10/06/2011

He wears a power tie and suit. He's driven, handsome and thirty-something. And did I mention he's very rich?






Hot enough to make the cover of a romance novel don't you think?

Fashion designer, Gucci revitalizer, and icon Tom Ford. During Ford’s tenure he took Gucci's value from almost nothing to $4.3 billion. Ford later left Gucci and founded his own fashion house. The Tom Ford line now sells men’s and women’s clothing and accessories in the United States, Europe, and Canada.

From millionaires to billionaires, these men represent all that is right and wrong with the world today. But oh how they fascinate us!


Hi, I'm Jillian Stone, your friendly blog hostess! I first met Cat Schield through the Golden Heart finalist loop in 2010. We both went on to win our respective categories and now I am a co-host with her on Get Lost in a Story. In celebration of Cat's second Harlequin Desire release, A WIN-WIN PROPOSITION, the man-topic for today has to do with the businessman as hero.

Whether these romance heroes are billionaires, CEO's, hedge fund operators, investment bankers, geek entrepreneurs, stock brokers, corporate raiders or commodities brokers, they are some of the most popular heroes in contemporary romance.

Is our fascination with these men all about the money? I think not. In fact, it seems to me these driven, workaholic protagonists have as much or more to prove than vampire slayers, British peers, Navy Seals or detectives!

According to Business Pundit, some men are lucky enough to have it all: success, looks, status, and money. Other men are just plain hot. They searched the web and found the creme de la creme of hot businessmen to make up their list of the 25 Hottest Men of Business, which includes a fair share of movie/media related celebrities. Although not everyone is well known, each man is successful in both the business and looks department. So which one of these studly biz hunks lights your fire? For all twenty-five men go to http://www.businesspundit.com/25-hottest-men-of-business/

And people say these businessmen only exist in the minds of romance authors. HA!


For those of you who didn't click to the web article, suffice to say the list of hotty businessmen runs the gamut from the 27 year old CEO of Swiss Media Group, to real estate moguls, movie stars, entertainers and of course a few ad (mad) men!

For example there is 24-year-old Stavros Niarchos III, heir to a Greek shipping dynasty that once pitted his grandfather against Aristotle Onassis.



Like something a bit more traditional? How about Gymboree CEO Matthew McCauley, who is only 33 years old?

Perhaps you prefer the geek genius type, or the ultra masculine? How about the talented designer, Johnathan Ive, Senior Vice President of Industrial Design at Apple. Or Dana White, president and co-owner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship?




Workaholics do it 24-7


According to Harlequin's website, readers agree that: 'British billionaire heroes are incredibly appealing and provide an imaginative escape from the everyday.' Shall we explore that thought?

Two wealthy gentlemen come to mind. One of them is the nineteenth century fictional Fitzwilliam Darcy, with his permanent frown and six thousand a year. The other is billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, who along with former vice president Al Gore is offering a $25 million prize to anyone who can come up with a way to blunt global climate change by removing at least a billion tons of carbon dioxide a year from the Earth's atmosphere.














Have all these fabulous successful men put you in the mood for a little romance? Really, how could they not?




A Win-Win Proposition
4.5 Stars from Romantic Times

Cat Schield
Release date: October 2011
Harlequin Desire
Available now from eHarlequin, Barnes & Noble
or Amazon

Winner takes all. Sebastian Case relies on his irreplaceable assistant for everything. But since arriving in Vegas for a conference, mousy Missy has transformed herself. From ordinary to ravishing. From modest and reserved to bold and sensual. And Sebastian, who’d barely noticed she was a woman, finds himself dazzled by her allure.

Now she’s quitting and Sebastian will do anything to keep her. Including accepting her outrageous bet. One spin of the wheel–black and she’ll stay…red and Sebastian owes her one night of passion. What can he lose, except maybe his heart?

We have yet another other Win-Win Proposition for you!

