November 15th, 2009 — 3 Stars, G-I, Great Britain, Guest Reviews, Historical Romance, Victorian
By: Marcia, guest reviewer
Taking place in Victorian England, Beyond Innocence is about loyalty to family versus being true to one self.
Edward Burbrooke is horrified to learn that his brother, Freddie, has been discovered, in the bedroom, with a footman, at a house party. He loves his brother and feels responsible for his ‘fall from grace'. When they were both young, their father died and Edward, now being the Earl of Greystowe, sent his sensitive younger brother to Eton, thinking it would be good for him. He assumed that Freddie could protect himself from hazing by older bullies. Marriage to a good woman would cure him and protect him from horrible scandal.
Florence Farleigh is the daughter of a recently deceased country Vicar. She is very short of funds and has come to London to seek a husband. Florence appeals to her father's attorney, whom she has been told is very clever, to help her; unaware that Mr. Mowbry is also the earl's attorney.
Edward decides that Florence is perfect for Freddie and, with his Aunt Hyptia's help, strives to place them in close proximity. He does not plan to fall in love with her himself.
Emma Holly is a skillful writer treating her characters with kindness and sensitivity, but what makes this story really unique, are comic situations and erotic imagery that have a distinctly male point of view.
Rating: 3 Stars
If you would like to write a guest review for LRP, I would be happy to include you in this growing forum. It is the goal of LRP to share with readers recommendations, opinions, and reviews on romances. Your contribution would be greatly welcomed. Please see our guidelines for further information.
Originally posted 2008-11-19 16:15:00. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Online Stores
July 1st, 2009 — About, Guest Blogger, Jane Austen, Paranormal
Hello ladies, I know we all obsess over Mr. Darcy but what do guys think of that? I was trying to explain myself to a friend of mine and we got into a debate, where admittedly I was losing (at least from his standpoint). What can I say? I was not on the debate team in high school. In the end, I thought his impression of Darcy was really interesting and I asked him to share his view point with us here in hopes some of you could counter his argument. Heated arguments and debates welcome... no flames, please!
The Darcy Syndrome
(AKA – you women are nuts)
So, I was asked to supply a man’s take on romance to this website. Here it goes, you women are crazy. Not all of you, just the ones who actually look for guys like this, and you let this be your idea of what romance should be. Well, that’s like me looking at an airbrushed playboy centerfold and expecting women to be D cups and enjoy football – it’s not going to happen. Mr. Darcy doesn’t exist, that’s right Virginia, there’s also no Santa Claus.
The way I’ve had it explained to me, is a “Darcy”, is that guy who’s emotionally closed off, snobbish, and generally a prick. But he “changes” or reveals his “true self” (one second while I wait for my contemptuous snicker to subside), due to the love of a good woman. This is why we know Jane Austin and not Steve Austin wrote this book, guys like that don’t exist. If a guy comes of like a prick, he’s a prick. You think you’re going to be good for him? Help him? Reveal that better man? There’s no man underneath ladies, there isn’t even an underneath, and we have no hidden layers, we simply are who we are. The crazy thing is, many of the girls I know who are like this get turned off by a guy who is just simply nice, and not an asshat. They’d rather change a guy into that, than just pick that guy.
Now it’s gotten so bad that you’ve made paranormal romance the next evolution the Darcy. You have to invent imaginary creatures just to cobble together a man that meets your unrealistic expectations – vampires with souls
? Vegetarian vampires? What’s next? Werewolves with French accents, Armani suits, and are ever so gentle?
Well, as a reformed “nice guy” a.k.a. the doormat you always complain about your Darcys to, I’ll step up and say it – men don’t suck. They don’t suck for the same reason I’m not talking about all women, it’s you – you unmitigated bundles of confusion, your decision making skills concerning men suck. And if you think that’s bad, imagine the guys who have to put up with this garbage. You know what this psychosis is going to do to the few good men out there? It’s going to turn them into me.
Just think about that.
The place confusion ends, the unabridged truth, what you should know about men but won’t ask.
Sincerely,
-A guy
Online Stores
