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The Rake Who Started Me Writing... by Grace Burrowes

Today marks the launch of my sixth Lonely Lord, "Gareth, Lord of Rakes," and I could not be happier, because he's my First Special Guy.
Do you recall when, at an earlier and more dewey-eyed time in life, you were diligently studying at the library, and the guy from your speech class walked by, the guy with the dreamy eyes or the sweet smile? The guy you'd Speculated About, but never talked to? And then he notices you, and...
Your heart thumps, you wish hadn't worn the same old yoga pants and T-shirt, and...  he walks right up to you, and says, "You're Grace, right? I've been meaning to ask you something..."
The voice is as dreamy as the eyes, and... there goes your entire grade point average for the semester, but who cares?

Gareth is what I call my foundation swain. He's the first character who strutted into my imagination and said, "Stop whatever nonsense you're doing and write me a happily ever after! A steamy one, with lots of true love and character
growth. I'm the quintessential rake so pair me up with a spinster and charge me with corrupting her at her request... Yes, that will do nicely. Are you writing this down?"

I had Gareth teach the fair Felicity nearly everything about running a brothel, and yes, at her insistence. To find out what parts of Felicity's education Gareth neglected you'll have to read the book, and the first three chapters are available here.

So if this is my first historical manuscript (that I'll own up to), why wasn't Gareth's story the first published? THAT has to do with a fellow
named Westhaven, who deprived Gareth of the top spot in the 2009 Georgia Romance Writers Maggie competition. They both finaled, but Westhaven got the nod, so when choosing among the twenty or so manuscripts I had in my personal slush pile, Gareth was edged out by The Heir.

Gareth doesn't mind. He says a few years of anticipation only whets the appetite (while Felicity smirks and mutters about certain marquesses who are unable to endure even a few minutes of anticipation).

Who was The First Special Guy for you? (And it's OK if he's Jean Luc Piccard or Mr. Rochester.) To one commenter, I'll give an iPad. If you'd like to order the book, you can do that here.   

Comments

  1. My 1st crush was George Hedin. He was the smartest boy in Chemistry class & sat right next to me. He was the only boy in my class who had a brain & wasn't always thinking about football, hunting or other boy stuff. We went to the Freshman Prom together. Fond memory.

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  2. Do we have to pick just one? lol

    I'd have to say my first inspiration was Frank Langella as Dracula when I was a wee bit younger. Who would've thought bold stares, a simple touch, could make women swoon? He was my original bad boy. ;-)

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  3. I'll have to go with Colin Firth. The man can do no wrong in my book. Thanks for the chance to win!!!

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  4. I suppose I have to use Jimmy, Grace. Cause all the guys in the world can't compare to someone that treats you the best he possibly can. Doesn't mean he's perfect I've spent 44 years telling him that and he's not dumb. LOL But he has always tried, went out of his way for me and our family. That determination just wins out over the fellow that smiled at me, or decided I was doable. My dream man of 44 years still looks like the fellow with the hair and smile from our youth thru my eyes. Now if I could only remember that when I'm throwing a fit cause he decided to get black rims on his glasses rather than the gray I thought he should have gotten. And Yes, he would have called and changed them for me. But my mighty Smart 30 Year old son on the phone while I was fuming about it said, MOM let the man have the glasses that are his choice. LOL. Such fortitude Grace, you got to give those fellow that, such fortitude to deal with me.

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  5. Gosh, I was SO in love with Donny Osmond. Knew I was going to grow up and marry him...wouldn't his WIFE be surprised? And then there was Kwai Chang Caine, in the 1970s television series Kung Fu. Gosh, loved HIM, too. Of course, now there's all those LONELY LORDS that need me to love them!!!! And I do...each and every one of them.

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  6. I was quite the wallflower growing up, much to my dismay. Boys didn't ask me out on a date or even to dance. I had many guy friends but never a boyfriend. I was the girl who would be standing in huddle of 6 girls and 5 guys would walk up and ask the other 5 girls to dance. No matter how many times I would make one of my friends promise to not leave me alone on the side of the dance floor, I was inevitably left alone on the side of the dance floor. During Christmas break of my junior year of high school I went out on a blind date with a young man named, Josh who lived in the next town over. My best friend was dating a friend of his and she set us up. It was truly like at first sight. I spent the better part of a year in serious like with this guy who was never more than a good friend. But we had lots of fun and he would always ask me to dance if we happened to be out at a dance. Once he started college he would show up at my house every few weeks just out of the blue and we would go do things. This lasted for about 3 years and I never really figured out why he would do this. He was definitely my first crush and the closest thing I ever had to a boyfriend, before I met my husband.

