Friday, February 8, 2013

Heartthrobs and Heartbreakers

When I saw a chance to join a blog hop about heartbreakers I just couldn't resist. I mean, if you read romances you already have a favorite (or two, or three) heartthrobs or heartbreakers.  And even if we don't wish to, we fall a little bit in love with the man on the big screen or the one within the pages of a good book.  

My favorite heartthrob on the screen would be Cary Grant *sigh*.  I discovered him only after his death. AMC was running a marathon of his movies shortly after he died and I sat down to watch in the morning. I don't think I left the couch again that Sunday.  I was in love.  There isn't a Cary Grant movie I haven't loved but some I can watch over and over.  An Affair to Remember is certainly at the top of my list.  The scene of him waiting at the top of the Empire State Building, the scene where they are at the theatre, and the scene where he discovers what happened.  But, I also love Father Goose just a much.  Poor Cary, all those little girls, a prim and proper teacher and his alcohol hid in different locations.  How can you not root for this guy?  Then there is Charade or North by Northwest or I Was a Mail War Bride, or Operation Petticoat or His Girl Friday or My Favorite Wife.  Talk about a heartthrob!

Okay, I will stop now. Enough about Cary Grant.

There are a few other movie stars that make my little heart beat just a little faster but we are not here to discuss big screen heroes, but romance novel heroes.

I wanted to do this blog hop but after I signed up I didn't know which hero I wanted to portray.  I wasn't even sure I had written a heartbreaker. None of my heroes are perfect (and who wants a perfect man anyway) but had I written a heartbreaker?  

To me a heartbreaker is a handsome devil that could charm even the coldest of ladies.  He warms them with his wicked eyes, seductive tone of his voice and sensual smile.  He makes her feel like she is the most special lady on earth and then, just when he could have her, he breaks her heart.  Is he afraid of commitment or is it all a game?  If he is afraid of commitment, I love him all the more. There is just something so endearing about a hero who has been hurt and hides his pain beneath a charming exterior. If it is a game, there is a very good chance he will never redeem himself to me. 

Or, he is the perfect gentleman, handsome and looks better in knee breeches than anyone else.  He treats a lady as she deserves, charming and seductive, and women cannot help fall in love.  Yet, he is oblivious to the affect he has on women and the lady is simply crushed when he doesn't realize or acknowledge the affection she has for him.

I think most, if not all, romance heroes are heartbreakers.  Whether it is intentional or not, they are until they meet the right lady that changes everything.  And that is the beauty of a romance.

My good friend, Deb, pointed out that I had written a heartbreaker, Or at least she had seen him as one.  It is Dillon Chambers who broke Miss Emily Frasier's heart when he realized he would have to give up too much to have her.  He was the perfect gentleman for her and and Emily thought she had found her happily ever after.  Then she realized there was something far more important to Dillon and it wasn't love and he wasn't willing to give it up.  I would tell you what it was but that would ruin the story. But trust me, it is something very special.


Emily Frasier has lived as the ward of Duke Ellings since her father died when she was fifteen. She also knows that soon it will be time to leave his household and make her way on her own.  When she discovers a cottage while visiting her aunt and uncle she knows this is where she wants to live and become a teacher as her father once was.

Dillon Chambers must find a wife this Season in order to please his mother.  If she didn’t have control over something more precious than his freedom and life, he would not have made the promise to marry a lady with high connections at the end of the Season.  When he comes across Emily at his cottage and learns she is the ward of a duke, he feels his luck has finally changed. He could please his mother and settle with a lady he would actually want to have as his wife.

When the truth comes out that Emily is only a professor’s daughter, Dillon knows his parents will never approve. Will he risk everything to have her?  Will Emily do the sensible thing or risk her reputation and heart so that Dillon doesn’t destroy all he holds dear?

His Not So Sensible Miss is the third in A Gentleman's Guide to Once Upon a Time series.  Currently, the first three e-books, His Impetuous Debutante, His Contrary Bride, and Sensible are each on sale at Amazon and BN for only .99.

Another heartbreaker would be my current hero. Unfortunately his book will not be published until March, but I can't just ignore him.  Jordan Trent is a heartthorb and heartbreaker.  He has a certain reputation and if gossip is to believed, has had a number of lovers when not frequenting his favorite brothel.

