One of the most exciting things for me as a writer is in developing my characters...especially the hero. *grin* A certain image comes to mind with each one, and twice I wrote the particular hero based on a living, breathing personality. First when I wrote Adrian's Angel, (The hunky 'Highlander' himself, Adrian Paul-as my template; and next was when I wrote Once a Rebel...I used the former 'Digging for the Truth' host, Josh Bernstein--pictured below.)
HOWEVER, ...and this is the exciting stuff that gets the heart pumping like a piston...
After I finished my final draft of Corsair Cove, I was surfing around on the net and nearly fell out of my chair when I saw a man the EXACT likeness of Jacque LaFleur!! The glorious man was Even garbed in pirate gear...right down to the red and white ruffled shirt!! Uncanny!
Talk about a surge of deja-vu! Yikes!!
...check it out in this teaser from the novel...
...check it out in this teaser from the novel...
… He was drenched in seawater and the fine white sand glittered like diamonds off his bronzed skin. The long-sleeved red shirt clung to his body, adorned with wide white ruffled lace along where the buttons might have been. Esa couldn’t tell if there were any buttons as the shirt hung open from the waist, exposing a broad, hairy chest and a six pack that would leave any hot-blooded female thirsting for the entire keg.
She swallowed, forcing her suddenly ravenous eyes passed his manly chest and down his body. She gasped. The high-waisted black pants were sopping wet and rather snug, outlining a generous bulge and strong thighs before disappearing into black leather boots mid-calf. Long black hair hugged saturated…
See what I mean?!
I inquired as to whether or not I might be able to use the photo on my website and was informed of who the hunky former romance-cover model was...Cherif Fortin. While he doesn't currently model, I found a few more heart-shuddering similarities between the mystery man & my hero...
Cherif is a painter, Jacque LaFleur is a painter....Cherif is French Canadian, the hero in the novel is French....I honest to God believe Cherif must have been haunting my dreams when I pictured our hero! *VBEG*
To sum up the story, after discovering who the sexy man was, I e-mailed the address provided me from the webmaster where I'd first seen the now infamous picture and received a few emails from none other than the gorgeous hottie himself giving me permission to use the photos! Heavy sigh, what a sweetie! I've also acquired a few more!
Given the nature of my discovery, I decided to give Jacque LaFleur the middle name of Cherif...also blessed by the dreamboat himself!
Jacque Cherif LaFleur....has a nice ring to it, eh?!
In another strange twist...the whole incident reminded me of yet another novel in the works... Thanks Cherif! (waving and blowing kisses!)
And a special thanks to Nancy at RRAH for your help in discovering who the mystery man was!
Here's what Cherif had to say about my adding his name to the hero:
Thank you so much, Angela. I am truly honored to be included in your book in this way. I sincerely hope you have a run-away best seller on your hands with Corsair Cove.
Please let me know when I can go out and buy a copy, if the release date changes from August of 08.
Thanks again,
Cherif
Hmmmm....I think I'd like to run a contest to see if anyone can scout a likeness to Zach in Amulet of Fate...and no, not in cat form!! lol ...Any takers?!
Until next time, happy reading!
Angie
Amulet of Fate
Once A Rebel
available now via Champagne Books
Corsair Cove (coming August '08)
1 comments:
Angie,
What an amazing set of coincidences! Thanks for sharing that.
Rose Lerma
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