May Hotties Poll

Anyone who knows me knows I am not a sport fan, with the exception of Formula One motor racing. And the last sport on earth I'll actually consider sitting though an entire game of is golf. That said, I'm reconsidering my position on this sport ... and this is why:


German Martin Kaymer:

Australian Adam Scott:

Californian Rickie Fowler:

Italian Matteo Manassero:

US player Steve Stricker:

Australian Jason Day:

Colombian Camilo Villegas:

And the #1 ranked golfer in 2011, Englishman Luke Donald:

It's actually going to be a pretty tough call this month. Unlike our previous poll which was a total walk-over for A Man Called Valance.

Man of the Year poll

If you've been following the Minxes for a while, you'll know that every month this year we've treated you to our luscious favourites--the men we've painstakingly researched to bring to you, our lovely blog readers.

So with a man from every month we now bring you the ultimate in pin up calendars: The Minx Guide to Buffness!!

Mr January is Ireland's Jonathan Rhys Meyers.





Mr February is Wales's Ioan Gruffud.






Mr March is Scotland's John Barrowman.





Mr April is England's Daniel Craig.

In May we brought you the medical fave Jesse Williams.

In June it was policeman fave Chris O'Donnell.

In July Daniel Gillies.

August's winner was fast moving F1 racer Jenson Button.

September brought about the first ever tie between Usain Bolt and Oscar Pistorius.

The last months of the year brought us Rugby Union fave Sonny Bill Williams.








And last month's fave, another Kiwi, was Jared Waerea-Hargreaves

 The poll is now up and we're looking for the Man of the Year so please help us with your votes. And yes, greedy Minxes who always want more than one--there's only ONE vote per person!!

Exceeding Expectations

Since it's still Friday in most parts of the world, this blog post isn't technically late. Much.

I would have posted something earlier, but I got caught up watching a Christmas movie. You know, one of those made-for-TV movies that appear at this time of year, with not a single familiar face in the cast and a predictable story line? As you might have guessed, I'm not a big fan of these kinds of movies. [Give me The Proposal any day!] But this one really hooked me.

It was called A Christmas Kiss. Romance readers will recognise the story line as a tried and tested theme: girl kisses hot guy, then finds out he's her bosses' boyfriend. Okay, so the usual trope would be he turns out to be the boss, so the movie makers at least managed to put a fresh spin on this one.

What I enjoyed about this movie was that it has a fresh, young, contemporary feel, and wasn't too schmaltzy. Whether you adore every holiday themed movie out there, or whether you're more picky like me, watch this film. It's guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

There was only one thing I didn't quite like about this film, and it was only as the end credits rolled that I finally worked out what it was. The hero.

As a romance writer, I've diligently studied what makes a good romantic hero, and I've developed my own ideas of how a hero (especially an alpha hero) should behave. And it's spoiled me. I can no longer sit back and enjoy a book or movie without constantly measuring up the hero against my own very high expectations.

A hero who manages to get through an hour and a half of TV time not realising that his girlfriend is a witch spelled with a B, and in all that time doesn't realise that the girl he kissed right at the start of the movie is the heroine, just doesn't measure up for me.

So I'm going to dig out my battered copy of The Proposal and remind myself how a true alpha hero behaves. Because Ryan Reynolds always exceeds my expectations - especially when he's shirtless.

Brotherly Love

Okay, I confess... I'm a sucker for a handsome clutch of brothers. There's something charismatic and sexy about a bevvy of good looking brothers, especially when they are close friends too. They form their own little club that you desperately want to be a part of, you know? Or even better, be the little sister of!

I'll start with an obvious bunch. Girls, brace yourselves for this photo on a Monday Morning, it's a treat... the Walker boys from 'Brothers & Sisters'. Hand on heart, I searched for a photo with shirts on, and without Rob Lowe and Gilles Marini, but I just couldn't seem to find one... ;o)

Can you remember what we were talking about before you looked at that? No... me neither....
*cough* Brothers. I loved the dynamic of the brotherly relationships on Brothers & Sisters, they were all very different characters but fiercely loyal to each other when the chips were down. And they all adored their mum, which only serves to make them even more swoonsome. I miss the Walkers.


Next up, a movie clan - the Ludlow trio from Legends of The Fall. I can't say enough about how much I love this film, and much of my adoration stems from the strength of the fraternal relationship between Tristan, Samuel and Alfred. Again, three completely contrasting characters, and I find myself sympathising with all of them. It's such a beautiful, tragic love story about one woman who is lucky enough to love them all, but one more than the others. Sweeping, and epic, it sums up brotherly love with aching clarity. I think I know it almost word for word, and still can't make it to the end without crying. That scene on the porch with Alfred & Tristan gets me every time... "You say that again and we're not brothers."

It should be noted that I managed to talk about Legends of the fall without waxing lyrical about Brad Pitt. It was hard. 

And lastly, a clan from the world of Romance novels - The Bennett brothers, courtesy of the fabulous  Kelly Hunter.
I love Kelly's romances anyway, but the Bennett brothers books really shone for me.
Red Hot Renegade with serious eldest brother Jacob Bennett was utterly gorgeous, a really fresh slant on a reunion story. And then came Pete, the flirty hero helicopter pilot on a lush greek island. I loved him!
Not to mention super sexy Luke... If you haven't had the pleasure of the Bennett brothers, put them on your Christmas list, you won't be disappointed.

Can you add to our Monday morning list of beautiful brothers?

