A Century of Hot Men: My How We’ve Changed

This blog post was first published on www.LadySmut.com. Check out this fabu group blog when you have a chance! Onward to the post…

Call this blog post “the post that almost wasn’t.” I started to write about alpha males through the ages. I sought to answer one question: Have our ideas about what makes a man an “alpha” changed over time? Know what I discovered? It didn’t. An alpha is an alpha is an alpha. Any man with a confident and commanding personality who enjoys control and generally stomps through life leading others can be considered an alpha. And, alphas never go out of style. I mean look . . .

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Yes, I spent a ridiculous amount of time creating this collage.

You know what did change over the decades? Our idea of male beauty. Let’s explore attractive males through the ages, shall we? Warning: The rabbit hole on this topic is deep, my friends. Hang on. And, fill that comment box below with all your thoughts on the trip down. We welcome pictures of who you consider a good-looking guy today or in the past.

Let’s start with 1910 and go from there. Here are four leading men, and the epitome of all things manly, from 1910 to at least the mid 1940s.

1910 to 1940

Notice anything? Besides the swashbuckling, coming-to-the rescue, genteel type of savior they portrayed? How about how pretty they look. All that slicked back hair, clean shaven chins and dapper duds.  In researching these decades and all its manly gorgeousness, a shocking lack of diversity emerged.  Not that men of different races and cultures weren’t to die for. But I just couldn’t find that many images of displayed male hotness that weren’t white men. Well, Harry Belafonte showed up. Wow, was he beautiful or what? But even this image was taken just into the 1950s.

by Dorothy Wilding,photograph,25 February 1954
Harry Belafonte

Researching the 1950s revealed our image of “best looking” guys made a sudden turn. Yes, we had our collegiate frat boy and our slick office guy

s idolized in the popular TV show, Mad Men.

mad men

More slick hair!

But a tougher “look” became idolized. Still baby-faced in some ways, but more of a fighter’s energy seemed to be behind those lashes.

James Dean

Look at these teenagers trying to mimic James and Marlon. You can always tell what’s “in” regarding looks by checking out your local high school. Seriously. Try it sometime.

1950s teens

1950s teenagers

The 1960s brought us a whole new level of grit. Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood and James Bond ushered us into one of the greatest decades for cinema — the 1970s — and changed what (who?) we grew hot over.

Clint Eastwood

Of course the 60s and 70s also brought us hair. Lots and lots of hair. Good-bye brylcreme.

HippieFashion4

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By the time 1975 rolled around, a certain slickness returned, and ushered in a whole new glamour for men that the previous two decades had ditched.

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The concept of “sexy ugly” emerged sometime between the 1970s and 1980s. (I think.)

-Sexy Ugly-

Maybe it’s the hair or the large mouth? I dunno. Or perhaps the confidence and talent that makes these guys so attractive?

The 1980’s “look” took us up a notch on the “slick side.” Everything suddenly got tailored from the hair to the clothes.

Michael Douglas as Gordon Gekko in the movie, Wall Street

Don Johnson and
 Philip Michael Thomas played Sonny Crockett
 and Ricardo Tubbs in 
Miami Vice

Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas played Sonny Crockett and Ricardo Tubbs in Miami Vice

Well, except for when it didn’t. The hair bands of the 80s were well labeled. They wore more make-up than I did back then.

The rock band Poison

The rock band Poison

Hang on you’re only half way down the rabbit hole. The 1990s brought us grunge, boy band cuteness and, well, just general experimentation in hair styles and gender-bending.Rock band Nirvana

Rock band Nirvana

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Boy band Nsync

I credit Will Smith for introducing color to men's wardrobes

Will Smith, the cutie pie

The late Prince

The late rocker Prince. RIP

By the time the 2000s rolled around all bets were off on an “in” look: long hair, beards, tattoos, three piece suits, jeans and t-shirts, military uniforms, exotic and cultured, all-American, tough guy etc. all made the list as attractive. We finally began to see more diversity. (i.e. someone other than white was considered hot. I mean, personally, my clothes would fall off if Denzel Washington walked into the room.) Also, right around David Beckham’s introduction to the world, muscles became a “must” to be considered good looking. Not a bad way to raise the bar . . .

David Beckham, the quintessential metrosexual

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Denzel Washington

George Clooney whose looks Sex and the City's Carrie Bradshaw declared "as classic as a Chanel suit."

