tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75424273668591429152024-02-19T05:44:28.664-06:00Ann Marie Walker "It is never too late to be what you might have been." ~Mary Ann Evans as Victorian author George Eliot
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-69233476727850654682016-01-14T09:34:00.000-06:002016-01-14T10:19:10.834-06:00One Author’s Fangirl Moment (In Other Words, The Day I Met David Gandy!) <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;">As many of you know, I may have a teeny tiny crush on David Gandy (okay fine, it’s more like a full blown, back-to-the-days-of-Tiger-Beat fangirl crush) but what you might not know is how I first came to discover the world’s most successful male model (a story you can read <span id="goog_1689381748"></span><a href="http://annmariewalker.blogspot.com/2013/02/casting-your-novel.html" target="_blank">here</a><span id="goog_1689381749"></span>), that he inspired not only one but three novels Amy K. Rogers and I published with Penguin Random House, or that I had the chance to meet with him this week on my first ever trip “across the pond”. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0TGiOewywDOcGbKif5lBhFsa4TJqSPz6QQHqOFJ00wHUbQeBjq91e3Sx7OMN2S6olepAbfBHbzhX5tI_vqbbkNu1azp7f4JgwiJBBnkrZm-aPUnhAvpikqA3WeoSsPiAgzf3mGn5cJk/s1600/IMG_7350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0TGiOewywDOcGbKif5lBhFsa4TJqSPz6QQHqOFJ00wHUbQeBjq91e3Sx7OMN2S6olepAbfBHbzhX5tI_vqbbkNu1azp7f4JgwiJBBnkrZm-aPUnhAvpikqA3WeoSsPiAgzf3mGn5cJk/s200/IMG_7350.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;">
Now of course I took in all the usual sites: Tower of London, Big Ben, Hyde Park, Trafalgar Square, Bond Street, Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Abbey (where I shamelessly marched down the aisle pretending I was Princess Kate), Harrod’s and the South Bank just to name a few.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28RdsfQ5_-OvNw8zpUmIibwij8Th8OMPzaJGPOoJJ7PLvSeFc3DaRbmfem3WypUXLH0moQECJvCDUKt4J6F-Na2-zCVcwIQh4MOHZ-cm4QSWgdVogXfi_RS3G5y3kI4oenT6l61hhQLQ/s1600/IMG_7307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28RdsfQ5_-OvNw8zpUmIibwij8Th8OMPzaJGPOoJJ7PLvSeFc3DaRbmfem3WypUXLH0moQECJvCDUKt4J6F-Na2-zCVcwIQh4MOHZ-cm4QSWgdVogXfi_RS3G5y3kI4oenT6l61hhQLQ/s200/IMG_7307.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ3bisaZvrs8olQGRKWYsH7B99BqbZgt6BqQrzKSXm1zfyvOSMzYKIJw8Z27t1AOIvqTSpyUChI2p3XcrhHBY8e9Jg335-puAq0imelNBe58D-suM1Wv9Wrvo-G0xx5qQR0e3BFYKt8s/s1600/IMG_7272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJ3bisaZvrs8olQGRKWYsH7B99BqbZgt6BqQrzKSXm1zfyvOSMzYKIJw8Z27t1AOIvqTSpyUChI2p3XcrhHBY8e9Jg335-puAq0imelNBe58D-suM1Wv9Wrvo-G0xx5qQR0e3BFYKt8s/s200/IMG_7272.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzwrgy_NArLmoQYs0wGnPwE2T9YUaPRzvpV8EtS9P7J-FSgFGMKDm8qvsfYlVa9ucv-fN8XqHx_6bx_60Z7UEpqYKwyvkURl4gfR_lg5ZS6w_T-5cD2076MczCeBsTqc-Y956fuTSXqc/s1600/IMG_7318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzwrgy_NArLmoQYs0wGnPwE2T9YUaPRzvpV8EtS9P7J-FSgFGMKDm8qvsfYlVa9ucv-fN8XqHx_6bx_60Z7UEpqYKwyvkURl4gfR_lg5ZS6w_T-5cD2076MczCeBsTqc-Y956fuTSXqc/s200/IMG_7318.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; min-height: 15px;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">But I also visited Marks & Spencer’s flagship store at Marble Arch and let me just tell you ladies, forget Disney World, the men’s department at M&S is the happiest place on earth.</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> </span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvplBfqQ3RcRTcETdWXHQQ6w9VQhGQbobTqti1mXL9W7s3spkYj5vJnh8y2jQE8RVDf3wkX09oxJQy3rsq3v620C1PbrC3Ha2qh9GS85WusATIj2UE-EAeYkx74c9KrfiFYRCYWyz-B38/s1600/IMG_7214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvplBfqQ3RcRTcETdWXHQQ6w9VQhGQbobTqti1mXL9W7s3spkYj5vJnh8y2jQE8RVDf3wkX09oxJQy3rsq3v620C1PbrC3Ha2qh9GS85WusATIj2UE-EAeYkx74c9KrfiFYRCYWyz-B38/s200/IMG_7214.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBg68I6hOCIJwMlZgRrnsrUsOB67SRA2AMPktWlO3zk5E2Y8CFSNJs6OnA6nOTDZii3n-xn5qiskfngtk6XJQ4-suMCCvXHGxyOd3s0oi1cflt9Cw4mGuFUw3a1r7hv6HtzO_9cJmjwM/s1600/IMG_7216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBg68I6hOCIJwMlZgRrnsrUsOB67SRA2AMPktWlO3zk5E2Y8CFSNJs6OnA6nOTDZii3n-xn5qiskfngtk6XJQ4-suMCCvXHGxyOd3s0oi1cflt9Cw4mGuFUw3a1r7hv6HtzO_9cJmjwM/s200/IMG_7216.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUewQOkzbXatkjbO8MJfQoMTWjTbdsTVc0KFldTYz5deeq79-_ByNVpMmGjgmxskB5su5yd6g02rRBXvZ5Nnl72E39jyyaaVyw_PfYCzI097IhC2MoHr-EGi70JnZLyf-Bw-V_ih8_H08/s1600/IMG_7217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUewQOkzbXatkjbO8MJfQoMTWjTbdsTVc0KFldTYz5deeq79-_ByNVpMmGjgmxskB5su5yd6g02rRBXvZ5Nnl72E39jyyaaVyw_PfYCzI097IhC2MoHr-EGi70JnZLyf-Bw-V_ih8_H08/s200/IMG_7217.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziXOxCA4CTExHp33tDSSMmcp3SuZjZ-8ZbWXww9YZsccrPqahsTpGrroOyWpRahYTYZOrMMwBiftICuwPQeQsxqtkXSWtOt1Vqifhjyk2HeaC8NdlGkQlEFjbXyOp4U4Yj1eT7luT2DE/s1600/IMG_7220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiziXOxCA4CTExHp33tDSSMmcp3SuZjZ-8ZbWXww9YZsccrPqahsTpGrroOyWpRahYTYZOrMMwBiftICuwPQeQsxqtkXSWtOt1Vqifhjyk2HeaC8NdlGkQlEFjbXyOp4U4Yj1eT7luT2DE/s200/IMG_7220.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z4HtJkZKwtkY6JcdB5AZ9B6P7yKfB-mWTikdWXT7eOlwYJLVZElWRt18TG6F_Di0TV6AZ6kbDhJ9NVfNM4k038eI-2aJkZ25zjZfp65QBLyVA3TKM2fqIpVZyKdMzA7O6yoO4AVt_GA/s1600/IMG_7221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z4HtJkZKwtkY6JcdB5AZ9B6P7yKfB-mWTikdWXT7eOlwYJLVZElWRt18TG6F_Di0TV6AZ6kbDhJ9NVfNM4k038eI-2aJkZ25zjZfp65QBLyVA3TKM2fqIpVZyKdMzA7O6yoO4AVt_GA/s200/IMG_7221.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqC77VmomLuV6EX-Ai3xByuuBAWbVle6HdxnIvU29MJG3QQCP3iQ66hYAbrhLtPL6lR_xoA3oYEvOkMz-AhQqqB7oJXKFAjAq_L8EBNf84Va1p_C-Ncb23B1EDst6jihvlzdpwk7xGlII/s1600/IMG_7222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqC77VmomLuV6EX-Ai3xByuuBAWbVle6HdxnIvU29MJG3QQCP3iQ66hYAbrhLtPL6lR_xoA3oYEvOkMz-AhQqqB7oJXKFAjAq_L8EBNf84Va1p_C-Ncb23B1EDst6jihvlzdpwk7xGlII/s200/IMG_7222.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;">
I also discovered that I LOVE all kinds of meat pies (a meal smothered in mashed potatoes or inside a pastry? Yes, please!) But I digress, what you really came here to read about was the day I met my muse…</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;">
Everything had been pre-arranged through David and his publicist for us to meet at one of the shows he would be attending in conjunction with LCM (The semi-annual four day event put on by the British Fashion Council). When the big day arrived the London rain finally stopped, the gray skies turned blue, and the sun began to shine. (In the Disney version of this squirrels and birds would have helped me get ready, but the fact that my straightener didn't blow up until the next day is magical enough for me!) The time came for us to meet and…my phone rang. David’s publicist was calling to let me know that due to their hectic schedule (and London’s crazy traffic) they wouldn't be able to make it to that show after all BUT…they were still on their way to meet me. Yes, that’s right Gandy Girls, our guy is not only handsome but a class act, something I’m sure you already know but it still bears repeating. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;">
About ten minutes later Charlotte found me in front of the venue. She was alone so of course my first thought was “Where is David?” but I didn't have to wonder for long because as we started to walk I looked down the street to find David Gandy casually leaning against one of those green metal electrical boxes. He was dressed in a three piece suit with his friend and LCM companion Joe Ottaway standing at his side.<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-KYS8oUwhxeatL0_7NuCpNXQmeOkPtsN9zfrDCLI4P4Pv2H6V_TmXmi6eRB2Uh5cC08qKaB5HmkC9wW-viU1x1R70P8gkhEcVjG7l1Xkxw6EE9RIFWshyphenhyphensipMjS-ahfiM7mSEWjskgc/s1600/IMG_7300.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-KYS8oUwhxeatL0_7NuCpNXQmeOkPtsN9zfrDCLI4P4Pv2H6V_TmXmi6eRB2Uh5cC08qKaB5HmkC9wW-viU1x1R70P8gkhEcVjG7l1Xkxw6EE9RIFWshyphenhyphensipMjS-ahfiM7mSEWjskgc/s200/IMG_7300.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">photo credit @StyleduMonde @NYTFashion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;">
That's not my photo. I was far too excited to have the presence of mind to snap a picture. In fact all I could think was “Holy Sh*t, that’s David Gandy, looking like he just popped out of a magazine, and he’s waiting for ME!” (as opposed to me chasing him down the block, which quite frankly would have been a lot more believable haha) </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;">
He greeted me with a smile and the traditional kiss on each cheek (thank you European culture!) and we proceeded to spend the next twenty minutes on a London street chatting about anything and everything, from the three novels Amy & I wrote to how amazing his assistant Laura is to what hotel I was staying in to the weather in London versus the Windy City. </div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhsUAdDSbGN99IcD13UdeMbRiWu2lJl8zDB7Pu1oKbmATPDs7zTBC_HD3PY-QUdwftLkeFhclqnqtSushoM7jk7coZLZ80ZTgwEZ-NWjCfSOgTeQnaNkWmrNnr_BDqqxd60q4NGRNs_s/s1600/IMG_7226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhsUAdDSbGN99IcD13UdeMbRiWu2lJl8zDB7Pu1oKbmATPDs7zTBC_HD3PY-QUdwftLkeFhclqnqtSushoM7jk7coZLZ80ZTgwEZ-NWjCfSOgTeQnaNkWmrNnr_BDqqxd60q4NGRNs_s/s200/IMG_7226.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUeJNRHEb-1qJqp7Nx9VDMTu8yN27mGPSfaPsJIFxhFv_PJ0NzSas_DP6_TIMaWw7drY6H1Wn-DZnMbZu6d66Z5NUAKFii4RyxheC_uPURSdtFMlYkvQF6CrbOKT5DKkA0SYryScA6g0/s1600/IMG_7251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUeJNRHEb-1qJqp7Nx9VDMTu8yN27mGPSfaPsJIFxhFv_PJ0NzSas_DP6_TIMaWw7drY6H1Wn-DZnMbZu6d66Z5NUAKFii4RyxheC_uPURSdtFMlYkvQF6CrbOKT5DKkA0SYryScA6g0/s200/IMG_7251.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSM50NA3hDRqq9YzTHqZ1zjfOqHa3t7wx80uwh_mjN9afz51r9SNBWxHiqzeQbbeCLpkiRWnnu1t9unMxrZffdkb43KdVGm5GCNVVIxhkQlZ1c2s-RHzfHS3Z-MVvkUlyui5GwYZDqA7Y/s1600/IMG_7248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSM50NA3hDRqq9YzTHqZ1zjfOqHa3t7wx80uwh_mjN9afz51r9SNBWxHiqzeQbbeCLpkiRWnnu1t9unMxrZffdkb43KdVGm5GCNVVIxhkQlZ1c2s-RHzfHS3Z-MVvkUlyui5GwYZDqA7Y/s200/IMG_7248.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdANJr0ePi7D_WHs4jayFSr0StOwYbg1Lyswsqw5tR958cjLdmbtdj540exVZlNPQJ74_dMJayn9VAFOyyKuh4u3XilmnbrYyve-vavpgFfrWr8z9Jn8J2toEwSr5NyLLmmy-34c_XZU/s1600/IMG_7229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdANJr0ePi7D_WHs4jayFSr0StOwYbg1Lyswsqw5tR958cjLdmbtdj540exVZlNPQJ74_dMJayn9VAFOyyKuh4u3XilmnbrYyve-vavpgFfrWr8z9Jn8J2toEwSr5NyLLmmy-34c_XZU/s200/IMG_7229.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; min-height: 15px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
</div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px;">
Since posting these photos I’ve received many questions…the most frequent of which was “How did he smell?” While I didn't think to ask the name of his cologne, I can tell you it was quite nice. As for the others…yes, his accent is swoon worthy and yes, his eyes are an amazing shade of blue. No, I didn't accidentally call him Hudson Chase but yes, it was incredibly surreal to meet the man whose picture adorned our laptops while writing the series and yes, he really is that good looking (even more so in person!) But what stands out the most when meeting David Gandy is the fact that he is so humble and kind and despite having a million places to be on one of his busiest weeks, went out of his way to spend time with an American author and for that I will be forever grateful. Thank you, David, you are a true gentleman. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-81595879022007958272015-06-01T12:54:00.000-05:002015-06-01T12:54:16.678-05:00Gandy On Fallon Twitter Campaign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMre878b9iyHY55G1t0dUieaGFjepm_uXwI3BZVFd-JuOzezX0f4RAWF6PDxuM3CJJHJGJP37amC2Vsj-2juqRWwKKB8zFN3LasJWJPScIrYS8bF7bSIDxIX9qynUn4v4PpcC0J5icazA/s1600/Gandy+on+Fallon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMre878b9iyHY55G1t0dUieaGFjepm_uXwI3BZVFd-JuOzezX0f4RAWF6PDxuM3CJJHJGJP37amC2Vsj-2juqRWwKKB8zFN3LasJWJPScIrYS8bF7bSIDxIX9qynUn4v4PpcC0J5icazA/s400/Gandy+on+Fallon.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
As I watched David Gandy's second appearance on Alan Carr's UK talk show "Chatty Man", I couldn't help but think "Why do the Brits get all the Gandy fun?" So after talking about this with a few other die hard Gandy Girls I decided to launch a campaign called #GandyOnFallon. It's quite simple really, tweet to @JimmyFallon and/or @FallonTonight asking him to book the supermodel/humanitarian using the hashtag #GandyOnFallon. Tweet as often as you like but <b>be sure to also do one on Wednesday June 3</b> at 2 pm Eastern as we attempt to get the hashtag trending! In the meantime, here's a link to David's latest appearance on Chatty Man!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/h7jMnj64FUc/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/h7jMnj64FUc?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<br />Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-37613842628555517542015-02-03T14:51:00.000-06:002015-03-23T18:26:53.850-05:00My Very First Book Cover!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 254); font-family: Roboto, serif; font-size: 12pt;">"REMIND ME is an exceptional debut;
seriously sexy and sinfully steamy. Can't wait for more from this writing
duo!" - New York Times Bestselling Author Tara Sure Me</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 254); font-family: Roboto, serif; font-size: 10pt;"><br />
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Walker and Rogers strike the perfect balance between blistering physical desire and heartfelt connections..." ~ <i>RT Book Review </i></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background: rgb(247, 247, 247); font-family: 'MS Gothic'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">★★★★</span><span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> 1/2</span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /><br />
<b>REMIND ME (A Chasing Fire Novel) </b><br />
<br />
</span><b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">First in a tantalizing</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> new trilogy about reigniting a forbidden desire from long
ago…</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span></b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As heiress to a media empire Alessandra
Sinclair was raised to put family obligations first. But everything changes the
night her first love walks back into her life and turns her whole world upside
down. Haunted by the memories of a secret romance with a boy from the wrong
side of the tracks, she can’t seem to get Hudson Chase out of her mind. Once
again torn between two worlds, Allie must decide how much she’s willing to risk
to have the love she’s always longed for.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
<span style="background: white;">Ten years is a long time to wait, but
billionaire Hudson Chase didn’t become CEO of one of the country’s fastest
growing companies by giving up on what he wants. Now that he’s got Allie in his
sights again, he’s determined to make her regret breaking his heart. And this
time, he’s going to make damn sure he’s not so easy to forget. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9giWgUIWAPs0RPt88ukxeycywPBdB7uKha5t39h5o0SpDnGvxPwdWZaj8XStqovlNN2vko3jUA4TDiUKhbr-6v7neIAppW4SXLUH81obqBafhjTwS57i9Hq66fQxL2a6nCun82XCW3H4/s1600/RemindMe_hi-res+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9giWgUIWAPs0RPt88ukxeycywPBdB7uKha5t39h5o0SpDnGvxPwdWZaj8XStqovlNN2vko3jUA4TDiUKhbr-6v7neIAppW4SXLUH81obqBafhjTwS57i9Hq66fQxL2a6nCun82XCW3H4/s1600/RemindMe_hi-res+(2).jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“Hudson sounds like my kind of man...” </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #666666;">-</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"> True Story Book Blog</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">“</span></b><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">Gosh, the blurb of this book gave me tingles!!</span>” </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #666666;">- Natasha Is A Book Junkie</span></b><b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“The blurb really caught
our attention.”</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span style="color: #666666;"> - Rock Stars of Romance<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Pre-Orders Available from:</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NPNRAF2/ref=as_li_tf_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00NPNRAF2&linkCode=am2&tag=pgus-20" target="_blank">Amazon,</a> <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/remind-me-ann-marie-walker/1120374667?cm_mmc=affiliates-_-linkshare-_-ev0de4uoclu-_-10%3a1&ean=9780698194762&isbn=9780698194762&r=1" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>, <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Remind/Ann-Marie-Walker/Q524928812?id=6173200912922" target="_blank">Books-A-Million</a>, </b></span><b style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/remind-me/id920694950?mt=11" target="_blank">iBooks</a>, <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=Th2dBAAAQBAJ&dq=inauthor:%22Ann+Marie+Walker%22&hl=en&sa=X&ei=Cb6AVIqFOdS3yATUgIKwAg&ved=0CB0Q6AEwAA" target="_blank">Google Books</a> & <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/remind-me-4" target="_blank">Kobo</a></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-41711875763086442372014-06-11T20:43:00.001-05:002014-06-11T20:43:31.857-05:00How Twitter Has Kept Me Sane (And the blog post I never thought I’d write)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfqK7SbrJe8YUIOGz-4CxmNPLCgXnjcjzdOjszvmiel_RG3GgUvsn3K4tHw45LA0qMR_5LtXiHjM0Is-GzYgHz4vnp8C7RRpkxllh3EzHZcxiVr5Zx4dtGpNHzAJHH9KLRcqNbxp8gw0/s1600/twitter+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMfqK7SbrJe8YUIOGz-4CxmNPLCgXnjcjzdOjszvmiel_RG3GgUvsn3K4tHw45LA0qMR_5LtXiHjM0Is-GzYgHz4vnp8C7RRpkxllh3EzHZcxiVr5Zx4dtGpNHzAJHH9KLRcqNbxp8gw0/s1600/twitter+logo.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First of all, I thought this day would never come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Writing a post about a book deal seemed like a
distant dream…like oh say, having dinner with David Gandy. (You didn’t actually
think I could write a post without mentioning him, did you?) But now that the
day has finally arrived, I’ve determined that writing an announcement post is
HARD. Like writing the first chapter of a book hard! Because no one out there
wants to read about how long it took me to get published (years!) or how many
tears were shed in the process (I should own stock in Kleenex!). What they
really want is for me to tell them when their day will come and no matter how
much I’d like to, I can’t. But what I <i>can</i>
do is offer up a list of people who helped me survive the last few years with my
sanity intact. Well, some of it at least. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So while I’ll include the announcement at the bottom
for anyone who missed the dozen or so times I mentioned it on twitter, what I’d
really like to do is introduce everyone to a few of the people who make up my
twitter “neighborhood”. And yes, I now have that Sesame Street song stuck in my
head…<i>Who are the People in Your