    Congrats on the release of your foundation swain and also Morgan and Archer.

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  7. As a pre-teen, I thought Sal Mineo was IT! I even carved his name in the living room desk (my parents weren't too happy about that)! As an adult, well, how about Pierce Bronson? Oh, yeah! Now, however, I'm a huge fan of the singing group Celtic Thunder; going to their concert Sat. night, sigh..........

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  8. My first special guy was Kirk Cameron. I was so sure he was the guy for me if he would just come to Arkansas. LOL!

    Nowadays, Mr. Rochester is my favorite. :)

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  9. Grace, I LOVE your stories and your gorgeous writing. And the Lonely Lords series is wonderful. Thank you! As for special guys, there have been several but they are unmemorable because they never bothered noticing me. My husband was the first man to openly pursue me while, with all the others, I had to drop hints. Exhausting! Thanks for the giveaway chance!

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  10. My first crush was John Brooke in Little Women. He was Meg's boyfriend then husband. I know I was suppose to fall for Laurie but I was the oldest sister like Meg had wanted to be her. Besides he has a great declaration of love scene.
    Garth sounds wonderful and I can't wait to read it.

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  11. W e l l... Westhaven was one of my all time favorites! So now I can't wait to see what Gareth has in store for me! ;). [it's on its way to me now via amazon, I love my "paperbooks"]

    But I have had two men who stole my heart and one has kept it and will forever keep it until the day I die, my darling husband of 26 years and counting, after only knowing him for 2 months and taking the vowels to love each other until death do us part.

    But I have "fallin" in love with so many of my "story" guys that I just hate to close the cover on some of them, and I can say each and everyone of yours Grace has touched me in one way or another. I am so glad that I picked up that first book up in the grocery store and have forever been captivated!

    Thank you for this great opportunity to win such a great prize!

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  12. I know I will be dating myself, but my first big-time crush was Pat Boone (followed soon after by Elvis). I wore my Pat Boone bobby socks all the time with (of course) my poodle skirt!!

    I have Gareth downloaded and he is next in my TBR pile.

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  13. Awesome post Grace!

    The First Special Guy for me was Robin Ellis [this was in the 70's & I was only a 'wee lass' then]and he played ROSS POLDARK in "POLDARK" series. HOLY COW but did I have it bad! I dreamed that one day I'd be walking the streets of London, and there he would be! Mind you, I was in Serbia at the time, lived on a farm in a small village and knew no one outside of it.

    Fast forward to 2012 and a coffee shop in Chicago...I'm sitting with Robin and his wife having coffee...WOW!

    And he still makes my heart stammer!

    It just goes to show you, some dreams are meant to come true, no matter how bizarre or far fetched they may be :)

    Thanks for a great giveaway...now off I go to light a candle in a church ...hold my breath....cross my fingers...throw some salt over my shoulder...throw a penny in a fountain... put a penny in my loafer...dig for a four leaf clover....got any other suggestions that might help me win this thing?


    HUGS!

    Mel

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  14. And Anonymous, have you googled him? Typed in his name on Fb just for the heck of it???

    Victoria, and he was BAD, also an example of a man who wasn't pretty-handsome, but packed a smoulder.

    Lindab, you have to specific: Colin Firth as DARCY, right? RIGHT?!

    My family was very respectful of the guy I married, and well they should have been!

    Kathie--DONNY OSMOND??? Well, OK. I won't tell Gareth. My, how our tastes do evolve.

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  15. Sarah.. and you just let him slip away???? ARGH. He's probably a cover model now who helps out a homeless shelter in his spare time.

    Trudy--Pierce does it for a lot of folks, and Celtic Thunder is THE BEST!!!

    Missy, you have to tell us which one. Toby Stephens for me, hands down.

    Maria, you've hit on something: he has to be the one who SEES you, none of this passing glance baloney. Glances are cheap. Seeing is precious.

    knye, I always thought Laurie needed to come out, and Jo was wasted her time pining for him. Meg truly was a little woman, and so she got to marry a MAN, not a fashion plate.

    Vanetta, I love it when you gush all over your fellow in FB, especially the old wedding pictures. Handsome guy you have there, too!

    Sharon, those of us too young to have worn poodle skirts don't know what we're missing. How could you NOT have fun in poodle skirt (much less Pat Boone socks)?

    Melanie, what a story! And I think of POLDARK as the granddaddy period drama, complete with scenery and period dress hotties. Your good taste was in evidence early.

