Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Welcome Guest Blogger Anne McAllister!
Men in Suits
A couple of weeks ago Exploding Cigar guest blogger Jeannie Watt wrote about “what makes a cowboy good hero material?” And frankly I could go on and on about that from both literary and personal experience. I grew up around cowboys and I imprinted on one at an early age. And I totally understand what the core of the “cowboy fantasy” is all about.
But there are other fantasies out there and one of them is about “Men In Suits.” It hasn’t always been an immediate turn-on for me because the world of business isn’t necessarily a turn-on for me.
But give me the right hero and I’m a goner. For me the “right” tycoon hero is generally a lone wolf who has made it without ever losing his lone-wolf status. He is successful but isolated.
My most recent hero, Spence Tyack, in The Boss’s Wife For A Week (Harlequin Presents, October 2007) is a case in point.
He’s a guy from the wrong side of the tracks, who started in a deep hole financially and with a dysfunctional and angry family. He has battled back, has left that behind and is the epitome of the “self-made man.”
He’s strong, he’s intelligent, he’s determined, he’s in control.
But he’s also wounded. And he’s alone. Very much alone.
My heroine, Sadie Morrissey, is probably the only person who can change that. She’s known him all her life. She’s probably loved him that long, too. Not that he’s noticed. Or maybe he hasn’t noticed that he’s noticed – consciously.
She understands the wounds. She may possibly be able to heal them, to heal him, to open him up to a greater world than his success has brought him. But to do it she has to risk her heart. And ultimately so does he.
What happens between them in their story could happen in a cowboy story. It could happen in a military story. But it happens here because there are certain parts of the “men in suits” fantasy that lend themselves to this sort of story and its appeal.
Part of the tycoon appeal comes from the attributes I’ve already mentioned: he’s strong, intelligent, determined, in control. The Suit is the quintessential Alpha Male. He is A Success. And it’s clear from his wealth (he’s a tycoon after all) that he is capable and powerful and A Leader.
His suit tells you that. So do his surroundings. A few days ago on the Pink Heart email list, Ally Blake explained the appeal this way: “I have a thing for guys in suits... They're like walking aphrodisiacs! The slick hair, the shiny shoes, the neat tailoring, barking into their mobile phones, Masters of the Universe. Mmmm...”
And then she went on to say, “Then when you have a guy in a suit as a hero and we get to see him in jeans and a t-shirt for the first time...”
Ah, yes, things begin to change. We start to see the man beneath the trappings. We see that beyond the facade there is a human being. Sometimes getting him out of that suit takes things to the next level.
In the same discussion, Tricia Jones said, “I love a hero who (thinks) he has his life wrapped up nice and tight, everything strictly ordered and controlled, and then the heroine comes along and messes it all up. Fabulous!”
That’s Spence and Sadie to a T. And they are certainly not unique in their appeal. In fact, I think in those two quotes we find the core appeal of this fantasy.
Romances with Men In Suits are stories about powerful men who meet women who are their equals. If thirty years ago there was a sort of Cinderella story appeal to the Men In Suits fantasy where the man was All-Powerful and came along and rescued his faitful secretary from her dreary existence, that’s not the case today. Today this fantasy is about strong men whose lives collide with strong women who meet them toe-to-toe, nose-to-nose, and challenge the world the tycoon has created.
They are women who upset his apple cart, who they get under his skin. Their very presence is his world forces him to rethink, to regroup, to fight a new fight and ultimately discover a new world, bigger than his old one – a world that includes the heroine.
There were, in the “old days” stories about those Men In Suits and their women, too. You have only to check out the old Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn films to prove it (and it isn’t until this minute that I wonder if my subconscious might have helped name Spence after Mr Tracy!).
Suffice to say that I’ve found that Men In Suits can be incredibly appealing (especially ones like my Spence who strip off that suit to great advantage!).
These are men who seem to have everything – except love – in their lives. Their suit is like their armor. The right woman can find a way to the man inside.
So tell me, What do you guys think about Men In Suits? Pros? Cons? Great examples?
I’ve always particularly enjoyed the Men In Suits that Jayne Ann Krentz writes about. What about you? Got any favorites? Please share them. And for more discussion about the issue, check out my blog
I’ll be picking someone from among the commenters (don't forget, you must be a registered user to qualify!) today who will win a copy of The Boss’s Wife For A Week, so don’t be shy.
»
Glitches
Naturally this would be the time that my own blog is misbehaving. Starting on Sunday I couldn't send uploads to it, so I haven't been able to post my "further discussion" of "men in suits." Sorry. I'll keep trying and let you know when it will go up.
