strange and random happenstance

Bunny and Biscuits: A Very Dorrington Valentine’s Day by Lauren Willig
Publication Date: February 14th, 2012
Format: Kindle
Rating: ★★★★★
To Read

Some couples lives entirely change when they enter the married state. Some couples aren't Miles and Henrietta. Not very much has changed since they were forced into wedded bliss. Their day to day lives are basically the same except for the simple fact that they share a bed. This starts to trouble Miles. He worries that Hen doesn't realize how much he actually loves her. What with the Duke of Dovedale putting on a huge production in front of the King and asking for Charlotte's hand Miles is worried that he should have done something equally grand for Henrietta. She is after all Charlotte's dear friend, who knows, was she jealous of that elaborate profession of love? Why didn't Miles think of using the King himself? Thankfully they are attending Penelope's wedding to Freddy where love will be the furthest thing from everyone's mind. Especially once Henrietta has a run in with a certain Gardener. Oh, he just pisses her off royally. He's so smug and so French. Hen begs Miles to chase after Penelope to warn her about a spy called the Marigold. It's very important. So important that Miles's attempt ends him in the drink. He literally ran after a ship that had already sailed. But that's how crazy he is about Hen. He'd do anything for her. In fact, he'd heard about this Saint Valentines chap and had decided to surprise his wife with champagne and flowers and foodstuffs, mmm, ginger biscuits. But she had asked him to chase down a ship. So without any hemming or hawing, or at least very little, he was willing to postpone his big declaration of love because that's how much he loves her. And now he's pretty sure he knows that she feels the same way. They were meant for each other. That's why it's been so easy. Well, relatively easy.

Bunny and Biscuits holds a very very special place in my heart. In 2012 the most favorite of Lauren’s couples, voted on by the readers, was to get a Valentine’s Day novella. The much loved Miles and Henrietta Dorrington, stars of The Masque of the Black Tulip, trounced the competition. One day I was trolling Lauren's site, as I do, and I noticed that the time had come to name the upcoming story. Everyone was throwing out flowery names, but I literally had an instant of pure clarity, and Bunny and Biscuits just came into my head. The title roles off the tongue in an alliteration that I hope Miss Gwen would approve of, and if not it can be Miles and Hen’s crime fighting aliases for when they get a 60s style Avengers TV show. Much like Henrietta I had a cute yet redundantly named duo of stuffed animals when I was little. Hen had Bunny-the-Bunny, I had Big Bear Bear and Little Bear Bear, the little one was obviously smaller, and the Big was added to Bear Bear so that they would both have unique names once the little one appeared on the scene. Therefore, despite perhaps being an easily forgettable fact of Hen’s childhood to most readers, to me it made us simpatico. And that’s where the "Bunny" came from. As for "Biscuits" well, all Dorrington men past and present have a love of ginger cookies, or biscuits as the Brits would say… So the title made itself really, as all good titles do. It was there in the work waiting to be said. And I said it and I won. Yet my greatest joy was to come when reading the story, because ginger biscuits and Bunny the Bunny played an important part. So it felt like the story was written for me. Yeah, I know it wasn’t, but I can pretend. I have always had a deep connection to Lauren's characters, but here...here I felt like every word was for me and I love them all the more as the years pass.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: A Very Dorrington Valentine's Day, Big Bear Bear, Bunny and Biscuits, Bunny-the-Bunny, Competition, Henrietta Selwick, Little Bear Bear, Miles Dorrington, Novella, Regency Romp, The Avengers, Valentine's Day

The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig
Published by: NAL
Publication Date: December 29th, 2005
Format: Paperback, 453 Pages
Rating: ★★★★★
To Buy

