Oh, Scotsmen…by Carrie Lofty
Thanks so much to Smexy Books for having me stop by! I’m excited to talk about “A Little More Scandal.” At just $.99… Take a chance! This is an adorable intro to my Christies series of Victorian romances.
It’s one of Pocket’s first original digital releases. You can read more about those fabulous new originals here, including an extended excerpt of “A Little More Scandal.”
But there. Aside from the blurb, that’s my sales pitch. Let’s get to the good stuff…
You must understand that according to the bonds of marriage, I am contractually obligated to find Scotsmen unappealing. That’s because my husband is English. But I don’t think contracts have any say over my brain or my fantasies.
So let’s talk hot Scots.
We’ll start with the unconventional: Craig Ferguson. He’s older and he’s not particularly buff, but damn is the man funny. If you’re a fan of “Doctor Who,” check out this video of the dance Craig & Company had prepared for the show featuring Matt Smith.
Honestly, they meant this to be the opening of the show, but they were denied permission at the last minute because of music copyright issues.
Speaking of Doctor Who: David Tennant. Again, he’s not particularly buff. In fact, his “Doctor Who” co-star Catherine Tate repeatedly mentioned his slim physique—something along the lines of “skinny as a rat.” But still, the man has magnificent hair, was one of the youngest lead actors in the history of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and has wicked comedic timing. Here he is in a classic sketch with Catherine.
Oh, and then there’s James McAvoy. I first remember seeing him as Tumnis in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and wondering why I found a half-goat guy charismatic. He’s recently made it big in the States with his portrayal of a young Professor X in X-Men First Class, but my favorite role will always, always be that of Robbie Turner in Atonement. OK, and now I’m crying.
Shall we continue the cry-fest with Ewan McGregor? Moulin Rouge! is one of my favorite films of all time, even though I always feel the need to rewrite the ending. (Sort of like Atonement!) Ewan has perfectly innocent comic timing, a fantastic smile, and a surprisingly nice singing voice. Who knew Renton from Trainspotting would grow up to be such an adorable leading man?
As you can see, I’m all in favor of crushing on Scotsmen. Just…I do it a little differently. According to this list, I go less for brawny Highlander and more for snarky wiseass. Wait…my husband is a snarky wiseass. Somewhere along the line, I’ve been duped!
So give it to me, readers: Who’s your favorite Scotsman, and why?
Next up for Carrie:
STARLIGHT, the second full-length romance in the Christies series, is set in Victorian Glasgow. It just got a 4 ½ stars Top Pick from RT BookReviews, and comes out on June 26th. Then comes Pocket Star digital original, HIS VERY OWN GIRL. It’s a historical romance set in WWII—an honest to goodness historical romance! Available September 4.
Carrie on the internet:
Twitter: @carrielofty
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarrieLofty
I’d like to give away a copy of FLAWLESS, the first of the Christies series from Pocket. I’ll ship anywhere. Anyone who already has FLAWLESS can win any choice from my back catalog.
To enter, leave a comment answering Carrie’s question above. Contest open through June 10.
Given that I am Scottish and know what Scotsmen really look like, I can’t say any of them turn me on that much. I mean, I could force myself with James McAvoy. You know, for the good of mankind. And Gerard Butler before he reverted to type and became a sozzled bloater. (Hi; I’m classy.)
I’m much more into Irishmen, I must confess. Does that count as an answer? Do I get a Jock-pass for being Scottish myself? :D
See, this is why I have difficulty with writing Englishmen. I have one! Exotic is always just more…exotic. And you’re totally right about Gerard Butler. *sigh* Poor guy. Good to see you here, Scarlett.
Well, he may be a little old now but he still has his sexy Scottish burr, has to be
Sean Connery.
If it was the Scottish man I would like to…. It would be Gerard Butler please.
Hi Sheila! Nothing wrong with Bond! But alas, in my heart, Daniel Craig has eclipsed all Bonds *g*
James McAvoy all the way. Atonement is one of my absolute favorite movies and I loved him in Wanted. It was such a different role for him at the time and proved (to me, anyway) that he could play just about any character. I should also add that I’m a sucker for a man with gorgeous eyes and his are tough to beat :)
Hey, Ashley. LOVE his eyes. If you can find it, I highly recommend the 6-part miniseries “State of Play” from Britain, not the movie remade starring Russell Crowe. McAvoy’s part is significant AND adorable. (And I don’t know about you, but I always make up a different ending for Atonement. Can’t help it!)
Hands down, James McAvoy! I love all his movies, well except for Wanted!
