When it comes to the heroes in our stories we want them to be fun, lovable, exciting, charming, and above all capture our hearts.

I started writing Sex, Lies, and Beauty Aids back in 2000, my story didn’t click until I found my true hero for the part of Travis Wellington.

If you’ve seen the cover (above), my pinterest page about my books, or the trailer, you’ve seen Paul Walker is my chosen muse for the character of twins Trent/Travis Wellington. One of the deciding factors for choosing Paul wasn’t just that he’s handsome, oh and believe me he is, but it was discovering the personal side of the man beyond the movies.

I wanted an admirable man, not just a handsome one. I wanted my character to stand out as someone to look up to. In a time and age where Hollywood is spitting out movie stars with no real heart, soul, honor, and conviction…I spent months searching for the right man.

Paul Walker – Just look at that smile…how can you not fall for him?

In addition to his movie endeavors, Paul founded Reach Out Worldwide whose mission statement reads: “REACH OUT Worldwide is a quick-response, mobile first aid organization aiding in rescue and recovery after major natural disasters around the globe.”

Their relief efforts have helped with Tornados in Illinois, Alabama, and Oklahoma City, the Colorado Flood, and Typhoons in Haiyan and the Philippines. It’s amazing to see such a humble man who cared so much, then gave even more of himself, not to mention how far reaching his efforts have gone.

But Paul’s story doesn’t end here.

In my opinion, Paul is not the only hero in the Walker family. Enter Cody Walker.

I’m using Cody’s official Facebook Bio here with his permission:

“I’m the youngest of the Walker siblings. I grew up in Southern California and graduated from La Canada High School in 2006. I then went on to Santa Barbara City College and eventually graduated from UCSB with a Bachelors in Cultural Anthropology. Immediately after graduating I earned my EMT certification from UCLA center of Prehospital Care and moved up to Oregon where I pursued schooling to become a Paramedic. For the last two and half years I worked on an ambulance as an EMT and then in June of 2013 I completed school and became a licensed Paramedic. At that time I continued with the ambulance and began working as a Paramedic.”

This in and of itself is a remarkable man. And again, the story doesn’t stop here.

In light of the loss of Paul Walker, who passed away on November 30, 2013, Cody made a life changing decision to make sure his brother’s legacy lived on. He packed his bags and moved back to California: “to give ROWW all I’ve got. I wanted to make Paul proud in life, and I want him to look down on ROWW now knowing that its future is bright. I look forward to working with the ROWW team and fulfilling the unmet need.”

Paul Walker will be truly missed, but his legacy lives on in his beloved brother, Cody. Way to go Cody, my new hero.

Please join me in supporting Paul Walker, Cody Walker, and Reach Out Worldwide and help make a difference. I will be donating half of the profits of my debut books: ‘Sex, Lies, and Beauty Aids’ and ‘Antics, Antidotes, and Angel’ to ROWW.

Bless you Paul and Cody!

Deb

What is it about a hero that appeals to us, not only as writers, but as readers?

I like to read to escape the insanity of everyday life. When I read I want to go on a mini adventure. As both a writer and a reader, I can tell you about my preferences. First, I want an imperfect man…a human being. By no means does he have to be gorgeous, in fact I personally don’t trust a gorgeous man. What I happen to be attracted to is a smile, a laugh, the eyes of a man who sees humor in things.

John Wayne is one of my all time favorite heroes. He’s not gorgeous by Hollywood standards, but what appeals to me is several things. He’s a big man. In ANY of his movies he makes me believe if I were in trouble, he’d be there to save me, might be just in the nick of time, but he’d be there. He also has a very expressive face. Whether he’s hollering orders to a platoon of men or shouting orders at someone or ready to knock someone on their keester…you know what’s on his mind. JW isn't the mushy type...he’s gruff, intimidating, but at the same time his appeal is so strong you can’t deny he’s all man. Without a doubt he’s brave, courageous, knows the meaning of valor and sacrifice. This is why I think of him as the perfect military man.

Give yourself a treat…click on the two links below and have a listen:

John Wayne’s version of "The Pledge of Allegiance"

John Wayne’s version of "America, Why I Love Her"

He’s my type of hero.

There’s the strong silent type…who doesn't say much but then again, he doesn't need to. He has goals and aspirations, he knows what it means to be honorable, to be trustworthy, I don’t ever want to worry about where his eyes are when I’m in the room or nowhere in sight. I want to admire him, what he stands for. I want to believe in him. At the same time I want him unafraid to whisper sexy taunts or to let me live out my own secret desires with him. I also want to see that he’s human with the ability to grow as time marches on. Believe it or not there are men like this who still exist. I even know a few.

There's also the real life hero, someone who does something noble and self-less. I wrote an earlier blog about Cody Walker, Paul's younger brother in an earlier blog. This guy is so impressive. The more I learn about him the more I like him.

And finally there are the ones we make up for our books. I'm kinda partial to cowboys...go figure, and I like to believe my heroines have my same general likes in men. Give me boots and jeans over suits and ties any day (my one caveat here is I love a man in uniform). I'll take hunting and fishing over tennis and racquetball. A man who can do a physical days work instead of pushing papers. Let him take me on a picnic near a creek instead of a fancy restaurant. Let him share his interests with me, not make me arm candy. Let him offer to help me with the chores, not tell me if it's indoors it's my job and outdoors is his. In my opinion, there is nothing sexier than a guy willing to help in the house. I want to share a life with him, not just be married to him on paper with nothing of substance to hold us together. And finally let him love ONLY me, be true to me, and never be afraid of showing me what I mean to him. I don't want a relationship in name only, where's the fun in that?

