I have been distracted. Like many of us, the latest audio book release took me by surprise. Without any warning, Audible suddenly dropped the seventh Jackman & Evans mystery. Apparently the author herself was surprised and had no idea it was coming. Mr Armitage must be particularly prolific, now that he is happily performing away in his state-of-the-art home studio! I really like the Jackman & Evans stories (although I will not deny that a lot of that is due to the person of the author herself – I simply like Joy Ellis who comes across as a charming lady on her FB page where she doesn’t think it beneath herself to communicate and react to her readers), and so I was delighted to get 10+ hours of Armitage reading onto my ears.
There. Improved it.
I have 33 minutes of They Disappeared left. And that can only mean one thing: I’ve been obsessively crafting (cos that’s what I do when I am listening to audio books). Which is also the reason for the delay in today’s round-up. It looks as if face masks are here to stay for a little while longer, and I was getting a bit fed up with my 4 face masks that will only last me four days before I have to wash them again. So I needed to sew more, and while looking through my fabric stash, I realised that my Armitage fabric is actually cotton – and hence the right sort of material for a mask. And hey, a fan should have the right accessory, even at this time… Some people wear their heart on their sleeve. I wear it on my… mask?
Two masks have hardly taken me the time it takes to listen to an audio book, though. I’ve been wondering whether there might be any demand for the (subtle) Armitage fan masks? I’ve made a whole heap of them, in fact, and they are available in my Etsy store. They are not part of the fundraiser as such, but if anybody would like to buy one of those masks, the proceeds from the sale will go into my postage fund for the RA birthday auctions later this month, as between 200 and 300 Euro are likely to be needed for posting.
Finally, let’s get to the round-up.
- Riepu10 has been giffing brown-eyed James from My Zoe
- Gorgeous Thorin, in fact a little prettier than he was, in a piece of digital fan art by sugarsu
- Richardarmitagefanpage links to the latest trailer of the South Korean Sci-fi film that RA is in. No glimpse of Richard in this, though
- LOL – have to include this hear for the headline provided by amelia307
- I honestly can’t find the words to express how much I hate this film poster for Sleepwalker. It misrepresents Richard’s handsome face so much (and presumable inadvertently) I could scream. Am I the only one? Posted by richardarmitagefanpage.
- Wrist and hand porn galore. A scene from My Zoe, also giffed by riepu10
Um. Oh… Eh… That’s a bit short. Hm. Could be because *this* happened:
Six new (old) photos by An Le, taken end of last year in New York. They are most likely some “outtakes” from the shoot, posted by the photographer on IG. Yeah, quite frankly, that distracted me, too. Not always for the best reasons (I really don’t like photos that pretend to be “real life” but are only “really contrived”). I think it is very apparent that the photographer is primarily a fashion photographer. To me it felt as if there is lots of pretty in the shots – but very little Armitage, if you get my drift. It’s not even that the focus is on the clothes, but somehow the imagery does not feel authentic to me. It depicts an actor pretending to walk down the street or to look moody. Don’t get me wrong, I think the pictures are very aesthetic and nice to look at. But they tell me nothing about the man who is in it. Maybe that was exactly the point – obscuring rather than identifying the subject. But it’s just not what I am interested in rn. However, if pushed, I’d probably say that I like the fuzzy colour picture best where RA is looking over his shoulder (second but last image). What do you think?
Hope you have a lovely Sunday!
Sonja ❤
Guylty Pleasure 
I am extremely distracted… not that that’s hard.
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Masks ordered!
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You’re a star 🌟!!! Many thanks for that 😘
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I like all the photos. I like watching him perform for a photographer. Especially smouldery, come-hither stares. I will accept those from any source, I’m not fussy. 😛
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Personal preferences. Whatever rocks your boat, Besotted. My personal photo preference is usually authenticity. The smoulder hasn’t done it for me this time 💧
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that picture suits the Jackman and Evans much better! Hopefully i will get to listen to it at some point-no rush for me.
the masks are adorable, any way to order without going through Etsy?
re the new photos, I like them very much , I don’t mind that they’re not real life – I like him when he’s acting in photographs and I find him much sexier tbh (sacrilege?)
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That’s the good thing about audio – it feels less urgent than seeing new films or series. I get to them quickly because I have the audible subscription and need to use up my credits 😁
Re. Masks – I can take one off Etsy and reserve it for you if you want.
Haha, not sacrilege, just personal preference. If you need him to be sexy then that is fine!
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yeah, i’d like one of the grey print masks please-i’ll send yo the amount via paypal if that’s ok?
couple more J+E come up on Borrowbox though i have a while to wait!
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I’ll keep one of them for you, no problem!
