Guest Blog by Gerry Bartlett - What Makes a Man Sexy?

Please welcome Gerry Bartlett to The Qwillery. Real Vampires Hate Skinny Jeans, the 8th Real Vampires novel, was published on April 3rd.

What Makes a Man Sexy?

      I think all authors struggle with that question when we are creating a hero. I know I like alpha males. Those are the take-charge guys who always step up to save the heroine. They are the same ones, though, who may be a bit too controlling and have the macho attitudes that can drive us up the wall. In my Real Vampires series, Jeremiah Campbell aka Jeremy Blade is that type of hero. Glory, my heroine, loves him but can’t quite commit to him for eternity. Wonder why.

      Now the physical traits we pull out for descriptions tend to come from an author’s own personal tastes. I like guys with dark hair, probably because my own honey had thick, dark curly hair when I met him. His eyes were dark too but I also fantasize about piercing blue eyes like a couple of stars I mooned over as a teenager. So my heroes get those from time to time. And, seriously, we’re writing down our fantasies, aren’t we? I do have to make the men in my books different from each other because I want to appeal to all of my readers. Rafael Valdez, a shape-shifter who is Glory’s best friend, is the Latin lover type. Yum. I’ve also had a Viking hunk and a white blond Adonis. Take your pick, ladies.

      The alpha males in books also seem to magically become mind readers, sensitive to our heroine’s needs. And-- guess what?—these men sometimes open up about their own feelings. Yes, we truly do write fiction. The closest my real life hero ever got to sharing a deep issue was when he admitted he hated going to my mother’s house for Sunday lunch every weekend. And of course we fought about it. Last time he opened up like that. But isn’t it fun to read about a guy who understands women and wants to please them? Is there anything sexier? So I write scenes where Jerry tells Glory how he feels, though those are rare. Rafe, her best friend with benefits, opens up more often. We love him. Too bad Glory keeps being drawn back to that alpha male. He looks really hot in a kilt holding a broad sword.

      And don’t get me started about the stuff going on in the bedroom. Leonard in “The Big Bang Theory” claims to be the king of foreplay. His girlfriends, current and ex-, agree. Apparently it goes on and on. Hmm. Now that’s sexy. On the same show Howard, another nerd, is fast on the trigger. Funny but not at all sexy. We can only wonder why his smart girlfriend is hanging around. He’s definitely a fixer-upper. He’d never be hero material in one of my books but a fun minor character.

      I’d love to hear what readers out there think makes a man sexy. Is it his brain and snappy one-liners? Maybe that’s what attracts Bernadette to Howard. His thoughtfulness? Like Rafe. Or his rugged good looks and laser blue eyes? I created rock star Israel Caine, who floats Glory’s boat in some of the Real Vampires books, for that very reason. Who wouldn’t want a man who dedicates a song to her at the Grammys in front of millions?

      What’s sexy? I want to know. I will definitely use what you share to help create a guy in my next book. And maybe a lucky commenter will win a prize. Stay tuned and find out.



About Real Vampires

Real Vampires Hate Skinny Jeans

Real Vampires 8
Berkley, April 3, 2012
Trade Paperback and eBook, 336 pages

Someone is eating for two...

Full-figured vampire Glory St. Clair thinks things are finally going her way. She's no longer possessed by a demon, the legions of hell aren't on her tail, and her love life is heating up since she managed to reconnect with her maker-and longtime lover-Jeremy Blade.

When a pregnant demon shows up on her doorstep, Glory knows that everything is about to go to hell. Alesa is claiming that the baby she's carrying is Rafe's, conceived while she was inhabiting Glory's body. A clever trap? Or could it be true?

Booties and bibs are the last thing on Glory's mind when she discovers dark secrets from her own forgotten past. Who is she? What is she? And how will the men in her life deal with the fact that she may be more powerful than she knew? One thing is certain. Glory has way more to worry about than fitting into her favorite pair of jeans...

Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million : IndieBound

Real Vampires Don't Wear Size Six

Real Vampires 7
Berkley, August 2, 2011
Trade Paperback and eBook, 352 pages

For a vampire, losing weight can be hellish-from the national bestselling author of Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs.

After Glory St. Clair kicked out the demon that had set up shop in her body, she had a serious fallout with longtime lover Jeremy Blade. But before Glory can win him back, she has some issues of the hellish variety to deal with.

When Lucifer himself offers Glory the ultimate temptation-work for the devil and he'll make her a size six-the curvy vampire's not sure if she can resist. But what Glory does know is that somehow, she's going to get back the man she loves and show everyone that real vampires always have more to love.

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Real Vampires Have More to Love

Real Vampires 6
Berkley, December 7, 2010
Trade Paperback and eBook, 368 pages

Dangerous curves lie ahead in the latest hilarious novel from the national bestselling author of Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs.

Glory St. Clair is a vampire with man trouble. Between her on-again, off- again lover Jeremy Blade, smoking hot rock star Ray Caine, and former bodyguard turned apartment mate Valdez, there's enough man-candy around to make even a gal with a liquid diet feel a sugar rush.

