Des and Chris Publish a Book of Poems on Amazon

If you believe the media, Bachelorette sweethearts Des and Chris have broken up and Des has returned to Los Angeles.

But I'm here to tell you that it isn't true. Desiree Hartsock and Chris Seigfried recently moved to the Seattle area and are doing just fine as they plan where they want to live and how elaborate they want their wedding to be next summer. I live in the Seattle area and the two lovebirds have been spotted at the gas station, a Seahawks game, Discovery Park, the grocery store, and around the northern part of Seattle known as Ballard.
Our local TV station and NBC affiliate, KOMO interviewed them a few days ago and during the ten minute question and answer period they seemed happily in love and making plans for the future. Des has moved here permanently and is looking to continue designing her bridal collection and Chris is back at work in the Mortgage Broker business. A book of poetry was released last night (Saturday August 24th), written by the couple, titled Diamonds and Hearts.  Does this sound like a breakup is in their future? I'd say all the naysayers and the people who claim to have seen them arguing can just go eat a big cake to sweeten up a bit because there is nothing wrong with Des and Chris's relationship.
In the KOMO interview, they laughed together, finished each other's sentences and expressed an interest in eventually settling in the Green Lake area. According to Des, she's not afraid of the imminent rain and is looking forward to spending her winters here.
The couple did caution the public to not believe everything written about them and indicated that they don't even read the tabloids or pay attention to what is being said about them in the news.
From what this Bachelor Nation member could see, the new Bachelorette couple may just make it. These two seem to understand the difference between TV love and real love. Watch the interview and tell me if they don't look more grounded. Hopefully they'll double date with Jason and Molly and laugh about the crazy show they once went on to find love. Remember that the Seattle contestants usually do exceptionally well in this reality franchise and when Chris and Des made the wise choice to avoid L.A., they left behind the frills of being on the show to come north to where paparrazi don't venture.
Good luck Des and Chris from this mom in the suburbs!

Kim Hornsby is the author of The Husband Hunt, a novella series on Amazon that suspiciously resembles The Bachelor. The second book in the series was modeled after The Bachelorette.

Des Is Engaged to Chris!

The Bachelorette Finale began last night with the possibility that, for the first time in the history of The Bachelor, there might not be a couple in love at the end of the show. As the audience, we prepared for Des to send both men home and quit the show. We also prepared for the possibility of Brooks coming back to say he'd been wrong. And we toyed with the fantasy that Des could pull it all together and fall in love with one of the remaining men. Drew and Chris had no idea what was going on with Des in the final days of Antigua and arrived at the rose ceremony, each thinking the other would be eliminated. But Brooks was a no-show and Chris Harrison addressed the men to say something was amiss but Des should be the one to tell them. As Des broke down about Brooks leaving, the two men had to stand on the other side of a native floor rug and not run to console the woman they loved. They each got a rose, poured some champagne, hugged Des and moved on to the next stage. Meeting the parents.

But first Des needed another date with each man to see if there was anything salvageable. She wasn't sure at this point.Poor Des. She couldn't hear us screaming at the TV that she must go on, find love, forget Brooks and his hair.
A horseback riding date started poorly when Des didn't even get off the horse to greet Drew, simply saying his horse's name was Judy. They rode to the beach where a bonfire and picnic was set up in a colorful picturesque setting and as the roaring fire dulled to a small flame, so did Drew's hopes of marrying Des. She broke his heart and off he went, such a wonderful young man, so deserving of something more. Really.
Next Des met Chris at the beach but when he started off the day with a joke and made her smile, the date seemed to go in a different direction than Drew's date. They boarded a catamaran and took off on a nice, normal, lovey-dovey Chris and Des date. The kissing, the hugging, the laughing, the bare skin, it all looked pretty good as we sat on our couches with our breath held. At dinner they continued to talk about his feelings for her and then they moved to the bed with some champs and Chris pulled out a journal he'd prepared for her with his own poems and a dedication. Oh yea, and he also gave her a framed poem with all his dried roses pressed into the glass. This guy is one big romantic and was giving so much to Des, she finally opened her eyes and realized that this was the real thing with Chris. Not chasing some guy who never gave back what she offered. Chris still had no idea that Drew went bye bye and even though he was the last contestant, there was still a chance she'd be too broken up over Brooks to accept his imminent proposal. Gasp!
He met the parents but it was the brother who took over the grilling of the new boyfriend. No surprise there. My hubby was joking that the Bro should be the next Bachelor and I was telling him to be quiet so I could hear what Bro said. He liked Chris well enough to let him off easy and not risk another year of not talking to his sister. The parents were silent; was there a mother?, and after a quick blessing from Des's Dad, Chris went off to prepare his marriage proposal. Notice how Des did not speak with her parents? Didn't ask them anything? She spoke briefly to Bro but the ice was so thick in the room you could barely see them.
Next day it looked like Des would suit up for the final rose ceremony and Chris went off to 'buy' a ring. When Chris exited the limo with the ring box in his pocket, we still didn't know if Des would put him through all this only to tell him she wasn't in love with him.
And, before Chris got down on one knee, she stopped him. His face went blank as he stood to hear what she had to say. Note: Chris looks most handsome when he's serious and struggling. Anyone else notice this? Wow. Des told him that Drew was gone, had left days before, Chris was the only one left and she'd been torn up about Brooks, struggling with that this week.  until she realized what she most wants is right in front of her. She loves him. They hugged, kissed, whispered to each other and he took a knee to propose. She said "A thousand times yes!" and all across America women (and some men) were cheering. I had tears in my eyes knowing that Chris is a much better fit for Des than any of the others, according to what we saw on the show.

