Our fave fictional boyfriend: David Gandy.
posted on March 13, 2013 by
I’m mad at myself for not writing this post sooner, because the image search was SO. DAMN. HOT! (But don’t worry, I did write it in time to make the cut for Hottie Madness 2013, which starts next week!)
Some of you may recognize British model David Gandy from the Banana Republic Mad Men ads. Or perhaps you recognize him from the incredibly sexy Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue campaign – with those smoldering eyes and his beautiful bod covered only in water and tiny white briefs. Damn. But if you’ve read any of the books on my 50 Shades Withdrawal lists, you’ll know that he’s also served as the inspiration for many of the swoon-worthy fictional boyfriends. Raine Miller definitely used David as her muse when describing Ethan Blackstone in the Blacksone Affair trilogy. And I feel like he was also the inspiration for Gideon Cross. Well, at least in my head. (Anyone else agree?) I mean, you gotta picture someone when reading these books, so who better to picture than David??
BTW, narrowing down the images for this post was IMPOSSIBLE. I’m pretty sure he’s the perfect specimen of a man. (P.S. As Laura pointed out in the comments below, he’s beautiful on the inside as well, devoting a lot of his time to charities, including his latest initiative, the Blue Steel Appeal auction.)
50 Shades withdrawal? I have the cure. Part 4.
posted on March 12, 2013 by
I know I’ve been promising this post for months and I sincerely apologize for the delay! I also want to say THANK YOU again to everyone who continues to leave comments and recommendations. It’s what keeps me, and these posts, going! Because it’s been so long since my last post, I’ve actually read TWENTY-ONE books that I need to share with you, most of which are part of a series. So, I am going to split this post into two. But don’t worry, it will only be a week or so, not months, before I publish Part 5. Plus, you don’t want to read a mile long post. Trust me. This one is long enough as it is! (And In case you haven’t read my previous posts, don’t worry, I don’t give away spoilers. These are just general recaps.)
Side Rant: I don’t know about you, but I’m kinda over the trend of splitting into multiple books, especially when they are short books to begin with. I would just prefer one longer book that tells the complete story! It’s especially annoying with The Arrangement, which I will recap in Part 5. Also, it’s making my recaps super long!! (It took me like, 7 hours, to write this post. Not cool.) And it’s getting expensive!
Craving more sexy reads? Check out my other 50 Shades Withdrawal posts here: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
Naked and All In (The Blackstone Affair Trilogy) by Raine Miller
Naked and All In are two of the most recommended reads I get on the blog, so thanks to all of you who suggested them! They are engaging, fast-paced novellas. Quick reads with a super sexy story! Brynne Bennet is an American who is finishing her graduate degree at the University of London, while working part-time as a photographic model. Ethan Blackstone (I love the name Ethan) is a successful English businessman who owns an elite security company. He “meets” Brynne at a photography show, where he buys one of her portraits and then goes on a mission to get her into his bed, as nude as she is in her portrait. Like all good erotic heroes, Ethan is quite charismatic – gritty and animalistic, sexy and charming, thoughtful and caring. And since he is ex-special forces, he’s naturally powerful and dominant – strong enough to strip away all of Brynne’s defenses. Because of the demons in her past, she is drawn to his naturally protective nature. But Ethan actually knows more about Brynne than he initially reveals, and there are a lot of secrets that could ultimately destroy their relationship. This book is not just about the sex, it has an interesting story, too. But let’s be honest, you’re here for the sex, and this book delivers. Without giving away any spoilers, the only thing I’ll you about All In (Part 2) is that it’s written from Ethan’s point of view. Oh, and be sure to read the prologue, it’s contains important information!! For fans of the series, Eyes Wide Open (Part 3), will be released on May 14th.
Hottie Reference: It’s common knowledge that Raine Miller was describing David Gandy when she wrote Ethan. (Perhaps the inspiration for Gideon Cross as well?) So if you need a visual while reading the book, here ya go. Umm, yum.
Chatting with Sylvia Day about Reflected in You. (Podcast + transcript.)
posted on November 06, 2012 by
I was so excited when Penguin contacted me about interviewing Sylvia Day for a second time! It was such a pleasure chatting with her a few months ago and I couldn’t wait to talk to her about Reflected in You. As you know from my 50 Shades withdrawal posts, I am beyond obsessed with the Crossfire series and I think my obsession with Gideon has officially surpassed Christian. But, you know, there’s plenty of obsessiveness to share!
I have included the audio of the interview as well as a (slightly paraphrased) transcript. Unfortunately, my voice is still just as annoying as last time, sorry! But Sylvia was fabulous, and we chatted about everything from the panic over the delay of Entwined With You, the current state of the book and Gideon and Eva’s happily ever after, to Gideon’s dark and dangerous side, how to get through writers block, and the importance (and difficulties) of writing those hot sex scenes.
