Kleypas, Lisa - Blue-Eyed Devil: A "buddy read" starts Dec. 5, 2011

[Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*]

Jill wrote: "Jaynie, sweetie, I luv you heaps. But I gotta tell you, that ain't gonna work.

Jack and Jill. For crying out loud they even wrote a nursery rhyme about us!"

Jack was sad Jill broke his crown,
But Jayne was there to turn his frown,
Jayne's TLC took away his pain,
"Who's Jill?!" Jack said; my love is Jayne. ^_^

See...Jilly.... and Lisa Kay...Tsk, Tsk!

LOL

[Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*]

Jill wrote: "LOL! That is so cute Jaynie!

Gee, from that effort you almost deserve Jack....almost....but not quite. "

LMAO! Nice try, Jilly. But the rhymes have spoken. You've caused Jack enough pain already...

What were you thinking taking him up the hill? Jack likes garages...garages, Jilly. LOL

[Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*]

Jill wrote: "<>

Huh??"

You'll see... ^_~

[Lisa Kay]

Should we tell her he wears a tool belt, Jayne? LOL! **sigh**

Great poem, BTW, Jayne. But he is still mine. ☺

[Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*]

Lisa Kay wrote: "Should we tell her he wears a tool belt, Jayne? LOL! **sigh**

Great poem, BTW, Jayne. But he is still mine. ☺"

Ah, yes, the tool belt... *sighs*

Not you, too, Lisa Kay? Tsk, tsk. The nursery rhyme has been updated to reflect current affairs. Not that I'm an affair…Ahem… I'm Jack's true love . ^_^

[Lisa Kay]

My lips are zipped. ☺ And he's mine till then. Oh, and after.

[Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*]

Oohhh... February will be interesting! ^_^

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Jill wrote: "Lisarenee wrote: "Did I tell you guys I'm an official Lisa Diva?"

I wonder if there is anyone in the romance reading universe who doesn't love Lisa??"

YIKES!!! I must admit I don't love Lisa Kleypas :( I have had such great expectations for her books as so many people seem to love her writing and I find it sorely lacking in soooo many different aspects. Every book I have picked up by her is worse than the one before :( But I keep picking one up in hopes that eventually I will find one that is decent.

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Jill’s Questions for Chapters 1-5

1. “I first saw him at my brother's wedding...”
BED is written in the first-person from Haven's point-of-view. What do you think of first-person narrative - like it/hate it/don't care?

I like first-person narrative if the writing is good but it just hasn't worked for me in this book or in Sugar Daddy. Kleypas does more telling than showing. More dialogue would have worked out better than her telling us.

2. I really like that opening line “I first saw him at my brother's wedding...” After all, this is a romance and in that very first line author Lisa Kleypas brings Haven "I" and Hardy "him" together. What do you think of that first sentence?

I really didn't see anything special about the opening line. It didn't bring forth any thoughts, feelings or emotions.

3. The wine cellar. Need I say more? Loved that scene between Haven and Hardy. What did you think? But what was Hardy doing down there in the first place? Or did I miss that explanation?

UGHHH...why did LK have to bring that Jerk into this book. He is sneaky and was up to something before he got caught. I didn't find this scene special nor did I think it was arousing or hot.

4. “No, ma'am. Just wanted to give you my best wishes.” So says Hardy to Liberty at her wedding reception. Since I'm neither Texan nor American, I'm wondering if Texan men really do use the term “ma'am” these days? (Dear God, I hope so!)

I was raised in the south and it is not a trait/characteristic specifically to Texans. Most all Southerners use Ma'am and Sir as a means of respect to individuals of all ages. Yes, it is still taught to southern children and used by southern people to this day. Southern men and women also use terms of endearment such as honey, sugar, darlin' etc. Southern women use terms of endearment to both sexes where Southern men use it specifically to females. I use ma'am and sir and my children do too! When calling a male or female by the first name it is preceded with Mr or Miss.

