Twidays: Bel Eff-Me

Why do I find these SO much more attractive than Robward? There is just something so delicious about period dress! I can't help but think about how much fun it'd be to slowly peel each layer of clothing off of Mr. Darcy... Um... I mean... *drools*





I suspect that part of my love has to do with the fact that old-fashioned-leading-men were so damn self-assured. I mean, look at that face! It says "If you mess with me I'll beat you with my riding crop." And I'm okay with that.




I agree completely. Rob in an ascot is way more swoon-worthy than Robward (for me). Maybe because it makes me think of this...

*dreamy sigh* Seriously, how is it that British men are able to pull this look off so easily? And by "easily" I mean, "looking ridiculously hot."

Oh, Colin. *sigh again* Because she knows me so well my friend @MsTallulahBelle (the author of the fabulous Elemental) sent me this picture, which is not from Bel Ami. *sigh* Pardon me while I loosen my corset lacing.

So what period piece of literature would we like to see Rob star in next?






Can I vote for Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife?






I have a friend (who I am leaving unnamed to protect her innocence) who is reading that. She said it's really porn-y.





My point exactly. *wicked grin*

Why Do We Love Bad Boys?

Picture of Jace from Mortal Instruments Credit: SugarPlumSoup

So, I saw this article by Karen Healey tweeted recently. The basic gist of the essay is that we seem to embrace bad boys in young adult literature. It got me thinking about the fact that I am guilty of this. I accept behavior in YA Fantasy heroes (and anti-heroes) that I would NEVER accept in Realistic lit. What gives?



First, the article and the comments really make me want to read The Demon's Lexicon. I must know more about this "Alan" character.

Aside from that, the author really brings up some interesting points. I keyed in to this line in particular: "But why are bad - sometimes really bad! - boys so popular in fantasy? Is it that the extra suspension of disbelief we employ for fantasy narratives allows us to indulge in boys we couldn’t handle in realistic fiction, too close to home? Is it somehow safer to have our bad boy fantasies existing in fantastic worlds? Or am I just full of crap?"

I don't think she's full of crap at all. I think that fantasy does allow for that "willing suspension of disbelief" that makes us, as readers, more accepting of the bad boys. @Katarinasmama refers to these types (and she has an extensive filing system for boys in YA Lit) as "Hot Boys with Swords." Do the swords, and the fact that the boy is hot, make us more forgiving when he acts like, pardon me, an asshole? I'm leaning towards yes on that one, although I realize that I have not answered the "why" portion of this question. *grins*

Mmm.... Hot Boys With Swords... *floats off to my happy place*

Um, I mean... I think that the word "boys" says it all.

As adults, we realize that most people don't change. If a forty-year-old man acted the way most boys in fiction do, we'd show him the door (and possibly call the cops.) But if a BOY does it, well, we can change him.

Being hot and carrying a sword definitely helps. But even more powerful than that for me is the character's psyche. If his anger management issues manifest from being abused, or if his possessiveness is a result of having been abandoned, it tugs yanks my heartstrings. I want to save him. And by saving him, like Meadow said, I can change him.

And then he'll be thankful. Very thankful.

Right, and it's as if we can imagine the man he WILL become, and thus forgive him being a total arse in the present.





True. I think that being an ass can be an attractive trait in and of itself, however. Would we like Jace or Edward nearly as much if they weren't cocky bastards? Probably not. Self-assurance is sexy.




There's definitely something attractive about being an ass (just look at my dating history), and when presented with nice guy vs. ass, the saying that nice guys finish last is usually true. Damon Salvatore? Much more attractive than his nicer brother, Stefan.



Good point. Cocky is sexy. Insecurity is not.

And, correct me if I'm wrong, but if we're also looking for examples of "nice" boys (who are still hot) in YA Lit, wouldn't Sam from Shiver fall into that category? *shakes head yes*



*thinking* I suppose Sam counts. So far. I'm not convinced he wouldn't become a miscreant in his quest to protect Grace, though. Can we condemn a fictional character for future crimes? Oh, who am I kidding. It's not a condemnation. I love a good YA miscreant.



Especially if he is hot. And carries a sword. And is named Jace. *grins*






Speaking of Hot Boys With Swords (we were, weren't we?) did you know that @Katarinasmama, @HeatherWPetty and I are trying to get a cottage industry going based on that concept? It's the "Hot Boys With Swords Pastry Delivery Service™". You might think that the term "Pastry" is an elaborate ruse for sexy times, but it actually means pastry. As in, warm, gooey, cream-filled eclairs being brought to your door by a magical snarky boy hero. *sigh* So far we haven't gotten past the Photoshopping phase in our planning.



All great ideas have to start somewhere, right?

Reading Rain-bow: The Wicked Lovely Series by Melissa Marr

Truth be told, I love Fairies, or the Fae, or the Fair Folk, or whatever you want to call them. And, of course, I love books about fairies, so the Wicked Lovely series by Melissa Marr is one of my favorites.





Synopsis for Wicked Lovely, from the author's website:

Rule #3: Don't stare at invisible faeries.

Aislinn has always seen faeries. Powerful and dangerous, they walk hidden in mortal world. Aislinn fears their cruelty—especially if they learn of her Sight—and wishes she were as blind to their presence as other teens.
Rule #2: Don't speak to invisible faeries.
Now faeries are stalking her. One of them, Keenan, who is equal parts terrifying and alluring, is trying to talk to her, asking questions Aislinn is afraid to answer.
Rule #1: Don't ever attract their attention.
But it's too late. Keenan is the Summer King who has sought his queen for nine centuries. Without her, summer itself will perish. He is determined that Aislinn will become the Summer Queen at any cost—regardless of her plans or desires.
Suddenly none of the rules that have kept Aislinn safe are working anymore, and everything is on the line: her freedom; her best friend, Seth; her life; everything.
Faerie intrigue, mortal love, and the clash of ancient rules and modern expectations swirl together in Melissa Marr's stunning 21st century faery tale.

What I love about these books is how the two worlds (Human and Fae) coexist and overlap. The human world is essentially unaware of the fae living amongst them, but Marr weaves the two together beautifully. The characters are also intriguing, and you'll find yourself caught up amidst an intricate love triangle by the end of the third book, Fragile Eternity.

I will say that the second book, Ink Exchange, departs a bit from the main story and is considerably darker than the first book, so be prepared. But, it is important to the overall storyline, so definitely worth reading as part of the series.

Radiant Shadows, the fourth book in the series, is due out April 20th, so you have plenty of time to get caught up before it is released. Have you read this series? Are you pre-ordering Radiant Shadows? Team Keenan or Team Seth?

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Also, today we'd like to take a moment to remember a friend who passed away. Meg (@reelhot2touch) was a constant source of smiles and encouragement. She was one of our first followers on Twilight-Headed and we were truly blessed to have known her. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends as they mourn her and remember her life. She was truly a bright star in our lives. Please visit our friends at Cullen Cream Pie, who have put together a tribute to her. Thank you for giving us your heart, Meg. We will miss you.