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  16. I think from book, Joe Hardy was my first crush. Blond hair, goo looks, and smart. How could I go wrong?!

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  17. Hi Grace! This post made me smile and brought me right back to the heart-thumping days of my youth and study hall with Bob Gerard. I can't wait to read Gareth's story and the premise is delicious. Off to share....

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  18. I am laughing and going to “date” myself well. Illya Kuryakin = David McCallum in the 1964 series The Man from U.N.C.L.E was the heart throb of my early teens. He is now on NCIS with the other grand hot oldie Mark Harmon. Delish. Colin Firth is right up there with the best of the best...IF we were trying to do Real People, it’s best left alone :) So looking forward to this book.

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  19. I'll use his initials because he's actually done very well for himself in the music business. But in 1976, at 16 years old, with all that ahead, I turned around in a camp van on its way to the infirmary and spied MK, sitting in the back nursing sprained fingers from a basketball game. Those fingers were essential to his piano playing, so he looked pretty worried. Fell in love at first glance. 8 weeks later, summer was over and so was the quintessential summer romance as he went to a music camp the following summer. I was totally resentful of the "abandonment" but we reconnected years later and he explained that that next camp made his career, so I forgave him :) First love…so sweet in retrospect.

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  20. I would have to say my first crush was with Patrick Swayze. I mean how could you not love a man who looked so hot and could dance!!! He was unbelievable in Ghost, Dirty Dancing and Roadhouse. I had posters of him everywhere. I bought the records, yes, records, the books and every magazine with his picture in them. I watched every talk show that he was appearing on. I just couldn't get enough. With his passing came tears of grief. A piece of me and my past died with him. But I will always remember how he touched my life. I still have all the memorabilia to look at and remember my first crush :)

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  21. That first 'special guy' for me was the book who lived next door. He was three years older than me and never thought of me as anything other than the friend of his kid sister. Then I summer turned 16 and finally he realized I existed in my own right. My parents always teased us that it was like that song 'Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen'.

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  22. I have to say I appreciate that you did The Heir first, I fell in love with your writing thanks to that book, and you really are the author that motivated me to give historical's a try :). My first special guy, and I'm sure this is going to show how young I am, but it would have to be James Marsters. I was 100% drawn to Buffy when I saw his character, and had posters of him everywhere.

    Congrats on your latest release! It sounds amazing and like something I'll have to pick up in print and eBook :).

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  23. Anticipation! Anticipayayaytion is making me wait........Its keeping me wayayayating....LOL He is sitting on my kindle. And I do believe he might have moved up a spot or two on my reading list. Oh my....
    Fun post, Grace! Thanks for sharing.

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  24. The first television crush would have to be Zack Morris from Save by the Bell. Oh, I thought he was so cute. Haha!
    As for your books Grace, I have had the biggest fictional hero crush on Lord Valentine. Whenever he appears in your books I have such a fangirl moment.

    Your books are amazing and I always get lost in them. Thank you for writing great stories.

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  26. As a very young girl, I had a soft spot for Sven from the Voltron animated series.

    Then it was Matthew Broderick as Ferric Bueller.

    Congratulations on the release of your latest Lonely Lords book! (I just finished reading Lady Jenny and will be starting on your lonely lords soon!)

    And love the pictures you posted! (Gerard Butler and Richard Armitage = yum!)

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  27. Ah, Chris, my childhood sweetheart. We grew apart naturally and I have nothing but fond memories of him.

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  28. I've had so many crushes, it's hard to remember the first one. In reality, it was Dennis Smith, from 1st grade a smooth, tall blonde that I had a duet song& dance with in our school Christmas Play (we were Dutch dolls in Santa's workshop). In movieland, it would have been a Disney guy like Peter McHenry (The Prince of Donegal or The Moon Spinners)because Disney movies were pretty much all we were allowed to watch. From books, I loved Robin Hood and the Scarlet Pimpernel.

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  29. Mine was the cute guy who sat next to my in third grade. When he handed me my dropped pencil and smiled, I changed my mind about stinky boys. I can still see the sun shining on his golden hair and his blue eyes? Heavenly.

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  30. I remember maybe being a preteen and being crazy about John Taylor from the band Duran Duran. I will admit to being a kid in the 80's.
    Now I think it is Ryan Reynolds or Gerard Butler.

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  31. My first crush was my baby sitter's son who was my age. He moved away in third grade. I wonder what ever happened to him? I haven't thought of him in years.

