Patricia Johns: Hairy, Growly and Toothy

I was a young teenager when Disney's Beauty and the Beast hit the theaters, and I immediately fell in love with that hairy, growly, toothy beast. Not the prince. Not the shined up, smoothed over, fresh-shaven prince, but the beast. He was the one who stole my heart.

So when Disney's live action Beauty and the Beast came out this month, I knew I had to see it! Fortunately for me, my dad was visiting, and I got to see that movie with dear, old Dad. It seemed appropriate. 


This got me wondering what it was about the Beast that appealed to me. I'm not the only one--Disney isn't grossing what they do for the taste of one woman, that's for sure. But I've narrowed it down to a few core elements. Let me know if you agree, or if you have more to add.



1. Raw strength is appealing. There is something about broad shoulders and an ability to fight off a pack of wolves, am I right? But he has to curb that strength to be near Belle, and the attempts at gentleness are incredibly lovable.

2. The brooding hero.  His inner pain and his attempts to hide that pain make him a sympathetic character. We know why he's angry and tortured. We just need Belle to learn the truth.  

3. He's a different species! And I don't mean that in the bestiality sort of way... I mean, like all men, he thinks differently, acts differently, and there is a gulf to bridge in order to bring him and Belle together. I've always loved how different men are from women, and that is brought to the forefront with the beast.


In my own writing, I tend to write my heroes brooding, tortured and incredibly masculine--and my romances, regardless of which line I write in, are all sweet. In April, THE TRIPLETS' COWBOY DADDY hits the shelves, and I hope you'll pick up a copy!


Then in June 2017, my second Heartwarming release, THE RUNAWAY BRIDE, will come to e-tailers everywhere. 



Clean romance, and brooding heroes to your heart's content! You can count on me for that. 

So what do YOU think makes the beast so appealing? Or do you prefer the prince? I want to know!

Comments

  1. Aw...I love that you went to see Beauty and the Beast with your father, Patricia. I'm definitely more of a prince gal. Great cover...love those triplets!

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    1. It was really nice to see it with him. :) He promptly took my mother too see it when he got back home again.

      Thanks! They did a great job on that cover!

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  2. As you note, Disney did manage to make the beast a very sympathetic character.

    Best wishes with your upcoming releases!

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  3. Patricia, I too loved that you saw the movie with your Dad! And you nailed it with your theories about why the 'beast' is so appealing. The vulnerability beneath. I suppose these types of stories have always been with us in various forms. Now the story of the frog and the princess....never could get my head around that one. All the best with your new releases!

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    1. I don't get the frog part, either... I'd definitely need a princely form there! LOL!

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  4. Eons ago, my dad and I went to see South Pacific--he was a big Tales of the South Pacific fan, and the theater was in the same building as the dance studio where I studied. Both of us agreed, even decades later, that the musical remains special to us. Every once in a while, I'll get the DVD out of the library and even though my dad has been gone for over 20 years, I still get nostalgic when I'm singing along, mercifully, where no one else can hear me, an advantage of living alone. I can belt out songs in my less than performance-quality voice. Thanks for that reminder.

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    1. Such a sweet memory with your father! We never realize what's going to stick in the moment, but I'm glad we have those times that stay special in our memories.

      My singing is best without an audience, too. ;)

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  5. I love the picture with you and your dad, and your book covers are great!! Congratulations on your 2nd Heartwarming release.
    As for me, I'm not sure whether I prefer the prince or the beast. I'll have to get back to you on that one, lol.

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    1. Thanks, Laurie! :) The movie is really worth it, if you like Disney.

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  6. Love those covers. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I want to. I agree that the mix of masculine strength and gentleness makes for a very attractive character.

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    1. Yes, the masculinity that has nothing to prove. It's very attractive!

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  7. Patricia, I love this post because you really nailed why we love the beast. I like the fact that the beast is hiding the prince, but deep down, they have the same soul. Does anyone else remember a tv version of Beauty and the Beast from many years ago? Maybe in the 70's? It starred George C. Scott as the beast, and Scott's wife, whose name I can't remember, as Belle. Belle becomes so involved with the beast that when he turns into a man, she gives him a very skeptical look as if she's not quite sure she's going to like him as a man. A different take on the old story.

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    1. Yes, the same soul under it all, and it shines through the eyes. I do remember that tv show! Here's hoping it comes to Netflix. :)

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  8. I LOVED this movie, Patricia! I thought Emma Watson was perfect and Luke Evans was completely captivating as Gaston. Congratulations on your upcoming releases!

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    1. I loved the Gaston/LaFou dynamic, too. It was an all round great movie!

      Thank you!

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  9. I love the post, but I really don't know which I prefer.

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    1. Thanks, Liz! Luckily, with Disney, you don't have to choose. She gets a little bit of both! :)

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  10. I haven't seen this movie yet, but now I can't wait! You perfectly nailed my favorite type of hero.

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    1. He's my favorite type of hero, too. :) And the movie is very worth it!

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  11. I'm with LeAnn, I'm going to have to go see this movie. Almost went the other day. Now I wish I had. Great insight into those A type men we love to read about.

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    1. Thanks! And I hope you manage to get out to the movies soon. Such a good one!

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  12. Great breakdown on Beauty and the Beast, Patricia! I haven't seen it yet, but I'm interested to check it out. And wow, gorgeous cover for The Runaway Bride! Congrats on the releases!

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    1. Thanks so much, Cerella! I really love that cover, too. :)

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  13. Love your covers and the pic of you and your dad is sweet! He's a prince to go to the movies with you!

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