In the after show, Brooks stated he still didn't love Des the way she had wanted, she told him she's engaged to Chris, Drew came out in a blue suit looking sweet and hurt and we all felt terrible for the kid, I mean man. Chris joined Des on stage and they look super happy. Very cuddly and sweet. She's moving to Seattle this weekend to be with him so I'm hoping for good weather to welcome the latest Bachelorette to the Pacific Northwest. Hopefully we'll see them around town and they can double date with the Mesnicks. Something about Seattle makes great fiancees. Catherine and Sean visit too.
It was a happy ending on The Bachelorette last night and now we keep our fingers crossed that they'll make it through the engagement to the wedding. Hint: Please don't have the wedding on TV no matter how much they pay you. Read my novella The Husband Hunt -Kat's Season to see how to have a happy ending and give up the limelight after the show.
Oh, and Juan Pablo is the next Bachelor but that didn't surprise me at all. America's love affair with the Venezuelan soccer player and Daddy, proved they'd be shooting themselves in the foot over at The Bachelor if they'd chosen another contestant from Des's season. January is a long way off to wait for Juan Pablo but in the meantime, check out The Husband Hunt series on Amazon. And stare a this pic of J.P.

Kim Hornsby is the author of two novels and two novellas on Amazon. Her contemporary romance series is based on The Bachelor and titled The Husband Hunt

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The Bachelorette Wants to Quit

The episode of The Bachelorette that we've been waiting for is over and the mystery of who dumped Des has been solved. Brooks is not in crazy love with Des and can't see himself proposing in two weeks.
But first, Drew's date on Antigua, the jewel of the Caribbean. Tucked inside a convertible jeep, the two kissing fools drove, stopped to kiss, drove some more, kissed some more. They ended up at a party (with a view), complete with drinks, souvenirs, limbo, dancing, mid-day picnic and loads more kissing. He's a cutie for sure and Des thinks he's hot. I think if you are not the mother of a teenage boy, Drew is appealing. Just sayin'. The dinner on the beach was cancelled due to torrential rain and the kissers had to proceed directly to the fantasy suite. Drew didn't seem to miss dinner too much at this point. They settled on the rose petal strewn bed to kiss, and kick the cameras out.

Next came Chris from Seattle's date, but by this point we all knew the ding dong ditch guy was Brooks. They gave it away in the opener. We sat on pins and needles waiting to see what would happen. For the next date, Chris and Des got in a helicopter, flew around the islands in the breathtaking beauty of teal, green and white fluffy clouds, and landed on Barbudo beach to have a picnic. If kissing is any indication of love, Chris has his work cut out for him in the Fantasy Suite. But, he and Des are very cute together and I think Chris might have the best sense of humor. He is a definite fan fav at this point too and if the unthinkable happens and he doesn't end up with Des, we just might be seeing more of him on The Bachelor later this year. At dinner he asked if Des could live in Seattle, offering the tidbit that they could get a cute little house on the water. Okay, I live in the Seattle area and that's exactly how my husband got me here but do I now live on the water? Nope. 15 years later, we are happy but not on any body of water. And it rains like crazy pants here from October to June. I was screaming at the T.V. to tell her this, but she ended up saying she could live in Seattle. Yes, indeedy, she could if the love was strong enough. Des and Chris had dinner on the beach while the most annoying birds (or an oil drill) squealed in the background for the entirety of their dinner and then during their fantasy suite tour.
 After loads of locking lips in the hot tub, we left them alone for the night and traveled to Idaho where Brooks was consulting his mom and sis about not being crazy in love with Des. At that point it was written in stone and all that needed to be done was for Brooks and his hair to get to Antigua and break up with the woman who was falling in love with him. He had no idea at this point that she was in love with him. He might've thought that Chris was the one. Or Drew. After a big ole heart to heart with ChrisBHarrison, he met with Des to break her heart in a twenty minute crying fest on the end of a picturesque dock. Was there any woman out there who didn't feel her pain? It brought back baaaaad memories of the same thing happening to me once and remembering that, I built a big wall around my body on my couch, metaphorically speaking. It took another 20 minutes for Brooks to walk down the road. He was so broken up too. Des wouldn't let him go and he wouldn't walk away. He wanted to make it right before he left but didn't he know the formula? You tell them it's over and leave. At that point you can't comfort them. You are the enemy. And didn't we all wonder what his idea of love is if he's missing her so much before he gets in the limo? I think Brooks is too mixed up and hope like crazy that they don't bring  him back next week because he gets second thoughts. That's just a recipe for heartbreak souflee.

