Good morning, everyone! And thank you so much to the Naughty & Spice gals for inviting me back to their lair. 
Summer is here already, if you can even believe it, and it’s shaping up to be a busy one for me. Not only am I part of a fabulous, hot and steamy anthology that’s out now called REAL MEN LAST ALL NIGHT (http://www.heidibetts.com/books/realmen.php) with Lori Foster, Lora Leigh, and Cheyenne McCray, but the second book in my sexy, funny “Chicks with Sticks” trilogy, LOVES ME, LOVES ME KNOT (http://www.heidibetts.com/books/lovesme_knot.php), will be out August 4th. Whew. (And that doesn’t even count the current deadlines hanging over my head. LOL)
But all the hoopla about REAL MEN LAST ALL NIGHT’s release has got me thinking quite a bit about “real men” and what qualities they might possess that regular men (read: not as real *vbg*) don’t. If I were to compose a list, these are the traits I think would be on it:
REAL MEN…
…do dishes
…take ou
t the garbage
…kill the bug / catch the mouse
…change diapers
…are kind to animals
…open doors for ladies
…are loyal, reliable, and steadfast
…remember special occasions (especially birthdays and anniversaries!)
…come bearing chocolate
…do the right thing, even if it isn’t always the easy thing
…really do last all night
So what do you think? Good list, or am I setting my sights a little too high?
Linc Rappaport, the hero of my REAL MEN LAST ALL NIGHT novella, “Wanted: A Real Man” is definitely a real man. He’s tough and sexy and Alpha to the core. And even though he’s been hurt by Claire Cassidy in the past, when he discovers that he has a daughter with her—one he never knew existed—he steps up and does the right thing despite the numerous reasons he could give for turning and walking away.
And as for Gage Marshall, the hero of LOVES ME, LOVES ME KNOT…well, doing the right thing is so ingrained in him that he’s willing to go through with it even if it cost him the one thing that means the most to him—his wife. But never fear. Jenna and Gage may be separated, but she has no intention of letting him get away!
So what would be on your list of REAL MEN requirements?
Let me know what qualities you like to see in your heroes and “real men,” and at the end of the day, I’ll pick two winners from my favorite responses to receive autographed copies of REAL MEN LAST ALL NIGHT and the prequel to LOVES ME, LOVES ME KNOT, TANGLED UP IN LOVE. (The 
winners will get to choose which title they get on a first come, first served basis. Cruel, I know. But then, they don’t call me Mistress Heidi over at my WIPs and Chains blog (http://www.heidibetts.com/wipsandchains/) for nothing. *g*)
Here’s hoping your future if filled with lots of KNOT-free REAL MEN…
Heidi
Heidi’s Website | Wips and Chains
Must Love Yarn
Lori T
June 26th, 2009 at
12:53 am
Hi Heidi~
I am really looking forward to reading these!
I think that real men are always willing to say and show how much they love you.
Real men are willing to run to the store and get whatever you need…even if it is a “girlie” item.
Good luck on the release of Real Men Last All Night!!
Heidi Betts
June 26th, 2009 at
9:08 am
Good morning, everyone! Well, I woke up to a bunch of men surrounding my house…unfortunately, they’re putting in a new drain, so it’s not as fun as it sounds. :nener:
Hi, Lori! Glad you’re looking forward to REAL MEN LAST ALL NIGHT. I like your additions to the list, altho I do at least *try* not to send guys out for anything too embarrassing.
Ames
June 26th, 2009 at
9:08 am
MOrning Heidi! I totally want that coffee cup! *sigh* I used to have one like it but I can’t remember the company who makes them :woot:
Anyway just wanted to say welcome to NAS(ty)! I’ve got to get to the dayjob but I’ll be back to comment later!
Fran
June 26th, 2009 at
9:28 am
Hi Heidi! Hope you are having a great Friday :doglick:
I’m definitely on the :cloud9: because the weekend is on it’s way.
I must say your list sounds great and I totally agree with you. Only thing missing is six-pack and they always have to be in a good mood
Have a great weekend :wave:
Sabrina
June 26th, 2009 at
9:29 am
What a fun post to read on Friday morning!
My additions:
Real men say “I LOVE You” without hesitation
Real men will hold you while you cry without saying “don’t cry”
Real men know its sexy to be funny!
Thanks for the laughs this morning!
Sabrina
Laura J.
June 26th, 2009 at
9:31 am
Morning Heidi,
I think your list pretty much covers it, but I do have to add that they need to be able to handle mood changes at the speed of sound and do it without making the woman’s mood change yet again due to an inappropriate response to the original said mood.
Roberta Harwell
June 26th, 2009 at
9:33 am
Hello Heidi,
Loved your list for real men can I add finish the projects you have already started. My hubby has a problem with this. Once I finally get him motivated to start a project around the house, he gets about half way done and something else comes up. I just want a project completed from start to finish. Is this to much to ask for? LOL Please count me in for the contest. Would love one of your books. Have a great day.
