like the idea of a man being able to protect himself and the ones he loves. Whether it be with a weapon or with his own hands. I find that very romantic. A man who will slay dragons for you if need be. And if he has a kilt on, so much better.
Thanks, Pam!! Hope you enjoy the way my heroes use their weapons. 🙂
Nicole, I love the modern day take of the use of weapons of the past. You are a new to me author that I must check out.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
Lisa, my thoughts exactly! I love a Scottish accent! And the kilt of course. 😉
Jacqueline, LOL! Thanks! I’ll take a gift-wrapped kilt-wearer. 😉
Maeve, ah yes, you’ve caught me! I do often produce those Freudian slips. Intentionally. LOL!
Men and their weapons…Nicole…that “almost” sounds like a Freudian slip. Ahem…sorry…been a very long day and I’m feeling just a tad bit wicked (grin). I did enjoy this post. I’m quite fond of the claymore myself. All the best!
Lisa – I am SO on that! I’ll skip the song, just serve the dessert! (I’ll take two – gift wrap one for my friend Nicole.)
Give me a man in a kilt with a bare chest and a sword and I would be the happiest girl in the whole U.S.A. Oh wait, that last part was a song. I definetely was born in the wrong era. I love knights, don’t get me wrong, but the Scottish accent and the attire just makes me melt.
Thanks for checking it out, Jena!! I agree Highlanders are hot! 🙂
Great post, Nicole! Highlanders are SO hot!
Lexi, thanks!! And I agree with you. I love those take charge men who jump into the thick of the action with a weapon of their choice.
Great info, Nicole! This is the type of man I love and love to read about. It doesn’t matter if he’s got a sword or a gun, good-hearted rebel Highlander or modern day detective. They’re all yummy!
Jacqueline, Great idea about the on-going blog. There’s a lot more to be said about men and their weapons. As well as women and their weapons. LOL I’m revising a ms. now where the heroine loves her weapons. Yes, those proud warriors–very hot. LOL Thanks!
Men and Their Weapons – this could be an on-going blog. There is truly something to be said for a hot-Scot who can wield a claymore, bastard sword and even a sgian dhubh. The strength and control alone is breath-taking. I have to support the heroine here, too. In my experience, men like their women to be able to handle weapons well – just not better than them, or against them. And they like to be the one to teach. Ah, Pride! Thanks for the interview, Nicole!
LOL! Thanks Pat! I love the image of flying kilts. 😉 I do enjoy researching weapons and learning how my characters can use them.
Thanks Kathleen! And wow I’d love to attend the Tattoo. That must have been great fun! Great to meet another kilt addict! LOL
Nicole, your Kilted Lover sounds fabulous. You’ve clearly done your homework on the weaponry component. There’s nothing like reading a book and knowing you’re in the hands of a knowledgeable and imaginative storyteller. I love present day heroes who know the old ways, hence the modern day Fianna in the stories I write. Keep those weapons (and kilts) flying, ma’am!
Love a man in a kilt and I espeically love reading about them.. I did not have the same experince as your herioine when she touched a claymore.. I have been to the Tattoo at Edinbugh Castle…
Men and thier weapons.. Great interview..
Alice, there is just something about those kinds of heroes. Sigh. 😉
Marta, yes, I love that sense of honor and code of conduct! There is something so admirable and sexy about it.
Pam, thanks!! I definitely have a thing for Highlanders, too. Kilts are hot. 😉 If you have a chance to read Kilted Lover, hope you enjoy it!
Nicole,
I loved your post. I so agree with you on Men and weapons. The whole images of a nice hunky take charge male riding in to save the day just makes me sigh :). There is something to be said about the attraction if Highlanders as well! Kilted Lover looks like a great and I’ve added it to my wishlist.
Highlanders and 1800s English Men send me into a swoon. I have a thing for a protective man – weapon or no weapon. These men seem to have a sense or honor and a code of conduct that makes me feel like all female like. Reading how these men seem to go out of their way (step up to the plate) willing to give up and loss in order to correct the evils or wrongs – to ensure that their ladies are safe, happy and well loved – sends this heart to flutter. Oh the old romantic in me has emerge!
>>But, let’s face it; a man who has a weapon and knows how to use it is hot. Not because I’m a fan of violence. I’m not. But I do like a hero who is protective of those he loves or cares about. And actually capable of protecting them.
Nicole, I totally agree with this. 100% hot and definitely high on my list of qualities a hero should have.