George Clooney whose looks Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw declared “as classic as a Chanel suit.”

But, oh wow, did we reach a new level of maleness recently. Beards and ink became the “in” thing a few years ago.

Levi Stocke

Levi Stocke

Speaking of manly goodness, we couldn’t possibly leave out Michael Stokes’ brilliant portrayals of our wounded warriors. Well, just about anyone he photographs is swoon-worthy. See what I mean about muscles? (Did you know next week is military theme week here at LadySmut? Check in daily! You never know what we will have up our sleeves . . . or down in other places.)

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I could continue with the pictures but at this point I’m sure you’re hanging on to the sides of the rabbit hole walls by your fingernails.

I can’t help but wonder, however. What will 2020 bring us in the way of male hotness? Anyone want to hazard a guess? In the meantime, cheers to all the men down the ages. You’re gorgeous, dahling. Let’s just not return to the make-up, K?

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Leonardo DiCaprio as the Great Gatsby

Until then, check out this story by Alexa Day (along with 21 other New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling authors), which is part of a brand spanking new erotic romance and BDSM box set Hero to Obey: Twenty-two Naughty Military Romance Stories. 

Hero to Obey cover image

About Alexa’s story, Passing Through: The summer’s brought two surprises to bar owner Gigi Deane: the former Army Ranger she hired is the perfect barback, and he takes orders in bed as well as he does on the job. Noah Malone’s told her that he’s just passing through, but as the seasons change, can she convince him to make their summer thing a little more permanent?

Yeah, baby. Follow me on Facebook for my daily hunk-a-luscious-ness pictures. More hot men to be had!

The Untouchable Soundtrack: Rock, Romance and Book Inspiration

In addition to my Pinterest boards, music provides much writing inspiration. Below is the music playlist for Untouchable, a list of songs that would make a good soundtrack for Carson and London. Enjoy.

About Untouchable: Wealthy, corporate attorney Carson Drake fascinates public relations princess, London Chantelle. But their assumptions about love could crush their budding romance—even more than their long buried secrets and a blackmailing co-worker.

The Untouchable Soundtrack
Book #2 in the Elite Doms of Washington series

1. The Conductor by AFI 


2. Skin by Rihanna

3. Breath of Life by Florence + The Machine

4. Demons by Imagine Dragons

5. Always by Killswitch Engage 
Of all the songs on this soundtrack, “Always” sums up Carson Drake. This is the song playing in Chapter 7.

7. Seven Devils by Florence + The Machine
Dedicated to Benny Chantelle, London’s brother

8. Human by Christina Perri

9. Primavera by Ludovico Einaudi

10. 1000 Eyes by Saliva
(Warning: Abrupt change in music. Heavy rock ahead!)

11. Big Girls Cry by Sia

12. Stay by Hurts


13. Hate & Love by Jack Savoretti ft. Sienna Miller 

14. I’ll Follow You by Shinedown

15. Invincible by Kelly Clarkson

Untouchable, New Steamy Contemporary Romance — FREE Excerpt

In Washington D.C.’s political arena, no one is who they seem.

In Untouchable, book two of the Elite Doms of Washington series, we learn just how duplicitous some people can be. Yet, even in the face of treachery, love isn’t easily beaten — especially when it arises between two people like Carson and London.

Read a smexy excerpt below and check out my visual inspiration on the Untouchable Pinterest board. (Warning: hot men, strong women and compromising, sexy positions.)

 

 

About Untouchable
With fiery exchanges in the workplace, public relations princess, London Chantelle, intrigues and provokes the alpha male in wealthy attorney Carson Drake. He’d like to bend her over his knees—among other things. Outside the office, an unexpected meeting at a local BDSM club suggests she is the ideal candidate for a weekend of sensual submissive pleasure. Mistrustful yet fascinated, London agrees to his proposal of forty-eight hours with him. Finally, she can satisfy her unwanted, darker longings. Their passionate weekend stuns them both and London wants more of Carson Drake and his firm handling. But their assumptions about love threaten their budding relationship—even more than a blackmailing co-worker and London’s long-buried secrets.


