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Blue-Eyed Devil
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Kleypas, Lisa - Blue-Eyed Devil: A "buddy read" starts Dec. 5, 2011
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?
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?
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?
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!)
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?
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?
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.
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
14. Eek! Were you expecting the blond at the party to be Vanessa?
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?
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?
17. BTW, what do you think of Susan Byrnes, Haven's therapist? And she’s on vacation! Just when Nick calls “Marie”!!
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.
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?
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.)
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.
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?
23. Finally. Was their first (full) love scene everything you'd hoped?
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.”
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
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...”AWWWW!
“What?” I prompt.
“When I'm with you, I feel like I finally have what I need. I can relax and be happy.”
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?
28) Thoughts on daddy dearest and his contract? Initial thoughts when you heard Hardy had agreed?
29) Anyone else do a happy dance when Jack heard what Vanessa said to Haven? Ding Dong the witch is dead....
30) Wow! The scene with the gun???? What can I say????
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?
32) Overall thoughts on the story?
Jayne’s General Questions for the Travises Series #33. Was there anything that you connected most with in BED? *snickers* And I mean, the book. ^_^
#34. Quote from Sugar Daddy: “And I wonder how Gage knew this is what my soul has craved. He turns me to face him, his eyes searching. It occurs to me that no one in my life has ever concerned himself so thoroughly with my happiness.” —Lisa Kleypas
Can you ladies remember what exactly had occurred in this scene?
I'm ready. Do you want to start the questions this time?
Fine by me, I still have to chapters to listen to. Thanks, Jill!
I may jump in to BED with you guys. That is Blue Eyed Devil. LOL Don't you just love the book's acronym? You can have so much fun with it.
LOL! Of course, Lisarenee! Welcome. It is a California King size B.E.D., so big enough for all of us. ☺
Or should I say Texas size?
Wow! Great. Is Lady Jayne going to be an occassional participant or a lurker?
Yippee!!! Lady Jayne. She better not be just a lurker. She's the one who originally noticed the BED acronym and introduced me to Lisa, so to speak.
Did I tell you guys I'm an official Lisa Diva?
Great! So, a lurker with privileges, LOL!Right here is fine, Jill; I'll re-post them higher in the "reserved" area.
Lisa Kay wrote: "Wow! Great. Is Lady Jayne going to be an occassional participant or a lurker?"LOL! I want to participate AND lurk. If that's alright with you! LOL
Jill said, "I wonder if there is anyone in the romance reading universe who doesn't love Lisa??"Well if they don't then it will be my mission to make sure they find out. lol I'm waiting on my kit to see what goodies will be inside.
Lisarenee wrote: "Did I tell you guys I'm an official Lisa Diva?"Oh, CONGRATS, Lisarenee!!!! So happy for you!!! And so jealous!
I REALLY,REALLY wanted to be a "Lisa's Diva" and posted on FB and my blog about Rainshadow Road. I still consider myself a "Lisa's Diva" (even if not officially) and it wasn't going to stop me from spreading the word about one of my absolute favourite authors, even though it wasn't open to anyone outside the U.S. *sniffles* :-(
*raises hand* I've never read her...yet. :)
Lisarenee wrote: "Yippee!!! Lady Jayne. She better not be just a lurker. She's the one who originally noticed the BED acronym and introduced me to Lisa, so to speak."Hi Lisa! I've missed chatting to you about Lisa Kleypas! *Hugs* I remember when you accused me of being Lisa Kleypas' sister, with the way I shamelessly promoted her books on the Cyber Book Club. Haha!
Carol wrote: "*raises hand* I've never read her...yet. :)"lol Careful, Carol. You might get beat up by a bunch of LK fans.
Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~* wrote: "LOL! I want to participate AND lurk. If that's alright with you! LOL"That's fine, Jayne! ☺
message 22:
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Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*
(last edited Dec 05, 2011 08:10PM)
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rated it 5 stars
Lisa Kay wrote: "That's fine, Jayne! ☺"YAY!!
Although you might not be able to shut me up if I do join. :-P LOL Just ask Lisarenee how I can get about Lisa Kleypas!
I've read this a few times and have quotes I've collected from it. Some great material in here, Lisa Kay!
