strange and random happenstance

The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig
Published by: NAL
Publication Date: January 31st, 2008
Format: Paperback, 480 Pages
Rating: ★★★★★
To Buy

Things aren't going very well for Mary Alsworthy. Her midnight elopement ended with a married younger sister and herself still on the shelf. Not that she really loved Geoff or anything, but the title and the houses were just the thing. Now she's stuck rusticating with the new couple who are sickeningly in love and oversolicitous of her. She might just be able to stomach it if they weren't so apologetic about the whole situation. But when she hears that they are going to pay for her next London season she can't take their kindness anymore. Lord Vaughn, at the urging of the Pink Carnation, has made Mary an offer. With her coloring and her bearing she appears to be just the type of girl a certain Black Tulip might hire as one of his assassins. After his recent foray in Ireland he is short a few petals. Mary agrees to play the game in exchange for one last chance at a suitable match. With Vaughn as her escort and entree to some of the more radical groups, she tries to establish herself as just the type of girl a famous French spy might seek out. From Vauxhall to Vaughn's House, she tries to find her way in the world, all while trading barbs with the king of cynicism and insult, Lord Sebastian Vaughn himself. Mary does meet one eligible prospect, a Mr. St. George. But an earnest lord who spends so much time rusticating in the country with his widowed sister looks less and less appealing next to the unattainable Vaughn. Mary would rather trade insults with Vaughn than words of endearment with St. George. Could it be that the ice maiden, who has always viewed her marriage as a commodity where the best bank balance wins, be falling for a man who turns out to be unattainable after the reappearance of his long dead wife? But matters of the heart might not signify if one of the hearts is no longer beating, because the Black Tulip doesn't hesitate to spill blood and he really wants to spill Vaughn's. Someone will die and a happy ending might not be in the cards. And while Eloise looks into Vaughn's past, could her present collide with Serena Selwick's heartbreaker?

Lord Vaughn has been a scene-stealer since his inception. Once he showed up in The Masque of the Black Tulip he has been unwilling to cede his title until he met his match. Surprisingly that match showed up in Mary Alsworthy. She who is conniving and cold-hearted and only looking out for herself. But she is also wickedly smart. Therefore Mary and Vaughn are the perfect sparring partners. They duel with words in a way that is sheer entertainment and hasn't been seen since Elizabeth and Darcy, though with far more innuendo on Vaughn's part. No saccharine sweetness, we have barbed and witty repartee that just keeps the pages flying long through the night. They are what this series needed more than ever, a balance. Not all heroes are virtuous and good, not all are in it for the good of the country. Some heroes are just in it for themselves. And the fact is that Vaughn looks down on the Pink Carnation and her ilk because, while yes, they have saved the country time and time again, they haven't really paid the price. They haven't been subjected to the darker side because in the end their love for each other and king and country have put blinders on them and their can-do attitude. It can be sickening. Too much sugar isn't good for you, everyone needs a bit of Vaughn once in awhile. If this book has one flaw, it's that once they start to fall for each other their bark is worse than their bite. Their claws retract a little and it's never more enjoyable than when they are at each other full force. There are also no misunderstandings between the two. They have their obstacles, that's for sure, but they always know where the other one stands. They are a perfectly matched set. I just hope that married life doesn't sweeten them one bit. But aside from the titular hero and heroine, we finally get a satisfactory conclusion to the identity of the Black Tulip, who is far more deranged, deluded, and demented than we thought. With motivations that work for and against France, he was a nice surprise and not a simplistic ending to a plot device that has been going strong for three books. A satisfactory ending all around, even if just the tiniest bit of sweetness sneaks in at the end, but who can fault a happy ending?