Neighborhood…</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There are people like <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/andrewtshaffer"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">andrewtshaffer</span></a><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #292f33;">&</span> <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/danielkenney"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">danielkenney</span></a></span><span style="color: #c00000;"> </span>who no matter what find a way to make me laugh every damn day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/juliebstroop"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">juliebstroop</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #c00000;"> </span>,
and <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/KayleeSim13"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">KayleeSim13</span></a></span> who never
once stopped believing in me and whose DMs of encouragement got me back in
front of the computer more times than I can count! And there’s <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/DeniseJTompkins"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">DeniseJTompkins</span></a>, </span>who sends the absolute BEST emails
letting me know in no uncertain terms that failure is not an option. <span style="color: #860000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #860000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s best selling author’s like <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/jcharbonneau"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">jcharbonneau</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #292f33;"> </span>who,
despite being on tour, calls to see how queries are going. Or <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/lolashoes"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">lolashoes</span></a></span> & <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/seeCwrite"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">seeCwrite</span></a>, </span>who not only never met a stranger, but
are the type of gals to spend a five hour lunch chatting about the rollercoaster
of publishing with a writer who feels like giving up. Or <a href="https://twitter.com/alice_clayton" style="color: #860000;"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@alice_clayton</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #292f33;"> </span>who
won’t just recommend a book over dinner, she’ll buy it for you. <span style="color: #860000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #860000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Partlyhazy"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">Partlyhazy</span></a><span style="background: white;"> </span></span>& <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/MelissaWrites2"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">MelissaWrites2</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #292f33;"> </span>who
are the best lunchtime support group a girl could ask for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/ddmarxbooks"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">ddmarxbooks</span></a></span>, who can meet a person
while walking into a conference and by lunch time is saving her a seat, <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/DinaSilver"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">DinaSilver</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #292f33;"> </span>whose
marketing expertise never ceases to inspire me and <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/officeladyprobz"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">officeladyprobz</span></a><span style="background: white;"> </span></span>who after years of
tweeting became my new BFF on a sprint through the streets of Chicago! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s sites like <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/50ShadesSource"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">50ShadesSource</span></a><span style="background: white;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #292f33;">& </span><span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/50Latersbaby"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">50Latersbaby</span></a> </span>whose support has been
both amazing and unwavering! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s Aussie <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Juliet_Madison"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@Juliet_Madison</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #292f33;"> </span>and
Brits <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/JosieGiggs"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">JosieGiggs</span></a></span> & <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/JaneWriting1"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">JaneWriting1</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #292f33;"> </span>
(we’ll say they live waaaay at the end of the block) who not only want you to
come visit but send sightseeing tips!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s uber re-tweeters like <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/AntShellie"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">AntShellie</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #292f33;">
& <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/PinkiePixieJo"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000; text-decoration: none;">@</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000;">PinkiePixieJo</span></a></span> who never let me down
when I fear there will be nothing but crickets on the TL. Or <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/nicsigni"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000; text-decoration: none;">@</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000;">nicsigni</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span>,
<a href="https://twitter.com/HeatherMarieYA"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000; text-decoration: none;">@</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000;">HeatherMarieYA</span></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/Fizzygrrl"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000; text-decoration: none;">@</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000;">Fizzygrrl</span></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/snarkychicklet"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000; text-decoration: none;">@</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000;">snarkychicklet</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span>,</span>
and <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/lizlincolnwritr"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000; text-decoration: none;">@</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000;">lizlincolnwritr</span></a></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span>who
are quick with replies that always make me smile.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="background: white; color: #292f33;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There’s <a href="https://twitter.com/AndreaBerthot" style="color: #860000;"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">AndreaBerthot</span></a><span style="color: #860000;">, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/SarahLBlair" style="color: #860000;"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">SarahLBlair</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/writeforapples" style="color: #860000;"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">writeforapples</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000;"> </span><span style="color: #860000;">,
</span><a href="https://twitter.com/JackieHennesse1" style="color: #860000;"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">JackieHennesse1</span></a><span style="color: #860000;">, </span><a href="https://twitter.com/KarenCarro" style="color: #860000;"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">KarenCarro</span></a> <span style="color: #860000;">& </span><a href="https://twitter.com/jillcahr" style="color: #860000;"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">jillcahr</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000;">,</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #292f33;"> </span>my sisters in arms. I have no doubt their day with come
and when it does I’ll be shouting it from the rooftops. <span style="color: #860000;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #860000;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And there’s <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/br_myers"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">br_myers</span></a><span style="background: white;"> </span>, <a href="https://twitter.com/_RScottWhitley_"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">_RScottWhitley_</span></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/LynnMontagano"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">LynnMontagano</span></a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/MeganWhitmer"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">MeganWhitmer</span></a><span style="background: white;">, <a href="https://twitter.com/ViviBarnes"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000; text-decoration: none;">@</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000;">ViviBarnes</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">, <a href="https://twitter.com/MrsTomSauter"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000; text-decoration: none;">@</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000;">MrsTomSauter</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;"> </span></span>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/cecyrobson"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #860000; text-decoration: none;">@cecyrobson</span></a><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #292f33;">.
This group has been a near constant in my life since I opened a twitter
account. I would have never made it through the past two years without them and
I hope someday we’re all at a conference together. First round is on me!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #860000;"><span style="background: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #292f33;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of course none of this would have happened without my
writing partner and best friend in the whole wide world *arms stretched out
like a toddler* <span style="color: #860000;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Amy_KRogers"><span style="background: white; color: #860000; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">@</span><span style="background: white; color: #860000;">Amy_KRogers</span></a></span><span style="background: white; color: #292f33;">! I would
have never started another book if it weren’t for Amy. Her creativity astounds
me and I can’t wait to take this journey with her by my side! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So without further ado…my
first sale: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViy1LhsOael0w1r_FaCkcU67-tFTWBSXEO6HJVm3d2-ZTKjjuvKk1V9-yiDzSKKIKf0LQXycyXYAdsZzMx-4IglucvFQjqr13uoJsnCdIweiWyIReenwTiWTHFPXUyOfLJSe2BBzgOJY/s1600/deal+posting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgViy1LhsOael0w1r_FaCkcU67-tFTWBSXEO6HJVm3d2-ZTKjjuvKk1V9-yiDzSKKIKf0LQXycyXYAdsZzMx-4IglucvFQjqr13uoJsnCdIweiWyIReenwTiWTHFPXUyOfLJSe2BBzgOJY/s1600/deal+posting.jpg" height="139" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-12357099378346770552014-02-22T13:47:00.000-06:002014-04-27T13:16:10.159-05:00Win a Date With…George Clooney? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElJ1OSNSjN2PT4QigqScZKyXYpAg8JXRi4Kh4Udar__pkd-VIp9k0RE58V9wLs7UPDOq3Aayomvk2U-i8z2HuJYxFHgj_MEVi8Cmk_hYDjpkDFxXjX7FOnmETI-nwQu7kOlR_x68aTyU/s1600/george-clooney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiElJ1OSNSjN2PT4QigqScZKyXYpAg8JXRi4Kh4Udar__pkd-VIp9k0RE58V9wLs7UPDOq3Aayomvk2U-i8z2HuJYxFHgj_MEVi8Cmk_hYDjpkDFxXjX7FOnmETI-nwQu7kOlR_x68aTyU/s1600/george-clooney.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Last week I overheard a conversation between two
teenagers who’d just watched “Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!” for the first
time. After discussing the merits of Josh Duhamel and agreeing he was “definitely
the best part of Transformers”, the talk quickly turned personal. “Where would
you go with Harry Styles if he showed up to take you to lunch?” one girl asked
the other. The entire conversation made
me smile because whether it be a quirky film about a starstruck grocery store
clerk, two teens debating the best restaurant to dine with a member of One
Direction, or a grown woman imagining a romantic evening with David Gandy (you
know who you are), one thing remains the same…we’ve all entertained the fantasy
of “what if”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyR7Ggq2QqjDCIugrSmo5ItVo1rslJgv2Mt35lxV51gEGTSunl1cO7F_OV8momdmKRopMN2HTCksjOuP0n4NyETRsO3Xcxcm2CyMiNRK0R4Fg3pClnX7NALf1SfuC-f-e2Vi4tj24BCM/s1600/2004_win_a_date_with_tad_hamilton_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyR7Ggq2QqjDCIugrSmo5ItVo1rslJgv2Mt35lxV51gEGTSunl1cO7F_OV8momdmKRopMN2HTCksjOuP0n4NyETRsO3Xcxcm2CyMiNRK0R4Fg3pClnX7NALf1SfuC-f-e2Vi4tj24BCM/s1600/2004_win_a_date_with_tad_hamilton_002.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh Duhamel and Kate Bosworth <br />
star in 2004's "Win a Date with Tad Hamilton"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well for one lucky woman, the fantasy of winning a date
with her celebrity crush became a reality. Earlier this month, single mom Jean
Allen won a date with George Clooney. And brace yourself…it only cost her ten
dollars! Yes, that’s right, for a mere ten dollar raffle ticket, Jean was on
George’s arm as he walked the red carpet for the premiere of his latest film. And the best part? It was all for a good cause
with the proceeds from the contest going to Clooney’s charity, <a href="http://www.satsentinel.org/" target="_blank">SatelliteSentinel Project</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Now you’re probably asking yourself how you missed
the chance to buy a ticket because lord knows I was wondering the same thing. Turns
out there is a website called </span><a href="http://omaze.com/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Omaze.com</a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> which auctions off once in a lifetime experiences
ranging from riding in a tank with Arnold Schwarzenegger to brunch with the cast
of “Scandal”. Be sure to check it out. And in the meantime if you hear of any
other charity auctions, say with a devastatingly handsome British model or the
members of a popular boy band, be sure to share with readers by posting the details
in the comments section below. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Like what you see? Stay up to date by clicking “Join
This Site” and registering with google or twitter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-55951031228192038372013-11-14T10:50:00.000-06:002014-01-09T13:42:00.224-06:00Rhett Butler – The Original Alpha Male<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHSwcdO3eSMmdjo8-hrDYUo4TdKKSF6utLiH-c98aqBJccqLaGJ72CLr6dtKQQHgfKRSJAB0LXe0eZ5FQxEat7Or0UC3yXIftc-InBtAlKHz7ZlFcQYe1pHoF3tLvJPC0HJ2D-hkTnw0/s1600/RHETT+BUTLER_328566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgHSwcdO3eSMmdjo8-hrDYUo4TdKKSF6utLiH-c98aqBJccqLaGJ72CLr6dtKQQHgfKRSJAB0LXe0eZ5FQxEat7Or0UC3yXIftc-InBtAlKHz7ZlFcQYe1pHoF3tLvJPC0HJ2D-hkTnw0/s320/RHETT+BUTLER_328566.JPG" height="197" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">A few weeks ago I watched “Gone with the Wind”. It was by no
means the first time I’d watched the 1939 classic, but this time something
occurred to me. Rhett Butler, with all his swagger and charm, was indeed the
original “alpha” leading man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Think about it…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncgCRT_nJhGh0r4TF19v6Q1NIvx-dIOTpPQDyHoXEDRBOW908mXMEWiZKhUjJ_Q-FKYU3twOjouyQZlwhEWHjDvAj_zpRONeR-81e3Ku9LbxSa4lOfHepA5eWOZCFWStewV7dBinSI6M/s1600/dance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgncgCRT_nJhGh0r4TF19v6Q1NIvx-dIOTpPQDyHoXEDRBOW908mXMEWiZKhUjJ_Q-FKYU3twOjouyQZlwhEWHjDvAj_zpRONeR-81e3Ku9LbxSa4lOfHepA5eWOZCFWStewV7dBinSI6M/s200/dance.jpg" height="200" width="137" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Long before Christian Grey pledged $100,000 for a dance with
Anastasia Steele in <i>Fifty Shades</i>, Rhett Butler offered $150 in gold for a spin around the floor
with the recently widowed Scarlett O’Hara.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;">Long before Bennett Ryan tore Chloe Mill’s panties off in a
conference room in <i>Beautiful Bastard</i>, Rhett Butler gazed at Scarlett as if he knew what she looked
like “without her shimmy”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">And long before Gideon Cross carried Eva Tramell across his
office in <i>Bared to You</i>, Rhett Butler swept Scarlett up a wide staircase. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4ZYIsYkcGekjqDM8c2ESzTiH-icTdukFg1N6Fx6QBASPNkBnRsUnfCNTzE-JeRAe3as-eEYgRslDVkYKMwmiGnFVDOSrgJQ4N336S1knI4417En3_sh-JPjqbQnrmUBnxB2PywhHrds/s1600/shimmy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4ZYIsYkcGekjqDM8c2ESzTiH-icTdukFg1N6Fx6QBASPNkBnRsUnfCNTzE-JeRAe3as-eEYgRslDVkYKMwmiGnFVDOSrgJQ4N336S1knI4417En3_sh-JPjqbQnrmUBnxB2PywhHrds/s200/shimmy.jpg" height="149" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Rhett, like his fellow alphas, is a born
leader, a man who stands out from the crowd. </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">He is driven and yet always composed. He </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">knows failure
is only a minor setback and that in every problem therein lies an opportunity,
he just has to find it. </span><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">He dresses well, is physically fit and captures the
attention of nearly every woman he meets. He is worldly and knowing, radiating
a confidence even the willful Scarlett is unable to resist. But can you blame
her? After all, what woman wouldn't feel a bit weak in the knees if a man took
her in his arms and whispered…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">“You should be kissed and often, and by someone who knows
how.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="text-align: start;">Oh fiddle dee dee… pass me one of those fans, Scarlett…I do believe I might faint.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFtVJ61lwczs3jFGMA4BAaB3VXaYSInElBqG9OQ4l7u6ATJFCi-Wbpotu19drSGNbdVnERM-MUZDTXxP4aQEmbpc3fyecMnJIlpdpT9ebH5OkMWIj5qAw4emrTQV421LrNIYS9ARR8PY/s1600/rhett+kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFtVJ61lwczs3jFGMA4BAaB3VXaYSInElBqG9OQ4l7u6ATJFCi-Wbpotu19drSGNbdVnERM-MUZDTXxP4aQEmbpc3fyecMnJIlpdpT9ebH5OkMWIj5qAw4emrTQV421LrNIYS9ARR8PY/s1600/rhett+kiss.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Like what you see? Stick around. Click “Join This Site” and
sign in with Google or Twitter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-40113532928103185092013-10-15T10:08:00.001-05:002014-06-14T18:28:39.397-05:00Casting Christian Grey…. Again!<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The speculation
had been finally put to rest, Charlie Hunnam was going to play Christian Grey.
