Thursday, April 28, 2011

Blonds Have More Fun!

We're delighted to welcome today's special guest, and our dear friend, Anna Campbell back to The Romance Dish. Anna's newest book, Midnight's Wild Passion, was released two days ago and is gathering rave reviews across the romance community, including 5 Stars from Janga here at The Romance Dish. (Click here to read Janga's review.) When Anna enters a room, smiles and laughter are always her companions so sit back, relax and prepare to enjoy yourself as Anna joins us to celebrate Midnight's Wild Passion!



North American Cover



Hiya Dishes! I can't tell you how thrilled I am to be here, not with my reviewer hat on (although that's always fun!) but in my romance author persona! Thank you so much for inviting me here to talk about my new release from Avon (26th April North America, 1st May Australia and New Zealand) MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION.





Australia/New Zealand Cover








You can read an excerpt of MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION here:
http://www.annacampbell.info/wildpassion.html

Anyway, enough of the idle chatter, I thought I'd get into the really profound issues today and talk about...

Hero hair color!!!


Yep, we cover all the deep philosophical questions here on the Dishes. The meaning of life. Global warming. How to grow African violets. Just when billionaires replaced mere millionaires in Harlequin Presents!

Up until now, my heroes have all been the classic tall, dark and handsome. But when the hero of MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION prowled onto the page, he was (shock! horror!) blond. I told him he had to be dark and he just arched one rakish golden eyebrow at me and went on his merry way, fair in coloring if not in behavior, at least until he undergoes his redemption arc, anyway!

Nicholas Challoner, Marquess of Ranelaw, was very vivid to me both physically and emotionally as I wrote him. He was a man with those fallen angel looks that kinda make your heart beat faster! I had a couple of vague models for him. One was the sexy angel from Barbarella which I hadn't seen for years. But I remembered John Philip Law's olive skin and his golden hair - and a rather spectacular bod! Even closer to my concept of Ranelaw was a rather obscure British actor called Marcus Gilbert who played the hero in a couple of Barbara Cartland telemovies back in the 80s. Look at that bone structure! Doesn't he look like the perfect blond Regency rake? You can just see him casting a roguish eye upon our heroine and setting out to work his wiles to get her into the nearest bedroom.



When it came time to talk about covers, my editor and I had a bit of back and forth about Ranelaw's coloring. She definitely prefers them dark. You'd think a mere fact like changing hair color wouldn't matter much - but again, Ranelaw basically flipped me the finger. He was blond and he was staying blond. You'll notice that the gorgeous guy in the stepback is dark-haired! Not that the girl in the picture seems to be complaining.

I must say generally my preference too runs to dark hair in romances although I'm not averse to a great blond. Francis Crawford from Dorothy Dunnett's Lymond Series is blond (mind you, he's another guy whose interior is as dark as his exterior is bright). The gorgeous Esmond in Loretta Chase's classic CAPTIVES OF THE NIGHT is blond and he's one of the most charismatic heroes I've ever read.

So do you have a preference? Do you think blonds have more fun? Do you have any favorite blond heroes? And most important of all, have you ever had any luck with African violets? Every time I've tried to grow them, they disintegrate into an 'orrible slimy mess. I've got a signed copy of MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION for one lucky commenter today! Good luck!

Anna, thank you for visiting with us today! Readers, to learn more about this award-winning author, visit her website and "like" her on facebook. Don't forget to also visit her at the multi-author blog, and one of our favorite sites, Romance Bandits!



111 comments:

  1. No no no!! It may be a cliche but Tall, Dark & Handsome is definitely my preference. Dark men any & everytime. Please.....

    ReplyDelete
  2. I definitely gravitate to tall, dark, and handsome but there is definitely something about a sexy blonde. I can't think of any book heroes that are blonde right now but I can think of plenty of movie stars that are blonde and sexy. Hello, anyone seen Paul Walker? Super sexy!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Whoo Hoo another party way to go Ladies.

    As for a blonde hero at the moment I can't think of any LOL I am sure there have been a few and I know I am going to fall in love with Ranelaw when I get to read this one I am sure I will be able to find it tomorrow or Saturday LOL. Although Rod Stewart is blonde and he has always been a "hero" to me and I did try dying my hair blonde for a few years to see if I would have more fun LOL.
    As for Afrcan Violets I cannot grow them either over the years I have had some really pretty ones and I have started growing them from a leaf and all but they never last long in my place neither does maiden air fern either I just don't have a green thumb.