Next week Des tells ChrisBHarrison she just wants to go home. She's done. It's over. The gig is up.  If I was Mike Fleiss, THE producer of this show, I'd let her take a day or two, and everyone could re-convene after that. Maybe even fly everyone back to the mansion or a new fancy spot for thinking time, have Des see a counsellor and continue if she thinks there is any hope. Seriously though, I doubt that there is any hope for the other two men after this. I wish I was a fly on the hut when the producers talked about what to do in Antigua. I wonder if Des's contract came out and a lawyer was called. Poor Des. I hope by now she's moved on from Brooks and is in love with Drew or Chris but it was hard to watch. Especially because I have the flu. This episode with so many tears and hugs and hair pulling left me feeling more fluish. At least Des's mascara didn't run.
Now all we have to do is wait another excruciating week to find out what the heck they decide to do.

In the meantime, check out the 2 hour read The Husband Hunt, FREE on Smashwords for download on a reading device or phone. Click here The romance story is based on a reality show much like The Bachelor with roses, a mansion, fantasy dates and house drama.
Kim Hornsby is the author of Amazon Best Selling Novels The Dream Jumper's Promise and Necessary Detour, both available on Amazon for download or print.

Juan Pablo, the next Bachelor!

Update: August 6
Juan Pablo IS the next Bachelor!!! It's official. Women were screaming in delight at the announcement last night on After the Final Rose. Now we just have to wait until January to see what happens in September, October, November with J.P.

blog- from July 26th...

I didn't post Monday night with my take on Men Tell All but that doesn't mean I didn't see Ben look like a cornered Baboon on Monday night on THE BACHELORETTE- The Men Tell All, or watch James dig himself deeper into the "I don't understand commitment" hole. Michael got to prosecute a little more, Zak W got to sing another original song about his feelings, Hashtag Kasey got more airtime than he got on the actual show, the Fantasy Suite guy got to apologize for his misuse of what he thought would be funny,

Anyone else out there believe that Juan Pablo would make a terrific Bachelor? I do. Forget Zack W. or James (bad joke), I lurv Juan Pablo. His name, by the way, is said this way--WhoWawn Pawblow.  Blow a little on the "who" part.

This is my early prediction:
After the Men Tell All episode aired on Monday, I bet the producers of this franchise were considering the possibility of Zack W. as a Bachelor. However, once J.P. took the hot seat, it became apparent that the soccer player from Miami who happens to be a Daddy, is the biggest fan favorite in the history of The Bachelor. It might be the Latin lover thing but he is also a well spoken lovely person, something we did not get to see on Des's Bachelorette season because the producers wrote him off early. Until the tweets started to fly about J.P., I'm pretty sure the Bach powers-that-be had no idea he'd be taken into the bosom of American women everywhere and coddled like the sexy, tight jean-wearing hottie he is. Now we find out he's an interesting person on camera. The blatant omission of airtime for such a unique contender was almost as terrible as Des's impression that he's a Latin hottie. Even on Monday's show, all she could say was "Muy Caliente". It was very inappropriately timed when Des said this after the nation got to see the soft, lovely side of Juan Pablo. The men love him too. He's a definite favorite in the house and I believe he's the full meal deal with Daddyhood being the most important part of his life. Just sayin'. If he didn't go to the Ben school of Fathering, speaks English beautifully and women are intrigued, what are you waiting for Bachelor producers? Have you even looked at him through female eyes?

