Welcome to the Rock*It Reads Heating Up the Holidays Blog Hop. There are 15 stops on the blog tour. The more blogs you visit and comment on, the greater your chances of winning the grand prize, a $75 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble or Amazon, and a huge collection of books from the authors of Rock*It Reads. Smaller prizes will be available at each stop along the way.
Good luck, and have fun!
Oh, that blog hop header makes me think of…snow. Yeah, that’s it…snow!
Since we’re heating up the holidays, I thought it would be fun to heat them up with the hero from my latest release. ENSLAVED hit stores last Tuesday (Nov. 6). It’s the 5th book in my Eternal Guardians series and it features Gryphon, a guardian who was once a playboy but whose life completely changed when he was imprisoned in the Underworld. Yeah, yeah, there I go, taking a nice, cute and sexy guy and making him all dark but…isn’t that what readers love??? (I know I do.)
Inspiration for Gryphon was’t all that hard to find. He’s blond, muscular, blue eyed and of course…hot. And I knew exactly who to pattern him after as soon as he came on scene in the very first Eternal Guardians book, MARKED. I’m not the kind of author who usually visualizes celebs for her characters, but when I started this series I had 7 (okay, 9, really) very unique men and I needed to visually be able to differentiate them in that very first book. So I made a character chart for each of them and–yes–looked for images online that fit their descriptions. This is what I used for Gryphon:
So now I’d like to know what you think.
Do you like knowing who an author envisions when writing, or does it ruin the fantasy of the book for you? I’m giving away a print copy of MARKED to one lucky commenter, and an ebook copy of BOUND TO SEDUCTION to another!
Leave a comment below to enter for your chance to win!
Don’t forget to visit the other authors on the Blog Hop for more chances to win!
And don’t forget to join me on my ENSLAVED blog tour! Follow along with the discussions and interviews and enter to win free books! You can find all the blog stops HERE.
November 11th, 2012 at 5:55 am · Link
I actually like to picture them myself. More fun
November 11th, 2012 at 6:16 am · Link
I picture them from what’s on the cover…that is if there is a man on the cover! But I do like to know who’s picture the author had in front of her to offer her inspiration while she wrote. Makes visualization easier for me too.
kareninnc at gmail dot com
November 11th, 2012 at 6:58 am · Link
I like knowing the author’s mental inspiration even if it doesn’t match my own when reading it. For covers, I like the heroes not to be fully shown, sometimes they just don’t fit the writing.
modularmates(at)comcast(dot)net
November 11th, 2012 at 7:04 am · Link
Well if I find him personally really unattractive then I do go a bit eh? But then I forget it and envision him as something else 😉
November 11th, 2012 at 7:19 am · Link
I don’t mind because i’d a bad imagination so i need a clue 🙂
November 11th, 2012 at 8:02 am · Link
I don’t mind knowing who the author envisions as long as the guy is hot and sexy.
November 11th, 2012 at 8:03 am · Link
I like knowing the authors vision of the hero – too many times the cover is nothing like I’d think the characters are from the description and when I find out later the inspiration, it’s sometimes much different that mine.
November 11th, 2012 at 8:28 am · Link
I like to come up with my own “idea” of what the hero looks like, but sometimes when an author states who she has in mind, i’m like “OOOHHH I see know” and totally agree
November 11th, 2012 at 8:53 am · Link
Do you like knowing who an author envisions when writing, or does it ruin the fantasy of the book for you?
Actually yes it would be neat to see who the author envisions when they are writing about a hero. Sometimes I agree and sometimes I do. But whatever inspiration that helps an author continue to write this hero…
A reader does not have to agree, perhaps find someone better suited but it doesn’t ruin the fantasy.
Raonaid at gmail dot com
November 11th, 2012 at 8:59 am · Link
Yes, I like to know who they envisioned ~ even if I don’t agree (i.e I though of Taylor Kitsch for Gryphon).
heather[dot]coulter[at]gmail[dot]com
November 11th, 2012 at 9:09 am · Link
No, I really don’t need to know who the author envisions for her characters. I never form an entire being in my mind while I’m reading, only parts ;).
vsloboda(at)gmail(dot)com
November 11th, 2012 at 9:27 am · Link
I think it’s fun to know who the author envisions while writing. Sometimes it helps me to get the know the character a little better!