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Elizabeth Bennet, Eloise Kelly, French Spies, Lauren Willig, Lord Vaughn, Mary Alsworthy, Mr. Darcy, Regency Romp, Repartee, The Black Tulip, The Pink Carnation, The Seduction of the Crimson Rose, Vauxhall

Lure of the Moonflower by Lauren Willig
ARC Provided by the Publisher
Published by: NAL
Publication Date: August 4th, 2015
Format: Paperback, 528 Pages
Rating: ★★★★★
To Buy

Jane doesn't know if it's wise to be working with Jack Reid, alias the Moonflower. But her mission is in Portugal, she doesn't speak the language, and he's the agent on the ground. Seeing as her old companion Miss Gwen is married to Jack's father, Jane has heard all there is to about Jack and his ever shifting allegiances. What she hasn't heard about Jack is that perhaps the legend doesn't match the man. And that man has sure heard of the legend of the Pink Carnation, who is now supposedly leading this new mission that he isn't allowed any input on. Jane is not suited to the rugged search for the Portuguese Queen across the rough and tumble countryside, yet that is just what she plans to do. She is being dictatorial and living down to his expectations. But that is the problem. They have both prejudged each other and found the other lacking. If they could just start over then perhaps they could find more than just a serviceable working arrangement. That new start happens when the deadliest of French spies, the Gardener, appears on their trek. They both have a history with him, and neither one is pleased to see him. They scrap all their plans and go off the grid, trying to beat the Gardener to the Queen and trying to become compatriots. While in the future Eloise and Colin are facing something just as daunting. Their wedding day. Which should go off without a hitch, that is until Colin's beloved Aunt Arabella is kidnapped the night before the ceremony and Colin reveals she was spy in her day! So they just have to deal with the kidnapper's demands and THEN they can get married.

While I haven't been a part of the Pink Carnation fandom since it's inception, arriving only two years late to the party, I hope I've made up for those two years with my cheer leading. Yet it was still hard to say goodbye to all the characters I have loved, even minus those two years. I thought that I'd be OK with it. I thought, given enough warning as well as re-reading all the previous eleven volumes I wouldn't have any pangs. I was wrong. These characters have been my friends through ups and downs for eight years! There's a scene near the end on Lord Richard's ship where Jack stumbles into the assorted crew, many of which are his family, and it just hit me. This might be the last time I see these characters in a new adventure. I didn't want to let go. I was on that ship and I was immobilized. I wasn't looking from face to face with bewilderment like Jack, I was looking from face to face and thinking of all the stories left to tell. There's Jack's little sister Lizzy, I don't just want, I need to know about her future adventures. Plus what about Jack's other sister Kat? Yes, she ends up with Tommy, but how? Also what about all the characters we have yet to meet? This world is teaming with stories that are now being set aside. Closure was given, but it's surprising sometimes that closure is the last thing we really want. What we really want is one more chapter before bedtime. 

My initial problem, aside from the series ending, was that I've never been the biggest fan of Jane. She's always been an enigma, and rightfully so, she is illusive after all. Always in the background setting the world to rights. Lauren previously needed her to be infallible and maddeningly omniscient and capable. These traits don't lend themselves to a character of flesh and blood, but an analytical ice maiden. A perfectly coolly composed heroine does not make the most interesting read. The Lure of the Moonflower gets off to a rocky start because, like Jack, we only see what Jane wants us to see. This capable perfect agent. When the truth starts to creep out, her self doubt, her sacrifices, how much she and Jack feel the weight of the mantle of spy, do you finally start to relate and to understand Jane. The loneliness, the long nights, the seclusion, the isolation from everything and everyone else as you have to be self sufficient and self reliant. That is where Lauren succeeds and the book comes together, she believably gives us insight into Jane. Slowly the layers are peeled away and the person who was once inconceivable is now all too human and relatable. While Jane's dalliance with Nicolas (aka the Gardener) shows us that she does have desires, her calculated seduction doesn't really give us any insight. It's in opening up to Jack that we learn about the real Jane behind the carefully constructed mask. If anyone had every told me my heart would ache for Jane I would never have believed them. But when she talks about her parents declaring her dead and her tombstone, that was it. Like Jack I wanted to protect her even though she didn't need the least bit of protection.

