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As You Desire
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As You Desire, by Connie Brockway (Braxton #1) "Buddy Read" Start Dec. 23, 2011
Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 1 – 6 1. Due to the italics in the opening, I was starting to think that Desdemona was having a dream or a bit of a ‘desert sheik’ fantasy. Which, I guess she was; however, she was incorporating it into Real Life. Were you fooled too, or was I all alone?
2. I really would like to know Desdemona’s age (did I miss that?), as it has been five years since she was first crushing on Harry Braxton. What did you think of Harry? Obviously he has feelings for Diz, but he is keeping himself at bay. Whatever could be his reasoning? Maybe she was too young five years ago, but he did break off his affair with Martha Douglass about that time; think those two dates synch?
3. Oh, Harry is a master manipulator! He managed to get Abdul to pay him! LOL! Still, do you think he had anything to do with Desdemona’s kidnapping? Or was he, despite his laissez-faire demeanor, really worried about her?
4. Will the fake papyrus scroll Rabi gave Des “as a means of keeping her occupied” a) turn out to be genuine, b) just hold a vital clue, or c) will these ‘pornographic love letters’ pique Diz’s sexual curiosity?
5. What about Sir Robert? Do you think he really is avoiding his creditors, or does he just love Egypt so much?
6. What is your take on the widow, Martha Douglass? She obviously seems Harry’s desire for Desdemona. Do you think she’ll try to get Harry back, or inform her rival of his desire? Her decision to stay in Egypt “had proved an entertaining—sometimes even lucrative—decision.” Now, what does that mean? Is she dabbling in the trading of relics also?
7. “Interesting, the things you manage to hear, Harry.” Okay, Harry’s cousin, Lord Ravenscroft (Blake), looks like he knows Harry’s secret and is going to be a smuck about it. Did you notice when Sir Robert “found the article on Aton and monotheism and handed it to Harry,” he barely glanced at it? I’m suspecting Harry has some kind of dyslexia. Did you also notice that Diz can’t speak the languages as well as she can read them, while Harry is very verbal? Comments.
8. And who is Lenore DuChamp and why was Lord Ravenscroft toasting her at the beginning of chapter five? Is she his heartbreak? Or vice versa? His fiancée he’ll keep from Diz? Or a scandal he is running from?
9. Man-oh-man! Cal Schmidt sure knows how to clear out a room! Everyone was up and out of there so they could find that $10,000 Apis bull ASAP. Gheez. How big is this thing going to be? (I thinking of the logistics of the thing.) Which one of the characters will find it first? Comments.
Vi's Questions for Chapters 7 - 12
(view spoiler)
Vi's Questions for Chapters 13 - 18
(view spoiler)
OK, Lisa Kay, I check my library's digital resources and voila a surprise - This book is available! So, I'm ready to start anytime from tomorrow onwards.
Great, Vi! Tomorrow looks good. Of course, I say that b/c I think I know right where the book is. Maybe I better get off my tushie and check. LOL!
Guess what? This is on my Mt TBR lol I'll see if I can find it and I might join in. It may not be for a day or 2, I want to finish my current book first.
Susan, we can wait for you :) Let us know when you can start and we can set that as the start date.@Lisa Kay: Books have mysterious ways of disappearing and reappearing! I just found one book that I was searching for years . And I still don't why I couldn't find earlier! Most suspicious, right? >_<
I am sneezing my fool head off! This is two books I can't find now. Gheez! Well, at least I can get this one on Kindle, though I don't want to spend the money. I just had the thing right by my bedside for months, thinking I would read it.
Oh, sneezing b/c I've been **gasp!** cleaning while looking for it - ugh! Cleaned out behind my bedside stand! **aaaha-choooo!**
I just finished this one & loved it! Plan to pop in & see what you guys think about it. :-)
Thanks Vi! I should be ready to start this anytime Friday :)
Christine S. wrote: "I just finished this one & loved it! Plan to pop in & see what you guys think about it. :-)"Man-oh-man! Christine, you are always a step ahead of me. ☺
That is bad, Lisa Kay. Did you find your book or did the dust bunnies take it?
I found the book, Vi! ☺
I'm glad, Lisa Kay! :)Just checking - Will you and Susan be ok with starting tomorrow or do you want to do it after Christmas? I don't celebrate Christmas, so I'm ok either way..
Tomorrow is fine with me. Up to Susan, I guess. Though, I might or might not take a day off of GoodReads on Christmas. I can do the first set of questions.
How many chapters a day do you want to do? Six?
I'm not sure how many total chapters are there (Dang it, I forgot to copy the ebook to my ereader!) but I'm fine with 6 chapters.I can post questions on 25th and 26th if that will help.
On a totally unrelated note, which of the four covers for this book do you like best?
There are 31 chapters, plus an epilogue. I like them all, really, Vi. You? The Spanish one is pretty, the German one looks a bit like a throw- back to the "bodice rippers", and I wondered why the Italian one had three women on the front. Huh?
