Visions of Men Dancing in My Head

When I first started reading, I would never envision the characters I read about as the actors or actress that I liked. But all that has changed.

There are four famous actors that most women, including myself, go gaga over. These four men are in every hero I have been reading. And since this is the island where we have a group of women who appreciate a nice looking man, I have welcomed them to the DIK island and for a sleepover in my hut, the most rockin one here!
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Ladies, the sleepover is invite only, so better start sucking up so you can be placed on the VIP list.

Hunky Gaga man #1: Ryan Reynolds

*hello mister peek-a-boo abs*

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I admit it, I have become obsessed with Ryan Reynolds. Ever since I saw him in Wolverine, he has made me all tingly inside. If you have seen Wolverine, then you know what I'm talking about. He practically steals the movie away from Hugh Jackman. He also was wonderful in The Proposal. And he is not just some eye candy on the screen. The man can act. And don't get me started on that body of his in Blade 3. He has a beard in that movie and I am not a fan of bearded men, and I still couldn't stop the drool.

Because Ryan is known more for his comedic skills, every funny contemporary I have read this year has Ryan as the hero. The one book that I hope is made into a movie, is Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James. This is one of my favorite books this year and Ryan would be perfect as the J.D. Jameson. Can you just imagine Ryan in a suit and tie? A man in a suit is a very sexy thing indeed and with Ryan Reynolds in one, you can bet millions of women would be in the theaters fanning themselves!

Hunky Gaga Man #2: Gerard Butler

Gerard has that way about him where he can pull off any hero in any genre. I can't help but seem him as Jamie in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander. Yes, I know Gerry is a bit too old and would have to dye his hair red, but can't you just imagine him in a kilt and a boots with a big sword in his hands? And no shirt? He wears scruff so well. I kept seeing him as Benedict “Gray” Grayson, the hero in Tessa Dare's soon to be released Surrender the Siren (August 25, Ballantine). Gray is a former pirate captain gone respectable. He is a bit rough around the edges but makes your heart melt. Plus, Gray is wonderfully scruffy throughout the whole book. Gerry is scruffy also. See, a perfect fit!

**And if I ever read any books set in the Roman era, all the men will look like Gerry. I blame the movie 300 for that.**

Hunky Gaga Man #3: Johnny Depp
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This is one man who can be play any hero, regardless of the book. In part, because Johnny is such wonderful actor. He will go down in history as one of the best actors of the 21st century. When I read Scandal by Carolyn Jewel, I saw Johnny playing the Earl of Banallt. Banallt is a slick character but underneath it all, he suffers because he has fallen in love with a woman who refuses him. I can see Johnny so well as Banallt. I also see Johnny as Daemon the Sadist in Anne Bishop's Black Jewel books. When Daemon broods or is raging and about to make his enemies around him suffer, I see Johnny lashing out. I see him crooning, begging pleading to his heart and soul mate Jaenelle.

Hunky Gaga Man #4: Richard Armitage.

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I am such a Richard fan girl it is not even funny. He can play either hero or villain and I would be happy. Richard oozes such restraint and broody sexiness that cannot be compared to any actor that I know of. He is the only man who can wear eyeliner and leather during the medieval era (BBC's Robin Hood) and I don't giggle. I want to lick the eyeliner off and pull off those leather pants...

ahem.

Where else has a man pulled off wearing a cravat oh so well? Only Colin Firth comes in a distant second. Watch North and South and you will see what I am talking about. I was so obsessed with how Richard, playing John, wore his cravat. Richard has become every historical romance hero for me. I see him so well as Professor Alexi Rychman in Leanna Renee Hieber's The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Percy Parker (Dorchester, August 25). Alexi is an excellent brooder. Richard does it so well. Put these two together and you will be swooing like Percy does. I found myself swooning.
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On this island we welcome you to talk about your favorite actors, and yes, even those actresses, who you see playing your favorite characters in the books you have read.

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Excuse me while I prepare for the sleepover extravaganza for tonight! Dress to impress in your best PJ's. It is going to be a late night. And if you see a cravat over my bedroom door knob, you know to keep walking by...