Debra Parmley

Today on Cover Model Corner I'm pleased to introduce cover model Len Gunn.

I had the pleasure of meeting Len at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention last year in Chicago at the Desert Breeze Publishing author breakfast and I'm pleased to host him here on Cover Model Corner so you can have a chance to meet him too. :-)

Len, what was the first cover you appeared on and how did this come about?

My first cover is Honor by Janet Dailey.  I had the good fortune of competing in the 2011 Mr. Romance Competition in LA during the RT convention. To my surprise, I won the competition and was awarded a photoshoot with Kensington Publishing which yielded not one but five covers!

If you could do a photo shoot anywhere in the world for a cover, where would you most want to go? What sort of shoot would it be?

I would love to shoot in Florence, Italy.  The natural beauty of the lush hillsides is breathtaking!  I could see either shooting a picnic scene with a vineyard in the background or walking through the vineyard holding hands with my beloved.

Beyond romance novel cover shots, what other projects or jobs keep you busy?

In my spare time (haha), I run a lawn irrigation company.  Yeah, I dig holes all day!  I enjoy the blue collar work; always have.  It allows me to keep life in perspective and to fully appreciate getting treated like a “king” when I am on a photoshoot.

What's one question you wish an interviewer would ask you?

Why hasn’t a woman swept you off your feet?

This question is almost always asked in interviews because your fitness level is beyond the average persons. What is your exercise routine and what sort of nutrition plan do you follow to achieve and maintain your level of fitness?

Hmm, I honestly don’t like to bore others with this subject.  I live by one simple rule, what you put into your body (fuel) is what you will get out of it.  There is really no reason to make it any more complicated than that.  I maintain a very healthy diet of course, and try to change it up every so often so my body doesn’t become dependent on any specific items.  Since two years ago I rarely eat meat at all!  I feel better than I ever did when on the traditional high protein, lots of meats diet.  I feel like a well-oiled machine at all times and haven’t lost any size (common occurance for a traditional vegan or vegetarian male).  As a matter of fact, I have added 7-8 lbs of muscle while on my newer diet.  I work out with weights five days a week and seven days a week on core and cardio.  It’s not an option, It’s everyday life! Desire, Discipline, and Dedication (3 D’s) is the key to any success.  You gotta want it!

If you could share three simple fitness tips the average romance reader could do every day to stay healthy, what would they be?

Eat clean (the more ingredients on the list, the more processed it is), Find a way to sweat every day (guarantees you are raising your heart rate), and find ways to change it up often (go for a long walk one day, slow jog the next, change locations to keep you interested, etc).

It's your birthday dinner and the calories don't count. What's on the menu and what are you drinking?

Corned Beef and cabbage (favorite past time from growing up in the Northeast) and Boston Crème Pie!  And of course a Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley area.

Describe the perfect romantic evening:

It’s very simple; just spending time with someone that you have an unexplainable connection with.  It doesn’t matter in what capacity when the connection is there.  Sure, a low lit dinner exuding the ambiance of romance with a great view of a great city or the ocean in the background sets the night off right.  But the connection is what it’s all about, because it’s any backdrop special.

Please share one unusual fact about you or your life:

I am only the second in my extended family to attend college and obtain a four year degree (with honors I might add!).  My oldest brother was the first and my inspiration for following through with the achievement.

Eight Quickie questions:

1.) Watching the sunset or watching the stars? Watching the sunset

2.) The beach or the mountains?  The Beach

3.) Primitive camping or luxury hotel? Camping

4.) Snow skiing or water skiing? Snow skiing

5.) Favorite movie: Tommy Boy (I love comedies that don’t require thought)

6.) Best book you ever read: Intensity by Dean Koontz

7.) Fav. Sport to play: Golf and Beach Volleyball

8.) Fav. Sport to watch: Football (NFL)

Thank you for visiting with me today. It's been fun getting to know you. Before we say goodbye, how can fans stay up to date on your latest news?

Website: www.lengunn.com

Facebook: lengunnmodel

Twitter: @lengunnmodel

Today on Cover Model Corner I'm pleased to introduce cover model John Quinlan.

John is the most tattooed male cover model in the world and it's a pleasure to share his interview here with you today.

Q - John, what was the first cover you appeared on and how did this come about?

*John* - It was called ‘Captive Fantasy’ by Ann Mayburn. She needed a model for her cover that was bad enough to rock a prison jumpsuit with tattoos. I guess I was just the guy she was looking for at the time.

Q - If you could do a photo shoot anywhere in the world for a cover, where would you most want to go? What sort of shoot would it be?

*John* - I love warm weather and beautiful backdrops when I do model shoots so ideally it would be someplace in the Caribbean. You know all the great things would be included like palm trees, sandy beaches and waterfalls. It would be amazing!