5. In chapter 3 Haven and Nick get married. Does anyone else think Nick has done a 180? And what about slapping Haven (that first time)? I'm always surprised in novels when that happens that the female never hits back. Or is that just me channeling my own reaction through the heroine? Comments?

No I don't think Nick has done a 180. He was that way from the very beginning. He needs his a$$ whooped for slapping Haven, although I don't really care for her she definitely didn't deserve that. When in an abusive relationship most women don't fight back a)because of the shock factor b) for fear of the abuse getting worse.

6. It’s official. Nick is a prick. Thank goodness Haven left him. I've never been in an abusive relationship. But I would never have stayed as long as Haven. What do you think? Should she have got out straight away? Or did she stay long enough to give him a chance?

Haven knew it was coming. All the obvious signs were there and she had plenty of opportunity to remedy the situation but she stood back and done absolutely nothing. There was no excuse for her staying because help (Gage) was just a phone call away.

I lived through an abusive relationship with my first husband and there were children involved. Although it is hard to leave it is possible.

7. Haven meets Hardy again at the end of chapter 5.Woohoo! That was my reaction. I've been waiting for these two to meet again. Comments please.

This is sickening. Haven's sister-in-law used to be madly in love with Hardy. Even though no sex was involved between Hardy and Liberty, where is the respect of not involving yourself with an old flame/love interest of a friend or family member.

I wish Hardy wasn't even in this book. I didn't like him in the first one and don't like him in this one. So far, I am not enjoying this book because I don't like Hardy and am not really connecting with Haven.

Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 6-10

8. Phew! How hot was the beginning of Chapter 6? And really, nothing much happened, yet it did. How does Ms. Kleypas do that? Personally, I think it is all in the long range set-up. You? (P.S. I don’t think I would ever give up that coat!) Did your heart clutch a bit over the discussion they had about her marriage, her having all the power because she was rich?

HOT???? Did I miss something? I didn't read anything close to being hot or steamy. I don't see Ms. Kleypas doing anything that hasn't been done before. The only thing I see LK doing is trying too hard to be half as good as some of the other authors. Not much is setting me off emotionally in this book besides my dislike of Haven and hatred of Hardy.

9. “Divorce moon!” LOL! I just love the way Kleypas updates me with the current vernacular. Do you find yourself trying to remember some of these comments so you can use them yourself?

No because most of the terms and phrases she is using is old, tired and cliche. Some of them may not be the exact terminology used in the books as out on the street but the meanings are the same.

10. Do you like the way Hardy efficiently explains things about the oil business to Haven, without condensation? Do you agree with Haven about the sexual innuendo about it?

I don't really have an opinion about this. At this point I am a very disappointed/disgruntled reader :(

11. “I didn’t know they still made them like that.”
“Like what?”
“Cool, tough, retro-manly. The kind who only cries if someone just ran over his dog. The big-chested guy we can indulge our pathetic daddy complexes with.”
“I don’t have a pathetic daddy complex.”
“Oh? Tell me you haven’t imagined sitting on his lap.”
Todd Phelan, Haven's best friend and interior designer, has some of the best lines – and insights, doesn’t he? I posted one of my favorite quotes. What is your favorite of his so far?

Honestly I don't have one. I am just reading this to hopefully get it over with SOON!!!!

12. Vanessa Flint, Haven's boss: jealous, a real b!tch or Stealth Narcissist? Is Haven a magnet for this type of person? Have you ever experienced the Astrodome Phenomenon? Would you have opened Hardy’s gift in front of her? Comments on the gift?

Haven is a magnet for this type of person simply because she is a push over and allows herself to treated like this by others. She is so dimwitted,annoying and needy and people see it so that gives them an open door to treat her how ever they want and get by with it. A toolbelt....Hardy does whatever it takes to win Brownie points because he knows he is a LOSER!!!!

