Today we welcome not one, but TWO authors here to Heroes and Heartbreakers. Elle Kennedy and Vivian Arend both have releases on November 20; Elle's is Rocky Mountain Angel, and Vivian's title is Getting Hotter. They're with us today to talk about some hot bodies in romance. Thanks, Elle and Vivian!
Elle: I have never read a romance novel where the hero has anything less than a chiseled, rippled, delectable body. Not unless he lets himself go for a while after a devastating loss or trauma, but that period of extra-pound mourning doesn’t usually last long. The moment he’s back in action, he’s toned and muscly again—and let’s be honest, that’s the way we like it. Because, come on, we read to escape. To fantasize.
When I’m reading a romance, I don’t want my hero being described as chubby or overweight. I don’t want to read about potbellies, love handles, back fat, or double chins. I don’t want him getting out of breath after carrying the heroine five feet to the bed. Does that make me superficial? Probably. But is it so awful that, as a reader, I want that hot body? Consider the following from Getting Hotter and then tell me you DON’T want your romance hero to look like this!
Miranda’s entire body burned as if she’d stepped into a five-alarm fire. The light spilling from the small bedside lamp revealed a very naked Seth lying on the bed. His dark head was cushioned by a couple of pillows leaning on the headboard, and a hardcover novel whose title she couldn’t make out sat on the bedspread next to him.
Her gaze grew frantic, unable to focus on any one detail—there were too many that required her attention. Like his spectacular bare chest. Jesus, that chest. Tight six-pack, perfectly sculpted pecs, a light dusting of dark hair that arrowed down to his… Oh God, she couldn’t even look at it right now, not unless she wanted to self-combust. She focused on his long, muscular legs instead, the intricate design of yet another geometric-looking tattoo on his right shin.
Every inch of her tingled, pulsed, vibrated with pure, raw need. She lifted her gaze to Seth’s gray eyes, unsurprised by the mocking glitter she saw there.
Viv: I agree with Elle, although it’s not only the body we want, right? We’re looking for the ultimate here. Body, brains, a sense of humour and an emotional side that gets us. It’s not like reading about the perfect man is going to make my real life hero fade into the background. Heheh. Especially since it seems on the way to the happily-ever-after these “perfect” heroes often spend a bunch of time on their knees groveling.
We really do have some specific fantasies as ladies, don't we? As an example, a snippet from Rocky Mountain Angel:
He had one leg stretched forward as he reclined comfortably. Arms crossed over his broad chest, the dusting of hair bleached from his hours outside. A rancher’s tan line ran across his biceps—the deeper golden brown of sun-kissed skin on his forearms contrasting with the paler area usually covered by his T-shirt sleeves. She’d seen him bared to the waist occasionally, wearing nothing up top but a slick of sweat as he worked in the hot sunshine. More often, though, the men laboured on without bothering to strip. No fashion-show outfits, no trying to produce model-perfect tans.
The result was breathtaking. Rock-solid muscles formed from backbreaking labour.
She took her time admiring the view. His chest, his shoulders. When she finally lifted her gaze to look into his face, a lazy grin curved his mouth and heat shone in his eyes.
Elle: Because I was curious, I conducted a lightning-fast Twitter poll to see what readers thought the sexiest part of a man’s body was. I was actually surprised by some of the answers, probably because I figured everyone would have a dirty mind (like me!) and pick the most obvious sexy man part.
Elle: Me? I’m all about the chest. Or the butt. Or the hands. OK, I like it all.
Viv: Oh, ONE part? Can’t pick. Really. Well, I do love, love, love that Adonis belt—the band of muscle that wraps around the lower torso and begs to be licked… Ahem, where was I?
To enter for a chance to win an e-book from Viv or Elle's backlist, make sure you’re a registered member of the site, and then simply leave a comment answering the question: What do you find the sexiest part of a guy?*
*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A purchase does not improve your chances of winning. Sweepstakes open to legal residents of fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia, who are 18 or older. To enter, fill out entry at http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/blogs/2012/11/authors-elle-kennedy-and-vivian-arend-on-hot-bods-in-romance beginning at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) November 16, 2012. Sweepstakes ends at 2:29 p.m. ET on November 23, 2012 (the “Promotion Period”). Void outside of the 50 US and DC and where prohibited by law. Please see full details and official rules at http://www.heroesandheartbreakers.com/page/official-rules-elle-kennedy-and-vivian-arend-backlist-sweepstakes. Sponsor: Macmillan, 175 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010.
The COOL CANUCKS, HOT CONTEMPORARIES tour is brought to you by two writers who are good friends in spite of their extreme opposite lives: big city/small town, west coast/east coast, married/single.
Check out where the rest of the tour is happening here for more chances to win.
GETTING HOTTER, book #8 in the Out of Uniform series by Elle Kennedy is available at: Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Samhain Publishing
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Vivian Arend's ROCKY MOUNTAIN ANGEL (Six Pack Ranch #4) is available at: Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Samhain Publishing
