January Man of the Month Poll: Disney Heroes

Yes, you read that right. I really am going to do a Hotties poll on animated characters.

But first, Our Man of the Year for 2011 was Jonathan Rhys-Myers, with an overwhelming 80% of the vote - thanks to a little help from the JRM Fan Club, it seems.

Since the voting may have been skewed [rose pruning flashback!] it’s worth mentioning that NCIS LA's Chris O'Donnell came in a more honest second.

Now back to our January poll. For something a little different to kick off the new year, I’ve chosen the theme of Disney heroes. After all, these are the most classic of all romances.

Before you all roll your eyes, you haven’t yet seen the work of artist David Kawena. He has a completely different take on the Disney heroes.

So without further ado, here are today’s contenders in chronological order.

Skipping over Prince Frederick from the 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarves - and yes, he really did have a name - I’m starting with Prince Charming of Cinderella (1950). This is the one contender David Kawena hasn’t drawn, but I’ve chosen to include him for the benefit of any blog readers who are suckers for a man in uniform.

Next up is Prince Philip of Sleeping Beauty (1959), the man who braves a dragon to save the Princess Aurora. Now tell me that’s not alpha hero material.
















Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid (1989) is our third choice. I’m not too taken with a man so easily duped by a sea witch, but luckily for him Ariel has balls enough for the both of them.













 

  The Beast from Beauty & the Beast (1991) isn’t given a name in the movie itself, but reliable sources inform me he’s credited as Prince Adam. Robbie Benson’s voice is just melt-worthy in this role.  

 

You have to admit that any man who can take his girl on a magic carpet ride and introduce her to wonders she’s never seen before, is worth a vote. Just in case you’re not as familiar with the Disney movies as those of us with kids, that’s Aladdin (1992).

If you can get your head around the idea of Mel Gibson as a romantic hero, then John Smith of Pocahontas (1995) fame makes a pretty swoon-worthy hero.


















Next up is Li Shang from Mulan (1998), another man strong enough to handle a strong heroine.

 

More recently, after a decade hiatus, Disney finally gave us a hero and heroine worth watching. Prince Naveen of The Princess and the Frog (2009) becomes a better person because of his love for Tiana. And of course I just love the 20s flavour of this movie.

Flynn Rider is Disney’s newest addition. As the bandit who inadvertently comes to Rapunzel’s aid in Tangled (2010) he rivals Prince Philip for his Rescuing a Damsel in Distress abilities. What’s not to love about a bad boy made good? 

Well, there you have it: nine dashing heroes to choose from. Though I think the winner this month should be David Kawena. Don’t you agree?

Author Spotlight - Nina Jade Singer

Welcome back to a bright, shiny new year. Our first author in the Minxy Spotlight is Nina Jade Singer, who is here to talk about her debut novel, Secrets of the Knight, a dark paranormal romance.

1) What is your writing process?

I’m definitely not a plotter. Though I wouldn’t say I’m a straight pantster either. I try to make sure I know what I’m going to write before I sit down at my desk. I’m constantly thinking about the story – in the grocery store, the kitchen, when I’m driving. So my process includes some pre-plotting. But I don’t outline or anything. As ideas come to me, I jot them down on index cards which I keep pretty much everywhere!!

2) Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping? 

Well, in the interest of honesty, I will admit that some days I do just go shoe shopping. On really rough days though, I turn to my writer friends for encouragement. They understand and know just what to say.

3) Keeping fit: Do you have an exercise regime to counterbalance all those hours sitting at a computer?

I try to do something physical everyday, whether it be a gym class, getting on a treadmill, or playing a little golf during the warmer months. Plus, my puppy keeps me pretty honest about getting a daily walk in. I get some of my story ideas just by moving around or being outdoors.

4) Do you believe in writer's block?

I did at first. But I heard Janet Evanovich speak at an event a few years back and she said something very interesting. She said she doesn’t believe in writer’s block, just good writing days and not so good writing days. I really took that to heart.

5) Have you ever used an incident from real life in a book? If so, did it get you into trouble?

