Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Show Me
There have been many times in my life when emotion has taken over. When I no longer have control over what my mouth is saying and everything that I’d held inside for so long came front and centered. There is nothing like those moments, vulnerable and exposed to the one who’s either caused you pain or you’ve loved like no one before them. It’s in those moments that we realize who we are inside.
For some of us emotion is not easily said aloud but easier shown in small gestures that are often overlooked. It’s easy to say the words, “I love you” if you don’t really mean it. Words are often regaled as the emotion behind the person but without these gestures behind the meaning, it truly isn’t worth the last turnip on the turnip truck.
I’ve often thought about those gestures behind my characters. What makes them act the way they do? What makes you engage the character? Visualization of the scene, gestures that seem real and not overbearing. You really have to analyze every day life and those around you in order to get an understanding of this. To me this is one of the most important jobs of a writer. I want you to feel like you are in that scene. Like you can feel the motivation behind my character’s actions. If you can’t physically feel that emotion draped between the words, sentences, paragraphs, then I’m obviously not conveying it the right way.
I can think of a few writers that do this and do this well. Janet Evanovich (Yes, I am obsessed) and Pamela Clare (Here is me on my knees worshiping the fiction ground they both walk on) just to name two of them. I adore dark heroes. The darker the better. But that’s what makes their redemption so much sweeter in the end. The dark heroes know how to do the gestures behind their actions. For them, it’s the only way they can truly express their feelings without feeling overpowered by the moment.
It’s the small gestures that, to the reader, tell you everything you need to know about the relationship between two characters. There is no telling of these emotions, there is no need. As a reader, you sense that connection between the hero and heroine. Without that connection, I wouldn’t be a reader of their fiction. Plain and simple. I don’t need to be told of the emotion. Seriously, any schmuck can say the words “I love you” and grin like an idiot and that still doesn’t mean, to me, that they actually care or genuinely love. They are saying the words. There can be all the basis in the world behind them, and they still might not mean anything without the gesture of love behind it.
What do I mean by gesture, you might ask? To me, the gesture of love and emotion is showing me you mean it. By not just saying it, you truly feel it. Nothing will separate us. Not obsessi
ve or overbearing; but that one true deep emotion that happens once in a million years. To me, P. Clare and J. Evanovich do this in spades. P. Clare just has this wonderful way of writing the emotional gestures behind the action. My favorite example of P. Clare’s gestures is *spoiler for Hard Evidence* when Julian steps into the line of fire and takes several bullets in the back for Tessa. Yes, he’s a FBI agent, but it’s the moments afterwards. The way Julian reacts. The tenderness between them when Tessa cries for him that truly shows you the gestures behind the motivation and emotion. It’s complex. It’s raw. And it’s truly awe-inspiring.
Julian is a different breed of dark hero. A man who truly doesn’t know his worth because he was never taught. There was no trust in his heart. No love in his life. My heart pitter-patters at the thought of Julian, dark sunglasses, 5 o’clock shadow, lean hips swaggering towards me. You can just tell that Julian is all action, no talk.
Not to mention J. Evanovich’s character Ranger (R. Carlos Manoso). All of the words that come out of Ranger’s mouth contradict his actions. The way he unabashedly tells the truth no matter how painful it is to hear it. He tells it straight. He makes no apologies. He’s hard and unforgiving. And it takes a special sort of love to understand him. If you hear the words come out of Ranger’s mouth you can take it to heart. He thinks about what he says before he speaks. Every word is weighed carefully. Don’t say things you don’t mean. But there is a sneakiness about Ranger as well. Qualifiers. Contradictions. Keeping at arm’s length.
Looks that tell a different story. Actions that show exactly what he feels.
