The Things Men Say… by Sarah Morgan
74 Comments December 8th, 2009 in Greek Tycoons, alpha hero, books Posted by Amyby Sarah Morgan, author of Powerful Greek, Unworldly Wife (Harlequin Presents Extra, December 2009)
I’m always fascinated by man’s ability to say the wrong thing (of course they often say the right thing, too, but that would make for a very boring blog). A quick survey amongst my friends has revealed such gems as ‘I slept really well last night, how about you?’ when you’ve been up all night with a bawling baby, or ‘For your birthday I’ve bought you two season tickets to the football’, or, my personal favourite, ‘would you like a new washing machine for Christmas, darling? (answer: only if you want to wake up to a boxed set of chick flicks and a pair of pink fluffy socks). Apparently we can put a man on the moon, but we can’t teach him that offering his partner a domestic appliance as a gift is the eighth deadly sin.
When I’m writing for Harlequin Presents, my heroes often start out saying the wrong thing and that, for me, is part of the fun of creating the character. He says things that you and I wouldn’t say in a million years and there are occasions when I actually find my fingers hovering nervously over the keyboard and I’m thinking, ‘I can’t say this’. That’s when I have to remind myself that I’m not the one saying it, he is. The dialogue is his, and it should reflect his personality. If I catch my Presents hero saying, ’sit down my little hunnybunny and tell me everything you’re thinking while I make you a nice cup of tea and load the washing machine,’ I know I haven’t got to grips with his character (or his lifestyle – a Presents man shouldn’t be emptying his own washing machine or where is the fantasy?!). And how boring would that be to read. When I pick up a Presents I want the dialogue to reflect their conflict – I turn the pages to find out how these two people are ever going to resolve their differences.
My hero is a man who knows what he wants and isn’t afraid to go after it. That means that sometimes he is going to say really outrageous things – things that in real life might result in a black eye, a burnt dinner or a toy rat in his sock drawer (ask me about that one later – it was my youngest son who put it there, honestly.) Men usually stick to the facts, whereas women fill their communications with emotions and feelings.
In my December release for Presents Extra, Powerful Greek, Unworldly Wife, the heroine Millie accuses Greek tycoon Leandro of being horribly insensitive and maybe he is – at least at the beginning of the book. Millie left their marriage and her actions hurt him badly. When he sees her again he throws some of that hurt right back at her. He’s telling the truth as he sees it and he doesn’t dress it up in flowery language. But as the story develops and he grows to understand the depth of Millie’s insecurity, Leandro uses words and actions to give her the confidence she’s never had. He’s on her side, right behind her all the way and that’s a powerful force. I fell in love with my hero as I wrote this book and I hope readers will fall in love with him, too.
Do you have a favourite line of male dialogue, fictitious or otherwise? Maybe it’s Rhett Butler saying, ‘Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn.’ I like the scene from Star Wars where Princess Leia tells Han Solo that she loves him and he says, ‘I know.’ Post a comment here and let me know your favourites, or drop by my website at www.sarahmorgan.com and tell me privately!
And yes, despite what men sometimes say, we love them just the way they are. If men thought the way we do there would be no Harlequin Presents and I’d have nothing to read while I’m lying in a bubble bath, eating chocolate….
Tagged with: favorite romance dialogue • Powerful Greek Unworldly Wife • Sarah Morgan author
74 Responses to “The Things Men Say… by Sarah Morgan”
- 1 Pingback on Dec 9th, 2009 at 11:04 am
Sarah, I fell in love with Leandro after reading an excerpt on the eharl web site. I’ve been checking my local Wal Mart so that I can get my copy and devour it.
I enjoy all of your books.
Chris.
I wouldn’t know a thing about the things men say…my husband is wonderfully romantic and sensitive and always says the right thing…okay he’s not looking over my shoulder anymore…LOL. Okay, he really is a great man and he doesn’t say the kinds of things a lot of men do.
His one really mannish thing that he did was when, in an effort to organize our medicine cabinet, he combined all of my lotions, and yes, each one was a different scent, into one big bottle. He was very proud of the space he saved. He honestly didn’t get why you can’t do that with lotion that all smells different.
As Presents heroes, I agree with you, Sarah. Sometimes they say things and you cringe and say “oh no he didn’t!!” but that’s what makes you keep reading. I’m not one for outright cruelty, but in a tense situation an alpha male is going to react, and sometimes not nicely.
