Sam was transfixed from an early age with any tale featuring a handsome prince, a great dress, and, of course, the all-important kiss, and eventually aspired to write her own happily-ever-afters. Naturally, she became a lawyer. The legal world heaved a sigh of relief a few years ago when Samanthe retired from law to take the plunge as a writer.
When not living the glamorous life of a romance author (i.e., chained to her computer), Samanthe keeps busy with the care and feeding of her extremely patient prince-charming of a husband, a not-so-patient ball of energy known as their son, a furry ninja named Kitty, and Bebe, the trash talkin’ Chihuahua. Their love, support, and willingness to eat Pizza Hut three or more times a week enables Samanthe to pursue her literary dreams.
Places to find Samanthe:
Bad Boys and Why We Love Them
Thanks to RFTC for having me today to talk about one of my favorite topics of all time—men! I love them all…alphas, betas, tortured heroes, playboys, and especially, the bad-boy hero.
One of the best parts about writing “Private Practice” was the opportunity to get up-close-and-personal with my bad-boy hero, Tyler Longfoot. He’s six-foot, two inches of Harley-riding, hard-playing naughtiness, and just the right man to show my straitlaced heroine, Dr. Ellie Swann, how to unleash her inner wild woman.
But writing a good bad-boy means walking a fine, sometimes non-intuitive line. Why? Because he can be criminal, but not sleazy. Dangerous, but not unredeemable. I can forgive a hero for, say, having the kind of bourbon-fueled night of bad judgment that lands him on the skinny end of his best friend Junior’s small game rifle, (which Tyler does), yet I can never forgive him for swindling a little old lady out of her fortune, (which he would never do in a million years). I wanted a hero who could rip off Ellie’s panties and hijack her heart, but not, like, rip off her credit card and hijack her FICO score.
Getting Tyler right meant understanding what draws women to the rebellious bad-ass type in the first place. Sure, looks play a part, but Tyler’s more than just a pretty face. So, what attracts us to those untamed heartbreakers?
Here’s my top five:
1. He offers the chance to let a little bad-boy mojo rub off on you. This is what initially attracts Ellie to Tyler. He’s a walking, talking wealth of sexual experience and she’s in the market for a man to help her shed her school-nerd image and teach her how to drive a man to his knees. He’s just what the doctor ordered!
2. He doesn’t care what your mother thinks of him. Or you father. Or your best friend. He lives life by his own code, and as long as he can face the man in the mirror without flinching, he’s content. I’ll admit, in real life, this might make for a tense Thanksgiving, but in fiction, there’s something downright panty-melting about a man who doesn’t kiss anybody’s ass. Tyler doesn’t like the way Ellie’s father treats her, and, although Ellie wishes he’d let her dad’s bad behavior slide, Tyler refuses. I loved him all the more for having the balls to step in and take charge.
3. If he thinks you look hot, you’ll know it, even if he never says a word. The bad-boy won’t shower you with flowery compliments. He’s a man of action. Ellie stresses about her ability to pull off the sexy before her first “date” with Tyler, right up until he snags her foot under the restaurant table, slips her sandal off, and shows her exactly what effect she has on him. Message received, loud and clear. No words necessary.
4. He’s not intimidated by you. Maybe you’re a driven overachiever like Ellie? Maybe most men you meet find your single-minded determination a little imposing? Not the bad-boy. He likes that you have a brain, and goals, and plans, even if he won’t always defer to them. Ellie’s smarts and skills are what initially lure Tyler to her doorstep, but as much as he appreciates her type-A meticulousness, he also enjoys messing with her carefully laid plans.
5. He knows a good thing when he finds it, and he’s not afraid to go after what he wants. The bad-boy doesn’t shy away from danger. Not even when the risk involves his heart. Once Tyler realizes Ellie is the one for him, he sets out to show her they were meant to be together. And when a bad-boy sets his mind to something, what chance does a girl have? =)
Did I capture the key qualities of the quintessential bad-boy? What do you think?
He’ll teach her how to bring a man to his knees…
Dr. Ellie Swan has a plan: open her practice in tiny Bluelick, Kentucky, so she can keep an eye on her diabetic father, and make hometown golden-boy Roger Reynolds fall in love with her. But Ellie has a problem. Roger seeks a skilled, sexually adventurous partner, and bookish Ellie doesn’t qualify.
Tyler Longfoot only cares about three things: shaking his bad boy image, qualifying for the loan his company needs to rehab a piece of Bluelick’s history, and convincing Ellie to keep quiet about the “incident” that lands him on her doorstep at two a.m. with a bullet in his behind.
The adorable Dr. Swan drives a mean bargain, though. If sex-on-a-stick Tyler will teach Ellie how to bring a man to his knees, she’ll forget about the bullet. Armed with The Wild Woman’s Guide to Sex and Tyler’s lessons, Ellie is confident she can become what Roger needs…if she doesn’t fall for Tyler first.
Purchase: | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |
Check out what's up for grabs.
Up For Grabs:
- 1 lucky winner will win an eBook copy of Private Practice
To Enter:
- Please answer the question: Did I capture the key qualities of the quintessential bad-boy? What do you think?
- Please fill out the Rafflecopter form
Good Luck =)
Yes, I would say you nailed the key qualities of a bad boy. :) Another reason I love bad boys is, when they let you into their heart, it's a very intimate gesture on their part. It's rare anyone sees that side of them. Your book sounds good! Thank you for the chance to win a copy!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, Leslie...5:45 a.m.! You're an earl bird. I'm impressed. And 100% on board with your comment. It's true. The bad boy doesn't usually go around with his heart on his sleeve, so when he shows his, it really means something!
DeleteYes these are all great badboy qualities but I also like a wicked sense of humour too. :o) I am looking forward to reading your book!