Take for an example: In Twelve Sharp *spoilers for Twelve Sharp* the book is about Ranger’s daughter with whom he has little contact with. When asked about it, he speaks of her clinically, without emotion, detached. But his actions tell a different story. He exudes his every resource to find her. Spends countless hours awake, searching, hunting, tracking down leads. He enlists Stephanie to help him. And when he sees his little girl’s smiling face on the TV and a picture of him, listed as armed and dangerous, you see his mask slip and the emotion becomes very raw and painful. And even then, Stephanie knows that his daughter is just not another expense in his budget, but a real emotion he keep close to his heart and never shows to anyone.
There are a thousand examples I could use of J. Evanovich’s Ranger character. She’s the perfect manipulator of the actions speak louder than words scene writer.
So, in your opinion, who is the master of these sorts of gestures? What sort of characters suck you in and never let you go? Has there ever been a scene that just stuck out for you and stayed with you long after you sat the book down?
And I know that I told Hellion that this was going to be Eric Bana week, but I got stuck on Julian and Ranger. I get sidetracked very easily.
PS. Eric Bana I adore you. You are so hot with your 5 o’clock shadow and wicked bedroom ways. I am the pirate wench of your dreams. Not to be confused with a siren who will cause your ship to steer off course and crash. As Quartermaster it is my duty to guide you with my ultra fabulous sense of direction, which may or may not include getting you out of your trousers and into my private quarters.
Sincerely, Q. Sin.
For some of us emotion is not easily said aloud but easier shown in small gestures that are often overlooked. It’s easy to say the words, “I love you” if you don’t really mean it. Words are often regaled as the emotion behind the person but without these gestures behind the meaning, it truly isn’t worth the last turnip on the turnip truck.
I’ve often thought about those gestures behind my characters. What makes them act the way they do? What makes you engage the character? Visualization of the scene, gestures that seem real and not overbearing. You really have to analyze every day life and those around you in order to get an understanding of this. To me this is one of the most important jobs of a writer. I want you to feel like you are in that scene. Like you can feel the motivation behind my character’s actions. If you can’t physically feel that emotion draped between the words, sentences, paragraphs, then I’m obviously not conveying it the right way.
I can think of a few writers that do this and do this well. Janet Evanovich (Yes, I am obsessed) and Pamela Clare (Here is me on my knees worshiping the fiction ground they both walk on) just to name two of them. I adore dark heroes. The darker the better. But that’s what makes their redemption so much sweeter in the end. The dark heroes know how to do the gestures behind their actions. For them, it’s the only way they can truly express their feelings without feeling overpowered by the moment.
It’s the small gestures that, to the reader, tell you everything you need to know about the relationship between two characters. There is no telling of these emotions, there is no need. As a reader, you sense that connection between the hero and heroine. Without that connection, I wouldn’t be a reader of their fiction. Plain and simple. I don’t need to be told of the emotion. Seriously, any schmuck can say the words “I love you” and grin like an idiot and that still doesn’t mean, to me, that they actually care or genuinely love. They are saying the words. There can be all the basis in the world behind them, and they still might not mean anything without the gesture of love behind it.
What do I mean by gesture, you might ask? To me, the gesture of love and emotion is showing me you mean it. By not just saying it, you truly feel it. Nothing will separate us. Not obsessi
ve or overbearing; but that one true deep emotion that happens once in a million years. To me, P. Clare and J. Evanovich do this in spades. P. Clare just has this wonderful way of writing the emotional gestures behind the action. My favorite example of P. Clare’s gestures is *spoiler for Hard Evidence* when Julian steps into the line of fire and takes several bullets in the back for Tessa. Yes, he’s a FBI agent, but it’s the moments afterwards. The way Julian reacts. The tenderness between them when Tessa cries for him that truly shows you the gestures behind the motivation and emotion. It’s complex. It’s raw. And it’s truly awe-inspiring.Julian is a different breed of dark hero. A man who truly doesn’t know his worth because he was never taught. There was no trust in his heart. No love in his life. My heart pitter-patters at the thought of Julian, dark sunglasses, 5 o’clock shadow, lean hips swaggering towards me. You can just tell that Julian is all action, no talk.