    Again congrats on the release can't wait to get my hands on a copy it won't be long now whoo hoo.

    Have Fun
    Helen

    ReplyDelete
  4. Linda, sadly, Ranelaw just curls his rakish lip at such suggestions and continues on his golden-haired way. All my other heroes are dark, though!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Danielle, I didn't know Paul Walker. I've just looked him up - AND I'M GLAD I DID! Very easy on the eye!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I forgot to say if the hero is honest good looking and I fall for him in the early stages of the book I don't mind what colour hair he has LOL

    Have Fun
    Helen

    ReplyDelete
  7. Helen, I'm just hopeless with plants. Maidenhair ferns don't work for me either even though I think they're so pretty. Sigh. Hey, cool on looking forward to MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION. Hope you find it soon. I know a lot of Aussies have got it already - you've just been unlucky.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Helen, you're right - it's not the outside the counts! ;-) Although a nice outside doesn't hurt either!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I like my romance heros to be tall dark and handsome - I don't know what it is, I guess I like my heros to be bad boys, and blondes just don't scream "I'm bad". Of course I am married to a blonde - and he is a total sweetie! And neither of us has had any luck with African Violets - his mother had a beautiful plant she took care of for years, when she died, I inherited it - let's just say that it missed her so much it decided to join her in the afterlife...

    ReplyDelete
  10. I *used* to like blond heroes but I've found that over the years hero hair color didn't matter to me so much as heroine hair color ;)

    to answer you question Anna I believe in the old adage- yes blonds may have more fun but brunettes remember it the next day ;P

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Anna,

    Congratulations of MIDNIGHT"S WILD PASSION's release!

    A hero should be sensitive and caring for me to like him...then I don't much check his hair color!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I married tall and dark curly haired 33 years ago. That said, I just love the blonds! Think Eric Northman, Sooky Stackhouse's 1000 year old Vampire, as played by Alexander Skarsgard, Yum!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I'm not sure why romance heroes are so often dark haired. I don't care what colour their hair is, as long as they have those other attributes!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Oh, no, about the African violet, Dtchycat! It's awful to laugh at it, but it was just so funny the way you phrased it! In Australia, we call things like African violets pot plants which cause all my American friends to roll about laughing. Oh, dear, I want some lurve for my blonde hero! Surely someone loves 'em fair and feral!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Snort, Camille. Interesting about heroine hair colour. I distinctly remember a fashion of feisty redheads in historicals but I can't remember the last one of those I read. And at one stage, you never saw a brunette in a historical. My first two gals were brunettes, my last couple have been blondes. Not sure what the significance of that is!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nas, Ranelaw isn't too sensitive and caring when he starts out but he learns the error of his ways. ;-) Thanks for the congrats. It's been a really exciting couple of days!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Not too much water and water them from the base. No - not golden haired heroes - African violets! They like plenty of filtered light too. I used to know a number of old ladies who grew the most wonderful violets and that's what they always told me.

    Now, down to rakes. I don't care about their hair colour - I'm more concerned about their character and charisma. See? Im not completely shallow. A blond hero works for me too but I must admit, like you, I tend to imagine them dark.

    Smiling here at your hero having a change of hair colour on the cover. My blonde heroine recently became a brunette for the cover, much to my surprise.

    Congratulations, by the way on a wonderful new story. I've been telling so many people how much I've enjoyed Antonia's story. It's a real treat.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Ooh, FS, Alexander Skarsgard is yummy. Good example! I remember a visit to Denmark when I was much younger and how delicious all the tall, Viking-type men were. Perhaps that's where I started to channel Ranelaw!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Snort, Maggi! WHICH other attributes? Oh, maybe you shouldn't tell us. The Romance Dishes are young, innocent things. We don't want to shock them! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Annie, for a minute there, I wondered just what medications you were taking! Our next door neighbour to the farm used to sell African violets - beautiful, beautiful things and the most wonderful array of colours. I bought a few and they all ended up as slime. I haven't actually tried them since - but I think any place I live is still where African violets go to die!