ReplyDeleteHi KRG,
DeleteYep, humor is essential, for me too! I think (hope) Tyler fits the bill. Enjoy the story. :)
I also think he secretly is a good boy. You don't want a guy who picks on a helpless person... that's not attractive at all.
ReplyDeletemestith at gmail dot com
Hello Meghan,
DeleteGreat point! It's true. Fictional badboy is a very different breed than real-life bad boy. Fictional BB MUST have a moral compass and know how to use it!
lol love the list, hit it on the nail. Oh gosh number two is my favorite I agree, I suppose it would make for very awkward holidays XD especially with dads..
ReplyDeleteYeah, there's book drama and then there's LIFE drama. (Four yr. old son is now sitting on my lap. He wants me to take dictation. He says, "I love you, mamma.") Clearly, I'm not raising a bad boy! :)
DeleteDefinitely! I agree with krg, though, that a sense of humor is important!
ReplyDeleteYep. Next time, I'm adding that to the list! Thanks Rebe.
DeleteThe only thing that I would add is some sexy tattoos and a nice Harley. Love a guy on a motorcycle.
ReplyDeletechristinebails at yahoo dot com
You read my mind, (or my book)! Tyler's got a big, old Harley and it makes Ellie very, very nervous. But, once she's on the darn thing, all snugged up behind Tyler, it makes her something else entirely. ;)
DeleteI think you covered them all! I can't wait to read this book and fall in love with Tyler. He sounds YUMMY! and this book sounds fun!
ReplyDeleteRhonda D
Thanks Rhonda! Hope you enjoy Private Practice. And I love to hear from readers. Drop me a line at my website (www.samanthebeck.com) and tell me what you think!
DeleteYou captured them all :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Erin!
DeleteI think Janet Evanovich's Ranger is a perfect bad boy. Stephanie's mother may not approve, but she likes him too.
ReplyDeleteYeah...Ranger and Nora's (well, JD Robb's), Roarke...sigh. We'll call them the prototypes!
DeleteYes, you have captured the key qualities of the quintessential bad-boy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Olga! Hope I've captured them in Tyler as well. You be the judge!
Deletereading your bad-boy key characteristics sure made me want to meet that bad-boy, or one who would match them. not sure I'd want to spend my life with a real one (guess i'm too much interested in what other people think), but a fantasy life - in books -- oh, yeah!!! ....
ReplyDeleteHi Donna,
DeleteYes! I love to meet those BB's between the covers...of a good book. In real life, I chose a good guy! Seventeen years next month, one kid, no regrets! :)
congrats on 17 years, and may you have many many more years. my good guy has been around 46 years, and although it's not been all roses and cream, I wouldn't trade a day.
Deletekeep writing those bad boy tho ---
Yes! Tyler sounds great! Although I did have to chuckle at the tense Thanksgiving comment. LOL
ReplyDeleteThen again, the bad boy might haul you off to the storage shed behind the garage and "relieve" your tension, so it all evens out in the end!
DeleteThanks Jennifer!
My hubs rides a motorcycle, but he's so far from being a bad boy, lol! Fortunately there are bad boys to read about! I'll have to check out Private Practice for a bad boy fix :)
ReplyDeleteIt's really so much safer that way! (But c'mon, any guy with a bike...little bit of a bad boy...in the best possible way). :)
DeleteLoved your blog post, and yes, you got it right. Didn't enter the contest because I have read and fallen in love with bad boy, Tyler. I love it when a bad boy shows softness toward his mother, or gran, or his big dopey dog. He wins me over then for sure. ; )
ReplyDeleteGreat insights into a bad boy. You nailed it...pardon the pun!!
ReplyDelete(HA!)
Uh-oh! I think we've got a bad girl in the crowd. ;)
DeleteThanks Charlene!
Hmm yeah, that's a killer combo IMO too. Tough on the outside, but soft on the inside. Thanks Robena!
ReplyDeleteAh, bad boys. Love em, couldn't live without them. I think you've got all the makings of the bad boy listed and Tyler was bad but just the right kind of bad. And Hot. Did I mention HOT!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandii! I was aiming for HOT. Glad you enjoyed!
DeleteHi Dani! Hi Samanthe! I loved this post! I totally agree with your list of key qualities, Sam. I loved Private Practice, especially Tyler. ;) I can't wait to read your next book and meet your next swoonworthy hero!
ReplyDeleteThanks Robin! I'm thrilled to report my next book is coming in April from Entangled's sizzling hot Brazen line!
ReplyDeleteYes! With Bad Boys, it's all about confidence. It isn't cockiness, but it's strong and unwavering and oh-so-sexy.
ReplyDeleteYou know it! Thanks Laura.
ReplyDeleteYes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
You're welcome Natasha. And thanks to Ramblings From This Chick for hosting me today. I had a blast talking bad-boys with everyone!
ReplyDelete..and the best thing is that he stays between the pages of a book where he belongs.
ReplyDeleteOr in my imagination...where I can tell him what to do!
DeleteThanks Mary.
Yum! Tyler sounds so good...I mean bad. I have Private Practice on the top of my reading list.
ReplyDeleteThanks JL! Hopefully he's a bad boy in all the best ways.
DeleteNiiice! I like how you lay it all out. Very well thought out.
ReplyDeleteBullet in the rump?? Love it!!! XD I think you have captured the Bad Boy qualities. Tyler sounds like a lot of trouble, not all of it good. Sexy? Yep, bad boy. Trying to shake his image and become a man? Yep, bad boy!! Definitely can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeletecc_clubbs[at]yahoo[dot]com
I think you got them all. Yum!!!!! Congrats on the new release. Private Practice sounds fantastic. Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeletee.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Oh yes you did.
ReplyDelete