21 Comments
Leave a Comment
Share:
A couple of years ago, Harlequin decided to reshape the Desire line. They wanted the heroes who were richer and more powerful. They didn’t want just millionaires anymore–apparently there are too many of those in the real world–they wanted billionaires. The ridiculously rich. 
So here’s my confession. I didn’t think I wanted to write heros like that. I don’t know any billionaires. I figure, my husband makes good money, he makes me happy. Why shouldn’t my heroines be able to find happiness in a similar income bracket?
And yet, here I am, a couple of years later, happily writing under the Desire banner about men who are insanely rich. So why did I have a change of heart? I realized by writing uber rich heros, I am doing the same thing my critique partner Robyn DeHart does with her historicals. I’m creating a fantasy world. And everybody needs a little fantasy in their life, right?
The truth is, once I set my mind to it, I was able to get into it. After all, I have expensive taste. It runs in the family. I can prove it. My daughter likes to “window shop” with catalogs. Now, most kids would flip through a Toys R Us catalog, right? Not my girl. She’s been looking through the holiday catalog for a local, high-end kitchen store. She keeps saying she wants these things for her playhouse.
To date, she’s picked out several hundred dollars worth of Le Creuset cookware, a thousand dollars worth of Viking cookware and a two thousand dollar espresso maker. Like I said, expensive taste.
But at least she comes by it naturally, right? I have tons of fun shopping for my heros’ houses, cars, clothes, and … well, their coffee makers.
So here’s the question … what accessories would you buy if you had all the money in the world? An expensive car? A house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright? A real Van Gogh?
If you suggest something cool, I’ll put it in my next book and as a thanks, I’ll send you a copy of my new release, Tempted into the Tycoon’s Trap.
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Jan 27th
2009
8:17 am
Kristan Higgins Said:
My own tastes are quite humble, personally…never saw the point in buying $400 pairs of jeans when Levis work just as well, for example, but I do admit to coveting a friend’s wineglasses. They’re handblown, some special type of Venetian glass, turquoise on the outside, lime green on the inside, and they make drinking wine even more fun.
-
Jan 27th
2009
9:06 am
RobynDeHart Said:
I’ve always considered myself pretty practical, but there are some things where I have VERY good taste. I don’t own many of these things though and I’m still a Target girl.
Okay so if I had all the money in the world, oh an original Van Gogh would be so up my ally, but not one of his self-portraits, a cafe scene maybe since Starry Night and the Olive Trees are already owned by museums. I’ve always wanted custom-made glass enclosed bookshelves and for the number of books me and The Professor have, we’d need several.
I’m sure there are plenty of others things I’d want, but I don’t have a list. Kristan, I’m with you though, I’ve never understood the point of buying expensive blue jeans.
-
Jan 27th
2009
9:24 am
EmilyMcKay Said:
I agree with y’all about the jeans. There’s just no point. I once did get talked into buy a $100 pair of jeans. Yes, they’re comfortable. And yes, they fit well. But honestly, they just ended up stained with baby food, pretty much like every thing else I own.
And yes, I still wear them, because I can’t just throw out every thing that has stains on it. I’d have no clothes to wear! So now, the only difference between my $100 jeans and my $20 jeans is that when I put on the $100 jeans I think, “Dang it. That stain is still there. What a waste of $80.”
But, Robyn, I would love custom bookshelves. One of my life-long dreams has been to have enough bookshelves that all my books could be on shelves, one row deep.
-
Jan 27th
2009
9:47 am
StacyB Said:
Hmm, a heated infinity pool and the mountain beyond it. A seamstress/tailor on staff who makes gorgeous clothes that are understated, but unique and fit me perfectly. Oh, and some well-paid staff to bring the drinks and make arrangements for our trips to New Zealand. And to Italy, where we would stay in our slightly modernized Medici villa near Florence. And the ecovacations in our temperate rainforest treehouse. And the private concerts for a few close friends (maybe in the treehouse).
I would, of course, pay all staff an obscene amount of money and help them take care of their families and personal crises.
Decent sunglasses. A private charitable foundation. That house on the Mediterranean at the end of Casino Royale. An upscale yurt for a retreat when the pressure of having so much money is just too much.
-
Jan 27th
2009
10:07 am
eap Said:
If I had all the money in the world I’d buy one of those frigs that has a shopping list and and built in tv–plus a lot of cool extras–i think I saw it on Oprah’s homes of the futures shows
-
Jan 27th
2009
10:23 am
EmilyMcKay Said:
One of those fridges would be very cool. It would make it much easier for the maid to do the grocery shopping. (Since we’re imagining a world where I have oodles and oodles of money.)
-
Jan 27th
2009
11:31 am
Shana Galen Said:
Great blog, Emily! I can’t wait to see what people say. I guess I would like to travel…by private jet. I like traveling but coach is no fun.
-
Jan 27th
2009
12:16 pm
Gary Said:
Since we’re talking about Bucket List kind of money I would buy a New York Publishing House and publish all the great stories that have been rejected.
-
Jan 27th
2009
2:05 pm
Jane Sevier Said:
I’d go for a villa on Lake Como so George Clooney and I could hang out together. I could give him advice about women (he obviously has no taste in that area), and he could invite me over for barbecues. It’s pretty there, too.