Anne
Hi Anne
I Always loved men in suits from the time I was a little girl. I still do. There is just something about a classy man in a suit and tie that really makes me melt. Maybe it's because I grew up in a working class family where, none of the men wore suits, unless they were hog tied. Who knows. I just know that I love to see a man in a suit, especially if he is well groomed and has broad shoulders and a nice smile.
I'm in the middle of reading your book now Anne so, please count me out for the drawing for your book. I'll be sure to let you know what I think of Spence and Sadies story just as soon as I'm finished reading it.
Have a great week, Hugs, Mads:)
Hog-tied
Mads, I think there are some members of my own family who would have to be hogtied to wear a suit. But my own dear husband spent 3 years in a New England boarding school and 4 years at an ivy league university where he had to wear a coat and tie every day. He still wears them from the time he gets up until he goes to bed, unless he mows the lawn or is working on the car. It's his "uniform" and he feels comfortable in it (even the tie! Can't imagine!). When we got married he was in the Navy and had 14 long sleeve broad cloth dress shirts all of which needed IRONING. We had no money to speak of, but believe me, I sent those suckers out to be washed and ironed. I'd have worked overtime to do it!
Anne
Class
Hi Mads
I think there is a fascination with men in suits if the men you know are primarily blue collar. It's the "fantasy" aspect, I suppose. We KNOW our men, but "those" men in suits are somehow exotic and other and appealing because they are mysterious.
Hope you enjoy the rest of Spence and Sadie! Thanks for letting me know you're reading it.
Anne
Men in Suits
There's something about a buttoned up man coming unbuttoned (both literally and figuratively) that is very sexy.
A man in a suit is the equivalent of "a lady in the parlour and a strumpet in the bedroom".
There's something about their losing control that just zings!!
And Spence sounds as if he could definitely become unbuttoned!!
ani
Ani, I love it! Yes, Spence
Ani, I love it! Yes, Spence is definitely the sort who comes "unbuttoned." And undone. And that loss of control is amazing. I am sure that's the appeal. At least it is for me! And I love the "lady in the parlour, strumpet in the bedroom" analogy. I wonder if that will happen in my current book -- about another Suit, albeit one with sand between his toes from years on the beach.
Anne
Mmmm...
I agree with Ani--I love how spiffy (what a silly word!) men look when suited up, and then how fun and delicious to find out what is under the buttons and jacket and tie. And it doesn't hurt when they are just as appealing out of their suits as in them.
A favorite is one of Nora Roberts' MacKade brothers--Jared, the attorney.
Jared
Oooh, thanks for reminding me about Jared. Yes, he was pretty delish. So was Phillip from her Chesapeake series, though I have to admit, in that one I like Cam the best. But Phil was a great alternative.
Anne
AHEM!!
I hate to break it to you but Ethan Quinn was THE hero in that series!
ani
aka LadyEthanQuinnisMINEdammit at Nora's site
Ethan. No, Cam!
Well, gee, Ani, you're welcome to him. I'll take Cam any day!
Anne
As ani knows, but just to be on record...
Phillip is mine. Mine mine mine. He's my favorite all time Nora hero. And he wears a suit!
;)
Sam
Cam, Phillip and Ethan
Right, well, there you see -- something for everyone. Ani can have Ethan, Sam can have Phillip and I'll take Cam. And I might take Seth while I'm at it, but it feels a little like cradle robbing!
Anne
Do tell
Please tell me who these men are you're fighting over. lol I think Ani is gonna knock someone out real soon;)
Cam, Phillip and Ethan
Jibby,
Cameron, Phillip and Ethan Quinn are the heroes of a trilogy of books by Nora Roberts. I believe the books were called Sea Swept, Rising Tides and Inner Harbor, though which had which hero, I couldn't tell you. They were all adopted sons of a couple who had pulled them out of adolescent disaster and given them a new way of living. They were each quite different, which is why we all have our own particular "preferred" hero. The arc of the three stories covered the identity of a fourth much younger "son" called Seth. He grew up and became the hero of Chesapeake Blue. It was also a good book, and a nice way to revisit Cam, Ethan and Phil years later.
Anne
great
I will have to read them and also check out this J.D. you are talking about. I can't resist a cowboy. Also, whoever said they like the loner types....so do I!! I can be that way sometimes, so I get that.
J.D.
Jibby,
J.D. is in a Desire called A Cowboy's Secret -- I hope you can track him down and that you like him. He was definitely the quintessential loner. Enjoy!
