Rapscallion! Rake! Wanderer! Adventurer!
All accusations that the Earl of Treyford acknowledges with pride. The scandalous son of a disgraced mother, he has no time for the pretty niceties of the ton, nor the simpering debutantes who populate its ballrooms.He has returned to England to aid an “aging” spinster facing an undefined danger. But Miss Latimer’s dark and sultry beauty, her fascinating mix of knowledge and innocence, arouse far more than his protective instincts.
Can such an improper aristocrat learn to be the true gentleman Miss Latimer deserves?
At this time of year there is a lot of talk about the Sexiest Man Alive or the Sexiest Man of the Year, and while I’m completely willing to go along with the coronation of Hugh Jackman for 2008—especially in the wet scene in Australia—I was thinking of starting a new tradition: The Sexiest Man Not Alive.
Think about it—we can interpret it in so many ways! It can be a real person from years past, or a fictional character from books, movies or TV. They can be sexy because of their physical attributes or because of their intellect or their tough-guy-hiding-a-vulnerable-interior character. The possibilities are endless!
To get the ball rolling, I’ll list a few of my own nominees, although I think I could fill an entire blog all by myself. 🙂
First up, I am forced to nominate the Earl of Treyford, the hero from my new release, An Improper Aristocrat. Trey knows firsthand that people are cruel, passions are dangerous and both are best avoided. He’s found the danger of adventuring far preferable to the damage that people inflict on each other. He’s turned his back on England and travels the world searching out antiquities from ancient civilizations. Trey is my version of a Regency Indiana Jones. In fact, when I think about it, Trey had his start as an amalgamation of Indy, of Nicholas Cage in National Treasure, throw in a little Brendan Fraser from The Mummy and a lot of a fascinating real life figure: Giovanni Battista Belzoni.
I could do whole blog on Belzoni too. He was truly amazing. A giant at 7 feet, 7 inches tall, a strongman who traveled the fairs and theaters of England, an engineer, an explorer who discovered the tomb of Seti I, the entrance to the second Giza pyramid and countless treasures for the British Museum, he definitely goes on my list.
How about Mr. Darcy? I find him fascinating in all of his incarnations. There’s just something about that reserve. I always rejoice when Lizzie cracks his aloofness. And I think there’s something to appreciate in all of the recent versions of him.
Here’s another real life candidate: Prince Leopold of Colburg, husband to Prinny’s heir, Princess Charlotte. He was widely held to be a handsome, pleasant young man. How differently history might have turned out had he not lost his young wife in childbirth?
Now it’s your turn! Who would you nominate for Sexiest Man Not Alive? Gerard Butler in 300? Sean Bean as Sharpe? Or how about Vampire Bill from True Blood? Share the past or fictional men who jump-start your heart! I’ll give a copy of An Improper Aristocrat to a commenter!
Hi Deb!
Congratulations on the new book. I would nominate Clark Gable as Rhett Butler in Gone With the Wind as the Sexiest Man Not Alive.
Hi Deb:
Your new book sounds wonderful and the cover art is beautiful!
A fictional vampire that jumpstarts my heart is Devereux from Lynda Hilburn’s “The Vampire Shrink” and “Dark Harvest”. Charisma plus that character! Not to mention drop dead gorgeous and sexy.. lol
Thank you and have a great day. 🙂
Hi Maureen!
Oh, Clark Gable is a good one! There’s a gold mine of past actors we could dive into for this!
Deb
Hey Lea!
I’m new to the vampire phenomenon–Vampire Bill is my first crush since Lestat! Devereux sounds like a good place to start! Thanks!
Congrats on the new release, Deb. I agree, Clark Gable is a good one. I watched a lot of Gary Cooper movies on late-night TV, another with sexy appeal, somewhat bashful and reticent, but with a smile in his eyes.
Oh, and another, that rebel without a cause, James Dean.
Ohhh….Elvis Presley, especially in his earlier days and his Army days. And my Grandfather, he actually went in behind MacArthur and you can see him in the doc. that’s uncut. He was on handsome man even after death…
Sin from BORN IN SIN by Kinley MacGregor aka Sherrilyn Kenyon, There are others, but I’ll have to think on it.
hugs,
WendyK
Ohhh Gene Autry and dang it, I can’t remember his name, but if you go watch those old b&w westerns, the ones like LoneRanger, and The Rifleman, and the ones with John Wayne, well they are full of handsome men, and some great acting and plots!!!!