Okie then - 6 chapters per day and we can finish off the book in 5 days with the 5th day having an extra chapter. That should be ok, right?I liked everything except for the German - too typical Bodice Ripper. Why oh why do they make covers like that? Even now..? Anyways, I'm hoping the italian version has some relevance to the story.
Vi wrote: "Okie then - 6 chapters per day and we can finish off the book in 5 days with the 5th day having an extra chapter. That should be ok, right?"Sounds good; I know Susan is a fast reader.
6 chapters are fine and We can start whenever the first questions are posted. I ended up finishing my book last night lol As for Christmas, I'm cooking for my family. Hubs is hunting in morning, dinner is at 2 and I will probably be on Goodreads in the early morning and late evening :) I am going to have to look at the covers. Y'all have me curious lol
And I'll do the last set of questions.
I just checked out the covers, and I kind of like them all...even the German one. Though I had to laugh at the turban wrap thing on his head on that cover. Did they forget that the hero is English? heehee
Oh yeah, Susan. The covers are making me giggle. Turban in the german and there are 3 ladies with different hair color in the Italian cover. I do believe that the hero's hair is black color. That seems to be consistent among the two covers. *giggles*
Yeah, but not with the book, Vi. He has "nut brown" hair in the book.
Posted a list of characters above.
Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 1 – 6 1. Due to the italics in the opening, I was starting to think that Desdemona was having a dream or a bit of a ‘desert sheik’ fantasy. Which, I guess she was; however, she was incorporating it into Real Life. Were you fooled too, or was I all alone?
2. I really would like to know Desdemona’s age (did I miss that?), as it has been five years since she was first crushing on Harry Braxton. What did you think of Harry? Obviously he has feelings for Diz, but he is keeping himself at bay. Whatever could be his reasoning? Maybe she was too young five years ago, but he did break off his affair with Martha Douglass about that time; think those two dates synch?
3. Oh, Harry is a master manipulator! He managed to get Abdul to pay him! LOL! Still, do you think he had anything to do with Desdemona’s kidnapping? Or was he, despite his laissez-faire demeanor, really worried about her?
4. Will the fake papyrus scroll Rabi gave Des “as a means of keeping her occupied” a) turn out to be genuine, b) just hold a vital clue, or c) will these ‘pornographic love letters’ pique Diz’s sexual curiosity?
5. What about Sir Robert? Do you think he really is avoiding his creditors, or does he just love Egypt so much?
6. What is your take on the widow, Martha Douglass? She obviously seems Harry’s desire for Desdemona. Do you think she’ll try to get Harry back, or inform her rival of his desire? Her decision to stay in Egypt “had proved an entertaining—sometimes even lucrative—decision.” Now, what does that mean? Is she dabbling in the trading of relics also?
7. “Interesting, the things you manage to hear, Harry.” Okay, Harry’s cousin, Lord Ravenscroft (Blake), looks like he knows Harry’s secret and is going to be a smuck about it. Did you notice when Sir Robert “found the article on Aton and monotheism and handed it to Harry,” he barely glanced at it? I’m suspecting Harry has some kind of dyslexia. Did you also notice that Diz can’t speak the languages as well as she can read them, while Harry is very verbal? Comments.
8. And who is Lenore DuChamp and why was Lord Ravenscroft toasting her at the beginning of chapter five? Is she his heartbreak? Or vice versa? His fiancée he’ll keep from Diz? Or a scandal he is running from?
9. Man-oh-man! Cal Schmidt sure knows how to clear out a room! Everyone was up and out of there so they could find that $10,000 Apis bull ASAP. Gheez. How big is this thing going to be? (I thinking of the logistics of the thing.) Which one of the characters will find it first? Comments.
Vi's Answers to Lisa Kay's questions for Chapters 1- 6 I'm gonna use Diz for Desdemona. The full name is too long to type.
1. Due to the italics in the opening, I was starting to think that Desdemona was having a dream or a bit of a ‘desert sheik’ fantasy. Which, I guess she was; however, she was incorporating it into Real Life. Were you fooled too, or was I all alone?
Yep, me too! I didn't even realize the setting was Egypt (Yep, I'm that clueless!). But man, she has such great imagination. Although, the whole scene seemed so bizarre and unreal.
2. I really would like to know Desdemona’s age (did I miss that?), as it has been five years since she was first crushing on Harry Braxton. What did you think of Harry? Obviously he has feelings for Diz, but he is keeping himself at bay. Whatever could be his reasoning? Maybe she was too young five years ago, but he did break off his affair with Martha Douglass about that time; think those two dates synch?
I'm guessing it is somewhere around 21 whereabouts?
Quote from Book:
Ch 4: He'd spent the first decade and a half of her life nearly unaware of her existence…… and in the next para:
Sir Robert had spent the last five years scrambling for a way to rectify the grave
Both of them seem to be having feelings for each other. My theory is that he has some past that makes him think he won't be suitable for Diz. So he's behaving like a, as I like to call it, almost dog-in-the-manger way. Yeah, I think both the dates synch - He broke off with Martha around the time Diz came.