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  32. I discovered John Carter of Mars in junior high, about the time I discovered Lord Sheftu in Mara Daughter of the Nile. It's been a while -- I really couldn't say which I found first. I only remember that they had an astonishing impact on my imagination - neither one was of the here and now, and both of them were brave men with brains and loyal hearts. In a way they've been my standard ever since. If you're talking about actors, I guess it was Gene Barry.

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  33. This is dating me, but my first "special" guy was Herman from Herman and the Hermits. I had his poster on my bedroom wall and dreamed about him while listening to him sing. :D

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  34. Mk, I kinda crushed on old Fenton myself. Much more heroic name than Frank or Joe, or who was the sidekick? Chet?

    Sarah--thanks for the share, but Bob? Bob? When we model a hero after him, can we call him Robert?

    Shore--yes! Just saying his name is exotic and hot, and then the accent. Oh, to be young and enthralled by the television...

    Debra, he AT LEAST owes you a song about his summer of inspiration (before the one that made his career). Geesh. I mean, what's a career when he might have had YOU?

    Sabrina, I recall watching Dirty Dancing and thinking, "This is a brilliant movie, on so many levels..." and yet, because it was a romance, it's denigrated as a chick flick. I also recall hearing the Patrick bought a ranch and employed all seven of his brothers there, because that's what they'd decided they wanted to do. My kinda bro, and you may quote me on that if Gareth hits all the lists and springs me from my day job.

    Angela, my mom ended up marrying one of her older brother's friends. It's been working well now for... nearly 70 years.

    Tiffany, maybe you're young, but for sure you are discerning, in your heart throbs and your choice of reading material.

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  35. The first crush I remember having was on Shaggy from Scooby Doo. He simply did it for my young heart, you know? *Grin* Ever since, I've always been drawn to guys who make me laugh.

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  36. Hmmm TV wise I guess Rider Strong as Shawn in Boy Meets World or Jonathan Taylor Thomas? I mean come on - he was so popular they asked him to voice Simba! ... Yeah that dated me.

    Bookwise - gosh so many. The Earl in On Fortune's Wheel (although I always wanted to smack him). Of course Austen's heroes, but in a way ... Sir Percy Blakeney might have one of the most special places in my heart. That scene where he bends and kisses each step? *dies*

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  37. I have to say Rhett Butler (Clark Gable)! He was and in my mind still is the sexiest!! (Shows my age, huh?)

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  38. Daniela, that's probably the best way. I mean, have you been to a high school reunion lately? They can be scary.

    Krazy--and then you can read Morgan and Archer, the novella that ALSO launches today.

    Lily--Valentine makes a number of appearances in Morgan's tale, and he's a good guy--mostly.

    Tim--you didn't mention Colin Firth?! I've never been much of a Darcy fan, but if we must have a Darcy, oh, he did such a good job with it...

    Mary Reed--Erol Flynn's Robin Hood. A hero who put the swash in swash buckle!

    Celia, some author reading these comments is going to steal that to use as the meet in a YA novel. Cute!

    Sheryl, I love Gerard Butler's sense of humor. Every time I've seen him interviewed, he's telling some silly, self-deprecating story about himself. Lovely.

    Moriah, my daughter is 25 and has connected on FB with some of her day care siblings. Amazing what social media can do for keeping us in touch.

    Janice, you're making one of the arguments in favor of romance novels. They make a case for a women choosing those guys with honor and integrity, not the first buffoon who leers at them.

    Barbara E, Yes! I'm 'enery the Eight I am, 'enery the Eight I am, I am... except I would have been about five and visiting Disneyland with my family, when I got up the courage to ask the cover band to play, "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter." Dude changed the lyrics to, "Mrs. Brown You've Got a Chubby Daughter."
    SCARRED ME FOR LIFE! (and kinda soured me on the song)

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  39. Hello Grace!!

    I can't believe how quickly I flashed to the last day of my senior year in high school. Frank Diaz and I had dated for a few months junior year, after I stalked him in private and finally got him notice me. He was quiet and confident, which made him spectacular in my book.

    After a few months of dating, it just fizzled out for him and I still pined quietly behind the scenes. I remember having to fake happiness for an acquaintance of ours he had asked out to a movie, UGH! Then, as if it had only been a flash of light, our senior year came and went. On that last day of school, I wandered the halls looking for him, if only to say good bye one last time. After failing to find him, I found myself sitting on the front steps of our school with tears welling in my eyes.

    Then, he touched my shoulder and said "Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you" with a sly smile on his face. We hugged for way too long and I cried. His best friend finally broke us up and took a picture of us. I never got to see that photo but I'll have that moment in my heart forever!! Thank you Grace. I hadn't thought of that day in a very long time.