It's this opening up to Jack that not only makes Jane relatable, but that made me connect to her. Most of my young life I would shun help and advice. Even things like the simplest critique of how to write a paper better and I would shut down. Obviously I should know how to write my own paper! Sheesh. It wasn't until college that I realized that part of growing up is finding people to help you, people to lean on. Of course, this is a very trial and error procedure. Sometimes the people you think you can rely on the most turn out to be AWOL when you need them the most. Which is why I reverted to old habits and only counted on myself. So I totally get where Jane is coming from. But there's such a burden, so much weight on your shoulders if you go it alone. Finding the right people, the right group of friends who are their to lift you up when you're down, to help you over the rough patches, that is the most precious gift we can get in life. Over the course of The Lure of the Moonflower Jane realizes that Jack is just such a person. Someone who takes the weight of the mantle "The Pink Carnation" off her shoulders. Neither of them have any reason to trust the other, but their experiences together and there similar backgrounds makes them compliment each other. To have Jane find someone to compliment her is a wonderfully happy place to end this series, but more than that, to find someone to share her burdens, to rely on, someone with whom you can let down your defenses and admit you need help, that is the true happily ever after.

Also getting to a point where Eloise was allowed a happily ever after was a nice balance. While her future is more writing the exploits of daring do than perpetrating them, there was finally a nice symbiosis between the two plots to end it on the right note. I have always been a fan of the modern framing device used by Lauren with Eloise and Colin, but there were times when it felt they were just there to tell the future history of what happened versus being integral to the story. And sometimes you even wondered if perhaps Lauren's publishers were right to think of writing them out. By finally bringing spies, ever hinted at but never seen, into the present, the past and present finally clicked like they never have before. Aunt Arabella being a spy just makes so much sense. It's one of those things that when it happens you think, "how did I not see this before!?!" Eloise always wondering about Colin's spy affiliations felt forced. There was no way this gentle country squire was in any capacity related to any activities at Thames House. But Arabella! SO MUCH SENSE! Her globetrotting ways, her keeping of the family secrets. All of it just made this book reach another level. Of course some of that level was of the French farce variety, but when has Lauren's books ever disappointed by going farcical? Of course now I want an entire series just for Aunt Arabella, in the manner of her friend M.M.Kaye's "Death in" series. If there was more proof needed that I don't want to ever leave these characters desiring all these different spin-off series would be all the proof you need.

As for the book within the book. Perfection. I had been hoping for some time that Eloise might drop her academic career and have the series pull a meta switch on us and that's just what Lauren has done. I remember when it was first bandied about that Colin was secretly a spy, only to turn out to be writing about them, that wouldn't it be ironic if Eloise turned her dissertation into a book and became a bestselling author before Colin. And not only that, but a bestselling author writing about his family! Little meta jokes have always entertained me, hence my love of Abed on Community. Yeah self-referential humor! But more than that, I like that it brings the series full circle, beginning again at the end. Guess I'm supposed to read them all again right? I also love that Colin is such a great guy he literally doesn't mind this twist of fate. He and Eloise are a perfect couple. But the line that really captured it for me is when Eloise mentions to Aunt Arabella that there's a story in the Pink Carnation's further escapades, and Arabella replies more then one, I sighed wistfully. These characters have been my friends on more then one adventure, and I wish them the best of luck. Because obviously they live on and keep having adventures, even if Lauren isn't writing them. Yet.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Abed, An August Adieu, Colin Selwick, Community, Eloise Kelly, Happily Ever After, Jack Reid, Jane Wolliston, Lauren Willig, Meta, Pink Carnation, Portugal, Spies, The Gardener, The Lure of the Moonflower, Weddings

Eloise Kelly. I have been trying to cast you for years. Literally. I have tried every red-haired actress I could think of and every single one of them fell short. While re-reading all your adventures this past year your humor and your clumsiness shone out like a beacon guiding me to the perfect actress to bring you to life.