3. Oh, Harry is a master manipulator! He managed to get Abdul to pay him! LOL! Still, do you think he had anything to do with Desdemona’s kidnapping? Or was he, despite his laissez-faire demeanor, really worried about her?
Yeah, I'm envious of those smooth-talking types. I don't have that skill :( Nah, he wouldn't have anything to do with Diz's kidnapping. I think due to the 3-4 days search for her, he realized the depth of his feelings for her. Or I'm assuming way too much.
4. Will the fake papyrus scroll Rabi gave Des “as a means of keeping her occupied” a) turn out to be genuine, b) just hold a vital clue, or c) will these ‘pornographic love letters’ pique Diz’s sexual curiosity?
I'm going to go with the latter as it'll be much more fun. :P
5. What about Sir Robert? Do you think he really is avoiding his creditors, or does he just love Egypt so much?
I'm thinking he doesn't realize the fuss about the creditors. I mean, he doesn't get the seriousness of the situation. he's just so in love with Egypt that the rest of the things fail in comparison.
6. What is your take on the widow, Martha Douglass? She obviously seems Harry’s desire for Desdemona. Do you think she’ll try to get Harry back, or inform her rival of his desire? Her decision to stay in Egypt “had proved an entertaining—sometimes even lucrative—decision.” Now, what does that mean? Is she dabbling in the trading of relics also?
She's going to be the other person in the triangle. I think she might try for Harry. Maybe she'll end up with Blake. It will tie things up neatly, don't you think? I think she might be dabbling the relics trading or even information trading. After all, she has Harry for info. I'm just guessing though.
7. “Interesting, the things you manage to hear, Harry.” Okay, Harry’s cousin, Lord Ravenscroft (Blake), looks like he knows Harry’s secret and is going to be a smuck about it. Did you notice when Sir Robert “found the article on Aton and monotheism and handed it to Harry,” he barely glanced at it? I’m suspecting Harry has some kind of dyslexia. Did you also notice that Diz can’t speak the languages as well as she can read them, while Harry is very verbal? Comments.
Yeah, I'm not like Blake. I don't like who are condescending >_<. Lisa Kay, I didn't notice! You might be right. Yeah, I noticed Diz can't speak while Harry can't read. Do you think his not being able to read be one of the reasons why he's not acting on his feelings for Diz? (If it is, I'll smack him over the head!)
8. And who is Lenore DuChamp and why was Lord Ravenscroft toasting her at the beginning of chapter five? Is she his heartbreak? Or vice versa? His fiancée he’ll keep from Diz? Or a scandal he is running from?
Supposedly, Blake is in Egypt due to some heartbreak right? Methinks he's running from a scandal he had some part in back in England. What do you all think?
9. Man-oh-man! Cal Schmidt sure knows how to clear out a room! Everyone was up and out of there so they could find that $10,000 Apis bull ASAP. Gheez. How big is this thing going to be? (I thinking of the logistics of the thing.) Which one of the characters will find it first? Comments.
Is Schmidt that clueless? If he has that much spare money, could he loan me some? It will be very very appreciated ;). I predict it'll be a competition between Harry and Diz. Otherwise, the book woudn't be interesting, would it?
@ Vi#1 – I’ll admit I read the first section again; I was a bit confused. Yeah, “bizarre” and “unreal” describe it perfectly!
#2- Oh! Great catch! Yes, I was putting her at about 22; nonetheless, I think you are more on target; 15-16 is a vulnerable age. A little part of him may think Blake and Diz as a couple are fine (pressure from Sir Robert and all that), but I don’t believe he’ll endure it for long. Especially if Blake is a smuck.
#3 – I didn’t think he had anything to do with the kidnapping, either; glad to have my beliefs validated. ☺
#4 – LOL! Okay.
#5 – Ah! Kind of an absent minded professor?
#6 – Hmmm. I have my suspicions that she may just tell Diz to wake up and smell the coffee. We’ll see. I do think she is dabbling in the relics trade.
#7 – It is pretty common for people with dyslexia to have a higher verbal ability. Comparing this to Diz, who is a child prodigy, I think it is possible. Yeah, I think it is his reason – maybe his one and only, unless this has led him to do things he shouldn’t.
#8 – Yeah, I’m going with the scandal angle. It was pretty common to just send the young rakes abroad.
#9 – I don’t know if he is clueless of if he said it as a joke. LOL! Loan money?! You and me both, babe. Oh, yes, competing for a “treasure” – I like it. ☺
Susan's Answer's to Lisa Kay’s Questions for Chapters 1 – 6 1. Due to the italics in the opening, I was starting to think that Desdemona was having a dream or a bit of a ‘desert sheik’ fantasy. Which, I guess she was; however, she was incorporating it into Real Life. Were you fooled too, or was I all alone? I wondered if it was a dream. She has a great imagination!
