Let's Talk Heroes and Hunks

TOP TEN MEN WITH ATTITUDE!!

2011-07-21T00:08:00.000-07:00

There's just something about a man with attitude. He doesn't have to be the best looking guy in the room, but if he's confident, walks with a swagger, speaks with a deep rasp and has a knowing smirk of a smile, he'll most likely turn female heads. He's the man who says what he means and means what he says.

I'll start my list counting down from #10. See if you agree? Who would you add?

#10 Scott Caan- definitely his father's son. Love him in Hawaii 5-0.

#9 - Couldn't leave off Steve McQueen, the ultimate in attitude.

#8 David Boreanz - What can I say, he's all man and dreamy.

#7 Daniel Craig - James Bond...can't wait to see him in Cowboys and Aliens

#6 Dwayne Johnson "The Rock". Can't forget his wrestling days.

#5 Jason Statham - There's just something about this man. I know...attitude!

#4 Shemar Moore- Needs no further explanation

#3 Tim McGraw-My country connection. Wouldn't be right without him.

#2 Bruce Willis - From Moonlighting to Die Hard with major attitude.

And my #1 Pick for the Man with the Most Attitude deserves a gallery of pics.

Since I discovered him in Justified on FX, I've been hooked.

**Timothy Olyphant**

In his younger days.
And now as Raylan Givens in Justified

Wouldn't you know I'd choose a modern day marshal to be my #1 Pick!!

Is there anyone you'd like to add to the list?

DISCOVERED THE HERO TO MY STORY!

2011-04-06T19:59:00.000-07:00

I am truly happily married but because I write deadly handsome hard-won heroes in my romances, I'm constantly on the prowl for inspiration of the hot hunky variety!

The other day while watching the Academy of Country Music Awards, otherwise known as the ACMA's, my hero spoke to me right through the TV screen. Now, I am an avid country music fan, but I'm more inclined toward the tried and true more mature artists like George Strait, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Toby Keith and Ronnie Dunn. (BTW- Ronnie's new solo single, Bleed Red, is AMAZING!)

So when Chris Young appeared on screen - a newer up and coming country artist, I was wowed and significantly floored!

He was the hero of my current story, my Work In Progress. He was Clayton Worth!

Clay (my hero) is an ex-country music star turned rancher. And Chris Young fit the bill perfectly. He is rugged enough to be a rancher with an edge to his voice and a whole lotta attitude. Clay lives on and operates the ludrative Worth Ranch in Red Ridge, Arizona (see Tagg's Story first, in Carrying the Rancher's Heir) He's rough around the edges and smooth at the same time. I found the same qualities in Chris Young.

Clay runs a charity for children named Penny's Song. Chris has a daughter named Penny. How is that for coincidence?

Three days ago my editor asked me for photos of my inspiration for the characters in my December Harlequin Desire (title to be determined) and I found that inspiration in Chris Young. Yay! Problem solved. Now...on to my heroine.

Here's an awesome song that inspires from Chris Young. Enjoy!!

Don't forget to check out my website and enter the contest on the Win Stuff page! Three BIG Giveaways!

BEING SAVED BY A REAL PRINCE!

2011-03-08T20:09:00.000-08:00

A Fairy Tale Romance and a Hero:

There are heroes, and then there's Prince William (28) who recently flew a RAF Sea King helicopter in North Wales through a storm over a mountain range to reach the stranded victim suffering from chest pains. He maneuvered the 72 foot bird to a position enabling three crew members to snatch the victim, Greg Watkins and airlift him to a nearby hospital.

Can you imagine someone whispering in your ear, "Prince William's just flown you here."

In the rescued man's own words:
"I didn't know much about what was happening at the time. The winchman helped me out and onto a stretcher and whispered, 'Prince William's just flown you here,' Watkins, a gym worker from Ebbw Vale in South Wales, told the paper. It didn't really sink in until I woke up after my operation. Now I think it's amazing."

"If it wasn't for him and the rest of his crew, I'd be dead. Hearing his helicopter getting nearer and nearer was the best sound that I've ever heard. They saved my life," Watkins added. "He'd probably say he was just doing his job, but to me he and his crew are heroes."

A True Fairy Tale Romance:

Kate and Prince William will wed on April 29th at Westminster Abbey.

Will you be watching?

HERO OF THE MONTH... ALEX O'LOUGHLIN

2010-11-16T19:42:00.000-08:00

HAWAII FIVE-O does not disappoint. Here's my idea of the sexiest hunk on television this season!! You might remember him in the movie The Back-up Plan.

I say he's hero material.

Do you agree?

MY OWN PERSONAL HERO for 40 YEARS!

2010-10-24T21:14:00.000-07:00

We're celebrating the anniversary of our first date today, October 24th. Wish I had pics of us in our Halloween costumes from back in high school - our first official date so many years ago.

Do you have a hero in your life,
whether it be a friend, relative, mother, father, sister, brother, wife or husband?

