Stars in My Eyes

posted by Christine Wells

Today it's my pleasure to host a dear friend and wonderful romance writer, Anna Campbell. Anna's burning hot new release, CAPTIVE OF SIN, is blazing a trail to a bookstore near you very soon. I was privileged enough to read this book in manuscript form and it's one of the most wildly romantic historical romances you'll read, with gorgeous Gideon as the darkly beautiful tortured hero. Welcome to Popculturedivas, Anna!

Hiya Divas! And a special hiya to the fabulous Christine Wells who invited me here today to talk about something diva-ish. Lotsa pictures she said. Video links if you can do them. Something snappy.

Oh, dear, I thought. What can I do?

Then I reached for my jar of inspiration on the pantry shelf, popped up the lid and guess what I found?

A BUCKETLOAD OF GORGEOUSNESS, THAT’S WHAT!

One of the loveliest things about being a romance writer is that you can look at pretty pictures of a handsome man and actually call it work. Not everything about being a writer is quite so cushy, but this is definitely among the perks.

My hero of CAPTIVE OF SIN, Sir Gideon Trevithick is of the tall, dark and handsome ilk. He’s Cornish and Cornish people are often dark, a fact sometimes credited to Spanish sailors who washed up on shore after the Armada. Actually there’s a kind of Armada story in Gideon’s family background too!

Here’s the blurb for CAPTIVE OF SIN which is out in America on 27th October. I can hardly wait!

He pledged his honor to keep her safe . . .

Returning home to Cornwall after unspeakable tragedy, Sir Gideon Trevithick comes upon a defiant beauty in danger, and vows to protect her whatever the cost. He’s dismayed to discover that she’s none other than Lady Charis Weston, England’s wealthiest heiress—and that the only way to save her from the violent stepbrothers determined to steal her fortune is to wed her himself! Now Gideon must hide the dark secrets of his life from the bride he desires more with every heartbeat.

She promised to show him how to love—and desire--again . . .

Charis has heard all about Gideon, the dangerously handsome hero with the mysterious past. She’s grateful for his help, but utterly unwilling to endure a marriage of convenience—especially to a man whose touch leaves her breathless. Desperate to drive him mad with passion, she would do anything to make Gideon lose control—and fall captive to irresistible, undeniable sin.

You can read an excerpt here

When I start a new book, I often use a real person as a physical model for my hero and heroine. As the character develops, the relationship to that original image gets more distant. The character starts to exist in their own right. But a real-life counterpart really helps at that initial stage.

The gorgeous Gideon was physically based on Richard Armitage. This will come as no surprise to Christine who knows I have a huge crush on Mr. A. [CW: No surprise at all!!]


Anyway, just in case you have never seen Richard Armitage in action, or you have but would like to see him again – and who could blame you? – here are two lovely videos. One is a scene that made women all over the world go weak at the knees. It’s the closing moments from the BBC’s magnificent adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s NORTH AND SOUTH.

Sigh!

Here’s another one that I’m not sure has made it to America as it comes from a Christmas special they made for the VICAR OF DIBLEY. Geraldine, the vicar who sings the song, has a huge crush on a newcomer to the village, Harry, but she’s convinced he’s in love with this gorgeous blonde she’s seen him with. Gorgeous blonde ends up being his sister – yes, I know that’s a tired plot device you wouldn’t get away with in a romance novel! But this gem of a clip comes from Geraldine’s fantasy of her crush marrying the OTHER WOMAN! Watch for a very sexy glint!

Just to finish with something yummy that has absolutely nothing to do with CAPTIVE OF SIN, I recently saw a really good movie called EASY VIRTUE featuring Jessica Biel, Colin Firth and Ben Barnes. The film is set among England’s aristocracy in the 1920s and it depicts the hijinks that ensue when the heir (Barnes) marries an American racing car driver (Biel). One of the best scenes in the film is this sexy tango with Jessica and Colin at a very starchy upper crust ball. The music in the video is different to the film but I’m sure you’ll get the idea of how delicious this is.

Sometimes I LOVE my job!

So do you have any favorite scenes in movies or TV shows that make your knees go weak? I’m always happy to add to my collection. My pick of the answers wins a signed copy of CAPTIVE OF SIN so you can compare Gideon to Richard! Now, doesn’t that sound like a tough assignment? Good luck!