EXCERPT: Untouchable, Book 2 in the Elite Doms of Washington series

Carson herded London toward the private rooms. She stopped short when they reached a gothic-arched doorway.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
“Someplace quieter.”
“What if I don’t want to?”
“Then you don’t have to.” He dropped his hold on her waist.
“Just talking?”
“Yes. Witnesses saw us leave. You’re safe.”
She let Carson pull her through the massive door, held open by a bodyguard. He moved them down an expansive hallway. Only after ushering her inside the last door at the end did he let go of her elbow. She immediately crossed her arms.
“It’s okay, sugar. I’m not going to hurt you,” he said.
“I’m meeting someone.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, so I can’t stay long.” She worked her bottom lip and shuffled her weight from foot to foot. Her eyes also darted to the bed in the corner. Perhaps she thought he’d take her right away? She knew his identity. She should know he was committed to due diligence. And he had to know why she was here—the last place on earth he’d expect London Chantelle.
He sat in one of two cushioned chairs set before a lit fireplace. He appreciated her luscious curves, beautifully illuminated by the amber glow of the low fire.
“Sit.” He beckoned her to join him.
“I like standing.”
“Sit.” The commanding tones of a Dom brought the expected result. As she lowered herself into the chair, her ponytail licked one shoulder. “Your hair is beautiful in this light,” he said. “More golden brown than I noticed before.”
She swallowed. “Thank you, um . . . I go by Tatiana.”
“It doesn’t suit you. Why not go with, say . . . London?”
Her mouth dropped to an “O” in alarm, and she leapt from her seat.
“Sit. Down.” He pointed to the chair.
“Please.” Her hazel eyes implored lenience, and her tone of voice surprised him. He liked the beseeching quality. It was quite a departure from her customary unadulterated demand.
“Please what? You thought a simple mask and change of clothing meant I wouldn’t recognize you?”
“I hoped . . . maybe . . . I can’t do this.”
Before she could complete two steps, he’d risen from his chair and laid his hand on her shoulder. She stopped. He pressed his torso against her back, sending her firm ass into his crotch. He decided to like her stiletto boots. He was a tall man and they made her the perfect height. He waited to see if she’d object, at which point he’d back off.
She didn’t move.
Carson pulled off the elastic holding her hair captive. A curtain of gold-laced chestnut silk cascaded free. He brushed her mane to one side and bared her shoulder. “That’s better.”
Her breathing sped up. “You said just talking.”
“Still, sweetness.” He inhaled her scent of Ivory soap and cinnamon Christmas cookies before stepping backward. “We are talking.”
She twisted to face him. “Carson, please . . .”
He liked how her emotions turned in an instant. She’d test his abilities to direct her psychology in a scene. He nearly laughed at himself. How quickly I have her bound and pleasured in my mind. “There. Now that’s a start. I rather like you begging me.”
“I don’t beg.”
And there goes that chin. “We’ll see.” He took another step back. His instincts told him she wouldn’t bolt.
“Take a seat, London.” Carson returned to his chair. “When you do, hands in your lap. After you listen to me you can decide if you wish to leave. It will be your choice.”
London hesitated, then nestled her behind onto the chair opposite him. She placed her hands in her lap. The thumb of one hand worked the palm of the other.
“Take off your mask. Show me your pretty face.”
London took a deep breath as her elegant fingers slipped off her disguise, pulling the fastening ribbon through her perfect hair. He wanted to capture her cheeks in his hands. He’d rub off the mask indents and erase the worry imprinted on her forehead.
“How long have you been without a master?” he asked.
“I-I’m not . . .” Her jawline hardened. “It’s none of your business.”
“That’s a shame. I’m good at business.” His mouth broke into a smile at the thought of bending her over her desk, papers sticking to her bared breasts, pens falling to the floor. He’d smack her ass with that leather portfolio she carried around like a shield. He wouldn’t stop until her engraved initials imprinted her skin.
“Why did you bring me here?” she whispered.
“You’re looking for a Dom. I’m a Dom looking for a sub.”
She flinched at his final word. “What do you want, Carson?”
What I want. Did it matter? He’d given up what he wanted long ago—a spirited submissive who matched his desires. Someone who might actually stick with him and not drop him the minute a better offer came through. He didn’t allow himself to think finding such a woman was possible anymore.