FIVE SECRETS OF A TORTURED ALPHA HERO

2010-09-30T11:32:00.000-07:00

Do you love a fictional tortured hero? In my western anthology, Wearing the Rancher's Ring, from Western Winter Wedding Bells, Cooper Garnett is struggling with life without his family. He's on a mission to find their killer. I'll let you in on five secrets he's holding back from Rachel, the woman who has nursed his life-threatening injuries.

1. He's not really as tough as he lets on.

2. He won't tell Rachel the real reason he has come to Cedar Flat, California.

3. He can hardly bear to be around Rachel's young son

Johnny - the reminder of the son he lost is too difficult.

4. He's afraid to feel anything for Rachel and Johnny, yet

he'd die to protect them.

5. He's sure he can kill a man in cold blood out of vengeance, until that day finally arrives.

Here's my idea of what Cooper Garnett might look like. What do you think? Do you want to know his secrets?

Wearing the Rancher's Ring In Western Winter Wedding Bells

Charlene Sands

2010-07-26T14:23:00.000-07:00

You all know I'm a big country western fan. Tim and Faith are my favorites. this is sweet and very hero-like:

Article Posted From "The Boot"

She was born with a heart defect that required dangerous, open-heart surgery at age 3. A few years later, she suffered a mini-stroke. Today, nine-year-old Megan Robertson remembers listening to Tim McGraw's, 'Live Like You Were Dying,' while she was going through rehab to learn all over again how to read and use the left side of her body.

When she heard Tim was bringing his Southern Voice tour to Bristow, Va. last weekend (July 12), Megan made a sign. It read, "This is my first Tim McGraw concert. I need a hug." A local news website, fredericksburg.com, reports that on the day of the show, as the fourth-grader and her mother were making their way towards the concert pavilion, a group of guys came jogging by them. Noticing Megan's homemade sign, one of them quipped, "I like your sign!" And then turning back to her with a wink and a smile, he shot over his shoulder, "See you later!"

In a twinkling, Megan and her mother realized it was Tim McGraw.

Inside the pavilion, Megan and her mom were shuttled to the front of the stage by security, who took note of her sweet sign. The little girl caught Tim's eye and he immediately began playing to her. At one point, Megan even had opportunity to slip a guitar-shaped Silly Band onto Tim's wrist.

It was when Tim's band began playing 'Tiny Dancer' that Megan was to be transported into a dream-like world. As he was singing down to her, Tim motioned for Megan to come up onstage with him, and all at once, she found herself being lifted by fans around her up on the stage. As Tim twirled Megan around, singing 'Tiny Dancer,' tears of joy began spilling uncontrollably from her eyes. In the wings, Faith Hill could be seen waving at her husband and his "tiny dancer."

When he was finished singing, Tim suddenly remembered Megan's sign ... and tenderly granted her fairytale wish. And then, like Prince Charming, he bowed to her.

"He's my dream," Megan sighs. "And I just got to live it! It's just so amazing." Megan says she will keep her homemade sign ... "so he'll always remember it's me!"

HERO OF THE MONTH ... JOE CARLINO

2010-06-07T11:30:00.000-07:00

FROM SEDUCTION ON THE CEO'S TERMS!

Joe is both Clark Kent and Superman!

He's an eyeglass-wearing computer brain, who thinks GREEN, loves the environment, pushes pencils and knows his numbers. He might sound super boring to you, but in fact, Joe is much more. His Clark Kent persona turns into Superman when necessary.

Underneath his suits and staunch CEO personality, he's as physically attractive as the man of steel. He's tall, deadly handsome with or without his eyeglasses and he's built like a world-class swimmer.

Ali loves Joe, her boss, but she soon discovers that Joe is much more than he seems. He's bold and passionate and there's no doubt in her mind, he's the man for her.

I had a picture of what Joe looked like, eyeglasses and all. (I think a man looks sexy in them) and so here's a glimpse of the Joe I envisioned when writing him.
What do you think?

HUNK OF THE CITY 2!

2010-05-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

I had a girl's night out with friends and we saw Sex and the City 2! My way to describe it was over-the-top fun. Lots of wardrobe changes and wow outfits! But one very hunky guy stood out in this movie... meet Max Ryan playing Rikard Spirit and let me know what you think!!

The last two pictures show how he looked in SATC2!

Kinda heart-stopping!

And a REAL GOOD MAN!

LEE DEWYZE WINS AMERICAN IDOL

2010-05-27T14:35:00.000-07:00

IS HE YOUR HERO?

CONGRATULATIONS TO LEE!

KATE AND LEOPOLD

2010-04-05T15:36:00.000-07:00

So I was watching television last night and saw that Kate and Leopold was showing on a movie channel. I remembered seeing this in the theatre as I was and still am, a big Meg Ryan fan. I think it was one of the first big movies Hugh Jackman did in 2001 as well as Someone Like You and Swordfish.