I don't think Sans is too crazy about her. She has tried to read
twice and never made it to the good parts. ☺
Lady Jayne promoted so well I accused her of secretly either being Lisa or her sister. lol I secretly still believed it until I met Jayne in person. Okay, not really, but it makes a good story. *grin*
Lisarenee wrote: "Lady Jayne promoted so well I accused her of secretly either being Lisa or her sister. lol I secretly still believed it until I met Jayne in person. Okay, not really, but it makes a good story. *grin*"LOL!
message 26:
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Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*
(last edited Dec 05, 2011 08:27PM)
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Lisa Kay wrote: "I don't think Sans is too crazy about her. She has tried to read twice and never made it to the good parts. ☺"Unfortunately, Sans didn't take my advice...which is fine, she doesn't have to listen to me *LOL*, and I know she likes to read in chronological publishing order, usually ^_^... and read all my least favourite LK books. Not that I hate any LK books. Even her least favourites I still "like", just not "love".
Sugar Daddy, while having some beautiful and profound quotes, and which really picked up by the second half (well, when Gage came in the picture - though I loved the Hardy bits, in the beginning), was actually my first true, I guess you could say, "disappointment" because I had different expectations for it. I bumped up my stars from 3 to 4 on second read, because I appreciated it so much more then. There truly were some beautiful quotes in it, and knew that it was LK's first foray into CR, and first person POV. And I LOVED Liberty, Gage and Hardy!
I believe Sans also read the Vallerand books, which were my least fave LKs.
My favourite of LK are the Wallflowers series (and I include Again the Magic in here), the Hathaway series, Bow Street Runners series and this Travis series (despite my issues with Sugar Daddy, I love this series). Blue-Eyed Devil and Smooth Talking Stranger are great books.
See what I mean about not being able to shut me up??? LOL
Lisarenee wrote: "Lady Jayne promoted so well I accused her of secretly either being Lisa or her sister. lol I secretly still believed it until I met Jayne in person. Okay, not really, but it makes a good story. *grin*"Ahahahah! You so did, Lisarenee! I still remember those accusations! ^_^
Yes, Jayne, Sans should have listened to you; I agree with you about the Vallerands. It has been a great plesure to what Kleypas develop into such a great writer. Unlike some authors who run out of steam, she just gets better and better.
I think the books in this series get progressively better. I think Sugar Daddy had a little too much set up for the series in it. As Lady Jayne says, the second half of Sugar Daddy got better because, I believe, all the layout for the series was done.
Lisa Kay wrote: "Yes, Jayne, Sans should have listened to you; I agree with you about the Vallerands. It has been a great plesure to what Kleypas develop into such a great writer. Unlike some authors who run out ..."I completely agree about her getting better and better. I do hope Sans tries her other books!
There was a lot of set-up in SD, but Liberty is my favorite heroine of the series. I even crowned her ♔Queen of the Girl Next Door♔ in NBRC heroine challenge. However, my favorite book is Smooth Talking Stranger. I would stalk Jack Travis if I could.
message 33:
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Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*
(last edited Dec 05, 2011 08:37PM)
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Lisarenee wrote: "I think the books in this series get progressively better. I think Sugar Daddy had a little too much set up for the series in it. As Lady Jayne says, the second half of Sugar Daddy got better becau..."Actually, Lisa Kleypas hadn't intended to write a series when she wrote Sugar Daddy. It was more that she was exploring a woman's journey in Sugar Daddy - a woman's journey from the trailer park she grew up in, to fnding herself and her HEA. And THAT'S why it read like a coming-of-age story and "The Life Story of Liberty Jones" rather than a Romance. Because it was.
And she decided to write in first person because she wanted to find an authentic "contemporary voice", since she'd only written historicals up until that point.
I read about this either in an interview or some chats with Lisa Kleypas. I'll have to find them, so you can see in her own words.
I'm really happy she's doing the Friday Harbor series in third person.
I agree that the Travis books get progressively better. Lisa Kleypas finds her CR "groove" as she writes the later books.
I always wonder about the first book in a series--whether it was planned to be part of a series or not.
message 35:
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Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*
(last edited Dec 05, 2011 08:44PM)
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rated it 5 stars
I thought I had a link to the interview posted in my review but I didn't. Hmm...This is what I added in my review after I'd read the interview though:
"Edit: Subsequent to writing this review, I've read interviews done with Lisa Kleypas about this novel. Sugar Daddy is Lisa Kleypas' first contemporary and she was searching for an authentic "contemporary voice" in this, and hence, her decision of a first person narrative. She also wanted to explore a cinderella-like life journey of a woman, and thus, I've come to understand why it reads like the memoirs of Liberty Jones. I think if one manages their expectations before reading this to NOT expect a contemporary romance, as one has come to know and experience, or to compare it to other CRs, then one would enjoy this more. I think that this book needs to be viewed as a story of a woman's journey, with the romance only being an aspect of that."
That is interesting, Jayne. I'm rethinking what I thought she was thinking when she wrote Hardy.
message 37:
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Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*
(last edited Dec 05, 2011 08:58PM)
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Lisa Kay wrote: "That is interesting, Jayne. I'm rethinking what I thought she was thinking when she wrote Hardy."From what I remember from interviews and chats, Lisa Kleypas actually thought, as she was writing Sugar Daddy, that Liberty would end up with Hardy, but that wasn't how it turned out, in the end. And then Lisa really wanted to give Hardy a story, so she wrote Blue-Eyed Devil. She wanted to use her CRs to explore contemporary issues and I think she did a brilliant job of the issues she explored in this series.
I have a link, in my review, to Hardy's POV of the first chapter that Lisa wrote:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I LOVE Hardy's POV! And wish LK had written BED from both POVs. She said that she wanted to be consistent with Sugar Daddy, since she'd already done that from the heroine's first person narrative.
She was excited about doing the Friday Harbor series in third person.
I need to re-find all those interviews that Lisa did, since they were on my laptop that was stolen. I love reading interviews and chats done with her. She seems like such a lovely and witty person, and it comes across in her writing.
There was one chat that was so funny because her good friends Connie Brockway, Teresa Medeiros and Christina Dodd had joined in and were joking around. I really should find it again. LK was inspired to write the Wallflowers, in fact, because of her friendship with Connie, Teresa and Christina.
Hmmm...I'm sounding like a walking LK encyclopedia now! LOL Sorry!
I've read Hardy's POV and directed a few people to that one. I don't mind you being a walking LK encyclopedia - she's my favorite author.
I always thought you should have been one of the mods for the Lisa Kleypas group, Jayne.
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Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*
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Lisa Kay wrote: "I've read Hardy's POV and directed a few people to that one. I don't mind you being a walking LK encyclopedia - she's my favorite author."She is one of my absolute favourites, too, Lisa Kay. Oh, good. I'm not an LK stalker, I promise. Haha. I just love her writing and think she's a beautiful person.
Lisarenee wrote: "I always thought you should have been one of the mods for the Lisa Kleypas group, Jayne."Aw, thank you, Lisarenee. But I've been an awful moderator. It's been hard enough moderating the Cyber Book Club. I just haven't had enough time lately and I feel so bad. :-(
Plus, I didn't THINK to start a Lisa Kleypas group, and some other lovely ladies had already done it. I haven't even participated there in ages. I just couldn't keep up!
I had all those threads on Cyber Book Club, though, where I was trying to encourage people to read LK's books and where we did discuss them, but that died away. *sniffles*
I'm always happy to talk about LK's books!
Great questions, Jill, and look forward to participating later tonight!
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Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*
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Maybe I should just lurk. Otherwise, I have too much to say! :-P And I've never done one of these here, before, just seen (through the feed) some GRs friends participating - mainly Lisa Kay, Sans and Lisarenee - in various "buddy reads". It looked like really great and fun discussions and I always wanted to join in, but didn't have the time and didn't want to intrude.
Lisa Kay wrote: "Participants So Far:Jill
Lisa Kay
Lisarenee
Lurkers
Lady Jayne"
OMG, I just saw this! TOO FUNNY, Lisa Kay! LMAO!
Yes, Jayen, please join in and share your insight to the questions.
Jill wrote: "Thanks Jayne. Join in when Lisa Kay has answered."I'm almost ready to post!
Lisa Kay’s Answers to 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?
Sans, calls first person POV “a flaming pile of crap in printed format”. This expression worked nicely for me until Sugar Daddy. I must admit I’ve gotten used to them b/c I’ve been reading more Urban Fantasy, and those tend to be FPPOV. Still, I really wanted to know what was going on in Hardy’s mind, much more so than Gage’s – and this desire was even more with regards to Jack Travis in STS.