Trouble? You mean you can get in trouble for that? I do it all the time. Uh oh.

6) In what way is being a published writer different to how you thought it would be?

It’s very exciting, that part I expected. The social media and promotion piece is all new to me. Still working my way around that piece. Seeing something you wrote as a book in print is a bit hard to describe. A little overwhelming in a really good way!

7) Promotion is no longer a dirty word. In what ways do you strive to reach more readers?

See above question! I’m still riding that learning curve. I hope to know more by the next book!

8) What is your top promo tip for other authors?

Get out there and get the word out! You can’t be shy in this business.

9) What did you learn while writing this book?

This was my first published book. I’m learning as we ‘speak’. The whole process, from revisions to promotion, has been a huge learning experience.

10) What was the most fun part of writing this book?

I really like the hero and enjoyed writing him. He’s so flawed yet honourable and strong.

11) And just for fun: what would your hero’s honeymoon destination of choice be?

Secrets of the Knight is set in the Caribbean. The hero makes his way there after losing everything he cares about. All he needs is the heroine, who manages to find him. They’ve got an evil enemy to defeat, but they’re already at the perfect honeymoon destination!

About Secrets of the Knight:

Several years ago life forced Thomas (Bo) Bowden to give up everything, including the woman he loves, and take refuge on a Caribbean island. Little did he know, he was taking the first step to fulfilling his mystical destiny.

Nicole Balian has come to the small island of Trenado to find a missing teenager. She's shocked to the core to find her former lover instead. And the attraction between her and Bo is as strong as ever.

Working together to solve the unexplained disappearances plaguing the island, they find themselves in a frightening world of voodoo and magic. Trenado's history is shrouded in supernatural mystery. The danger they face serves to reignite their love. But as Bo fights an ancient evil that haunts the island, will Nicole be able to save the man she loves? Or will she lose him once again, this time forever?

Secrets of the Knight is available in both paperback and eBook formats through Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

You can find Nina on her website, Facebook and Twitter.

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One lucky commenter will receive Secrets of The Knight. Followers and commenters of the blog tour will go in the grand draw of an Amazon Gift Certificate of US$100.00! For Nina's full blog tour itinerary and more chances to win, check her AUTHOR PAGE!

Best wishes for a fabulous 2012

There's nothing we can add that hasn't already been said in dozens of other places across the blogosphere, so we'll keep it simple: we wish our blog readers all the best for 2012.

This blog re-opens for business on Wednesday 4th January, with our first Author Spotlight of the year.

A Minxy Holiday Treat

As of today the Minxes are now officially on holiday, and the blog is closed. We wish you a wonderful holiday season, and look forward to seeing you back here in the new year.

I'm going to leave you with my current favourite Christmas song, Santa Baby from Kylie Minogue. Don't you agree that Kylie looks particularly Minxy in this video?

Happy Holidays!

Author Spotlight - Rachael Johns

Today the Minxes are very proud and pleased to welcome one of our very best writing friends to the blog. We are all overjoyed that Rach's hard work and wonderful writing has been recognised by Carina Press. Here's Rach to tell you all about her debut!


What is your writing process?

There’s supposed to be a process? Oh dear! Well... I guess maybe I do have SOME sort of process. I generally start with a premise or a seed of an idea. In ONE PERFECT NIGHT I wanted to write about a hero who had night terrors and I wanted a Christmas story. The characters evolved from there. I’ll then usually write some notes about their conflicts – but this is something I REALLY need to work on. For my last few novels, I’ve written a rough synopsis before starting to write – either to enter into a contest or to show an ed. After the synopsis and the character conflicts, I dive right in. I usually steam ahead for the first four or five chaps and then DOUBT overwhelms me. I wail a lot to my CPs and think this is the worst thing I’ve ever written and there’s NO WAY I can do it. But I plod on.

I do VERY little rewriting – but polish a lot as I go. So far my only major rewrites have been the result of revisions from editors. I LOVE the idea of rewriting but just can’t seem to work myself up to it unless I have a request for revs.