Here are my thoughts on Monday night, in a nutshell:

Kasey was well spoken but got too much time.
Ben was buried as a daddy on national TV by someone we didn't even know. Boy they sure hated Ben!
James just didn't get it. You don't plan future dates when you 'have a girlfriend'. You weren't in it for Des.
Zack is a sweetheart, a real man. And he can actually sing! (But please stop)
Michael is a prosecutioning player/jerk. He'll ride the Bachelor party train until he has to get off.
Bryden said nothing
Kasey said too much
Juan Pablo for president, I mean the next Bachelor. I believe that one of the reasons they taped early and aired early for Men Tell All, was not only because of what is going down on Monday with Brooks (or Drew) but because they wanted to gauge the public's opinion of both Zack and Juan Pablo to see who to offer the Golden Rose of Bachelorhood to. Filming for that will begin in a few weeks, don't cha know?
Can't wait to see who breaks Des's heart. It won't be pretty but I'm hoping it's Brooks, kinda. He doesn't deserve her love at this point.

The Bachelorette - Still in Love with Brooks

This week was hometowns on the Bachelorette and we all know what that means--wacky families come out of the woodwork to ruin it for their hopeful child.
The first hometown was Zack's in Texas where the two lovebirds drove around in a Kona Snowcone truck and ended up at an elementary school to dish out snow cones to the little kids. Zack dressed up like a penguin, thereby securing the top spot as a wacky fun guy and then took her to meet the most welcoming family ever in the history of The Bachelorette. Everyone was funny, fun, handsome, welcoming, and when the bro and sis stood up at the end to sing a song that Zack wrote, it was the icing on an already 17 layer cake. The cherry on top was Zack professing he loved her and giving her a ring he'd bought when he realized that he was in love with her. I was officially in love with Zack by the next commercial. If he lives near his family, then I'd take him in a heartbeat. Can you spell PERFECT?

The next visit was to Drew's family in Scottsdale AZ. They went to pick up Drew's mentally challenged sister where she lives in a special home and then everyone converged at Drew's mom and Step Dad's house. All was fun and merry, and Des charmed the pants right off the group. That visit couldn't have gone better, including Drew telling her he loved her in a "bold" way, she said. Personally, I just saw him throw it into the conversation but I'm not The Bachelorette.

Then off to Oregon where we hooked up with Chris in a park and ventured on to hit baseballs to see if Des is the girl for him. Turned out she can catch and hit and passed the baseballing test with flying colors. At Chris's house, the parents were warm and fun and wonderful, even though the Dad, who is a chiropractor took Des to the basement to give her an adjustment on her back, then proceeded to adjust Chris's nostrils, treating America to Chris's snot closeup. Eww.
The final visit was Brooks in Utah. They canoed in a park, kind of dancing around each other conversationally and then drove over to someone's house overlooking the mountains in Utah. The large family had nametags on, teased Des and Brooks and were a lovely, welcoming group. No patriarch but lots of siblings. When Brooks kissed her goodbye, he was just starting to warm up to the idea that he really likes Des. Little does he know that everyone else is falling all over themselves in love while he isn't quite sure.

Des's brother Nate arrived in Los Angeles where the show ended up at the Beverly Hills Hotel and proceeded to creep us out with his strange threats. Des pretty much begged him to leave the guys alone if he intends to be on the family meeting date and he backed off slightly, saying he'd be mindful of her feelings and that the only reason he ruined it with Sean last time was that he knew better than her, that it wasn't a good match. He's a loose cannon for sure. Can't wait.
Again, Chris Harrison questioned Des about declaring Brooks the favorite and again, The Bachelorette voiced that she's hoping his feelings grow in the next few weeks. Chris is a close second after hometowns, in spite of the back adjustment, and that left Zack and Drew in the bottom two.
At the rose ceremony, Des cut Zack with the abs, and the fun, and the only manly one of the bunch. The others, I'm pretty sure all have pedicures. But then Zack got pretty choked up and had a lot to say in the limo, proving that he's not only manly but sensitive. Apparently he can't find a girl to love him. I'm gonna bet he watched tonight's show with a woman curled beside him or if he didn't I'll bet he'll be watching next week with a girlfriend. He's a nice man, with a great family and studly to boot. And has had national coverage.
Next week is Bachelor Tells All (kind of out of sync for the usual way it's done) and two weeks from now, I believe Drew announces something and leaves. Or Brooks. Des looks pretty broken up about something and threatens to leave the show. She's wearing the outfit from her date with Brooks if that gives anyone a hint.
Checking my calendar now to make sure I've cleared the next three Mondays. How about you? For a show that started out slow, it's gaining speed for a nice run to the finish. Who's your money on?


