MEET PILAR'S MEN

Saving the best (if you're into hunky guys) for last, I give you the trio of men who are orbiting around Pilar in IN NEED OF THERAPY. You could not find a more diverse group of guys.  Ford is a psychiatrist from New York; he's down-to-earth, intelligent, kind - Pilar likes him instantly and they become good friends, bonding over their careers, families, and mutual love of a good cheeseburger.  The very smooth, charming, and wealthy Victor is Pilar's recently dumped ex.  While she bears him no ill will, she's growing impatient with his repeated, over-the-top attempts to win her back.  It doesn't help matters that her mother is Victor's biggest cheerleader.  Pilar's new patient, Mitch, is not her usual type as he's not well-educated or career-driven (He's in his 30s and works as a lifeguard!), but the man is undeniably gorgeous, not to mention entertaining with his swagger, and she finds herself enjoying their weekly interactions.

Author’s Notes:  You'd think that Pilar had an embarrassment of riches in the Hottie Dept., but alas, no.  While all of these fellas are very appealing, each in his own way, they, also, have mega-watt "Don't go there!" signs flashing over their heads.  Ford is a happily married man with a small child (the adorable Nate) and Pilar is too moral of a person to ever contemplate an affair (Okay, she might contemplate it because she is human and Ford has the dreamiest pair of blue eyes she's ever seen, but that's as far as she's willing to go.)  And there is no way that Pilar would ever dally with a patient no matter how sexy and flirty he was.  She's far too mindful of the restrictions that come with any  therapist/patient relationship and she would never do anything to jeopardize her career.  So, that leaves Victor. Is it ever a good idea to give an ex-boyfriend a second chance?  Should you believe him when he tells you he's changed?  These are all questions Pilar has to wrestle with.

Ford Quotes (non-spoilery): "Maybe Victor keeps coming back because your rejections lack conviction?  Maybe there's some part of you that enjoys all of the attention?"

"I know what they are, Pilar, thank you.  Anatomy was my best subject in medical school."

"You really put the whammy on men."

Victor Quotes (non-spoilery): "You have no romance in your soul, mi querida.  Most women would be thrilled to have a man fall at their feet and pledge his eternal devotion."

"You shouldn't be acting so familiar with a man you just met.  You'll give him ideas.  I didn't like the way he was looking at you . . ."

"I know you think I'm all flash and no substance, Pilar, but there's more to me than meets the eye.  I have hidden depths."

Mitch Quotes (non-spoilery): "Doc, I've got a job where I meet young, beautiful, half-naked women every day, and a lot of them come on to me.  If I didn't respond, I'd have to be gay or have some kind of medical problem." 

"Nine years of school?  I only made it through three months of junior college.  You must be really smart."

"I handed her a couple of casabas and asked her to squeeze my melons and tell me if they were ripe."

Casting Ford:  This was not easy!  I racked my brain for an actor who was handsome in a rugged, regular guy way and had the kind, intelligent face and piercing blue eyes I reference in the book, but I could not come up with a single actor who could do Ford justice.  So, I finally consulted the experts, my hottie-loving friends, and the always-imaginative Natalie Aaron came back with an excellent suggestion - Irish actor Jason O'Mara!  Honestly, I can't believe I didn't think of Jason myself as I've adored him since I first saw him on the TV show, MEN IN TREES.  He's perfect for Ford!

Casting Victor:  Victor is good-looking and stylish (he's always dressed in designer suits), so he has no trouble catching the eye of most of the women who come into his tapas restaurant.  I ran down a list of handsome Latino actors with dark coloring, and the one who most resembled the vision of Victor that I had in my head was the very yummy Adam Rodriquez. 

Casting Mitch:  I started writing IN NEED OF THERAPY back when I was still in the throes of my LOST-watching fever.  So, I based Mitch's physical appearance on my favorite LOST actor, the deliciously sexy Josh Holloway.  I even heard his Sawyer-voice saying Mitch's dialogue as I was writing it.  No one smirks with a naughty twinkle in his eye better than Josh and that's just what the character of Mitch calls for, along with a rockin' bod and a head full of shaggy blond hair.  

If you want to know more about these three handsome hotties and who Pilar ends up with, be sure to pick up my book, IN NEED OF THERAPY, when it goes on sale at Amazon and Barnes & Noble on Monday!