Swoony Saturdays – #AdorkableAlex

by | Nov 18, 2017 | Charming the Troublemaker, Swoony Saturdays | 10 comments

Welcome! Welcome! Swoony Saturdays are your opportunity to be introduced to a book hero who fits high quality hero characteristics. (okay, so he just makes us weak in the knees for all kinds of reasons, but you get the point)

The photos involved are chosen as the most representative of the heroes featured, so IF they look like someone you’ve seen before, that’s almost entirely accidental.

AdorkableAlex.png

Who? Alex Murdoch

Where can we find this dreamboat? Charming the Troublemaker by yours truly.

Personality summary: Alex Murdoch! The guy surprised me from the very beginning! His flirty front covers a sweet heart that’s been wounded by some deep struggles of life. He was such a fun character to write because, really, I never knew what he was going to say. Why did I fall in love with Alex? Well, he already had a hero’s heart, he just needed someone to believe in him 🙂 A lot of times, in life, we see a very crinkled reflection of ourselves through the criticism or mistreatment of others, when that ONE person with clear vision can pinpoint the person we are on the inside and bring him/her to the forefront. Alex’s tender heart, charm, and humor had always been there, but Rainey (with some Holy Spirit inspiration) was able to make him shine up his armor for the rest of the world to see 🙂

Marilyn

Let’s not forget the OTHER leading lady in this story…Did I hear you say underoos?

What makes us swoon? A HUGE thank you to my Dream Team for sharing what YOU love about #AdorkableAlex!

There are SO many good things to say about this amazing man, so I had to limit the responses I shared.

Rachel M.: What I adored about him was his sweet self-control. Oh there was some steamy scenes but because he wanted to honor her and God, he kept all things pure. AND that is really really romantic. 

Angi: His sense of humor, how he was always trying to protect Rainey and Sarah. LOVED his interaction with Sarah. His willingness to learn.

Buffy: His kindness & compassion are a big draw. Plus he knows about My Little Ponies.

Rebecca: At his core, he was a very protective, loyal, loving and winsome character!

Courtney: He hides a VERY humble heart behind his flirtatious front, so when he finally lets himself be vulnerable…. SWOON. This vulnerability stretches into his interaction with little Sarah, which makes him even sweeter. He’s ever the gentleman when with Rainey (who could be described as a sassy level 5 kisser herself, HA!). AND, he unabashedly talks about period dramas and Hallmark movies.

Carrie: Is ‘underoos’ an acceptable answer?  (You really have to read the book now right?) Pam and Katie agree with this statement…STRIPED Underoos to be specific! 

Andi: His kissing ability . . . the closet scene.

Which brings me to….

Kissing level of such swooniness:  There is NO doubt in anyone’s mind (especially Rainey’s) that Alex is a solid 5 on this scale! His tenderness is breathtaking. And..this is funny, but I love how he talks throughout kisses. And don’t get me started on the storage closet! #ClosetKisses

Basic hero type: He is a Henley!   A combo of Henry and Mr. Knightley. His genuineness, friendship, and humor fit both of them. His care of his own family and Rainey’s reminds us of Knightley.

How can I meet this swoony mister?

When Dr. Alex Murdock is demoted to a university in rural Virginia, the last thing he expects to find is a future. But country charm never looked as good as it did on Rainey Mitchell.

CharmingtheTroublemaker 500x750Rainey Mitchell does not need a high-class flirt in her wounded world, but trouble and temptation wafts off the new professor as strong as his sandalwood-scented cologne. When circumstances thrust them together to save her tutoring clinic, can the troublemaker find the hero inside and encourage the reticent Rainey to open her heart again?

“Rainey Mitchell is doing just fine. She has a great job helping children in need, her family is around her, she is mother to a fabulous little girl, and is getting over the betrayal of her ex-husband. Dr. Alex Murdock is not doing so well, as he is forced to work at a rural university, his life is full of secrets surrounding his family, and he has to start over in a new town. Luckily, Rainey, the daughter of his landlord, is there to get him settled. Rainey just wants to stay away from the new professor, who has the same charm as her ex. Unfortunately, they seem to need each other. Rainey needs his grant-writing ability to save her program, and Alex is terrible at the lecturing at which Rainey excels. The two must work together to fulfill their goals, but will they be able to do it? Rainey’s insecurities and Alex’s obsession with protecting his family could be their undoing. A well-written love story filled with suspense, mystery, and a loving family.” ~ Library Journal Review

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Kissing Levels & Hero Types

 

10 Comments

  1. Paula

    Just finished about 10 minutes ago! WOW! So good ! You sure can write a bang up story , Pepper! Absolutely hilarious mud story! And the closet scene— real swoony! Now I want to see Emma’s story and don’t forget about Trigg and maybe Mama herself! Can’t leave their stories untold!

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      Paula, I want to see Emma and Trigg’s stories too. And Evie’s …and whoever else pops up in this beautiful little imaginary world. Thanks for the kind words for CTT 🙂

      Reply
    • pepperbasham

      I LOVE the photos!! I just want to stare! They are perfect!!!

      Reply
  2. 1bgpayne

    Love this post. ❤ LOVE this book!
    I love how Alex is all aloof, flirty and seemingly carefree on the outside but he really has a soft, gooey inside. He became putty in little Sarah’s hand. He is so sweet and tender with her. As he is with Rainey’s heart.

    Reply
    • pepperbasham

      YAY!!! Thanks so much for saying that!! It’s true – and surprised me in the process of writing about him!

      Reply
  3. Michelle Lunsford

    Well, I’d already added dear, adorkable Alex to my book-boyfriend camp after reading Charming the Troublemaker. Now that I’ve had opportunity to connect his character with images of actor Armie Hammer? Uh, yeah, swoon factor went up exponentially! 🙂

    Seriously, I love how you capture his essence in this statement: he already had a hero’s heart, he just needed someone to believe in him. Spot on! He really is a spectacular mix of humor, tenderness, protective loyalty, and vulnerability. And can kiss like nobody’s business.

    Reply
  4. Rebecca Maney

    These are such fun posts and I enjoy basking in the varied impressions of your wonderful characters!

    Reply
  5. Carrie

    oh my heart! these pics! SWOON!

    Reply

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