Not to mention J. Evanovich’s character Ranger (R. Carlos Manoso). All of the words that come out of Ranger’s mouth contradict his actions. The way he unabashedly tells the truth no matter how painful it is to hear it. He tells it straight. He makes no apologies. He’s hard and unforgiving. And it takes a special sort of love to understand him. If you hear the words come out of Ranger’s mouth you can take it to heart. He thinks about what he says before he speaks. Every word is weighed carefully. Don’t say things you don’t mean. But there is a sneakiness about Ranger as well. Qualifiers. Contradictions. Keeping at arm’s length.
Looks that tell a different story. Actions that show exactly what he feels.
Take for an example: In Twelve Sharp *spoilers for Twelve Sharp* the book is about Ranger’s daughter with whom he has little contact with. When asked about it, he speaks of her clinically, without emotion, detached. But his actions tell a different story. He exudes his every resource to find her. Spends countless hours awake, searching, hunting, tracking down leads. He enlists Stephanie to help him. And when he sees his little girl’s smiling face on the TV and a picture of him, listed as armed and dangerous, you see his mask slip and the emotion becomes very raw and painful. And even then, Stephanie knows that his daughter is just not another expense in his budget, but a real emotion he keep close to his heart and never shows to anyone.There are a thousand examples I could use of J. Evanovich’s Ranger character. She’s the perfect manipulator of the actions speak louder than words scene writer.
So, in your opinion, who is the master of these sorts of gestures? What sort of characters suck you in and never let you go? Has there ever been a scene that just stuck out for you and stayed with you long after you sat the book down?
And I know that I told Hellion that this was going to be Eric Bana week, but I got stuck on Julian and Ranger. I get sidetracked very easily.
PS. Eric Bana I adore you. You are so hot with your 5 o’clock shadow and wicked bedroom ways. I am the pirate wench of your dreams. Not to be confused with a siren who will cause your ship to steer off course and crash. As Quartermaster it is my duty to guide you with my ultra fabulous sense of direction, which may or may not include getting you out of your trousers and into my private quarters.
Sincerely, Q. Sin.
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103 comments:
Sin, oh you lovely wench. You blogged to my hearts content today.
I agree 110% with both of your examples. Evanovich and Clare are both 'show me' authors. I fell in love with Julian and Ranger for the same reasons. They walk in the shadows, and hold all of their cards close to their chest. But when they have something to say, you can take it to the bank. I believe that is what makes the moments they become vulnerable so memorable.
One of my fav Ranger/Stephanie moments is in TS when they find Scrog's scrapbook. How Ranger shuts down when he sees the pictures of Julie. Stephanie laces her fingers through his in a small gesture of comfort, and it says it all, about them, about how in tune she is to him, when no one else reaches him emotionally.
The other author that shows me her characters in a most fantabulous display is Lisa Kleypas. Derek Craven, the tortured rogue who runs a gambling house in Dreaming of You is the Ranger of historical romance. I love his dark side, and his vulnerablities that he shows for no one but Sara Fielding, who is as far removed from his world as a woman could possibly be.The opening Lisa wrote is one of the best of any book I have ever read. I can understand why she touts this book as her favorite. It is flawlessly written.
Awesome blog babe, you couldn't have touched my reader heart strings anymore than you have. *smooches*
The message to Eric Bana cracks me up. LOL! You are too funny. And I can't wait to see how Hellion writes her own little message to sway him her way.
I'm not sure what it says about me but even though I can appreciate these hot and mysterious men you describe, I'm more a full disclosure kind of girl. Maybe because I've been burned by secrets and mystery in the past, not sure.
But I've dated the intense, keep-everything-inside guy IRL and it was no picnic. Not for me anyway. You know, the full disclosure thing. LOL!
Great blog and great examples of showing the raw emotion.
ITA with Lisa's example of Derek Craven from Kleypas' Dreaming Of You! He's one of my favorites and one of Lisa's best.