I hope you enjoy! Also, be sure to check out my first interview with Sylvia as well as my 50 Shades withdraw posts: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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50 Shades withdrawal? I have the cure. Part 3.
posted on October 15, 2012 by
I can’t believe I’ve read enough erotic fiction for a third part to this post. In fact, I have read enough for a fourth. Thanks so much to everyone who’s left comments and recommendations, please keep them coming! One of my readers was even kind enough to send me a book she though I HAD to read (thanks, Trish!).
I’m also excited to be given the opportunity to interview Sylvia Day for a second time later this month. Feel free to send me any questions you’d like me to ask her and I’ll try to get them answered! Because of the interview, Penguin has sent me three copies of Reflected in You to give away to readers of this blog! Simply enter using the Rafflecopter widget below, or by clicking here. Good luck!
[ Sorry, this contest has ended. ]
Don’t forget to check out Part 1, Part 2 and Part 4 of this list! Ok, back to the books.
Reflected in You by Sylvia Day
It felt like an eternity waiting for this book after finishing Bared to You. Sylvia kept posting teasers on her Facebook page which just made me more excited, and I’m happy to report that it was worth the wait! The story picks up where Bared left off. Gideon woke up ready to conquer the world, and liked to start that domination with me. Gideon takes his domination to new, totally unexpected levels. And he can kick some ass. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but I really loved the twist in this plot, even though it meant some painful moments for Eva and Gideon. And some extremely hot moments. (Think sex on the beach, in a shower, at a concert, in a limo, at 35,000 feet.) If you expect Gideon and Eva to work out their issues, don’t. Their relationship is a total emotional roller coaster. They have to work on their trust issues, their insecurities, their communication, all while facing demons from their past. But they are addicted to each other, obsessed with each other in a way only they can understand. Luckily we only have to wait until December for the final book in the Crossfire trilogy, Entwined With You. For now, I’ll leave you with this: I‘m obsessed with you, angel. Addicted to you. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted or needed, everything I’ve ever dreamed of. You’re everything. I live and breathe you. For you.
50 Shades withdrawal? I have the cure. Part 2.
posted on August 23, 2012 by
Well, thanks to the popularity of our previous 50 Shades Withdrawal post (thanks, Google), I was given even more fabulously sexy book recommendations. So I’ve read a few SEVEN more on the list and thought it was time to share! And in case you care, I have read a few other books on my must-read list in between all the romances, including In The Kingdom of Men (great story but no closure), The Shoemakers Wife (loved it) and The Tea Rose (really loved it).
As you may know, I interviewed Bared to You author Sylvia Day a few months ago. It was so lovely to chat with her, and to be totally honest, reflecting upon all these books I’ve read (which are all kind of blending together) Bared to You has risen to the top of my list. I’ve re-read it several times and I am beyond excited for the sequel Reflected in You, which will be released on October 2nd. Can’t wait!!
Ok, let’s get down to business! And don’t forget to check out Part 1 , Part 3 and Part 4 of this list!
A chat with Sylvia Day, author of Bared to You. (Podcast + transcript.)
posted on June 18, 2012 by
We were beyond thrilled last week to be contacted by Penguin Group, asking if we’d be interested in interviewing Sylvia Day, the author of New York Times bestseller, Bared to You. I read Bared to You when going through 50 Shades withdrawal. Gideon Cross is a hot billionaire who owns like all of New York. Eva is a socialite who’s trying to make a name for herself. They literally run into each other and have an immediate connection, but they both carry emotional baggage. They’re possessive, jealous and controlling, which leads to an intense passionate romance, with sex as their therapy. And I have to say, I loved the story as much as, if not more than, 50 Shades.
I have included the audio of the interview as well as a (slightly paraphrased) transcript. I seriously hate my voice on the phone. I think I sound like a Maryland-born valley-girl, if that’s a thing. Think Cher from Clueless with a mid-Atlantic accent that’s been watered down by going to school in Syracuse and living in Connecticut. Get the idea? But that’s why you read this blog, not listen to it.
But this isn’t about me, it’s about Sylvia, and it’s worth listening to for her. She’s lovely! She was a delight to talk to, and I’m so happy we had a chance to chat about Bared to You. We talk about everything from her inspiration for the series, to some details on the sequel, to the rise in popularity of erotic fiction, and of course in true GirlyObsessions fashion, which hottie she’d picture playing Gideon in a movie!