The fans reacted (some good, some bad, and some with online petitions) but then
the dust settled and it was time to move to the production phase.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not so fast.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Charlie is
out and now fans are left to debate the casting of Christian Grey… again.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So who will
it be this time? Rumor has it there are four major contenders:</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>Jamie Dornan</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">. </span>Most fans
will know him as the very hot Sheriff Graham from “Once Upon A Time”. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bKn6A9ryeqlJnYOp_6nfC6hhHqKTlP1ejd36c3EtAFI_J5qrklUXQw23IWLNbUszAtrdCusW9L6Fr6vuLHbK7jj-W72h8CcNT5TveSa2Je7qE-OfucwUsNVZ2hcz7_rMOkcsmMM308Y/s1600/jamie-dornan-wears-calvin-klein2-415x497_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bKn6A9ryeqlJnYOp_6nfC6hhHqKTlP1ejd36c3EtAFI_J5qrklUXQw23IWLNbUszAtrdCusW9L6Fr6vuLHbK7jj-W72h8CcNT5TveSa2Je7qE-OfucwUsNVZ2hcz7_rMOkcsmMM308Y/s320/jamie-dornan-wears-calvin-klein2-415x497_large.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Alexander Skarsgard</span></b><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">. Eric Northman fans are divided on
whether they'd liked to see the True Blood fave turn in his fangs for a flogger.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydHxgBTY-YFu1RuNmdO96-BFslIKa1ot4hGxyAfNjWSvf4N3A-ht6tJ_DubPEAcMMxUgoGG-pYncqfquzhJI-3sMbopvFOOqNV-QHLdwDEFieG2KNxezXXrGtxKONQkI3J_R5-AN5lWg/s1600/alexander-skarsgard-600x804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydHxgBTY-YFu1RuNmdO96-BFslIKa1ot4hGxyAfNjWSvf4N3A-ht6tJ_DubPEAcMMxUgoGG-pYncqfquzhJI-3sMbopvFOOqNV-QHLdwDEFieG2KNxezXXrGtxKONQkI3J_R5-AN5lWg/s320/alexander-skarsgard-600x804.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Theo James</span></b><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">. This Brit might be a bit </span></span><span style="line-height: 18px;">over-committed</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"> with the YA Divergent series to take on a more…adult trilogy. </span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidF-WhqYZa_I043Lo_kO_OPidxoGt8jSJxSDrBjPVnDFF9mTSOTKCJfEyUw5Ae6jlcSAo_33mJQV0RGwHcUMzwA2gtYGMuzHi2pxlkrlcruOP0ivo5v-UnMQupLtwOHgIEdBpPG701c58/s320/theo_james.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></div>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christian Cooke</span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The name would certainly fit, but does he have the right look?</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c4zrg64LLg9kN4Pygh0GyUVMP1Fm4c2CoxebBLC5sjdmp0tel_nnLkxUkN1DWaePU3S5iEAnYAI3i_G8xABpA2SlvwWnzCUFsUhKvJJq9PRUmcL0oT2SsiW7CgjBDqC_YWAOj_Swr44/s1600/Christian-Cooke-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c4zrg64LLg9kN4Pygh0GyUVMP1Fm4c2CoxebBLC5sjdmp0tel_nnLkxUkN1DWaePU3S5iEAnYAI3i_G8xABpA2SlvwWnzCUFsUhKvJJq9PRUmcL0oT2SsiW7CgjBDqC_YWAOj_Swr44/s320/Christian-Cooke-1.jpg" height="320" width="201" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div style="margin: 0px;">
<strong>Like What You See</strong>? Stay tuned. After all, Christian, Ana, and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/50ShadesSource"><span style="color: #b5643a;">@50ShadesSource</span></a> are following my blog, shouldn't you? :) Click "Join this Site" and then sign in with google or twitter.</div>
</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-44321435417221701502013-08-19T20:18:00.000-05:002013-10-22T15:38:09.028-05:00Meet Jessie Pavelka<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtZ0sT4M1znY7LOiAY-06wrRs9KXf0FwbhREPt7ox2vudRY4mrGIBTSFYvotEeDZTAUePztY-jbbLFSPAzhAXFpeEk2Wo7cHubJDTaWfNzDK2U_JT0NxDfTR7Gwy0DS_XH0s7MetidJ8/s1600/Jessie+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtZ0sT4M1znY7LOiAY-06wrRs9KXf0FwbhREPt7ox2vudRY4mrGIBTSFYvotEeDZTAUePztY-jbbLFSPAzhAXFpeEk2Wo7cHubJDTaWfNzDK2U_JT0NxDfTR7Gwy0DS_XH0s7MetidJ8/s200/Jessie+4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Who could resist
that face? Certainly not me. So when Jessie Pavelka recently asked me to “hook
him up”, I was quick to promise my next blog post would be about the real man whose
face is synonymous with one of Twitter’s most popular “book boyfriends”. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">How it all began….</span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I first
learned who Jessie was the way nearly one hundred thousand other women did, when
I stumbled across <a href="https://twitter.com/ChristianTGrey" target="_blank">@ChristianTGrey</a>’s twitter account. After getting over the
initial shock of learning fictional characters have twitter accounts, my next
thought was “who is this gorgeous man?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A
quick internet search revealed the handsome face actually belonged to fitness
and well being expert Jessie Pavelka. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
one of the world’s top celebrity trainers, Jessie has appeared on numerous American
and British television programs including The View, Lifetime’s DietTribe, and Oprah’s
OWN Wake-Up Workout. He can currently be seen on Sky Living’s new documentary
series, Fat: The Fight of My Life. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Jessie was
recently a guest on Northwest Prime, a blogtalk radio program hosted by Seattle’s
<a href="https://twitter.com/iguestinfo" target="_blank">Lori Ness</a>. I was fortunate enough to speak with him during the show and both
Lori and I had questions for Jessie about his connection to the phenomenon that
is Fifty Shades of Grey. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>On being “cast” as twitter’s original
Christian Grey…</strong></span></span><br />
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1fAZmUSkgFSI_fGLy89hDLF37_SydrLxDPXmXxdh3gWRH9sXYFjmzBGejswlz99hccyJKaOV-WX-AMgpntqrk6ywu734hXdlB7Jz0Jr_QPSNawS3ysIYwYr4xUxXQT7AbiGC28cGK-U/s1600/Jessie+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1fAZmUSkgFSI_fGLy89hDLF37_SydrLxDPXmXxdh3gWRH9sXYFjmzBGejswlz99hccyJKaOV-WX-AMgpntqrk6ywu734hXdlB7Jz0Jr_QPSNawS3ysIYwYr4xUxXQT7AbiGC28cGK-U/s200/Jessie+5.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/ChristianTGrey" target="_blank">@ChristianTGrey</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jessie
Pavelka was the unofficial “face” of Christian Grey months before the Fifty
Shades series was even released by Random House. “I have no idea how this
happened,” he told Ness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s very
flattering, I will say that.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">When I asked
Jessie what he thought about having 94,000 people following him as the AVI of
@ChristianTGrey, he laughed and replied, “It makes me envy this guy, because I
only have 25,000,” then quickly added, “I’m fortunate to have my picture used,
so I’m not complaining.” </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In fact, far
from it. Jessie not only considers the use of his image to be flattering, he
even follows the account himself. “I’m blessed in a lot of ways to have that
happen. It was a picture of me and then people wanted to know who it was…Some
of the stuff I do never kind of gets recognized, so what this does is allow
people who would never see what I do…it gives them kind of a window into that
as well. So if nothing ever came from this, at least there’s that.” <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_zJDqlbrgAsewC5JSph9qW1ktcbY8aPTMRWqVKVO0wnqOg6C8lbQEIByBohtx156fa8xjZt21xW0bzmQJLhMyuoQJAK6ikzjsyUITUY2i450YlS8XwvyjhbDS9HYeNENjFIKwYRjs7Y/s1600/Jessie+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh_zJDqlbrgAsewC5JSph9qW1ktcbY8aPTMRWqVKVO0wnqOg6C8lbQEIByBohtx156fa8xjZt21xW0bzmQJLhMyuoQJAK6ikzjsyUITUY2i450YlS8XwvyjhbDS9HYeNENjFIKwYRjs7Y/s320/Jessie+3.jpg" width="213" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>On whether or not he’s
read Fifty Shades of Grey...</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Jessie admits he was “given a copy of the book and went
through it a bit”. While he “could see why people would like it”, he’s not sure
the content was made for him.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>On being considered for the role of Christian
Grey…</strong></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong></strong></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">While his
work right now is fitness based, Jessie is no stranger to the screen. In
addition to the previously mentioned fitness programs, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jessie also appeared in the pilot episode of
“Friday Night Lights”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while he’s “very
open to the idea of a new role”, he says no one has contacted him about the
role of Christian Grey. When a caller asked who he could see playing his
co-star, Jessie very diplomatically answered, “my wife.” Hmm…well played, Mr.
Pavelka, well played. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>More than just a pretty face….</strong></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">One of
Jessie’s latest endeavors is serving as patron of the UK Charity HOOP (Helping
Overcome Obesity Problems) which aims to assist obese young people with finding
healthy solutions. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The organization
strives to be a hub of information while supporting not only the children, but
their parents as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can find out
more about Jessie’s involvement in this worthy cause by visiting <a href="http://hoopuk.org.uk/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://hoopuk.org.uk/</span></a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or watching this <a href="http://vimeo.com/58713510" target="_blank">video</a> from his website. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3BufSr6P_iC33aq2Z4UYJO0jhjhz7JGKvWLgxpSbenXlW9N2NH9lbYtRsIXT-c9H0C6lhOiwdbCAe1REPa6GeBLt5wA8gA6JWuc44Hm1BRgkY4SvSzxToKTWhNoGciEUkLMXH5lwt8o/s1600/Jessie+P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3BufSr6P_iC33aq2Z4UYJO0jhjhz7JGKvWLgxpSbenXlW9N2NH9lbYtRsIXT-c9H0C6lhOiwdbCAe1REPa6GeBLt5wA8gA6JWuc44Hm1BRgkY4SvSzxToKTWhNoGciEUkLMXH5lwt8o/s400/Jessie+P.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>And finally…<o:p></o:p></strong></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Be sure to follow <a href="https://twitter.com/Jessie_Pavelka" target="_blank">@Jessie_Pavelka</a> on twitter. Seems only fair
he have as many followers as Christian Grey!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">You can find out more about Jessie through his website, <a href="http://jessiepavelka.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://jessiepavelka.com/</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tab-stops: center 3.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue;"></span><o:p></o:p></span></span></span> </div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #3c1f00; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/18px "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong></strong></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #3c1f00; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 13px/18px "Times New Roman", Times, FreeSerif, serif; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><strong>Like What You See</strong></span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #3c1f00; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">? Stay tuned. Click "Join this Site" and then sign in with google or twitter</span>Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-55478615660135483092013-02-18T21:58:00.000-06:002014-12-09T16:17:05.910-06:00Casting Your Novel (And how did I NOT know about David Gandy?)<h3>
</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
The other
day I was weaving through Macy’s - trying to reach the exit while avoiding the
perfume sample assassins - when I ran straight into the most gorgeous man.
Brown hair, blue eyes, white Speedo (did I mention he was a life size cut-out?)
With the exception of his clothing, he was the epitome of the leading man in my
WIP (work in progress).<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br />
We’ve all done it. Cracked open a book and before long we’ve cast the main
characters. Whether a famous actor, a model or just a kid we knew in high
school, by the end of the novel more than a few characters have taken on
familiar faces.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>It’s no different
for writers. While it’s true authors use words to describe the characters
they envision, when asked, most will admit they’ve already cast the motion
picture version of their novel.<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Never
mind my next book isn’t finished, let alone sold. If Hollywood wants to
make a movie out of my new novel, they can look no further. I’ve found the man!
His name is David Gandy and according to one of my friends, I’ve been living under
a rock not to know this “sexy beast”. So without further ado, meet the
leading man of my dreams...<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="margin: 1em 0px;">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">UPDATE: I am thrilled to announce that
the <a href="http://www.penguin.com/book/remind-me-by-ann-marie-walker/9780698194762" target="_blank">Chasing Fire Series </a>will be released in April, July & October
2015 by Penguin Books. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z67KddB5S3pq76jwwPvgRhJ5sDX_iXNaABnQtBvl6lRrzOjrQoM1yyzNhikBSbI7agtwk1ugotIuw6Q3M2xMFKweLbe0-2QlPv1GIG-zG_464KdqncukhqAuKK4AZ-dd-DWxPDp362k/s1600/Hudson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Z67KddB5S3pq76jwwPvgRhJ5sDX_iXNaABnQtBvl6lRrzOjrQoM1yyzNhikBSbI7agtwk1ugotIuw6Q3M2xMFKweLbe0-2QlPv1GIG-zG_464KdqncukhqAuKK4AZ-dd-DWxPDp362k/s320/Hudson.jpg" height="320" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpcTOiOe2Jex_Eff5QnxBTV7LntuJUX9fMyM11RFXW85u0tAc84xFIXSex8edJI-TU4l9DMlpwpQzU9_yv0P6a6bhi-w3siFvxLW-E59mkX4RRpXzvHbRMaY79ZIc82bXIarlUp5u_nM/s1600/Hudson+desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtpcTOiOe2Jex_Eff5QnxBTV7LntuJUX9fMyM11RFXW85u0tAc84xFIXSex8edJI-TU4l9DMlpwpQzU9_yv0P6a6bhi-w3siFvxLW-E59mkX4RRpXzvHbRMaY79ZIc82bXIarlUp5u_nM/s320/Hudson+desk.jpg" height="313" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugXLz-X9QtzPYLiSx0QhvhMRUYslT8ykRxhM2xmdXyHlgWoYmpUilLfCdGLcsJHFyhY72zRFyDFr1qPkJ0lEDCgVUuGQFNEBkwCoh50ZRnCXlV0iDnb7_cK1JHAIwq858Onv4MBEzX0Y/s1600/David-Gandy-El-Libro-Amarillo-Spring-Summer-2012-09%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiugXLz-X9QtzPYLiSx0QhvhMRUYslT8ykRxhM2xmdXyHlgWoYmpUilLfCdGLcsJHFyhY72zRFyDFr1qPkJ0lEDCgVUuGQFNEBkwCoh50ZRnCXlV0iDnb7_cK1JHAIwq858Onv4MBEzX0Y/s320/David-Gandy-El-Libro-Amarillo-Spring-Summer-2012-09%5B1%5D.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So tell me fellow writers, who is
the “dream cast” of your novel?</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Like what you see? </strong>Be sure to sign in as a blog
member<strong>.</strong> <span style="color: #3c1f00;">Click "Join this Site" and
then log in with google or twitter.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
</span>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span>Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-83495126765023129112012-11-10T21:00:00.000-06:002012-11-10T21:00:33.108-06:00Who Knew Captain Hook Could Be So...HOT?
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">“Put your hand right here,” he orders and she
willingly complies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His lips twitch with
a ghost of a smile but his eyes darken, regarding her with lascivious intent as
he cuffs her wrist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Good Girl.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Sound like a Scene from “Fifty Shades of Grey”? Not
quite. In this case the domineering bad boy in question is not Christian Grey. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s Captain Hook. Yes, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i> Captain Hook - as in Neverland, the Lost Boys, and Tinkerbell
– although this version, a.k.a Killian Jones, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>looks nothing like the animated pirate you
grew up with. No, this Captain Hook is witty, charming, and oh so sexy. And did
I mention he wears black leather pants?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBVbshec0q0t4r5xBbLqnl8IobCOkBX2QVMQtkWxqe4H5D0Oqxjaz2c6MYcTGUhifnUh0mA3g-EJuJ2FlUlSfUI44r3IS99ltzD3KDMuqGZZlHbPh5PsKrRA7cCSBSPPUsx0VKXAOelI/s1600/tumblr_mcdd8rLEtQ1r9mbcdo8_1280%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBVbshec0q0t4r5xBbLqnl8IobCOkBX2QVMQtkWxqe4H5D0Oqxjaz2c6MYcTGUhifnUh0mA3g-EJuJ2FlUlSfUI44r3IS99ltzD3KDMuqGZZlHbPh5PsKrRA7cCSBSPPUsx0VKXAOelI/s320/tumblr_mcdd8rLEtQ1r9mbcdo8_1280%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Fans of ABC’s “Once Upon A Time”, the fairy tale
mash up that became last season’s top-rated new drama, shouldn’t be surprised
by this new and improved Captain Hook.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After all, a revisionist approach to well-known classics is nothing new
on a show that revealed Little Red Riding Hood to also be a werewolf. These
bold plot twists involving some of fiction’s most familiar characters, while definitely
a gamble, have clearly paid off as ratings for “Once” continue to climb.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So what is this “magic” that keeps viewers coming
back for more?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without a doubt,
countless television executives are asking their market researchers the exact
same question. The answer <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>might just be
as simple as hope. In this day and age of crime shows and ill behaved reality
TV “stars”, it’s refreshing to see a show with unending optimism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Heck, even the evil villains are motivated by
love and their own desires to live “happily ever after”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So thank you ABC, for giving us a show about
true love’s triumph over evil curses. It’s just what we need to start our week.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Of course the hot pirate in the black leather pants
doesn’t hurt either. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ikdy1jEgfhM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Like what you see? Stick around. Click “Join this
Site” and sign in with Google or Twitter<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Already a fan of “Once Upon A Time”? Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/br_myers">@br_myers</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and her <a href="http://bethanymyers.blogspot.com/2012/11/once-upon-time-episode-6-season-2.html">blog</a> for weekly updates.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-86823378450884395762012-07-06T09:59:00.000-05:002014-06-14T18:35:03.711-05:00My Review of “Magic Mike”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxdHLlyh21K6cRnQR73N0y35tLpt-nAj5ZldquGGTFFalXavwTgiNIv74A7nk9lFw3Dtt83KfROQTs3rJ6EiZ0qkxP9lvoL9BwJUts-6Cp4KH2r-NVgsdadDTu0tojdmLZMMA-O2zZYM/s1600/imagesCA70BZU9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxdHLlyh21K6cRnQR73N0y35tLpt-nAj5ZldquGGTFFalXavwTgiNIv74A7nk9lFw3Dtt83KfROQTs3rJ6EiZ0qkxP9lvoL9BwJUts-6Cp4KH2r-NVgsdadDTu0tojdmLZMMA-O2zZYM/s1600/imagesCA70BZU9.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The AMC 14 was packed.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Teen girls clutching free posters of
Katy Perry, devoted Spiderman fans standing in line behind velvet ropes, and a
theater FULL of women chatting about “Fifty Shades” and Christian Grey while waiting to
see “Magic Mike”.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwt_SLJ3jqzP-hCxsBg8C1AfXZtPJzABZ2QrXf8ExUmp1gvXYpiT8mPPCXk-HdJ-O0i-ko-AZKOMdANtGIaoJFWNx2DuKTi-y0qHpin5mBQrlasP7IqRLf6Ue1pQ9kyo9wijsw4NJG_yI/s1600/imagesCAKR59JH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwt_SLJ3jqzP-hCxsBg8C1AfXZtPJzABZ2QrXf8ExUmp1gvXYpiT8mPPCXk-HdJ-O0i-ko-AZKOMdANtGIaoJFWNx2DuKTi-y0qHpin5mBQrlasP7IqRLf6Ue1pQ9kyo9wijsw4NJG_yI/s1600/imagesCAKR59JH.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It was all so promising, right down to
the opening scene in which Matthew McConaughey told a crowd of zealous women
about the “touch and no touch zones”. (For the record, anything goes.) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
momentum kept going at full speed into the second scene, which opened with a
shot of Channing Tatum’s bare bum and quickly revealed not one, but two ladies
had spent the night in his bed. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">After that, however, the film developed a
multiple personality disorder, constantly flipping between two genres.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmInqfaotmIT0iqUJ3P8hODHn5CiqaD10TKeXL-pmLOk7kqEtmyGxPY_ZhDvLwKc3_z8M92RASFuSiU9Gn7wIF7rqcFb2FT8GWy-xqPCTdphDk32AEzOUFX4wKLlqsvExuaqJA0yqvfQ/s1600/imagesCA8MY68D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSmInqfaotmIT0iqUJ3P8hODHn5CiqaD10TKeXL-pmLOk7kqEtmyGxPY_ZhDvLwKc3_z8M92RASFuSiU9Gn7wIF7rqcFb2FT8GWy-xqPCTdphDk32AEzOUFX4wKLlqsvExuaqJA0yqvfQ/s1600/imagesCA8MY68D.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">On the one hand it was as advertised, a rollicking
good time about a stripper with a heart of gold and a body that...well, let’s
just say if I could go see Channing Tatum dance I’d leave the singles at
home...tens and twenties, baby! But there were darker moments in the film as
well. I don’t want to ruin the movie for anyone, but a teacup pig eating vomit
off the floor the “morning after” is a bit of a mood kill in my book. All in
all, not quite the romantic comedy the movie’s trailer made it out to be.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">So my advice to you is this: wait for
the DVD to come out. That way you can invite your friends over, have a few
cocktails, and replay the dancing scenes over and over. In the meantime, open a
bottle of wine and watch the trailer a few dozen times. All the best parts are
there anyway.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cheers!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/eMU7s6cwxEM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<strong>Like what you see? </strong>Be sure to sign in as a blog member<strong>.</strong> <span style="color: #3c1f00;">Click "Join this Site" and then log in with google or twitter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-75433468333773185042012-06-12T20:02:00.000-05:002015-01-30T19:11:39.839-06:00Universal Studios: The Wonderful World of Christian Grey?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeSNfXGLein1Zhmu70loy3pga5gQV5UxMbGS38w_7wHz3YxFjoUe3QYECXq2EehGozR3vdk09NF6qbc_Nxxcbibn54zBLX6kP3-oxRv9-aAd0dgJ5dFD-ismn3JTk7miq0DguWrWoNS0/s1600/AvIlRAjCQAMI2ZT%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpeSNfXGLein1Zhmu70loy3pga5gQV5UxMbGS38w_7wHz3YxFjoUe3QYECXq2EehGozR3vdk09NF6qbc_Nxxcbibn54zBLX6kP3-oxRv9-aAd0dgJ5dFD-ismn3JTk7miq0DguWrWoNS0/s320/AvIlRAjCQAMI2ZT%5B1%5D.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yesterday, as I watched dozens of
little girls waiting to have their pictures taken with Cinderella, I tried to
imagine how long the line would be if their mothers could meet Christian Grey.