    Ooh, and thank you for saying such nice things about Ranelaw and Antonia. I think you know how delighted I was when you really took to this story!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Anna,
    Congrats on the new release. I do have a thing for the tall and dark heroes, but I do appreciate a blonde hero every now and then. Lisa Kleypas' Lord St. Vincent is one of my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I like a redhead hero, but they are rare. Blond heroes are also fun but not more so then darkhaired ones. The haircolor is not what appeals to me most about a guy. My favorite blond is Alexander Skarsgard. Not that he's a fictional character but I sorta picture him when reading a romance with a blond hero.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have to admit, I go for the darker type myself. Not too say I haven't enjoyed a blond or 2 in my time, but I really prefer dark haired men.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ooh, Jane, I'd forgotten - St. Vincent IS a blond, isn't he? Actually he's one of the world's fave rakes so Ranelaw is now in good company. Phew! Thanks for the congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Kirsten, another Alexander S fan? Great stuff. Actually you can definitely picture him when you're reading Ranelaw! I won't mind at all! ;-) How interesting about a redheaded hero. I'm having trouble thinking of one! Isn't Jamie in Outlander red-haired? I haven't read it but I'm sure someone mentioned him as being auburn somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Marie, I'm currently writing a Beauty and the Beast story and the Beast is definitely back to tall dark and... Actually he's not exactly handsome. More compelling, I'd say! Ranelaw being blond was as much of a shock to me as to anyone!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Congrats on the unleashing of MWP, Anna! I'm not complaining about Ranelaw's US look either. I have to say I'm a sucker for dark-haired heroes. My hubby was born blond but his hair turned darker as he grew up.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Vanessa, I was born a really Scandinavian blond but I've got darker as I've got older too. Probably could have got away with being described as being blond until my mid-30s. Then everything went downhill! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  29. Hi Anna and Dishes! Fun blog!

    Anna, you're tackling a very important issue here and I have to say my first thought was TD & H... but then I decided that I had to give it more serious thought than my instinctive reaction. There are some very dashing blonds out there - starting with your Marcus.

    Then there's Daniel Craig, Heath Ledger, Brad Pitt, Ryan Gosling and Sean Bean (I think he does the most wonderful villains!). And then if we take a small (ahem) detour into older films there's Paul Newman and Robert Redford and David McCallum.

    As you can see, I've had way too much fun thinking about this!

    Hey, can't help you with the violets - mine tend to curl up their roots too. I like my plants hardy, hardy, hardy!

    Congratulations on the release of Midnight's Wild Passion - another Anna Campbell keeper for my shelf! Woohoo!

    :)
    Sharon

    ReplyDelete
  30. Ooh, Sharon, you're so right! I hadn't thought of any of those guys but they're seriously gorgeous. Oh, Daniel C! Oh, Heath (such a sad loss)! Oh, Sean Bean and David McCallum (who I still think retains a bit of hotness! Call me eccentric!). Hey, you did serious research for me, friend. Never apologize for that, LOL! Sad about you being death to AVs too! Sigh. Thanks for the congrats! x

    ReplyDelete
  31. It's been my experience that most heroes & heroines are dark. Perhaps in more ways than one. I think you make your own fun.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi Anna and the Dishes
    You've got me at blond! I can't wait to meet Ranelaw in MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION. Those dark-haired heroes have their place but I find blond guys incredibly appealing. (Hey I'm married to tall, blond and handsome!)
    Yes to Daniel Craig and I'm with you on David McCallum, hot when a Man From Uncle and still compelling in NCIS. Roger Moore as The Saint was quite the debonair hottie for his time too. And don't forget Aussie Simon Baker in The Mentalist and even more gorgeous in The Guardian.
    African violets? On a sunny windowsill and only water from below into the saucer they sit in.
    Good luck with the launch!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Very wise words, Marybelle. Actually in this book, I think I was channeling my Nordic ancestors. They're BOTH blond!!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Actually, Kandy, I'm wondering if the water from below thing was where I went wrong. The ones I had just rotted away into sludge. Not nice! Cool on you being a blond fan! I hope you enjoy meeting Ranelaw and Antonia! This is probably the first book of mine that you haven't seen any of in earlier drafts! Wonder what you'll make of the finished product!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Now that you've mentioned it Anna ;) I do prefer redheaded or brunette heroines (for vain/escapist reasons lol) and I did notice your first two books had brunettes (although Charis is a 'golden brown' that could be either..?) and those after are blondes- I'm hoping there's a future dark haired heroine to come XD

    Red hair seems to be more popular in urban fantasy at the moment though I have had recent reads with flame haired feisty heroines (not that I can name any right now MEMORYFAIL).