Thank you for the opportunity to win copies of your books! Also, thank you for the eye-candy this morning.
~Julie K
kornhsl@yahoo.com
November 11th, 2012 at 9:29 am · Link
I like knowing. I may still visualize someone else, but I like knowing. LOL!
And…O.M.W! How have I not heard of you before this?! Geezlaweez! I’m buying your books now. *headdesk*
November 11th, 2012 at 10:09 am · Link
I don’t mind knowing what the author had in mind, not that it stops me from coming up with an image of my own. Like one of Tara Janzen’s hero..she had Josh Harnett in mind, but for me I had Archie Kao imagined.
November 11th, 2012 at 10:10 am · Link
It is interesting to know who the author envision but I invariably end up with my own images in my head when reading.
Thanks for the giveaway.
November 11th, 2012 at 10:40 am · Link
I like hearing about who an author envisions, I think it’s fun to learn about their inspiration. When I read the book though, I just get an idea of what the hero looks like from the description in the book.
November 11th, 2012 at 10:49 am · Link
I like to know the author’s vision. I may still have another image but it still adds to the feel of the story and as has been said, adds to the understanding of the character. And when I don’t get a solid image in mind, it gives me a start (even if I then morph it).
November 11th, 2012 at 10:56 am · Link
I like to know and whoa paul walker is my favorite hottie!! Thanks for the hop giveaway!
heathdan@tampabay.rr.com
November 11th, 2012 at 11:01 am · Link
I like knowing who the author envision. I will also let my own imagination run wild. Thanks.
November 11th, 2012 at 11:05 am · Link
I like knowing although it does not usually match how I picture the hero.
taccb_1981@yahoo.com
November 11th, 2012 at 11:25 am · Link
I generally like who the author invisions and they match what I invision but once in awhile they don’t match. Doesn’t happen too often though
November 11th, 2012 at 11:32 am · Link
I like to know mostly because they post eye candy and I can get a good mental image while I’m reading. And I do like images. Of eye candy!!
Kris b
November 11th, 2012 at 11:58 am · Link
You know, usually I really hate snow (it’s hard to like it when you spend several months buried in/having to walk or cycle in the bloody stuff), but all this hopping & seeing that banner is making me rethink my position 😛
I personally like knowing how authors visualise their characters– even if I don’t personally find that choice attractive or appropriate. I don’t find that the author’s vision crops up when I’m reading the book, but I’m always curious to know!
November 11th, 2012 at 12:00 pm · Link
I don’t mind knowing the body type, but I prefer picturing the face myself. I’ve always tended to lean towards covers that didn’t actually show the people on them for that reason. Thanks for the giveaway! BookcaseLaura (at) gmail.com
November 11th, 2012 at 12:06 pm · Link
I think it is interesting to see who the author “pictures” as the hero, but in the end, the book develops the character picture in my mind as I read & isn’t really influenced otherwise
gamistress66 (at) aol (dot) com
November 11th, 2012 at 12:18 pm · Link
I have a tough time visualizing characters, so I prefer to know what an author sees as she/he creates and describes a character. I love the covers of books that have both the hero and heroine on them – then I know exactly what to picture when reading a book. I haven’t read any of your books yet (hear about you from following Joan Swan on twitter) but recently took advantage of your free book on Amazon – Marked. I look forward to reading it! Thanks, Elisabeth!
November 11th, 2012 at 12:37 pm · Link
I most definitely would like to know what they look like so I can see them in my mind’s eye as I read the novel. It would add so much to the entire story!
Many thanks for joining all of these lovely authors in this fun giveaway to your readers. It’s great!
November 11th, 2012 at 12:48 pm · Link
tough one…I like to imagine my own, but I do love it when the cover art is a likeness of him. I am still able to imagine him my own way. Looking at author’s man-candy is just fun! sstogner1 at gmail dot com
November 11th, 2012 at 2:46 pm · Link
I really enjoy knowing what inspires an author to write what they do. I like knowing the image they had in mind for the Hero of their books and if someone, celebrity or otherwise inspired them to create that particular character. I would love to know who inspired the heroes in the first books! 😉
November 11th, 2012 at 3:12 pm · Link
Ooh, Paul Walker….