I loved what you said about Leandro saying things to give her confidence once he knows her. You did that really beautifully in The Sheikh’s Virgin Princess, which I just read a couple days ago. I loved Karim, he was a fantastic hero and, boy, did he say some things. Good and not so good, and that’s why I loved him so much.
Sarah, I love all of your books, the intensity and obstacles you can create are brilliant. And I loved Leandro and Millie’s story and what an original start to the book!
You’re making me think of something an alpha female said – Sigourney Weaver’s character in ‘Working Girl’ – when she’s talking about her relationship with Jack (Harrison Ford) to Melanie Griffith and she’s describing why her seduction of him will work, she says, ‘Well I am, after all, me…’
Always thought that was brilliant…
xx Abby
GWTW has always been my favorite romance and I love Rhett Butler’s famous last line. Or the line from Joann Ross’s Impulse: “I wanted to bite you.Right here. Not hard. Just enough to get your attention.”
Chris, so pleased you fell in love with Leandro – I had such fun writing that book.
Maisey, my husband usually says the right thing too, but that’s because he’s been well trained by me!!
Abby, yes, I remember that line really well – funnily enough we watched that film for the first time in ages the other day. Sigourney Weaver is fantastic.
Linda – I don’t know the Joann Ross book, but I’m going to have to read it now because that line is fantastic!
My husband knows just what to say and just when to stay quiet. We laugh about that at times. That’s why I married him.
I used to get confused with men who expected me to call in sick at work to spend time with them, but then wouldn’t do the same for me. It seemed their office job held higher priority than my nursing job.
There’s another line from Return of the Jedi where Luke Skywalker tells Han Solo to be careful and he responds: “Hey, it’s me!” It don’t know why it is but, it seems to me that SciFi does a great job with characterization.
I am reading “The Sheikh’s Virgin Princess” and I just adore Karim. I really enjoy your books, Sarah, Presents and Medicals.
Sarah, reading your stories is always a treat for me. This one was no exception. It was lovely watching Leandro reevaluating their relationship and moving forward. They were a great pair.
You’re right. If men didn’t see things differently (and sometimes, I’m convinced, downright bizarrely) life and Presents stories would be so boring. Fortunately my husband doesn’t offer domestic appliances as a gift – he’s learnt!
I’m with Abby – LOVE your books.
Have to admit, for me it’s Antonio Banderas’s line from “Shrek”, when Fiona asks Puss if he’s Shrek. Cue Antonio: “For you, baby, I could be.” (Ohhh… Yes, please! I did nick that line in one of my books, but my ed spotted it and made me take it out!)
My DH might buy me an electric appliance, but it’ll be one he knows I have my eye on. (I just beat him to buying the ice cream maker, for example. I’d been talking about it for weeks. I think Santa might be buying me an ice cream recipe book for Christmas, possibly with post-it notes in strategic places – aka chocolate ice cream recipes – signed by the kids *g*)
And now you have to explain the toy rat…
Barbara, you obviously chose well with your husband! And yes, you’re right about the other line from Star Wars – actually Star Wars is a series of great lines – George Lucas is the master.
Annie, it’s funny you should say your husband doesn’t offer domestic appliances as a gift – mine doesn’t either but he told me yesterday that he wants a kitchen knife for Christmas. When I laughed and said I wouldn’t DARE give a kitchen appliance as a gift he said it didn’t count because he’s a man and that rule is only for girls. I’m still trying to work out the significance behind this present………
Hey, Miss Sarah Morgan! How cool to have one of my favourite Presents authors here today. And what a great blog – but then as you pointed out, if guys didn’t say the wrong thing sometimes, most of the time, we’d have no story. I would rather have the stories
Actually your washing machine line made me think of White Palace, an old film with James Spader as an uptight lawyer who falls in love with older, working class woman Susan Sarandon. Housework isn’t her priority and from memory their first major fight is when he gives her a dust buster for her birthday as a ‘gentle’ hint. And then he’s completely bewildered when she goes ballistic. That scene really had the ring of truth to me! The new book sounds fab. But then all your books are fab!!!!
Love that so many of the guys we end up with *do* manage to say the right things most of the time — which is *why* we end up with them I guess. And even if the Presents heroes need a little work to get there, they always do
(p.s. I couldn’t resist adding that little video of Rhett Butler saying his famous line! And I also discovered that Han Solo’s “I know” line was an ad lib by Harrison Ford? He was supposed to say “I love you, too.”)