    I digress, hero hair color isn't as important a feature of a hero for me as name is (Gabriel- the name of my lil bro- John- my sister's boyfriend, & Jason- my cousin's boyfriend in historicals & Reyes-my stepdad's last name & therefore also my mum's!- for paranormals are the ones I have the biggest peeve about for the reasons listed- hard to imagine a hot alpha/beta hero named after someone in my family immediate circle T_T).

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have always been drawn to dark and handsome, dark and brooding, etc. I think maybe there have been a couple of winning heroes that were blond though. The thing is once I get drawn into the story and get to "know" the characters it doesn't matter what their coloring is.

    African violets was the only flower my mother couldn't grow. That is one persnickity little plant. If my mother couldn't grow it I knew better than to even try.

    ReplyDelete
  37. I love blond heroes! Robin Andreville in Mary Jo Putney's Angel Rogue, Stephen Huxtable in Mary Balogh's Seducing an Angel, and those Tucker men--Kevin in Susan Elizabeth Phillip's This Heart of Mine and Phin in Jenny Crusie's Welcome to Temptation--are all favorites. I'm happy to add Ranelaw to the list.

    The great thing about being romance readers is that we don't have to choose. Heroes dark and light, in coloring and in temperament, can serve as fuel for our fantasies. :)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Hi Anna! Congrats on the release of MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION! As you know, I loved this book and am so excited that everyone else now has the chance to read it!

    I've always preferred the tall, dark hero in the romances I read which is kind of funny when you consider the fact that the man I married and the two men I was in serious relationships with before meeting my late dh were all blonds. Hmmm. Wonder what that says about me? ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  39. As a woman who has spent time as a blonde and a brunette, thanks in large to a my colour happy hairdresser, I would have to say I prefer myself as a brunette (my natural shade) and I think this goes for my hero’s too. However, while I say that, there is always the opportunity for a man to change my mind. For example Brad Pitt, arguably the yummiest man on the planet, had me a panting mess in ‘Interview with a Vampire’ when he sported his blond locks.

    I think while colour may get our attention in the first instance, what is underneath will shape our opinions in the end.

    GOSH! Aren’t I a romantic mess today? *shakes head* I just re-watched Twilight. Those vegetarians get me all sappy. :(

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Anna,
    Congrats on the new release. I can't wait to read all about Ranelaw.
    I prefer dark and handsome like Antonio Banderas in Zorro and Gregory Peck . Paul Newman and Sean Bean are two blondes I thought are very sexy. :)
    As for African Violets, I'm sorry. I couldn't even grow a weed if I tried. lol Thanks for the opportunity Anna. Wishing you many many sales.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi Anna,

    As always you continue to surprize me with your interesting posts !

    I do have a specific love for dark haired hero's but in the right "setting" in the right book blond haired ones work!

    As for your flowers sorry I have never had any luck with those so I cant help you out there with any advise!

    Take Care
    Desere

    ReplyDelete
  42. Oh, Anna, you are daring trying to raise African violets ;) while I was able to keep them from being a slimey mess, they never seemed to flower or even look particularly impressive in any way, just poor sad little bits of green.

    When it comes to heros, well you know me ;) I love them all :) While tall dark & handsome may catch my eye first, the hero with devilish charm or that certain look in his eyes will pull me in closer (now get you're mind out of the gutter I ment humor & intelligence, but ok yes that seductive look works too) :)

    ReplyDelete
  43. Congratulations Anna on your newest release.

    I wrote a nice post but my internet browser was acting up and it deleted everything. :(

    I don't mind hair color as much as I mind a hero's personality. Forgettable, cliche and interchangeable heroes are always a no-no for me.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Good morning from N.NV! I know I sound like a broken record but one last time- Congrats on MWP release, Anna! I'm so excited to read it.