Glory's got no time to enjoy it, though, considering that she's in the middle of planning her best friend's wedding. And let's not forget that there happens to be a hit on her head, thanks to when she took out a techno-freak billionaire. Now, between planning a bachelorette party and dodging stakes, Glory has to decide which man she really wants, before her love life meets an early grave...

Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million : IndieBound

Real Vampires Hate Their Thighs

Real Vampires 5
Berkley, February 2, 2010
Trade Paperback and eBook, 352 pages

Glory St. Clair loves soaking up Hollywood's vampire nightlife with her sexy Scottish lover, Jeremiah. Especially when she meets a vampire/ diet guru who promises to give her the body she's wanted for centuries. One problem: his clan and Jeremiah's are ancient enemies. But Glory's not about to let a stupid family feud come between her and slender bliss. Yet, she can't help but wonder...how much is she willing to risk for her hips? And how much (and precisely what) is she willing to lose?

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Real Vampires Don't Diet

Real Vampires 4
Berkley, January 6, 2009
Trade Paperback and eBook, 352 pages

Real readers love this series and its "vampire to die for"(Kimberly Raye, USA Today bestselling author of Dead End Dating)-from the author of Real Vampires Get Lucky.

Gloriana St. Claire-curvy, stylish, and undead-is spending New Year's Eve alone. And it's all because her boyfriend, Jeremy Blade, is traipsing off to parts unknown to rescue his supposed daughter from the clutches of "dangerous radicals." But just as Glory settles in for the evening, a phone call from the bodyguard of a drunk, newly-undead rock star could end her year on a crazy note.

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Real Vampires Get Lucky

Real Vampires 3
Berkley, June 3, 2008
Trade Paperback, 368 pages
Mass Market Paperback and eBook (November 3, 2009)

When a female loan shark is attacked and left for dead, vampire Glory St. Clair turns her into one of the undead to save her. But Lucky's flamboyant behavior is not only drawing every vampire hunter within miles-its bringing her would-be killer out of hiding, too.

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Real Vampires Live Large

Real Vampires 2
Berkley, May 6, 2007
Trade Paperback, 304 pages
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, April 1, 2008

It's not easy to keep a boyfriend, run a business, and survive for centuries as one of the immortal undead. Glory St. Clair knows-ever since a sexy Scottish vampire bit her while she was a tad...bloated. But when a frustrated vampire hunter firebombs her vintage clothing boutique, she's ready to pitch a fit. Then her long-time, part-time lover takes off in a rage to hunt the hunter and prove himself worthy of her. And that's only the beginning of her troubles.

The Energy Vampires want her-and not in a good way. They're paranormal drug dealers, selling thrills to those who've lived for ages, been everywhere, and done everything...and they want to suck Glory dry. But it'll take more than a few super-suckers to get the goods out of her.

Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million : IndieBound

Real Vampires Have Curves

Real Vampires 1
Berkley, March 6, 2007
Trade Paperback, 336 pages
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, February 5, 2008

What-did you think all vamps were pale, thin and brooding? Don't I wish.

Gloriana St. Clair is an eternally "full-figured" vampire-she just happened to be bloating when a sexy Scotsman sank his teeth into her. She and said Scot-Angus Jeremiah Campbell III, aka Jeremy Blade-have been on and off again for centuries, currently off. A couple hundred years has taught them how to press each other's buttons-in good ways and bad.

Glory's headed for Austin and a new business venture: Vintage Vamp's Emporium. After all, she loves clothes, and she is an antique. Only problem is, there's a billionaire techno-freak vampire hunter on the loose. Blade's in total he-vampire mode, and wants Glory to move in with him so he can "protect" her. But it's time for this vamp to explore her own powers.

Amazon : Barnes and Noble : Book Depository : Books-A-Million : IndieBound

About Gerry

Gerry Bartlett is the bestselling author of the Real Vampires series. Real Vampires Hate Skinny Jeans is number 8 in the series and hit stores on April 3, 2012. Gerry is a former teacher who is a native Texan and lives halfway between Houston and Galveston. When she’s not writing, she treasure hunts for her antiques business on the historic Strand in Galveston. You can find out more about her and her series at gerrybartlett.com, facebook.com/gerrybartlett or follow her on twitter @gerrybartlett. You can also sign up for her newsletter on her website for sneak peeks for future releases in her Real Vampires series.


The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:  Two commenters will each win a copy of Real Vampires Hate Skinny Jeans (Real Vampires 8) from Penguin! US ONLY.

How:  Leave a comment answering Gerry's question:

What makes a man sexy?

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1)   Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)   Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter and/or your blog/website. Even if you mention the giveaway on Twitter and Facebook, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times. Please note that the blog or website must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 3 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter and/or and personal blog/website mention (+ 1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. You MUST leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a United States mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 11, 2012. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 years old or older to enter.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*