If you want to stay with the historical heroes I would also go with Rothgar from Beverley's Malloren series or Balogh's Wulf from the Slightly series. Both of them are very intense strong men that say what they mean and mean what they say! They are also only vulnerable to the women they love... and when they are it takes your breath away.
I'm with Terri on wanting full disclosure in RL, but I love the strong, in control, silent type in my books!
Great blog, Sin!
Sin, that was a fabulous blog! Amazing. I love Evanovich and Clare and I love love love Ranger. Terri, I too have dated the hold 'em close kind (married him actually), and while it's tougher for sure, if you pay attention then you learn how to read what he's not saying. And I LOVE that! I love that it's not always easy. It definitely makes for some interesting fights.
*hmmmmmm* Ranger. *dreamy eyed* He's perfect. You know the only reason why he and Steph couldn't be together at the end is because he's PERFECT and being a perfect man is about as fictionable as the Easter Bunny, I can her being hitched to the flawed Morelli by default.
But I'd take Ranger whether he exists or not. Wow.
And I seriously need to read Hard Evidence. *swoons*
I'm so giggling at your special shout out to Eric Bana and your continued love for him. *ROTFLMAO*
I *loved* Derek Craven (though I still have really forgiven Lisa K. for the Wallflowers series, but whatever)--that is one of my favorite books of all time.
We all know I'm a massive grudge holder--and when *I* in a fit of rage HOCKED all of Lisa's books, I couldn't bear to part with Dreaming of You because it was so perfect.
So it's probably one of two Lisa books I now have on my shelves. Actually it might be the only one. The rest are gone.
Terri, I think you like full disclosure because you yourself don't feel you have anything to hide. If we ask you about something, even if it's painful, you'll disclose it. You even trust us.
But I'm not like that. Even if I trust you--if you ask me something and I don't want to talk about it, I'll find something else to disclose to you. Something that doesn't matter. *ironic look at Sin* And Sin operates the same way, but apparently with her EVERYTHING must be kept from disclosure.
I don't have secrets, particularly, but there is plenty of stuff I'd never tell. I just think of Ranger in the same way. And I don't think it's because I haven't met the "right guy" to disclose it to--I'm sure if I did meet the right guy, I *still* wouldn't disclose the full 100%. That's just the way I am.
And I'm good with that. I get it. I'm just an open book - no pun intended - and I can't help it. I wish I could. I wish I could stop the crazy stuff that comes flying out of my mouth.
But, you're right, ask me anything and I'll tell you. The scary thing is, I'm better now than I used to be. LOL! I actually think before I talk now, it just rarely helps.
Lis, I was going to use the scrapbook but I'd already used it as an example yesterday and felt like there were many others I could use to express what I needed to show the reader. I love that scrapbook scene. It says a lot about him and about their relationship together.
How about the scene when he pulls her out of the cabinet. He never says a word about it, but the look in his eyes. The way he tenderly kisses her bloody wrists.. all tailtale signs of a deeper emotion between them.
I could go on for days.
And I love Dreaming of You. I musta read that book a million times before I had to retire the first copy and buy a new one.
Ter, my love for Eric Bana and his 5 o'clock shadow is true.
And full disclosure is all fine and dandy, but I can't be with someone who is open. I just can't. I'm not that way and it wouldn't be fair to another human being.
And past relationships play a big role in what we choose in the future. There is nothing wrong with you liking the full monty upfront. I just prefer to keep things dead and buried.
I loved the message to Eric Bana too. Nothing like keeping a little mystery about you, Sin, leaves them wanting more. You're the queen of subtle there, babe.
*sigh* LOL!!
I love this blog though! Scenes that stay with me... hm.... I loved the scene in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Fantasy Lover when Julian (good name... have I mentioned my hero is Julian too?) decides not to sleep with the heroine because he would be using her and chooses a live in a book instead? It's heartbreaking and perfect. *double sighs*
Irish!
