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The Prince of Charm

posted by Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy

I LURVE my heroes! Can't help myself. Must be because they are all (at least thus far) Irish hunks. And like all true Celts, they are dark haired and blue-eyed, but there the similarities end.

Donovan O'Shea, my hero of The Wild Sight is a man who tried to escape his painful past. But basically he has a dual nature, and near the climax of the story he actually recognizes this in himself. One side of him is a healer. Though he himself may be wounded (not nearly as much as the hero of my current Work In Progress, but that's a blog for another day), he seeks to fix things that are broken, soothe hurts, and generally set things right. But the other side of him is a warrior. When threatened, he doesn't hesitate to fight back, especially in defense of someone he cares about. Cross him at your peril!

The same can be said for my hero of The Treasures of Venice, Keirnan Fitzgerald. When necessary, this man can be dangerous. In fact, he even tells the heroine fairly early in the story that he is dangerous. She doesn't exactly believe him, of course, because Keirnan Fitzgerald is a typical Irish charmer.

I saw this first hand all over Ireland (in the North and the Republic). From wee little lads to dottering grandpas, Irish men are unparallelled when it comes to charm. Matter of fact, the legend of kissing the Blarney stone to imbue oneself with elequence has a basis in history. The 16th century Earl of Blarney, Cormac McCarthy managed to talk his way out of swearing fealty and surrendering his castle to Queen Elizabeth I.

Talk about a charmer!

I couldn't resist creating a character with some of those same endearing qualities... Or more accurately, as often happens with my characters, Keirnan Fitzgerald appeared on the scene with a charming swagger and a twinkle in his sapphire blue eyes. I'll admit it, I couldn't resist him!

Like his ancestors before him, when faced with the ancient conundrum of "fight or flight," Keirnan picks neither option. First, and foremost, he will try to talk himself out of a situation. Failing that... well, he really can be a warrior. But early in life he learned that old adage about honey and vinegar and he took it to heart, especially with the ladies. However, he's not the only one in the family who can turn on the charm, but again, that's another blog topic.

As I've mentioned before, I like to have physical models in mind when I write my characters. Luckily, fate and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno delivered me the perfect proto-type for Keirnan.

I'd seen the film version of Phantom of the Opera, and it just couldn't compare to my experiences seeing the live performance. I was also one of the few women on the planet who did not understand all the fuss over Gerard Butler. I know, I know... Then one night I saw him promoting his film 300 and Oh. My. Gosh! I truly believe that (like my hero, Keirnan Fitzgerald) that man could charm paint off the wall!

He might have been born and raised in Scotland, but Butler is an Irish name sure as I'm a McGary! And be honest now, ladies... If this man asked you to run away with him to Venice, would you say no?!?!?

What are some of your favorite types of heroes? Warriors? Professors? Any charmers in the bunch? And which celebrities do you find the most charming?

Comments

  1. Firstly I would run of to Venice with him give me a fan.

    I love Donovan he is such a wonderful hero what can I say and I am so looking forward to meeting Keiran can't wait.

    I love warriors and alpha heros but I do like them to be honourable and to have a sense of humour and as for celebrities well you know me I am a huge Hugh Jackman fan,

    Have Fun
    Helen

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  2. There truly is nothing quite like Irish charm, and Gerard in person is even more charming than the characters he plays. And he's adorable. What more could you want?
    Can't wait to read the book!

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  3. I love characters like Indiana Jones, and Star Wars Harrison Ford--it's the humor, and roguishness, and a little bit of fumbling, but a real hero too, that I love about him and other characters like that. :)Has he got a plan? He's working on it. :) That's what I love about heroes. They're not perfect. :)But they're working on it. :)

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  4. I love Celtic men, too! And like you, having a visual of my hero is a bit plus. I can't always find a celebrity to match, but with the aid of the internet and professional fashion modeling sites, I usually find just the right visual!

    Celebrities I've visualized recently include Adrian Paul, George Eads, and Goran Visnjic.

    I have WILD SIGHT sitting on the very top of my TBR pile and can't wait to jump into it!

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  5. Hi Helen,
    100 more days to go for TToV!

    You know I'm just as big a Hugh Jackman fan as you are, and it is definitely his sense of humor that makes him The Whole Package!

    AC

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  6. Cheryl,
    You've met Gerry in person?!?! KEWL BEANS!!!! That devilish little twinkle in his eye is completely irresistable.

    AC

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  7. Hey Terry,
    Harrison Ford as Indy or Han IS adorable! I'm with you, no thanx on Mr. Perfect. Who needs that kind of pressure? I much prefer a hero with a few little flaws, especially if he also has a sense of humor.

    AC

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  8. Hi Silver, thanx for popping by!

    Oh yes, Adrian and Goran are YUMMY in the visual aids dept. I think I know who George Eads is, but will have to look him up to be sure.

    Hope you enjoy TWS!

    AC

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  9. A roguish Irishman with a twinkle in his eye and brimming with charm? Yes, ma'am! I'll take one, please. Oh what the heck. Give me two! :)

    I still remember the first time I saw a young Pierce Brosnan in The Mannions of America (a 1981 ABC miniseries). I swear, I think my heart actually skipped a beat. He personified everything I adore about rough-around-the-edges Irish charmers. Still does, though the rough edges are much more polished today.

    Love your books, and your heroes, AC!

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  10. AWWWW! Thanx a bunch PJ for the compliments on my books and heroes.

    OH MY YES!!! Pierce Brosnan personifies the Irish charmer I had in mind when I wrote Keirnan. Hubba hubba!He could STILL eat crackers in my bed and I'd never toss him out. ;-)

    AC

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  11. Not just because tomorrow is Memorial Day, but because of my deep respect, my favorite warriors are our fine men and women in the military. They are my heroes and heorines. May God Bless them all!

    Amelia

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  12. I'm a total sucker for the charm of an alpha bad boy who and is also kind to dogs and old ladies.

    A fighter and a fixer? Be still my heart!

    Would I go to Venice with such? I would go to the MOON. :-)

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  13. Run away with Gerry Butler? Hmmm...I may have to think on it for, oh, half a second! I could care less if he is Irish or Scottish, he is pure charm and, well other adjectives unmentionable on a family website. :)

    It definitely helps to have a visual. I certainly do in my writing. And those characters I make up are very vivid to me.

    I can't wait for your next book, Cindy. If this hero is even half as wonderful as Donovan then I will be in love all over again!

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  14. Amelia,
    I join you in asking for a special blessing for our wonderful men and women in uniform! They are all heroes!

    AC

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  15. LOL MM!

    Venice, the moon and just about anywhere in between. Who CARES if it is with the right hero?

    AC

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  16. Sharon,
    I can't believe I didn't fall for Gerry's charms immediately. He's SUCH a cutie!

    Hang onto your Regency bonnet, Girlfriend. I think Keirnan is gonna rock your world! ;-)

    AC

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  17. Colin Farrel, anyone? To me he personifies the true bad boy with charm and a heart of gold... that's buried somewhere under his wildness!

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  18. I love the Irish boys, too Cindy! Someone said Pierce Brosnan? YUMMMMMMMMM

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  19. I too have a think for Celtic men (plus my BF is half Irish, half Scot). Gerard Butler is awesome!!
    You are lucky you met him!

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