Kim Hornsby is the author of The Husband Hunt an Amazon short story book series modeled after The Bachelor.
http://amzn.com/B00BN1YNS0

The Bachelorette Could End Right Now

This week the group that remains on this year's Bachelorette flew to Madeira (off Spain) and professed it the most romantic place in the world. If you don't fall in love here, there's something wrong with you, apparently.
But at the end of the show we heard that The Bachelorette is in love with one lucky guy and Chris Harrison asked if it's over this early. Should they stop now?
Desiree answered that she wanted to keep an open mind and to continue.
Here's what happened:
With only five men left, the group of six cruised around Madeira's coast aboard a schooner, laughing, talking, oo'ing and ah'ing then checked in to their hotel rooms overlooking a spectacular view of the ocean, pool, and red tiled buildings. Every view is a postcard in itself.
Brookes got the first date and aside from being the worst dresser in the group, he looks like a sweet man. A tan suites him. Desiree REALLY likes him. They had a wonderful drive up to the clouds, did some talkin' and drinkin' and admitted they are on cloud 9 with each other. Turns out Des more than Brookes. She's one beat shy of being in love and Brookes likes her a whole lot.
The next date was with Chris who now reminds me of Adam Levine and looks like the best one of the bunch. He's funny, charming, cute and Des seems to really like him a whole lot. They took a yacht to a rocky island and enjoyed a picnic among the wildflowers, but if they don't stop writing cheesey poetry, I'm going to have to change the channel. Oh wait. They aren't writing it for me and as long as they keep their stanza's amongst themselves, I'm okay. They co-wrote a poem, put it in a a bottle and threw it in the ocean. Cute.
The next day was with Michael, the prosecutor who doesn't stop talking long enough for us to see if he has any personality.  This was his first one on one with Des and is so far behind, I"m not sure anyone could catch up at this point. The town looked fabulous, quaint, fun, and the date was spent wandering the town. To his credit, Michael is a good dresser and is actually kind of cute but his social skills need some work. They might have edited it this way, but Des looked very bored on the date, while he talked a lot.
The last date of the night was a two on one with Zak and Drew (who has arm muscles I am now officially in love with). His face is pretty cute too. Well, let's face it, Drew is absolutely boy next door handsome/gorgeous and I'm not thinking he's not gay-ish anymore. He's a cutie pie but maybe too young for Des. Watching his arm muscles as he was kissing her was the highlight of my night. Drew is cute. Apparently Des thinks so too and gave him the rose, even though no one was going home on this two on one date. Zak was sad and confused even though he won the race track competition.
The trouble at this point is that all the men think they have a special connection with Des and aren't even considering that she has this going with all of them. They aren't considering that at least 4 of them have Des's attention. They are assuming they have the best connection with Des, over the rest. All except Brookes, who Des probably likes the most. Funny huh?
At the rose ceremony, Des wore a stunning aqua backless dress and stilletos and looked like a million bucks. She is such a photogenic gal with a sweet smile. While talking to Chris Harrison who apparently flies all over the world at the end of the week for 5 minutes on the air, Des admitted that she's in love with Brookes. This is something I've never seen before on this show-- calling the winner so early. But she also said that Brookes did not feel the same way and Chris from Seattle was basically a close second.
So, next week is hometowns which is always fun and bizarre and it looks like in two weeks Des is heartbroken and I am now thinking it's Brookes who leaves because he's just not in love. If wrinkled clothes and ugly cardigans are any indication of lack of interest, I might be wrong in calling the winner early. The Orlando Bloom/Russell Brand lookalike may not stick it out, after all.
What do you think? Next week has loads of kooky in law potential AND an added bonus in Des's brother, who marches to his own drummer and lurks in the shadows of the hotel's lobby. Can't wait.

Bachelorette Struggles for Honesty!