After her brother was revealed to be the Purple Gentian, that most elusive of spies thwarting those Frenchies, Henrietta Selwick thought her life would return to normal. Almack's, balls, being seen at all the right parties, and having her brother's faithful best friend, Miles Dorrington, at her elbow, preferably with a glass of lemonade. But while everyone else gets to engage in espionage she's been forced onto the sidelines once too often and she leaps at the chance to correspond in code with the Pink Carnation, Jane Wooliston, her cousin by marriage. Because, while her brother Richard and his new wife Amy are "technically" out of the spying game, opening a spy school in your house kind of defeats the purpose, and having something little, even if it's these letters and her contact in the ribbon shop, it makes Henrietta feel special. But she fails to realize how special she is, and not just to Miles, but to a deadly French spy with the name of the Black Tulip. Hen is that most coveted of clues, the little sister to the Purple Gentian, and perhaps a link to the Pink Carnation. But who could the Black Tulip be? That spy has been out of action for so long that when a murder is committed behind Lord Vaughn's house the War Office goes into a tizzy at the calling card left behind. Could this spy actually be Lord Vaughn? That slippery and seductive fellow with silver snakes on his waistcoat who has just returned from a long sojourn on the continent? If he isn't said spy, then why is he so fascinated with Hen? But spies are only one thing Henrietta has to deal with. Miles seems not as Miles like lately. It all started with that mysterious Marquise de Montval, she of the blue black hair and flawless beauty, despite her age. Miles has been seen once too often with her, even if he was seen through the shrubberies by a not very well concealed Hen and entourage... They thought the green clothing would help to camouflage themselves. But could Hen's irritation with Miles be more of a romantic nature? Does she stand a chance against this Marquise or should she just resign herself to being killed by the Black Tulip? Meanwhile, back in the present, Eloise is put off and turned on by a certain descendant of the Purple Gentian named Colin. Boys, no matter what time period, are such an annoying mystery, it's so much easier dealing with deadly Napoleonic Spies with flowery names.

The second book in Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series sees us leaving the shores of France and venturing into that most dangerous of territories, the London ton at the height of the season. I grudgingly admit, even to my friend Marie whose favorite book in the series this is, that when I first read it it was not my favorite, despite being more like a Jane Austen story than the previous installment, dealing less with espionage and more with friendships. I felt the ending and the reveal of the Black Tulip lacked something and was on the verge of French farce. But if the reveal didn't sit well with me, as Lauren recently revealed, it didn't sit well with her either. The Marquise was too ineffectual to actually be the Black Tulip. Thankfully Lauren was able to rectify this in later installments and therefore my reservations have been removed. Because if there is one truth universally acknowledged by fans of the Pink Carnation series it's that Miles and Henrietta are everyone's favorite couple. Those ginger biscuits, that floppy lock of hair, Bunny the Bunny, they all hold a revered status among us fans that they almost verge on holy relics. But to me, the joy in this book lies within all the subtle characterizations of their friends on the periphery, friends who eventually stepped forward and got their own stories. But besides Hen's two best friends, Penelope and Charlotte, who make their first appear, there are three characters without whom this book would mean nothing to me. Those three characters are Turnip, Lord Vaughn, and the Dowager Duchess of Dovedale. Turnip is a true fop with his over the top embroidered waistcoats. A man who is not afraid to show his allegiance to the Pink Carnation and whose attire leads him into a spot of bother. Lord Vaughn, ah, you seductive, enigmatic man. You are only looking out for yourself and I love you for it and for the images of James Purefoy in Regency garb you bring to mind. You literally steal every scene you are in. Finally, last but not least, because I don't want to be harmed, The Dowager Duchess of Dovedale. Scourge of the ballrooms and impudent young men. She is a force to be reckoned with. My favorite scene? While at a fancy dress ball she confiscates Penelope's spear from her Boadicea costume and uses it to poke people with. Pure, priceless, and wonderful.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: French Spies, Henrietta Selwick, James Purefoy, Jane Austen, Lauren Willig, Lord Vaughn, Miles Dorrington, Pink Carnation, Regency Romp, The Black Tulip, The Masque of the Black Tulip, Turnip Fitzhugh

For someone who reads and writes a lot I have actually never aspired to be an author. But growing up in the publishing world I did have other aspirations that were book related. My main aspiration was to appear either in the dedication of a book or in the thanks. One does love to see one’s name in print and this, I figured, was the closest way to achieving that goal without actually writing a book. I have achieved the goal of being mentioned in an author’s bio… of course that author was my Dad and I wasn’t referred to by name, but still, I was heading in the right direction. This spring I was thanked in the afterward of Marry Robinette Kowal's Of Noble Family for being a beta reader, huzzah! But generally authors don't give you opportunities to get your name in their books. And then I met Lauren. If you’ve been following her books and blog as long as I have you will remember back in the days of yore when she would occasionally be stymied on the next Pink book’s title. The person or persons who helped with the title would be mentioned in the acknowledgements at the beginning of that book.