    Personally, I think blondes have more fun and I only say that because my dh is blonde..and we have lots of fun ;) But, I LOVE my heroes tall, dark, and handsome. There's just something so scrumptious about a dark haired man. Good luck with your African violets, they are down right rude when they sit in water or their leaves get wet. Those African violet pots work fabulously.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I guess I don't prefer one over the other though it seems the majority of heroes are dark. And I can only think of one red haired hero - Jaimie from the Outlander series. Why is that, I wonder?

    I don't 'do' houseplants so can't comment on African violets. You could probably ask my mother, though, as she has some plants that are years and years old!

    ReplyDelete
  46. I love tall and anything! Fair or Dark! Just give a hot bod and pretty face! I'm very EASY! LOL! I have always thought Brad Pitt was a sexy blond. Just watch Legends of the Fall!
    No comment on the African violets! I have a black thumb and kill everything!

    ReplyDelete
  47. Linda, I'm the same with my fictional heroes. Even if the author describes them as fair and blond, I still picture them in my mind as dark.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Danielle, Paul Walker is definitely sexy. As was Paul Newman. There are many sexy blond men out there but, for some reason, I picture all my heroes with dark hair. I blame Pierce Brosnan. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  49. Helen, I can say with supreme confidence that you will definitely fall in love with Ranelaw. The man is irresistible!

    How did I know you'd be mentioning Rod Stewart? VBG!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Anna, plants usually cringe in terror when they see me coming but, for some unknown reason, African Violets love me. Kandy has the right of it: a sunny window and watering from below.

    ReplyDelete
  51. Dtchycat, I usually picture my bad boys as dark too but Ranelaw, in all his golden glory, is one very deliciously bad boy!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Camille said, to answer you question Anna I believe in the old adage- yes blonds may have more fun but brunettes remember it the next day ;P

    ROFL! OMG, I love this!

    ReplyDelete
  53. A hero should be sensitive and caring for me to like him...then I don't much check his hair color!

    Very true, Nas Dean.

    ReplyDelete
  54. fsbuchler said, I just love the blonds! Think Eric Northman, Sooky Stackhouse's 1000 year old Vampire, as played by Alexander Skarsgard, Yum!

    Double yum!

    ReplyDelete
  55. While tall, dark and handsome is very nice, there's nothing wrong with the blond locks of either Lord St. Vincent or Simon Pearson, the Duke of Leighton, in Eleven Scandals.

    ReplyDelete
  56. I tend to like tall, dark and handsome the best! Even when the hero is described as blonde, in my mind they usually all end up looking dark haired. I guess it just depends on your preference.

    ReplyDelete
  57. I have a preference for tall, dark, and handsome admittedly, but you know my first crush was for John Schneider who is still a very handsome blond.

    And yes, I have rather good luck with my African violet. But admittedly I believe it's good genes and nothing I'm doing. Like people. Some people live forever no matter what you do to them; some people die immediately no matter how much you baby them and do all the right things.

    ReplyDelete
  58. I can't say blonds have more fun I perfer dark haired men although I married a blond that is very grey right now. You don't find many heros in books that are blond.

    ReplyDelete
  59. Anna is in the house! Woot! Congratulations of the release of MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION!! I just picked it up today and about cried (and died) when I read the acknowledgments. *sniff* (((HUGS)))

    To answer your question: I prefer my heroes tall, dark, and handsome. And even when the hero is blond, I sometimes just imagine him as dark-haired. Though, I will admit that Josh Holloway and his dark blond locks does something for me. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  60. You are such a delight! I confess, I prefer my heroes dark haired, yet it seems most of my own heroes (I won't say a number) have been blonde...hmmm.

    And fallen angels get me everytime.

    Now, African Violets. Had dreadful luck until I set them in a window that faces east, has white-opaque-ish curtains that are always closed. Bright ambient light. Not a lot of water, and pinch off the flowers once they fade. Good Luck!

    ReplyDelete
  61. Congrats on the new release. I don't have a hair-color preference, except that I really want to see a cover model with the right hair color, as determined by the author.

    On African violets...I was successful (many) years ago, growing one purple-flowering plant in my college dorm room. Since then, eh, not so much luck. Keep trying!