2. I really would like to know Desdemona’s age (did I miss that?), as it has been five years since she was first crushing on Harry Braxton. What did you think of Harry? Obviously he has feelings for Diz, but he is keeping himself at bay. Whatever could be his reasoning? Maybe she was too young five years ago, but he did break off his affair with Martha Douglass about that time; think those two dates synch? They never out right said her age, but I guessed she was about 20-21. My question is, how old is Harry? Did he disuade her attention or did they have something and then he rebuffed her? And YES! I think he dumped Marta when Diz showed up because he's wanted her all along.
3. Oh, Harry is a master manipulator! He managed to get Abdul to pay him! LOL! Still, do you think he had anything to do with Desdemona’s kidnapping? Or was he, despite his laissez-faire demeanor, really worried about her? I don't think he had anything to do with her kidnapping, but I think he was releived to get her back.
4. Will the fake papyrus scroll Rabi gave Des “as a means of keeping her occupied” a) turn out to be genuine, b) just hold a vital clue, or c) will these ‘pornographic love letters’ pique Diz’s sexual curiosity? I think they hold some clue and of course it will pique her curiosity. Let's just hope that she does her discovering with Harry and not Blake ;)
5. What about Sir Robert? Do you think he really is avoiding his creditors, or does he just love Egypt so much? I don't think he's trying to avoid his creditors as much as it that it's a boon for his being in Egypt. And honestly, I see him as an absent-minded professor type too...all engrossed in all the Egyptian to the detriment of other things.
6. What is your take on the widow, Martha Douglass? She obviously seems Harry’s desire for Desdemona. Do you think she’ll try to get Harry back, or inform her rival of his desire? Her decision to stay in Egypt “had proved an entertaining—sometimes even lucrative—decision.” Now, what does that mean? Is she dabbling in the trading of relics also? I do not think she'll clue Dizzy in. I think she still wants Harry and will try to encourage Blake and Dizzy to be together so that she can have Harry, especially after noticing how he watches her. Yes, I think she's dabbling in relics.
7. “Interesting, the things you manage to hear, Harry.” Okay, Harry’s cousin, Lord Ravenscroft (Blake), looks like he knows Harry’s secret and is going to be a smuck about it. Did you notice when Sir Robert “found the article on Aton and monotheism and handed it to Harry,” he barely glanced at it? I’m suspecting Harry has some kind of dyslexia. Did you also notice that Diz can’t speak the languages as well as she can read them, while Harry is very verbal? Comments. I totally missed that Harry didn't read the paper and I had no clue what Blake's comment referred to. I did catch that Dizzy has trouble speaking the language though. I found that interesting since she can read it.
8. And who is Lenore DuChamp and why was Lord Ravenscroft toasting her at the beginning of chapter five? Is she his heartbreak? Or vice versa? His fiancée he’ll keep from Diz? Or a scandal he is running from? The thought that Lenore may be his fiancee and he might not be there because of heartbreak never even occurred to me. What a scumbag if that is it. But, I imagine she is the reason he's there.
9. Man-oh-man! Cal Schmidt sure knows how to clear out a room! Everyone was up and out of there so they could find that $10,000 Apis bull ASAP. Gheez. How big is this thing going to be? (I thinking of the logistics of the thing.) Which one of the characters will find it first? Comments. I may look like an idiot here, but is this a full size bull or is it a relic/knick-knack type thing? I tend to think Dizzy will be up for finding it so she can get them back to England. maybe Dizzy and Harry will work together to find it and that's when they'll admit their feelings for one another :)
@ Susan#1 – She does!
#2 – Yeah, though we have yet to hear (read) the full story, I suspect he just dissuaded her.
#3 – I thought the author did a good job of using the right words to show he was relieved.
#4 – I’m going with both a clue and some piquing. I doubt it is genuine. I think both Diz and Harry are good enough to notice a fake. Oh, wait. Harry hasn’t seen it yet, LOL! Good Gravy Bean! I hope she doesn’t get curious with Blake! Eek!
#5 – Ditto!
#6 – Ah! We disagree on some of this. We’ll see.
#7 – Yes, the word “hear” was italicized. Bit of a clue. I think she speaks the languages okay, but she doubts herself when she compares herself to Harry – it appears he speaks it fast and understands the local dialects.
#8 – A bit of a mystery, Lenore!. Whatever, I agree with you about Blake being a scumbag. **hee hee**
#9 – If you are an idiot, then so am I b/c I wonder the same thing.
Sorry guys - I'm running a little behind. It's 2 am here - I'll post the questions in the morning in about 8 or so hours.
That's fine, Vi! Sweet dreams. ☺
Don't worry about it! Whenever you get to it :)
Vi's Questions for Chapters 7 - 12 10. Wow, Diz told Gunter off beautifully. Do you think Harry was right in promising Gunter that Diz will come to the polka with him? Or was Diz over-reacting? Does anyone want to guess who this person is: but only one has thus far succeeded in remark to Desdemona comment: "Someone always wants to hurt you, Harry,""
11. Blake drew himself up, facing him squarely. "I thought you deserved it," he said defiantly, "for bringing the taint of abnormality to our family name. That's really why I ran away." I could only blink at this sentence. But I guess that was the attitude of people back then and to an extent even now? Blake's feelings towards Harry is confused - admiration, jealousy, a little disgust and I suppose a bit of condescension on his way of living - Would you agree?