“Time. Willingness. Pleasure.” Carson folded his hands and laid his chin on his knuckles. “Now, I want to know what you want.”
“No, you don’t.”
Carson raised an eyebrow. “Toying with me will not get you anywhere, sweetness.”
“Isn’t that what you are doing with me?”
“Hardly.” Carson let silence take over the space.
“Then what?” she whispered after long minutes.
“Patience will be your first lesson tonight. Then I’ll consider you.”
“Consider me?” She gave him a hardened, fuck-off look.
“Yes. Last time. What do you want?”
He let a few seconds tick by. Then he stood. “If you won’t tell me why you’re here, what you seek, then I can’t help.”
“I-I didn’t mean . . . it isn’t easy . . .”
“You must answer my questions when I ask them. No delay. It’s for your safety and mine.”
Her lips pursed, her signal she realized she was losing. Her sassiness had its usual alluring appeal—futile, but adorable. She licked her bottom lip, the subtle move urging him forward.
“Stand,” he said.
She stood cautiously.
“What is your safeword?” he asked.
“Excuse me? A-a scene. With you? You’re a client. If anything ever got back—”
“Then we would both lose. And I don’t lose.”
“No, You take what you want and damn the consequences.”
“London.” Carson walked toward her and she backed around the chair. “What are you afraid of? Afraid you might get what you want? Experience what you’ve longed for?”
She let out a huff, but continued to retreat as Carson advanced. He sent her in a backward circle until she closed in on the canopied bed. Yes, most definitely submissive. The urge to discover how deep her desires ran raged through him like a brushfire.
“How would you know what I long for?” Her haughty chin jutted out.
“I want to know, London. Tell me.”
“Why?” She’d backed up until she connected with the bedpost.
“Fair question. And one I’ll answer. Given you and I dance well together at the boardroom table, why wouldn’t we here? Had I known your proclivities I might have offered. Why didn’t you come to me before?” How had he missed her signs?
“B-but you hate me.”
Now he was puzzled. “No, I don’t. You sometimes irritate, but I could never hate you. Surely you noticed my tendencies.”
“Being a bully in a boardroom does not make you a Dominant I’d be interested in.”
“Ouch, London. That hurt.” Carson slapped his chest above his heart but kept his face stony.
“I didn’t think you could feel pain.”
“Everyone feels pain.” Her lips parted when he closed the last inch of distance between them. His thighs touched hers, and he softened his voice. “It pleases me you’re here. There’s no use in fighting this chemistry.” Carson hooked a thumb on his waistband. “One weekend.”
“With you?”
“Yes.”
“What will you do with your harem?”
He unbuckled his belt. “Your second lesson. Don’t force discipline with a smart mouth.”
“I don’t have that kind of time.” She raised her impertinent jawline—again.
Lesson three: discipline your haughty chin.
“Not enough time to learn discipline or not enough time, in general?” The loud rasp of leather yanked through his belt loops sent her attention to his torso.
“What are you doing?” Her panicked gaze shot to his face.
“I don’t have a collar on me.”
“I am wholly disinterested in being collared.”
“One weekend, London.” He grasped one of her hips with his free hand. “If you’re disappointed at any time, you can walk. I’ll never speak of it again. Our work together will go unaffected. No one—and I mean no one—but us will know.”
“Would you put that in writing?” Her eyes filled with mischief.
Priceless. London lured him toward a lightning storm. He could play. Hell, nothing appealed in the moment more than a weekend playing with London. Yes, this is what he wanted. Now he needed to know if she was willing.
“I’ll do one better.” He snaked the belt around her waist until the leather rested against her hips.
“I’m not a notch on a belt.”
“You could never be a notch, London Chantelle. You’re the whole belt, sugar.”
Her face softened, and the playfulness in her eyes died. He recognized the deliberation behind them, the wonder if she’d be safe, here and at work. London needn’t have worried. She might get scared, but mutual satisfaction was the only way his brand of sexual fulfillment worked.
“Say yes or no.” He pressed his torso to her corseted body, the last space between her body and his obliterated. “But say yes.”
“What will happen if I say yes?”
“What you want.  What you’ve probably always wanted.”
Her eyes misted with a surprising vulnerability. “Yes.”