Hi Pam! Gary Cooper and James Dean? You are a woman after my own heart. I can see I’m going to be in no shortage of inspiration for future heroes. 🙂
Hey WendyK!
Can I just tell you I love Elvis Presley? My mom was a huge fan and I grew up knowing all of his songs and lots about his life.
That’s so cool about your grandfather. Mine fought in Europe, in the Battle of the Bulge and many others. He has a lot of amazing stories. My kids love to hear them.
*waving* Good morning, Ms Marlowe!
One of my firsts (fictional) loves was Tarzan 😀 What can I say? Adventure, courage, honor, physical prowess… and Johnny Weissmuller!
Then I “met” Maurice Leblanc’s Arsène Lupin (for those not familiar with him, imagine J.D. Robb’s Roarke before going straight)
Gerard Butler in any form; Phantom of the Opera, Tomb Raider 2 (when he’s doing the pull-up/push-ups on the ceiling of his cell and of course 300. He is just one sexy sexy man.
Brandy
Michael Landon I enjoyed his tv shows and he had such a great smile.
Do you know how hard this is? How many men can we choose from in a category like this? MILLIONS.
I’m going to have to resort to stealing since my brain just fries thinking of all the gorgeous men not alive I’ve encountered.
Rick (Brendan F) in The Mummy. Oh, be still my heart. Gorgeous, tough, a total marshmallow where Evie is concerned.
Gerard Butler in PS I Love You. What a doll! He loved and loved and loved his very high maintenance wife, even from beyond the grave.
Hmmm… so many great choices!?! I guess I would choose Superman… I love super heroes!
Hi again, azteclady! I’m following you around the net!
Johnny is the *ultimate* Tarzan! I loved watching his movies when I was growing up. I think I’ve seen everyone he made.
And oh, the Leblanc mysteries sound so good!
Brandy, I was slow to appreciate Gerard Butler because I hadn’t seen him in anything–then I saw PS I Love You.
Thunk.
That was the sound of me falling in love. I’m with Claudia. So devoted–and always with a smile on his face, even in the worst situations. Sigh.
Then I realized I *had* seen him, in Timeline and Tomb Raider. Now I’m on the hunt for all of his movies.
LOL, Peggy. I used to want Michael Landon to be my dad. 🙂 I always wanted someone to ruffle my hair and call me half-pint. Clearly I read the LIttle House books a few too many times!
Claudia, it may be hard, but it’s so FUN!
Good choice, Colleen. I have a friend who is VERY into Superman and has a ton of collectibles. Do you have a favorite version?
It’s fun, but distracting! How am I supposed to get anything done when all these men are crowding my thoughts?
Have you seen Gerard in Phantom? Whoo-eeee. Live underground with you, surrounded by loads of drippy candles and bats? Okay!
Hi Deb,
I would nominate the vampire, Michael, in STORY OF SON by J.R. Ward in the DEAD AFTER DARK anthology by Kenyon, Ward, Love, and Squires.
I like the cover of your book too. I’d love to win it!
I have to agree with Clark Gable and Elvis Presley. I would also nominate Paul Newman, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Heath Ledger.
I have to say that Mr. Darcy does it for me. I have been half in love with him from the first time I read Pride and Prejudice.
Hi Deb,
Congrats on the new release. I would nominate Eric Bana as Hector in “Troy” and Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Hi Mel!
I’ve heard so many great things about JR Ward’s vampires! I put her books on my holiday wish list!
I would nominate Steve McQueen in the movie The Great Escape.
Cheryl, John Jr is definitely on my list too. It’s so sad when men with such potential die so young.
Cyclops8, Eric Bana was delicious as Hector wasn’t he? All that glorious male beauty and duty and honor too. Sigh.
Hi Cherie! I’m glad I’m not alone here in my uh, appreciation of Mr. Darcy. Do you like the newest version? I love the scene in the inn, where Lizzie keeps trying to tell the bad news she’s had in the letter. Matthew MacFayden was so endearing and he never said a word! And Colin Firth’s face in the piano scene. Ah, Mr. Darcy, let us count the ways….
That’s an easy one – Cary Grant! Suave, funny, tall, great looking, and has an accent.
Cheers,
Scott
Antonio Banderas as Zorro is a must. Errol Flynn as Robin Hood. And Gabriel Byrne as D’Artagnan. Loved him with the long black hair.
And there is Wolverine. Love Hugh Jackman. Can’t wait for his movie to come out.