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  40. Well Grace my first Special Guy was a guy named Dan who was president of the youth group at my church. I was a total nervous wreck around him, not to mention being tongue tied, but I did so enjoy that year tremendously.

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  41. My first Special Guy was Dan who was the president of the youth group at my church back when I was a high school junior. I was an absolute wreck around him and tongue tied to boot.

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  42. Oh, that would be Rhett Butler. Neither high school boys nor the college boys could ever measure up to Rhett! Big congratulations on the new release, Grace. He's simply yummy!

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  43. My obsession from about 4th grade through 7th grade was named Mark. Tall, dark hair with a little wave, handsome with blue eyes. We eventually dated a bit my senior year and some in college, but we were not meant to be. Proving I was entirely set on the type - my husband is tall, was dark (now very sexy salt and pepper) and the blue blue eyes that he gave to our daughter. And he always like the little red headed girl which I am. So we have out own happily ever after and I forgive hi his geeky computer games as I get to read my HEAs. Love all of the photos of your Rakes - definitely swoon worthy!

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  44. I absolutely loved this book (just finished this morning). My first special guy was a classmate in third grade who defended me against another boy that was being cruel about the fact that my mother had just gotten re-married.

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  45. My first crush was Corey Haim. I adored him in Lucas and The Lost Boys. His pictures were plastered all over my room and school locker. I wish I had saved all my Teen Beat, Tiger Beat, and pop magazines - it be nice to look back at those pictures and hilarious "in depth" Q&As and feature articles.

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  46. My first literary crush WAS Mr. Rochester. He was a liar, a villain, a deceiver, and married. He was also tormented and deceived and so wronged by his own family. I loved him, must have read the book 25 times just in high school. I still read it and watch different versions of the production over and over. bonnieblue at wowway dot com (the cranky one)

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  47. It would have to be Michael Landon from Little House on the Prairie. He was so damn handsome and had a crush on him for a very long time!

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  48. My first special guy was my fifth grade math teacher, Mr. Reber. He always smelled of Old Spice and breath mints. He had a deep, soothing voice. It's such a nice memory!

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  49. I would have to say mine was John Brooke in Little Women. Thank You for this great giveaway!!

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  50. Rhett Butler was my first crush from a book. I thought he was a very nice looking rogue. As far as a real guy it would have had to been Danny. I was thirteen and so in love with this guy and he was sooo cute. I haven't seen him in years but wonder where he is now.

    quiltlady110 AT gmail DOT com

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  51. JFK was long gone by the time I was old enough for him to catch my eye, but that never stopped me. His dashing manner, handsome face, famous family, fanciful personal life rumors, determined political views were entrancing to me. I read everything on JFK, The Kennedy's, his presidency and Camelot that I could get my hands on, I couldn't get enough. He was a man to idiolize and admire. He was THE man.

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  52. I have to admit my first crushes were Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire. I loved watching old movies and they were so divine...

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  53. I don't recall my 1st crush -- that was way too long ago :-) 1st romance book rake I crushed on I do remember (surprise) :-) that would be Raurk from Shanna

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  54. Ever since I was very little, my biggest crush was Mr. Darcy. My Grandmother would read me Pride and Prejudice and I would listen intently. Then while playing in the pastures, I would imagine that I was Elizabeth Bennett. That love affair has not ended and I am now 47. However, being an avid reader, the spotlight is often stolen by another rogue in another tale, another tender hearted rake will become my crush, my longing and my companion.

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  55. Enjoyed hearing about Your first crush. I had to think hard, but I do recall my first crush. He and I were both in 4th grade. His name was Dave. He was taller than most the other boys and was very popular. I must have done something terribly wrong, because he dumped me when we were in 6th grade. It took me years to get over that!

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  56. My first movie star crush believe it or not was Yul Brynner - loved his accent, deep voice and even the bald head. Then it was Elvis Presely - talk about opposites lol. So glad you wrote the Windhams :)

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  57. So excite to read this book now!
    My first crush was Jon Bon Jovi (still is :-) ) but I can still remember seeing Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice...sigh. Now it's Mr Chris Hemsworth (Thor is out Friday!!)

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  58. If we go with the "normal" guy, It would have been Bucky Taylor- he was all that and a bag of chips! Good looking, bad boy charisma and we dated for a couple of months in high school. Fortunately, I out grew him and have found my reformed rake!

    If we go the other direction- it would have to be Mr. Darcy.