Later, at the airport, I saw an advertisement for the “Wizarding World of Harry
Potter” at Universal Studios. Remembering that Universal Pictures just bought
the rights to the “Fifty Shades” trilogy, I couldn’t help but wonder if Orlando’s
next tourist attraction would be “The Wonderful World of Christian Grey”.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Since Disney World advertises
itself as the place “where storybook fantasy comes to life”, I thought it only
appropriate to take a cue from a few of their more popular attractions as I
imagine what Grey World might look like.....</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Join Christian Grey as you
venture into a world where romance is real and excitement knows no bounds.
Leave the Tower of Terror to the others because <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">your</i> elevator stops at the penthouse of Escala where you’ll receive
a full tour of everything from the billiards room to Christian’s office...even
the infamous Red Room. As you exit, you’ll pass through the obligatory gift
shop where you can purchase your very own silver...masquerade mask.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Getting hungry? Christian would
not be pleased. Stop by one of the park’s restaurants such as “Mrs. Jones’
Kitchen” for pancakes and bacon, but best to wait until after you’ve been on the
pulse-pounding rides.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIWVu0lgMxOfFroht5_zVvHBTprAjXXOU36KcQpLzGiK4iXZC1vAf8qWaOAfHS23ysqwTX_Qy84hiOa6j938QK2qos5OYabjrnb1694C-QeIpygT5GjbrpHfYUcZ5cwojsUaPo20SpP8/s1600/images%255B6%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIWVu0lgMxOfFroht5_zVvHBTprAjXXOU36KcQpLzGiK4iXZC1vAf8qWaOAfHS23ysqwTX_Qy84hiOa6j938QK2qos5OYabjrnb1694C-QeIpygT5GjbrpHfYUcZ5cwojsUaPo20SpP8/s200/images%255B6%255D.jpg" height="112" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">You can forget the Astro Orbiter,
at Grey World you’ll soar through the air on Charlie Tango. And who needs a Jungle
Cruise when you can set sail on “The Grace” instead? If you’re in the mood for
something with more of a thrill, head over to the I-5 Speedway to test your
skills in an R8 but be sure to keep an eye out for the mysterious black Dodge. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Of course no trip to an amusement
park would be complete without posing for pictures with characters. Many of your favorites - even
the “bitch troll’ herself - are available for photo ops, but for the ultimate
Grey World experience head over to GEH where you’ll be issued a “visitor” badge
and whisked to the twentieth floor for a meet and greet with Christian Grey
himself. And while you might not trip on your way into his office, you’re
guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face. After all, Mr. Grey does “aim to
please”. But be warned, judging by the fact that over 30,000* people are following <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a> on Twitter, you'd better be
prepared for extremely long lines!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
*As of January 2015 that number has risen to nearly 150,000!!!! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<strong>Like What You See?</strong> <span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Check out REMIND ME my upcoming release from Penguin Random House under the "books" tab or visit the </span>Penguin<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span>website<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <a href="http://www.penguin.com/book/remind-me-by-ann-marie-walker/9780698194762" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-56169841459299707882012-06-03T18:57:00.000-05:002012-06-03T22:54:21.289-05:00True Blood is Back...Excited or Over It?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDC1skDnDgCE8g8B4CrrxkGICxeJpTtqYsC9hRcLtjCAPsyrA6HfyT9hMtjA-2pe1puqmNIpawgbkVWvJhN34PjoCbhg60dvlNicOiBaR7HqgR09ZVyfdnv1RXs_JNT-fHlZSf7QynOg/s1600/True+Blood+Season+5%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDC1skDnDgCE8g8B4CrrxkGICxeJpTtqYsC9hRcLtjCAPsyrA6HfyT9hMtjA-2pe1puqmNIpawgbkVWvJhN34PjoCbhg60dvlNicOiBaR7HqgR09ZVyfdnv1RXs_JNT-fHlZSf7QynOg/s320/True+Blood+Season+5%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I used to be obsessed with “True Blood”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I know what you’re thinking, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">me</i>, obsessed with a book series? Hard to picture, right? But it’s
true. It was so bad in fact that one friend even had “Bad Things” as my
designated ring tone on her cell phone (That reminds me, “Fifty Shades” needs a
theme song!) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But alas, that was sooo 2008. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The other day I heard someone mention “True Blood”
was returning to HBO next week. My first thought was, “Gosh, it’s been so long
I don’t even remember how last season ended.” (My second thought was to wish I
had their schedule...shoot 12 episodes and then take 9 months off? Must be
nice!) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In an effort to reacquaint myself with the good folks
of Bon Temps, I turned to the internet for a quick refresher that can be summed
up like this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a LOT of people died.
Lafayette’s boyfriend? Dead. Debbie the crazy wolf chick? Dead. Sookie’s best
friend, Tara? Dead. Even the Vampire League PR lady died at the hands of Bill
and Eric. Apparently they felt the need to protect her “fairy” secret even
though she dumped both of them in favor of Alcide. (Or is it time for Quinn the
Where-Tiger now? Honestly, I can’t keep all her men straight...for a former 24
year old virgin, Miss Stackhouse sure is making up for lost time!) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">I guess I can’t really blame her for moving on.
After all, Bill doesn’t even remotely resemble the vampire she fell in love
with in Season One. Oh, how I long for the days when Bill was a sexy, henley
wearing bad boy with long, mussed up hair. *Sigh* He was enough to make me wish
I was Sookie, hauling ass through a creepy cemetery in the middle of the night
in what appeared to be her Gran’s nightgown. Now he’s a civilized, suit-wearing
step-dad for god’s sake! As for Eric, he’s hot and all, but the amnesia story
line was wrapped up waaaay too fast for my taste. Heck, they could have devoted
an entire episode to the book’s shower scene alone! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Before long, all this nostalgia had me wondering
what was next for Louisiana’s supernatural community, so I pulled up the
trailer for Season 5:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://0.gvt0.com/vi/5vJdU3XrS_Q/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5vJdU3XrS_Q&fs=1&source=uds" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5vJdU3XrS_Q&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Hmm...was that a henley tee I saw Bill wearing? Maybe
I will call my cable company and add HBO after all...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Like What You See?</strong> Stick around. Click "Join This Site" and then sign in with Google or Twitter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-78769824904880498152012-05-29T12:39:00.000-05:002012-07-10T15:21:14.381-05:00Confessions of a Teen Crush – Celebrity Edition<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoKECzRNzWHeF_HOCQJ7hjfjssDADhZDauE1GVl01nmw0IqoZUcDmoP47qCADegdCzvk7Yt022jauTnarD4L3fAXVcLE3Sf79hq6Lw8HkWrO3QZj5ZVdjWa4WCv_Iz9jXP8n0FftPw7U/s1600/Ralph-Macchio-222x300%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoKECzRNzWHeF_HOCQJ7hjfjssDADhZDauE1GVl01nmw0IqoZUcDmoP47qCADegdCzvk7Yt022jauTnarD4L3fAXVcLE3Sf79hq6Lw8HkWrO3QZj5ZVdjWa4WCv_Iz9jXP8n0FftPw7U/s200/Ralph-Macchio-222x300%5B1%5D.jpg" width="147" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Okay ladies (and a few gentlemen), I know most of you
have a pretty big crush on Christian Grey right now, but who did you love <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">before</i> him? I’m talking about the
pictures you cut out of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tiger Beat</i>, the
posters you hung on your bedroom wall, or the movie you saw at the theatre 12
times because none of us had VCRs yet. That’s right, it’s time for “Confessions
of a First Crush – Celebrity Edition”.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So get out that crimping iron, put
on those leg warmers, crank up “Jessie’s Girl”, and post a comment below
telling me about your “Teen Crush”. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As for me, I’m afraid I’ll have
to sit this one out. For those of you who frequent my blog, you already know my
first novel, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hollywood Ending</i> - the
story of a broken hearted co-ed who sends an impulsive letter to the 80s hottest
heartthrob - was loosely based on my own true story. Obviously, I can’t reveal
my teen crush without also giving away the identity of the actor who inspired
the main character. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So instead I ask you, if you could have
had an adventure with the teen idol of your choice, who would it have been?</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com52tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-2799016720324922352012-05-23T21:05:00.000-05:002015-01-26T15:10:49.298-06:00My Fifty Shades Fantasy Comes True (Fiction/An Interview with Christian Grey)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFC1iT2ZHkz4uliNho93AxnkiGga7mC5qjdwSQQn2ciVnZgBFvNt6yPIlVyDdnbmAOhvN5G6-rb9LQwJ9JXTP2r2VEveJpYs0hnoFZ4YdtmNv2J0jWSmrLSxdeVQ4mF45mT_oeJiYWXNU/s1600/imagesCA25J1P7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFC1iT2ZHkz4uliNho93AxnkiGga7mC5qjdwSQQn2ciVnZgBFvNt6yPIlVyDdnbmAOhvN5G6-rb9LQwJ9JXTP2r2VEveJpYs0hnoFZ4YdtmNv2J0jWSmrLSxdeVQ4mF45mT_oeJiYWXNU/s1600/imagesCA25J1P7.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ever since I finished reading “Fifty Shades of
Grey”, I’ve had an overwhelming desire to re-enact one of my favorite scenes.
Before your mind heads too far into the gutter - or perhaps a certain red room
- the scene I’m referring to is the one where Ana interviews Christian Grey.
(What can I say? I’m a writer.)</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Unlike Miss Steele, however, I don’t have a
tenacious best friend who can arrange an interview with Seattle’s hottest “mega-industrialist
tycoon” only to fall ill and send me as a last minute replacement. (Which is a
shame because, as you know *wink*, that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">is</i>
the only thing standing between me and my dream assignment.) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So I'm taking a cue from Ms.
E.L. James herself and posting a little “<strong>fan fiction</strong>” of my own as I head to Grey
House to interview none other than the CEO of Grey Enterprise Holdings himself,
<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a>. (Huge thanks to Mr. Grey!) </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But that’s not all. Just like Miss Steele, I'm interviewing Mr. Grey with questions provided by someone other than myself. For the past month blog readers have been posting questions in the comments section below and I have used them to compile my
list for the interview. (FYI, I viewed the questions, but
did not publish them for everyone else to see...more suspense that way! Also, over a hundred questions were "submitted", so I apologize in advance for not being able to ask them all.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Update: Details on the "Fifty Shades" packages available at the Heathman Hotel, including the "Inner Goddess" and the "Charlie Tango", can now be found at the end of this post in the Epilogue.</span></strong> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt;"><strong>“My Interview with Christian Grey”</strong></span></div>
<br />
June 25, 2012<br />
<br />
PART ONE <br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I couldn’t rent an Audi at
Sea-Tac. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I shouldn’t have been surprised
really. The odds that an airport car rental company would have luxury sports
cars available had to be pretty slim. Instead I settled for a Prius and while
it is a far cry from an R8, it handles well as I pull onto the rain soaked highway
for the drive to Grey House, the global headquarters of Grey Enterprises
Holdings, Inc. The company’s CEO, a self-made billionaire at only 27 years of
age, has granted me an interview and I have spent the past month soliciting
questions from my blog readers. Normally I wouldn’t fly across the country to
interview a subject, but to my knowledge Christian Grey has only given
interviews on two other occasions: to the student newspaper at Washington State
and to financial journalist BG Willis. Besides, if he’s half as handsome
as he looks in photos, the four hour flight will have been well worth it.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It’s still raining when I park
the car, which seems only fitting given Seattle’s reputation, and I struggle to
keep dry under the flimsy umbrella I purchased at the airport gift shop. As I
wait to cross the street I notice an enormous puddle has formed at the
intersection. I’m so busy contemplating how best to maneuver around it that I
don’t see the approaching van until it’s too late to avoid being drenched. Squeezing
my eyes closed, I brace myself for the inevitable tidal wave but it never
arrives. When I open my eyes I am disoriented, but also dry...and standing a
good five feet from the curb. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What the?</i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Are you lost?” someone asks as
if reading my confused mind. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I don’t answer at first, still
trying to reconcile what has happened. “Maybe,” I finally say, turning to face
the man standing next to me. He is impossibly handsome with the most perfect,
albeit ghostly pale, skin I’ve ever seen. His hair is the same dark copper as
the man I’m about to interview, but his eyes are what truly stand out as they
are the most unusual shade of gold. I catch myself staring and quickly shift my
gaze to the spot near the curb where I could have sworn I’d been standing just
a minute ago.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Was I...I mean, did I...” I stop
talking, unsure how to ask such a ridiculous question.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> You are losing it, Walker</i>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The stranger eyes me quizzically.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Never mind,” I say, opting to
ask for directions instead. I switch the umbrella to my other hand and fish a
piece of paper from my jacket pocket. “Do you know where this building is by
any chance?” I ask, showing him the street address for GEH’s corporate
headquarters.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He glances at the paper and I see
a flicker of recognition in his eyes. “Grey House? Yes, my sister works there.”
He places a hand on my shoulder and turns me so I’m facing south. “Two more
blocks and you’ll see it on the left. Big glass and steel building, you can’t
miss it.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I steal a peek at my watch and am
relieved to see I still have twenty minutes until my meeting with Mr. Grey. “Great...”
I begin, but when I turn around he’s gone. “Thanks,” I finish saying to no one
in particular.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My mysterious tour guide was
correct; there is certainly no missing Grey House. Twenty stories high, the modern
office building looks as though it has been plucked from the pages of an
architectural magazine. At the lobby reception desk, a lovely blonde woman
dressed in black asks for my identification. She cross references it with the
information on her computer screen before handing it back to me along with a
clip-on badge marked “Visitor”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Take the elevators to the
twentieth floor,” she instructs, pointing a well manicured hand to a bank of
elevators flanked by two imposing security guards.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When I reach my destination, I am
confronted by yet another perfectly coiffed blonde and I begin to wish I’d at
least had time to get a few highlights in my brown hair. “Welcome, Ms. Walker,”
she says the minute I step out of the elevator. Her personal greeting surprises
me until I recall the first receptionist typing my information into the lobby
computer. “Mr. Grey, will be with you momentarily.” She offers to take my coat
and umbrella and instructs me to have a seat on one of the white leather
couches. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As I sink into the oversized sofa
I instantly regret my choice of outfit. Originally I’d planned on wearing my
standard black dress pants from Ann Taylor, but changed my mind at the last
second in favor of a fitted skirt. The cut is barely above the knee, but rather
ill designed for sitting on such a deep couch. When the receptionist is
distracted, I struggle rather awkwardly to my feet and walk over to the wall of
windows. For a moment I am lost in the breathtaking views of Seattle’s skyline
until the sound of a door opening breaks the spell. Another blonde, this one
worthy of a fashion show runway, emerges from Mr. Grey’s office. Her hair cascades
in soft, wave-like curls down her back and she has the same pale skin and
goldenrod eyes as the mystery man on the street. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ah, probably the sister</i>, I think to myself. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The receptionist jumps to
attention. “Would you like me to call for your car, Ms. Hale?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“No, I’m going to stop by my
office first,” she replies with a cool smile before heading off in the
direction of the elevators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There is a soft buzzing sound and
I watch as the receptionist raises her hand to the small earpiece hidden discreetly
behind her blonde hair. “Mr. Grey will see you now,” she informs me, waving her
hand in the direction of the oversized wood door. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I take a deep breath and push the
door open, having no idea what to expect on the other side.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">PART TWO</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I open the door and am surprised
to find Christian Grey, billionaire industrialist, gracefully crossing</span><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"> the expanse of his office to greet me. As he approaches I
notice him expeditiously assess my hem line before extending his hand.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Good afternoon, Ms.
Walker,” he says, flashing a dazzling grin. “I’m Christian Grey.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Holy Smokes, the pictures don’t even begin to do him justice. </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
expected him to be attractive, but the man standing before me is downright
gorgeous. He’s taller than I imagined and when he smiles, looks even younger
than his twenty seven years. He’s dressed sharply in a dark suit, white shirt,
and silver gray tie that make him appear every bit the powerful CEO. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It’s nice to meet
you, Mr. Grey.” I take his hand and feel a flutter of butterflies in the pit of
my stomach. “Thank you for agreeing to speak with me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“My pleasure, Ms.
Walker.” His tone seems sincere, but I suspect my persistence paid off only at
the urging of his PR department to indulge the press with more than the
occasional interview.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Would you like to sit?” he asks, waving his
hand in the direction of a chair functionally positioned in front of his desk. To
my relief, it’s firmer than the couch in the reception area and I am able to
perch on the edge without issue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr.