Being that I fashioned my hero, Tony Carlino in Million-Dollar Marriage Merger after Hugh, I thought it would be fun to see Hugh in some of his earlier roles. Take a peek and let me know what you think!

High Praise for my Hero!

2010-03-24T22:38:00.000-07:00

Here's a review of my first book in the Napa Valley Vows series -

A Charlene Sands book is a guarantee for reading pleasure. Her newest book, Million-Dollar Marriage Merger is proof positive. Tony is fantastic hero who pursued a dream and then returned home for one purpose only to find another. Rena had loved Tony with all her heart only to have it trampled when he left. She was not willing to allow that to happen again but knew practicality dictated her accept his offer. A marriage started for all the wrong reasons, could it lead to all the right reasons? Be sure and pick up Million Dollar Marriage Merger to find out. You will be glad you did. Charlene Sands will be penning more in this series – something we can all look forward to.

Reviewed by Debby Guyette at Cataromance

BOLD, PASSIONATE AND HEARTSTOPPING... MEET TONY CARLINO!

2010-02-20T10:02:00.000-08:00

I love hero-driven stories and in this case, we can take that literally as well. Tony Carlino is an ex-racecar champion. For the past decade he'd been in the public eye, winning races, doing endorsements and interviews.

He'd left Napa Valley at a young age, defying his father and shutting down Santo Carlino's hope that Tony would one day assume the role of CEO for Carlino Wines. Racing was in Tony's blood and at the first opportunity, he took off leaving an angry father and a heartbroken Rena Fairfield.

Now, he's back in Napa after a career-ending injury to meet the terms of his late father's last will and testament and to fulfill the promise he made to Rena's husband on his deathbed.

From Duty to Desire

He’d kept a promise to marry his best friend’s widow. But even an obligatory marriage could not diminish the hunger vintner Tony Carlino still felt for Rena Montgomery. Foolishly, he’d walked away from her once before…and she had never forgiven him. As far as she was concerned, no one would be toasting this arrangement any time soon.

She had married Tony only for the safety his name—and money—would give her, her winery…and her unborn child. Never could she allow herself to reveal the desire she felt for her new husband. For their marriage was meant to be only about business. Neither dared speak one word about love.

What do you think of Tony? Pretty cool pose isn't it?

Here's a few more photos of what I thought Tony should look like? I'm very pleased.

Here's My Hero Pick for the Week!

2010-01-29T14:33:00.000-08:00

I'm gonna let the pictures do the talking. I JUST love getting lost watching LOST. Do you agree?

He's the bad/good guy! I can't figure out who Sawyer really is!

The American Soldier ... Always there

2010-01-23T10:06:00.000-08:00

If you know me, you know I have the utmost respect for our military. I often volunteer and donate to many causes like Operation Gratitude and various veteran organizations.

The horrendous tragedy in Haiti has gotten the world's attention. The sad and almost hopeless situation has been aided by many heroes, but today I want to share some photos of our American Soldiers- 12,000 strong - in action, helping the Haitians.

It's said that it took only a few days to make the Port Au-Prince airfield ready to receive 100 planeloads of supplies in, every day. Thanks to our outstanding military.

They are there to keep the peace for the Haitians. But they do so much more.

Some of these photos are of the 22nd and 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)

They are my heroes ... today and always.

A HERO WORTH KNOWING

2010-01-07T22:23:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the first installment of my Heroes and Hunks page! I’m happy to introduce to you the 3 Carlino brothers, one at a time, from my soon to be released Napa Valley Vows series. Here's a preview of what the series is about - how I proposed it to my editors.
Napa Valley Vows

The three Carlino brothers have come home to Napa Valley after their father’s death to run his massive Carlino Wines empire. According to the terms of his father’s will, all three must run the company and after six months, they must name the new CEO.

Million-Dollar Marriage Merger – Tony Carlino finds obligation and a deathbed vow can rekindle love with his best friend’s widow.

Seduction on the CEO’S Terms - Bookish Joe Carlino has no problem working with sexy, flamboyant Ali Pendrake, since he’s immune to that type of woman, until she does a “makeover in reverse” to catch his eye.

The Billionaire’s Baby Arrangement – Wheeler-dealer, Nick Carlino collides with a girl from his past and her young baby and their temporary living arrangement makes him want more from the two females in his life.

If you love a man with confidence and integrity who’s also sexy and dangerous then you’ll love Tony Carlino - the oldest of the three brothers in my tales.

He’s an ex-racecar champion accustomed to power behind the wheel on the racetrack but he’s also a man who’ll do what it takes to honor his best friend’s dying wish. The power play between Tony and Rena Fairfield Montgomery will keep you guessing, right up until they cross the finish line.

So, when I had to put a face to Tony’s name for Harlequin’s art department, only one face would do. Though this man doesn’t sport an Italian name, this Aussie was the only man I would consider (in my mind) for the role of strong, assertive and honorable Tony Carlino.

What do you think about my choice for Tony?

Would you love to sip a glass of Chardonnay with him?