Tuesday, February 09, 2010

LOVERS ROCK WEEK (Day 2): Hosted by Candace Havens

UPDATE: The winner of TAKE ME IF YOU DARE by Candace Havens is Sue (okibi_insanity). Congrats! Please email your physical addy to contests(AT)knightagency.net.
When Jia asked me if I would be interested in writing a blog about Lover’s Who Rock this week, the first couple who popped into mind was a fictional one – Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy from the Bridget Jones Diary series. Now, I have to admit this isn’t usually my first romantic couple I pick when asked this question. But they have a special place in my heart right now.

Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy helped to launch my career. No, I’m serious. I was writing my first book CHARMED & DANGEROUS in diary format and I couldn’t figure out how to get it to work technically. A friend suggested I read the Bridget Jones book. I did, and that’s when I figured out that I just had to talk to my readers as if they were friends. It worked.

But something else happened when I read that book. I fell big time for Bridget and Mark’s relationship. Sure there were some over the top moments, but it felt more real to me than a lot of relationships I’d read in books. Things were messy and their timing was never quite right.

Isn’t that the way life is most of the time? You’re in one place and he’s in another? I loved that Bridget had, in much the same way as Jane Austen’s PRIDE & PREJUDICE, a bad first impression of Mark Darcy. She thought he was a pompous ass, and he didn’t know what to think of her. That felt very real to me. It’s tough to get past those bad first impressions, but it just gives the couples a more interesting journey.

When the movie version came out, I was ecstatic about the casting. I have a crush on Colin Firth whether he’s play Mark Darcy, Mr. Darcy or a gay guy in THE SINGLE MAN. He just does it for me. There’s something very earnest about him in every role he plays. And I may have a slight crush on Rene Zellweger too. In the comedies, she has that everywoman quality that is so endearing.

That final scene in the movie where she thinks he’s left after reading her diary and she runs out in the snow to find him is one of my all-time favorites. When they kiss, it’s almost as if the universe isn’t such a bad place after all. *happy sigh*


So that is why Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy are my favorite romantic couples. I’ve had many favorites through the years, but these guys helped to launch my career.

Following along those lines of inspiration, you can win a copy of my latest book, TAKE ME IF YOU DARE, which was inspired by the Bourne films and the television show Burn Notice, by posting a comment. The winner will be randomly drawn and announced tomorrow afternoon.

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27 Comments:

Blogger Kirsten said...

Oh I LOVE Bridget Jones! The movie is really great. That ugly Christmas sweater & when she's cooking dinner and uses blue string creating a very interesting meal, it made me LOL.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 7:51:00 AM EST  
Blogger Linda Henderson said...

I've never seen that movie, guess I'll have to watch it now. I do like Colin Firth.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:49:00 AM EST  
Blogger Jennifer Skully/Jasmine Haynes said...

Oh that kiss at the end, Candace, it was spectacular. Sometimes the translation from book to film doesn't work out so well, but I thoroughly enjoyed both!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:49:00 AM EST  
Blogger Candace said...

Kirsten, I love all of those moments and so many more in that movie. I think that's what makes it so relatable.

Linda you have to check it out!

Jamsine, that kiss, just makes sigh happily. :)

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 9:48:00 AM EST  
Blogger CrystalGB said...

Hi Candace. I loved the Bridget Jones movies. Colin Firth is great in any movie. ;)

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 10:21:00 AM EST  
Blogger Candace said...

Crystal, I couldn't agree with you more. I love Colin in everything he does!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 10:30:00 AM EST  
Blogger Niks Desk said...

My favorite couple is from a movie made back in 1985, a little flick called "Ladyhawke." It's a fantasy tale about the doomed love of Captain Etienne Navarre (Rutger Hauer) & his lady love Isabeau (Michele Pfeiffer) - by day she's a hawk and by night he's a wolf, "always together, eternally apart." No matter how many times I've seen it, I get choked up at that split second at dawn when they see each other before she once more turns into a hawk and he roars out his pain. *chills* In the end, with a little help from movie-stealing Matthew Broderick, the lovers defeat the evil bishop and are reunited. The casting is amazing, the story and music are fantastic, and it's always on my top 5 list. Definitely a case of love conquering all.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 11:08:00 AM EST  
Blogger Candace said...

Nik, I need to watch that film again. I can't remember it very well. I'll have to put it on the list. :)

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 11:50:00 AM EST  
Blogger tetewa said...

Enjoyed that movie, I agree!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 12:39:00 PM EST  
Anonymous Kim Quinton said...