Grey waits for me to take my seat before strolling around his desk. It is
modern, made of dark wood and bigger than my dining room table. He lowers himself
into his leather chair, beyond which nearly all of Seattle is visible. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“That’s quite an impressive view,” I note, not
merely referring to the one outside. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">His lips twitch with
a trace of amusement. “Yes, it is,” he replies without bothering to look out
the floor to ceiling windows behind him.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As I take in the rest
of my surroundings, it becomes quite clear that Christian Grey is a firm
believer in monochromatic decor. With the exception of the desk and a small
coffee table, nearly everything else in the room is white – ceilings, carpet,
walls, couches. There are a series of small paintings arranged on the far wall,
but everything else is as sterile as a hospital. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Not a fan of color?”
I ask. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He cocks his head to
one side. “On the contrary, I simply prefer an uncluttered and clean work environment.
Functional.” He pauses, his bright gray eyes locking on mine, and I completely
lose my train of thought. A brief moment of silence passes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Ready when you are, Ms. Walker.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Um...yes...” I stutter, snapping out of my
trance. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I
dig through my purse and out of the corner of my eye notice him raise an eyebrow
in anticipation. “Do you mind if I use this, Mr. Grey?” I ask, holding up my
digital recorder. His expression seems to be a mixture of surprise and relief. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What was he expecting, a mini-disc recorder</i>?
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“<span style="color: black;">Not at
all,” he replies, resting his elbow on the arm of the chair and stroking his
lip with his index finger. My eyes linger on his mouth before I catch myself
and quickly scan my notes. I smile briefly when I realize how appropriate the
first question is given the fact that I am suddenly acting like a star struck
teen.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">PART THREE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Mr. Grey, you are
quite an intimidating man to many people.” I pause and as our eyes meet I can’t
help but wonder if he is aware of the effect he’s having on me. “What advice
would you give to anyone who found themselves tied up in knots when in our
presence?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He smirks and for a
moment I think he might even laugh out loud at my question. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Poor choice of words perhaps? </i>But his smile
quickly disappears and in its place is the infamous “Grey stare” I read about
so often in my research. “As they should find me intimidating,” he replies.
Slowly, he lowers his hand and I watch as his expression changes yet again from
intimidating to dare I say heated. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Damn
him, he knows exactly what he’s doing to me</i>. He holds my gaze as he
finishes his thought. “I suggest for individuals to be themselves.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">His intensity is
palpable and after a moment I have to look away, glancing down at my notes
before launching into the next question. “To the casual observer, you never
seem to let anything bother you. To what do attribute your confidence?" </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Crossing his leg at the ankle he
leans back in his chair.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">
</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">“</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If
you forfeit your confidence, you can never regain the respect or esteem of your
fellow citizens. The fact is I’m good at what I do, professionally and
otherwise.” A nefarious grin plays on his lips before he presses them into a
hard line. “But there are a great many things in the world that bother me,
which is why I choose to focus professionally on such matters. Whether or not
my hair is perfect,” he adds, reaching up and running a hand through his unruly
hair, “is of little interest to me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I am suddenly
overcome by the thought of my own fingers knotted in his tousled hair, but quickly
shake the image from my head. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jeez, snap
out of it! You’re a professional for god’s sake.</i> Regaining my composure, I
continue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Mr. Grey, in your
speech at WSU’s graduation, you alluded to your rough beginnings. Given your
background and upbringing, do you believe in kismet or that you have full
control of your destiny?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He lifts his brow and
once again he seems to be trying hard to restrain his mirth. “I don't subscribe
to the fantastical misconceptions of kismet. Everything I have I’ve achieved
through hard work, determination and dedication. If you are unable to motivate yourself
then you are content with mediocrity. That does not impress me.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“How much of your
past personal life influences your business decisions?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The levity drains from his face and I know we’ve reached
the heart of the matter.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> “My business decisions are based on logic and facts. That is not
to say I'm not influenced by my past, because clearly I am</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 9.5pt;">”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, you've previously
mentioned that it's important for people to have access to simple needs- food,
water – and your humanitarian endeavors speak for themselves. Which of your
many philanthropic interests would you say is closest to your heart?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“It is well known
that I went hungry as a child. I know what it's like go without.” An
impassioned expression crosses his face. “My philanthropic interests are to
eradicate hunger, to enable and empower those less fortunate through
sustainable technology. This is where I see my time well spent. It’s an
approach that is mutually beneficial for those in need and for my company.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The unwelcome image
of a hungry and neglected copper-haired boy flashes through my mind. Clearly
this is the key to a better understanding of the seemingly unflappable man
seated before me, but it is not a story I am willing to pursue. In the short
time I’ve spent with him he has alternated between brazen flirt and arrogant
tycoon, yet there’s still something about him that strikes an overwhelming chord
of compassion in me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In an attempt to
lighten the mood, I switch gears. “One of my readers commented that in the
movie ‘Bruce Almighty’ Jim Carey's character says ‘behind every great man, there's
a woman rolling her eyes’. Do you have any thoughts on this?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I suppose that's
true,” he chuckles as he uncrosses his legs, but I notice his eyes narrow imperceptibly
as he runs his thumb across the tips of his fingers. “Rather rude habit to
adopt. One recently pointed out that I too, have been guilty of the act.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The next page has the
word “Personal” typed across the top. I raise an eyebrow at an email sent by a
reader that says, “Do NOT ask about sexual orientation” before continuing to
scan the questions. Skipping the first one entirely, I decide to ease into the
category with something a bit obvious. “Mr. Grey, you seem to place a great
deal of trust in the people who work for you, particularly your security team
and household staff. Do you require all of your employees to sign NDAs?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The expression on his
face conveys his annoyance as he dispatches a rudimentary answer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Yes, along with other paperwork pertaining
to their employment.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I frown at his
clipped tone. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Too easy? Okay Grey, brace
yourself</i>. Squaring my shoulders, I move down the page to a few of the more
controversial questions.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">PART FOUR</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">His jaw is tense as
he sits waiting for my next question. In an effort to improve his mood I begin by
asking one I expect he’ll find amusing. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">“What are you a ‘natural’ at, Mr. Grey?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">He pauses for a beat and his mouth twists
into a wry grin. When he finally answers I suspect he has omitted the first
thought that came to mind. <b>“</b>Why, running my company, Ms. Walker.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It’s a cop-out answer but I let
it go, opting instead to ask the logical follow-up. “Is there something you
fail at?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">His expression becomes more
guarded. “Yes, there are a few things,” is all he says at first. I hold his
gaze, waiting for him to elaborate, but when he does it’s not with the
revelation I am hoping for. “<span style="color: black;">I don't cook and I am a
terrible joke teller,” he admits before flashing and enigmatic grin. “But I
make up for it other ways.”</span><br />
</span><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yes, </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I think to myself, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m sure you do</i>. “Have you ever been
caught doing something you shouldn’t have?” I ask impulsively. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">He tilts his head to one side, regarding me somewhat
smugly as he considers his answer. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
talent is how you get out of the predicament.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“If
you weren't CEO of Grey Enterprises Holdings, is there another job you'd like?”</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He fixes me with a
pointed stare. “This is what I want to be doing. I do it well.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“With all that
responsibility must come a tremendous amount of stress. What’s your secret for
letting off steam?</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="color: black;">Do you indulge in any games?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Eyes flaring, he shifts in his
seat as his hand reaches to smooth down his silver gray tie. <span style="color: black;">His lips curl into a lascivious grin and I have the
distinct feeling he thinks I’m referring to something else entirely. He’s about
to respond when I add a quick clarification. “</span>I mean are you a
PlayStation 3 or XBox kind of guy?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I do have an Xbox, though my interests are in other...more
physical pursuits,” he adds, smirking. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ignoring his obvious
innuendo I continue with my line of questioning. “Yes, according to my
research, you have a passion for some rather adventurous activities – sailing
and flying to name a few. Do you consider yourself a thrill seeker, an
adrenaline junkie if you will?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I wouldn't classify
myself as an ‘adrenaline junkie’ as you put it.” He breaks out into a full grin
and I’m not sure if he’s laughing at me or is merely amused by the label I’ve
given him. “I do take risks, both professionally and in my personal life. Put
myself on the line on a daily basis.” He lifts his brow, inclining his head to
one side. “If that defines me as an ‘adrenaline junkie’, so be it. Taking risks
is how you move forward.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">My ears perk up at
the mention of the words “personal life”. Intentional or not, he has given me
an opening and I take it. “It seems the local society pages have finally
captured photos of you with a date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Does
this mean Seattle’s most eligible bachelor is officially off the market?”<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There is an
uncomfortable silence as he regards me intently, stroking his chin with his
finger and thumb. When he finally speaks it is obvious he’s trying hard to
reign in his irritation. “These are not questions I normally entertain, Ann
Marie.” </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It’s the first time
he’s called me by my name and something about the tone of his voice makes me
feel like an errant teenager. Having read his previous interviews, I already
know this is not the type of question he usually answers. But since he brought
it up, I consider the subject fair game and push forward. “The pictures were in
the newspaper, Mr. Grey, not exactly the place for a well-kept secret.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Yes, I am involved
with someone at the present time,” he relents. It’s not much, but it’s a start.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Miss Anastasia
Steele, correct?” He doesn’t answer but since he hasn’t had his security team throw
me out yet, I take my questioning one step further. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“What first attracted
you to Miss Steele?” Inwardly I cringe at what I know is an intrusive question,
but it was one asked repeatedly by my readers. I brace for his wrath but to my
relief his expression softens.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“You’ve seen the
pictures. Her beautiful eyes, her intelligence, the surprising things that come
out of her smart mouth.” His lips curve into a private grin and his eyes darken
as he holds my gaze. “Somewhat similar to you, Ms. Walker.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Whoa, is he complimenting me or reprimanding me? </span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Either
way I’m grateful to have a desk separating us as I squirm ever so slightly
under his penetrating stare.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I apologize if I offended
you, Mr. Grey. These questions were submitted by my blog readers.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He cocks a lopsided
grin. “Not at all, Ms. Walker. Merely paying you a compliment. I'm finding the
questions...amusing. Some rather thought out, possessing originality.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“By
the way, several of my readers inquired as to openings in your intern program.
Are you currently hiring?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“My
company has an excellent internship program. I am always looking to recruit
talent, inspire them, and perhaps fulfill their dreams.” He rises from his
chair, never once taking his eyes off mine as he causally strolls around his
desk. “Surely this is relatable,” he says, sitting down on the edge. His lips
curl into an enigmatic grin as he gazes intently at me. “What are your dreams,
Ms. Walker?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I am completely
thrown by the sudden change in direction. One minute I think he's annoyed with me
and now, if I didn't know better, I'd say he’s flirting with me.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="color: black;">My breathe hitches in my throat and when I speak the words
are barely above a whisper. “My dreams, Mr. Grey?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">PART FIVE</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He remains quiet,
letting my words hang in the narrow space between us. I know I better wrap this
up, but t<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">here’s one more line of
questioning I’m sure my readers will want me to pursue</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i>Clearing my throat, I change topics
before he has a chance to turn the tables on me further.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
<span style="color: black;">“I assume you’re aware there are plans underway for a
movie based on your life story?”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">His eyes flare with
humor. “I suppose my life will be much more of an open book, eh?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Do you have any
opinions on who should be cast in the role of Christian<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Grey?” I ask, doubting if any actor in Hollywood can hold a candle
to the man in front of me.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Honestly, I have not given it much thought.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;">“Well, I can assure you there are many others who have,”
I inform him with what may be the greatest understatement ever spoken. “In
fact, teams have formed backing various actors such as Ian <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somerhalder, William Levy, Josh Kloss and
Henry Cavill, just to name a few.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
<b><span style="color: black;">“</span></b><span style="color: black;">All
admirable gentlemen. The various “teams” all have a common thread - passion.
‘Passion rebuilds the world for the youth. It makes all things alive and
significant’.” He flaunts his erudition by quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson and it takes
every ounce of self-control not to roll my eyes at him. “I believe a rather
heated debate developed on your blog.” </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now he has surprised me. “You’ve read my blog, Mr. Grey?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Of course, Ms. Walker.” He wears a smug smirk as he regards me with a
calculating stare. “I always do my research.” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">I flip to the last page of my notes. “One final
question, Mr. Grey. Where do you see yourself in 10 years, still tied to your
company or pursuing some other passion?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">He blinks as he contemplates his
answer. “<span style="color: black;">We’ll see. I believe it was Harvey Firestone
who said ‘If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there isn’t any
limit to what you can do with your business and your life. Ideas are a man’s
greatest asset.’” A discerning grin plays on his lips. “So, we’ll see.”</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;">“Thank you for your time, Mr. Grey,” I say, standing
to leave.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
He rises from the edge of his desk. He’s close enough for me to smell the fresh
scent of his body wash. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Oh my</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">close enough for me to touch</i>. He extends
his hand and I take it. “The pleasure’s been all mine, Ms. Walker,” he says
before gesturing in the direction of the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Please, after you.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I give him a small smile before ducking past
him. He not only follows me to the door but, to my surprise, all the way to the
elevators. He pushes the call button and as we wait I can’t help but wonder why
he’s so reluctant to give interviews. If anything he seemed to almost enjoy
himself.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; vertical-align: middle;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“<span style="color: black;">Ms. Walker,
while you’re in Seattle, if you have the opportunity, I recommend the Space
Needle,” he says, a salacious grin on his face. </span>“<span style="color: black;">The view is spectacular.”</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Okay,” I reply, somewhat baffled
by his sudden small talk. “Mr. Grey,” I nod to him as the elevator doors slide open.
Once inside I turn to find his gray eyes watching me intently. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Until we meet again, Ms.
Walker,” he says, flashing a broad grin before heading back into his office.</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<b>As Mr.Grey would say...Still want "more"?</b><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9d1Doe4I-vP6o6iD7LY9_TJuPHPJaOk8HO2vpgblgJxd9-hRxYyQ2vKAXKGKe_39Fk8SGCvnSv_VNKPxl5nHy1hPnkG47tw-zJxvHk8zIbDe06fhc9vOytR24shwEs06P2iSFUsMJ20/s1600/RemindMe_hi-res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9d1Doe4I-vP6o6iD7LY9_TJuPHPJaOk8HO2vpgblgJxd9-hRxYyQ2vKAXKGKe_39Fk8SGCvnSv_VNKPxl5nHy1hPnkG47tw-zJxvHk8zIbDe06fhc9vOytR24shwEs06P2iSFUsMJ20/s1600/RemindMe_hi-res.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
REMIND ME, book one of the Chasing Fire series is available to purchase. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Click <a href="http://www.annmariewalker.blogspot.com/p/books.html" target="_blank">here</a> for links to all major retailers. Thanks! </div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Acknowledgements</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">First of all, a big “thank you” to <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a>
for allowing me to interview him for this piece. His intelligent and witty
answers not only made all of this possible, but provided me with the dialog and
gestures needed to bring Christian Grey to life on the pages of my blog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Second, thanks to all those who “submitted”
questions over the past month. I apologize for not being able to ask all of
them, but there were over 100 and keeping Christian trapped in his office for a
week was about the best I could do. Also, while they were all very intriguing,
some of the questions were a bit too “hot” for me to handle. *blushing* <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally, a heartfelt
thanks to all of you who have been faithfully reading (and retweeting) each of
the five installments. Your support and kind words have made this week a true
joy! XO
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">EPILOGUE: A Quick Trip to
Portland<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Before leaving the Pacific
Northwest I decided to drive down to Portland for a bit of “sightseeing”. While
there I visited the historic Heathman Hotel. It seems the Heathman has become
quite the tourist attraction of late, with dozens of “Fifty Shades of Grey”
fans stopping by each day to photograph their now famous elevator.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">In recognition of this newfound
fame, the hotel is now offering two Fifty Shades add-on packages:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hSR-D7rh_UlSCd_PvFdycPTgSUT3tEPGpagDniXLI4LGE0wmVolM4gJ0UCaq9IPEUWN_zm1cssAdoDDPgWdaR8-pvXgRnYens9fh5K2g4neEZFnIH-0yUEBZDl0g7O8qPH6BYTsjVi0/s1600/imagesCAVB7Z5P.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hSR-D7rh_UlSCd_PvFdycPTgSUT3tEPGpagDniXLI4LGE0wmVolM4gJ0UCaq9IPEUWN_zm1cssAdoDDPgWdaR8-pvXgRnYens9fh5K2g4neEZFnIH-0yUEBZDl0g7O8qPH6BYTsjVi0/s1600/imagesCAVB7Z5P.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">The first is called the “Charlie
Tango”. After cocktails at the Heathman Bar, you and 5 friends are taken to a
private heli-pad for a sunset helicopter tour of Portland. Once back on the
ground, a limo takes you back to the Heathman for a private dinner before you
retire to your elegant suite. All of this can be yours for the low price of $2,750.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">If the “Charlie Tango” is a
little hard on the budget, never fear. For a mere $40 you can add the “Inner
Goddess” package to your stay and a bottle of Boedecker Cellars Pinot Gris will
be placed in your room along with a silver grey tie that is yours to keep.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEVwXtFWRrKn5zAQWqIKHCKQPAHcqq5w_LgGIMdCqpmzNbDHJjFwDU2kCCquY5Pw1WvvVDxxWnw0o2hg2HqrUJOEyzKmqOrBx9xlWzz9l7y37vlbLJ8CyFR2IA5_yZ8w2lur3ymS-9Ns/s1600/imagesCAH98R64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsEVwXtFWRrKn5zAQWqIKHCKQPAHcqq5w_LgGIMdCqpmzNbDHJjFwDU2kCCquY5Pw1WvvVDxxWnw0o2hg2HqrUJOEyzKmqOrBx9xlWzz9l7y37vlbLJ8CyFR2IA5_yZ8w2lur3ymS-9Ns/s1600/imagesCAH98R64.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Rooms at the Heathman range from
$259 for a Deluxe Queen to $839 for a Signature Suite, but before you max out
those credit cards, be sure to read the fine print: </span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Christian Grey is not included.
</span><br />
<br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Sorry Ladies.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Like what you see? </strong>Be sure to sign in as a
blog member<strong>.</strong> <span style="color: #3c1f00;">Click "Join this
Site" and then log in with google or twitter.</span></span></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-28262800535294091302012-05-19T12:56:00.000-05:002012-05-22T11:50:29.676-05:00Casting “Fifty Shades of Grey”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK_WxGBpsQkiswuaen6NU0nWUHdyaLn5Q_XSd6VDepFdWH7boUVdhaWnyHKjPl1TQuJ7mPNdF4DVrazWcJ8HUpv8-ZQC4hi5dESC5f3NJRXyInX2qzaN4uHMFUbKCEKSqx00OAXGOQB8/s1600/k7824054%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJK_WxGBpsQkiswuaen6NU0nWUHdyaLn5Q_XSd6VDepFdWH7boUVdhaWnyHKjPl1TQuJ7mPNdF4DVrazWcJ8HUpv8-ZQC4hi5dESC5f3NJRXyInX2qzaN4uHMFUbKCEKSqx00OAXGOQB8/s1600/k7824054%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Last week</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> followers cast their
votes for the role of <a href="http://annmariewalker.blogspot.com/2012/05/casting-anastasia-steele.html">Anastasia Steele</a>. The week before the battle was
over the role of <a href="http://annmariewalker.blogspot.com/2012/05/casting-christian-grey.html">Christian Grey</a>. This week? Everyone else!