13. What does it say about Hardy that he is “pursuing” her in front of her family? What did you think about Joe’s big reveal about Hardy’s inquiring about Haven?

Once again he is a LOSER!!!! He has no tact. He has no self respect or respect for others. Hardy is more than likely up to something evil. It wouldn't surprise me if he is after Haven to make Liberty jealous or cause some other kind of friction.

14. Eek! Were you expecting the blond at the party to be Vanessa?

Yep!!! It was kind of obvious that she would show up some where especially with the grief she causes Haven

15. Whoa. What about Haven’s confrontation with Hardy in Chapter 10? Was Hardy too crude for you? What kind of man has the ability to “roll it back” to the appropriate level when he is that aroused? (Well, appropriate until Haven freaked-out.) Is that a complex show of strength and gentleness? Does it appeal to you?

No it was to be expected that he would/could be that crude given the type of character he is. Strength and gentleness...I don't see any strengths or gentleness as far as Hardy is concerned. To me he is very weak because he can't seem to do anything without using evil mean ways to achieve his goals. Coming from Hardy, no it doesn't appeal to me.

16. Finally, Haven confides in someone other than her therapist or Gage & Liberty about her abusive marriage. Have you ever had a member of the opposite sex that was your best friend? What do you think about her proposition and his response?

I have had and still do have many close friends that are male. OMG she is so annoying and stupid. I would like to shake some sense in to her but I don't think it would phase her....she's just that way. Todd responded appropriately.

17. BTW, what do you think of Susan Byrnes, Haven's therapist? And she’s on vacation! Just when Nick calls “Marie”!!

I am wondering why the therapist is beating around the bush with Haven's issues. Maybe because the therapist and Haven are two peas in a pod.

After Haven left Nick the way she did, it was a given that he would come back in the picture. Abusers don't give up that easily.

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Jill's Questions for Chapters 11-15

18. Somehow I didn't see the flooded elevator coming. Texas + elevator = flood?? Anyway back at Hardy's place Haven is keen for lurve, but Hardy says no. Anyone else thought that this was going to be their first love scene? Anyone else glad that it wasn't and that Hardy acted so honorably? (Hardy's restraint is such a turn-on!) Comments please.

I wish she would go ahead and give him what he wants so we can go ahead and be put out of our misery. I firmly believe she is a cock tease.

19. Vanessa is, IMO, portrayed a little OTT as the classic b!tch. Nevertheless, I just wish Haven would stop being so civil towards her and tell her to p.o. Anyone else with me? And have you ever met or been confronted by a Vanessa in RL?

Haven is a whiney needy annoying little twit. She couldn't work herself out of a wet paper bag so why would I expect her to tell someone to p.o. Oh yeah I have seen quite a few Vanessa's in RL.

20. “It occurred to me that I was a lot more nervous about the idea of sleeping with Hardy than I had been with Nick as a virgin. Probably because with the first guy, you figured you got a beginner's pass.” I love that line. How true is that? (You don't have to go into specifics.)

I think she is nervous about sleeping with Hardy because she knows deep down he is an evil wicked man. He is exactly what his enemies say he is. I guess that line could be true.

21. “It struck me that Hardy, a seasoned, high-octane male, was the authentic version of what Nick was always pretending to be.” Don't you love the way that LK can write? I have trouble imagining exactly what Hardy looks like. (Unlike Jayne who excels). Does anyone have an image they'd like to share of what Hardy looks like.

No I don't like LK's writing. I think it is very boring because she does more telling than showing. The story she's telling is really tired and cliche. Many authors have already written these scenes a lot better than this. I feel like I am reading a re-telling of a compilation of scenes from numerous other books.

I see a man with blue-eyes, horns, a hairy back, a wart on his nose......obviously you can tell I dislike this character.

22. Haven accuses Hardy of acting “high-handed” when he gets rid of Nick (politely I thought) from Haven's apartment. Do you think it was high-handed? Personally if that's high-handed, I'll take a double serve. To me he was being protective. In his words "a man" (yes please) and "a Texan" (yes yes please). Thoughts?

