Overheard at... New Seasons

“They told me Fabio was over in the produce section.”

A couple of months ago I wrote about creating great covers for our novels and so my ears were highly tuned in when I stood at the register of my favorite grocery store here in Portland and Fabio’s name was mentioned.

Sadly, he was not actually there in that store. The person was talking about a trip she’d made to Hawaii and a store she had been in there. The rest of the overhear was just as interesting. Apparently Fabio had been surrounded by fans (like, who knew?) and this woman couldn’t even get close.

I’m not terribly good at celebrity spotting; I once walked right by Barbara Walters and didn’t even realize it was her until I heard her voice as I passed. When I lived in London I used to keep my eyes peeled all the time for Madonna or Hugh Grant; and the thing is, I probably went right by them numerous times without even knowing it. 

However, I have to think Fabio I would recognize. He has been so pervasive on covers I can’t imagine any woman, my age, not knowing him. That said… I also can’t imagine making any effort to get near him; unless it was to ask about his experiences as a cover model. Personally, I’m attracted to a more clean cut type, like George Clooney or that model I always see in Vogue or Conde Naste Traveller who is usually shirtless and on a sailboat.

My knight in shining armor is more likely to pull up in a convertible Mercedes than on horseback… and he certainly is not wearing any armor, (unless it is Armani). I suppose that is why I love to write contemporary romance rather than historical… it is far easier for me to associate with modern-day heroes.

What is even more interesting, though, is discovering the type of hero my main character finds attractive. They run the gamut of tall and gangly with sandy colored hair, to medium height, athletic with curly brown hair, to tall, super athletic with straight dark hair and blue eyes. I see each of them very differently and each are uniquely suited to my
main character. Jessica, for example, would never be attracted to my hero in Molto Mayhem but then Lucia would never like Erik, Jessica’s hero.

The main thing though, is even if I could get a picture of Fabio, I doubt he’d be appropriate for any of my heroes. I’ll let you be the judge though…

I can’t bring him to New Seasons for you, but I can bring him (in photos anyway) to my blog.