~Amy
Great blog post, Sarah! For me it’s Mr Darcy, that quintessential hero, who will always be a perfect example of a man saying exactly the wrong thing when he proposes to Lizzie Bennett, telling her that he loves her and wants to marry her despite the fact that her family is totally inferior to his and he’s really slumming it by mixing with her! That guy had a lot to learn. And of course, in the end, he got it right.
I LOVED Leandro and Millie’s story and I was thrilled earlier today when I saw it was a finalist in the Romantic Times Awards! Congratulations!!
Sarah, I *loved* Leandro’s story! He had me from the moment he started walking up those stairs! For anyone who hasn’t already read Sarah’s latest, please pick up a copy today (or order it online). This book says it all about the Presents line – deep and intense emotion, sizzling sexual tension and one yummy absolutely ‘hot’ alpha male. It would make the perfect stocking stuffer!
My husband is pure alpha male but I like to think I’ve softened him up quite a bit. He still has his spectacular alpha moments but he makes up for them superbly with roses and all the other good stuff that’s likely to make me melt. One of the make-up moments even involved a 4 day spur of the moment trip to Switzerland… a girl can’t stay upset for long after a gesture like that! (well, I couldn’t!) As for dialogue,… he used to tell me in our marriage the division of power was 80% for him and 20% for me. Some arguments and years later, I’m happy to say the division of power is now 51% for him and 49% for me. I don’t mind letting him have that extra one percent. It keeps the peace.
ps – yes please, do tell us about the toy rat!
I’m going to have to chime in here with yet another Han Solo quote – “You like me becase I’m a scoundrel. There aren’t enough scoundrels in your life.”
Amen to that!
Kate, Shrek is brilliant isn’t it? And I’m remembering that scene from that Steve Martin film – thinks, thinks, – Father of the Bride. The fiance gives her a blender. And of COURSE you’re right that if it’s a domestic appliance you happen to want, then it’s a perfect present. As for the toy rat story….. well, it really was my youngest who put it in the drawer…….it also went in my husband’s shoe, and his briefcase. In fact a toy rat is almost a domestic appliance in our house.
Hey Anna, so great to see you here! I don’t know White Palace, but I’ll look it up. I love Susan Sarandon.
Sarah, I adored this intense romance as you well know…..just keep them coming. xx
It’s a male thing. I was moaning about putting on weight the other day and my son said, ‘go on a diet then.” Not nastily at all, he was being logical, he explained, when I sat him down a few hours later for a little talk – if I felt I was putting on weight, maybe I should go on diet, or go to the gym, or all the other things I keep saying I will do – he really was bemused as to my response. Not any more – he knows now to say – “you haven’t put on weight!” Or, “you don’t need to go on diet!”
I am training him well!
Thanks for the great blog
Carolx
Yess!!!! I have this one on my Kindle!! (hangs head in shame that there are so many books on there I lose track…) I get to read it now!
There should be a show called ‘men say the darndest things’ and we could keep record of all their snazzy, obtuse one-liners…
Amy, thank you so much for adding that little Rhett fix for us all. You’re such a star! Are you serious that Harrison Ford added that bit himself? That’s so funny. I wonder how Carrie Fisher kept a straight face. I guess if he hadn’t already been frozen in carbonite she might have pressed the button herself.
Nicola, of COURSE Mr Darcy. How could I have forgotten that line about her being inferior. I saw the stage production of Pride and Prejudice last week and that line just makes you cover your eyes in disbelief. Elizabeth Bennett definitely should have availed herself of a toy rat if such a thing existed in those times. If not maybe a real rat….
Thanks for the congrats on the RT nomination – I’m so pleased.
Well, that’s how I missed it. I had preordered it, along with quite a few other December Presents releases and had never synced the thing to the internet to get them…was a bit distracted on Dec. 1st! LOL.
Jackie, yes, the scoundrel line – Brilliant – actually it’s his tone of voice that’s brilliant, isn’t it? I’m going to have to watch the whole series again now.
Lee, you’re story of your husbands shift from 80% to 51% made me smile. And any man who takes me to Switzerland on a romantic break can buy me a domestic appliance any time he wants – in fact he can fit out my whole kitchen. My husband did a spur of the moment romantic break when I was expecting our second child – we’d had vile, terrible weather (nothing new) and he drove me to the airport without telling me where we were going. Anyway, he’d booked four days in Malta in this amazing hotel and it was just brilliant.
