I’m at Babbling About Books, and More today, talking about why readers love the Regency period as a setting for historical romance. I’ll give you a hint. It has something to do with this guy:
I’m also giving away one copy of My Favorite Countess, so be sure to stop by and join in the fun!
There’s really no need to explain how much we loved Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, is there? Nor do the following photos require any explanation. Here are a few pictures of some of the lovely men who serve as inspiration for the heroes of my novels.
Sean Bean is my mental stand-in for the hero of my novella in the anthology, An Invitation To Sin. Sean really knows how to rock the uniform!
Then there’s Hugh Jackman, who was the inspiration for the hero in my upcoming book, My Favorite Countess.
Even scruffy Hugh would set any girl’s heart a-flutter!
And, finally, here’s the dreamboat inspiration for my next book, Henry Cavill, who stars in The Tudors. I think I’ve made an excellent choice, and I know my heroine will thank me!
Hope the eye candy gives you a great start to the week!
The parental units joined us last night to eat brownies and watch the Academy Awards. Unlike many years, I stuck from beginning to end, although I did occasionally mentally drift off to rewrite scenes from my latest manuscript in my head.
This was supposed to be a hipper version of the Oscars, aimed at a younger demographic, mostly by virtue of bringing in Anne Hathaway and James Franco to host. I love Anne Hathaway – she’s beautiful, talented, and has oddles of charm, and James Franco is certainly handsome in a detached, ramrod straight kind of way. But if the producers of the Oscars were trying to bring in the young folk, I suspect their little experiment fell flat. As glam as the Oscars are, they have a bit of an unhip vibe. I never watched them in my teens or twenties – I had better things to do at that age, and watching a bunch of rich actors and film people parade around in couture clothing and Harry Winston diamonds wasn’t one of them. Hell. I think at that age I couldn’t imagine anything more uncool than watching the Academy Awards. Try comparing the Oscars to the Grammys and you can see what I mean.
Anne Hathaway did have one of the great lines of the evening, though, when she quipped: “It used to be, you get naked, you get nominated. Not any more.” And her costume changes where fun, too, although my husband thought they got to be a bit much toward the end of the evening.
As I got older, I did come around to watching the Oscars, especially when movies I loved were in the running. This year for me was all about The King’s Speech, a thoroughly adult movie that had everything going for it – stellar performances, great direction, great art direction and costuming, and a compelling story that evoked meaning on both a grand, historic scale but also on a deeply affecting and personal level. Colin Firth – and yes, we all love Mr. Darcy – earned every ounce of metal in that statuette, and comported himself with the dignity and self-deprecating humor that we’ve come to expect from him. I know that many wanted Social Network to carry the day, but I was thrilled to see a movie from the old school take the top prizes, and a historical movie, at that.
But let’s face it – many of us primarily watch for the dresses and the bling, and there were some notables last night. I thought Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman looked great, although some armchair analysts have knocked Kidman’s Dior outfit. But I think she has a very interesting style and she always radiates beauty and serenity. Of course, she is married to Keith Urban, which could have something to do with it.
And Sandra Bullock looked stunning, especially after her fashion miscalculation at the Golden Globes.
Cate Blanchett also wore what I thought was a seriously cool gown although, again, many might not agree. Maybe it looks a bit more like a work of art than a dress, but I still like it.
And the queen, Helen Mirren, kicked it as always in a stunning metallic gown.
As for the rest, it was the usual stuff of wooden deliveries, poorly mixed musical numbers, and genuinely affecting speeches. I always like watching Tom Hanks and Jeff Bridges, who are class acts – thoroughly intelligent, articulate, and sexy in very different ways. More guys like that, please!
And, I must say, I thought Jude Law and Robert Downey Jr. were a lot of fun together. Hey! Here’s an idea – if the producers are looking for new co-hosts for next year, how about those two? Not only are they easy on the eye, they’re both intelligent and funny. That’s something any awards program could stand to benefit from.
So, what did you think of the Oscars? Did the right movies and actors take home the prizes? What was your favorite moment?
My Favorite Countess
His Wicked Revenge
An Invitation to Sin
Vanessa Kelly Author 