IMHO it's Robert "Bit" Carroway from the book "England's Perfect Hero" by Suzanne Enoch.

He isn't a "woe is me" hero that wallows in self pity, but a man who has post traumatic stress from the war and pushes himself to over come it.

I have to agree with you, Cyndi.  Robert is usually first to come to mind when I think of great heroes in general, and definitely when talking of emotionally and/or physically damaged ones.  I, too, like that he doesn't feel sorry for himself, and I also love how forgiving he is of people who have wronged him. 

what a wonderful man... <sigh>

Katrina

Well, my two favorite tortured heroes are Robert Carroway and Jamie Fraser - great minds think alike! 

This is reminding me that I need to get to those JR Ward books sometime....

I agree with Zarek and Jamie Fraser! Those are some highly rereadable tortured boys!   I'd also say Daemon and Lucivar from the Black Jewels trilogy -- also highly rereadable.  *Dreamy sigh*

I also have to read those JR Ward ones - I've heard nothing but raves about them!I haven't read much lately, I am fostering a dog and she's kept me very busy lol.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c133/avonpictures/PuptoberfestMelo02.jpg

Oh, and reading that name "Gabriel" has reminded me of other tormented souls ... Michael & Gabriel in Robin Schone's "The Lover" and "Gabriel's Woman."

Reading this whole thread is making me think of a scene in the movie "Moonstruck."

Remember the sexy Italian baker played by Nic Cage, who has a wounded hand?

I think there's a scene where there are two girls staring adoringly at him while he's managing his prosthetic hand or whatever it is. And one of them says adoringly to the other one, so you know the girl thinks he's hot: "I've never seen a man so tormented before." 

Another good one came to mind - Clay Holland, in Lorraine Heath's "Always to Remember".  My heart aches for him every time I re-read it <sigh>

Katrina

I love, love, love tortured heros.  My fav is Zarek, but have really enjoyed many of the others here.  I don't think I have read the Heath or Sala ones yet.  I am going to have to add them to my reminder list. Also who wrote the the Black Jewels trilogy.  I have not read those either.

The Black Jewels trilogy is by Anne Bishop.  They're not really a romance books -- they're classified as very dark fantasy/paranormal -- but pretty much if you don't like romance then you're not gonna like those books.  ;)   The first one takes a while to get into because there's a lot of background to get past, but after that I was pretty much gaga for the story!  Angela, I was going to warn you that these are not for the easily offended or timid, but then I took a look at your wishlist and I'd say you'd be fine.  If you can handle Laurell K. Hamilton and Ellora's Cave, you're plenty good to go!  :P

The books go:

Daughter of the Blood

Heir to the Shadows

Queen of the Darkness

Then there's a fan-demanded follow-up book: Dreams Made Flesh

And a book set in the same world but with it's own plot: The Invisible Ring (has a cameo appearance by Mr. Ultra-Tortured Hero Himself from the main series though!)

I have Daughter of the Blood in my TBR pile.  Gonna bump it up now. No I am not easy offended. :>)

THanks

Coming in late  on this one!

Off the books I've actually read the first one to come to mind is

NATE (Rock Creek Six) by Lori Handeland.

..Nate Lang has a tough time giving up on the guilt of losing his wife and children and to drown his sorrow he was always drunk/suicidal and was so addicted that he didn't want to face the future even when he was given a second chance at life and love :(

HOWEVER the MOST TORTURED Hero I've encountered was:

 JOHNNY CAIN from THE OUTSIDER bt PENELOPE WILLIAMSON :(

noooooooooo..it was a beautiful ending Karen, don't worry!! ;)

I had a 'saddy' face  cause the guy suffered so..my heart broke for him throughout the book..BUT thanks to Rachel he found the treasure at the end of the rainbow !!! :)