Cheryl S.
June 26th, 2009 at
10:08 am
Hi Heidi! I’ve got to say your list sums it up pretty well. Guess I’d add:
Real men are kind to children and senior citizens.
Heidi Betts
June 26th, 2009 at
10:42 am
Ames~ I don’t know where I found that pic, but try CatalogFavorites.com. They have a ton of stuff & I think you *might* be able to find the mug there.
Ah, Fran, if only every man came with 6-pack abs. The perpetual good mood would be nice, too, but since I can’t even claim that one… :lmao:
I’m with you, Sabrina. I love a man who can make me laugh!
Okay, Laura, now that’s a good one! Do you think there are any men out there who are actually that adaptable? :poke:
Hi, Roberta! Oh, man, you are so right about the finishing projects thing! :yes: That’s the worst, to have a zillion different half-finished things lying around, awaiting completion. Sheesh! :diebastard:
Cheryl~ That’s a good one, too. Guess if a guy isn’t nice to kids & old people, he’s just a jerk. Not that I can claim to *always* be nice to children *snicker* but at least I’m not intentionally cruel, either. At least not often. :evillaugh:
Crystal B.
June 26th, 2009 at
10:52 am
Hi Heidi. Great list. Here are my additions:
Real men are nice to your family and friends even though they get on their nerves.
Real men tolerate your fur babies even if they have pet allergies.
Paula
June 26th, 2009 at
11:18 am
I think this is a good question…answer??? That’s the tough one. :evillaugh: I think a good quality for a “REAL” man is to know instinctly without having to be told that when a woman is crying and you don;t know what to say, you know we will be fine with you just holding us while we sobb it out.
Dawn in Missouri
June 26th, 2009 at
11:55 am
1. Foreplay is NOT optional
2. Size DOES matter (puncturing the male-ego-saving myth)
3. Size is IRRELEVANT if you don’t know how to use it properly
4. It’s OK (GOOD) to ask what your partner likes
5.
Chris Roberts
June 26th, 2009 at
12:02 pm
Okay, I like your list Heidi. It is a good beginning. Of course that might because my dh fits all of them but doing the dishes and the all night. Instead of all night, I would substitute for willing whenever I’m in the mood, likes animals, large shoulders and a six pack. Oh and last but not least, always willing to talk to the mechanic, plumber, electrician, etc who just want to shut me up and pat me on the head.
Dawn in Missouri
June 26th, 2009 at
12:11 pm
REAL MEN KNOW:
1. Foreplay is NOT optional
2. Size DOES matter (puncturing the male-ego-saving myth)
3. Size is IRRELEVANT if you don’t know how to use it properly (see #4)
4. It’s OK (GOOD) to ask what your partner likes
5. Sex does NOT = Romance. You must learn the difference and be good at both
6. The little things DO matter (flowers, chocolate, putting the seat down, etc…)
7. Post-coital cuddling is REQUIRED
8. Trust is VITAL…once violated it can never be regained
9. Her butt is NOT big, it is lush and provocative
10. Boring & repetitive does NOT get the job done, creativity is ESSENTIAL
11. Clean is sexy
Bailey Stewart
June 26th, 2009 at
12:28 pm
Hey Heidi!!!
Like your list, I would add:
Must have the soul of a poet/pirate – take your pick relying on which day it is; Must be technologically a genius and a mechanic, and a plumber, and ….; likes to do yard work; will watch chickflicks with you without complaining; know that there are times when you just want to be held; earn enough to be comfortable so I can stay at home and write; like cats; no, make that loves cats; politically savvy, knowledge of world events and willing to debate/talk about them without dissolving into a scream fest; believe in God or whatever your religion believes in; is willing to “spoil” you a little;
Oh shoot, forget all that – just give me Hugh Jackman.
Cat Marsters
June 26th, 2009 at
12:31 pm
A man who can fix stuff for you…while at the same time acknowledging that you could, if you wanted to. (A man who says, “Step aside, honey, and let the MAN take care of it,” is asking for salt in his tea).
A real man can also watch girlie films without worrying it might make him gay.
And he’s kind to animals and gets on with your family.
(and on my personal list, he’s taller than me, but then I’m an Amazon)
Shelli
June 26th, 2009 at
12:35 pm
Amen, Dawn! Foreplay is NOT optional! LOL. Well, unless we wanna skip it :lmao:
Welcome to NAS, Heidi! Love your topics :woot:
Here’s a highschool one: A real man will not be more afraid to dissect a frog than you (yes, that happened to me and I wanted to beat him).
Oh, and here’s a college one: A real man will hold your hair back.