Des Hartsock is surrounded by dishonesty and what my husband and I call the GAY factor. That is not to say we are calling anyone on this year's Bachelorette show gay, but do you see the scarves they wear around their hoodies, the way some of them speak, and how difficult it is for several of them to kiss Des passsionately? I do and it makes me wonder about motives. My teenage son walked into the room when one of the men who wore an eternity/affinity scarf around his hoody hood talked about his feelings for Des. He said "What a great coverup for his sexuality."
Sorry everyone if I think several of them are on the gayish side. I may be wrong but does anyone else see this besides me and my family?
This week the group flew to Munich, Germany and the first date was a one on one with Chris, the mortgage broker from Seattle. I predict he 'll go far with her. She likes him and he seems to like her too. Writing poetry on the plane was a good move and Des likes that sort of thing. They had a wonderful date until Bryden interrupted them to tell Des he was flying home because he just didn't feel for her the way he should. Rumor has it that Bryden reunited with his former girlfriend in Montana and all is well on his front. Des was okay with him leaving but questioned the rest of the guys' motives. Regardless, she ended up having a fun time after the party pooper left. Nicely done Chris, in spite of terrible timing on Bryden's part.
The group date included the men in the picture above, and they ended up on top of a mountain in the German Alps sledding and making snow angels. After frolicking in the snow, the group went into an ice hotel carved into the side of the mountain (which was charming) and had some snacks and talks. Zack and Mikey got alone time, as well as James but the rose recipient was Brookes who tried to interrupt Des and James but when he saw them smooching in amongst the furs, he had to turn away and tell the cameras just what he felt. It was slight jealousy.
Apparently, on the way home, Kasey and Drew woke from a slumber to hear James confess to Mikey that he was hoping to be the next Bachelor or at least to get some hot tall babes on a boat off Chicago when he went home, and that set the anger wheels in motion for the guys who truly like Des. After a meeting about James' ulterior motives they decided to tell Des he's scum. Drew was smoking angry.
Meanwhile Des went on the world's worst two on one date in a hot tug on the lake with Michael, the attorney and Ben the self promoting father. The best thing about that whole day was the lime green hot tub boat, called a hot tug that they took out on the lake with mugs of steaming liquid. But the drinks weren't the only things steaming. Michael, in true lawyer mode, took on Ben in a cross examination of his intentions and his religion and how committed he is as a father. When it came to the rose, it was Ben who remained flowerless although I'm pretty sure Michael is not long for it. He seems most interested in exposing the bad guy, not getting to kiss Des. (See my first paragraph).
When it came to the rose ceremony Drew was determined to out James as the snake he is but when Des called off the cocktail party, the plan was shut down. She knew who was going home, and I did too. Wearing a checked shirt is bad enough but with a busy plaid suit--that is just terrible. James, who also had a gingham shirt on, was spared for now and Mikey ended up going home. Maybe it was his crack about having 5 children and living in the bosom of his Italian family back in Chicago that led Des to think she did not see a future with Mikey.

Next week looks like it's finally getting good. For one thing, we know Zach is the best kisser and he gets a one on one. The men tell on James and everyone seems to cry over that and the drama factor is upped to the nth degree. This is why we love The Bachelorette and wait all year for another round of the show. The drama, the tears, the scarves around their hoodies.

Kim Hornsby is the author of The Husband Hunt series on Amazon Books, modeled after The Bachelor.