Last Season Jordan was determined to become respectable and began courting Miss Audrey Montgomery.  It was a promising match and he may have even begun to fall in love.  But, when he returned to London after being gone little over a week, she is no longer speaking to him.  A year later Jordan finally learns what had made Audrey turn against him last Season and he is determined to make her his before the end of this one.

Mr. Jordan Trent, the spare, was raised to be a rake.  Not only did his father encourage his roguish ways, but insisted that Jordan do nothing except enjoy the life of women, gambling and fine brandy – the life his father had wanted.  It is a life Jordan enjoyed until he realized something, or someone, very important was missing.

Miss Audrey Montgomery had been warned to avoid rakes like Jordan Trent but fell under his spell like so many ladies before her.  She should have known better and vows to protect her heart whenever he is near. If only his kisses weren’t so delicious it would be so much easier.

A Reluctant Rake is the fifth story in my Tenacious Trents series.  One winner will be chosen from the comments on this blog to win the four previous Tenacious Trents e-books shown below: (Note: The first Trent story is a novella and included in the Scots, Spies and Salacious Lies novella compilation)














To be entered in the drawing to win these e-books, you must answer these questions:

1)  Who is your favorite big screen heartthrob or heartbreaker and why? Was it a certain role he played or is there just something about him that makes him a heartthrob?

2)  Who is your favorite heartthrob or heartbreaker in a novel?  Why is he your favorite?

If you become a follower of this blog as well as answer the questions, you will be entered to win the Tenacious Trents e-books twice.

Please leave your name and e-mail address with your answers.  The Winner will be announced on February 12th and contacted via e-mail.

Don't forget to visit all of the blogs that are part of Heartbreaker Blog Hop and have a chance to win more great prizes:


There are THREE grand prizes. You as a reader can go to EACH blog and comment with your email address and be entered to win. Yep, you can enter over 200 times!

Now what are those prizes?

1st Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire or Nook Tablet
2nd Grand Prize: A $100 Amazon or B&N Gift Card
3rd Grand Prize: A Swag Pack that contains paperbacks, ebooks, 50+ bookmarks, cover flats, magnets, pens, coffee cozies, and more!



All prizes are international except the Swag Pack

To return to the blog hop, simply click http://carrieannbloghops.blogspot.com/



Happy Reading!


Jane

53 comments:

  1. Okay, my favorite Heartthrob from movies is Richard Gere. Need I say more than An Officer and a Gentleman. One of my all time faves. And of course Pretty Woman and American Gigolo and countless others. He is just ever the gentlemen and he gets better with age.
    My favorite book heartthrob I have to go with a classic and say Rhett Butler from Gone With the Wind. He's my favorite because I love the movie and the book and he didn't care about others and Scarlett was his soulmate.
    I am a GFC follower as Shannon Bereza
    sbereza22(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shannon,

      I couldn't agree more about Richard Gere and he certainly does get better with age. Shall We Dance turned out to be one of my favs. I need to go watch that again :). And Rhett Butler is definitely a heartthrob and heartbreaker.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
    2. My absolute favorite scene from Shall We Dance is when he is coming up the escalator. I have rewound that scene and played it over and over and over. Its that little smirk/smile he has that makes me melt.

      Delete
    3. *sigh* Yep, I have to dig that one out tonight.

      Delete
  2. From a movie...the Capt from Firefly aka Nathan Fillion. That character just isn't capable of letting a women in.

    Books. Quinn from Broken Promises. My favorite heartbreakers in books are the dark ones who just can't help it.

    I follow.

    xstitchdiva @ att dot net

    ReplyDelete
  3. Brenda,

    How could I have forgotten Nathan Fillion in Firefly!

    I have not read Broken Promises. I will have to check it out.

    Thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I love Nathan Fillion. He's great in Castle. But my favorite movie heartbreaker is from my latest obsession. Recently I decided to watch Doctor Who (everyone else seems to love this show and I figured why not) and you can't be a bigger Heartbreaker than The Doctor. Every woman seems to fall for him, yet he's completely oblivious to it.