    Gareth appeared on my Kindle today and I am enjoying his story now! Thanks for the mini vacations you have given us!

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  59. At risk of horribly dating myself, my first guy was Robert Redford. After seeing the movie "The Way We Were" I just knew Barbara Streisand was not the woman for him. It was me. sigh.

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  60. Oh! oh.my.oh.my.
    Gavin Montgomery, from Jude Deveraux's VELVET series, started it for me...my love of romance novels. He was my first literary hero and we rendezvous at least once a year. He is, of course, tall and handsome and strong and brave; but most importantly, he is extremely understanding and gallant in his willingness in allowing my dabbling with countless other heroes, rakes, pirates, dukes, and the occasional cowboy and football player (I do have a weakness for Susan Elizabeth Phillips' Chicago Stars).

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  61. Such a hard question. Probably Randolph Mantooth, followed by Pierce Brosnan. Now I like Colin Firth. Can you tell I like them dark. Oh, let's not leave out Timothy Hutton. Bookwise, probably Ranger and Rourke. Going way back to my younger days, Karif from Joyce Ballou Gregorian's Castledown trilogy.

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  62. The First Special Guy (as opposed to the Last Special Guy who happens to be my husband) was named Glenn. I was wandering around Mission San Diego de Alcala, looking for writing inspiration, when FSG came around a corner. He was tall, lanky and had wavy black hair and piercing blue eyes. He absolutely took my breath away. And miracle of miracles, he noticed me! His name was Glenn and for an entire blissful summer, we were practically inseparable, spending our days and evenings at a quiet cove just south of La Jolla. Alas, he was a Navy Man and soon was transferred to the USS Nimitz and sent to the Mediterranean. But on our last evening together he kissed me sweetly and told me "We'll never see each other for the last time." ~~sigh~~

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  63. Chelsea, I always thought Shaggy had the most sense, and Scooby seemed to like him the best too.

    Lime--yeah, kissing the steps. Never attempted by another before or since.. originality is a fine quality in a hero (but Jonathan Taylor Thomas???).

    Betty, I like Rhett's smile, his wit, his last minute attack of honor, and the fact that he "got" Scarlett better than she did herself--though shooting the pony should have been written out of the script. His voice didn't work for me, though. Too Snidely Whiplash.

    Rosanna, I HATE that he never sent you a copy of that photo! Now I'm going to have to use something like that in a book, but you'll get your keepsake, and maybe a letter-writing phase of the relationship... before a reunion when the REAL fun begins.

    I cannot abide anything less than a happily ever after. I'm unfit to write anything but romance--and happy to have it so.

    Molly--the church youth group has seen many a heart beating too fast, and not with religious fervor. Or as my mom said, "many more souls made than saved on hallowed ground..."

    Carolyn, another vote for Captain Butler!

    Anon--my goodness you pursue patiently! Glad you found your HEA though (you might have ended up with Charlie Brown, good grief)!

    Nise, we surely do recall who stands up for us and with us, don't we? Glad you enjoyed Gareth's story, and hope you'll be similarly pleased with Andrew's, and Douglas's, and David's, and Trent's, and Worth's...

    Melissa, they're probably online somewhere in the Teen Beat equivalent of Google books. I look at the hair and just howl. We didn't want to look like THAT, did we?

    Bonnie-nonymous, the scene where it's all gone to heck and Jane stays with him, her head against his knee? I always wondered how, the next morning, he let her go? Did she sneak out? Did he know she was leaving? Why do I care? Toby Stephens is my fave Rochester--he doesn't pretend to be anything other than the wretch he is, though Timothy Dalton made a good looking wretch.

    Diana--I saw him first!!--as Little Joe on Bonanza.

    Geez, Jamie. Guess you're kinda traditional? Old Spice and breath mints? Interesting combination.

    Teena--Another vote for John Brooke--woulda thought?

    Quilt Lady--You're Captain Butler's third recruit, but I hope you'll see Danny Boy in your dreams, if not on Facebook.

    Arizona, the first time I can recall seeing my mother cry--one of very few times--was the day he was shot. He carried a lot of dreams on his shoulders, but I also think he benefited from an age when the press left some public figures a lot more privacy than they do now.

    Nancy--and pretty soon, it will be time to watch "Holiday Inn," and "White Christmas" again!

    Game--I liked him too, but the Flame and Flower came first, followed by The Wolf and the Dove. Then I found Julie Garwood... SIGH.

