Male Bonding in Romance
First off, thanks so much for having me as a guest on Muse Interrupted, Cindy. It’s such a thrill to be celebrating my debut novel and sharing my excitement with the blogworld.
One of my favorite parts of romance novels are those little glimpses you sometimes get of the hero is spending some one-on-one time with other guys. Most of the time, I’m like everyone else, desperate to read the next part when the hero and heroine are engaged in clever repartee—I’ve been known to skip over secondary romances in a book just to get back to the main couple. But those moments the hero spends with other men are ones I rarely skip.
Why?
I think it’s because I feel like I’m getting the insider view—a brief peek at what really makes the men in the story tick. The hero is usually relaxed in these scenes, just being himself and not trying to win the day. Although I love my heroes to be larger than life, I like to see them handling the smaller slices of life, too.
There’s usually some humor in those scenes, too, and I enjoy a few lighter moments—especially if the overall story is dark. An example? Okay, I’m going to steal from TV and not a book, just because I know it’ll resonate with most of you: Scenes involving Angel and Spike in the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The push and pull between those two very determined male vampires is both fun and funny to watch, even when there are lives at stake. (Sorry, couldn’t resist the pun).
When it comes to my own writing, I find myself including some of that same interaction, in part to round out my characters, and in part for the sheer pleasure of it.
Here are a few moments between my hero, Lachlan MacGregor, and his friend Brian:
Lachlan wiped his practice sword with an oiled cloth and leaned it up against the stone fireplace. “This would be much easier had you begun training when you were a lad.”
“Yeah, well, I was too busy skateboarding and blowing my eardrums out with Pearl Jam, so that wasn’t an option.”
“Your combat skills need a lot of work.”
Brian deposited his sword and shield on the floor. Looking more like a walking sportswear advertisement than an immortal warrior, he used his arm to wipe the faint sheen off his brow and gave Lachlan a rueful smile. “All those years of corporate backstabbing and deep-sixing the competition don’t count, huh?”
“No.”
“But I’m young and I’m agile. You told me that when we started. And last week, you said I’d come a long way in five weeks. So why the long face?”
“Because you know just enough to get yourself killed.”
“Hey,” the former stockbroker protested, “I thought you said I had good instincts?”
“You need more than good instincts. You need skill.” Lachlan rubbed his shirt front to halt the trickles running down his chest. “And you need more bloody endurance. You should be training every spare minute.”
“No way. Unlike you, MacGregor, I have a life.”
“Read the cards, Webster. Things have changed.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. A year ago, the chances of being ambushed were one in fifty and now it’s more like fifty-fifty. But I’m already doing my bit. I work out with you three times a week. That’s more than most Gatherers can say.”
“Three hours a week is not enough.”
“Why not? I’m learning from the best.” Brian smiled. “Word on the Gatherer grapevine is that you once single-handedly took down a pair of martial demons.”
“Don’t believe everything you hear.”
“Oh, come on. You were ambushed by elite soldier henchies from the inner rings of hell and lived to tell the tale. I know it’s true, admit it. With you as my coach, there’s no question I’ll eventually own some demon ass.”
Shaking his head at the young man’s bravado, Lachlan strode into the kitchen.
I’m offering up a copy of DRAWN INTO DARKNESS to one lucky person today—all you need to do is comment. Do you have a favorite book or series that in your opinion does ‘the guy thing’ really well? Tell me about it.
P.S. This is also a stop on my “Cross into Darkness” blog tour, so feel free to visit my website at www.annettemccleave.com for a chance to win the tour grand prize. If you’ve been following the tour from the beginning, here’s the clue….
Muse Interrupted clue: First word of the two-word answer is the Scottish term for valley.
Thanks for joining me today—I’ve really enjoyed my visit. Good luck in the draw!
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To read the back cover copy of DRAWN INTO DARKNESS and Annette’s bio, please visit yesterday’s post. To learn more about Annette, please visit her website.
I love the male bonding times. I think you are right, it’s my way (as a girl) to try to figure out what the heck they really want. I have just finished my first novel and my favorite scene is where the hero is bantering with his son in law. It’s like I’m sitting on the deck watching them, drinking a beer, of course.
Good luck with your tour and your book. I’m putting it on my purchase list today.