Hi Ileana. I’ve never actually seen Wanted. According to these comments, we so far have one vote for and one vote against. I’ll have to see what everyone else recommends *g*
James McAvoy is a Scotsman? I just saw him in X-Men First Class yesterday! Loved his performance. He’s the only one I know of so I pick him as my favorite :)
Hi Arianne. Yes, he totally is! But he’s very much like David Tennant in that he perfected a quite good English accent early in his career so as to expand his career possibilities. Good to see you here!
Of courseu Gerard Butler! I am going to have to check out james McAvoy tjough!
Hey, Cindy. He’s adorable. Sexy guy next door type. Atonement is definitely his most powerful role, but his turn as Professor Xavier in X-Men First Class is probably his most user friendly. Good to see you here.
For me it’s a draw between David Tennant and Ewan MacGregor! Ewan is definitely more buff, but I have a soft spot for nerds, and, helloooo, David is the DOCTOR!
Heya Rebe! He IS the Doctor!! I love Christopher Eccleston, and Matt Smith is such a sweetie, but no one did it better than Tennant. If you can find it, I high recommend The Decoy Bride, a sweet and traditional 2011 romantic comedy set in Scotland. He’s the leading man opposite Kelly Macdonald (who voices Brave later this summer). They are SO cute together! Gosh, I a lot about movies ;)
Just one favorite? Too hard! I love all of Moning’s highlander men. Those muscles, those accents, those kilts… So many reasons to love them!
Hi Jodie! I’ve never been a kilt-lovin’ girl, maybe because I grew up loving cowboys (and married an Englishman??), so tight Wranglers do it more for me than loose-fitting ass clothes *g* Did I just write ass clothes??
Looooove Ewan Mcgregor ! I tend to prefer guys who are not in-your-face gorgeous but have a certain je ne sais quoi….
Hi Habiba. Me too. I don’t think I chose obvious studs for this list, perhaps because obvious studs come with certain…baggage? Ego, arrogance, lack of depth. Maybe I’m being stereotypical now. Ugh. I just like guys who kinda sneak onto my sexual radar. The keepers! Nice for you to stop by.
Are we also talking about fictional characters? I liked Alex McBride in Bride of a Wicked Scotsman, by Samantha James. He’s an alpha male, take charge, but with a heart.
Hi Sharlene. Fictional Scotsmen totally count. I think most of the actors I “love” are actually qualified by the roles they take. It’s not like I lust after Ewan McGregor in Trainspotting. The fantasy they portray is much more convincing than knowing too much of them as real people. That’s not their job! But now I’m curious about the James book. Always love a good rec! Thanks for coming by :)
Ewan McGregor all the way!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIAgELk-P6w
There he is on Graham Norton’s show playing with lightsabers. Oh– that rogueish grin. I’m having a moment!
OMG, Pamelia! That is one of the best things I’ve seen in weeks! I’ve never seen a guy wear a goatee so well, and his hair was awesome. Then again, I had to watch it because I have a huge gay crush on Graham Norton. He’s so damn funny. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, yes, yes and yes! I have massive crushes on all these guys. Unconventional for the win! Also I have to add: Alan Cumming and Robert Carlyle. Whew! Robert totally rocked my world in Once Upon A Time!
Ooh, Chelsea! Robert Carlyle is such an odd duck but he’d incredible. He’s been typecasted as a badguy so often that he rarely gets the chance to shine with his charisma. Same with Alan Cumming in Circle of Friends where he played the pervy guy obsessed with Minnie Driver. Great, unusual choices. Love it!
My favorite Scotsman is Sean Connery, how can you resist the original James Bond? He’s so sexy and has aged very well. A close second is Girard Butler, because he’s got that awesome accent and is really funny besides being handsome.
Oops, I meant Gerard – I got so carried away thinking about him I couldn’t remember how to spell. :D
Hi Barbara! They both do that grumbly, growly Scots accent really well, don’t they? If you haven’t see it (it’s a bit obscure), Sean Connery has an amazing role in Playing By Heart, an ensemble romantic drama staring all sorts of people: Gillian Anderson, a young Jon Stewart, Madeline Stowe, Dennis Quaid, and even Angelina Jolie before anyone really knew who she was. I think it was her most charismatic and unpretentious role yet, and Sean Connery plays the family patriarch. Amazing movie.
Love Ewan! He is funny, slightly nerdy, and hot. All without losing that “guy-next-door” quality. And did I mention he can sing, too? Obviously he is the perfect man!
Heya Kare_Bear! I just wish Moulin Rouge! didn’t end…like it did. I still have his version of “Your Song” and the remix of “Roxanne” on my iPod. They’re that good as stand-alone songs. He’s really incredible. Glad to have you here today!
Hello Carrie! :) I have just bought “A Little More Scandal” for my nook. :) Yay me!
