A FROS offering a la THE COURTESAN’S SECRET (coming to a bookstore near you on May 6th!)
May 4th 2008
Karen HawkinsGoddess Eye Candy
Before The Goddess Blogs came to be, I was a serious, die-hard fan of Claudia Dain. Why? Because she writes some of the best heroes, hands down. Not just best, but grittier, sexier, and just . . . real. Now that I know her, I’ve come to realize why that’s so — she’s lived in a house full of men (and don’t forget the crew teams!), so the woman’s done her research and then some!
Claudia’s heroes aren’t pretty boys, but real men. Sharp men. Complicated and richly described men. If you like men, read Claudia Dain.
Because I’m SOOOOO excited THE COURTESAN’S SECRET is coming out this coming Tuesday, May 6th, I asked her to donate her inspiration pictures for FROS. And she has . . .
Ladies, let me tell you that these pictures are VERY inspiring. Not in the usual sorta distant beefcake way, but in the oh-my-gosh-I-want-to-know-him-better way. Which is the very best way of all.
So, without further ado, here are two pictures of the infamous, mysterious, complicated and sensual MARQUIS OF DUTTON:
Just look at those EYES! **sigh**
25 Comments »
ladydawgfan on 04 May 2008 at 1:21 am #
Yes, Karen, just loook at those eyes!!! Those are the type of eyes that make a woman forget her upbringing and just want to sin for a while!!!
Goodness, but it suddenly got warm in here . . . .
LisaK on 04 May 2008 at 4:29 am #
Oh yeah, a real man, indeed.
So real that I want him to come out of my computer and be a REAL real man.
I can imagine that would be REAL fun…
Margaret Garland on 04 May 2008 at 6:01 am #
Oh my! (Fanning self here.) I wonder what temperature Claudia had to set the a/c on while she wrote if she had these pictures for inspiration. Whew!
I wonder if his cigar is indicative of anything.
My bonus for the day is I get to attend a rugby playoff game. Our girls are undefeated. The bonus is that the Roses men’s rugby team plays immediately after and I get to see some fine legs attached to some fine butts clad in spandex shorts. Up close mind you.
Ah yes. Life is good. Where’d I put my rain poncho?
Judy F on 04 May 2008 at 7:25 am #
Those eyes will make anyone want to take a walk on the wild side.
Margaret take some pictures. LOL
amy1242 on 04 May 2008 at 8:30 am #
He reminds me of a guy I once knew who had a really great motorcycle, I think it was an Indian, with black fringe blowing in the breeze. I wonder whatever happened to him. Sexy as hell, totally unapproachable without a few beers in you for courage. Thankfully, I was thirsty that day, had tipped a few and was feeling rather bold. Not a great conversationalist, but what guy is. Nice eyes. Hmmmm, now I feel like a pig, ogling a guy like I did.
amy1242 on 04 May 2008 at 8:31 am #
Have fun ogling Margaret!
Lisa H on 04 May 2008 at 8:34 am #
This man looks naughty…and looks like he greatly enjoys his naughtiness…perhaps a spanking is in order?
Lisa H on 04 May 2008 at 8:35 am #
btw, this guy looks like Dennis Leary… is it?
Margaret Garland on 04 May 2008 at 9:22 am #
Of course not, Lisa. It’s the Marquis of Dutton disguised as Dennis Leary. _heh heh_
Margaret Garland on 04 May 2008 at 9:22 am #
Or vice versa. Only Claudia knows for sure.
Lisa H on 04 May 2008 at 9:41 am #
How come only Claudia gets to know?
Margaret Garland on 04 May 2008 at 9:51 am #
According to Karen H, he was Claudia’s inspiration while she was writing “The Courtesan’s Secret”. Due on your local bookshelves day after tomorrow.
He sure would inspire me! I’ve got to get my hands on that book.
BTW, a big old congratulations to you, Claudia. May is looking better and better for reading material. I hope my Mother’s Day gc is a big one.
doglady on 04 May 2008 at 10:22 am #
Claudia does write some HAWT heroes, doesn’t she? And with inspiration like this I can see why! Those eyes look like they hold an ocean of secrets. Anyone want to take a dip?