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Re My Zoe. Nix the brown eyes in the future, Mr. A. They aren’t you. Instead, make them cast a blue-eyed youngster as your child. I nominate Max Macmillan — blue eyes, big nose, and utterly gorgeous. Plausible as your kid: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5419920/
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Agree! I find the brown eyes mildly disturbing. I guess they were part of the plot…
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Yes, a big nope on the brown eyes from me. One of the few instances where I actually replied to one of his tweets was when he posted the first selfie with the brown eyes and I told him that Mother Nature had got it right the first time around and I was not a fan.
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I’ve been wondering why I am so opposed to the brown eyes. Is it merely being used to him with blue eyes, or do the blue eyes really look better on him?
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I think he really does look strange with the dark eyes. I have nothing against brown eyes per se. I know some people with wonderful brown eyes, like Louise for example. She looks stunning. But somehow he doesn‘t suit them.
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I’m not a photographer so I can’t opine on the quality of these photos, but yes, they seem to be more fashion photog type photos. That’s ok with me as they emphasize how gorgeous Richie is. I like him with the longer hair; the John Proctor super short hair made him look rather menacing. I love the pic with his head back, the close-up. It’s pretty clearly photoshopped, but it’s dreamy. What can I say?
I’m going to have to get this latest audiobook. I love the Joy Ellis mysteries and I’ve listened to a couple already with Richard narrating them. I love his voice so much. I think I have some Audible credits so I’m getting this new audiobook for sure.
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I agree with you – the short, short hair always makes him look a bit menacing. And possibly also a bit older? – The close-up is definitely effective, although I have to say that I am currently not really in the mood for suggestive smoulderings.
His voice is always delicious, hence I tend to buy all his audio books. I like easy-listening while I am crafting, so the thrillers always work well for me…
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Idk what that says about me, but I love the super short hair even though (because?) it makes him look so severe (as Fanny would say).
If I had to choose a favorite look (and I am very glad I don‘t have to, because incredibly hard and quite likely impossible) Crucible era RA would probably be it.
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That Sleepwalker poster would be shite even in black and white. Absolutely stupid choice.
I love your masks. Those fabrics are so great. Might be time for a new one. Have we got enough new chaRActers to make a new edition?? *puppy dog eyes*
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That poster was just – NO. I mean, I get what they were trying to get across, but I cannot understand why nobody realised how unflattering a look it created for him. Surely, RA would’ve been one of their assets, and it would’ve made more sense to show him in his full handsomeness?
Great idea re. a new version of the fabric. I’m trying to think who I haven’t yet put on a design. Claude Becker, Astrov, Adam Price are definitely new.
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Is Chop represented yet? I have to study the existing fabrics. Or do you have a blog post about them from when you first designed them? I‘d love to read all about it.
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Chop was the chess piece in the black fabric.
Here is the press release on the launch of the original line of luxe fan homeware: https://guylty.files.wordpress.com/2017/02/raps-inc-charactere.png
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Oh yes, I had forgotten about the black fabric. That’s also wonderful. I was very tempted to get the black fabric bag from the FlatRichie package, but then succumbed to the lure of the blue wash bag.
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I love the look in #6! 😊 haven’t watched my zoe yet but is the character an architect? the combo of this semi-formal jacket with the simple grey t-shirt is a really nice style IMO. as for the new audio book: unfortunately, I can’t pretend to belong to those who say “RA could read the phone book to me”…while I do like audiobooks in general and absolutely love it when Armitage voices something I would also enjoy reading, I can’t say I’m a fan of joy Ellis’ writing style. I listened to “Their lost daughters” and also tried the next one of the series also but was frequently annoyed by the descriptions that set up the scenes. So I have to let this one pass. anyway, at the rate that he’s finishing new audio products from his home studio, I can hope for something else soon 😉
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I haven’t watched MZ yet, either, but that’s what I get from that gif, too, that James is an architect. – The combo is very attractive. Mind you, it kind of reminds me of Miami Vice and their iconic “t-shirt under blazer” look 😂. Well, the 1980s are back in fashion…
No worries re. Ellis. I think it’s all very subjective whether we like authors or not. I wasn’t hugely impressed with “Lost Daughters”, either – mainly because I thought the plot was unnecessarily complicated. I also think that many (if not most) KDP authors would definitely benefit from a professional editor (which they don’t get on KDP)… However, as I said, I like the character Ellis has created, and whom RA seems to have embraced. Plus, the author is a very nice lady (with whom I have communicated bts), which definitely makes me like her work more.
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I am bedeviled by RA’s stance in the third photo. Is he intentionally demonstrating how far forward he can tilt without falling over, former dancer that he is? Then again, the fabric pulling into wrinkles over his hard-working thighs and glutes is quite nice, so…maybe I will stop complaining.
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It certainly puts his assets in the best light possible. If it weren’t so contrived (I mean, who stands in the middle of a junction and pushes out their arse???), I’d like it more.