Marilyn, I’m so pleased you loved Leandro, thank you so much.
Carol, you made me laugh with the weight comment. Actually, my kids laugh about the film Ice Age where they talk about the big bottom – only to Mammoths it’s a compliment. Anyone seen that one? I think it goes something like – Your butt is massive and she blushes and says ‘really? Thanks’
Sarah,
As a true Star Wars nerd, I can confirm what Amy said. Harrison Ford did ad lib that line.
It makes me think of the new Star Trek movie…when Kirk is with the Green Woman and she says “I think I love you.” To which he says, “That’s weird.”
I’ve read the first chapter of this book on eHarlequin, and will be buying it the next time I allow myself away from my manuscript–and into a bookstore. What a fantastic opening scene!
As for men… well, why would we want them if they behaved? What fun would that be? (Or so I tell myself!)
Barbara, thanks for that confirmation. It’s such a memorable line so thank goodness they left it in.
Maisey – so pleased you’ve found the book on your Kindle! I haven’t seen the Star Trek film, but that line sounds funny.
Forgot to say Congratulations to Abby and Kate for their RT nominations. Yay.
Sarah,
I love GWTW and Rhett’s line (never liked the sequel — it just didn’t seem to flow with the original).
My favorite of your books is “Sale or Return Bride.” I have read many of them but that is the one that I have re-read many times.
I have to be honest and say that in PGUW I did not like Leandro. In my mind I could not reconcile the Leandro from the first chapter with the Leandro who was caring and sensitive later on in the book. It just didn’t seem realistic to me that he could be so totally different and still be the same person. I really felt bad for Millie. She had a rough time of it — with her past, her sister and then with how Leandro treated her (in the past). He never got to know the “real” Millie until the latter part of the book.
Based on everyone’s comments here I need to re-read it to see if I “missed” something the first time. The book definitely was a very emotional love story.
I’m happy I found it too! I tried to buy it again, but Amazon stopped me.
The captcha is interesting today…got one with ‘nappies’ this one is ‘head-knocking enclose’
Maisey,
I was thinking about the line from Star Trek, too! There’s also a line in the bar when Kirk hits on Uhura and she makes a comment about him being a boy who only likes farm animals. And he says, “Well, not only.” Gotta love Chris Pine’s voice.
What is a ‘captcha’?
Sarah, you have to see White Palace, it’s about one of the sexiest films ever…x
You’re right of course Caitlin – it would be no fun at all if men said the right thing all the time (I don’t say the right thing all the time either, but I’m keeping quiet about that)
Lidia, you’re perfectly entitled to be honest and it would be unrealistic to expect every reader to love every book, although of course that’s what we authors would prefer!
I think the key point for me is that at the beginning of the book, Leandro has done nothing wrong in their relationship and he thinks the marriage is dead. Millie was the one who left him and Leandro’s feelings were deeply hurt by her lack of trust. Obviously at the point that their relationship disintegrated he had not understood the depth of her insecurity and therefore the apparent ease with which she abandoned their marriage. When Leandro offers Millie her old clothes he throws in a hurtful comment about them being useful for overnight guests because he is hurt himself and reacting to the pain she has caused him by her lack of trust – we all say things we don’t mean when we’re hurt or stressed – hence the blog! But what he is actually revealing is that he has kept all her clothes and has not moved on at all. She is his weakness and he hates that.
Barbara,
Their the random letters you have to type in to prove you aren’t spam.
Nicely censored on the line there too!! I love that part. Was a great movie.
Have to add this quote from the Holiday with Cameron Diaz and Jude Law: She says “Sex makes everything more complicated. Even not having it, because the not having it… makes it complicated.”
And his response, “That’s why it’s better to have it… some say.”
I’m going to have to order White Palace. This blog is costing me a fortune. I don’t remember the quote from the Holiday Maisey, but I do remember enjoying the film.
My captcha is saltiest won’t. Weird. At least we know it isn’t the editors who choose the words or mine would be ‘get on with your revisions.’
Sarah, what a great post.
I’ll be taking Leandro to bed with me tonight!