I think my favorite scotsman is gerard butler? if he’s scottish? Handsome, amazing voice, and he’s not afraid to get dirty ;)
Congrats on the newest release!!
Hello sexy Brunette Librarian! (Sorry if I offend. I assume you’re sexy coz librarians are awesome hot chicks *g*) And so happy to hear you already bought “A Little More Scandal.” I hope you enjoy it. And if you care to imagine William as Gerard Butler, have at it ;)
My favorite Scotsmen would be Craig Ferguson(because he’s hilarious), Gerard Butler(Hotness), James McAvoy(Hotness again and great actor), and Ewan MacGregor.
Hey Danni! Yay for a mention for Craig. Funny aside, he has a really earnest personality under all of the jokes, because of his past battles with alcohol. If you haven’t seen his twelve minute, no joking, soul-bearing monologue about Britney Spears, you really should. It’ll add an extra dollop of depth to your admiration for him:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGLzpt3caHw
James McAvoy because that man can act! He’s been so convincing in every role he’s played.
Hi Justine! As I recommended above, really try to find him in the British six-part “State of Play.” Astonishingly understated but charismatic role. Glad to see you here!
James McAvoy. Thanks for the giveaway!
Hi Natasha, thanks for coming by. Good luck!
i never pay attention to movie star :”> but from books, my fave scots is ian mcnab from in death series. he has one wicked sense of fashion :p
Hi Sienny. How did I miss that one? Thanks for the rec and for coming by today!
All-time favorite? Hands down, Sean Connery, though I am willing to admit I adore David Tennant as well.
Hi Kitkat! (Love the name.) I don’t think there’s anything wrong with liking more than one, is there? *g*
Sean Connery
1. Accent
2. Accent
3. White beard and toupee in THE HUNT FOR RED OCTOBER
4. Accent
5. Dragonheart
6. James Bond..I am shaken
7. White beard….again
8. The Untouchables
9. Accent
10..Smexy even for a man of his age.
Hi Sandy! I love how in The Hung for Red October that the film starts with them speaking in Russian, and quickly switch to English…and Sean Connery remains Scottish! It’s like they all decided, you know, Sean shouldn’t even try to do a Russian accent. Why bother? He’s awesome the way he is! :)
I would pick Sean Connery.
Hi Maureen, never a bad choice. Ever! Good to see you :)
Sean Connery for me as well.
Hi Sullivan, I think he wound up being the favorite choice of people who didn’t make my list. Good to see you here!
I haven’t been read any scotsman hero yet. But I love to read Maya Banks’ Highlander series, the covers tell everything! :D
Even older Sean Connery has class and sex appeal.
Craig Ferguson is such a Hoot – I wish his show wasn’t on so late.
To me, Sean Connery is & always will be a Great Scot!
I love Alan Cumming’s accent.
And of course Gerrard Butler
Has anyone mentioned John Barrowman? If not, I will! He’s Captain Jack Harkness of Doctor Who & Torchwood fame. Or as like to call him, “Captain Jack Hotness”! :D
Plus I love Court MacCarrick from Kresley Cole’s If You Dare…swoon!
Thanks for the guestpost Carry, and I would also choose Sean Connery as my favourite Scotsman. But in real life, I like those who play the Highland Games! I really love watching those strong men do their thing in a kilt!
I more of an Aussie lover myself, but if you had to force a gorgeous Scotsman on me, I wouldn’t turn either James or Ewan out into the cold. I do really have thing for James McAvoy right now. He has great hair. Also, despite nearly a 40 year difference, I’d get busy with Sean Connery.
Christie,
I think you hit all my favourite Scotsmen in your list. So many amazing accents, so little time… My fav Scotsman is Craig Ferguson. I have a thing for older guys apparently. I saw him live in Toronto a couple of years ago, during a standup tour. He was quite profane and very funny.
I can’t wait to read the Christies books – I have read so much good stuff about them.
Robert Carlyle is one of my favorites. He’s a great actor and his characters always have me glued to the screen.
Sean Connery because of his accent.
With Scottish guys, it doesn’t really matter what they look like, it’s the accent that gets me every time. I worked with a Scottish guy for a couple of years and I thought he was so cute even though objectively, he wasn’t the type I would normally go for.
Thanks for the Matt Smith hit! Which then got me sucked into all the Matt/Craig clips on YouTube but hey, time well wasted…
Isn’t it a universal truth how Scotsmen are the ultimate heroes? Be they the alpha warriors of historical romances or dark and brooding men with sexy accents in contemporary pieces or again some delicious actors, somehow we women can’t resist them. Oh yeah James McAvoy is one handsome Scottish, so is Gerard Butler ;-)