Anne
Love a man in a suit
There is something about a guy in suit that is hot. Like the ZZ Top song says "Every girls crazy about a sharp dressed man". I have read several category romance that have guys in suits that I loved. I guess it is the power that seems to exude from them.
Power
Remember when people, especially women, talked about "power dressing" and "power suits." I think for women it was socially a kind of glimmer that that's what the suit was all about. Seems like it should have gone unspoken, but apparently not.
And yes, the Suit is about power and poise and leadership and being the One In Control and, let's face it, sex appeal. ZZ Top is right about the "sharp dressed man." It says something about his self-esteem, too. That he has some. That looking good matters to him. And then, of course, the heroine undoes it all!
Anne
To be honest...
I am just a fan of men in general. In clothes, out of them (especially out of them), on horses, on harleys, in trucks or limos. A good story can make any man "the perfect hero" and I am a sucker for one that is vulnerable. SO, suit 'em up and send 'em on.
Perfect Heroes everywhere
That's a pretty blanket endorsement, alphakitty! I'm sold. And you're right, of course. Perfect heroes come in all sorts of stories. And I agree that one who is vulnerable on some level that the heroine can reach is more appealing than ever!
Anne
Funny you blogged about this today...
My son was watching a show this morning with this very average looking guy in a very nice suit. Let me tell you, for a girl who usually prefers men in jeans and t-shirts (or nothing at all!), this guy pushed all the right buttons for me...especially when he turned around and the back of his jacket had lifted a little on one side, giving a little sneak peak of a very delectable backside. I've been thinking about that butt all day long (ssh...don't tell the hubby)and wondering why I never noticed men in suits before! You can bet I'll be buying more books about them now too...to fuel my newfound fantasy!
:)
New fantasy
I'm with you, Sassa. My innate taste runs to the jeans and T shirts guys. The rough-edged lone wolf types press my buttons without even trying. But recently, as I've been writing more Presents and they are not exactly enamoured of cowboys in that line, I'm finding that Suits have an appeal all their own. Always nice to find a new fantasy.
Anne
My blog
I hesitate to say it's up and running, but at least the last two posts, which I've been trying to get up since Sunday are finally there. I think my webmistress -- a sort of fairy godmother person -- has intervened. I, on the other hand, am banging my head against the wall.
But if you want to drop by, please do. I'd love to have you -- and I hope to post a few guys in suits later if the blinkin' blog lets me!
Anne
How about this.....
Ok, we all know I have SERIOUS cowboy love, but a suited up man can do it for me too. Especially like the guy at the post office today..WOOWEE..he had dark hair, silky type dark suit, sexy build, and MAN did he smell good. I sure could've crawled under the desk with him. Ok, maybe I better behave and shhhh, don't tell my hubby;)
Who knows, maybe he has a cowboy hat in his closet. I would surely die:0
Suit and Cowboy Hat?
Jibby,
That would be something, wouldn't it? Definitely a keeper in the "clothes make the man department."
Anne
I like men period. In or out
I like men period. In or out of clothes,and in any setting.
All Men
You'll be able to take your pick that way, Estella!
Anne
Men in Suits
I think there is something sexy and debonair about a man in a suit. Hubby so rarely wears one that I can really appreciate it when he does. I love tycoon stories because the men are so self confident. They know what they want and they are not afraid to go after it. Your book sounds great Anne. Cool story!
Suits and Impressions
Cherie,
I thought I answered this yesterday, but if I did, it vanished. I agree that seeing guys in suits who don't normally wear them can really make you sit up and take notice. It's definitely a "uniform" that creates its own aura.
Anne
Men in Suits, part 2
In the mysterious world of the internet apparently blogs load themselves while I go shopping. I tried for two days to load my latest posts. I left the house. They're all there now. So Men in Suits, part 2 is there -- lovely pix of men in suits to enjoy. Drop by if you've a hankering for Men in Suits. I think you can get there by going to http://www.annemcallister.com/blog Or you can hit the link in my post above.
Anne
There is just something
There is just something about a cowboy, I think they have a lot of raw sex appeal. Then again Richard Geer had sex appeal in Pretty Women and he was kind of a tycoon in a suit. Some heros just give off that sex appeal from the start. George Clooney is another good one.
George and Richard
Yep, two good ones. Richard did clean up good in Pretty Woman, didn't he? And when I was prowling around looking for suits for my blog today, I came across several lovely ones of George. Haven't got them up yet -- but there may be room for a Men in Suits, part 3!