</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yes,
that’s right, I opened up the floodgates and asked for suggestions on each and
every character in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” trilogy. The responses were as
passionate as they were varied and if voters have their way, Universal is going
to need a HUGE budget! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZyCZvMogq4uyAiWZ8Hs50z9iFlaaOyy27_DRefSRCCD6YP2nlzs0z6R0lOmZ1JmVw-eQ9Fta6NgWfe5ZsWU-tH7cG0wonwsJ84pDt6Kq7L1zLTRyQr9HJXc2Kgj-r3m66mdH6auKKvI/s1600/AtTx_qgCQAETDL3%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZyCZvMogq4uyAiWZ8Hs50z9iFlaaOyy27_DRefSRCCD6YP2nlzs0z6R0lOmZ1JmVw-eQ9Fta6NgWfe5ZsWU-tH7cG0wonwsJ84pDt6Kq7L1zLTRyQr9HJXc2Kgj-r3m66mdH6auKKvI/s200/AtTx_qgCQAETDL3%5B1%5D.jpg" width="160" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Elena
“Mrs. Robinson” Lincoln</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: This was by far the most hotly contested of the
remaining characters, with Charlize Theron winning the role by only one vote! Second
place was a three- way tie between Kim Cattrall, Uma Thurman and Michelle
Pfeiffer, while nods also went to Susan Sarandon, Rebecca DeMornay, Madonna,
Nicolette Sheridan, Zoe Lucker, Sharon Stone, Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow,
Kim Bassinger, Amber Valetta, and Famke Jansen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqDFsb-qYegrlefOdVn1lCpToDKAPGUULbGaVEDP9lPsgpc4AFdwylVTrDzpOYy9MjixSdDfwP1J2oPCfqDFvV94KhAatr5wskdBblktasHfiEoSK8g-4M88oyTSP9_wb0CV8bFOa8qk/s1600/images%5B6%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqDFsb-qYegrlefOdVn1lCpToDKAPGUULbGaVEDP9lPsgpc4AFdwylVTrDzpOYy9MjixSdDfwP1J2oPCfqDFvV94KhAatr5wskdBblktasHfiEoSK8g-4M88oyTSP9_wb0CV8bFOa8qk/s200/images%5B6%5D.jpg" width="149" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Dr.
Grace Trevelyan-Grey</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: Diane Lane was the clear fan favorite in this
category, capturing 55% of the vote. Other actresses mentioned were Meg Ryan,
Sela Ward, Annette Benning, Diane Keaton, Merryl Streep, Rene Russo, Elizabeth
Hurley, and Jennifer Aniston.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxQDUnkZR2jxdmEln-fI_gka-1vfpEWxBrTZiZOddej8rzUr10-dTIkexeVUrWxGbCYbudK1LdxxS_Ov2mg8fG1qNRBTIkBH8NxBoK0uArk5WKmgBXsILx35ymBKOFB8TPEytsWpWBPU/s1600/imagesCAHK71SE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfxQDUnkZR2jxdmEln-fI_gka-1vfpEWxBrTZiZOddej8rzUr10-dTIkexeVUrWxGbCYbudK1LdxxS_Ov2mg8fG1qNRBTIkBH8NxBoK0uArk5WKmgBXsILx35ymBKOFB8TPEytsWpWBPU/s200/imagesCAHK71SE.jpg" width="200" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Carrick
Grey</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:
Rob Lowe received 46% of the votes while Dylan McDermott, George Clooney,
Anderson Cooper, Pierce Brosnan, Ed Harris, James Brolin, Richard Gere, Patrick
Dempsey, Eric Dane, Patrick Dufffy, Dermot Mulroney, and Daniel Craig were also
suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9KZJvbQ88DyYbVxf9VIvgNWjh44WURctP9ynccrQHVrBte1PTNnNXFnkhX0MH9mpedI0ihEcXyoBFXR6aywUwq-qeSwbAsRi7ET4MTO6YxSDYFZHsyiV7hQFo1Gg4PxhQM4zXvpzDFU/s1600/imagesCA9T5VL3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh9KZJvbQ88DyYbVxf9VIvgNWjh44WURctP9ynccrQHVrBte1PTNnNXFnkhX0MH9mpedI0ihEcXyoBFXR6aywUwq-qeSwbAsRi7ET4MTO6YxSDYFZHsyiV7hQFo1Gg4PxhQM4zXvpzDFU/s1600/imagesCA9T5VL3.jpg" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Elliot
Grey:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
The “Twilight” connection seemed to have been firmly in place when it came to
the role of the fun-loving older brother as Kellan Lutz walked away with 30% of
the votes. Other suggestions included Josh Duhamel, Jude Law, Bradley Cooper,
Chris Hemsworth, Channing Tatum, Paul Walker, Chase Crawford, Eric Winter, Ryan
Kwanten, and Justin Timberlake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2g3uXjDVp3j9-Z8x1jFXe26nH1P_T9eBxJSEzsMUAhzT-uFfe_IOr02cKwgo2pOFR7U0kYS33K8BQzZX-j7ZRdTI5UlqaI5okrBQH8cbph8HvHejuiaotzzdUlDtcyxd8Ww_WRxV3ag/s1600/imagesCAM112NH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl2g3uXjDVp3j9-Z8x1jFXe26nH1P_T9eBxJSEzsMUAhzT-uFfe_IOr02cKwgo2pOFR7U0kYS33K8BQzZX-j7ZRdTI5UlqaI5okrBQH8cbph8HvHejuiaotzzdUlDtcyxd8Ww_WRxV3ag/s200/imagesCAM112NH.jpg" width="134" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Mia
Grey:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
Alexandra Daddario narrowly beat out Kristen Ritter, Eva Amurri Martino, Zoey
Deschanel, Selena Gomaz, Jessica Alba, Lucy Hale, and Victoria Justice for the
role of Christian Grey’s little sister.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gH5DYVj6ptxZXLaH5UxSj8V8V4n4yhHJweDLWsVg3uCkZ-fKpw7DKiqCh1KfFBR97QuONBbQbqm72jH0oSCxZ-YjlqYzJayLRYbiyuFB40VODfcSHXtKyNmjufjdhZU77wgrNbKtmBQ/s1600/imagesCA7S7FP9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3gH5DYVj6ptxZXLaH5UxSj8V8V4n4yhHJweDLWsVg3uCkZ-fKpw7DKiqCh1KfFBR97QuONBbQbqm72jH0oSCxZ-YjlqYzJayLRYbiyuFB40VODfcSHXtKyNmjufjdhZU77wgrNbKtmBQ/s200/imagesCA7S7FP9.jpg" width="136" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ray
Steele:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
Kevin Costner was the overwhelming favorite, easily beating out Greg Kinnear
with 87% of the votes!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Adqon4kXuO4aBSUcs5eNY2ZaQNtfLy8yzxPg0u0khUNOhxj7jbB_t2ENxGVjJ3AMaNpUHc2pbjoWoo2JRZlBaIUSVZ8Wh9UdiG61jVaFfc4Q-rrhMm33k3WcC2DUfYRYa2xDcP23_o8/s1600/imagesCABY9VIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Adqon4kXuO4aBSUcs5eNY2ZaQNtfLy8yzxPg0u0khUNOhxj7jbB_t2ENxGVjJ3AMaNpUHc2pbjoWoo2JRZlBaIUSVZ8Wh9UdiG61jVaFfc4Q-rrhMm33k3WcC2DUfYRYa2xDcP23_o8/s1600/imagesCABY9VIP.jpg" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Carla
Adams</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:
Voters showed a slight preference for Terri Hatcher for the role of Ana’s mom
over Mary Louise Parker, Sarah Clarke, Terri Hatcher and Kim Bassinger <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZAgApcSdVw80CtbitHvBFOLzhNgpG4WsjUQi4O3Vk-FG8WKW7DVYyPGkVAQBUheeHQp3bMkoB05Om9PjbLOuKwZPYFXph4ItOart1zYTo6HRemUj7fjC6fD8_-EcTuzQbUAxVCoYrX8/s1600/imagesCAEFQG6J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZAgApcSdVw80CtbitHvBFOLzhNgpG4WsjUQi4O3Vk-FG8WKW7DVYyPGkVAQBUheeHQp3bMkoB05Om9PjbLOuKwZPYFXph4ItOart1zYTo6HRemUj7fjC6fD8_-EcTuzQbUAxVCoYrX8/s200/imagesCAEFQG6J.jpg" width="149" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">José
Rodriguez</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:
Jay Hernandez was the most popular choice for the Ana’s personal photographer,
edging out Wilmer Vaderrama, William Levy, and Tyler Posey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi_YaE8kbBeDZNHfPuoAHXpMBsZ-0pdU1NihM9jbqLdpRFiYVtNLcpFk6b3dys_N1ark67WnTE4kx3bjFEqbI28HcgN07-h0trqfGjf25o5i_N0gyWZDtb6kanbIJNtngJH0YFSRrYs4/s1600/imagesCA8WESB0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvi_YaE8kbBeDZNHfPuoAHXpMBsZ-0pdU1NihM9jbqLdpRFiYVtNLcpFk6b3dys_N1ark67WnTE4kx3bjFEqbI28HcgN07-h0trqfGjf25o5i_N0gyWZDtb6kanbIJNtngJH0YFSRrYs4/s200/imagesCA8WESB0.jpg" width="200" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Katherine
(Kate) Kavanagh</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:
Blake Lively was the overwhelming choice for Ana’s best friend, Kate, capturing
65% of the votes. Candace Accola, Emily Van Camp, Emille de Ravin, Katie
Cassidy, Emma Roberts, Brooklyn Decker, Diana Argon, Scarlett Johansen, Amber
Heard, and Maggie Grace were also nominated.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKA3BuVNmYNsk81O9AW3s3kQmteYxio8yvoPC1YK2utfVgL4MDirvIqb4L8FWrk1TuHMPe-1nUtpM1hWp9n1dhPFHL0oRXdQXWIfmETIIHovynG7lBrDhI5G0bI2WzmrVTVqalN6yFcc/s1600/imagesCATZHNOI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKA3BuVNmYNsk81O9AW3s3kQmteYxio8yvoPC1YK2utfVgL4MDirvIqb4L8FWrk1TuHMPe-1nUtpM1hWp9n1dhPFHL0oRXdQXWIfmETIIHovynG7lBrDhI5G0bI2WzmrVTVqalN6yFcc/s200/imagesCATZHNOI.jpg" width="125" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Ethan
Kavanagh:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
Chase Crawford was the stand-out with 75% of the votes. Zac Efron, Alex
Pettyfer, Sterling Knight, and Taylor Kitsch also received nods.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-tBqrLM_h-nQuHZCnSisYBzumyZtRC4DsmU_7vXYiGo6cEbajMP13Ya-kMou3-oRDhugf36JSB8-hUfVnnICy9dTxH6zpq9XRWFMd7P1B8_hHUhbepSQ-MFfyFa-viyokTIqbJeZcVE/s1600/imagesCASVJL6X.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9-tBqrLM_h-nQuHZCnSisYBzumyZtRC4DsmU_7vXYiGo6cEbajMP13Ya-kMou3-oRDhugf36JSB8-hUfVnnICy9dTxH6zpq9XRWFMd7P1B8_hHUhbepSQ-MFfyFa-viyokTIqbJeZcVE/s200/imagesCASVJL6X.jpg" width="157" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Leila
Williams</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:
Amber Tamblyn barely nudged past Mila Kunis, Amanda Seyfried, Ann Hathaway, and
Chyler Leigh as Christian’s troubled ex.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDG04RKvKouiubowtysgpRs09JYAe-FqMBhU8XEO3RklEdNIXnSFFMVlCRMzBT28VAALS1SJL7cHrl1CogsX74AcHmuRVgAqmdwACS87EnH195SV3SF6sxaptj3IIwdT04qhYMVZrtvww/s1600/imagesCAUFDCMV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDG04RKvKouiubowtysgpRs09JYAe-FqMBhU8XEO3RklEdNIXnSFFMVlCRMzBT28VAALS1SJL7cHrl1CogsX74AcHmuRVgAqmdwACS87EnH195SV3SF6sxaptj3IIwdT04qhYMVZrtvww/s200/imagesCAUFDCMV.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Jason
Taylor:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
Alex O’Loughlin scored 36% of the vote for the role of Taylor with Jeremy
Renner coming in right on his heels. Tom Hardy, Adam Baldwin, Jason Stratham,
Chris Meloni, Shane West, Liam Neeson, and Sam Worthington were also mentioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span></u></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSu0Cz0dOT_xNXHekY4GN4vUPFa5cr9Z7AhHJw6DJFUEJHa1k5YxnXh_bw_uLJr28tjxPTW3NFcnY7ccNrBI7FAFbK_1T2Np2Pdpm6ghQHbyy2bvWl9pSogk1XjLY_wTUY-_6zi1mVn0/s1600/imagesCAOGS7LV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKSu0Cz0dOT_xNXHekY4GN4vUPFa5cr9Z7AhHJw6DJFUEJHa1k5YxnXh_bw_uLJr28tjxPTW3NFcnY7ccNrBI7FAFbK_1T2Np2Pdpm6ghQHbyy2bvWl9pSogk1XjLY_wTUY-_6zi1mVn0/s1600/imagesCAOGS7LV.jpg" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Jack
Hyde</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:
Colin Farrell was the fan favorite, edging out Bradley Cooper. Ryan Phillipe,
Matthew McConaughey, Gabriel Mann, Timothy Olyphant, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and Danny Masterson were also mentioned, but
perhaps the most creative suggestion was Eminem!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MH5sbCDb0J1it3xKChjcqDWiVl0WVySCCTSYN-FcX1Jp9xf2cOepfUuRl_d9pVlJAN_4UYrJQKrW3hnh2DZQjPyaby689jgEXMtTzhjduQ_8jVCCEMah_1phlxOj91u5FP3KX-IT7Uw/s1600/imagesCAMJWHG0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7MH5sbCDb0J1it3xKChjcqDWiVl0WVySCCTSYN-FcX1Jp9xf2cOepfUuRl_d9pVlJAN_4UYrJQKrW3hnh2DZQjPyaby689jgEXMtTzhjduQ_8jVCCEMah_1phlxOj91u5FP3KX-IT7Uw/s200/imagesCAMJWHG0.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Mrs.
Gail Jones</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:
A narrow majority envisioned Laura Linney as the housekeeper while others saw
Marguerite MacIntyre or Hellen Mirren.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTieS2KfwkQ0dw9sryqoqDmi-qZPHmPw6O1q9gLJQZC7ZR9U_IRofC120FZ4zG0rGKY2Iwq1e2uUnhRO59TAR1D-yL1wAHKaQIuaUiuimvLrGvNOk0WP8UbPzd3cbQ1ecEEQI-iKAt6g/s1600/imagesCAZV0AKS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKTieS2KfwkQ0dw9sryqoqDmi-qZPHmPw6O1q9gLJQZC7ZR9U_IRofC120FZ4zG0rGKY2Iwq1e2uUnhRO59TAR1D-yL1wAHKaQIuaUiuimvLrGvNOk0WP8UbPzd3cbQ1ecEEQI-iKAt6g/s200/imagesCAZV0AKS.jpg" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Dr.