Just for a change of pace, I’d have a townhouse in Edinburgh for the holidays. At Christmas, I really like a bit of a nip in the air and even some snow, and there’s nothing like a haggis in the pot on Christmas Eve. And what could be better than being in the country that spawned Bobbie Burns singing “Auld Lang Syne” on New Year’s Eve?
-
Jan 27th
2009
2:18 pm
Dede Said:
Emily:
I would buy the Silver Oak vineyard because it is my favorite wine.
I would buy a horse farm in Kentucky, breed them to the right pedigree, raise them and race them.
I would also buy land that had a jungle in it. Like in Brazil or Costa Rica becaue I think there is not much of that left.
If you’re really rich and a gambler, you’re probably looking for the next big thing–maybe you think you can solve the world’s energy crisis…you would be buying the future. I am thinking of Ted Turner and Richard Branson here.
-
Jan 27th
2009
2:54 pm
Stefanie D Said:
Euhm, a personal library or a private jet (I love visiting foreign countries) or a castle!!
Wouldn’t it be awsome to renovate some ald castle! With a huge yard and beautiful old furniture and a large library and stables with a lot of horses. And you guys can all come for a visit. (their would be enough spare roomes, lol) And maybe some good-looking servants, yummy!
-
Jan 27th
2009
3:19 pm
Marian Pearson Stevens Said:
Hey Emily! This is a fabulous question. And seeing how I live a fairly simple lifestyle, I know the billionaire will have this feature, but here goes.
I’d love a luxurious master bath equipped with a hidden Media center–a large screen within a massive mirror. With a push of a button you have TV listings, view recorded shows, whatever. AND a place for special lighting with a book holder for reading while soaking in a bubble bath.
Oh, and the luxury jet to dart around the continent!
-
Jan 27th
2009
3:43 pm
Katie Graykowski Said:
Emily:
I would buy:
1. An airplane, not one of those tiny little jets I mean a BIG plane (think Air Force One).
2. A scantily clad cabana boy who worships the ground I walk on.
3. A diamond so big it can be seen from the International Space Station.
4. A trip to the International Space Station so people on earth can see my diamond.
5. An island or two in the Caribbean.
6. New boobs.
7. A new body to go with my new boobs.
8. A yacht (think cruise ship).
9. An entourage. I’m not sure what their purpose is but I would feel pressured by my other fabulously wealthy friends who have them.
10. A queendom. In the words of Lucy Van Pelt from the play ‘You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown’–”I would buy a queendom and boot out the old queen.”
-
Jan 27th
2009
4:04 pm
EmilyMcKay Said:
Jane, I love your suggestions. Especially the townhouse in Edinburough. That would be fabulous indeed! And I think you must be the only other person (okay, the only other American) I’ve met who also likes haggis. Yum.
Dede, you and I must think alike. The hero in my current book owns a company that has made much of their fortune in “green” research and alternative energies.
Of course, Katie, I think your list is the most extensive. And detailed. You’ve got to admire a woman who knows what she wants.
-
Jan 27th
2009
5:03 pm
Jane Said:
I would probably buy one of everything from Hammacher Schlemmer. They have the coolest stuff. I would love the voice activated R2-D2 robot. They even have an $800 flashlight.
-
Jan 27th
2009
6:23 pm
Deidre Said:
I would build a mansion out of logs and stone. It would be a combination log home / castle. I would have an indoor swimming pool with beautiful landscaping and fountains. I would also have an amazing home theater with mood lighting.
Just a few of my favorite things.
Deidre
-
Jan 27th
2009
6:35 pm
Marie Said:
I would buy an island in a warm tropical place. Then I would build my dream house on it. The house would be very modern and luxurious with a huge library, a large indoor garden with a waterfall and a swimmingpool.
-
Jan 27th
2009
6:54 pm
catslady Said:
Well being a latecomer all my first picks have been chosen lol. How about my very own (hot)Genie with as many wishes as I wanted lol. How about one of those million dollar tickets to go up in space? I also would love to own an animal reserve and a no kill shelter.
-
Jan 28th
2009
1:00 am
ladydawgfan Said:
Carte Blanche in my house and auto?? Nifty!!!
So, lemme see . . . In my house, a massive cedar closet is an absolute must, along with a regular walk in closet the size of a normal bedroom, complete with custom built in drawers, shelves, cubbies (for shoes), hanging rods, etc, all out of cherry or mohogany. The master bath would have a stand alone tub, preferably a roman tub, as well as a walk-in shower with seating and multiple-height shower heads. I would even splurge on the toilet (Toto NeoRest) so that someone leaving the seat up or forgetting to flush wouldn’t be a problem.
My kitchen has a Subzero refrigerator and freezer, Viking dual ovens and separate cooktop, granite countertops, and Christopher Peacock custom cabinetry. There is also a walk in wine cooler filled with rare wines, 1995 Krug Clos Ambonnay Champagne, and Diet Coke.
My exercise room is top of the line and includes a personal lap pool, sauna, and jacuzzi. It is just off of the master bath, so showering and changing into appropriate clothing is not a trek through the house.
And in my garage, you will find a sweetly loaded Jaguar XF, so that I have a way to get around town.
-
Jan 28th
2009
1:00 pm
Penney Wilfort Said:
Our own house with a nice big library of my own and a new coffee maker!
Penney
-
Jan 28th
2009
7:41 pm
kimh Said:
nice manison with a cars. books would be nice.
-