Claudia Dain on 04 May 2008 at 10:30 am #
If that wasn’t the sweetest, kindest post! I’m not sure, but isn’t that the best blog in Mt. Oly history? I’m pretty sure it is. *G*
Dennis Leary *was* my inspiration for the hero in The Courtesan’s Secret, and did he ever. Inspire me, that is. His dialog wrote itself. I wish all my heroes were like that. Some just love to fight me every step, making me beat them up to get them to talk. Some guys are like that. But not this guy.
Thanks, Dennis! You made writing The Courtesan’s Secret a pure joyride.
Sabrina Jeffries on 04 May 2008 at 10:40 am #
Ooh, ooh, love Denis Leary and can’t WAIT to read Courtesan’s Secret. I’m running out to get my copy as soon as it hits the shelves!
Karen Rose on 04 May 2008 at 11:00 am #
okay, I’ll bite. Who is Dennis Leary?
Suzanne Enoch on 04 May 2008 at 11:00 am #
Thunk. (The sound of my jaw dropping in admiration.)
Lisa H on 04 May 2008 at 11:54 am #
Karen R
Dennis Leary is a “bad boy” actor. He starred in an old movie (20 years ago)called The Ref about a theif who kidnapped a couple who were constant bickerers. It was a comedy and I think Kevin Spacey was the husband in that movie. Dennis has been around for a long time, he usually plays a cop with alot of hang ups ( divorced, alcoholic, adulterer) or a bad guy. He also has a sharp sense of humor.
I always think of him as a “bad boy” which is surely his personna.
Karen Rose on 04 May 2008 at 12:28 pm #
I think I saw that Ref movie a million years ago
Thanks, LisaH!
elsiehogarth on 04 May 2008 at 12:28 pm #
I love Dennis Leary! He may be a bad boy but his stand up sense of humor is right on the money.
I got Claudia’s “Courtesan Secret”, on Wednesday, at Borders, and read it in one night. It’s that GOOD. Forget good, it’s FANTASTIC. It really left me wanting to KNOW more. That’s all I’m going to say because it’s a must buy.
Karen Hawkins on 04 May 2008 at 1:04 pm #
ELSIE! YOU ALREADY HAVE IT? Darn it, I’ve been WAITING AND WAITING AND WAITING!
Sigh. Now I have to wait MORE and now I’m even MORE TANTALIZED! Why can’t my bookstore ever have anything out early? Actually, they’re usually late, but I’m hoping they’ll step up to the plate on Tues.
I haven’t seen The Ref, but now I want to. Sounds like a funny movie?
Margaret Garland on 04 May 2008 at 3:18 pm #
> Why can’t my bookstore ever have anything out early? Actually, they’re >usually late, but I’m hoping they’ll step up to the plate on Tues.
Karen, in my experence, I have to start nagging ahead of time if I see there’s going to be a problem. I get most of my books from Amazon.com because I get a lot of gcs from various family members and I have the Prime membership. I have my family well trained on gifts.
Amazon.com used to not ship till the release day. I wrote to complain and said I might as well hit the local book stores on the day. Lo & behold, the next book arrived slap dab on release day. Surely they don’t do that just for me. I’m waiting for Mother’s Day to see what I get.
Claudia Dain on 04 May 2008 at 5:51 pm #
Elsie, you’re kidding?! You got it that early! I’m stunned. It’s nowhere around me, which I guess is okay.
KarenR, did you ever hear of Rescue Me? It’s a Dennis Leary show about NY firefighters. D. Leary started as a stand up comic and was wonderful! Caustic to the max. Very funny, sharp, sarcastic guy.
Elsie, thank you SO MUCH for the praise!! I’m grinning from ear to ear. Glad you liked it!
evlqn on 04 May 2008 at 8:01 pm #
I love Dennis Leary and have for years! My idea of sexy is someone comfortable in thier own skin. He has miles on him and he does regret one inch of them.! Look at those eyes that half grin, I’m there Goddesses, I’m there.
Santa on 04 May 2008 at 10:28 pm #
I’ve always had a thing for Celtic boys and Dennis Leary has always made go Mmmmm…….
And he’s such a bad boy, I think he’d get a BIG kick that he was the inspiration for a romance novel because, honestly, what guy wouldn’t. He’d have to be an, a… - well, you know Dennis’ signature song.