Name: Ellie Kemper

"Dream" Character Casting for the Lauren Willig Miniseries: Eloise Kelly

First Impression: While I am not at all a fan of The Office, because I am true to the original British version, this is the first place I saw Kellie Kemper as poor Andy's love interest.

Why they'd be the perfect actor for the Lauren Willig Miniseries: Aside from being able to perfectly bring out the clumsy red-head aspect of Eloise, it's the range of Kemper that is amazing. Yes, she's known mainly just for comedy, in fact almost only comedy, but there are moments of true heart and depth in each of her performances. Plus there's just something about her that makes me think she'd totally wear a Regency dress to a Halloween party. Call it a hunch.

Lasting Impression: Bridesmaids! But then again, there isn't anything in this movie that didn't make a lasting impression; from the bathroom scene to Chris O'Dowd to that one lone cupcake. But Kemper will probably best be known for making out with Wendi McLendon-Covey before being thrown off a plane. Though I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me why they don't wear the bridesmaids dresses from the movie poster in the movie. Yes, this is a weird thing that really annoys me. More then the fact that it's so not filmed in Wisconsin and Illinois.

What else you've seen them in: The Mindy Project, Sex Tape, Robot Chicken, 21 Jump Street, if it's a comedy show or movie with that little clique of people from NBC comedies, like The Office and 30 Rock, or the Apatow mafia, she's there. But I think most importantly she's the star of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. This is her first staring role and she totally proves that females are strong as hell! There's just such optimism and joy that emanates from her that you can't but fall in love with this show. Plus, if you're a child of the 90s, love that throwback slang!

Can't believe it's them: Important thinks with Demetri Martin. Mainly because I really dislike him. I mean really really dislike him. Seriously, I can't watch anything with him in it even if it contains someone I really like, like Ellie Kemper. This also explains why I've never watched House of Lies despite my love of Kristen Bell.

Wish they hadn't: Get Him to the Greek. Seriously. This was a very unnecessary sequel to the fabulous Forgetting Sarah Marshall. I will say though that if they were to re-edit the movie as a mockumentary focusing on the music and eliminating Jonah Hill and Elisabeth Moss, who I actually hate more than Jonah Hill, it might be a fabulous parody in the vein of This is Spinal Tap. Because, I am not kidding here, the soundtrack is amazingly awesome. The song parodies with Russell Brand just nail each genre they a skewering. And Rose Byrne's Jackie Q isn't half bad either.

Bio: Born and raised in Missouri she has the odd distinction of knowing Jon Hamm before he became famous. Ellie Kemper was a student at John Burroughs School in St. Louis where Jon Hamm was her drama teacher. They have ironically gone on to star together on the big and small screens. While being a studious scholar from Princeton to Oxford, she never gave up acting and doing improve. But comedy and comedy writing is in her blood, her sister and her husband are television writers and she has contributed to The Onion as well as McSweeney's. While she was turned down by SNL and Parks and Recreation, it was the second of these auditions that led to her role on The Office. Since then her career has just been on the rise and with getting the title role in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt she is sure to be around and lauded for years to come.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 3 comments  

