Dls’s Comments (group member since Sep 14, 2010)

Dls’s comments from the Fans of Eloisa James & Julia Quinn group.

Pretty sure I haven’t read this.

One comment about A Million Little Things that is no big deal but nagged at me; Ashton could have gone to live with Stacey and Kit long before he turned 18. Once a kid is in foster care the state is the guardian and the parent can not prevent a placement.

Just in case anyone on this list ever wants to give a kid in foster care a home (as a foster parent or a guardian).

Mallery is an autobuy for me but I often get angry at her heroes for walking away. One of my favorite couples of hers is in All Summer Long but—spoiler—Clay does it too. And it’s even more out of character for him.

I might still start with it though.

I have no idea

Just finished Courtney Milan’s After the Wedding. As always her plots are fascinating and her character’s reactions are anything but cliche. But I kept thinking that the hero should have seen through his uncle (not a spoiler—you pretty much know from scene one he is trouble) when he grew up. And I wish we had met his parents.
His brother and her little sister were more interesting—the next book is his. So I’m looking forward to that.
I will now read A Devil of a Duke by Hunter.
I finished Balogh's Someone to Care. She's always amazing in her ability to put us in that time and place.

Great scene! I definitely haven’t read this one.

Started Madeline Hunter’s new series (I hadn’t read the first one yet) and looking forward to tomorrow’s releases.

A really good choice (but you left her name in).

I don’t think there is widespread agreement on her best. Everyone seems to have different favorites. Her own favorite was The Unknown Ajax. My favorites include Frederica, Venetia, Sylvester, The Grand Sophy, these old shades, the devils cub, the quiet gentleman, and the talisman ring. Oh and the unknown ajax.
Then there are some which are less typical of her writing but really interesting—A civil contract and The Spanish Bride (based on a real couple). I wouldn’t start with those but if you like Heyer I would read them.

It’s The Talisman Ring by Georgette Heyer. And indeed he marries her—they are both investigating a murder that was falsely claimed to be by his cousin. So she isn’t trying to deceive him....

If there is one thing that convinces me that Hero and Heroine can have a HEA, it's when they share a sense of humor. A discussion of this book on another blog reminded me of how this book nicely ties together humor and melodrama.

The sound of a horse trotting towards them made the Runners drag their captive to the side of the road. The horse and rider came into sight, and the prisoner, recognizing the rider, called: “Sir Hero, help! Help!”
The horse seemed to bound forward as under a sudden spur. The prisoner, struggling madly, shrieked again for help, and the next instant Sir Hero was abreast of the group, and had swung himself out of the saddle. Before the Runners could explain things, he had taken the management of the affair into his own swift and capable hands. Mr Stubbs, starting to proclaim his calling, encountered a smashing right and left which dropped him like a log, and Mr Peabody, releasing his captive and aiming a blow at Sir Hero with his cudgel, quite failed to find his mark, and the next moment was sprawling on the road, having been neatly thrown on Sir Hero’s hip.

Sir Hero paid no further attention to either of them, but took a quick stride towards the cloaked figure, saying sharply: ‘Are you hurt? What in heaven’s name is the meaning of this, Miss Heroine?”

“Oh, I am bruised from head to foot!” shuddered Miss Heroine. “These dreadful creatures set upon me with cudgels! I shall die of the shock!”

This dramatic announcement, instead of arousing Sir Hero’s chivalrous instincts anew, made him look penetratingly at her for one moment, and say in a voice torn between amusement and exasperation: “You must be out of your mind! How dared you do such a crazy thing!”

The Runners had by this time begun to pick themselves up. Mr Stubbs, cherishing his nose, seemed a little dazed, but Mr Peabody advanced heroically and said: “I arrest you, Hero’s Cousin, in the name of the Law, and it will go hard with them as seeks to interfere!”

Sir Hero released Miss Heroine’s hands, which he had been holding in a sustaining manner, and replied: “You fool, this is not Hero’s Cousin! This is a lady!”

Mr Stubbs said thickly: “It’s the abigail. It ain’t no female.”

“Oh, don’t let them touch me!” implored Miss Heroine, shrinking artistically toward Sir Hero.

“I’ve no intention of letting them touch you, but don’t get in my way,’ said Sir Hero unromantically. “Now then, my man, perhaps you will tell me what the devil you mean by arresting this lady?”

“It ain’t a lady!” said Mr Peabody urgently. “He’s a desperate criminal
dressed up for an abigail! No lady couldn’t fight like him!”

“I tell you she is Sir Brother’s sister!” said Sir Hero. He turned as he spoke and put back the hood from Miss Heroine’s head.

The Runners peered at her doubtfully. “When my brother hears of this, you will be sorry!” said Miss Heroine in a tearful voice.

A look of deep foreboding stole into Mr Stubb’s watering eyes. “If we’ve made a mistake—“ he began uncertainly.

“It’s my belief it’s a plot, and they’re both in it!” declared Mr Peabody.

“Take me to my brother!” begged Miss Heroine, clinging to Sir Hero’s arm. “I fear I may be going to swoon!”.
…..
They entered the inn by the door into the coffee room, and here they were met by Jeune Fille, who, upon sight of Miss Heroine,, gave a dramatic start, and cried ‘Bon Dieu! What has happened? Heroine, are you ill?”

Miss Heroine said faintly : “I scarce know…Two men attacked me…”

“Ah, she is swooning!” said Jeune Fille. “What an outrage! What villainy!”

Miss Heroine, having assured herself that Sir Hero was close enough to catch her, closed her eyes, and sank gracefully back into his arms.

“Hartshorn! Vinegar!” shrieked Jeune Fille. “Lay her on the settle, mon cousin!”

Nye, who had come in from the tap-room, said: “What! Miss Heroine in a swoon? I’ll call Sir Hugh this instant!” and strode away to the parlor.

Sir Hero carried his fair burden to the settle, and laid her down upon it. A glance at her charming complexion was sufficient to allay any alarm he might otherwise have felt, and with his fingers over her steady pulse, he said “I think we should throw water over her, my dear cousin. Cold water.”

Miss Heroine’s lips parted a little. A very soft whisper reached Sir Hero’s ears. “You dare!” breathed Miss Heroine.

Hi Irisheye.
Nell didn’t bother me. Partly I think she was right about Eric at the start of the book and just didn’t see him changing. That’s human nature—and he was hiding his relationship with Jean anyway so she didn’t really see all the change.
And partly I think she blamed Eric to avoid dealing with her own guilt about getting pregnant with him. (I’m not saying she should have felt guilty just that she did.) Which is also pretty normal.
But I wonder why Nell and Pat didn’t get their own book and we only see them through other people’s stories.

I had such mixed reactions to Chaser. On the one hand Scott did an amazing job with the male POV. On the other hand he is really clueless so he doesn’t really get why his feelings are evolving and also, he is just not that likeable a character.

No clue.

I hope you are ok and feeling better Janga!
I’m reading the new Jody Thomas.

I definitely don’t know this. Also I think you have heroines name in there twice

No idea. I’m sure I haven’t read it. Since Rachel had to post late, let’s leave this open until Wednesday.

I’m reading Murder on Black Swan Lane which reminds me of C Harris—and by coincidence Harris has a new book out tomorrow. So I’m looking forward to that and to the Gracie and to the next installment of Sarina Bowen’s novella.

I have no idea. I spend last week reading the summary of the government funding bill so I really need a good book. Eager to see what you are all reading!

Yep!