Oohhh love both bridget jones and ladyhawke! My favorite romantic movie I watch every time it's on is Love Actually. I laugh and cry every time! I need to just buy it :)

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 1:29:00 PM EST  
Blogger Eeleen Lee said...

Colin Firth ......

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 1:53:00 PM EST  
Blogger LSUReader said...

Good post. I had forgotten how sweet it was to watch Bridget and Mark fall in love!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 1:59:00 PM EST  
Blogger Beth Caudill said...

I have to say I love Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in You've Got Mail.

Another couple I like is Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline from Dave.

WW

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 2:32:00 PM EST  
Blogger Jia Gayles said...

Hey Candace, sorry I'm late to the party! I just wanted to say hello, and thank you for guest blogging with us today. :-)

GREAT movie pick, btw. One of my faves.

Best,

Jia

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 2:48:00 PM EST  
Blogger Maureen said...

I have the book but have never read it so I think I'll dig it out.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 3:23:00 PM EST  
Blogger Sherri Browning Erwin said...

I love George Emerson and Lucy Honeychurch as portrayed by Julian Sands and Helena Bonham Carter in A Room with a View. So romantic! (And of course, there's the bathing scene, and Daniel Day-Lewis as Cecil Vyse).

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 3:27:00 PM EST  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love Bridget Jones. I am also a big fun on the bourne films and burn notice. So I am intrigue by your novel.

Thanks for stopping by and introducing me to your novel.

Sue

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 3:51:00 PM EST  
Blogger Wendy said...

I love Bridget Jones. I can seriously relate to her insecurities and issues, although I hope I'm not quite as dingy. Mark Darcy loves her, anyway. So, sweet!

"While You Were Sleeping" is another of my all-time favorites (Bullock and Pullman). "Love Actually" and "Dave" are both on my re-watch list, too.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 4:22:00 PM EST  
Blogger Barbara E. said...

Interesting that Take Me If You Dare was inspired by the Bourne films and Burn Notice - definitely sounds intriguing.
I loved the Bridget Jones movies, and Ladyhawke is one of my all time favs.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 4:25:00 PM EST  
Blogger Deborah Blake said...

No need to enter me in the contest, since I already have mine!

I agree about Colin Firth...loved him in Mamma Mia!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 4:26:00 PM EST  
Blogger elaing8 said...

I have never watched the Bridget Jones Diary movies.
But I do like Colin Firth.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 4:57:00 PM EST  
Blogger Karin said...

I love your choice. Colin Firth does an amazing job as Mark Darcy. Of course, after watching him as Mr. Darcy in the BBC version of Pride & Prejudice, I couldn't help but laugh at the similarities in the two Darcy characters. Absolutely perfect casting there.

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 7:27:00 PM EST  
Blogger Mary Anne Landers said...

Thank you for your post, Candace.

You got me to thinking: Which cinematic and TV characters, couples, and love stories inspire me? It wouldn't be anyone or anything in romantic comedy. My tastes tend toward more serious if not tragic material.

Since there's little demand for such heavy stories nowadays, most of it dates from previous generations. The titles, characters, and performers I could cite would probably mean nothing to most of today's readers and viewers.

Of course, I'm grateful that those of us who go for this sort of entertainment nowadays have unprecedented access to it. What would we do without DVDs and Turner Classic Movies?

If any of my fictional works that result from this sort of inspiration ever get published, I'll let you know.

Keep up the good work!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:00:00 PM EST  
Blogger Jess said...

Love Colin! Thanks for the chance to win another great love story!

JB Hunt

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 8:06:00 PM EST  
Blogger Tambra said...

My favorite couple would be: Amanda Devereaux and Kyrian Hunter in Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon. Or Jane Colby and Baran Arvid from Jane's Warlord by Angela Knight.

One more couple to add LOL, Ajax and Shayanna from Deidre's Red Kiss from Gods of Midnight series.

It's hard to choose. I tried my best.

Hugs,
Tambra

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 9:41:00 PM EST  
Blogger Candace said...

Oh wow. I forgot about Room with A View. And I can still watch You've Got Mail just about any day of the week. It's the sweetest movie and I wish I had that bookstore! Meg Ryan's. :)

I also forgot an oldie but goodie American President. Love that Michael Douglas! :)

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 11:55:00 PM EST  
Blogger Candace said...

I wanted to say thanks to all of you for your great suggestions and for hanging out with me today! I can tell you Mariska and Jackson are another great couple in Take ME If You Dare. I love those guys. Yes, I wrote them, but I love them!

Tuesday, February 9, 2010 at 11:56:00 PM EST  

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