Ready to chat about the businessman as an icon of wealth, status and hotness? We do hope you have a personal favorite! Add your two cents to the businessman hero comments and you may win a copy of A WIN-WIN PROPOSITION or a $15.00 Amazon gift certificate to purchase the hottie business man film of your choice, or another Cat Schield romance!

***Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only. If an Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) is available, the author may utilize that option for International participants. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.

A personal favorite business-guy is Ben Affleck in the movie The Company Men. Is it just me, or is Ben Affleck hotter than ever?





It rained all day today in California. A word about Steve Jobs.

It is fitting, perhaps, to say just a few words about a brilliant entrepreneur who co-created, and headed the most innovative computer technology/media company in the world. Apple. In 2005 Steve gave what is now a very famous commencement speech at Stanford, he ended the speech with a story about the last issue of The Whole Earth Catalogue: "On the back cover of the final issue of the magazine was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: 'Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.' It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you."
Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.


16 comments:

  1. Congrats, Cat!

    So here are my two favorites: Richard Branson. And of course on a day like today I'm thinking about Steve Jobs, a great hero for all time!

    All the best to you, Cat, with the new release A WIN-WIN PROPOSITION!

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  2. I was sadden to hear of Steve Jobs passing. He was definitely a visionary. I find the idea of a self made man very attractive, especially someone like Bill Gates because of his charitable work.

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  3. What a wonderful blog, Jillian. Steve Jobs was taken from us much too soon. I love your tribute to him. Cat, best wishes on another fabulous release week.

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  4. Hi Cat. The book sounds delightful. Can't wait to read it. Congrats on the release! And though I might have a different take on what a sexy guy looks like (sorry Branson and Affleck, you're not on my list) I sure can appreciate the beauty of an Adonis in an expensive suit. You are totally right, Cat. Sometimes clothes truly can bring out the "Va-voom" in a male.
    Happy Thursday. Thanks for the post.
    Linda

    www.lindathomas-sundstrom(dot)com

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  5. Great post, Jillian!
    Continued Happy Release, Cat!

    I've always told the young women growing up around me (including my daughters) that money can't buy you love. But honey, if you date someone with money...you might just fall in love. LOL

    ~Angi

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  6. Great choices in the pictures you posted.
    Most of the bosses I've personally observed didn't fit the bill as a romance candidate. But there was one - he was from Sweden - blond, 6'4", very nice - need I say more (but he was happily married with children - that just made him more attractive).

    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  7. I love businessman heroes! Quite possibly my favorite...

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  8. Wow, Jill!! What a great post. Makes me love what I do just that much more!!

    I was so sad to hear about Steve Jobs. As a Mac lover I can't help but appreciate all that man did! Apple is really going to miss him!

    Thanks everyone for celebrating my release week! It has been incredible.

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  9. Jillian: Your tribute to Steve Jobs gave me goosebumps. Actually... everything about Steve Jobs and his technological seize-the-day spirit gives me goosebumps.

    When I was a girl I had a huge crush on John F. Kennedy, Jr.

    Cat: Congrats, again, on your new release! : )

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  11. Successful businessmen simply exude power not just in the boardroom but in their demeanor. They seem polished, strong and if they have an edge, dangerous. Ben Affleck and Hugh Jackman and Leonard DiCaprio are some men who can clean up nicely in their roles.

    Cambonified (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  12. Thanks, everyone! This was an intriguing blog to pull together and Steve Jobs provided plenty of inspiration. His death was a stark reminder how important entrepreneurial innovation is to this country! He was truly a businessman hero!

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  13. Patrick J. Adams and Gabriel Macht from the TV show Suits hot guys.

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  14. Happy release week, Cat! I meet a lot of businessmen in my day job life... believe me, a few of them could make it into some of Cat's books :)

    Congrats again!

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  15. Great blog, Jillian and Cat! I love a man with power!
    I thought it was very bittersweet that Jobs was take a day after the frist press conference without him at Apple. Like he has officially passed the torch on to the next generation!

    Congrats again on the new release!

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  16. Happy Release Day, Cat. I love a sexy businessman

    Tammy Y

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