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I find myself in a less critical mood about the photos and am just embracing it. I am irritated with a great many things these days, I just gratefully accept when something doesn‘t and count myself lucky. LOL
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Having nearly finished His and Hers and with three Audible credits up my sleeve, this latest Jackman and Evans audiobook release is perfectly timed. 😊
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Yep, same here. I had already started downloading all sorts of free Audible stuff (which isn’t always of greatest quality), so this was very welcome. I have finished it and have enjoyed it.
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I am really struggling with his audio work. I gave up on The Stolen Boys, utter rubbish.
Listened to the first Chekhov story, too depressing for the time we are living through lol
Similarly The Other People, put on the ‘ back burner’ for now.
I did enjoy The Jane Austen Society…..
I have been listening to other authors, loved C19 ‘s Sarah Hawkswood (Bradecote and Catchpole series voiced by Matt Addis who gives a sterling performance not unlike RA)
And Elly Griffiths The Lantern Men.
I have several Audible credits but the Beatrix Potter compendium doesn’t excite me either.
So wished we could have had the Agatha Christie books.
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It’s all down to personal taste. I really like thrillers, and I love Joy Ellis (because she is a nice lady). Also had no trouble with the recent other two mysteries (although the Bedlam one was highly unoriginal and in places rather unbelievable). I am struggling with the Chekhov (unfinished) and absolutely loathed the unoriginal and bland Jane Austen book.
The Beatrix Potter isn’t exactly something I have waited for. Children’s stories? Not sure whether I will subscribe to them, especially if he only reads one part of them?
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I am pleased he was included in the Beatrix Potter production considering how accomplished he is, but doubt I will get it. I liked LJ Ross as an author but I gather Bedlam too unbelievable
That’s a shame, I am reading a book by a former Spooks writer at the moment very exciting, it’s like the Da Vinci code lol however because of the Coronavirus I am reading anything and everything lol.
Audible are running their advertisements a lot on UK television ‘making hay while the sun shines’ as the saying goes!
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Yve, what book are you reading? Curious to add to my to read collection 😉 and like supporting screenwriters 😉
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You had me going with the photoshopped audiobook cover! They missed a great marketing opportunity there. And I love your idea for the masks, much better than the generic boring white. Great roundup, Guylty, and thanks for showing us those photos.
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Seeing that they actually had a photo shoot done way back when he read the first Jackman book, I really don’t get why they insist on the other covers. Unless they are the same covers as for the printed versions of the book? (But even then I would argue that a picture of RA on the cover would be more inviting than the beardy chap they have now…)
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Yeah, that photo shoot and video must have cost them and they probably own the rights. Strange whey they don‘t use them. And I had a quick gander at amazon. The print covers look totally different… It‘s a mystery.
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I love the masks Guylty, it’s a fab idea and will make would make wearing face coverings more bearable. I would love to buy one if you do make any more.
“Excuse me sir, I feel attacked by your beauty” says it all about that photoshoot. I don’t mind that he is acting a role. I particularly like the close-up, more RA disdain – mm! And the phallic chimney, paralleling RA’s long lean figure, is nice. (He still could do better on the trouser front IMO.)
I’m with you 100% about that Sleepwalker poster, I despise it and the way that RA’s beautiful face looks like it’s been squashed in a vice.
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I made a few more of those masks, and I think there may still be a couple available on Etsy. I have run out of elastic for the moment, so I can’t add more to the store, but I have reordered elastic and will make more next week.
Phallic chimney 😂.
The Sleepwalker poster is a crime. He really doesn’t look like himself in it; in fact they have made him look ugly. And surely that doesn’t even chime with the film… Weird.
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I’m glad that the masks are doing so well. It will be fun spotting fellow RA devotees!
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Those masks look really great, Guylty! Wow! Not just the fabric, I like the shape of them as well. And they’re apparently selling like hotcakes too, congrats. 🙂
As for the pictures – I think you hit the nail on the head why I really liked these but do not absolutely love them. I couldn’t put my finger on it when I saw them earlier this week but now that I read your comments, I think you’re exactly right.They don’t really feel like Richard even if they are really pretty anyhow. They also feel very American to me. Running down a street with paper and a coffee cup feels like a scene from a US movie. I’m with you that I like the one where he looks over his shoulder in that slightly blurry shot best, that one feels the most Richard to me. He sure is a pretty man, though!
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Yep, the masks worked out really well. Yay.
I think you are absolutely right, Esther. The pictures with the coffee cups really made me snort. Particularly the one where he is walking in the street – while drinking from a ceramic mug. I mean, I get what it was meant to be, but who walks to work with their ceramic mug???? It’s contrived stuff like that that really puts me off the photograph – it’s just bad imo, and even a pretty subject can’t change that.
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