Anne
Men in Suits - esp. George
Aaaah, now this is what I'm talking about Anne!!! Unlike you and your cowboy thing, the Man in the Suit is it for me, though when reading back my quote in here I hoped I didn't sound too effusive on the subject ;).
Thanks for the pics on your blog, I saved a couple into my computer for later inspiration! I looove the one of Cary Grant, that old time glamour thing is something special.
And funnily enough my latest hero - a Man in a Suit, what a surprise! - is a George Clooney type. There's a guy who looks fine in jeans and a t-shirt, but stick him in a suit and everytrhing goes up by the power of ten. It's then that he seems so truly suave, sharp, smart, sophisticated, seriously out of reach. And I think for a heroine to manage to tackle a man like that and bring him to his knees makes for some fun reading.
Did I hear your say Men in Suits 3?
Ally
http://www.allyblake.com
Men in Suits, III
Ally,
I think we might have to go with roman numerals. It looks classier somehow (fits the men in suits, perhaps). And yes,George does fill one out very nicely. I have a couple of George pix in my blog folder that I can drag out for M.I.S.III if you twist my arm!
And no, you didn't sound too effusive. You just sounded seriously smitten.
Anne
Men in suits
I also find men in suits have a certain appeal... They are usually quite controlled in the office, and it is always nice when the woman can let them loosen up and relax a bit.
Dichotomy
Hi Nathalie
I think it's the dichotomy between the control in the office and the "letting loose" out of it that makes them appealing heroes. We know instinctively that while they have all this control and power and ability to lead, that there will come a time when they'll give it up and let go -- but only for the woman they love.
Anne
Men in suits are pretty sexy
Men in suits are pretty sexy and in your books Anne they are usually quite rich, arrogant and successful :)
Cowboys... being from the North, I don't find them very appealing, I may be the only one ;)
Men in Suits
It works out, Lily. You can have some of the men in suits and I'll keep the cowboys. I just want a few of the men in suits. And yes, most of mine who finally end up in suits are rich, arrogant and successful (Dominic Wolfe from The Inconvenient Bride comes to mind!) If you're going to go to the trouble to put him in a suit, he might as well have the power that goes with it!
Anne
uh oh
You and I might have to arm wrestle over the cowboys;) Or I'll go pout in the corner with one of the men in suits. Yeah, that might work out after all.
Works for me!
Hi Anne, if you can spare some of those men in suits... you can keep all the cowboys to yourself :)
Sparing Suits
Lily,
I'll send MOST of the suits your way. But there are a few I want to keep for myself! And who knows, you might like the occasional cowboy!
Anne
Men in Suits
I definitely like "sharp dressed men". My favorite... Hmmmm... Maybe it's because I have been reading some books by J.D. Robb lately, but right now I have to say that my favorite is Roarke.
Roarke
Minna,
Hard not to like Roarke.
I like a lot of Jayne Ann Krentz's heroes, too. They tend to wear a lot of black, and I'm always sure they look stunning in it.
Anne
Men in Suits
Hi, Anne! You know I love your cowboys. I still obsess over J.D. - he is my favorite cowboy EVER! As to men in suits, I guess I'm a lot like you. I like the ones who are loners, who have overcome insurmountable odds to get to the top, who are strong and determined. Yet one woman gets to see his vulnerable side that he shows to no one else.
Spence
Cheryl,
Then you might like Spence. He has a definite vulnerable side -- and Sadie is absolutely the only one who has ever seen it! And yes, I know you love J.D. (so do I. Still!)
Anne
I like a man who can clean
I like a man who can clean up nice, but isn't afraid to get dirty too
Cleaning up Good!
In the last three years I've had sons get married. And it's usually the only time I see them in suits. And I must say, they clean up good so I know what you mean, Beth. Their wives all appreciate the look -- and the fact that they can all get dirty when the need arises (which it does, far more often than the need for a suit!)
One thing I like is when the guy sheds his coat and rolls up his sleeves. There's the man of power and the man of action all rolled into one. A definite keeper!
Anne
It really doesn't matter to
It really doesn't matter to me what the man is wearing as long as he is clean, neat, and pressed. I abhor wrinkled shirts that were meant to be pressed. I will say that when I see a man in a suit and tie he gives me the impression he has it together, is successful and confident.
Clean, Neat and Pressed
Totally agree, Joy. And it doesn't even have to be a Suit. Those cowboys are out pressing their Wranglers before they go to the rodeo, too. It says something about the impression they want to make, how they see themselves -- both the suits AND the cowboys!
Anne
Anne's Winner!
Anne's winner is ani! ani, email Anne at the email I sent you, and get your prize! Congrats!
sam