12. I gotta say, Desdemona has a way with words ^_^. Now that we have the story from Desdemona on that incident three years ago, can anyone speculate what happened then? *grins* I have my theory but would love to hear yours.
13. Man, Harry also has a very very
14. Ah, Blake, the quintessential condescending English man with an indulgent smile. But why does he covet Darkmoor Manor so much? Was it because it was denied to him? I mean surely, there could be better places?
15. What does Desdemona want to accomplish with Joseph? Why do I get the feeling that he's just flattering her? Have you ever tried hookah? I can't believe that it will cause such an effect - both of them sound high (or what I imagine how people will behave when high)
Vi's Questions for Chapters 7 - 12 10. Wow, Diz told Gunter off beautifully. Do you think Harry was right in promising Gunter that Diz will come to the polka with him? Or was Diz over-reacting? Does anyone want to guess who this person is: “but only one has thus far succeeded” in remark to Desdemona comment: “Someone always wants to hurt you, Harry.”
Yes, she did tell off Gunter – but somehow I think this is going to come back to bite her in the tushie; it was too public. Though he sounds like a boar and a brute. I think Harry was just thinking on his feet to get out of a situation – plus, I think there was more to the story; maybe Gunter was jumping to some conclusions, since he seems so good at that. I think Harry meant Desdemona when he whispered in her ear.
11. Blake drew himself up, facing him squarely. “I thought you deserved it,” he said defiantly, “for bringing the taint of abnormality to our family name. That's really why I ran away.” I could only blink at this sentence. But I guess that was the attitude of people back then and to an extent even now? Blake's feelings towards Harry are confused - admiration, jealousy, a little disgust and I suppose a bit of condescension on his way of living - Would you agree?
Yes, as someone who considers himself refined and cultured, he is insulted by Harry’s “taint”. He gets all indignant b/c Harry won’t accept his “apology” but doesn’t consider how insulting it is. Yes, Blake is all those things; I think he admires Harry’s survival instinct – and ability to flourish, since he, himself is a dying breed.
12. I gotta say, Desdemona has a way with words ^_^. Now that we have the story from Desdemona on that incident three years ago, can anyone speculate what happened then? *grins* I have my theory but would love to hear yours.
Yes, she is quite a romantic; she should write a romance book. Oh, I think Harry went back to Diz all those years ago to tell her he’d wait for her to grow up. Thus, that is how he was “hurt” by her in past events.
13. Man, Harry also has a very very
Yes, now that was H.O.T. Diz’s were romantic; Harry’s were. . .sensual!
14. Ah, Blake, the quintessential condescending English man with an indulgent smile. But why does he covet Darkmoor Manor so much? Was it because it was denied to him? I mean surely, there could be better places?
Ah, you could be right about the reason! I’m trying to figure out how it doesn’t belong to him; is it his maternal grandfather that is denying it to him? I don’t know; that is a beautiful part, if desolate, part of the country. Isn’t it the setting of one of Diz’s books?
15. What does Desdemona want to accomplish with Joseph? Why do I get the feeling that he's just flattering her? Have you ever tried hookah? I can't believe that it will cause such an effect - both of them sound high (or what I imagine how people will behave when high)
LOL! I was wondering just what she was doing there myself. She was obviously going to try to locate an Apis bull, but I couldn’t figure out why she was suddenly negotiating for the three ostraca. ?? Hmmm. Joseph could be just flattering her; I don’t know. Certainly, that’s part of it. As far as the water pipe? Well – I went to college. Looks like Harry is going to have to save her again.
Susan's Answer's to Vi's Questions for Chapters 7 - 12 10. Wow, Diz told Gunter off beautifully. Do you think Harry was right in promising Gunter that Diz will come to the polka with him? Or was Diz over-reacting? Does anyone want to guess who this person is: but only one has thus far succeeded in remark to Desdemona comment: "Someone always wants to hurt you, Harry,"" Well, I also think her publicly telling off Gunter will come back to bite her. Honestly, I think Harry was just trying to get out of something by saying Dizzy would go to the polka. Maybe he was hoping she'd go and he could see her there. And I imagine that Dizzy is the only person who has hurt Harry.
11. Blake drew himself up, facing him squarely. "I thought you deserved it," he said defiantly, "for bringing the taint of abnormality to our family name. That's really why I ran away." I could only blink at this sentence. But I guess that was the attitude of people back then and to an extent even now? Blake's feelings towards Harry is confused - admiration, jealousy, a little disgust and I suppose a bit of condescension on his way of living - Would you agree? Yep, I agree with all those definitions of Blake's feelings. I'm not liking Blake at all.