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?
Geez. I hadn’t noticed that. That’s pretty neat. Good catch.
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?
Yes, that was a great scene. H.O.T. Yeah, she thought she was following Nick. I’m listening to the audiobook (yes, I was bad and bought it on audible.com) and can’t put my fingers on my paperback copy, but it was a few paragraphs up from when she decided to go to the wine cellar.
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!)
LOL! I don’t know, but I image so.
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?
Yes, he definitely has NPD: Narcissistic
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?
I was in an abusive relationship when I was 19-21 years old (1 year, 8 months, 27 days). While it wasn’t as bad as Haven’s, it was bad enough. He didn’t hit me like Nick does, but he chocked me a couple times and did the same shoving and yelling. There were also a few “accidents” – always while drunk and thus he didn’t know what he was doing and entitled to forgiveness. I was young. I thought if I just tried harder he would stop the drinking and the abuse. I really believe that, for me (and Haven), I just didn’t want to admit I was a failure at marriage; that, and (also like Haven) I had a strong urge to please. What do you do when someone you love apologizes and promises never to do it again? Still amazed I stayed as long as I did. Thank God I didn’t have any children by him, as much as I wanted them.
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.
I know! Ready for this part to begin and glad it was the stopping point… though, it made me want to listen futher, LOL!
@ Jill#1 – LOL! Really.
#4 – So, when are you moving to Texas? LOL!
#6 – No way in hell.
#7 – Yes, I just wish I could write like her. **sigh**
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Lady Jayne *~*The Beach Bandida*~*
(last edited Dec 06, 2011 12:57AM)
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Jill and Lisa Kay, I haven't read either of your responses yet, as I wanted to get my thoughts down first.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 never used to like first person POVs very much. Like with James Patterson’s Alex Cross books, I found it hard to put myself in man’s POV. But I loved Twilight. And since then, I’ve come to view first person narratives as the narrator actually telling me their story rather than trying to imagine myself as that character, and I’ve enjoyed them more.
The drawback of first person POV is that you only see what the narrator sees and how they interpret the other characters to be feeling. And it’s only one POV. You get the other character’s POVs from what they say to the narrator.
A really good first person POV can really engage a reader, like maybe, through description of certain physicalities of a character, like e.g. “He was so still”, and let the reader draw what that meant, for themselves, rather than through the narrator’s filter of interpreting why he was so still. Am I making sense?
With third person narratives, at least you can get multiple POVs.
I have enjoyed the trend in YA books that switch first person POVs between the hero’s and heroine’s POVs, allowing me into both their minds.
I would have enjoyed BED even more with both Haven's and Hardy's first person POV, actually. Especially after reading that first chapter in his POV. Hardy is such an interesting character and I would have liked to get in his head more. I would have loved his BED more! LOL
BTW, am I doing this wrong? Do I need to head my post like you two did as: "Jayne's response to Jill's Question Chap 1-5"?
Nothing But Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Sugar Daddy (other topics)Smooth Talking Stranger (other topics)
Smooth Talking Stranger (other topics)
Smooth Talking Stranger (other topics)
Sugar Daddy (other topics)
More...
MEET THE BLUE-EYED DEVIL - His name is Hardy Cates. He's a self-made millionaire who comes from the wrong side of the tracks. He's made enemies in the rough-and-tumble ride to the top of Houston's oil industry. He's got hot blood in his veins. And vengeance on his mind.
MEET THE HEIRESS - She's Haven Travis. Despite her family's money, she refuses to set out on the path they've chosen for her. But when Haven marries a man her family disapproves of, her life is set on a new and dangerous course. Two years later, Haven comes home, determined to guard her heart. And Hardy Cates, a family enemy, is the last person she needs darkening her door or setting her soul on fire.
WATCH THE SPARKS FLY....Filled with Lisa Kleypas's trademark sensuality, filled with characters you love to hate and men you love to love, Blue-Eyed Devil will hold you captive in its storytelling power as the destiny of two people unfolds with every magical word.
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We are planning a "buddy read" of this one to start December 5th. Anyone is welcome to join in the discussion questions or just pop in to say "Hi!"
EXPECT SPOILERS!
Participants So Far:
Jill
Lisa Kay
Lisarenee
Lurkers
Lady Jayne