Ah ha I thought! This shall be how I shall achieve said odd literary goal! The first naming competition Lauren had that I hopefully entered was actually for the novella that became Ivy and Intrigue: A Very Selwick Christmas. I remember pouring over the printouts of this Christmas story and writing copious notes in the margins, just hoping that my titular suggestion would be picked. While I wasn’t the winner I did get an honorable mention and a signed book plate and a lovely letter from Lauren for “Bother the Snow.” Being so close yet so far created a new goal of wanting to name a piece of writing, which would happen sooner then I thought. The next naming competition was for Pink VI, later to be known as The Betrayal of the Blood Lily. Again I poured over the first chapter of the book, I even went so far as to contact my friend Matt who knows all about plants and grilled him on plants that would be in India, but alas, it wasn’t to be, and thankfully so if you've read my previous post. But my time was coming.

In 2012, the most favorite of Lauren’s couples, voted on by the readers, was to get a Valentine’s Day novella. The much loved Miles and Henrietta Dorrington, stars of The Masque of the Black Tulip, trounced the competition. One day I was trolling Lauren's site, as I do, and I noticed that the time had come to name the upcoming story. Everyone was throwing out flower names, but I literally had an instant of pure clarity, and Bunny and Biscuits just came into my head. The title roles off the tongue in an alliteration that I hope Miss Gwen would approve of, and if not it can be Miles and Hen’s crime fighting aliases for when they get a 60s style Avengers TV show. Much like Henrietta I had a cute yet redundantly named duo of stuffed animals when I was little. Hen had Bunny the Bunny, I had Big Bear Bear and Little Bear Bear, the little one was obviously smaller, and the Big was added to Bear Bear so that they would both have unique names, once the little one appeared on the scene. Therefore, despite perhaps being an easily forgettable fact of Hen’s childhood to most readers, to me it made us simpatico. And that’s where the “Bunny” came from. As for “Biscuits” well, all Dorrington men past and present have a love of ginger cookies, or biscuits as the Brits would say… so the title made itself really, as all good titles do. It was there in the work waiting to be said. Though in an ironic twist, “Biscuits” is one of my most misspelt words of all time, after “Sincerely” and “Business.”

So I submitted my entry and the long and short of it is I won! I was overjoyed! There was Numfar’s Dance of Joy (seriously if you don’t know this Whedonverse allusion, get on it) much whopping and hollering, it was a riotous time, Big Bear Bear, Little Bear Bear, and I had some wild adventures in exaltation of this honor, that’s to be sure. And by wild adventures I mean sitting in a comfy chair and reading. Yet my greatest joy to come was reading the story, because Ginger Biscuits played a part. So it felt like the story was written for me. Yeah, I know it wasn’t, but I can pretend. I have always had a deep connection to Lauren's characters, but here... here I felt like every word was for me. For a reader, there is no greater joy and it happens every time I pick up one of Lauren’s books. And I'm sure for a writer there is no greater joy then having a ravenous fan base which demands more work and has year-long re-reads in anticipation of their next book. So, in the end, it might not have gotten me my goal, but this was far better! And you know what? Goals change… and I have a new goal… to get a pull quote of a review I’ve written on the dust jacket of a book… or in those first few pages you always skip over praising the author’s previous works, I’d settle for that.

*This post originally appeared in a slightly different form as "What's in a Name? Bunny and Biscuits" for the "Pink for All Seasons" Lauren Willig re-read on The Bubble Bath Reader Blog.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 0 comments  

Labels: An August Adieu, Bunny and Biscuits, Bunny-the-Bunny, Henrietta Selwick, Lauren Willig, Mary Robinette Kowal, Miles Dorrington, Of Noble Family, The Avengers, The Masque of the Black Tulip

Name: Tom Hiddleston

Dream Character Casting for the Lauren Willig Fantasy Movie Adaptation: Nicholas "Nick" Dorrington

First Impression: I don't really have a first impression of Tom. He was kind of in the background of so many things for so long and then wham, superstar, that I can't quite figure what left the first memory in my brain. Perhaps Return to Cranford, though I had seen him in many things prior to this.

Why they'd be the perfect actor for the Lauren Willig Dream Movie Adaptation: Because why not really? He's everywhere, so why can't he be here? Also he has the right sexiness to bookishness needed to pull of the role of Nick. Plus, he feels to me like he'd be a Dorrington descendant (aka, great whatever of these two, Henrietta and Miles). Can't you tell he'd love a ginger biscuit right about now?

Lasting Impression: Is there really anything else to choose from? If given a choice we would willingly surrender the world to Loki.