http://amzn.com/B00BN1YNS0

The Bachelorette Has Created A Monster

Last night's episode of ABC's The Bachelorette revealed that they may have created a monster this season. ...the sensitive man. Not that men can't have a sensitive side but something is going on at The Bachelorette and the men are all crying and confessing their heads off.
Atlantic City was the first stop on the round the world tour with Des. The first date was a one on one date with Brad that included crazy-ass rides and loads of cheering and throwing arms in the air. But when faced with dinner conversation, they had nothing to talk about. I have a theory why but it involves telling you that I think Brad might be looking for a mother to his son and not be genuinely interested in Des. Times that by ten and you have my theory. Brad had to go home but I ask you why she dumped him at the top of that lighthouse on the Atlantic City strip, after they'd climbed 458 stairs to the top and caught their breaths? The editing made it look like because he didn't try to kiss her when they saw a spectacular view, she dumped him. Again, I think producers call the shots and once she refused him the rose, they sent him all the way back down to the ground. Alone.
Next was the group date that was just plain hard to watch and WRONG! Having the men compete in a Mr. America mock-up contest, had me cringing in my comfy chair. First they had to choose their talent from a table of props that were meant for women (high heeled shoes), then they got their swim suits by some sort of lottery. Several drew the speedos and then, to make it all worse, they had to compete on the Miss America Stage in front of a live studio audience full of women. Ugh! Luckily Juan Pablo got a speedo and he is a great sport but I kind of feel that he's getting a very bad impression of what America is all about and what we stand for. Ben got a speedo too but I didn't really care about his feelings because he's the villain this season if you can call a man who isn't making friends with the guys a 'villain'. The swim suit competition was just wrong and demeaning and cheap. I'm surprised Chris Harrison didn't just put his foot down on this one. Yea right.
The hash tag guy Kasey won the title, probably because he wore red jeans and jacket that was too small for him and Des felt sorry for him. His tap dancing was awesome I have to say, and not because it was accurate.  He obviously can't tap but he tried so hard and made us laugh. Even the guys loved him. I must note that the one man who spoke out about being thought of as just 'a piece of meat' proceeded to dance provocatively for his talent, thereby securing the fact that he is highly comfortable being thought of as a piece of meat. At the after party, Jack W. got the rose for singing a song that he wrote and it happened to sound like it was just for Des. The men continued to bitch and moan about Ben which is getting kind of old now and Ben's nastiness seems silly, not villainous. Yawn. Oh and Juan Pablo has a daughter. What?!
The next one on one was with James, a thick-necked thuggish looking sensitive man with a smile to light up all the hurricane Sandy ravaged coastline. Okay, what's up with the producers? This is not a date. This is a RED CROSS plug, which is okay but to pass it off as a date was just plain weird. Des and James toured the coast in a helicopter, almost crying to see a roller coaster in the water then met a couple who'd had their family home obliterated in the flood. Yes, it was touching when they gave Jan and her man their fancy date but ??? I, for one, thought the big plug for donations to the Red Cross was misplaced. Luckily Des and James were wonderfully cooperative and had just as much fun on their date at a spaghetti joint. It was sweet to see the old couple dancing to Darius Rucker who I'm sure they'd never heard of, but it all seemed so misplaced. James was sensitive and sweet and teary-eyed and what more could he do? It wasn't a date to get to know Des. Not really. It was a platform for the Red Cross effort on the east coast.
At the cocktail party Des wore a sequined mini and kept adjusting that sucker to keep from revealing her chest. She favored the guy from Seattle who writes poetry (of course he does), Brookes (whose hair continues to remind us of Russel Brand) and several other sensitive men who'd confessed their insecurities over the course of the week. Bryden the Iraq vet isn't sure he fits in with this group and I'd have to agree. But, he accepted his rose and the man sent home was someone who hadn't even had any air time. I think he was the Zack who didn't have a song about Des or a child waiting for him at home or a sad story about how he got on the show. And speaking of the monster, either Des told the powers that be, that she likes sensitive men and wouldn't be opposed to a single dad, or the casting call for this season said "must be willing to show a sensitive side" because we are getting it from all angles. Sure there's lots of muscles and 6 packs but the men speak like they've been coached to reveal their under belly and I'm finding it just a little weird. I wonder if Des thinks the same thing.
What do you think? Do you have a genuine favorite? Me neither.

Amazon Best Selling Author, Kim Hornsby is the author of The Husband Hunt, a novella series on Amazon modeled after The Bachelor. 

http://amznocm/B00BN1YNS0

The Bachelorette Goes For the Sensitive Men

Monday night's Bachelorette episode started out normal enough. The men gathered on the couch the morning after the first rose ceremony and Brooks was given the first date. So far, so good. At times he reminded me of a cross between Russel Brand and Orlando Bloom, which is not necessarily a good thing, but Brooks smiled his way through choosing bridal outfits and cake, ingratiating himself to Des and her love of the sensitive man. And the goofy, fun guy. They picnicked at the Hollywood Sign, on the letter 'L' and Russell, I mean Brooks, gave her his jacket when she was cold. He admitted that his parents were divorced, his relationship with his dad is a work in progress, teared up, and Des looked hooked. He's gonna get the rose. Oh wait, he already did. Crying is not a no no on the first date anymore, apparently.
Then there was a flash mob/group date that had Des enjoying 14 men. They had to rap with Solja Boi and learn to dance and try to impress Des with their dance moves. It wasn't easy to stand out among such a huge group but several men did a pretty good job. The people who cut the show and decide who gets air time only let us see certain men this early and this week they focused on Ben. The guys are ganging up early on Ben, who has the little dude son, and talk was trashy among the guys about how Ben doesn't give a flying fig about making friends. But Ben did not look like a good kisser and I'm wondering how he got the rose again. Maybe that little dude is still lingering in Des's mind. The men pulled out all the heartbreaking stories last night. One Bach talked of his absentee dad and druggie mom and he reminded me of the 'guard and protect your heart' guy. But nicer. His 'in' was the raising my siblings card. Sad.
The next one-on-one date was Bryden, an Iraq vet who badly needs a new hairdo but has a lovely personality. Des seemed to really like him. Us too but I was so busy designing his hair and wondering if he'd be handsome with his too short bangs fluffed up, I couldn't concentrate on their conversation. His hair looked like Jim Carey's in Dumb and Dumber. The tweets kind of said the same thing. When they entered the hot tub and Bryden could not seem to go in for the kiss, it was awkward until Des said "just kiss me!" And that made me wonder if that man would be a great husband for her. Where are the men who don't let her drive every time they get in the car? The men who say, "I'm sorry but I really want to kiss you. Get ready."?
Again Ben. The rose ceremony revealed Ben as a selfish  un-liked Bach in the house. He swooped in on the lawyer from Florida who was revealing the nature of his type one diabetes just as Ben invaded. There must be some Bachelor rule about not turning anyone away if they come to steal you, because at that point I would've said "I'll be with you in 10 minutes, Ben." Turns out he owns a bar and is talking to the men about how an entrepreneur can do very well with national exposure on the T.V.show. Booo. Then again, we only see what the director and producers want us to see.
The rose ceremony revealed the men with morals, bonding skills, and who is a snappy dresser. One guy wore a plaid jacket with a checked shirt and although you can't send someone home for that, he may be short lived on the show if he keeps mixing his patterns.
The tweets at the bottom of the screen are distracting, but I saw a person I know on there at the beginning, (Jennifer Weiner) and I saw Ali Feditowsky, and that's kind of fun. (I'm so shallow!)
Des eliminated 3 guys who were disappointed, one saying it was heartbreaking, but it's still early. Let's face it. They are all going home,eventually, except one. It's just a matter of when.
Next week it looks like the Old Girlfriend comes to the mansion and confronts her 'boyfriend' and that's what will keep us coming back for more. That and the feud with Ben. And Des's dress. And the amazing set decorators who make those dates look so dreamy and romantic.
It's all good, isn't it?
See you next week on The Bachelorette