**********************************************************************************************

Available at Amazon, iBooks, Kobo and B&N.

Also on Audible here.

I leave you with a little visual stimulation. Hint: It’s what comes after the excerpt above.

Picture

The Lovely Playlist

Below is the first ten songs from Lovely’s playlist. Warning: At least one of the songs is definitely Not Safe For Work (NSFW) listening. I marked it below.

The Lovely Playlist

1. The Lightening Strike by Snow Patrol

2. This Will Make You Love Again by IAMX
3.  This is Hardcore by Pulp. (I once choreographed an exotic dance routine to this – nothing like Lovely or this video. I’ll tell you about it someday…)
4.  The Truth by Audiomachine
5. Bilingual by Jose Nunez. Definitely NSFW. Wonderful, but very, very dirty song. Enjoy!
6. Numb by Alanis Morisette. Because no one does angst like Alanis.
7.  Simple Girl by IAMX. I imagine Christiana being introduced to all of the “extras” in Jonathan’s bedroom during this song.
8. Moonlight Sonata by E.S. Posthumus. This song goes particularly well with the fashion show that Avery “manages.”
9. Broken by Leona Lewis. This song is dedicated to Peter Snow, Christiana’s father. (Beautiful YouTube tribute video by Verysweetify)
10. Addicted to You by Avicii
Lovely: Elite Doms of Washington (Book 1)

Part Two of Jonathan Brond Interview; ELITE’s Hero Seduces . . .

Jonathan Brond Interview Part Two

“Congressman?” Clarisse held out the tray filled with cream cheese and salmon on triangle toasts.
He waved it off and sipped his mimosa. She noticed the waitress brought the drink without him having to order it. The thought he’d been here before—had drink preferences well known by the primarily female staff—stirred something in her belly. Just ask the questions, she reminded herself.
“Like I said, we know so little about you,” she said.
“We?”
“Well, Google doesn’t seem to know you’re alive except for your speeches, your congressional profile and your congressional web site. Why is that? Usually when someone is so hard to find they have something they’re trying hard to hide.” She took another sip of tea. “But, you are dating. A blond, I think?”
Clarisse caught the small twitch in his jaw, the slight narrowing of his eyes. Bull’s eye. She didn’t know where she got the balls to say it out loud, but she wasn’t about to walk away from this interview with nothing but perfectly polished, politician bullshit.
He set his glass down and picked a piece of lint off his pants. “I date the American people.”
“You’ve never been married.”
“No.”
“Engaged?”
“No.”
“Have you ever been in love, Congressman?”
“Perhaps. But, it’d be asking a lot from someone to return that sentiment.”
“To love you?”
“To have them to put up with the scrutiny that comes from being with a public figure.”
“Is that why you have a set time limit for your relationships?”
“Who said I had a limit?”
“Google images. So many pictures of you with women.”
He smiled. “And, here I thought all you found were my speeches.”
“What’s the longest any woman has ever lasted with you?”
“Counting would be rude. Besides, like I said, being the girlfriend, or wife, of a member of Congress is a tough job.”
“You haven’t always been a member of Congress.”
“No.”
“But that’s where you’ve always been headed, right?”
“That’s been the plan.”
“And now?”
The tension in his jaw returned.
She paused when he didn’t answer. “You did say I could ask you anything.”
“I did answer. It just wasn’t the answer you wanted.”
She shifted in her chair and tried not to show what she was trying to do: shift her damp thong.  She cleared her throat. “How do your work associates perceive you?”
“I hope they see I’m an asset to the party. I am deeply committed to making a difference. There. Your cliché for the day.”
Jesus, that smile alone must have bought him Ohio in the primaries. She swallowed. “How about your family? How do they see you?”
“I hope the same as my work associates. As an asset.”
The coldness of that statement hit her in the chest. “Strange way to call yourself.”
“Really?”
“Yes, an ‘asset.’”
“Not in my family.” He casually sipped his drink.
“Your father was instrumental in your election.”
“Was he?”
She could tell he fought with a smile that threatened to take hold of his face.  “Well, who are you closest to in your family?”
“Sarah. She was a terrific big sister. She taught me a lot.”
“Like what?”
His smile was worthy of a panther ready to strike.  “Life skills.”
She darted her eyes to the left to a group of elderly women admiring a silver tea stand. She wanted to see if they might overhear. “How important is sex in your life?”
He didn’t flinch at the abrupt change in subject. “How important is it to you?”
Heat washed her from her head to toe.
“Just what I thought,” he said.
“Excuse me?”
He shifted in his seat and beckoned her to pitch forward, as if he was going to impart a secret.
“What are you doing for the rest of the day, Clarisse Walker?”

Read more about Jonathan’s escapades in ELITE.

 


Lovely: Elite Doms of Washington (Book 1)