Q - Beyond romance novel cover shots, what other projects or jobs keep you busy?

*John* - I have been involved in fitness related things for over 20 years so projects of this nature are always on the table. I will be one of the cover models in Kansas City May 2-5 this year for the RT Convention which should be really fun. I also have 3 little children, 2 boys (6 and 3) and my little princess is 16 months. These angels keep me pretty busy as well but it’s the toughest job I will ever love.

Q - How do you feel about being the most tattooed male romance cover model in the world right now?

*John* - I bring a fresh new look to the romance cover model world. I definitely look a bit different than the traditional male romance cover model of the past. I have 19 individual tattoos; most of them have an Oriental and Celtic cross theme to them which include 2 half sleeves, 7 Kanji characters and 4 nautical stars just to name a few. I love being unique and being referred to as the most tattooed male romance cover model in the world right now does that for me and separates me from the traditional look of many of my model peers. I am truly honored and humbled by this title Debra.

Q -What's one question you wish an interviewer would ask you?

*John* - Great question Debra, maybe something along the line of, “what drives you?” It is a question that just asks what keeps me going, to never give up and to never quit. Great things happen to those that are good people who work hard and treat others with respect. I have done my best over time to be all of these things so let’s see what happens to John Quinlan.

Q -If you wrote a book, what would it be about?

*John* - It would have to be my autobiography. I never talk about myself as I am very humble BUT it would be about all the great people who supported me along this journey to the top of the mountain. Many people have called me the “Mickey Ward” of the modeling business because I was just a scrappy blue collar guy who never gave up. The dream was always in my mind and I worked endlessly to make it a reality.

Q - This question is almost always asked in interviews because your fitness level is beyond the average persons. What is your exercise routine and what sort of nutrition plan do you follow to achieve and maintain your level of fitness?

*John* - Debra, right now I follow an exercise regimen like a boxer. I train now more for stamina and burning calories to keep in top shape. There will be a day or two during the week when I will work out with weights that are bit heavier than normal to switch it up a bit but boxer training is my thing right now. My nutrition was always pretty basic. When it comes to my diet there was never anything scientific about it. I stick to the basics and the key is consistency. To have an effective diet that works one has to stick with it as results don’t happen overnight. I keep my protein level up to maintain my muscle mass during intense bouts of training through chicken, fish and some red meat here and there. I also use some quality whey protein as well. My carbohydrates are usually through oatmeal, potatoes and rice. My favorite vegetable is spinach which is full of iron so this does the job just fine. Good enough for Popeye is good enough for me! I was never a big dairy guy and I love berries, especially blue berries. There you have it my amazingly talented romance writing friend!

Q - If you could share three simple fitness tips the average romance reader could do every day to stay healthy, what would they be?

*John* - Read nutrition labels, don’t consume empty calories and eat a good breakfast (it is the most important meal of the day).

Q - It’s your birthday dinner and the calories don't count. What's on the menu and what are you drinking?

*John* - Greek pizza, loaded as that is my favorite cheat food without a doubt! I love Coke so mix some Rum into it for the sweetest drink to enjoy the moment! I have to mention the desert after everything settles. A chocolate marble cake with dark frosting that is just me for me only. This is so I have the chance to eat the whole thing without worrying about anybody stealing a slice!

Q - Describe the perfect romantic evening:

*John* - I know it sound cliché but a nice dinner in a fine restaurant always starts the night off right. It creates a nice foundation for the rest of the evening with endless possibilities.

Q - Please share one unusual fact about you or your life:

*John* - I was a Vegan but gave up that lifestyle.

Eight Quickie questions:

1.) Watching the sunset or watching the stars? Stars

2.) The beach or the mountains? Mountains

3.) Primitive camping or luxury hotel? Luxury Hotel

4.) Snow skiing or water skiing? Water Skiing

5.) Favorite movie: Wedding Crashers

6.) Best book you ever read: Too many to name just one, love sports books

7.) Fav. Sport to play: Basketball

8.) Fav. Sport to watch: Football

Debra - Thank you for visiting with me today. It's been fun getting to know you.

Before we say goodbye, how can fans stay up to date on your latest news? Do you have any news or announcements to share?

*John* - It has been an honor sitting down with you Debra. I think you are not only a great person but a very talented romance writer that I am proud to call my friend. Thank you for having me. As I mentioned earlier anybody who would like to meet me I will be in Kansas City May 2-5 for the RT Booklovers Convention at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center. I look forward to meeting all the great writers and authors out there. God Bless.

Website: http://www.johnjosephquinlan.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therealjohnquinlan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JohnJQuinlan

Official Blog Zone: http://www.thejohnquinlanzone.com/

Web Gallery Portfolio & Updates by Patric: http://www.johnquinlan.org/

Model Mayhem: http://www.modelmayhem.com/1627814