Thank you!
I've never read Beverley. But I am a fan of Balogh. I love the way Balogh writes the rugged silent type. Wulf is the perfect example.
J.K!
Thank you! I can see you're just as passionate about your dark, silent types as I am! Another babe in the house! Woo!
I know...it's hard to narrow down a specific scene where Ranger shines the most. The funeral scene, the scene in LMT when she comes out of the burning warehouse,Abruzzi....
I'll shut up now.
Terri loves the Full Monty! *ROTFL*
And I love the scene where he pulls her out of the cabinet. That was the scene for me.
Hellion- I'm not a fickle wench. My love of Eric and his 5 o'clock shadow and wicked bedroom ways, will remain true. At least for a few more weeks. LOL
Yes, you need to read Hard Evidence. I even have an extra copy.
*I* love the Full Monty? Only me? Yeah, right. LOL!
Like any of you are looking away....
I like my men with a little more mystery, Terr. YOU are the one who likes that beefcake guy with the ugly gold banana hammock--*I* like my beefcake in levis and a smile.
What in Sam Hell are you talking about?! LOL!
*leaves to go dig up picture*
*taps toe waiting for alleged picture*
*cocking eyebrow* Pictures?
*crossing arms across chest* And what about my secrecy? It makes me a worthy pirate. Secrets that make their way into this brain never see the light of day ever again. Mostly because I can't remember them. I didn't use the WSD method of secret rememberin'. LMAO
BLAST! Where did that group of photos go!? I didn't imagine it. He was a very beefy guy--just like you like--but wore one of those ridiculous speedo-esque looking things. You loved him; you picked him out of a GROUP, a large group of hottie photos--and you said the one I picked was too scrawny. And apparently too clothed.
If you looked at a picture like you describe and only noticed the freaking speedo, you need to check you pulse!
And I can't help you like 'em scrawny and I don't. I will not apologize for that. LOL!
Marn! Julian is a fabulous name for a hero! Every time I read a book with a hero named Julian I automatically know it's gonna be a good one!
I'm sorry, but speedos are ridiculous. They should be banned.
Than by all means, use that brilliant imagination of yours and picture him without them on.
Sheesh. I should NOT have to tell you this stuff....
*makes note to name some dude Julian in the future*
It doesn't work. It's like being on a date with a wonderful handsome wealthy man and realizing he's a complete moron... Just because the rest of him is great doesn't change the fact he's an idiot.
And that was such a GUY thing to say. Where's your vagina today?
She's on strike. Something about neglect.
And a guy being a moron is so not even close to the same thing as a piece of TINY clothing that bothers you. That is such a total leap that makes no sense at all.
No, it's not. I assure you "banana hammocks" and "idiocy" are the same thing...because only an IDIOT would wear one.
I can't talk to you when you're like this.
*crosses arms and walks away*
Only because you know I'm right. You think they look rather stupid in them too. *LOL*
The point is, *I* can get past them. LOL! In a manner of speaking....
Hmmm... does Clare have an HEA? might have to try that hottie if she does.
It's hard to show emotion vs. telling... great blog.
And it's the tiny gestures that add up in the readers mind that allow them to really 'get' the characters they read. And actions speak louder than words in a book. funny, that...
And I agree with Irish... Derek is portrayed so well, you feel what he's feeling, and when he shows that emotional loving side to the woman in his life... sigh... but LK has this amazing ability with her heroes... I think the other one was Nick Gentry.. was that one of hers?
And JK, you are right. If that intense dark hero guy really respects his mate then he'll let her see him for who he is, or she'll learn to read him.
I love when the conversations turn to this. Kiss and make up pirate wenches. We're talking about men scene stealers today. Surely y'all have more.
*puts on best whiney voice*
But I don't wanna have to read him. That's too much work. Just freaking tell me already! LOL!
That's it, I'm too lazy for an International Man of Mystery.
Tiff- yes. P. Clare has HEA's. She also writes historical romances as well.