Man of the Month: Rugby heroes

*The lucky winner of Kate Walker's giveaway is TashNZ. If you would like to contact us via the blog, we will pass your details on to Kate, congratulations!!*

And from a winner in New Zealand, we move seemlessly on to today's Man of the Month poll. With the quarter finals of the World Cup coming up this weekend, what other types of heroes could there possibly be this month? As this is the Rugby Union World Cup, I wonder if the Minxes will let me do another rugby heroes post next month to celebrate the Rugby League Four Nations cup next month? Ahem ... perhaps not :-{

So with 8 teams left in the competition, let's have a look at some of the talent.

From the home nation, New Zealand, Dan Carter. I'm reliably informed by the lovely Jackie Ashenden that New Zealand is a country in mourning as Dan is injured and can play no further part in the World Cup :-{

Now this guy on the left, Sonny Bill Williams, I know a little about as he played rugby league before defecting to the 15 man game {for those who are interested, there are only 13 players on each team in rugby league}.



From England we have the ever youthful Jonny Wilkinson, he seems to have been playing *forever*. Just as Dan Carter is New Zealand's favourite, so Jonny has English hearts--and not just those who enjoy his skill on the pitch!!

On the right is a guy, James Haskell, I'm so glad Romy Minx suggested for this poll because he looks as though he has great ball skills!!





And from South Africa, we have a man I am reliably informed is as nice in person as he is looking! Percy Montgomery. Not that I am picking pictures solely on how many clothes these rugby players have on {or off!!} but he is the blond guy without the top :-}




Also South African is Victor Matfield, I think he looks like a perfect Presents hero *saves picture in hero file*.



From Italy, who sadly are no longer in the competition, but perhaps it will give Sergio Parisse more time to have such excellent pictures taken!! In his spare time, Sergio models for Dolce & Gabbana.

And finally, last but definitely not least, here is Argentinian Juan Martin Hernandez who I managed to find while taking time to fully research and perfect this post {I know, my attention to detail is admirable!!}.

I should take the time to let you know that last month's poll was a dead heat between the fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt and the fastest man on no legs Oscar Pistorius. Incredibly apt and a wonderful result :-}

Man of the Month Poll: English Hotties

As April is Royal Wedding month, and everyone who loves royal romances and big white weddings (i.e. our blog readers) has their focus on England, we're bringing you a selection of the finest England has to offer this month. I'll admit I was surprised to find just how many hot Englishmen are out there. If you believe they're mostly weak chinned and pale, then this lot will prove you wrong ...

First up is a man I've met in person, and I can attest to the fact that he's not just lovely in looks .... Daniel Craig.

If you like your heroes even darker and more dangerous than 007, then how about Stephen Moyer of True Blood fame?

The English do dark and brooding very well ... take your pick of Ben Barnes or Rufus Sewell ...

Or if you prefer softer and more gentlemanly, then how about Mr Darcy?

No English Hottie poll would be complete with these gorgeous blue eyes ...

Or these gorgeous green ones ...

And finally, a choice of two young adrenalin-junkies: Jensen Button and Lewis Hamilton.

My apologies if you were hoping to see Robbie Williams or David Beckham in here, but I had to be a little selective or this post would just keep on going ...

Who do you think should be Man of the Month? You know what to do ... the poll is in the right sidebar.

And the winner is: Jonathon Rhys-Meyers

Last week we announced JRM as the winner of our Irish hotties poll. Since he got my entire vote, I happily volunteered to do this tribute post.
 

We bloggers often joke about the heavy research we put in to bring you these blog posts. (Of course it's a joke, because we love it!) But sometimes research can also lead you to dark places you'd rather not go.

For example, I loved JRM in Bend it Like Beckham, sighed over him in August Rush, and thought that his performance of Henry VIII in The Tudors was the best I've ever seen, because he captured the mercurial, young, adventurous King who attracted such devotion, rather than the bloated, slightly mad king who is usually portrayed.

But as I did my research and read news articles about JRM I discovered another side of him: the bad boy side.

So I'd love to know from everyone who voted for him last month - what appealed to you most? His hypnotic blue eyes, his boyish good looks, his movie roles or his bad boy image?

This month's Welsh hottie poll looks like it's going to be a much more closely contested race. If you haven't already voted, please head over to our right sidebar and place your vote. Pictures of the contenders can be found here.

The Ultimate Romantic Hero

As promised, here is the Minxy version of the poll to see which male celebrity is the Ultimate Romantic Hero. Please vote in the poll section on the right sidebar. The poll will stay up for a full week, so feel free to send your friends over to cast their votes.

To assist you in your choice, the Minxes have kindly assembled the reasons why we think each man is a worthy candidate. (Or in other words, here's the eye candy, dear blog readers).

Jo C's choice is Gilles Marini. I've decided to play it safe with this picture, but feel free to google 'Gilles Marini shower' and enjoy the view.

Jo P's choice is Josh Holloway, in his role as the delectable Sawyer.

Lacey's choice is Orlando Bloom (yum!)

Lorraine's choice is James Bond himself: Daniel Craig.

Maya's choice (no, for a change it's not Henry Cavill!) is Joe Flanigan of Stargate Atlantis fame.

Romy's choice is Aussie, Simon Baker. (And I must tell you, it was a tough choice. There are a lot of wonderful contenders out there).

Sally's choice is yet another Aussie, Hugh Jackman (and she insisted he had to be wearing nothing but a towel!)

And last, but most certainly not least, Suzanne's choice is Colin Firth, preferably as the wet-shirted Darcy.

Don't forget to check back here next week to see who the winner is.