I still can’t figure out what they want, Lynn. 😉
Congrats on finishing your first novel, BTW! That’s such a wonderful feeling, and happily typing The End never gets old.
Hi Annette,
Great post – so true. I enjoy Suzanne Brockmann’s troubleshooters when the guys are together for exactly the reasons you gave. I have no idea what goes on in the male brain so I stick to 1st person. My heroines are as confused as I am 🙂
Hi Annette:
Great excerpt. Really good teaser.
I like the sound of both Lachlan and Brian. I’m picking up this book for sure! Can’t wait to read it.
Men? Nope, haven’t figured them out, but still trying 😉
The “Sweet” series by Maya banks has Connor, Micha, Nathan, Grey and Damon…and I like it when they interact. How they tease each other constantly…or when a new one comes into the crowd, how they are so serious and manly until they get to know him. I think it gives me an insight as to how the guys really are when they are out doing their stuff.
Interesting you should bring this up — I’ve been writing scenes where my protagonist small-town cop is dealing with a homicide detective from a much larger agency to solve a murder. When the two of them get together on the page, the banter starts flying. I would call it friendly rivalry more than male bonding, but I can’t do much more than sit back and type as they go at it.
As far as other books, I enjoyed that rare glimpse into Roarke when he was giving advice to McNab on how to deal with the female of the species. We so rarely get to see him interacting on that level.
Karen — I love Suz Brockmann’s guys! She really does a fabulous job of portraying the male POV.
Mary — Thanks! As soon as you have ’em figured out, share. 🙂
Amy — I haven’t read Maya. The Sweet series sounds terrific–thanks hugely for the recommendation!
Terry — Roarke. Dreamy sigh. Any scene with him in it is good.
That was a great excerpt! I didn’t watch Buffy (I know! I missed out there), but I watch NCIS and Bones. My favorite parts aren’t solving the crime. It’s when the main characters interact.
Edie — I didn’t watch Buffy until after it was off the air. I bought the DVDs and glommed. I love Bones, but not for the male interaction. 🙂 NCIS does more of that. The rivalry between Timothy McGee and Tony DiNozzo is fun to watch!
Hi, everyone, and welcome to Annette!
Annette, great excerpt.
I didn’t watch Buffy, either, but for male bonding on TV, I LOVED the interaction between James Spader and William Shatner on Boston Legal. Those late-night cigar sessions were my favourite parts of the show.
I confess I haven’t really thought about male bonding in romance – you’ve given me something to ponder. I’m usually more about the female friendships when I write. However, my books are all more about the heroine’s story than the hero.
Your scene is a great example of how to enrich the hero’s character through bonding moments, as well.
Cindy — I just love James Spader. 🙂
Interesting blog–I loved your thoughts and the snippet of your book!
I am with you and Karen. One of the reasons I adore Suzanne Brockmann’s books is because of the strong male bonding–it feels very real and personal to me, and keeps me coming back.
I do love the male interaction in books too! I am like you and sometimes skip over secondary romances in books if they do not hold my attention. I have to say one of my favorite series is The Chase Brothers by Lauren Dane, the brothers interaction with each other is awesome!
Thanks for the great excerpt! Please enter me <3
~Erin T
I love men. I love reading scenes with them, I love writing scenes with them. It’s definitely the time I add the humor. I don’t know if I get it right, but when my male characters interact, they always make me smile.
Hi 🙂
Thank you for the great post & excerpt.
One of the best series of books I’ve read that does the “guy thing” well is George R.R. Martin’s SONG OF FIRE & ICE books.
🙂
All the best,
@RKCharron
xoxo
Thanks, Tina!
Erin — I’ll have to pick Lauren’s Chase Brothers books. Brothers. Yum. Thanks!
Nina — I’m sooo with you! LOL.
Hi RKCharron! — Excellent! I haven’t read George R.R. Martin either. Best to you as well. 🙂
One of my favourite male bonding scenes was in Hellboy 2. Hellboy walks in on his friend playing a CD of which Abe tries to hide by switching to Vivaldi. 🙂 Hellboy discovers the CD of popular love songs and says in disbelief, ‘Oh Abe, you fell for the Princess?’ Abe replies, ‘She’s alone in the world. I want to help her, care for her.’ Then Hellboy sit downs and rips a can from the six pack. ‘Yup, you’re in love. Have a beer. What track? (Reads from the CD) Can’t – smile – without – you. Yup, I’m gonna need a beer too.’ Then they both proceed to drown their sorrows and sing along with Barry Manilow.