Has anyone mentioned Oded Fehr? Love him. And Deb….I loveeee Gerard Butler but Terri Brisbin says that’s her man so I only covet from far away. ROFL
Can I put in a vote for Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre? Especially as played by Timothy Dalton.
I also would put in a vote for Tyrone Power. Soooo sexy!
And among recent fictional heroes, I adore Sebastian Dain from Lord of Scoundrels.
Ohh, Mad, Oded Fehr is hot! I wish he did more movies.
Sexiest man not alive has to be, hands down, Eric Sinclair from MaryJanice Davidson’s Betsy series. I loooooove him!
xoxo
I will have to go with Rhett Butler, Clark Gable, as being the sexiest man not alive. I loved him in Gone With the Wind.
Scott, I was waiting for someone to mention Cary Grant. Thanks for playing along!
Beth, Have you seen Hugh in Australia? Mixed reviews for the movie are everywhere, but the campfire scene where he’s washing up is worth the price of admission. 🙂
Mad, Once I rode in a taxi with Terri and Diane Gaston, who is equally devoted to Gerard Butler. I was lucky to get out alive! 🙂
Dain, yes! Sabrina, that’s a good one. And you guys are so right about Oded. I recently saw him in a contemporary, but I can’t remember what it was!
Oh, becky, I don’t know that one. Details? Please?
There’s another vote for Clark Gable! You’re in good company Quilt Lady.
Ooh, good post. I am in total agreement with the choice of Hugh Jackman as sexiest man of the year, alive, ever, all encompassing sexy. But I also have to give Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in the original trilogy at least a nod. 🙂
My first choices would be Mr. Darcy or any Gerard Butler movie character, but since they have already been mentioned I am going to say Richard Gere in Pretty Woman. I fell in love with him in that role – he was very sexy.
I love this idea!!! There should be the Sexiest Man Not Alive contest for sure!
I think Paul Newman and Humphrey Bogart were very handsome 🙂 Heath Ledger…I’m with you on Mr. Darcy… William Wallace, sexy in a kilt and a warrior…All of the hotties in the William Lawson’s Scotch commericals (check youtube, you won’t regret it 🙂 And of course all the heroes in just about every romance novel I’ve ever read… sigh…
Okay i havent seen one of my all time favorites.
tony curtis, yummy.
Paul newman – of course.
gerard bulter as the phantom, oneof the best tortured heros ever!
and lets not forget- wolverine aka hugh jackman. i’d risk claw marks for that one!’
yippee
good list!
jody
Sonja, Indy definitely has a spot on the list!
Lori Ann, I know a lot of ladies who feel the same way about Richard Gere–have you seen him in his latest role? With Diane Lane?
Oh Eliza, those commercials rock! This is why middle aged women spend time on You Tube. Hee hee.
Yes, Jody–we’d forgotten Tony Curtis.
Overall, I think we’ve cobbled together quite the list of nominees!
LOL, love it, Sexiest Man Not Alive 😀
This was so much harder than I thought! Then I thought of Little Joe, from Bonanza, Michael Landon and he’s definitely the one!
Mr. Darcy would have to be my top choice, though Gerard Butler in Timeline is a close second. Cary Grant rounds out my top three.
I think the Matthew MacFadyen (spelling?) version of Mr. Darcy is sexier than the Colin Firth one. Sorry, but Colin just doesn’t do it for me. Also, I have a special place in my heart for Captain Jack Sparrow, too.
I have to agree with Caffey, Little Joe, from Bonanza & Little House on the Prairie, Michael Landon is the one!
Fav Superman… I loved Dean Cain in LOIS & CLARK! Yummy! 😀 Everyone has great choices above!!!
Thanks for the inspiration and a fun day, everyone!
My vote for sexiest man is Stuart Townsend, loved him in the movie Queen of the Damned!
I love this! Hm – ok, it SEEMS like a cop out – but I’ve always loved Batman. EVEN BEFORE the recent new movies. Otherwise? Oh any number of historical figures I’m sure- but my mind is blanking. Pretty sure Trajan was well loved by all. Or… Edmond Dantes. I mean yeah he was all hellbent on revenge and kinda scary mean – but… I imagine he was quite attractive- after that whole period in prison. :X
marlon brando in a streetcard named desire
Hih ❤
ELVIS PRESLEY,. OMG GIRLS!!?!
hes SO freaking hot, if you'r not shure, watch the 68 comeback special, where hes in the leather suit, OMG! ❤
elvis!!! ❤
I love elvis presley, he will ALWAYS be the most sexy guy ever!!! ❤
Love ANNABANANA 🙂 ❤