    ReplyDelete
  62. Oh, dark, most assuredly. Dark eyes, swarthy, sigh...Robert Reford was about the only blond hero I liked (yum!) And you're on your own with the violets. I have a certified black thumb. I could probably kill SILK flowers!

    ReplyDelete
  63. No experience with African violets. I do not have a green thumb.
    Dark hair is great.

    ReplyDelete
  64. I don't have a preference although most heroes do seem to be dark haired. One of my favorites, St Vincent from Devil in Winter is blonde, I believe and Anne Mallory's latest book has a wonderful hero but I don't remember his name and I believe he was blonde too.

    ReplyDelete
  65. Lol...hillarious post!

    I used to prefer blondes actually but now it really doesn't matter what color the hero is,the only things that matter are the he is a great hero and has a good body and knows what to do with it!

    As far as African Violets, I kind of have a black thumb and pretty much kill off anything that I attempt to grow these days. Probably a lack of time

    ReplyDelete
  66. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  67. Camille, I pictured Charis as a kind of bronze-blonde, you know sort of tawny. Beauty and the Beast heroine (wip), you'll be pleased to know, has brown hair! Snort to the names - must say I rather fancy Gabriel for a hero. Mind you, I don't think I've ever known one in real life so there's no preconceptions. I can't take Ian as a hero's name - too many Ians I know!

    ReplyDelete
  68. Dianna, I suspect I was killing my African violets with kindness - too much water! They're so pretty when they grow, though! I felt like an axe murderer when they all just collapsed into green sludge. Actually I agree with you on the hero being his own man, whatever his hair color. I've even managed to read the occasional hero with a moustache if he was well enough written. Odd how we have these little quirks, isn't it? I had a friend's mother (must have been in her 70s at the time) who informed a kiss from a man without a moustache is like bread without butter. Always made me giggle!

    ReplyDelete
  69. Janga, I think you're right about the buffet of hero types being one of the delights of the genre. Oh, I'd forgotten the gorgeous Phin from Welcome to Temptation. I'd love to be sitting on the dock of the bay with him, snicker! He's wonderful! Thanks for saying you're putting Ranelaw into your blond Pantheon!!! And thank you again for that fabulous review!

    ReplyDelete
  70. PJ, must say I tend to gravitate to tall, dark and handsome in real life as well as in fiction. As I said, complete shock to me when Ranelaw turned out blond and stayed that way! Still, variety is the spice of life ;-) Thanks so much for saying such lovely things about Midnight's Wild Passion. It really means a lot!!!

    ReplyDelete
  71. Sappy vegetarians? I thought that was the tree huggers! Snort! Oh, it's sad that I do so amuse myself. I might LEAVE the punning alone now.

    Actually that was beautifully put, Danielle. It doesn't REALLY matter what he looks like as long as he's a hero inside - or grows into being a hero inside.

    Laughed at your color-happy hairdresser. I'm a natural blond who's grown darker over the years (happens to most blonds). I had my hair dyed red at one stage and I must say the world treated me slightly differently. My slightly bolshie personality seemed more acceptable from a redhead!

    ReplyDelete
  72. Carol, clearly you and I are graduates of the same school of gardening! We both came out with black plant belts! ;-)

    Hope you enjoy reading about Ranelaw. He's definitely dark inside (like dark chocolate cake with vanilla icing!).

    ReplyDelete
  73. Oh, no, Desere! You're no good with African violets either? We should set up a club! Hey, cool you're still enjoying the posts. Thanks so much for trailing around my blog tour like this. It's always fun to see you!

    ReplyDelete
  74. Gamistress, I'm with you on ALL those characteristics. Actually I LOVE a smart hero! Really works for me! Especially when he's not smart when it comes to love, at least until the end. Oh, dear, sad bits of green sound so miserable - mind you, it's better than stinking sludge! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  75. Antonia! Hey, did you see I named my latest heroine after you? Snort! It's such a pretty name. I've wanted to use it for a character for years. Yeah, it's the personality that counts, doesn't it? And there was something fun about contrasting Ranelaw's angelic looks with his far from angelic personality!

    ReplyDelete
  76. Okie, the other thing I discovered to my cost is that they don't like their leaves sitting on the plastic rim of the pot. Maybe you're right - I should investigate the proper pots! Hey, thanks for the congrats!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  77. Susie, I really think houseplants are something you need a touch for - and obviously I have no touch. Your lucky mother. I love going to visit some of my friends who have this wonderful lush greenery in their rooms. Sad, dying houseplants are majorly depressing! Yeah, I think you're right - blond, dark, red-haired (even if it's only Jamie!), we can take them all on!