12. I gotta say, Desdemona has a way with words ^_^. Now that we have the story from Desdemona on that incident three years ago, can anyone speculate what happened then? *grins* I have my theory but would love to hear yours. My theory is the same as Lisa Kay's, I think he went to her the next day to tell her he'd wait for her to get older. Especially since we find out that Harry is like 28, so 3 years ago he'd be 25 and Dizzy was 18. The age difference may have been something.
13. Man, Harry also has a very very hot interesting way with words. *Fans herself* I don't know how Diz can doubt the feelings on Harry's side after such a description. All I can say is that Dizzy is young and naive for her not to realize what he was saying. Her feelings have been hurt for too long to get over the rejection.
14. Ah, Blake, the quintessential condescending English man with an indulgent smile. But why does he covet Darkmoor Manor so much? Was it because it was denied to him? I mean surely, there could be better places? I think Blake wants Darkmoor Manor as much as he does cause by birth he's the one entitled to it and he's ticked cause it's been "taken" from him and given to someone he feels isn't worthy of it.
15. What does Desdemona want to accomplish with Joseph? Why do I get the feeling that he's just flattering her? Have you ever tried hookah? I can't believe that it will cause such an effect - both of them sound high (or what I imagine how people will behave when high) I'm guessing Dizzy was hoping to get one of those bulls. My question is, why would Harry think to tell Joseph that Dizzy would like the ostraca in the first place? Dizzy asking for crunchy food while high was funny :D
@ Susan10. – I agree. I think Diz is the only one who could hurt Harry, since she is the only one he cares about.
11. – The more I read about Blake the more I think he really hates that he ran away from Harry’s tormentors – not for Harry’s sake but for that characteristic within himself.
#12 – ☺
#13 – Good point! I think it is a length of time thing… she has thought one way for too long.
#14 – Still trying to figure out if his grandfather can do that to him; leave it to someone who doesn’t inherit the title. Hmmm.
#15 – Looks like we were write to question the size of this bull. Looks like it comes in all sizes and material. Was it a deity or something? I’ll have to do an internet search. Yeah, the carvings were funny. ☺
Vi's Questions for Chapters 13 - 18 16. I googled "word blindness". Apparently, it is not dyslexia but alexia. And it seems it would be caused by some damage to the brain. I'm not sure though, how this damage could have been caused. Which might mean that Harry could have suffered an accident in his childhood/toddlerhood. Well, Brockway has tried to make the suffering as authentic as she can.
17. Ah, now the incident from Harry's POV. Pretty much what we've guessed all around. The one thing we do learn is that Harry
18. Do you think Harry and Dizzy sitting down and talking to each other would solve at least some of the misunderstandings? At least, I wish everyone would listen Magi. She's a big hoot!
19. Do you think Dizzy really forgot everything that happened with Harry when she imbibed the hashish?
20. Blake doesn't seem to behave the perfect Englishman with Desdemona. He behaves out of the norm but he expects that her to behave the same way as a lady. He's being a bit of hypocrite, isn't he?
21. Who do you think is the anonymous benefactor to kidnap Harry?
Merry Christmas, guys! Hope you all had great days ;).I can do the questions today if you're all busy. LMK.
Vi's Questions for Chapters 13 - 18 16. I Googled "word blindness". Apparently, it is not dyslexia but alexia. And it seems it would be caused by some damage to the brain. I'm not sure though, how this damage could have been caused. Which might mean that Harry could have suffered an accident in his childhood/toddlerhood. Well, Brockway has tried to make the suffering as authentic as she can.
I think the terminology is a matter of semantics; they didn’t have the word “dyslexia” at that time, didn’t understand it or its fundamentals, couldn’t conceive of it other than by injury. I don’t believe Harry was injured as a toddler, but what do I know?
17. Ah, now the incident from Harry's POV. Pretty much what we've guessed all around. The one thing we do learn is that Harry
Yes. Nice to learn about. I can understand he wouldn’t want her pity, nor her fantasy view of him.
18. Do you think Harry and Dizzy sitting down and talking to each other would solve at least some of the misunderstandings? At least, I wish everyone would listen to Magi. She's a big hoot!
This book is interesting to me in that the Big Misunderstanding happened before the start of the story. This is about how they get to the Understanding. Slightly different approach, and I like it. Yeah, Magi is fun. ☺
19. Do you think Dizzy really forgot everything that happened with Harry when she imbibed the hashish?
Nope. (view spoiler)
20. Blake doesn't seem to behave the perfect Englishman with Desdemona. He behaves out of the norm but he expects that her to behave the same way as a lady. He's being a bit of hypocrite, isn't he?
Yeah. This dude has got some serious double standards.
21. Who do you think is the anonymous benefactor to kidnap Harry?
Man-oh-man! I don’t know. Susan and I were discussing it on her status update for this book. She thinks it could be Blake! I think Blake is about 99% jealous, conflicted about Harry, and about his loyalty to (treatment of) him in the past. Talk about a guy who thinks the universe revolves around him. Gheez! We have had Blake’s POV sections, and in them I don’t think he wishes and physical harm to come to Harry. Is there a possibility Blake can redeem himself?