    Favorite book heartbreaker... I'm not sure I can pick just one. My favorite are the ones who are broken and they break hearts as a way of guarding their own.

    ipro55
    purple975@msn.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My husband watches Doctor Who, I have not yet. I guess I need to turn in and check out the doctor :).

      I love the broken heroes too. I just have never really be able to write one. Maybe someday :)

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  5. We all want to love a Heartbreaker. Maybe its because of his chiseled good looks, his bad boy attitude, or the mysterious nature of him. Some Heartbreakers are just that, they know what they got and how to use it to get what they want. Then there are those Heartbreakers that don’t even realize that they are doing it. The best part about a Heartbreaker is that there is always a woman that turns their world upside down until they realize it is love. I have read many Romance Novels over the years and have run into many memorable Heartbreakers and my favorites are usually the ones that don’t even know they are Heartbreakers! Some of my personal favorite Heartbreakers are :

    Kade Jamenson (Werewolf) from An Alpha’s Path. Kade is a sexy werewolf that will make you burn but a mishap with a potential mate makes him not think he will find love.

    Ian MacPhie (Vampire) from All I Want For Christmas is a Vampire. Ian is a heartbreaking Highland Vampire that was frozen in his immortality when he was only 15. With the help of his friend he is given a drug that helps him age to 28 so he could look like a man instead of a child after hundreds of years. He has no idea that he looks of a warrior and the lover.

    Lothaire Daciano (Vampire) from Lothaire. Lothaire is definitely a heartbreaker and his cocky attitude proves it! Thinks he’s a gift to women! Its just the sucker punch from a woman he doesn’t realize is his equal that brings him down a notch.

    Marius Parker from His Contrary Bride. Marius is every part the gentlemen but doesn’t realize he could also easily be the rogue!

    Benjamin Gateway from To Win His Wayward Wife. Benjamin doesn’t realize that he is a heartbreaker because the one woman he loved, he lost….or did he?

    Fury North (Human with Canine DNA) from Fury and Valiant North (Human with Feline DNA) from Valiant. Fury and Valiant are strong New Species and gorgeous to boot, but because they are damaged they doesn’t think they can hold onto to the women they love.

    Sigimor Cameron from Highland Conqueror. Sigimor is every bit the Highland Laird and warrior but can he hold onto to the beautiful English lady?

    Joshua Striker (Werewolf) from Alexandra’s Legacy. Joshua is a scared and battle hard enforcer for his pack and he thinks that he doesn’t have what it takes to make the women melt.

    And Heartbreaker in a movie is :

    Thor (Chris Helmsworth) in Thor (2011) Thor comes to the planet Earth and doesn't realize what he does to the women here.

    Andrew Paxton (Ryan Renolds) the Proposal. He's not looking for love, he's just her assistant right?

    angelheart618@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow! Some of these I have not heard of and I need to check them out. Your descriptions are great. Thanks for adding Marius into the mix. Yes, he could easily be a rogue.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  6. Loved your analysis on what makes a hero a heartbreaker -- very insightful!

    Favorite movie heartthrob? So many! I currently have a thing for Tom Hiddleston -- he was marvelous as Loki. (And he's so brilliant in real life! I've read his thoughts on music and acting -- and I'm just blown away.)

    From the books? In recent time: Julian Spenser, Marquess Dryden from Julie Anne Long's How the Marquess Was Won -- I read that book early last year and he still remains so vividly in my mind. How he was characterized just made him larger-than-life -- but, also incredibly human.

    I follow via GFC (Tin Ong).

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    - Tin
    khriscc at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tin,

      Good choice on Hiddleston!

      I haven't read How the Marquess Was Won but it sounds like something I need to pick up and read. :).

      Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  7. My favorite big screen heartthrob is probably Leonardo DiCaprio... it's because he was in "Titanic."

    mestith@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meghan

      I get the DiCaprio choice and I've really liked some of the things he has done. I don't know why, but I was never a Titanic fan. I also realize I am the only person on the planet that feels that way.

      Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  8. I enjoyed movie an Education with Peter Sarsgaard, his character.. charming ,educated, smart.. was real heart breaker for the young girl!
    swordlily_girl(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Swordlily,

      I have not seen Education. Geez, I keep saying that. I need to get out from behind my computer and rent some movies or pick up a book. I am really behind in what is out there.

      Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  9. Who is my fav big screen heartthrob now that is a tough question. It might be Aragon from Lord Of The Rings, I know it is not a romance but...

    My fav romance heartthrob might be James Malory from The Gentle Rogue. I do so love a Rake who falls.
    christina
    cgricci@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christina,

      He doesn't have to be a romance hero to be a heartthrob and Aragon certainly qualifies. I guess a heartthrob could just be that man we enjoy watching.

      Actually I think any of the Malory men from the Johanna Lindsey novels would fall into the Heartbreaker and/or Heartthrob catergoy. I love that series.

      Thanks for stopping by

      Oh, and finally a post where I need the movie and the book - yay me! - LOL

      Delete
  10. For me the heartbreaker is a bad boy who goes kicking and screaming into love! When he falls he falls hard!

    The only heartbreakers I have encountered are literary! And my all time fav is Mr Darcy! Although, I am currently crushing on Zadist from the Black Dagger Brotherhood!

    On the big screen I can not resist Robert Downey JR. as Sherlock Holmes!

    grapeapril75(AT)gmail(DOT)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. K. April,

      I love the ones that fight it too :)

      Who doesn't love Mr. Darcy!

      I haven read the Black Dagger Brotherhood, yet but have a heard a lot about the series. Oh, there are just not enough hours in the day for all the books I want to read and the movies I want to watch.

      As for Robert Downey Jr as Sherlock Holmes - loved him in that.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  11. Thank you. havebookwillsurvive@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I also love Cary Grant. My favorite movies of his are the rom-coms...The Philadelphia Story, That Touch of Mink, and Bringing Up Baby. I love a guy with great comic timing. NOW, I also love Sean Connery as James Bond in those early movies.

    In books, I like Roarke from JD Robb's books. YUM.

    GFC Follower: Catherine
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Catherine,

      That Touch of Mink is one of my favs! Hives - lol. As for Sean Connery, I could watch him in anything. He is a real close second to Grant. But what Sean has over Grant is that voice. I don't even have to see him to enjoy his movies.

      I am ashamed to admit I have not read a JD Robb book. I really should try them because I love a good mystery / thriller / suspense. I'm really not sure why I haven't read one yet.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  13. I love Cary as well, but Clark Gable is the man for me. Wowsa! They don't make them like THAT anymore.

    At the moment I can't think of a particular literary heart throb, though I'm sure I will as soon as I hit "publish". I guess I mostly love whoever I'm reading about at the time, then go on to the next when I'm done with that book. I guess I'm a literary slut. :p

    dulciemae@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Delia,

      I have to agree - they don't make them like that anymore, which is rather sad. I think my favorite Gable movie is "It Happened One Night" and then, of course "Gone with the Wind".

      LOL - being a literary slut is a perfectly acceptable answer to the second question. I think many of us probably fall into that category.

      Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  14. 1. Channing Tatum. There's just something about him that makes me melt
    2. Jeaniene Frost's Bones. He makes me go all gooey inside and melts my bones lol
    GFC: Cassandra Hicks
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
    cassandrahicks1989@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cassandra,

    Excellent choices!

    Thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hm.. maybe Ryan Gosling? He's just so damn sexy! Also Dean Winchester from Supernatural, he can be soo frustrating but you still love him. Also V from JR Wards BDB hes so dominant but then you find out he's very vulnerable too. Thanks!
    -Amber
    goodblinknpark@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VampedChik,

      Ryan Gosling is another nice choice!

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  17. Great books! Thanks for the great giveaway!

    Mary
    mary_reiss @ hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Favorite big screen heartthrob would have to be Kevin Costner in Robin Hood Prince of Thieves he really won the girl in that one even though she hated him when he was younger. Not to mention mine and hubbys song is featured in that movie lol... Favorite heartthrob/heartbreaker in a novel thats a hard one as there is so many to choose from... I think Gideon Cross is one of my favorites because he is just as damaged as Eve and very closed off.

    Thanks for being part of the hop.

    j.m.platt83@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jeanette,

      That was a good Kevin Costner movie.

      Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  19. My favorite movie heartthrob is Ryan gosling. My favorite book heartthrob is Roarke from JD Robb's In Death series.
    I follow you with GFC as Lisa Walker
    Thanks for the chance!
    sqwalker2@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Liesse2,

      That is a 2nd vote for Ryan Gosling and a second mention of JD Robb's books. I really need to start reading those.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  20. My favorite Heartbreaker is the one that your heart can’t live without. One of my best is Lucas from D B Reynolds book “LUCAS” (Vampire in America series). Strong mind, well put together and tender when he wants to be. And loves horses.

    Judy Peterson
    strawberryrose@earthlink.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judy,

      I have not read "LUCAS" or any of the Vampire in America Series. Sounds interesting.

      Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  21. One of my favorites is Justice from Justice by Laurann Dohner. Thank you for the awesome hop and giveaway!!! :)
    shadowluvs2read(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shadow,

      Yet, another book I haven't read. I really will get my fingers away from the keyboard and hit the Kindle very soon. I feel like I am missing out on some great books.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  22. 1)My Movie Heartthrob is Eric Northman from True Blood. Is he Evil Is he Good. We dont know yet....lol God I love a bad boy & lets face it....Alexander SkarsgÄrd is one sexy man. *swoon*

    2)My novel Heartthrob is a hard one. I have sooo many. But If I'm picking one I guess I'd pick Rhage from Black Dagger Brotherhood. Brooding vampire, cursed by the Scribe Virgin for his temper. So I guess the fact that he's on the edge, sexy has heck & HELLO turns into a DRAGON. The thought of taming his Dragon *sigh*

    I follow by GFC : missie25524
    Thanks for the hop & giveaway darlin'
    Happy Valentines Day :D
    Missie Jones
    missie25524 (at) netzero (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Missie,

    So, I guess your choice would be Alexander Skarsgard? - LOL. I certainly get the 'swoon' reaction.

    I must read the Black Dagger Brotherhood because of the dragon aspect. Sweet!

    Thanks for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Charlie Hunnam from SOA..true heartthrob.

    damafia1113@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Charles,

      I hadn't thought about Charlie Hunnam. I didn't really get into the Sons of Anarchy series, but my husband watches it.

      Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  25. I don't know that I've met a heart breaker, but I've read about quite a few. My current favorites are both Lauren Dane characters. One is Shane from Fated and the other Todd from Laid Bare. I think the redeeming thing about them is that when they realize how wrong they are they are quite good at communicating their understanding and groveling.
    planterofhope at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carla,

      I love the groveling part :)

      Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  26. John Wayne because he has that swagger.
    Eric Northman because he has this forbidden bad boy thingy going on. Thanks for the giveaway
    kaylyndavis1986@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kaylyn,

      I never even thought about John Wayne, but you are right about that swagger.

      I think that is a second mention of Eric Norhman. How come those bad boys are so darned attractive?

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  27. thanks for the hop
    myboo63@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Thank you
    I would say Vance from the witches and warlock series would be my ultimate heartbraker. Love him.
    Tigerfly139@Aol.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kary,

      Yet, another character I am unfamiliar with and need to add to my list *sigh*. I think I need a two week beach vacation to read so I can meet all of the characters that have been mentioned :).

      Thanks for stopping by

      Delete
  29. Hi Jane,

    I hope I haven't missed the end of the hop. I think I still have an hour left. Thanks for the chance to win, and my heartbreaker is the man who turned into a heartthrob, and I married.

    joannewadsworth007@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Joanne,

      Nope, not to late. I love that you used her husband as the example. That is awesome!

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  30. My favorite big screen heartthrob or heartbreaker is Brad Pitt. I fell for him first when I saw him in Thelma and Louise, really fell for him in Legends of the Fall and Interview With A Vampire. He can be just as sensitive as he can be a bad boy!
    My favorite heartthrob or heartbreaker in a novel is Eric Northman, because who doesn't love an dominate, alpha male bad boy Viking vampire?
    Thanks for the great giveaway!! So many great prizes!! Happy Valentine's Day!
    Ashley A
    ash_app(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ashely,

      I have to agree that Brad Pitt is certainly at the top of the list.

      I think this is the third (or maybe only second) Eric Northman mention. I need to find that book.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete