Posts Tagged ‘Julia Quinn’

10 Things I Love About You – Julia Quinn

June 18th, 2010

10 things I love about this book by Kathy Wheeler.

This book proves how much fun Ms. Quinn is because one: the hero is infectious and light, which two: makes it impossible to not love him, while three: bringing to the forefront the heart of how one can disguise one’s anxiety under four: the guise of humor and charm.
A conflict so choking had me five: dying to read as fast as I could, but six: not wanting to skip a single word. So, seven: had me smelling the roses along the way, and eight: laughing aloud and calling my friends to tell them, nine: “You have to read this book.” Don’t wait! Ten: It’s in stores now.

Annabel is a country girl born and bred. Since her father’s death, and as the eldest child, it’s imperative that she marry quickly—for money. She had seven siblings, for heaven sake. Not so unusual the situation for the time period, I suppose. However, the earl selected for her was older than her grandmother. She tried not to resent being chosen for her child-bearing hips. Really, she did. It was just a shame the earl turned out to be the hero’s uncle who, as it just so happened, despise him.
Sebastian is in the precarious position of being heir apparent to the earl. And in society’s eyes, Sebastian Grey is, quite frankly a moocher. His chronic insomnia has him up and out of the house most days by the crack of dawn breakfasting at his cousin’s home or club. Even the unexpected sounds of gunfire shake him to the core. Not-so-hero like qualities.
Witty dialogue and charming characters spells success for Ms Quinn’s newest novel.

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What Happens in London

August 14th, 2009

  

38007322What Happens In London by Julia Quinn

First line:  By the age of twelve, Harry Valentine possessed two  bits of knowledge that made him rather unlike other boys of his class in
England of the early nineteenth century. Give me an understated hero every time, and I am unlikely to go to bed at a decent hour until he convinces the heroine why he is right for her.

The hero in this story is employed by a boring branch of the War Office.  He translates documents from French and Russian to
English.  A desk job.  He did not like war.  Deep in his heart, he was an academic.

Due to gossip, the heroine takes it upon herself to spy on him from her home next door.  Her bedchamber is located a couple of stories above his home office giving her a direct view into his sanctuary.

 

This is a very funny story.  To top it off, when the hero happens to glance up and catch her watching she drops to the floor, where her twin brother finds her.

This story would not work if Ms. Quinn did not utilize the natural chaos between a brother and sister who each have their own agendas.  One of those being to drive the other crazy.  I’m sure you see what I mean.

For:  Readers who grew up with annoying siblings and live to see  the happy ending. –   Kathy Wheeler

Get it now! 

  

Mr. Cavendish, I Presume

September 30th, 2008

Mr. Cavendish, I Presume by Julia Quinn

 First line:  ”It was a crime that Amelia Willoughby was not married.”

 If you are a fan of Julia Quinn’s then I don’t have to tell you that you will smile your way through Mr. Cavendish, I Presume.  As I was reading (and smiling), it occurred to me that I recognized variations of this story; the characters, the setting, the plot.  At which time I stopped and had to locate my copy of The Lost Duke of Wyndham.  It turns out that it is indeed the same story only from the possible-soon-to-be-ex Duke’s point of view.  A proud man to be sure.

  Intriguing. A mean old grandmother, who is most stories would end up “having a heart of gold under a rough exterior,” is truly hateful indeed.  By some strange twist of fate, the current Duke’s (and we use this term loosely) long lost cousin, holds up his grandmother’s carriage on the way home from a dreadfully boring Assembly.  Yes.  The long lost cousin was recognized by the grandmother – and kidnapped – by the grandmother.  Is the Duke really the Duke, or is the Duke now Mr. Cavendish?

If you’ve happened to read The Lost Duke of Wyndham, then you must read Mr. Cavendish.  In fact, I recommend it, regardless.

For: Readers who feel like smiling, because humor and irony is the end all.  And, because they will not be able to stop themselves.   -Kathy Wheeler

Buy it at Amazon.