    ReplyDelete
  78. Hey, Johanna, we're starting a club. I've discovered I'm not alone in my lack of skill with house plants! Want to join us? We can sit around and make palm trees die!

    Yeah, I agree with you - there's sexy blond heroes out there, although not quite so many as TDAH!

    ReplyDelete
  79. Haha! I did notice that. I guess I'm a muse now huh? lol :P

    And speaking of heroes with angelic looks, I remember that Eloisa James had one in the first book of her Essex sisters quartet. It must have been "Much Ado About You." :D

    ReplyDelete
  80. Nope, I've never cared for blondes, although Brad Pitt certainly carries it off well.
    I haven't tried to grow African Violets before, but I actually have one in my window at work now. It was blooming when I got it, I repotted it and it's now bare of blooms, and the new leaves are smaller. I think it needs more light, but it isn't soggy at least.

    I can't wait to read Midnight's Wild Passion. I know I'll enjoy it, no matter what color the hero's hair is.

    ReplyDelete
  81. PJ, did you do that with Ranelaw? I'm only asking because he was so emphatically golden-haired in my mind when I wrote it.

    ReplyDelete
  82. Ooh, Pierce Brosnan... Anna goes off on a nice little reverie that has NOTHING to do with blond men! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  83. PJ, I smiled when I saw the Rod Stewart mention! He's Miss Helen's fave!!!! And thanks for saying she'll fall in love with Ranelaw!!! Sounds like Antonia might have some competition!

    ReplyDelete
  84. Ooh, PJ, you can grow African violets? I bow down in admiration!!! Well, more admiration than usual. I always bow down in admiration before you, my friend!

    ReplyDelete
  85. Ooh, Penfield, you've read 11 Scandals already? Lucky you! I'm so looking forward to it - love the first two. Isn't it cool Sarah and I both have blond heroes out at the same time?

    ReplyDelete
  86. June, I wonder if you'll do that with Ranelaw. You'll have to let me know. As I said, I always do tall, dark and handsome. Him being a fallen angel type was a bit of a surprise! But he was definitely golden-haired in every word I wrote about him after that.

    ReplyDelete
  87. Helly, I'm kinda scared at you comparing killing your African violets to killing people! Um, don't ask me to dinner until I forget this post, OK? Snort! Thanks for swinging by!!!

    ReplyDelete
  88. Virginia, blond heroes are pretty rare, aren't they? But not as rare as redheads. I actually have no objection to a red-headed man. There should be more in romance!

    ReplyDelete
  89. Andrea, you and the other Dishes are more than welcome to that dedication. You girls really are among my favorite people anywhere. I'm just so sorry we won't be catching up this year at RWA. I hope you're all saving your pennies for RWA in Anaheim! Thanks for the congrats - very exciting week for me! Oh, you're another imaginer - you'll have to let me know, like June, whether you do that with Ranelaw!

    ReplyDelete
  90. Amy, aren't you a sweetie? Lovely to see you! I think Ranelaw's blondness hasn't convinced me to go totally over to the light side! My next guy is as dark as they come and I'm having fun with him. Soon my heroine may be having fun with him too, snicker. Thanks for the African violet advice. I might just be encouraged to give them another go after this!

    ReplyDelete
  91. Thanks so much, Artemis! The reviews have been amazing - I'm seriously thinking of putting some of them on a T-shirt (luckily I take a larger size, ahem!). Hope you enjoy it - think Robert Redford when you do. Ranelaw is probably a little more English looking than RR in his prime, who really was PRIME!!!! I always think of him as very American looking - gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
  92. LSUR, I've been kinda encouraged today - firstly by learning I'm not the only death to AV woman out there and also by all the advice. I'm actually really pleased they went for a girl alone on the front - what a gorgeous dress and I didn't have to tangle with my editor about the hair color issue. I can live with him dark-haired in the stepback. And as I say, she looks very happy - and Antonia is a wintry blonde like the model too which is nice.