I generally don’t visualize real people when I read (even though I’m big on cover models) so it’s interesting to see who the author had in mind but it doesn’t affect my reading.
November 11th, 2012 at 3:34 pm · Link
I do enjoy seeing who the authors envision for their heroes. It doesn’t stop me from picking my own vision as I read, but it can be influential. It is interesting to see who was in mind while it was being written.
Ann(dot)sheiring(at)gmail(dot)com
November 11th, 2012 at 3:38 pm · Link
I like a description of the character which tells me something about him or her. You get to know your guys or gals thoughts about what they are feeling at the time. It make the flow of the story go much better. Thanks for hop!!
November 11th, 2012 at 4:01 pm · Link
I like to picture them myself, but when there’s a lack of description I have to go by the cover…
readingromances.contactATgmailDOTcom
November 11th, 2012 at 4:14 pm · Link
No because if the authors visual works for I go with it if not I change it to suit myself. Certainly can’t hurt anything lol
Lisa B
November 11th, 2012 at 4:33 pm · Link
I like for the author to give a description and then I go from there. I am sure every reader would have a different look for the same man. Thanks for the giveaway!
gatormaryd(at)yahoo(dot)com
November 11th, 2012 at 4:46 pm · Link
I like knowing who the author had in mind. If I don’t like that image I have no problem continuing to use my own imagination 🙂
November 11th, 2012 at 5:11 pm · Link
I like knowing who the author invisioned, but usually after I read the book. I dont want to have someone in my mind while I am reading..
Thanks ~
Kym
flwrs4ever@yahoo.com
November 11th, 2012 at 5:20 pm · Link
I like to know who the author envisioned when they wrote the book. I don’t like it when a book is made into a movie and the actor doesn’t match at all the way I had them pictured.
November 11th, 2012 at 6:43 pm · Link
I have my own version of the ‘hero’ normally but I do like knowing who the author has in mind too!
November 11th, 2012 at 7:22 pm · Link
I like to know who the author has invisioned it doesn’t stop me at all from making changes. Thanks for the giveaway.
November 11th, 2012 at 8:26 pm · Link
I love knowing who the author pictured when they are writing, it’s fun to compare my vision of the character with theirs.
November 11th, 2012 at 9:09 pm · Link
It is nice to know what the author invisions, but even then, I invision the characters different. I think that is the beauty of print.
ehaney578 at aol dot com
November 11th, 2012 at 10:55 pm · Link
I find it kind of fun to learn who the author had in mind as she wrote! I don’t always have a fixed image in my own mind, so in general it doesn’t bother me too much to see another person’s vision. Thanks for sharing, Elisabeth!
f dot chen at comcast dot net
November 11th, 2012 at 11:13 pm · Link
I don’t really mind either way. It only bothers me if the male on the cover doesn’t match the hero the author described. But in general I will try to imagine the hero through the author’s eyes.
Thank you for participating in the hop and for the giveaway!
msromanticreads(at)gmail(dot)com
November 11th, 2012 at 11:45 pm · Link
I actually like knowing who the author envisioned so that I can have that picture in my mind as I’m reading.
November 12th, 2012 at 4:59 am · Link
Yes, I like “casting calls” of books. It gives me a nice idea of who the author envisioned as heroes and heroines in their stories.
November 12th, 2012 at 5:44 am · Link
i like to envision my own, but it’s always nice to find out if the author envisioned the same person
November 12th, 2012 at 8:07 am · Link
I do like it when the author lets me know who she used for her inspiration, however I like envisioning my own hero when I am reading a book.
November 12th, 2012 at 8:48 am · Link
Always good to know how the author pictures him.
November 12th, 2012 at 9:13 am · Link
I DO like to see who the author envisions…but lol, I don’t always agree w/ what I’ve pictured in my mind, so sometimes I’ll just blank it out if it’s not what ‘I’ want the hero to look like, lol. I know you created him, but he’s alive in my head!