Recently, I was inspired by Eventbrite to do a post about who I would choose if I got to plan my perfect panel of authors or characters.
Eventbrite is the largest self-service ticketing platform in the world that helps people find and plan events. Their conference management page is a great resource. For instance, I know I have some readers in the Chicago area – you can find some great local events here. Or how about Houston? Seattle?
Now, the first thought that popped into my head? I’ve already had the absolute pinch-me-please dream come true of being able to see that perfect panel of authors come to life.
I’m quite sure you remember me talking about the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat that I co-coordinated this past August (with dear friends Annie JC and Bonnie Roof) and one of the highlights for me was the author panels! We had three panels, with six authors each, covering everything from getting to know the authors more personally to talking about their imaginary friends (aka their characters) to my personal favorite – Kissing in Books 🙂
L-R: Carrie Turansky, Jennifer Slattery, Gabrielle Meyer, Laura Frantz, Jan Drexler, Myra Johnson
L-R: Pepper Basham, Ruth Logan Herne, Melanie Dickerson, Janet Dean, Kristi Ann Hunter, Julie Lessman
L-R: Carrie Fancett Pagels, Mesu Andrews, Dani Pettrey, Becky Wade, Kara Isaac, Sarah Monzon
Now, of course, I could easily come up with more authors for another perfect panel or three (and … ahem … details on next year’s CFRR are coming soon!) but I thought – since I was given the option of characters too – it would be fun to put together my idea of the perfect book boyfriend panel! And yes, I would pass out fans. Possibly fainting couches. 🙂
Panelist #1: Nick Sheridan, from Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin
Author’s Inspiration: Colin Farrell
“Nick Sheridan had the posture of a soldier, the ease of a cowboy, and the daring of a pirate.”
Panelist #2: Reese Mitchell from A Twist of Faith by Pepper Basham
Author’s Inspiration: Hugh Jackman
“His jaw line was shaded by a five o’clock, no, more like ten o’clock shadow. Midnight hair tossed in a disarray of curls topped his head and spilled over his forehead, enhancing a pair of chocolate brown eyes.”
Panelist #3: Charlie Lionheart from The Lady and The Lionheart by Joanne Bischof
Author’s Inspiration: I don’t know who he is but he’s yummy 🙂
“His large hand smoothed back the infant’s blonde curls, arm cradling her as if the simple touch might hold at bay all that could step in and separate them.”
Panelist #4 – Ty Porter from Meant to Be Mine by Becky Wade
Author’s Inspiration: I don’t know about Becky but I picture Ty as Matthew McConaughey.
“He could look into your eyes and without saying a word assure you that you were the most fascinating woman in the world and call you beautiful in six languages.”
Panelist #5 – James MacDonald (aka #myJames) from Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano
Author’s Inspiration: Henry Cavill
“Handsome enough she took a second look and immediately wished she hadn’t been so obvious about it. His grin made her heart do things it was certainly not intended to do.”
Panelist #6: Carl Richards from A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund
Author’s Inspiration: I think we all agree the guy on the cover is spot on
“He wiped his thumb across the trail of her tears. ‘If I could, I would get the whole world for you.'”
Image Sources: PinterestWhat about you? What questions would you want the book boyfriends on my panel to answer? Who would be on your dream book boyfriend panel?
SWOON… It may be a long time before I can recover after seeing all this handsomeness 😉
Haha!
So I haven’t read A Noble Groom, but I like the rest of your lineup. Especially Reese and Charlie!! I’d have to add Matt Jareau from My Stubborn Heart. Gray from Her One and Only…and Candyman from Ronie Kendig’s Beowulf.
Oooo yes! Good ones!
I’m positively incoherent. Will have to answer later 🙂
RIGHT!? 🙂
Haha!!
Oh no, I forgot Vance and Lawry!
Ahhhh!!!! Yes!!!
Whoa…Nice collection of “book boyfriends” they are so fun to look at 🙂
Mmmmhmmmm
Swoon! *plop Looks around, dazed.
LOL
Love this!! And I giggled over your caption for Charlie… 🙂
I’ve been devouring some Laura Frantz and Lori Benton books lately so if I were to add some gents to the panel, it would be Two Hawks and Captain Jack. *sigh*
Mmmmm hmmmm excellent choices!
Colin from An Elegant Façade! I love his sense of humor and they kindness he showed Georgina even when he thought he didn’t like her.
Yes!!
Hahaha, they are all tall, dark and handsome, I see a trend here….
Hmmmm…. LOL
I am totally with you girl, you chose some great ones; Ty Porter and Reese Mitchell being at the top of my list. But a recent swoonie would be Levi Harding from Nicole Deese’s “The Promise of Rayne” and I will never forget Brock Kelly from Jennifer Rodewald’s “Red Rose Bouquet”.
Ooooo yes!!! Excellent additions!
There wouldn’t be enough paper to write down all my book crushes. ❤️?
Heehee me too
Well, I think y’all have it about covered! If I add any more, none of us will get anything done today. LOL I had to get out my heavy-duty hurricane fan as it is–unfortunately the little hand fan didn’t help much! I also had to wait until my husband was out of the room before replying to this post. 😀
Bwhahahaha!!!!!
Can I please say how much this response had me laughing!!?? Love it!
haha! I know – me too!
Love it! I haven’t read them all, but they look like good inspiration as I start new books!
Heeheehee! Yes!
So much Tall-Dark-Handsome!
Where’s my fainting couch?
Haha!
Reading this post and responses, I suddenly feel so much younger! It makes me giggle.
LOL yay!!
I’m sure there are other wonderful book boyfriends out there but I’ve lost all coherent thought. I need to sit down before I faint! LOL !!! Great blog Carrie. Keep me posted on the next CFRR.
hahahaha!!! Imagine trying to write the thing! 😉
I’d love to do it, Carrie! Nick is still a favorite . . . He lived in my head a long time before he found a home in Until I Found You <3 <3 Happy Thanksgiving — I just put the turkey in the oven and am off to clean some green beans 🙂
What a great job you have! 😀
Love this post! I had to come back and look again 😉
hahaha!
As if I couldn’t love Ty Porter anymore than I already do! I didn’t picture him as Matthew but I can say I don’t mind. 😉
Hahaha!
I have to add Marcus O’Malley from Dee Henderson’s O’Malley Family series and Sam Lewis from JoAnn Durgin’s Lewis Legacy series!
Ohhh yes! Excellent choices!
This post is so much fun! Excellent and swoon-worthy choices, Carrie!
thanks 😀