    ReplyDelete
  93. Oh, Kat, laughed at you killing silk flowers. I think you're even further down the plant-caring ladder than I am and that's saying something! Robert Redford is getting some love today, isn't he? One of my best friends at school had a crush amounting to an obsession with RR in the 70s when he was at his most gorgeous, I think. So many of his films had sad endings, though!

    ReplyDelete
  94. Runner, try and imagine blond for Ranelaw! Oh, all right, imagine him dark! I'm sure he'll be delicious in the darker version ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  95. Maureen, lovely Anne Mallory is featuring a blond hero? Lovely! I've developed quite a penchant for them since writing Ranelaw!

    ReplyDelete
  96. Maria, at this rate, we're going to need a bigger clubhouse for the Black Thumb Sorority! I wonder if the Sydney Opera House is available! Thanks for saying you enjoyed the post - I think one thing I can say for Ranelaw is that he definitely knows his way around. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  97. Oh, Antonia (aka my muse!), I DO remember that hero. You're right. He was yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  98. Actually speaking of blond heroes, I had a huge crush on Anthony Andrews in his younger days and he's very much Ranelaw's coloring. You know, gold blond rather than pale blond. AA was a wonderful Scarlet Pimpernel and he was gorgeous in Brideshead Revisited. Sigh! Jeremy Irons has aged much better, though.

    ReplyDelete
  99. Ooh, Barbara, thanks for saying that about Midnight! I think we've come to a consensus here that if you REALLY can't handle a blond, you can imagine him dark ;-) Democracy rules! And bravo to you for keeping an African violet alive! You're way ahead of me in that game!

    ReplyDelete
  100. Phew! Finally caught up with you girls. Thank you so much for giving MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION such a rousing welcome! I'm overwhelmed!

    ReplyDelete
  101. Anna, thanks for more great fun today! Best wishes for MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION!

    ReplyDelete
  102. Blonds definately have my vote but I may be prejudice because both my sons had white blond hair when they were little and the were so adorable! Now I have blond grandsons so have taken my heart. They are my personal "romance heros".

    When I'm reading a book I'll take them any way I can! Whether they are Dark and sexy or blond and mysterious it's how the character is written that wins my heart.

    ReplyDelete
  103. Hello, Anna dear! I just got back home from Disney, so I didn't have a chance to pop by earlier. Can't wait to read MIDNIGHT'S WILD PASSION.

    I usually prefer my men tall, dark and handsome---my hubby's half Italian so it's no wonder. LOL But I have read a few blonde heroes who are very sexy.

    ReplyDelete
  104. Hi Anna, and congrats on great reviews I'm seeing already.

    I usually for darker, but some blonds, more like dirty blond catch my eye, too. I agree on Newman and Redford, and will be checking out Eleven Scandals later tonight.

    I tend to be bad with most plant, getting busy and forgetting about them, but would you believe I have the best luck with African Violets, lol, My grandmother has a green thumb and African Violets older than 15 years and will start them up for me. Guess I must have the right sun, learned not to overwater, and misting around them helps flowering I think, and don't get water on leaves, they will turn black and fall off. I have luck with spider plants, too, hard to kill.

    ReplyDelete
  105. Jeanne, nice to see a woman who likes to exercise her power of choice ;-) Love the sound of your snow-headed boys! Thanks for swinging by!

    ReplyDelete
  106. Gannon, hope you had fun at Disneyland. I've been following your adventures on Facebook - don't you love Facebook? We've had a wild time here today as you've probably gathered! Hope you have fun with Midnight!

    ReplyDelete
  107. Wow, Pam, clearly you have magic in your fingers inherited from your grandmother. 15 years? That's amazing! I think you should come down here and take over house plant duty! Thanks so much for popping by and talking hair color. You know, we really work hard to bring you the hard news stories here ;-) Have fun with Eleven!

    ReplyDelete
  108. Thanks for having me today, PJ. I've had an absolute ball! And thanks to everyone who commented!

    Don't forget to check back to see who won the prize! Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  109. I think you right Anna we can call it the " Cant grow African Violets Club" and our slogan can be "please help us "

    ReplyDelete
  110. And, Desere, when we chuck people out of the club, we can slime them with our dead African violets. I think this might catch on! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  111. Anna your too funny ! But I do agree it will catch on !

    ReplyDelete