But nowadays…hmm…
A real man will make me laugh.
A real man will support what I write.
A real man will be able to figure out what’s wrong with my car/computer/sink/etc.
A real man will be able to assemble toys/beds/etc.
A real man will always be hard and never hard to find. :cloud9:
Dawn in Missouri
June 26th, 2009 at
12:42 pm
SO, where do I sign up for the book giveaway Shelli tweeted about?http://www.naughty-and-spice.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/badgirl.gif
Shelli
June 26th, 2009 at
12:45 pm
Dawn, you commented and are thus entered :nener:
Heidi Betts
June 26th, 2009 at
1:04 pm
Thanks for having me, Shelli! Wow, this is fun. Even more than I expected. :bounce:
I definitely like the idea of a guy being handy around the house. Being able to fix & build things is a huge plus. But anyone who can fix my computer w/o charging me out the wazoo gets my eternal adoration. :thumb:
The part about getting along with your family is good, too…tho I’m not sure I can say the same. But then, does that mean I have to put up…I mean, get along with his? :surrender:
And no worries, Dawn. Just posting gets you entered for the book giveaways, so you’re good to go! :doglick:
Heidi Betts
June 26th, 2009 at
1:56 pm
I’ve got a new one to add—real men admit when something isn’t going to work out & do what needs to be done to fix it! We’ve got guys at the house today putting in a French drain & when they hit a water line, the guys from the water company let it gush for half an hour before saying, “Gee, should we maybe turn it off at the main valve so we can see what we’re doing?” :doh:
Women so would have done that first thing, which is why I’m here venting instead of outside kicking some testosterone-laden butt. :pow:
Jane
June 26th, 2009 at
3:17 pm
Hi Heidi,
Congrats on the new release. I’m not sure there’s one man who possesses all the attributes that you’ve mentioned. I have read and seen them in books and movies, but not in real life. I would expect a man to be trustworthy, intelligent, sensitive and does all the cooking and baking.
Fran
June 26th, 2009 at
3:41 pm
Hey Jane! I’m definitely with you about all the cooking and baking. :woot:
Do you know where those kind of men grow :wave: ?
Heidi Betts
June 26th, 2009 at
4:30 pm
I, myself, lust after the professional chef variety. Can you imagine being married to someone like that & never again having to microwave your dinner? :cloud9: Of course, if he came home from work too tired to cook for me, things would get ugly. :diebastard:
carole fiore-abshire
June 26th, 2009 at
4:56 pm
A real man is being honest,who doesn’t play games with your feelings. Who can show his emotions, just doing things without being told,also who helps with cooking or cleaning up. carole
Emmanuelle
June 26th, 2009 at
5:53 pm
Hi Heidi !!
Great list too!
Personnaly when thinking about real heroes I think Jamie Fraser. The guy is tender, sensitive, smart, funny, understanding… and in the meantime passionate and strong and sexy. He even talks after love !!!!
Amy S.
June 26th, 2009 at
9:34 pm
Congrats on the new release! Sounds great! That’s a great list you have! I like a hero that has a sense of humor, is strong, protective, shows his emotions, and passionate.
Caffey
June 26th, 2009 at
9:55 pm
Hi Heidi!! I love read men :lovemachine: LOL
Ok, I love one who can do the manly stuff. Who doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty. Loves to wear his tool belt and use it
I’d love to be in the contest. Thanks bunches! So fun to visit today!
Heidi Betts
June 26th, 2009 at
10:17 pm
Hi again! Sorry to be a bit MIA this evening, but it’s been a heck of a busy day.
So I should probably do the book drawing thing before you all start doing the angry-villagers-with-torches-&-pitch forks thing, right? LOL Okay, gotta do the random number generator thing…
And the winners are:
Amy S. & Roberta!!!
Congratulations, ladies! Please contact me via my website—http://heidibetts.com/bio.php#email—with your mailing information & first book choice. Remember, I’m giving away one copy of REAL MEN LAST ALL NIGHT & one copy of TANGLED UP IN LOVE. First come, first served…second come gets which ever title is left. :dork:
Thanks again to the Naughty & Spice gals for inviting me to chat, & to everyone for spending the day with me, sharing in the excitement of my two new releases! I hope you’ll check out REAL MEN *&* LOVES ME, LOVES ME KNOT, then maybe drop by WIPs and Chains to let me know what you think. :doglick:
Fedora
June 27th, 2009 at
12:06 am
LOL! Late to the party, but what hoot! Definitely excellent lists, Heidi! My additions would be that a real man knows his way around the kitchen; knows his way around cleaning supplies; lets you sleep in; and knows that being kind isn’t being weak.
Congrats, Amy and Roberta! Happy hot reading!!
Amy S.
June 27th, 2009 at
11:13 am
Thank you! I just sent an email.