    Ayla, but is Colin Firth your favorite Darcy, or do you prefer the fellow in your imagination? I enjoyed Colin MORE than Jane's original creation, to be honest.

    Eileen, why would you assume it was something about you? He was turning into a teenager, and nobody ever awarded teenage boys great marks for consistency or common sense.

    Lisa, interesting you should mention Chris. I think of him as Nick Haddonfield, complete with handsome not-so-little bro.



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  64. I had the typical teen crush's of pop-stars, but now when I look back on them the crush is long over. The first crushes that are still going strong are Sean Connery and Harrison Ford so it was a lot of fun to see them together as father & son in one of the Indiana Jones movies. Since that time I've developed other crushes on actors like Colin Firth, Hugh Jackman, and now the younger generation like Ryan Reynolds and Chris Hemsworth. It would be wonderful to see any of them in a Historical Romance movie.
    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  65. Lisa-scrap, glad you found the right rake. Felicity isn't letting Gareth out of her sight.

    Dot--Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. You knew they were doomed, but such charm, such joie de vivre... that movie had the wrong ending!

    Gramma--and SEP's hockey players, and her southern bad boys, and her bad girls coming home, and her FB posts...

    Miranda, that is quite a range of crushes, and I'd be surprised if a decent list of book crushes didn't include Rourke.

    Cynthia, I know the La Jolla cove, the one with the seals. I go back with that cove far enough that I swam there. Walked along Windansea, seen the sun set from the end of Scripps pier, learned to sail in Mission Bay. Nice to think of that as a setting for a summer romance (though I bet Glenn was really a SEAL headed for one of Suze Brockman's books).

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  66. My first crush would have to be (and I am showing my age!!!) Randolph Mantooth who played John Gage on Emergency! And, although I hate to admit it, I thought the guys from the Bay City Rollers were just the greatest, lol!
    Later on, my crushes were (and still are) Harrison Ford, Pierce Brosnan, Frank Langella and Richard Grant (loved him in the Scarlet Pimpernel).
    My book crushes were and are way to many to mention --Lois McMaster Bujold's Aral Vorkosigan, any number of Georgette Heyer heroes, lots of Nora Roberts heroes, Louis L'Amour's Tell Sackett, and on and on!!

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  67. My first major crush was on a guy named Shawn that I saw my first year of high school. He was playing the piano in the cafeteria (don't quite remember why the piano was in there though) and it was instant infatuation. LOL I swear I was in love with him throughout high school as we had choir classes together. Before he graduated he told me that he would come back to see me sing a solo. So in my senior year, I volunteered for a solo for a madrigal dinner concert we did. At the end, all the performers lined up to greet people as they left and I saw him coming down my line. Shortly before he got to me, he moved over to the other line to talk to people and never spoke to me. I was devastated! Story of my life. LOL
    Celebrity crush was Kirk Cameron.

    Pam

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  68. Probably a Pirate in Treasure Island and still like them.

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  69. My first truly special guy is now my husband. He was and is tall, dark and handsome. Intelligent with a great sense of humor. I was working abroad and he was also a foreigner in London. He swept me off my feet with his accent, dates exploring castles, weekend getaways into the countryside. It made me feel like I was living a Harlequin Presents novel.

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  70. My first special guy was Burt. He wore boots, a cowboy hat and rode horses. He was also my older brother's very good friend. I believe that was the kiss of death for my romantic plans. Of course, I was only 16 years old at the time.

    Grace, I love all your heroes, and I look forward to reading about Gareth.

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  71. Really showing my age here. When I was a wee school girl, there was a tall, dark, handsome, and funny Bret Maverick (James Garner).

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  72. My first special guy was probably Prince Phillip in Disney's Sleeping Beauty. I've been a sucker for romance ever since. I've had an awful lot of fictional special guys since then.
    jmcgaugh (at) semo (dot) edu

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  73. My first crush was on George Harrison, the youngest and tallest of the Beatles. He played lead guitar brilliantly and wrote some of my favorite Beatles songs--"Taxman,""Here Comes the Sun," and "Something." It also didn't hurt that I was born on his birthday!

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  74. It was probably Greg Evigan. Thanks for asking lisagk(at)yahoo

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  75. My first crush was Little Joe Cartwright on Bonanza. That goes back a ways, but it is the first I can remember.

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  76. I have to say mine is Clark Gable/Rhett Butler *sigh* I know my friends made terrible fun of me but I have had the biggest crush on him since I saw Gone With the Wind as a girl and then even more so after I read the book as a teen.

