Hi Everyone and welcome to day two of Meet The Authors, where I introduce the person behind the book to it's readers. Today I have with me the LOVELY Maggie Harcourt whose sophomore novel, Unconventional, I got to read at the beginning of this year and it also turned out to be MY FIRST FIVE STAR READ of 2017 because it was the MOST ADORABLE THING IN EVER. It was the perfect book for all Fangirls and I HIGHLY recommend it! Maggie Harcourt is talking all about her Top 10 Unlikely Romantic Heroes (And Anti Heroes) and I hope you love all this post as much as I do!
Maggie Harcourt's Top 10 Unlikely Romantic
Heroes (and anti-heroes…)
- Jack Aubrey (the Master
& Commander novels). The original Captain Jack is a lifelong
sailor in the Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Wars. Knowledgeable, brave
and smart, he enjoys music - and is a keen musician himself - often
playing duets with his friend, ship's surgeon Stephen Maturin - and is
good at what he does. He hates the sight of blood and has a terrible habit
of using too many proverbs in conversation… most of which he gets wrong,
constantly baffling Stephen. But it's this, and his generally good heart,
which makes him loveable.
- Aragorn (the Lord of the
Rings novels). It's all very well saying that Aragorn is a perfectly
likely romantic hero by the time we've got to know him… but think back to
the very first time he's introduced. Back then, all we know is that he's a
"strange-looking weather-beaten man" with muddy boots and a
dirty cloak. Even when we see him more clearly, "a pale, stern
face" and "a shaggy head of dark hair flecked with grey"
isn't exactly promising… but then, he's Aragorn.
- Remus Lupin (the Harry
Potter novels). Who couldn't love Remus Lupin? Infected by a werewolf
in childhood in revenge for his father's beliefs, he became one of the
Marauders at Hogwarts - a connection which would last his whole life.
Brave - but absolutely broke (although never broken) because of his
condition - he was also clever, kind, warm and open-hearted.
- Edward Ferrars (Sense
& Sensibility). On the one hand, Edward might appear to be a bit
of an idiot - he doesn't always make the choices we want him to make (or
even the ones he wants to make…) but he's loyal, and it matters to him
that he keeps his word. Not particularly handsome, really rather shy, he's
perhaps not the guy who will sweep you off your feet, but the one who will
- somehow - find a way to be there when you need him the most and expect
him the least.
- Jareth the Goblin King (Labyrinth).
You might not think that a baby-stealing, petulant goblin prince who would
be particularly romantic. When he's played by David Bowie, you'd be wrong.
Jareth knows what he wants, and he'll do just about anything to get it
(rearrange time? Tear down his own city? Promise the world? Sure - why
not?) And if that thing just happens to be you… how could you refuse?
- Jonathan Strange (Jonathan
Strange & Mr Norrell). Jonathan Strange is a layabout. Jonathan
Strange is a pupil. Jonathan Strange is a soldier. Jonathan Strange is a
husband. Jonathan Strange is a rival. Jonathan Strange is an acolyte. Jonathan
Strange is a madman. Jonathan Strange is a master. Jonathan Strange is a
curse. Jonathan Strange is a friend. Jonathan Strange is a magician.
Jonathan Strange is maybe unlikely, maybe not always a hero… but the idea
of him, at least, is always romantic.
- John Rokesmith (Our
Mutual Friend). Talking about John is… tricky. Partly because like so
many Dickens characters, he's more complicated than he at first appears,
and partly because he's so central to the plot of Our Mutual Friend that it would take an essay to cover him in
any proper detail - one that would almost certainly give away the ending.
But it's enough to say that in a novel where the themes of money and love
constantly interact, John is trying to do the right thing; not just for
himself but for the people around him. His methods might occasionally be,
shall we say, 'questionable?', but his heart is in the right place.
Mostly.
- Bill Weasley (the Harry
Potter novels). Ever a sucker for a redhead, I can't leave Bill off
the list. Bill is cool. He's
both fun and serious; a professional curse-breaker who loves his family -
and is connected to another member of the Order of the Phoenix by werewolf
Fenrir Greyback…
- Athos (The Three
Musketeers). Athos can be sullen and taciturn, but underneath his brooding
exterior - if you can get him to sober up long enough - you'll find a
fiercely loyal friend and an inspiring leader. Loved by his allies and
hated - but still respected and feared - by his enemies, Athos is occasionally the most sensible of
the Musketeers. He's certainly one of the most famous… or should that be
'infamous'? Either way, he's a man you'd want on (or by) your side.
- 'Cousin' Matthew Crawley (Downton Abbey). Matthew Crawley has to be a bit of a wildcard: often stubborn and with a tendency to be pompous, there's still something about Matthew. And it's not his enormous inheritance (not entirely, anyway…) but rather his wit and arch sense of humour - as well as his determination and single-mindedness - that makes him probably the most likely of the 'unlikely' romantic heroes on this list after all.
Maggie Harcourt was born and raised in Carmarthenshire, west Wales. At 17, she moved to London to study English Literature - and later took a Master’s degree in medieval literature - at University College London.
She always wanted to be a writer, but has also worked as a hotel chambermaid, a PA and for a French chef along the way, as well as spending several years involved in convention running. Writing is still her favourite thing, but she also loves the theatre. She currently lives in Bath - where she can usually be found in a bookshop or somewhere near the river. She guards the secret of her favourite coffee shop jealously, because she has the perfect spot picked out there for people-watching.
She is represented by Juliet Mushens at Caskie Mushens.
Author: Maggie Harcourt
Publication Date: February 1st 2017
Publisher: Usborne Publishing Ltd
Part of a Series?: No, A Standalone
I Got A Copy Through: Usborne Publishing (THANK YOU!)
Buy Links: Amazon || The Book Depository || Wordery || Waterstones || Foyles || Google Play Store
Blurb Description: For fans of Rainbow Rowell and Stephanie Perkins
Everyone's a fan of someone...
Lexi Angelo has grown up helping her dad with his events business. She likes to stay behind the scenes, planning and organizing... Until author Aidan Green - messy-haired, annoyingly arrogant - arrives announced at the first event of the year. Then Lexi's life is thrown into disarray.
In a flurry of awkward encounters, lost schedules and late-night conversations, Lexi discovers that some things can't be planned... Things like falling in love.
Six Conventions, A Girl With A Clipboard, A Boy With Two Names - and One Night Than Changes Everything
Who you some of your Top Unlikely Romantic Heroes or Anti-Heroes?
Do you agree with any on these list?
Do say Hi to Maggie and check out her book, because trust me, IT IS ADORABLE!
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