Absolutely priceless. 🙂 There’s more to the scene but that’s the gist of it. The scene must have been a nod to Joss Whedon and Angel singing Mandy. 🙂
I enjoyed your book’s male bonding scene as well. 🙂
Gail — Note to self: rent Hellboy II. Saw the first one and loved it. It’d be worth it for that scene alone, I bet.
Congratulations on your release, Annette! My daughter is a huge fan of fantasy/adventure. This sounds like a story she’d be interested in.
I enjoy the man to man scenes when guys aren’t watching what they say as carefully as they do when they’re around a woman and end up revealing a great deal about themselves.
ok, I am a TOTAL DORK! First, I cannot spell, because the guys would be Micah and Gray. And second, I was so excited that I posted my “correction” on another site that I did not even goof up on. Goodness sakes, what a day!
I really liked the section you posted in the blog, and I agree about the male bonding. Two authors I like that do this are Suzanne Brockman–her heroes are great, and another is Janet Evanovich. There’s not much bonding in there, but there is some between Ranger and Morelli.
I would love to read your book and am putting it on my list.
Joan K. Maze
Hi Annette!!!
Hmm, let me think – the tv series Rescue Me is really great for “the guy thing” – the men at the fire station bond on so many levels. Their interaction generally appears superficial, but the writers also manage to convey, through various storylines, the depth of their friendship and cameraderie. Tommy, the main character in the series, can be a real idiot, but some of the best of his character comes through when he interacts with they guys he works with, especially when one of them is having problems and needs help.
I highly recommend this series for anyone who wants to study characterization – it’s brilliant.
Amy — We all have days like that. 🙂 Thanks for popping back to post the correct names.
Joan — Thank you! Ranger and Morelli work for me. Must confess, I’m on team Morelli. 🙂
Hi Teresa! — I haven’t seen Rescue Me. I’m so bad when it comes to TV; I can’t keep up with the weekly shows. I often buy the DVD sets afterward. Sounds like this one would be a terrific buy.
Hi Annette,
Great post–and congratulations on your release! Fun times!!
I also enjoy when the author gives us a little alone time with the hero and his pals. So much to be learned….
Off to your site now.
~Caroline
Keli! — How did I missed you? I agree–those careless chatter moments between guys often gives wonderful insights.
Hi Caroline! Thanks. Release time is fun, isn’t it? 🙂
I love the male bonding scenes in Don’t Look Down and Agnes and the Hit Man by Jenny Cruisie/Bob Maher. I think Bob writes these, which may be why they ring true!
Sarah — I bet you’re right! A guy would definitely have the inside edge, LOL!
Yep, it’s definitely worth buying!
Great excerpt and interesting post. I have read books with great male characters and friends in them but cant remember any real bonding, but I never really thought of it either. I am going to have to watch out for that and for the chance to read your book.
What a fun excerpt. I hadn’t really considered the “buddy scenes”, but you are right, they are important. I’m too tired to think of any other authors specifically that do the buddy scenes well, but they are really important in developing the characters. Thought of one, Catherine Coulter in her historicals, the Sherbrooke series in particular. Stephanie Laurens is another one.
I have to admit, Suzanne Brockman is a great one for male bonding. I look forward to reading your book.
Thanks for a great day, everyone. Congratulations to Teresa! You won the copy of DRAWN INTO DARKNESS. Please look for an email from me in your in-box.
Thank you to Annette for a wonderful blogging day and a great excerpt. Wishing you many happy sales.
Donna S — I find them fun to write and delicious to read. 🙂
Hi Patricia!! — Catherine Coulter and Stephanie Laurens are both excellent examples.
Linda — Nothing like a Navy Seal. Or two, or three. 😉
Cindy –Thanks so much for having me as a guest. It was an awesome day.
Thanks to all of you who stopped by and posted, and congratulations to Teresa. Happy reading everyone!