Cops versus Firemen

Happy Monday!

The craziest thing happened this weekend on my blog. For those who don’t know, I write a purely naughty series with heroes who are narcotics detectives in the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. My new release, Star Spangled Kiss (out today) takes place on the Fourth of July. During the story, the characters play a pool-volleyball game. I decided to use pictures to bring the scene to life. I asked the blog-tour visitors to choose a team to support during the match. The most unexpected thing happened.

Almost all my visitors chose THE FIREFIGHTER over the cops.

How is that possible? Cops are just delicious, intense, and sexy. Plus, they have hand-cuffs. Okay, I admit, I am not the least unprejudiced. We are a cop family.

So, I’m bringing this debate here to you. I want to know who you prefer. I hope you don’t mind helping me. Depending on the results, I just might end up writing a companion story to the Kissin’ Cops. Something hot, dangerous and all about Gabe the fireman!

First, for your viewing pleasure and contemplation are the narcotics detectives. They are on Tyler’s team and ready to serve up a heated game. Determined to win, they hold nothing back.

Now for the fireman, he is on Gavin’s team. Those commenting on my blog have chosen to call him Team Gabe. I can’t believe he has his own team now!

Do you have a preference? Who would you want to play in the pool with? The cops or the fireman? Leave me a comment with your choice. One lucky commenter will be selected to win a digital copy of Star Spangled Kiss.

Before I go, I thought I would share with you a little bit of fun. I have witnessed, first-hand, the rivalry between the hose-hoppers and the fuzz. Bryan Erwin has a comedy series called Policeman Versus Fireman and he captures the hilarity with his puppets. When the boys get together and watch Erwin's clips, everyone laughs in harmony despite what badge they happen to wear.
Here is the cleanest vid I could find. I think it sums up the jovial contention perfectly! (The swearing is bleeped out on purpose!) For more of the videos check out Fireman Jake and Policeman Perry (Warnings for mature content!)




If you would like to see which team won the volleyball match or ride along with Tyler and Sophie in their romantic journey, Star Spangled Kiss releases today at Liquid Silver Books.

I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend.
Thanks for blogging with me today.

Christa
P.S. to check out my other series, The Blood-Vine: paranormal romance, or to see excerpts of all my stories visit www.christapaige.com

The Regency Romance Hero

Today, let us examine one of my favorite specimens of the romance genre, that of the Regency Romance Hero.

Species: The Regency Romance Hero, who is either a Rake or a Spy. (Remember, darlings, that Repentant Rakes make the best husbands!)

Appearance: Dressed to the nines in the most fashionable cuts of his year, the Regency Hero sets fashion standards in the Ton, even as he disdains society's pomp and whirl. His dress is typically from the English fashion plates of the years 1790 to 1820, but may well include the period of time when the Regent became King George IV, from 1820 to 1837. Expect polished black Hessians and an impeccably turned out cravat. His hair is unfashionably long.

Habitat: Never Almacks or anywhere matchmaking mammas can be found, at least until the parson's noose is about to descend over his handsome head. Unless, of course, his last name is Bridgerton, you may find him at the seediest hells, the most exclusive brothels, and his club, Whites. He spends his days gambling, whoring and drinking brandy. He may have an unfashionable business on the side, or, if he is a spy, occasionally make reports to Whitehall on the Napoleonic plots he has uncovered.

Favorite Phrase: Bloody Hell!

Heroine: Either a Hoyden or a Bluestocking Spinster. If the former, the fashion plates are based on her latest habille. If the latter, she wears glasses and dresses two years out of season. She rebels against the strict rules society has placed on her. Egypt is a passion of hers. She is often found caring for an aging, out-of-touch scientist father or her orphaned younger sisters. Odds are good she is a virgin.

Villain: Napoleonic spies, conniving ex-suitors, and evil stepmothers

The cream of the crop, six Regency Romance Heroes I would love to conscript to my hut:

1. Rupert Carsington from Loretta Chase's Mr. Impossible. A Regency-era Indiana Jones, this Egyptologist is both witty and endearing. What luck! I already have him in my hut. :D

2. James Cordier from Loretta Chase's Your Scandalous Ways. A world-weary spy, witty as all Chase's heroes are.

3. Alex, Lord Raiford from Lisa Kleypas's Then Came You. A notorious English lord, who turns out to be a sweetie pie.

4. Capt. Sebastian Kennett from Joanna Bourne's My Lord and Spymaster. A spy! A handsome, witty one!

5. James Durham, Viscount Sanburne from Meredith Duran's Bound by Your Touch. A bored, fashionable Rake. (who is apparently Victorian. whoops! he can be an honorary regency hero in my heart.)

6. Connor Kincaid from Teresa Medeiros' Some Like it Wild. A brawny highland highwayman in a kilt. Yum!

Which are your favorite Regency Romance Heroes?

The 4 Heroes of the Apocalypse

Rumor has it from the Romance Writers of America national conference that Post-Apocalyptic fiction is hot. I am eager to get my hands on the new batch of heroes that announcement will inspire. If you think about it, post-apocalyptic settings are similar to desert islands: no running water; no supplies; just lots of hot, sweaty Alphas working under the hot sun to build cabanas out of palm fronds and break open coconuts.

Why do I like the idea of post-apocalyptic heroes? They have to be brave, rugged, and smart to survive in primitive, violent conditions. I have my eye on a hut full of heroes that I would like with me after the apocalypse:

1. John Connor. What other man could lead a group of under-prepared, weak humans into the lair of maniacal machines and return with every one of his troops alive? Seriously, this is the man for the job if you want to survive in the post-apocalyptic world. Forget about the dangers of being a secondary character. His hero power will save the world.

2. Curran, the Beast Lord. The anti-hero of Ilona Andrew's Kate Daniels series is a self-serving, dangerously sexy lion shifter. He knows how to rule in a post-apocalyptic world where vampires, demons and crazed mythological creatures stalk the night. He's loyal to a fault and takes no prisoners.

3. Wizard. Post-apocalyptic romance is plentiful in the SHOMI line. DRIVEN, by Eve Kenin is one of my favorites. Rough around the edges, but handy with a gun, Wizard is just the guy I'd want at my back in the arctic wasteland of a nuclear winter. I wouldn't mind having Raina on my team too.

4. Rogan. He might not be trained as a fighter, but when the going gets tough, Rogan gets going. The hero of Michelle Maddox's COUNTDOWN not only must contend with a post-apocalyptic world, he's racing for his life in a game show with deadly consequences. He thinks on his feet and rolls with the punches. All that muscle doesn't hurt either!



Who would you bring? Do you like apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic romance and urban fantasy? Recommendations?