Everyone who writes knows it's not easy - what methods do you use to keep at it on days when it would be so much easier to go shoe shopping?

I’m pretty lucky in that I live in a small town and there’s not much opportunity for shoe shopping. I DO love shopping online but shoes have never worked for me that way. I DO however procrastinate in a zillion other ways – the Internet being my biggest time-waster. I don’t know if I have any method as such, other than trying to reach a word goal every day. And I try to write every day (although I often fail miserably at this)!

Keeping fit: Do you have an exercise regime to counterbalance all those hours sitting at a computer?

I’m rolling on the floor laughing at this question. Does that count as a fitness routine? The short answer is no. The expanded answer is that I go through exercise binges, not generally when I’m in the middle of writing a book though. I use no-time as a fabulous excuse 

Do you believe in writer's block?

Yes and no. Yes, when I’m struggling – lol – and no, when I’m on a writing roll. Although I think if you’re writing as a career, you sometimes have to write through such down times. I think blocks are often the result of taking a wrong turn or not having enough conflict in the story. When I’m blocked I often go back and read everything I’ve written in a wip so far. Yes, it’s time-consuming but I figure it’s better to do that than waste time on crap words.

Have you ever used an incident from real life in a book?

If so, did it get you into trouble? Hmm... am trying to think, but I don’t think I have. I’m sure a lot of the things in my books have happened to other people but not to me. The closest I’ve probably got is writing a magician hero – my grandfather was a magician!

In what way is being a published writer different to how you thought it would be?

To be honest, I barely FEEL published yet. Am still pinching myself at regular intervals. I think the difference is I feel less guilty for taking time to write. Aside from that, I’m still doing everything pretty much as I was before. Promotion is no longer a dirty word.

In what ways do you strive to reach more readers?

I try to blog regularly (lol) and have a Facebook Author page and a Twitter account. I could hang out on Twitter all day but I’m trying to limit myself. I’m also on Good Reads but not very active there. Oh and I love guest blogging on fabulous sites such as this one 

What is your top promo tip for other authors?

Write more books.

What did you learn while writing this book?

That sometimes you do have to follow your gut and doing revisions that don’t sit right with you is not always a wise move. I’ll clarify – this book was first aimed at Mills & Boon. I was asked to make revisions, which included removing the Christmas element and the family element and losing the boss/employee hook. While I’m all for doing revisions if requested, I think you need to look at whether the revisions will stay true to the story. Mills & Boon may as well have asked me to write another book. I tried, but it just didn’t work out because it was no longer my story. Saying that I did quite heavy revisions for Carina too but they didn’t ask me to change the essence of the story.

What was the most fun part of writing this book?

Can I say typing The End? No? Alright... I have to say it was brainstorming the characters and coming up with their premise. I love the beginning of creating a novel.

And just for fun: what would your hero’s honeymoon destination of choice be?

I think Cameron would take Peppa away at Christmas to a place that is covered in snow. He’s a bit of a romantic underneath his tough exterior and I think he’d like to experience the magic of Christmas in a cold climate with her. I’m thinking there’d be an isolated log cabin and a wood fire involved.

ONE PERFECT NIGHT

Peppa Grant's fellow employees may call their new CEO Mr. McSexy, but she's also heard that he's aloof and distant. Cameron McCormac certainly seems cold toward Christmas when she meets him at the company's annual party...but he's also the sexiest man Peppa has ever seen. And when he offers to forgive the damage she accidentally caused to his expensive car in exchange for accompanying him to his family's holiday get-together, she agrees.

Cameron needs a date to the family party to get his matchmaking relatives off his back. Their chemistry is instant and undeniable, leading to an incredible one-night stand. But Peppa wants love and family, while Cameron's only interested in temporary pleasure. When their relationship takes an unexpectedly serious turn, will he run the other way—or will he give love a second chance?

Carina Press

Amazon UK

Amazon US

Rachael has kindly offered a give-away to one non-minxy commentator so please get commenting to get yourself in the running for a fab early Christmas present!