I’ve always been pretty sure that the expression ‘I put my foot in my mouth and said the wrong thing there’ was an expression invented first for men. And one man who certainly lives up to that is Chis O’Donnell in the movie The Bachelor when he proposed to Renee Zellweger. I remember the scene so well—the lovely dress she was wearing, the gorgeous restaurant and her romantic expectations, only for him to stick his big foot in his big mouth and say the most shocking thing in place of what should have been a romantic proposal.
If you’ve ever seen the movie I’m sure you’ll remember exactly what he said… Talk about ‘potty mouth’ LOL…
And your hero Leandro was no stranger to sticking his foot in his mouth. As I read the early chapters of the story I found myself shaking my head each time he said something insensitive. Though I wasn’t alarmed by his seemingly crassness. I’ve learned that Presents/Modern authors love to portray their heroes in that less-than-perfect light to begin with, as it helps to make the hero’s redemption all the sweeter. A technique you seem to have perfected in all your books.
Like India, my favourite book of yours is ‘Sale or Return Bride’ (followed very closely by ‘Million-Dollar Love-Child’) I must have read it at least three or four times. And I can’t count the amount of times I cringed at the things Sebastien said to Alesia, or the amount of times I wanted to smack him up-side the head. Proof of how good you are at making your heroes bad
Anna, you cannot take Leandro to bed because he’s taken and he would never be unfaithful to Millie – no, no no.
Merri, I can’t believe I’ve never seen The Bachelor but I don’t think I have so that’s another addition to my DVD collection which is growing fast with this blog. I can’t wait to watch that scene now.
Thanks for your lovely comments about Sale or Return Bride – Sebastien did have some classic lines, poor guy but I’m sure, given the time that has elapsed, he and Alessia might be mimicking Lee’s relationship by now although I’m not sure Sebastian would ever go as low as 51% in the division of power stakes.
Sebastien? Oh heavens no…maybe he’d give her 60-40.
That IS a great book, Sarah. 
Sarah, isn’t it nice to know so many of us have trained our men so well? Seriously, you’re right, of course! A Presents hero often says things that are impossible… but then he follows it up by giving the heroine his heart. Thank you for creating heroes we can love.
“A Presents hero often says things that are impossible… but then he follows it up by giving the heroine his heart.”
Beautiful quote Sandra.
Sarah,
I got the part about his keeping her clothes. What bothered me was his bringing other women into their home. I realize that he thought his marriage was over — she hurt him by not trusting him. However, he could have proved his innocence both chose not to (I understand that – there would be no story if he did — LOL).
Anyway, maybe I’m just old fashioned but the thought of Leandro with other women in his and Millie’s bed just…… It just goes to show how powerful your writing is.
Leandro, when he found out how insecure Millie was before and now more so after the addition of the scars, was such a protective, sensitive man — still alpha in all respects.
Any writer that can evoke lots of discussion about her characters/books is a great writer.
Terrific topic, Sarah! And oh my, yes, men do say the strangest thinigs. I think it’s bred in the bone because I’ve got three sons who are equally clueless and I really did try. But they’re good men, all of them, even though they stick their feet in occasionally. And besides, as you said, where would our stories be without what Kate Walker has called “emotionally inarticulate” heroes?
Must get back to mine. He’s about to do something dire, I fear. But at least he’s close to the end and can redeem himself shortly!
Ah men, what’s not to love?:-)) It’s part of their appeal, isn’t it, the ability to say exactly the wrong thing at the wrong time. It’s like some of them are born with foot in mouth disease. Lucky they can be trained (or at least pointed in the right direction).
I haven’t caught up with Leandros and Millie’s story yet, Sarah, something I intend to rectify as soon as this emotionally inarticulate hero(thank you Anne and Kate!:-)) I’m grappling with gets with the program and can be trusted back with my editor.
And it seems RT Nomination congratulations are in order! Abby, Kate and Sarah, congratulations! That is excellent news, and so well deserved. Cyber bubbles all around!
Brilliant blog, Sarah. All those repressed emotions surging beneath the surface, just waiting to be refined in the fire of his passion…
Carol, you must be the perfect mother. I hope your son is suitably grateful for your tactful little talk. If I’d said that about dieting to MY mum, I would have ended up in casualty!