And I think you're right. Nick Gentry is another one of LK's men that I loved.
Terri, you've gotten to the crux of the matter. You want me to change and not hold grudges. Good try. Not happening.
Sin, I apologize for the tangent, but I have nothing new. Ranger is the man! Other than I usually try to *write* characters who 'say' one thing while they're doing another (Ben, Lucifer)--I have nothing. And certainly nothing as good as Derek Craven! Perfect example!
*scratching chin* Who else could I introduce into the fold. While I'm going to agree that not many can touch the Derek Craven/Julian Darcangelo/Ranger Manoso combination we've got going on, but seriously, we're readers. We've obviously read some good books with great heroes in it that would stand up to some scrutiny.
*waving hand* Who cares about the tangent? I enjoy tangents.
In Kim Harrison's series, I love her character Al. But I don't imagine there will be much of an HEA for Al. He is a demon after all. He's not much for showing anything either. He's all about taking it.
Hm. This bears further thought.
Irish mentioned rothgar... god he was damn hot... I'm thinking... I'll keep thinking... but jonas from lora leigh's books... he's going to be intense! most of her men are...sigh... with expanding parts. lol
What about Anna Campbell's Kylemore? Wasn't he a tough nut to crack?
And I'm not sure I actually cast my vote so I'll just say now I'd do Ranger in any way I could get him.
But I've never read any LK books....*runs off in terror*
OMG! What?! Is this because of Hellion's fit?
LK is one of the few authors that I've read just about everything she ever wrote... I glommed big time, and couldn't break from her books.
I don't understand how Terri has been reading romances for 20 years and hasn't read LK? *shakes head*
Oh, oh, Zarek from the Dark-Hunter series. CLEARLY someone who says one thing, but does another. CLEARLY. Also Val is another whose actions spoke louder than his words...and well, basically almost all of the Dark Hunters in general follow this theme--but the first two are really big.
And I *love* Julian from Fantasy Lover where he elects to back into the book. *shivers* And he hates it so...it kills me! He was so swoon-worthy.
Is Kylemore the Claiming the Courtesan guy?
*gimlet stare at Sin* What fit? I haven't thrown a fit. I made a rational argument about why men who wear speedos are clearly idiots. The correlation is clearly there. A+B=C
Tiff, YES I loved Nick Gentry in Worth Any Price. He was payed to hunt down Lottie and decides he wants to keep her for himself. Delish. Another fave of mine is Mr. Shaw in Again the Magic. His story was secondary to McKenna's and Aline's but I think he deserved a book all of his own.
How about Jack Devlin in Suddenly You? Book Publisher, and rouge extrodinaire. I love the opening scene where Amanda thinks he's a male escort. LOL. I adore Lisa Kleypas.
Hellion, I still haven't read the Wallflower series but I'll let you know my verdict when I do.
She's my Captain not my book god. LOL! No, just never got around to them. I think I have one or two on my TBR shelf but no idea what they are.
Trust me, there's lots of things I haven't read. I'll have them placed around me when I'm incinerated and read them sitting on my cloud.
I liked Jack Devlin too. In fact I loved all of LK books until the Scandal in Spring fiasco. Mine Until Midnight was good...but *shrugs indifferently*
I'm talking about the fit of rage that over took you and made you take the books down to the trade-a-book. I know that's what you did.
I have not read all of the Wallflowers. I read the first one and I was not too happy with it. But it was not Scandal in Spring. I own it, but it's sadly not had the spine cracked.
THIS would be the fit of which she speaks. Not the silly speedo incident.
That you threw the fit over LK and she thought that's why I never read her. Keep up.
I was busy reading other authors that no one reads anymore. So shoot me.
Damn you just had to mention trade-a-book...
*looking at clock wondering if I can risk leaving work early*
Thanks Sin.
Oh I LOVED the secondary romance in Again the Magic. Sigh... there really aren't any books I dislike by LK... and Nick Gentry is the second fav character of mine she wrote... then Cam...