John Flynn</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:
If fans have their way, Colin Firth will go from stuttering King to Christian
Grey’s therapist as he slid past Jude Law with 46% of the vote. Tom Ward, Hugh
Grant, James MacAvoy, and Simon Baker will also noted.</span></div>
</span><div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Like What You See?</strong> Stay tuned. <span style="color: #3c1f00;">After all, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AnaRSteele">@AnaRSteele</a>, and </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/50ShadesSource"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #b5643a;">@50ShadesSource</span></span></a><span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">are following my blog, shouldn't you? :) Click "Join this Site" and then sign in with google or twitter.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJj7wq9C8R6eK8jswSmkYXlqqqYOT1ekwlZ4ddK23OaBU0hnt1k4NcVrHhDV16_J_UljKY7M5bTsrUeVUu_P3U7jWij-K0LcPc7PKN8UYjNQT-raRONGwr8Z-m2An0_n0CPwMR3X8fxI/s1600/MjAxMi1iZTU3MTA5NmQ0NjdiNWY3%255B1%255D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmJj7wq9C8R6eK8jswSmkYXlqqqYOT1ekwlZ4ddK23OaBU0hnt1k4NcVrHhDV16_J_UljKY7M5bTsrUeVUu_P3U7jWij-K0LcPc7PKN8UYjNQT-raRONGwr8Z-m2An0_n0CPwMR3X8fxI/s320/MjAxMi1iZTU3MTA5NmQ0NjdiNWY3%255B1%255D.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
</div>Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com50tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-63821453981345677122012-05-15T20:57:00.000-05:002012-06-16T21:16:07.235-05:00Casting Anastasia Steele<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Not five minutes after posting
the results of last week’s “<a href="http://annmariewalker.blogspot.com/2012/05/casting-christian-grey.html">Casting Christian Grey</a>” poll, someone sent me a
tweet suggesting I hold a similar vote for the role of Anastasia Steele. I did
and as the votes rolled in, one fact became very clear: when it comes to the
love interest of Christian Grey, most women would prefer to cast themselves! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">While 7% of voters cast their
twitter ballot solely in their own favor, dozens more listed themselves as a “back-up”
to their official nominee, offering their services as an “understudy” or even a
“body double”! All in all, 29 different actresses received votes although in
one case they were votes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">against</i> having
the role. Despite the fact that “Fifty Shades of Grey” originated as “Twilight”
fan fiction, 4% of voters tweeted a preference for “anyone but Kristen Stewart”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“Honorable Mentions” are due the
twenty-three young ladies who, while not rounding out the Top Five, still received
votes for the coveted role. They are (in no particular order): Emma Stone, Ann
Hathaway, Rachel McAdams, Alexis Bledel, Anna Kendrick, Amanda Seyfried, Olivia
Wilde, Nina Dobrev, Alexandra Daddario, Felicity Jones, Evan Rachel Wood,
Rooney Mara, Ksenia Solo, Bella Heathcote, Erica Dasher, Lucy Hale, Jennifer
Love Hewitt, Lindsey Fonseca, Leighten Meester, Shenae Grimes, Emily Blunt,
Jennifer Lawrence, Indiana Evans and Shelley Henning.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The “Top Five” choices are as
follows:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qK4kFwkryfCWGK6PMHcC4iwZB9c7SB5yz4dyo2q1sLugOHeLPKRnDFjjr0vYlP0dGsSo_S4F3MiY-MAatlMjfwYZeasgIdSmJyEsCA19b73sycb4rHeNknGgePLeCdMWYLZ_5p4ttRs/s1600/imagesCA9Z9U70.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qK4kFwkryfCWGK6PMHcC4iwZB9c7SB5yz4dyo2q1sLugOHeLPKRnDFjjr0vYlP0dGsSo_S4F3MiY-MAatlMjfwYZeasgIdSmJyEsCA19b73sycb4rHeNknGgePLeCdMWYLZ_5p4ttRs/s1600/imagesCA9Z9U70.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">#5. Unknown – 7% of voters wanted
someone who was “unknown” and “innocent”</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rN4WzPce6hOrBFJZnSJlc30KIUN7ZI-xsyZXg93VS3q5QUQayejkZ2g2V3q_ULHhEeThJgUjN3iufzkLWLQZYH5Q7S7UmhuCoQuYBpGEk4SlE5kmgmFGZpNQvd22GMnCB7FBL7ID_FQ/s1600/emmy_rossum_1280_800_oct022009%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rN4WzPce6hOrBFJZnSJlc30KIUN7ZI-xsyZXg93VS3q5QUQayejkZ2g2V3q_ULHhEeThJgUjN3iufzkLWLQZYH5Q7S7UmhuCoQuYBpGEk4SlE5kmgmFGZpNQvd22GMnCB7FBL7ID_FQ/s320/emmy_rossum_1280_800_oct022009%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">#4. Emmy Rossum – 8%</span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-_UI7ivWaHhQO836WLp_NaQGDTNqR5zvJr6AquwVe8IogLceDbZavaklLWwHh5g1PpRdPsIUQ1tEqWyoIY23jJ_jmLwoXGkpoHLQ77m8dpQz0rhUHZqnplehMUzpCk7tY95tyAdgrII/s1600/Emilia%2520Clarke%2520in%2520GQ%25202012-03%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-_UI7ivWaHhQO836WLp_NaQGDTNqR5zvJr6AquwVe8IogLceDbZavaklLWwHh5g1PpRdPsIUQ1tEqWyoIY23jJ_jmLwoXGkpoHLQ77m8dpQz0rhUHZqnplehMUzpCk7tY95tyAdgrII/s320/Emilia%2520Clarke%2520in%2520GQ%25202012-03%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">#3. Emilia Clark – 9%</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuOXUz50XPbOvwjj_pGXrlwzXuXieJf3k59GUEugLmeO6j0W5Wrv0zY6bK5jq3o_VRAHSEXRtgTTOOrzOEiSgpt149afdEJ67P-utSxFLLrg6H3I6COmGfpe1JsI6h0zj5DJ8brdFPTA/s1600/Ast8W8WCQAARhcu%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsuOXUz50XPbOvwjj_pGXrlwzXuXieJf3k59GUEugLmeO6j0W5Wrv0zY6bK5jq3o_VRAHSEXRtgTTOOrzOEiSgpt149afdEJ67P-utSxFLLrg6H3I6COmGfpe1JsI6h0zj5DJ8brdFPTA/s320/Ast8W8WCQAARhcu%5B1%5D.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">#2. Lily Collins – 15%</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vLAwYbqvZvIH4G9VPt7CacnjOd3EwM8Mxtj2djZ83PEmY2dV2BhjV9OSt-dHCaDJeWKjIrPiJ94aMQcrY2CHHU6WKCPWt7NEmai88hxXH-oqDDbmxXi8YjImmN4Y0Yqh1rsgY0YCP-Q/s1600/ashley-greene-mobile-wallpaper%5B1%5D.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vLAwYbqvZvIH4G9VPt7CacnjOd3EwM8Mxtj2djZ83PEmY2dV2BhjV9OSt-dHCaDJeWKjIrPiJ94aMQcrY2CHHU6WKCPWt7NEmai88hxXH-oqDDbmxXi8YjImmN4Y0Yqh1rsgY0YCP-Q/s320/ashley-greene-mobile-wallpaper%5B1%5D.png" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">#1. Ashley Greene – 16% <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">With no overwhelming majority in
sight, it’s clear everyone has their own distinct vision of Miss Anastasia
Steele. Once again, I am left with the conclusion that Ms. E.L. James and
Universal Pictures certainly have their work cut out for them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Bonus</span></u></b><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:</span></u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few eager voters were anxious to share
their thoughts on the casting of Elena Lincoln as well. Madonna, Michelle
Pfeiffer, Kim Bassinger, Charlize Theron, Cameron Diaz, Ellen Barkin, Sharon
Stone, Angelina Jolie, Kim Cattrall and Gwyneth Paltrow were all suggested as the perfect
choice to play the evil “Mrs. Robinson”.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<strong><span style="color: #3c1f00; font-size: 12pt;">Like What You See</span></strong><span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">? Stay
tuned. After all, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AnaRSteele">@AnaRSteele</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/50ShadesSource"><span style="color: #b5643a;">@50ShadesSource</span></a> are following
my blog, shouldn't you? :) Click "Join this Site" and then sign in
with google or twitter</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<strong><u>Also by Ann Marie Walker</u></strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> : Inspired by a true story, “Hollywood Ending” is the tale of a young coed who sends an impulsive letter to Hollywood’s hottest, most notorious bad boy. Maybe it’s crazy, maybe it’s far-fetched, or maybe it’s the perfect way to mend her broken heart. (Read more by clicking <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://annmariewalker.blogspot.com/p/books.html">here</a>)</span></span></div>Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-10713434967738658212012-05-14T14:33:00.000-05:002013-10-02T16:23:09.602-05:00Coping With Bookstore Withdrawal<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I drove thirty minutes to get to a bookstore today. Funny thing is I didn’t even need a book, per se; I just needed a
bookstore.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It wasn’t always so hard to “get my fix”.
I was lucky enough to live in a town with a Borders in walking distance from
our home. It was a destination for my family for years until one day it was
plastered with bright yellow “Going Out of Business” posters.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIX3wk6HPL-Z6GG8u-L71MmEHzsVpeECJ0ubXNMmPihjMF_I4QVdDskMMIj7hyphenhyphenmC56cFrN7Lb8x9XaRivXl1LDJdCbVpQMAHX05hbAYVFXa8n9eQCQWzuEf6JN1lONrwn0pNeiVjeI3Y/s1600/imagesCAZJQMEW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIX3wk6HPL-Z6GG8u-L71MmEHzsVpeECJ0ubXNMmPihjMF_I4QVdDskMMIj7hyphenhyphenmC56cFrN7Lb8x9XaRivXl1LDJdCbVpQMAHX05hbAYVFXa8n9eQCQWzuEf6JN1lONrwn0pNeiVjeI3Y/s1600/imagesCAZJQMEW.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">As a writer, time in a bookstore is like
returning to the mother ship. Sometimes it’s for inspiration. (Look at all these
books that have been published. Mine will sell!) Sometimes it’s for a quick
pity party. (Look at all these books that have been published. Mine must really
suck!) And sometimes it’s an excuse to daydream about possibilities. (Let’s
see...T...U...V...W, yep, that’s where my book will be...someday.) And
sometimes it’s just as simple as I need to walk the aisles, hold a book in my
hand, read the back, and get recommendations from the store’s knowledgeable employees.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">I’m not saying online retailers don’t
serve a purpose (full disclosure, our household has a Kindle and a Nook) and who among us hasn’t
grabbed a new release off the shelves at Target when you’re there loading up on
laundry detergent? But will the internet host a Harry Potter Block Party the
way my local Borders did? And what about in-store events, will Sam’s Club
invite 500 teenagers into the store to meet Veronica Roth like Anderson’s did? And
let’s not forget the <a href="http://annmariewalker.blogspot.com/2012/05/evening-in-chicago-with-el-james.html">E.L. James event</a>. I don’t know many “big box”
retailers who would host the type of cocktail party/book signing that Roberta
Rubin from The Book Stall held two weeks ago.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So even though I will continue to download
books or toss them in my cart on the way to picking up a five pound vat of
peanut butter, I will also continue my “road trips” because there’s something
about a bookstore that calls to me, even from twenty miles away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-71817748618605897932012-05-08T16:18:00.000-05:002012-07-14T20:19:38.744-05:00Casting Christian Grey<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">If you think the presidential election has generated
some heated debates, you should pop on Twitter and see the battle going on over
the casting of Christian Grey!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Last month Universal Pictures purchased the dramatic
rights to the “50 Shades of Grey” series for a reported 8 million dollars. (And
in a move that was almost as surprising, agreed to let the author retain final
say on casting – smart lady!) So while the decision belongs to Ms. E.L. James,
the fans of her work have some very strong opinions on the matter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">At her <a href="http://annmariewalker.blogspot.com/2012/05/evening-in-chicago-with-el-james.html">Chicago appearance</a> last week, Ms. James was
quick to say it was “far too early” to talk about casting Christian Grey. Her
fans obviously disagree. Not only are they talking about casting preferences, they’re
setting up fan sites to support their cause.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">This week I solicited the help of the both the US (<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/50ShadesSource">@50ShadesSource</a>)
and UK (<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/fiftyshadesUK">@FiftyShadesUK</a>) fan sites in asking their followers to tweet me their
votes on the “Casting of Christian Grey”. (As a side note, I don’t recommend
trying this as the influx from exuberant fans kept crashing my computer!) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The votes were as impassioned as they were
diverse and often included photos. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">All in all, 33 different actor’s names were
mentioned along with two voters who begged for “someone unknown” and about a
dozen who said they’d like to see <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a> play the role. (Hmm...wonder
if he has an agent?) <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The five actors garnering the most support were:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRQ3fHnXiUPxEcSxMtRtWEchO4eCEIGcdueQA-ekNBufKvGZ3j_SMm25KoWBOz55WLGN9T1RaIJavEgro_r7v5ay0VmBAZQ40mDxp860SnQNPsC1BbF6KLtsgHPCLGrnhg3JqlxTHDpo/s1600/AqpgvvECIAA2eK4%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheRQ3fHnXiUPxEcSxMtRtWEchO4eCEIGcdueQA-ekNBufKvGZ3j_SMm25KoWBOz55WLGN9T1RaIJavEgro_r7v5ay0VmBAZQ40mDxp860SnQNPsC1BbF6KLtsgHPCLGrnhg3JqlxTHDpo/s1600/AqpgvvECIAA2eK4%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">#5. Alex Pettyfer – 6%</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ33n725WdBeDXXRPGS4bG9rOZmJ49dgp2euT7OEIEgVrUB-hphl8Wa_cJoZuPBSTAO_f6SnVFeE89PfgrVnsnOmBSdib6kx46YT2QBCC0Xarb-u2-DPxzGDiOLU7WrP_KYe9RoWagTk/s1600/AsTEoAUCMAIif_B%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJ33n725WdBeDXXRPGS4bG9rOZmJ49dgp2euT7OEIEgVrUB-hphl8Wa_cJoZuPBSTAO_f6SnVFeE89PfgrVnsnOmBSdib6kx46YT2QBCC0Xarb-u2-DPxzGDiOLU7WrP_KYe9RoWagTk/s200/AsTEoAUCMAIif_B%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">#4. Matt Bomer – 7%</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6wayLhhksF0k0ZQYV2YszvjeZQt9dIFAdgVH_mz4txj7eYKUSSP_q16wkWqZYhQy7q_jYsO2XfZMvSGFK3m96d1O6l3c2yeaNbu8Cqjirp8hoS_yxbbgx30nfW-O-JHZZXJkJf6AEw8/s1600/573275848%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY6wayLhhksF0k0ZQYV2YszvjeZQt9dIFAdgVH_mz4txj7eYKUSSP_q16wkWqZYhQy7q_jYsO2XfZMvSGFK3m96d1O6l3c2yeaNbu8Cqjirp8hoS_yxbbgx30nfW-O-JHZZXJkJf6AEw8/s200/573275848%5B1%5D.jpg" width="151" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
#<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">3. Henry Cavill – 10% <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/HenryCavill_Fb">@HenryCavill_Fb<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuazuOGVNAeEzfFEk6vABE_WOY1Jfv0pOhBq5IouOxiLHinGbhSi6TkujH7-KpILZLMRGrVjaE5y-JCr8SXHQGv-XYIqSiZp3xnOZ66S8mJF-XjRAgIws5Btj2UVATYESlO1U2ncG1f4/s1600/5xkve%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuazuOGVNAeEzfFEk6vABE_WOY1Jfv0pOhBq5IouOxiLHinGbhSi6TkujH7-KpILZLMRGrVjaE5y-JCr8SXHQGv-XYIqSiZp3xnOZ66S8mJF-XjRAgIws5Btj2UVATYESlO1U2ncG1f4/s1600/5xkve%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">#2. William Levy – 12% <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/WillyLevy4CGrey">@WillyLevy4CGrey<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOEqrDFCB9mMFyNwpuWQpn-YtNYbbfolfnWi7AHgLWcyGJSsCYGRbYhtK9-PsUysV1-gDAcqxwPLHvMuLeUxUJRKFhoIcHE4iDFM7cwIzfp1tnfiUJQGFMJtKlrKb1BkCHBvk2ftzbak/s1600/AsYr8CVCAAAJqsi%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsOEqrDFCB9mMFyNwpuWQpn-YtNYbbfolfnWi7AHgLWcyGJSsCYGRbYhtK9-PsUysV1-gDAcqxwPLHvMuLeUxUJRKFhoIcHE4iDFM7cwIzfp1tnfiUJQGFMJtKlrKb1BkCHBvk2ftzbak/s200/AsYr8CVCAAAJqsi%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">#1. Ian Somerhalder – 32%<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/%40IanForChristian">@IanForChristian<o:p></o:p></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It looks like the debate over the perfect Mr. Grey will undoubtedly
rage for months to come and judging by the strong opinions of her fans, Ms.
James certainly has her work cut out for her.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Update:</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">
By popular demand I present the 28 other actors who received votes. Judging by
the variety, it appears almost everyone envisions their “own” Christian Grey. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Josh Kloss (see him with Katy Perry <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98WtmW-lfeE">here</a>...he even has the right jeans on!), Bradley Cooper, Jensen Ackles, Ryan
Gosling, Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson, Cillian Murphy, Chase Crawford, Jessie
Pavelka, Alexander Skarsgaard, Wentworth Miller, Michael Fassbender, Adam
Lambert, David Boreanaz, Gabriel Aubry, Chris Pine, Eric Winter, Daniel
Gillies, Colin Egglesfield, Armie Hammer, Chris Hemsworth, Chris Noth, Simon
Baker, Channing Tatum, Cam Gigandet, Joe Mangiello, Paul Walker, Adam Levine, Joseph Morgan, Josh Bowman and Tyler Hoechlin.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">UPDATE
7/11/12 : </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">It seems a new candidate has become the talk of
Twitter: Marco Dapper.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2i_1fQKBZbJUVIWhXmraJTEdiQNYMmJV1wuupXuP-9MSerMoxnoG7_3Rk8b_0fhEYK7D_PQ5G55-figTVZD-TFmXwCIGui0NmuV3oEJmVhiARXeA36q4OsRdw56fJQcjNbGcZN2B7E0/s1600/AxdrEEnCIAA-6FG%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2i_1fQKBZbJUVIWhXmraJTEdiQNYMmJV1wuupXuP-9MSerMoxnoG7_3Rk8b_0fhEYK7D_PQ5G55-figTVZD-TFmXwCIGui0NmuV3oEJmVhiARXeA36q4OsRdw56fJQcjNbGcZN2B7E0/s320/AxdrEEnCIAA-6FG%5B2%5D.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<strong>Like What You See</strong>? Stay tuned. After all, Christian, Ana, and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/50ShadesSource"><span style="color: #b5643a;">@50ShadesSource</span></a> are following
my blog, shouldn't you? :) Click "Join this Site" and then sign in with google
or twitter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com137tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-83396986339042328632012-05-06T18:49:00.000-05:002013-09-22T19:27:57.110-05:00The Elevator Pitch<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxTz_7L1ncIe1575EA5NEYcvWCtZ03_1S1UAyCN-W8E6_OQDVxKqx2kaLpe2aJobz1kEI9nuXVQZZf_LSQIPQrBfLBxsNunfazcRYmdF6heJULn7HMTouPpuRGJ4HoAPyE_iuaeqm2gs/s1600/art-of-the-elevator-pitch%5B1%5D.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQxTz_7L1ncIe1575EA5NEYcvWCtZ03_1S1UAyCN-W8E6_OQDVxKqx2kaLpe2aJobz1kEI9nuXVQZZf_LSQIPQrBfLBxsNunfazcRYmdF6heJULn7HMTouPpuRGJ4HoAPyE_iuaeqm2gs/s320/art-of-the-elevator-pitch%5B1%5D.png" width="216" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">My agent
surprised one of her followers
today by offering him the opportunity to present his “elevator pitch”. For
those of you unfamiliar with the term, it means to sum up your novel in a mere
sentence or two. In other words, y</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">ou're on an elevator with
agent/editor and have a captive audience until the doors open. Must talk fast.
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">In this day and age, summing up
your work in a sentence or two has never been so crucial. Not only for spontaneous
requests from an agent to pitch in 140 characters or less, but also due to the
fact that many folks read their emails on smart phones. Think about it, how far
will someone be willing to “scroll”? You’ve got to grab their attention, and
fast!</span><br />
<br />
And<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"> what better way to try them out than on fellow writers. To get our little pitchfest started, I’ll lead off with mine as the first comment. Also, if you like what someone else has written, please let them know by clicking on the “reply” button under their pitch. After all, we writer’s need to stick together and need all the encouragement we can get! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">***All comments are being approved but blogger seems to be having issues and they are not appearing below. Have contacted tech support. Sorry for the delay.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Stay updated on my latest "events" for writers and follow my blog. Just click "Join the Site" and sign in with Google or Twitter. Thanks!</span><br />
<br /></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com237tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-49667243903101853032012-05-01T10:44:00.000-05:002013-10-15T13:44:18.751-05:00An Evening in Chicago with E.L. James<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Last night’s EL James event in Chicago,
hosted by The Book Stall, was no ordinary book signing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Flickering votive candles, tables
covered in white linen, tuxedo clad waiters passing </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">beef wellington </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">and
French martinis on silver trays...the ballroom of the Standard Club, looked
more like a wedding reception than a literary event. And judging by the
excitement in the room, you’d have thought Christian Grey was actually going to
make an appearance!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The crowd of 400, mainly women, drank
cocktails and enjoyed a light dinner from one of the pasta stations as they
awaited the arrival of the author of the "Fifty Shades" trilogy.