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  77. I would have to say my first was probably Joey McIntyre from New Kids on the Block lol First big boy band of my time and me and my friends used to get together and swoon over their music haha

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  78. I'd have to say it was from TV shows growing up Michael J Fox (Family Ties) and Kirk Cameron (Growing Pains). It was always a great time to watch those shows....and them! :)

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  79. Hmmmmm, I'd have to say Colin Firth in Pride and Prejudice.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win!

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  80. Thank you for your post and giveaway, Grace.

    My first big love? When I was a teenager, and the original "Star Trek" TV series was on the air in primetime, I was in love with Mr. Spock. Which was, well, highly illogical. But there you have it.

    My mom thought I was crazy. She was right, but not for that reason.

    Keep up the good work!

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  81. Hi! What a fun post!

    I would have to say, Han Solo. Not necessarily Harrison Ford, but HAN SOLO! He could have dragged me to the depths of the farthest galaxy and I'd have called it heaven. I bought a fan fic graphic novel of Empire Strikes Back when I was 12, anad I can remember reading the scene where Princess Leia tells him she loves him, and Han replies, "I know...", and swooning!

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  82. My first movie crushes were Gregory Peck in Horatio Hornblower and Omar Sharif in Dr Zhivago.

    Book- Nora Robert's Roarke

    Real Life- My husband, I met him my Junior year of college when he dated one of my roommates.

    Keep on writing!

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  83. As an Army brat, we were forever changing stations,and I would be the outsider looking in. The guys would date the girls they had known since kindergarten. So I had a lot of crushes that never bore fruit. I also like singers of dreamy songs, like Johnny Mathias, because my dream guy never came along when I was young. However, Lochinvar out of the West (University of Kansas graduate) finally showed up when I was 21 and I got my HEA--47 years of HFA.

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  84. My first man who I had a crush on was David McCullum from Man From Uncle . He was gorgeous . I don't usually go for blonde men but he was the exception. My first real Book hero crush was Francis Crawford from the Lymond Series by Dorothy Dunnett , but he was soon replaced by another of Dorothy's heroes in Nicholas De Fleury ! My first Regency Romance crush was Richard Cynster from the wonderful Stephanie Laurens . My favourite of Grace's is Andrew, Lord Greymore from all the appearances in her other books. I am so looking forward to reading his own story . Mind you Gareth is not far behind !!!!

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  85. My first crush was on TV star Tony Dow who played Wally Cleaver on “Leave it to Beaver.” He was so cute! Yes, I have just dated myself with that confession!

    My real life big love is my now husband of nearly 47 years. I fell in love with that guy on our first date and he’s still my best guy, best friend and lover. Sigh...

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  86. Congrats on Gareth's release, Grace, love the pics :)

    Mine is still the man I fell in love with 38 years ago--after 4 years of dating and 34 years of marriage, he's still a keeper and makes my heart stop :)

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  87. When I was 9, I was "in love" with Huey Lewis. LOL. Cracks me up now because all my friends was crazy about Kirk Cameron. And I was crazy about someone who was 25+ years older than me.
    Campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  88. In real life, my husband.

    In books, it is Mr. Rochester. :)

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  89. And we have a WINNER! Vanetta Q gets the iPad, but if you've been a good girl this year, and you're in need of an iPad, don't despair. I give away an e-reader with every newsletter I put out, and based on the response here, I'm thinking I'll stick with the iPad for a while...

    Congratulations to Vanetta, and thanks to everybody who blogged with us~

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  90. Sorry I missed this one, yesterday, Grace. I'm with Mary Ann. My inspiration was Mr. Spock. He's responsible for the ears and eyebrows of my Zetithians. :)

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  91. I still can't shake my first teenage crush, Bartley. Tall, beautiful, smart, funny, and sadly, unattainable. We were friends, went to high school together and spent summers together too. I never told him although, I'm sure he knew. Countless hugs and talks, all lovely and frustratingly platonic.

    I haven't seen him for years now but he continues to haunt my dreams to this day.

    It's a secret indulgence, I rarely allow myself but, I did so enjoy getting lost in thoughts of him again. Thank you.

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  92. 2nd - 4th grade I had an unrequited crush on Curt Smith. The highlight for me was getting to slow dance with him at our basketball banquet at the end of 4th grade (I was a cheerleader and he was a player). Then I transferred schools.

    I love your books!! I can't wait to read this one!

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  93. Mine waws Louis from Interview with the vampire. And damn, this book sounds fun!

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  94. My First "love" was Fonzie from Happy Days! Aaaahhhhhh! :>)

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  95. Mr. Darcy

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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