I LOVE the Trade-a-Book. I could stay there for days.
There are 58 comments and it's not even noon; How am I supposed to keep up?
It's 12:52 here.
*sticks out tongue*
Stop tangenting.
Mine book trader is called The Paperback Exchange, but same premise...I have a 42.00 credit to my account from the books I dropped off last week. *tapping toe, and biting lower lip* Oh hell you talked me into it:)
Ha! I knew I would! I might even go to mine tomorrow after work. I need to go through my old books and take a few in. I have some Linda Howard books that I was not impressed with.
Mine is called Bookrack and how in the hell do you manage to accumulate a credit?! LOL! I trade books but they ALWAYS come out ahead. *sigh*
But I figure getting 10 or more books for under $30 is not bad.
*pouting* I was dealing with my fussy sick boy and the blog blows up!! LOL!! *pause while I read through 64 posts*
I think Elizabeth Hoyt's Edward de Raaf is a good say one thing, do another. Ps, I'm so looking forward to her new book....
I think I have more men to discuss. I can never remember names but Garwood's contemporaries about the Buchanon (sp?) men and if you gals haven't read Elizabeth Lowell's Gem series, you are in for a treat. Hot hot hot Alpha men and sexual tension that literally smokes right off the page.
Damn, I wish I could remember details. I'd say Pearl Cove would be the one you'd like the best. *checks amazon* Ah yes, Archer Donovan. Oldest brother in the Donovan clan and totally awesome.
You have to get these books. Amber Beach/Jade Island/Pearl Cove/Midnight in Ruby Bayou. And her historicals are hot too but these will melt your socks.
Toni Blakes men... HAWT DAMN! I love Jake... he's intense, and so damn hot. If that man was real... I'd be all over him like a bitch in heat. *g*
Don't make me hurt you. Jake is totally mine. OMG! He's perfect. Hot as Hell, built like a brick shithouse, smart, sensitive, vulnerable and a real giver...if you know what I mean.
I think that's the first book I've ever read where I didn't feel the heroine deserved the hero. Stephanie wasn't good enough for him.
I read him first... He's the one contemp hero I LOVE beyond all others... Beb... he's totally mine...
*borrows the Captain's gimlet stare*
I know where you live. Seriously, he's worth fighting for. And I'm bigger than the last time you saw me. I will sit on you.
No hope in hell... I've been saying for more than a year he's my dream man! I called dibs first!
And we've discussed this sit on me thing... I can out run you!
With Jake as the prize I could catch you with no problem. Your pale and fragile. LOL! I'm not worried.
I don't break under the firm knowledgeable hand of a man... :) He's mine...
Look what you've started sin!
Oh, I didn't mean you'd break from him. *evil g*
yes, and your weak knees couldn't catch up to me...they are a weakness for you, that I wouldn't mind exploiting... :)
You'll catch a cold soon. You always do. I'll wait.
LMFAO! I just got over one... I've been pretty good this year, I've had my quota... I'm young and hardy... and he's still mine.
Location is everything. I have the advantage of being AMERICAN! LOL!
Bad boy ain't leaving the bayou for cold ass Canada. LOL!
Now, have we concluded that the contemp heroes are more likely to fill this description than the historical guys? Not including LK's men.
And it seems the men in Romantic Suspense or Paras fit it better than most.
I think Terri would win, Tiff. Sorry. I don't remember you running ANYWHERE in Virginia, you kinda oozed around, wilting and fainting and drawling in that Canadian voice of yours: "It's so HAWT...." And I assure you, it wasn't that hot.
You'd never last in the Bayou.
Cause they are ALL ALPHA... the other reason you won't like Jake... he's mine, I totally need a cajun lover *w* that's ALL alpha.
But Jake's not ALL ALPHA. LOL! He's a softy from the get go. He's just really freaking good in bed and hot as hell. But he's not ALL ALPHA.