I was honored to have Roberta Rubin, owner of The Book Stall in Winnetka,
Illinois, ask me to take the stage just prior to Ms. James and read from my
recent blog post. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to the crowd’s
reaction to the “<a href="http://annmariewalker.blogspot.com/2012/04/five-more-signs-you-might-have-it-bad.html">Five Signs You Might Have it Bad for Christian Grey</a>”, each and every one of them were officially <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/users/%23GREYsessed">#GREYsessed</a>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOeNg5Ky-wGXx2EUsqj2u8iPYPWTR29xhANEtSTUTtw3jk8VHz4PejzbIRakJQnRfv497F3wtWusjaIRGC0bMNe00kGIHuabo2CFMHbjunhhBcx5yOY6FvGte2-Vl25uZ2iMCwE07jwc/s1600/E-L-James%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFOeNg5Ky-wGXx2EUsqj2u8iPYPWTR29xhANEtSTUTtw3jk8VHz4PejzbIRakJQnRfv497F3wtWusjaIRGC0bMNe00kGIHuabo2CFMHbjunhhBcx5yOY6FvGte2-Vl25uZ2iMCwE07jwc/s320/E-L-James%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">When Ms. James made her entrance at just
after five o’clock she was greeted by a standing ovation from her fans, some of
whom had driven from as far as Ohio. Her opening line as she reached
the podium: “Ho-Ly Shit!” (Reminded me a bit of Ana Steele!) When the crowd
finally settled down she explained, “I’ve been completely and utterly
overwhelmed by the response to this story. I just don’t get it.” To which one
fan yelled back, “We get it and our husbands get it...or are getting it.” Over
the chorus of cheers, Ms. James responded with a laugh, “Oh, well, good for
them.”<o:p></o:p></span>
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Even though Ms. James described herself
as, “Not for public speaking, at all,” she did agree to take a few questions
from the floor because, “hell, why not.” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The full list of Q & A is
transcribed below, but one of the highlights of the evening came when a curious
reader asked, “What’s your obsession with the Audi?” Ms. James laughed and
replied, “I have always wanted to drive an R8.” When the crowd cheered she
added, “I have a fantastic R8 story actually, I’m not sure if I’ve got time to
tell it.” Needless to say, the crowd went wild. Urged on by her fans, Ms. James
told the story of how she came to conduct her research - a feasibility study if
you will - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>for Ana and Christian’s
infamous Audi scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">“I don’t know how many of you have read
the third book,” she began. (And judging by the crowd’s reaction that was all
the reference she needed.) “I rang Audi West London and said, ‘Hello, I’m
writing an erotic, romantic book and I’d like to know if you could actually
have sex in an R8?’ And the guy, who I won’t name, because frankly he has no
imagination, said, ‘No, no it’s impossible.’” (Wouldn’t you have loved to have seen the
look on his face?)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Not willing to take his word for it, Ms.
James paid a visit to her local dealership. “I Went to Audi West London,
circled the R8 in the front of the showroom and then finally sat in the driver’s
seat. I sat there, and sat there, and then said, (lowering her voice for
dramatic effect) ‘you could <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">totally</i>
have sex in this car!’” (And did they ever!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">All in all it was a perfectly lovely
evening. Too bad <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a> was tied up in meetings and couldn’t attend
(or maybe he had someone else tied up *wink*). Either way he was definitely a
hot topic among the #FiftyShades fans!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">One final note before I leave you to the
rest of the Q &A. Many people have been asking me how I heard about this
event and if any others are planned. The answer is simple: I follow
<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/50ShadesSource">@50ShadesSource</a> on twitter. (They are also on Facebook) In March 2012, two
#ChristianGrey fanatics from New Jersey, Natalie Shaw and Tracey Wess, decided
to share their #GREYsessed visions with the world and Fifty Shades Source was
born!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The fan site has become a premier
socializing network for all that want to see and be seen discussing anything
and everything related to the “Fifty Shades” trilogy!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">More
Q & A with the Audience:<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: Do you have a say in who is going to
be cast as Christian and Ana?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">ELJ: It’s going to be a collaborative
effort but it’s far too early to be talking about this. I’m keeping very quiet
about that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: Are you going to write another book?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">ELJ: Hopefully. I’ve actually got sort
of two written that need re-writing and I’ve got ideas for another two.
Everyone wants, for some reason, to read the fourth book in the trilogy.
Frankly I’m fed up with these two kids. (laughing) I’d really, really, like to
do something else and then maybe, maybe, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">maybe</i>
go back and say “hi”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: What about from Christian’s point of
view? (Big Cheer)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">ELJ: Well, never say never, that’s what
I say to that. I mean who knows? Maybe. Probably.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: How did you do your background research?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">ELJ: Google was my friend and now I’m
very worried that social services might seize my computer and my children will
be taken away from me. That’s all I’ve got to say about that, but I had a lot
of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Q: You’re from the UK, why did you
decide to have the setting in Washington?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">ELJ: There are two reasons why I decided
to set it in Washington. The story, as everybody knows, started as Twilight fan
fiction and twilight is set in Washington. I didn’t want to move it when I
redid the story. Also, one of my favorite authors, Elizabeth Lowell, writes a
lot of romantic fiction and she sets many of her stories in Seattle. I have
never been to Seattle. It’s one of my life’s ambitions to go to Seattle. I
would <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">love</i> to go.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><strong><u>Next Week On The Blog</u></strong>: "The Casting of Christian Grey". Stay tuned. After all, Christian, Ana, and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/50ShadesSource">@50ShadesSource</a> are following my blog, shouldn't you? :) Click "Join this Site" and then sign in with google or twitter.</span></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-21150472937201076172012-04-25T21:39:00.000-05:002012-06-27T07:29:47.767-05:00Five MORE Signs You Might Have it Bad for Christian Grey<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">It seems when it comes to Christian Grey,
many of us are insatiable. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Last week’s post <a href="http://bit.ly/JkSSD7">“Five Signs You Might Have it Bad for Christian Grey”</a> was an enormous hit thanks to the legions of
readers who are <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23GREYsessed">#GREYsessed</a>! But there was one problem many of my followers
were quick to point out: Five is not enough. Not when it comes to Christian
Grey at least.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPEWeNGe2uRUE9x_EDRwIxFJ7Uy-SGhkudI496sT_xdS5_YMfMWBVq0doMmYdpVc4dCLqreFfFyEzi9RTH59VK4p67kt16hvtur2Crj39Mj8yWFsAMy7tUf8epB_iEp6GuF8uyARueDY/s1600/grey_reasonably_small%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPEWeNGe2uRUE9x_EDRwIxFJ7Uy-SGhkudI496sT_xdS5_YMfMWBVq0doMmYdpVc4dCLqreFfFyEzi9RTH59VK4p67kt16hvtur2Crj39Mj8yWFsAMy7tUf8epB_iEp6GuF8uyARueDY/s1600/grey_reasonably_small%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">And who can blame them really? Who
wouldn’t want more of a hot billionaire CEO who hardly ever works and wants nothing
more than to love and protect you? (Actually, he does want “more”- quite a bit
more in fact - but that topic could fill an entire blog all on its own.) But he
also wants to buy you cars, fill your closet with designer clothes, and fly you
around the world in his private jet. I mean really, how many guys would
insist you gorge at every meal and yet still think you have a great ass?</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So without further ado, I give you five
MORE signs you might have it bad for Christian Grey:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">1. During a recent trip to Home Depot
you feel your cheeks blush when the man in the orange apron tells you the light
bulbs are in aisle 3...just past the cable ties.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">2. You leap from your chair to perform a
happy dance when you find out you’re going to a cocktail party/book event for
EL James, but then are slightly disappointed when you remember Christian won’t
actually be there. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">3. As you outline your next novel you
find yourself racking your brain for ways to have your main characters end up
in an elevator (wait, that might just be me).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">4. Driving past the local Audi
dealership you actually consider stopping into the showroom to check out an R8
– hmm...white I think, and maybe a convertible. Yes, definitely a convertible –
but then remember you have a car full of nine year olds who need to get to soccer
practice.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">5. Following <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a> makes you
feel like Meg Ryan in “When Harry Met Sally” because bantering with him on Twitter always makes you…giggle.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #3c1f00;">Like What You See</span></strong><span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">? Stay tuned. After all, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AnaRSteele">@AnaRSteele</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/50ShadesSource"><span style="color: #b5643a;">@50ShadesSource</span></a> are following my blog, shouldn't you? :) Click "Join this Site" and then sign in with google or twitter</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><o:p>
<span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong><u>Also by Ann Marie Walker</u></strong></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> : Inspired by a true story, “Hollywood Ending” is the
tale of a young coed who sends an impulsive letter to Hollywood’s hottest, most
notorious bad boy. Maybe it’s crazy, maybe it’s far-fetched, or maybe it’s the
perfect way to mend her broken heart. (Read more by clicking <span style="color: black;"><a href="http://annmariewalker.blogspot.com/p/books.html">here</a>)</span></span></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-27020107586114512832012-04-20T17:11:00.001-05:002013-11-04T09:01:12.019-06:00Win a Critique from a Literary Agent!<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Yes, that’s right, Erin
Niumata of Folio Literary Management has graciously offered her priceless
critique as the prize for my new blog contest!</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxhyXceo7N3H-yGf8Y8gnjx6wrYPqGHJzhB6eFupEFJQejpospYT2Q8Av-o6pkvxpiEln5sqt8jt1AhHzUrQ3Fk-BUEj6rpZgEvQQ_15-_7p_l-X2vJqut3nBwCYn-sXlixS65gAE_7U/s1600/erin-240x300%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxhyXceo7N3H-yGf8Y8gnjx6wrYPqGHJzhB6eFupEFJQejpospYT2Q8Av-o6pkvxpiEln5sqt8jt1AhHzUrQ3Fk-BUEj6rpZgEvQQ_15-_7p_l-X2vJqut3nBwCYn-sXlixS65gAE_7U/s200/erin-240x300%5B1%5D.jpg" width="160" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erin C. Niumata, Senior V.P.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
<v:stroke joinstyle="miter">
<v:formulas>
<v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0">
<v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1">
<v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight">
<v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1">
<v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2">
<v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth">
<v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0">
</v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:f></v:formulas></v:stroke></span></v:shapetype><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">You can read
more about Erin at <a href="http://foliolit.com/folio-staff/" target="_blank">http://foliolit.com/folio-staff/</a> (And see what she has to say about contest in the comments section below!) but I can tell you this
much...she’s awesome. So awesome, in fact, that they recently promoted her to Senior
Vice President. She’s been in the biz for over twenty years and has represented
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">28 New York Times Bestsellers</b>!!! Oh,
and did I mention that she’s closed to unsolicited queries? Yep, this is the
only way. </span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The
Prize</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:
One lucky writer will be able to submit the first three chapters of their
manuscript (not to exceed 50 pages) - as well as a short synopsis (2-3 pages)
if they have one – for Erin to critique. Like I said, priceless! <strong>***</strong>Open to ALL genres including YA and also non-fiction</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">How
to Enter</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">:
Unfortunately, the first contest ended. If you are seeing this post for the first
time, please follow my twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AnnMarie_Walker">@AnnMarie_Walker</a> for new on future contests. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Update:
May 3, 2012</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">First of all, a great big thank you to
Erin Niumata for allowing me to host this contest on my blog! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Second, a heartfelt thanks to all of you
who completed the entry trifecta and tirelessly spread the word through
retweets. It has been such a pleasure getting to know so many dedicated writers
(and watching you connect with one another). I look forward to our future
tweets!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The response to this contest has been
overwhelming – over 100 contestants as of last night and another 11 coming in
just this morning. (And that doesn’t even factor in the many RT bonus entries!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thanks to this morning’s influx, I have
a bit of last minute tallying to do before I can let random.org pick the
winner. In the meantime I have an announcement to share:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt;">You
Can Bid on a Critique Via a Charity Auction</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">The Brenda Novak Annual Auction
for the Cure of Diabetes has manuscript evals up for auction with the bidding starting as low as $2.00 in some cases. There are about
44 editors and agents (including Erin) who are each offering various
services...plus it’s for charity...how cool is that?! The auction is underway
now and ends May 31<sup>st</sup>. Click <a href="http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/Bidding.taf?_function=detail&Auction_uid1=2481499">here</a> for details.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">While you go browse the auction
items, I’m going to go fill out entries for today’s contestants and tally up
the morning’s retweets. (and maybe eat breakfast, er...lunch?) <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I promise to work as fast as I can and will
name the winner later today on this blog post, so be sure to check back.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Thanks!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<br />
<div class="bio" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><strong>And the Winner is</strong></span>: <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AndreaBerthot">@AndreaBerthot</a>
: Writer, teacher, Mommy, lover of music, theatre, books, wine, sweatpants,
naps, Joss Whedon, and the Stewart/Colbert news team. <span class="divider5">·</span><span class="url"><a href="http://andreapriceberthot.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">http://andreapriceberthot.blogspot.com/
</span></a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="bio" style="margin: 1em 0in;">
<span class="url">Congratulations Andrea and please DM me so I can give you all the details.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<br />
<br /></div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com107tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-48260005033801029022012-04-19T19:37:00.000-05:002012-05-18T16:58:10.238-05:00Five Signs You Might Have it Bad for Christian Grey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf34WV47930T54VbenEQqmsgwT38Cq7DrWcTurLLHWRoc55Ke-1m4o5fk340MLjvvfnhyphenhyphenu1M5hSm7Z56nVmB3Lz9NrimNBjmw16maPypizSdQhV1X50fwUkr6-BkGDUK9O6bWEsndPT6E/s1600/imagesCAR3RDB0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf34WV47930T54VbenEQqmsgwT38Cq7DrWcTurLLHWRoc55Ke-1m4o5fk340MLjvvfnhyphenhyphenu1M5hSm7Z56nVmB3Lz9NrimNBjmw16maPypizSdQhV1X50fwUkr6-BkGDUK9O6bWEsndPT6E/s1600/imagesCAR3RDB0.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So I finally took the plunge and
read – well, actually more like devoured - all three books in the “50 Shades of
Grey” trilogy. At first I justified it as market research (yeah, *nods to self*
market research, good one) I mean after all, how could I not be intrigued by a
book that sold 2 million copies in three weeks. Not to mention the 8 million
dollar movie deal! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Everyone</i> has been
talking about it...and not just Kathy Lee and Hoda either. Even Barbara Walters
has weighed in. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">So now that my “research” is
complete I can officially report that I am <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23GREYsessed">#Greysessed</a>. What’s that you say?
Never heard that term before? Well, clearly you haven’t been dropping by
<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/50ShadesSource">@50ShadesSource</a> to check in on Twitter’s answer to a Christian Grey support
group. In case you’re wondering if you suffer from the same affliction as
millions of women (some call themselves <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search/%23Fiftyfangirls">#fiftyfangirls</a>) here are five signs you may have it bad for Christian Grey:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">1. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
find yourself wishing Charlie Tango was a new ride at Disney World. “Honey, you
take the kids to the Jungle Cruise, I’m heading
over to Fantasyland.”<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>While
at the mall, you impulsively by a new silver-grey tie for your man.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
word “playroom” no longer conjures up images of Barbies and Legos.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">4.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>You
giggle every time someone asks how “submission” is going, even though you know <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>they’re referring to the manuscript your
agent is sending to editors. (Never mind, that might
just be me.)<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">5.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>The
highlight of your day was opening an email that said, “ <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a> is now <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>following you on Twitter.”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">If you’re nodding your head in agreement
to one (or all) of these, then I have some good news for you. In an upcoming
interview with 20/20, author EL James reveals she may consider another book
told from Christian’s point of view. (Yes, please!)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Until then, might I interest you in the
ultimate vicarious adventure? Inspired by a true story, “Hollywood Ending” is
the tale of a young coed who sends an impulsive letter to Hollywood’s hottest,
most notorious bad boy. <span style="color: black;">Maybe it’s crazy, maybe it’s
far-fetched, or maybe it’s the perfect way to mend her broken heart. (</span>Read
more by clicking <a href="http://annmariewalker.blogspot.com/p/books.html">here</a>.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: black;"><o:p><strong><span style="color: #3c1f00;">Like What You See</span></strong><span style="color: #3c1f00; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">? Stay tuned. After all, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/ChristianTGrey">@ChristianTGrey</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/AnaRSteele">@AnaRSteele</a>, and <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/50ShadesSource"><span style="color: #b5643a;">@50ShadesSource</span></a> are following my blog, shouldn't you? :) Click "Join this Site" and then sign in with google or twitter</span></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
</div>Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7542427366859142915.post-67261955430895135242012-03-12T20:21:00.000-05:002014-06-14T18:26:58.470-05:00Bad Boys of Fiction and the Good Girls Who Love Them<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62nH2r3a0VK1H6C_0pXEZs1G143IDKpSu_ipVN8pq50ZP5tvJiY8_xJH4VpCmDuQodjSePctXntD0TKdYXUaJTpNnoKndjPdWaZaj4aD0IaT9nKPj35Qfx8dHu7_3ZVe2cjr0SkD6T3Q/s1600/imagesCAWYP9T8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62nH2r3a0VK1H6C_0pXEZs1G143IDKpSu_ipVN8pq50ZP5tvJiY8_xJH4VpCmDuQodjSePctXntD0TKdYXUaJTpNnoKndjPdWaZaj4aD0IaT9nKPj35Qfx8dHu7_3ZVe2cjr0SkD6T3Q/s1600/imagesCAWYP9T8.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">It seems as though you can't turn on your computer without seeing an article about E.L. James' novel, 50 SHADES OF GREY. For those of you as in the dark as I was, GREY started as TWILIGHT fan fiction and was later released by a small British press. Last week it sold to a U.S. publisher for a <em>seven figure </em>advance. Full disclosure - <strike>I haven't read the trilogy</strike> (updated on 4/17/12) I loved the books, but the reviews are mixed. Some say deplorable while others say page-turner, but one fact is indisputable: legions of women are fascinated by the story of billionaire bad boy Christian Grey.</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Earlier today I saw a post on twitter where a reader confessed to loving Cole, the bad boy in the EVERNEATH (by Brodi Ashton) love triangle. (He carries a guitar with him, what's not to love?) After reading her confession I decided to launch a support group for the other fiction lovers (like me!) who suffer from the same affliction.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">That being said, I hereby call to order the first online chapter meeting of <strong>Bad Boys of Fiction and the Good Girls Who Love Them</strong>.</span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">"Hi, my name is Ann Marie and I have a weakness for Damon Salvatore from THE VAMPIRE DIARIES books (probably because he looks like Ian Somerhalder, see above) and Hamlet from FALLING FOR HAMLET (by Michelle Ray)." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><strong>Update 4/17/12: Christian Grey!!!! </strong>Hmm...maybe Ian <em>as </em>Christian Grey? Now there's an idea....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="left">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Who's your favorite Bad Boy?? Please share in a comment below.</span></div>
<div align="left">
<br /></div>
<div align="left">
</div>
<div align="center">
<br /></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
Ann Marie Walkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03112647109520950160noreply@blogger.com70