Lidia, I feel the same way as you – I wouldn’t have wanted Leandro to take other women to his bed (although he did think the marriage was over and that Millie wasn’t coming back) and actually in that first scene, although it’s easy to assume he was about to do exactly that with the actress, he is also extremely irritated by her – almost having to grit his teeth as he drags her to the bedroom – so it’s entirely possible that he was going through the motions, thinking that he really ought to be getting on with his life rather than keeping himself on ice for a woman who didn’t want him – but when the time came, maybe he would have booted her out anyway, without Millie’s help. I think he would. This is such an interesting discussion actually – email me Lidia! sarah@sarahmorgan.com
Anne, I have two sons and I agree – sometimes it just seems embedded in the DNA, although they have a way of looking at me out of the corner of the eye, watching my reaction, thinking ‘is this going to send her ballistic??’
Foot in mouth disease, indeed, Trish but I’m sure you’re right, Christina, that it’s all about repressed emotions. And now I have to go and watch those movies I’ve been pointed towards….
Sandra, Annie is right – that is a beautiful quote – no wonder we love your writing. Thank you for that. And being given the heart of an alpha Presents man means a lot because we know they don’t give it away easily. Sigh……
Ahhh Sarah, this post sooo struck a chord! For my birthday after my husband and I started dating, he bought me a clothes organiser from IKEA! I was speechless. When I found my voice (days later) he redeemed himself by buying me a lovely ring. Needless to say, he hasn’t been allowed to live that down (even if I did need a clothes organiser). I have over the years tried to steer him toward the slightly softer, less harsh way of expressing himself, but really, I wouldn’t change him for the world!
Lovely, lovely post, btw and I loved reading Powerful Greek, Unworldly Wife, as I do all your books!
Maya
Maya, I am laughing so hard at your story of the clothes organiser – that is truly funny. Aren’t men sweet? And no, we certainly wouldn’t change them. Vive la difference!
So pleased you enjoyed Powerful Greek, Unworldly Wife.
Coming late to the party, but lovely post, Sarah, and Han Solo is one of my favorite heroes!! I love when he says ‘I know’–so perfect for his character.
Can’t wait to read Leandro and Millie’s story!
Sarah, I loved reading your piece ‘The Things Men Say..’ but perhaps it should also include the things men do – like the fact that following the birth of my third child, and with heavy hints about liking a Cartier bangle as a present for my birthday, I was gobsmacked to receive instead a wok – yes, a WOK that you use in the kitchen. It didn’t take him long to realise he’d made a BIG mistake. Anyway, I really loved Powereful Greek, Unwordly Wife and I thought Leandro was a totally yuumy guy in the book. I love everything you write as I really think you get under the skin of your characters and make them real. My favourite line in a film has to be in Jerry Maguire, when the character (played by Tom Cruise) tells the girl ‘You complete me…’ I love that line so much. More books please Sarah!!!
Suzzi, presumably he realised his mistake when you threw him into the wok and stir fried him with ginger and lots of chilli
So pleased you loved Powerful Greek, Unworldly Wife. And yes, that Jerry Maguire line is lovely. A shining example of man saying the RIGHT thing.
Sarah,
You put a totally different spin on that first chapter. i definitely need to go and re-read the book.
Yes, it is a very interesting topic and I will send you an email!
Not to be greedy or anything but when is your next book coming out?
Lidia, my next book for Harlequin Presents is Bought: Destitute yet Defiant, and it’s out in the US in March. It’s a Knight in shining armour story
Oh cool about the new book, Sarah. If it’s out in the US in March then I should be getting it in my next subscription package! And I love the title too!
Maya
Sarah,
What a fabulous title! I am very glad that the new titles are “different.” It was about time for a change from all of the “billionaire” titles.
You’ve got mail!
*sigh swoon* Knight in shining armor…can’t wait to check it out! It will be here in time for my Birthday!
I’ll buy it for me. Or maybe hubby will forgo the Hoover and buy me romance novels instead! LOL.
Security Words: Drovers Housewife. Makes me think of Hugh Jackman in Australia…and that is never a bad thing.
Maya and Lidia, the title is really appropriate because my heroine in that book is both destitute and defiant!
Maisey I’m laughing at the Hoover – and my security words are Mr jambs. I don’t know who he is but he doesn’t sound very sexy and he’s not starring in my next book. With a name like that he would certainly say the wrong thing
Mmm, interesting discussion.
I’m surprised no one’s mentioned Sean Connery as James Bond! He’s always saying the wrong thing!
“Ah, your hair’s changed colour again. I don’t mind, so long as collars and cuffs match!”
and
“Ooh, you’re all wet!”
to which Bond replies: “But my Martini is dry!”