Vi wrote: "Merry Christmas, guys! Hope you all had great days ;).I can do the questions today if you're all busy. LMK."
Thanks, Vi! Merry Christmas to you too. About the questions, that is up to Susan.
Thanks for the Christmas wishes, Vi! I hope your day was great, even if you don't celebrate Christmas :) As for the questions for the next section, sure...if you want to do them, that would be fine with me. I'm enjoying your questions :) I'll do the last set of them.I have to say, I'm really enjoying this book! It's my first by this author, but won't be my last.
Susan's Answer's to Vi's Questions for Chapters 13 - 18
16. I googled "word blindness". Apparently, it is not dyslexia but alexia. And it seems it would be caused by some damage to the brain. I'm not sure though, how this damage could have been caused. Which might mean that Harry could have suffered an accident in his childhood/toddlerhood. Well, Brockway has tried to make the suffering as authentic as she can. I'm with Lisa Kay on this, I don't think Harry suffered any damage as a child. I think it is a matter of dyslexia. 2 of my children have dyslexia, neither as bad as Harry, but it's hard to deal with. My oldest feels very much like Harry does - she doesn't want anyone to know she has trouble reading and doesn't want anyone to feel sorry for her. As she's gotten older, she enjoys reading more, but it's still a struggle. Ashley is also like Harry in that her verbal skills are AMAZING! As for my other one with dyslexia, she's only 10 so she'd rather do anything than read LOL
17. Ah, now the incident from Harry's POV. Pretty much what we've guessed all around. The one thing we do learn is that Harry wants craves acceptance and recognition for what he does and definitely not his disability from people especially Desdemona. Which is one of the reasons he rejected Desdemona. Any thoughts? Yep, Harry doesn't want the fantasy or the pity. However, he really doesn't fit the image that Dizzy has of him. I think he's let this go for so long that he just doesn't know how to tell her the truth. And Dizzy has had this image in her head for all this time, who's to say she can even come to terms with reality....I hope she does though :)
18. Do you think Harry and Dizzy sitting down and talking to each other would solve at least some of the misunderstandings? At least, I wish everyone would listen Magi. She's a big hoot! I like Magi! She seems to know what's going on. I do think that if they'd communicate honestly the misunderstanding would be cleared up. But they still have the problem of her wanting to go to England and Harry not wanting to be there.
19. Do you think Dizzy really forgot everything that happened with Harry when she imbibed the hashish? not at all LOL
20. Blake doesn't seem to behave the perfect Englishman with Desdemona. He behaves out of the norm but he expects that her to behave the same way as a lady. He's being a bit of hypocrite, isn't he? he's very hypocritical. I'm a little upset that he expects Dizzy to act so ladylike since he knows she hasn't had a "normal" upbringing.
21. Who do you think is the anonymous benefactor to kidnap Harry? You're right, Lisa Kay, Blake doesn't really want any physical harm to come to Harry, but what if he was just roughed up some? I love playing Devil's Advocate LOL Do I think Blake can redeem himself? I don't know. I am strongly anti-Blake (must go back to that Blake boy my Jenna dated a few years ago - I haven't liked anyone named Blake since LOL) Seriously, how could Blake not have wondered where Harry went after he helped to escape from the 4 guys. He just thought Harry was embarrassed to come home? It's Harry's home and Blake is staying in a hotel. Blake wasn't the least concerned and seemed put upon to have to help him. So yep, I'm still going with Blake had Harry kidnapped ;)
Thanks, Susan! My day was great too. I went to the Sherlock Holmes 2 and then went to see the Christmas decorations at a popular shopping road here with my friends.Oh! Here I was thinking that my questions-skill were not up to par.
Susan (susayq) wrote: "Thanks for the Christmas wishes, Vi! I hope your day was great, even if you don't celebrate Christmas :) As for the questions for the next section, sure...if you want to do them, that would be fine with me. I'm enjoying your questions :) I'll do the last set of them.
I have to say, I'm really enjoying this book! It's my first by this author, but won't be my last."
I want to go see that! My daughter went and loved it.
@Lisa Kay 16. Maybe but wiki has a special page on it. Not that wiki is that reliable.
18. You bring up a great point, Lisa Kay. I didn't think of it in that angle. But, you're right. Though, I gotta say it's frustrating in a good way to watch them work it through. I can understand trying not to feel vulnerable first.
@Susan 16. Oh, I didn't know, Susan. What Ashley (and Harry) feels is perfectly valid, imo. Your kids and you should be proud of yourself. I'm sure your kids are amazing! :)
17. You know, I was wondering about this when I started the book. As a third-person, we know Harry is not exactly the image Dizzy has. And Harry knew it. But I still don't get why he wouldn't even attempt to change her impression.