Be sure to catch Kim's short story series Modeled after The Bachelor and The Bachelorette on Amazon
The Husband Hunt
and The Husband Hunt - Kat's Season
under her contemporary romance pen name Kiki Abbott

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over and out!
Kim

Bachelorette Won't Tell!

We are one show into Des's Season and I'm so looking forward to next Monday I could scream. This season looks interesting already with all the punching and crying going on in the previews. Wow! But Des won't say if she ends up engaged and neither will Chris Harrison. They are withholding that information until we get hooked on the guys, get favorites and can't look away. After the first episode, there is still a chance of losing viewers. So the producers have played their cards close to their scheming chests and are remaining mum about an engagement. But have you seen the guys? I'm not sure whether to be hopeful or not.
Let's start with the most unusual acts. And I say 'acts' because some of the men tried a little too hard to be noticed and rather than gaining points with Des, they disgusted and alienated her with their cheesy gimmicks.
The first loser to go home was Johnathon who acted drunk (or Cray-Cray) when he kept asking Des to go to the fantasy suite with her and wouldn't drop that bad joke even when he was told she was a nice girl and wouldn't be going in a dark room with him. On the first night! Did a supposedly sane man actually expect her to leave 24 hopeful bachelors, go off in a bedroom with him and do the dirty deed? Apparently. Des dismissed him before the rose ceremony and probably gave the producers the stink eye on the way back from the driveway. Or if she didn't, she should've. I'm sure the producers were all rubbing their hands together in a Doctor Evil way and salivating. They live for this stuff because it makes great ratings!
Another man did not wear a shirt and asked Des to accept his abs. Granted he had a twelve pack but I mean, come on. Even my teenage daughter yelled at the TV "Put on a shirt, Guy!' Nobody wanted to stare at his half naked body all night, especially after we'd seen him earlier, at his apartment fully naked, well except for that dastardly black rectangle that blocked out our view of his jumbly bits. Des felt badly for the guy though. To get that man to stop trying so hard (he stripped to boxer briefs and jumped in the pool) and probably because he had such horrible shrinkage when he exited the pool, she gave him a first impression rose while passing his shivering body later. There even was a man in armor. When he rented the metal suit that precluded him from walking, not to mention presenting himself in a good light, he didn't think beyond the metaphor. He looked like a weirdo, not like a spontaneous, fun guy.
One guy spoke in hashtags and that got old after about #oneminute. And then there was an ER doctor who made Des dance and her dress kind of ripped. She really didn't like him. Poor guy. The man with the horrible suit coat he made himself, just poked fun at her livelihood and passion for design. #notcool (Damned, now he's got me doing it) And then there was the magician who should have conjured up a red rose for himself instead auditioning on national TV for a Las Vegas show.
She picked her 19 guys, they toasted and Des looked happy at the end but we know different. We've seen the previews and there is terrible heartbreak and punching and name calling and girlfriends showing up to cry and embarass someone. This is why we will watch. WE want to see Des weed out the bad ones to get to the good ones so she can go on picnics on top of mountains and declare her love to the world.
I can't wait until the first group date to see if that ab guy wears a shirt. If not I'm putting a Ken doll shirt in front of the TV every time he comes on. Hear we go, Bachelorette!

Kim Hornsby is the author of The Husband Hunt 1 and 2, Short Novels available on Amazon for download. The series is modeled after The Bachelor
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