Labels: Bridesmaids, Dream Casting, Ellie Kemper, Eloise Kelly, Jon Hamm, Kristen Bell, Lauren Willig, Pink Carnation, Spinal Tap, The Office, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig
Published by: Dutton
Publication Date: February 7th, 2005
Format: Hardcover, 388 Pages
Challenge: Historical Fiction
Rating: ★★★★★
To Buy
(different edition than one reviewed)
Amy Balcourt has spent her exile in the sheep infested fields of Shropshire dreaming of the day she can return to France. Her and her mother were lucky, they escaped France before her father's head rolled. But Napoleon and his ilk had to pay. Amy longed for revenge. She has dreamed of nothing but the day she could return to Paris and join the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel and foil those Frenchies with witty asides and raids on their secret files. But then that dratted Pimpernel went and got unmasked, so who's league would she join now? All the training Amy and her cousin Jane spent in disguises and teaching the sheep stampeding formations would go to waste unless another spy stepped up for jolly old England. Of course another spy did step forth, The Purple Gentian. Now Amy and Jane just had to wait for the opportunity to go to Paris, which handily came in a note from Amy's brother who hoped she would return to the family home during the (temporary) peace with France. With their neighbor, Miss Gwen and her trusty parasol, as their chaperon, Amy and Jane set out for the continent and to find the Purple Gentian. Instead what Amy finds is an annoyingly cute Lord Richard Selwick, whom Amy has no inkling about his extra curricular activities, despite the fact he is the Purple Gentian, aside from a stirring in her breast and the burn of hate when she learns he's for Napoleon, which of course is his cover. She just finds him inconvenient, because how else are they going to skulk around the docks and overhear crucial bits of information to get an in with the league. But lurking beneath desks and listening through keyholes soon pays off, Amy learns of details pertaining to the plans to invade England, she also learns that, though joining the league of the Purple Gentian has always been her goal, perhaps kissing him is preferable. And kiss him she does, as they seem to have a magnetic attraction from the moment they meet. Of course the Gentian is of two minds, both of which want Amy, both of which want her safe and sound. With midnight assignations and lusty boat rides how can Richard stop the invasion of England with his mind so firmly on Amy? Or course things could be worse, your whole family could descend on you, en masse, to help with your secret spying. How long will it be till the Purple Gentian is unmasked just as the Scarlet Pimpernel was? And how long till the Pink Carnation steps up to fill the void, just as the Gentian did in his day?

But the real question is. Who is the Pink Carnation? That's what modern day Grad Student Eloise Kelly is trying to find out despite many obstacles, many in the form of Richard Selwick's descendants. Because this book, and all other in this series, have a nice modern framing in which Eloise learns of Napoleonic spying habits through journals, notes and correspondences, but luckily no laundry lists. It is also based of the ingenious hypothetical of, what if the Scarlet Pimpernel was real and not a creation of Baroness Orczy and that she was just his biographer, as it were. This gives the book a modern sensibility for the true regency swashbuckling book geek that carries through the past and present events. With similarities to Austen and Heyer we get a Regency romp that is more accessible to modern readers. There is the wit, the amazing details and the man in black, just think Carey Elwes circa Princess Bride not Ella Enchanted, but here there is an emotional depth and a connection between the characters that, while Austen with her great lovers captured so well, has a remoteness. You feel a step away from the action and can admire the characters and wish to live Lizzy and Darcy's fairy tale, yet you somehow can't imagine yourself as that fairy tale couple as easily as you can being Amy, crouching under the desk waiting to announce herself to the Purple Gentian. Lauren Willig has created a world you become a part of and don't want to leave, hence her devote followers which she so generously spends time with. This book is just the beginning of a vast cast of characters you'll want to visit again and again and stands up to multiple readings. Though I should warn you, there is some serious sexy sexy... though apparently not in my edition. I was lucky enough to find a first edition recently only to find the sexy sexy expunged! So I can proudly, if dejectedly say, I own, perhaps one of the only bowdlerized copies of The Secret History of the Pink Carnation... now whether these pages were removed by the prudish (which I doubt) or the extreme liker will remain a mystery. So, as Lauren said "That's so funny! Censorship... or private collection?" Whatever the case, beware of Pink Page Pilferers!

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 4 comments  

Labels: Amy Balcourt, Carey Elwes, Eloise Kelly, Lauren Willig, Lord Richard Selwick, Pink Carnation, Reading Challenge, The Purple Gentian, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Secret History of the Pink Carnation