18. Yeah, sometimes I want to strangle him as well.
@Both
I don't think Blake the anonymous guy behind this as well. He's such a prig and a self-centered, self-centered *insert word* in addition to being a goon who can't even think that he could be wrong. Which is why he's behaving like an idiot. You know what would be really cool? If Brockway can somehow redeem him. After all, we've all had a phase where we were at least one of the above. I think I might be in the minority on this.
Susan (susayq) wrote: "I want to go see that! My daughter went and loved it."You should go and see it. The direction, cinematography was awesome. *fangirl squee* I can sum up by saying this: I wana marry that film. See, I'm not even making sense.
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Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired
Books mentioned in this topic
Rhapsody: Child of Blood (other topics)The Other Guy's Bride (other topics)
Un amore al Cairo (other topics)
Die Braut Arabiens (other topics)
Amarte es mi destino (other topics)
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With her bronze-gold hair and quicksilver grace, the sloe-eyed beauty was every man's desire and one man's sole passion. But the secret that had made Harry an exile also made it impossible for him to offer Desdemona more that friendship. Until his aristocratic cousin laid siege to Desdemona's heart and Harry, damning the consequences, vowed to do anything, give anything, to claim her for him own...
★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩★✩
We are planning a "buddy read" of this one starting soon - just waiting to see if Vi can get it from the library. It is the first in the Braxton series. Anyone is welcome to join in the discussion questions (just answering or creating some) or just pop in to say "Hi!"
BTW, the next one in the Braxton series is The Other Guy's Bride, by Connie Brockway
EXPECT SPOILERS!
I updated the characters/people on Shelfari.com
• Desdemona Carlisle: Orphaned Englishwoman. Antique gold hair; obsidian dark eyes. Used to have a ‘childhood’ crush on Harry when she first arrived in Egypt five years ago to live with her grandfather. Was an internationally acclaimed child prodigy; parents traveled around the world “exhibiting” her; a “walking encyclopedia…know more about glyphs than any ten men…” speaks a dozen or so languages.
• Harry Braxton: Our Hero. Has thick “nut-brown” hair…pale blue eyes banked by dense bronze lashes…” and a beautiful mouth with lips that “looked like they could read Braille.” When Desdemona met him five years ago she thought he was “young, charming, and athletic, had seemed like the quintessential storybook hero.” Now she sees him as a hound.
• Lord Blake Ravenscroft (viscount): Harry's cousin, dark haired; “aristocrat, confident in his superior look, his superior social situation, his superior breading… something of a rake”
• Sir Robert Carlisle: Head of Antiquity Acquisition for the British Museum of History; “excellent archeologist, middling bureaucrat…complete failure as an economist.” Desdemona’s grandfather and guardian for last five years; loves Egypt, but dotes on his grandaughter and knows she wants a normal life in England. Somewhat disappointed in Harry because he feels he is “wasting a wonderful mind.” Instead of becoming the premier Egyptologist, he has chosen to squander his talents on grave robbing.
• Marta Douglass: Widow of a lieutenant (died in Colonel Hicks campaign of ’81). “Rather than return to the restrictive embrace of her husband’s disapproving family, she’d stayed in Cairo. It had proved an entertaing—sometimes even lucrative—decision.” Hx of an affair with Harry approximately five years ago; she still desires him.
• Maurice Franklin Shappeis (Chateau): Previously employed at Cairo Museum; “harbors no goodwill toward Harry” as Harry “demonstrates that Maurice’s method of enlisting young workers is not healthy for Maurice.”
• Magi: Sir Robert & Desdamona's housekeeper. About 10 years older than Diz (~ 30), but still acts motherly towards her; gorgeous & graceful, her early years were as a pasha's concubine. She dotes on Harry too.
• Duraid: 12 years old; acts as Desdamona's bodyguard.
• Rabi: 15 years old Tuarek tribesman who kidnaps Desdemona; gives her a fake papyrus scroll “as a means of keeping her occupied” – however, it “was more suitable reading for a private setting”
• Colonel Simon Chesterton: “A fixture in Her Majesty’s Egyptian army for over twenty years.” Wealthy, life-long bachelor, “one of the world’s most renowned collectors of Egyptian artifacts.” Has a ‘enormous’ greying beard. He and Sir Robert are in “an on-going battle to see who can acquire the most relics.”
• Herr Gunter Konrad: Red-haired “would-be archeological expert.” Thick arms, barrel chest. Harry cheated/maneuvered him into selling a Middle Kingdom collar cheaply.
• Abdul: Leader of the Tuarek tribe; trader.
• Georges Paget: Deputy director of the Cairo Museum; “plumb middle-aged Frenchman” – “Paget’s real interest was making a lucrative living ‘distributing’ high-end relics.”
• Joseph: Albanian dealer
• Jabbar
• Lenore
• Cal Schmidt: Martha Douglass’ “distinctly American (Texan) escort” – six years her senior; thinking of taking up archeology.
Participants
Vi
Lisa Kay
Susan
Lurkers
Christine S.