I hope you enjoy! Also, be sure to check out my second interview with Sylvia!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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Got 50 Shades withdrawal? I have the cure.
posted on May 31, 2012 by
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know we’re obsessed with 50 Shades. So when I finished the series, as much as I wanted move on to another book on my very long must-read list, I just found myself wanting more sex romance. There is something about these sexy, clingy, codependent, modern romances that I can’t get enough of. And the powerful, controlling, non-committal men with issues and the women they are so desperate to be with, and be saved by, that they completely change their ways.
So, thanks to the Kindle store’s recommendations (and the Goodreads 50 Shades Support Group), I found a lot of books similar to 50 Shades. And I’ve taken it upon myself to read FIVE of them so I can provide a recap for you. You’re welcome. (I know, I have issues.)
Here’s my take on what I’ve read so far. More to come, I’m sure.
UPDATE: Check out more sexy reads in Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4.
The 50 Shades book signing. And boa carnage.
posted on May 03, 2012 by
Ashley: I know we’ve been talking a lot about 50 Shades of Grey lately. But based on the 1,000+ women (and two brave men) that came out for the book signing in New Haven last night, it is currently the ultimate girly obsession, and seems to be all anyone is talking about. Imagine a room full of women, all swooning over the same fictional character, feeling sexually liberated. Insanity! (Of the best kind! I had a great time!) And the boa carnage? It’s what the floor looked like after 1,000 black boas attacked. (BTW, boas are not that fun to wear.)
Sara: They really aren’t. The feathers poked and spent more time gripping to my clothes then they did the boa itself! The signing was insane to say the least. I still can’t get over the amount of women that were there! I have to be honest it was a little much for me…but overall a good time! I have a new love of not only Christian but of E L James as well! She was absolutely adorable!
Here are some of the (paraphrased) sound bites from the night. (Oh, and a woman won this handcuff necklace from Eve’s Addiction and now I think I need one.)
50 Shades of ???
posted on April 27, 2012 by
{ OK, we’ve discussed the books, now it’s time to discuss the movie. Specifically, who could possible play Christian. Here are our thoughts. Would love to know yours! }
Sara: So I am at the start of book three in the 50 Shades of Grey series. And I am very excited about going to meet the author next week!! Since the movie has been scheduled to go into production, it has me thinking who could play Christian. I am at a loss. I have gone through all the GO hotties, and I am not sure anyone fits the bill!
Ash: I KNOW! It’s really a tough call. Part of me thinks they should cast someone unknown. I didn’t really know Robert Pattinson until he was cast as Edward and now I totally adore him. But would I feel the same way if he wasn’t playing the vamp of my dreams? I don’t know. Of all the men in Hollywood, I don’t know who I’d choose. Well, that’s not true. I’d choose Christian Bale from like 12 years ago when he was in American Psycho. He has just the right amount of crazy, and the name! But I know that’s not a reality, and let’s be honest, I just wanted an excuse to look at pages of CB pictures…so any actual ideas?
Sara: I don’t think there is anyone as hot as Christian Grey with enough of an edge like him. I have been thinking about it over and over again and just don’t know who would play him well. I kinda thought Jake Gyllenhaal…mainly because I know what his body can look like (thank you Jarhead) all jacked up and I wouldn’t mind seeing that again. But as much as I love Christian I am not sure I want to see Jake like that. And I heard Ian Somerhalder was interested. I am torn about how I feel about that, what about you?
50 Shades of…addicted.
posted on April 06, 2012 by
I debated blogging about the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy (by E L James) because I don’t want to be judged. I consider myself fairly well read and these books aren’t exactly classic literature. But whatever. This blog is called GirlyObsessions, and that’s exactly what these books are: an addicting erotic fantasy and a total guilty pleasure. I’m beyond obsessed.
After hearing all the hype, and desperate for a good read, I had to check them out for myself. All I knew was that they were a “racy” love story. I guess that’s one way of putting it. I couldn’t put them down (hello, addicted) and I read all three in three days. Don’t judge, I’m not the only one. The books, which were finally released in e-book format in March, catapulted to #1 on The New York Times bestseller list (for Combined Print & E-Book Fiction). My Kindle has never seen so much action.
The New York Times dubs this book as “mommy porn and Twilight for grown-ups.” Being a total Twihard, it’s an interesting comparison. I guess they are both a love story about two people who don’t think they deserve each other, centering around a controlling, protective, unattainable man who will never exist in real life, and is perfect-in-every-way-except-one-minor-flaw (vampire and mommy issues that lead to BDSM). The 50 Shades books actually started as a Twilight fan fiction and were described by the author as a “reimagined Bella and Edward love affair set in contemporary Seattle.” So, there you go.
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