In real life or on paper, give me a hero to love.

What makes up your hero?

I'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

Deb

What is a Hero?

According to the dictionary: A person who is admired for great or brave acts of fine qualities. An illustrious warrior. One who shows great courage.

As writer's we visualize. I like to have a visual image of my characters to study their movements, actions, gestures, which is why I prefer if they're an actor and I can watch their movies over and over again.

This is my share for today, a few of my personal heroes:

Who doesn’t know John Wayne? The mere mention of his name conjures an image of a man larger than life, no matter his age, in any given movie, he’s my number one hero…always will be. There isn't a stinker in his movie line-up. My son, Michael, is named in honor of him, chosen by my dad before he passed away. Dad was John Wayne’s biggest fan EVER!!!

Who could forget Robert Mitchum in River of No Return with Marilyn Monroe? Mitchum fights for all their lives and brings them home; but it's the final scene where he tosses Kay (Monroe) over his shoulder and hauls her out of the saloon and then she drops her red high heels into the street as he and his son take her 'home'.

What about Cary Grant in An Affair to Remember with Deborah Kerr? My favorite scenes are when 'Nickie' takes 'Terry' to visit his grandmother and the final scene when he realizes she cripple. Cary Grant was a great actor, just sayin'.

Or Kirk Douglas as Spartacus. The movie itself was terrific, but as far as I'm concerned, no one but Kirk could have played that part.

I’ll never forget Bill Holden and Steve McQueen in Stalag 17 or Richard Widmark in The Alamo. They were their characters.

I love the of visual of Clark Gable standing at the bottom of the stairs, looking up, as Scarlett descends in Gone With The Wind.

Or of Errol Flynn standing on the crest of the hill saying Welcome to Sherwood in Robin Hood.

Then there’s Audie Murphy. What’s not to love? A real life military hero, his Destry character, but I love the movie about his true life story, To Hell and Back.

And what about Jimmy Stewart? He too was a military man, a 2- Star General. But when I think of him I think of It’s a Wonderful Life, Strategic Air Command, The Glenn Miller Story, The Shop Around the Corner, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington…and the list goes on.

Let not forget Red Skelton. The Fuller Brush Man, Neptune's Daughter, or his many televison series, all designed to bring us laughter at his expense.

And not to be left out, Clint Eastwood. I’ll take Dirty Harry on any given day. And the man can sing…don’t believe me, watch Paint Your Wagon, or listen to the final song of Gran Torino. That’s my personal favorite movie of his. Don’t get me wrong, I love all his stuff, but it’s his old grizzled character of Walt Kowalski that has my heart.

There are many, many more:

Gary Cooper as Sergeant York, in High Noon, and They Came to Cordura.

Howard Keel as the eldest Adam Pontipee in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Calamity Jane, Showboat (boy that man can sing to me any day of the week) and don't forget him on the series Dallas.

Gregory Peck in To Kill A Mockingbird, Moby Dick, The Big Country, Guns of Navarone, and How the West was Won.

Jerry Orbach’s character of Lenny Briscoe in the original Law and Order is one of my favorites. Everything about his charcter is memorable.

I need to stop, I could go on forever...but there you have it, some of my favorite characters.

Who are your favorites and why?

Have a great day.

Deb

When I started revisions on Sex, Lies, and Beauty Aides, my story didn't click until I found my true hero.

If you've seen the cover (above), my pinterest page about the book, or the trailer, you've seen Paul Walker is my chosen muse for the character of Trent Wellington. One of the deciding factors for choosing Paul wasn't just that he's handsome, oh and believe me he is, but it was discovering the man beyond the movies.

In addition to his movie endeavors, he founded Reach Out Worldwide whose mission statement reads: "REACH OUT Worldwide is a quick-response, mobile first aid organization aiding in rescue and recovery after major natural disasters around the globe."

Their relief efforts have helped with Tornados in Illinois, Alabama, and Oklahome City, the Colorado Flood, and Typhoons in Haiyan and the Philippines. It's amazing to see such a humble man who cared so much then give of himself, not to mention how far reaching his efforts have gone.

But his story doesn't end here.

In my opinion, Paul is not the only hero in the Walker family. Enter Cody Walker.

I'm using his official Facebook Bio here with his permission:

I'm the youngest of the Walker siblings. I grew up in So. Calif and graduated from La Canada High School in 2006. I then went on to Santa Barbara City College and eventually graduated from UCSB with a Bachelors in Cultural Anthropology. Immediately after graduating I earned my EMT certification from UCLA center of Prehospital Care and moved up to Oregon where I pursued schooling to become a Paramedic. For the last two and half years I worked on an ambulance as an EMT and then in June of 2013 I completed school and became a licensed Paramedic. At that time I continued with the ambulance and began working as a Paramedic.

This in and of itself is a remarkable man. And again, the story doesn't stop here.

In light of the loss of Paul Walker who passed away on November 30, 2013, Cody made a life changing decision to make sure his brother's legacy lived on. He packed his bags and moved back to California: "to give ROWW all I've got. I wanted to make Paul proud in life, and I want him to look down on ROWW now knowing that its future is bright. I look forward to working with the ROWW team and fulfilling the unmet need."

Paul Walker will be truly missed, but his legacy lives on in his beloved brother, Cody. Way to go Cody, my new hero.

Please join me in supporting Cody Walker and Reach Out Worldwide and help make a difference. I will be donating a portion of the profits of my debut book to ROWW...anyone else???

Bless you Cody!

deb