Are there no Beta vamps? LOL! Nice guy weres? Come on, Adrian isn't so bad.
That's an oxymoron if I ever hear one: a Beta VAMPIRE?
I want Jake. He's my fav...though her other Jake from the Lacey book is pretty hot, and cajun, and fine I'll take him...he's better than wildest dreams jake... hell I can't give either of them up. One says Beb... and you know that makes me melt! LOL
Wow! Talk about explosion. I'm with you Marnee... go run a few errands and all hell breaks loose!
ITA w/Terri on Jake. He's hot. I think that may be one of the few books (Nora's Irish trilogies being the others) that I wouldn't mind listening to instead of reading just to hear his accent!
ITA w/Hellion on the whole Speedos issue. They should definitely be outlawed. I've forbidden them in my home and I think that there should be some kind of movement or government grant or something to remove them everywhere!!!! I could do without the whole white Jockey underwear thing too, but I digress!
ITA with everyone about LK. I've read everything she has ever written and I love her and because of that I forgive her for Scandal in Spring (and Mine Till Midnight *accompanied by a sheepish look*)! She's hit it out of the ballpark more times than not and deserves a little leeway. I also totally agree about Gideon Shaw from ATM. He so should have had his own book. Alex Raiford, Derek Craven, Zachary Bronson, Jack Devlin, Grant Morgan, Marcus Westcliff, Ross Cannon... and those are just the ones I can remember and I doubt I misspelled any names or confused them. That's how much her heroes stay with me!
Totally true about LK. She has hit it way out of the ballpark more times than she hasn't. Even Babe Ruth had some bad years.
Not a fan of the white jockeys either.
Boxer Briefs all the way.
And I promise not to turn this into a tangent. LOL! How many books are in this Wallflower series?
Aren't there four? I remember that there were four wallflower girls including the sisters. Right?
I need to see which ones I already have. I'm sure there are at least 2 or 3 on my shelf.
You are correct. There are four.
Secrets of a Summer Night
It Happened One Autumn
Devil in Winter
Scandal in Spring
They aren't bad but she's done better. If you've never read her before then don't start with the Wallflowers series. Pick up Then Came You and Dreaming of You!
Oh I own a whole bookshelf full of LK's books including three of the four wallflowers. I just haven't read the wallflowers. The rest of them... *scuffing foot on the deck* I've literally worn the words from the pages.
And here I thought I would have trouble catching up with the discussion since there's 91 posts...but it's all bickering, lol!
Sorry, let me clarify. It's MOSTLY bickering, and all between Tiff and Terri...why am I not surprised?
Kris, because they'd argue with signposts?
Hardy har har, Hellion!
Gee, Kettle, ya think?
Easy to take pot shots at me when I'm no where near the computer. Ha!
Fran was the most talkative of us three. I think she could argue with a post... [sticks tongue out]
You guys are goofy. :) Though, we're almost to the 100 mark so someone's got to say something else too, so we can get there. Just for fun!!
*puts on her best Perry Mason voice*
If I recall correctly, MsHellion did an awful lot of bickering about a certain speedo situation. That would put her in the "argue with a signpost" group.
Okay I'll boost the post numbers, and bring it full curcle.
Ranger is damn hot.
I totally concur, Lisa.
And Terri, I had to defend myself. You were taking pot-shots at my sexuality.
I did what? LOL! You really need to stop reading things that I DON'T type. *shakes head*
It was your abilities not your sexuality. You know, your ability to get *past* things. LOL!
You said I needed to check my pulse, as if I were dead...you know, probably in the same problem league with my dead breasts and all. *eye roll*
You took "check your pulse" as a hit on your sexuality. That's like a new level of messed up.
oh dear. Well, the skirmishing topped us over 100! yay!!!
Wenches, glad I could keep y'all entertained today. Gotta admit. I didn't do much. And I got to write about hot men. Hope you guys had a great time! 106 comments !! Sheesh!
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