Yes, I think he has been high handed throughout both books. I don't see him being protective over anyone or anything. Honestly, IMO he is only out for Hardy.

23.Finally. Was their first (full) love scene everything you'd hoped?

YAY!!!!! the lousy sex is finally OVER!!!!!!! Honestly I rolled my eyes and laughed.

[Lisa Kay]

LMBO! You're killing me, ♥Robin♥. Just killing me.

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Lisa Kay wrote: "LMBO! You're killing me, ♥Robin♥. Just killing me."

GEEEESSSHHHH!!!! LOL I think I picked a not so good series by this author to start off with. I have read one other book by her last year and I don't recall it being this bad :( After this series I am going to try one of her historicals as I have heard they are MUCH MUCH better!!!!

I had such high hopes **sighs** PLEASE PLEASE TELL ME SHE HAS BETTER BOOKS THAN THIS!!!!

[Lisa Kay]

Sorry, I just love this series, ♥Robin♥... so you'll have to ask someone else. ☺

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Lisarenee’s Questions for Chapter 16 – epilogue

24) Anyone else feeling rather proud of Haven at the beginning of chapter 16?
- She understood what Vanessa was doing and didn't fall for it. Favorite line,
“Every spider knows how to spin a web.” --How true!
- Plus, I loved how she didn't wilt when Nick called her.
Loved it when she said, “Well, thank God you're rid of me.”

No, I'm not feeling proud of Haven.

25) I really like how Kleypas uses Todd at times to lighten a mood after a somewhat dramatic scene. “I'm trying to think of a good reason to continue our friendship.” lol

Todd is about the only half -way likeable character in this whole book :(

26) And now a brief pause for an 'Awww' moment -

“But the past couple of years, I finally got the things I wanted, and it wasn't enough, I was still a miserable bastard. When I'm with you, though...”

“What?” I prompt.

“When I'm with you, I feel like I finally have what I need. I can relax and be happy.”

AWWWW!

UGHHHH.......disgusting is what I feel.

27) What did you make of Hardy's break down and how Haven handled him? Loved the line, “But there were certain moments in life when you had to step up to the plate or lose your chance forever.” Would you have stepped up to the plate?

I probably would have.

28) Thoughts on daddy dearest and his contract? Initial thoughts when you heard Hardy had agreed?

I kinda like daddy dearest. Smart man. First time he agrees to something but I am sure he expects something in return. Trying once again to get those brownie points

29) Anyone else do a happy dance when Jack heard what Vanessa said to Haven? Ding Dong the witch is dead....

Vanessa needed to be put in her place.

30) Wow! The scene with the gun???? What can I say????

OMG......the jerk lived. And what really took the cake was when Haven told Hardy she needed him...rolling eyes. What she needs is a REAL man.

31) Anyone else think Hardy is the ultimate gentleman at the end of this book? From Sugar Daddy to this book does Hardy seem like the same person to you?

Being raised in the south and knowing what a true Southern gentleman is I must admit Hardy is a far cry from a southern gentleman. He has a lot to learn about being a gentleman and even if he did learn the ropes he could never live up to the Southern gentleman standards. Yes, Hardy does seem like the same no good man he was in Sugar Daddy.

32) Overall thoughts on the story?

I am very disappointed in this book.And what makes it worse is Haven married Hardy...**gagging** I have heard such great things about this author but found the first two books in this series to be very bad :( I don't like the writing style. I prefer that the author show me...not tell me. I will rate this book 1 star and I wouldn't recommend it.

[Robin (Saturndoo)]

Blue-Eyed Devil


Chapters 1-5 & 6-10

Chapters 11-15

Chapters 16-epilogue

[Lisa Kay]

Well, ♥Robin♥, "C'est la vie" - as the French say. There is slim chance you'll enjoy #3.