The latest is that I recently developed a whole new crush, this time on Ryan Bingham, the singer songwriter/former bull rider. He first came to my attention for being on the soundtrack of the 2009 movie "Crazy Heart," but it was only a couple of weeks ago that I finally downloaded one of his own albums. In the course of doing that and checking out his website for tour dates, I also got a look at him and realized that on top of having the kind of deep, raspy voice we ladies swoon over, he is also one sexy dude.
Go ahead, search Google images and see for yourself. I ain't lying.
Naturally, I couldn't help thinking that a character inspired by this guy would make a great romance hero. But in what book? I was planning for my next series to take place in Maine, and he definitely does not belong in Maine. But he would make perfect sense in Las Vegas, and wouldn't it be fun if Beth, Cheryl's friend and the heroine of Sin City Book Three, got it on with a sexy singer like him? I had planned on her hooking up with Evan, Jason's friend, but that's not set in stone.
Without even thinking it all through, I just started to write, indulging my fantasy through Beth. I figured I needed to to do it even if I ended up switching back to Evan, because my crush needed an outlet. Now I'm seriously into it, as is Beth, so this may just be a completely different book than I intended. But I love romances that indulge our fantasies while also somehow being believable, and that's what I'm after in every book I write.
This new crush does not in any way diminish my love of Viggo Mortenson, Timothy Olyphant or Justin Timberlake. There's always room for more, and some of these others may yet turn up as inspiration for other heroes. I also reserve the right to change my mind again, in the event that this book, for whatever reason, is not working with a sexy singer. I'll let you know if that happens. But whoever Beth's romantic interest ends up being, I promise it will be plenty steamy, and of course there'll be a happily ever after.