Lauren, you’re so right – how could we have forgotten? I think we’ve all been distracted by Harrison Ford
One of my favourite James Bond lines is in Goldeneye when he and the female psychiatrist sent to assess him are in the car and she says (as he is driving like a maniac) ‘I love a spirited ride as much as the next girl’ and then ‘Who’s that?’ as the gorgeous Xenia (or whatever her name was) zooms past in her red, Harlequin Presents hero car, to which Bond replies ‘the next girl.’ Brilliant.
Pierce Brosnan was definitely the best Bond, IMO!
Fab discussion and sounds like a must-read book, Sarah.
You can never go wrong with Bond – there are so many on liners and yet I cannot think of one! However, I’ve always liked the last couple of lines of Bridget Jones’s Diary when she says something along the lines of : “Hang on nice boys don’t kiss like that” to which Mark Darcy replies: “Oh yes they f*****g do.”
Mulberry, I agree that Pierce Brosnan was a gorgeous Bond and he delivered humour so well. Goldeneye is one of my favourite Bond films, but I have to confess to being a Daniel Craig fan. I think he’s a tougher character and Quantum of Solace definitely provided some small inspiration for my next book, Bought: Destitute Yet Defiant which is a Knight in shining armour story (just posted an excerpt on my website!).
Janette, that one line from Bridget Jones’s Diary is so sexy isn’t it, particularly the way it is delivered by Colin Firth. I love that part where she’s standing in the snow in her knickers
Hi,
First one to come to mind is a sweet honest one said by Jonas Armstrong as Robin Hood – “I should never have left you, i should never have gone to war it was a mistake.”
I kind of found that one to be really meaningful.
And then there’s one by my own character who said to his heroin: ‘Even the complicated deserve the chance to be loved.”
Sorry i can’t come up with any more, I’m off to bed its late here.
Great topic, wish i could contribute more,
Kara
Hi,
First one to come to mind is a sweet honest one said by Jonas Armstrong as Robin Hood – “I should never have left you, i should never have gone to war it was a mistake.”
I kind of found that one to be really meaningful.
And then there’s one by my own character who said to his heroin: ‘Even the complicated deserve the chance to be loved.”
Sorry i can’t come up with any more, I’m off to bed its late here.
Great topic, wish i could contribute more,
Kara
Kara, thanks for stopping by – Jonas Armstrong is definitely yummy and that’s a great line you’ve written! I couldn’t agree more – the complicated definitely deserve a chance to be loved, or so I keep telling my long suffering husband
My security words are quickly vampire – (??!!) clearly someone has been watching Twilight and is living in hope
I think JR Ward had a line in one of her books where Vishous was making a commentary to the effect that nothing said love like giving his woman a high-tech security system.
I laughed out loud, because that’s exactly the way my husband thinks. For Mother’s Day, he gave me a backup hard drive. Um….what? Seriously??
For our tenth anniversary, he tried to give me a bike. I said NO and made him take me out to an expensive dinner.
Sometimes, I think you have to tell them what you want.
A backup hard drive??? I rest my case Michelle.
Mind you, if you lost all your work you’d go demented so the gift was probably a sanity saver for him.
And I agree – you have to say what you want in this life, or how are they going to know?
Thanks for sharing that – made me smile.
Oh, oh! I got a bike too one year when I admitted to my husband I didn’t know how to ride one. It’s still in the shed. He pumps the tires once a year and hopes for the best, LOL!
Maya
Pumping the tyres is good exercise Maya – for him
Hi,
Wow, hopeful of Edward well I guess your husband has a lot to compete with
Hope you find it funny.
My mind drew a blank last night only this morning did I realised how many lines are out there that men say, a particular fav of mine and a defiant compliment I hope that I won’t get in trouble for saying this but it was a typical male thing to say.
And to top it off it was said by as a real live guy, my older brother.
I gave him a portion of my book to read one night and when he had finished reading it I nervously asked his opinion, and he turned to his wife before leaving the room, ‘Honey I’m going for a cold shower.’ both his wife and I were gob founded then we bust out laughing it is outlandish but I must say no compliment has beaten it since.
I guess I can write
Kara.C
Very funny Kara, thanks for sharing
It’s become a cliche these days, but Tom Cruise in Jerry McGuire…’you had me from hello’. Meltingly romantic, makes me go soft every time.
Joanne, that’s definitely an example of man saying the right thing!