What else you've seen them in: Um... he's everywhere! He started in smaller British shows like Return to Cranford and an obligatory Dickens adaptation. Wallander though I think is what brought him into another tier of stardom. Working with Kenneth Branagh made him and introduced him to other big name directors like Woody Allen who perfectly cast him as F. Scott Fitzgerald in Midnight in Paris. Also, his ability to do Shakespeare, swoon worthy.

Can't believe it's them: I really can't believe that he was in Suburban Shootout, because I watched all that was available stateside and only vaguely remember him. Same but worse with Miss Austen Regrets and A Waste of Shame, no memory of him at all. At least I'll watch Miss Austen Regrets again, A Waste of Shame... I don't think you could pay me to watch that again...

Wish they hadn't: Quit Wallander! Seriously, bring him back. Damn you Branagh for making him a star and then having to eliminate him from your own series! On the other end of "wish they hadn't" is Return to Cranford. Oh how I hate this miniseries. It destroyed Cranford! All the characters went against type and they crammed in all these other short stories of Elizabeth Gaskell's to be filler, just, gaw. No.

Bio: Tall, handsome, went to Cambridge and got a double first in Classics, had his big break worldwide when he dyed his hair darker... seems to be really likable and tends to randomly sing and dance in interviews. Did a spot for Sesame Street about delayed gratification... mmm, just so many things right and wrong with that...

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 2 comments  

Labels: Elizabeth Gaskell, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henrietta Selwick, Kenneth Branagh, Lauren Willig, Loki, Midnight in Paris, Miles Dorrington, Return to Cranford, That Summer, That Summer Spotlight, Tom Hiddleston

The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig
Published by: Dutton
Publication Date: December 29th, 2005
Format: Hardcover, 406 Pages
Challenge: Historical Fiction
Rating: ★★★★
To Buy
(different edition than one reviewed)
After her brother was revealed to be the Purple Gentian, that most elusive of spies thwarting those Frenchies, Henrietta Selwick thought her life would return to normal. Almack's, balls, being seen at all the right parties, and having her brother's faithful best friend, Miles Dorrington, at her elbow, preferably with a glass of lemonade. But when everyone else gets to do espionage and she's been forced onto the sidelines once too often she leaps at the chance to correspond in code with the Pink Carnation, Jane Wooliston, her cousin by marriage. Because, while her brother Richard and his new wife Amy are "technically" out of the spying game, opening a spy school in your house kind of defeats the purpose, and having something little, even if it's these letters and her contact in the ribbon shop, it makes Henrietta feel special. But she fails to realize how special she is, and not just to Miles, but to a deadly French spy with the name The Black Tulip. Hen is that most coveted of clues, the little sister to the Purple Gentian, and perhaps a link to the Pink Carnation. But who could the Black Tulip be? That spy has been out of action for so long that when a murder is committed behind Lord Vaughn's house the War Office goes into a tizzy at the calling card left by the Black Tulip. Could this spy actually be Lord Vaughn, that slippery and seductive fellow with silver snakes on his waistcoat who has just returned from a long sojourn on the continent? If he isn't said spy, then why is he fascinated with Hen? But spies are only one thing Henrietta has to deal with. Miles seems not as Miles like lately. It all started with that mysterious Marquise de Montval, she of the blue black hair and flawless beauty, despite her age. Miles has been seen once too often with her, even if he was seen through the shrubberies by a not very well concealed Hen and entourage... they thought the green clothing would help to camouflage themselves. But could Hen's irritation with Miles be more of a romantic nature? Does she stand a chance against this Marquise or should she just resign herself to being killed by the Black Tulip? Meanwhile, back in the present, Eloise is is put off and turned on by a certain descendant of the Purple Gentian named Colin. Boys, no matter what time period, are such a annoying mystery, it's so much easier dealing with deadly Napoleonic Spies with flower names.

The second book in Lauren Willig's Pink Carnation series sees us leaving the shores of France and venturing into that most dangerous of territories, the London ton at the height of the season. Dealing less with espionage and more with friendships, when I first read this book it was not my favorite, despite being more like a Jane Austen story than the previous installment. I felt the ending and the reveal of the Black Tulip lacked something and was on the verge of French farce. Of course, with reading further books I have gained further knowledge, and have returned to this book and, reading it with a knowing eye, I enjoyed it immensely, French farcishness and all. Miles and Henrietta are usually everyones favorite couple, even if she anachronistically calls him a dinosaur (seeing as that word is 40 years too early), but to me, the joy in this book lies within all the subtle characterizations of their friends on the periphery, friends who have been slowly stepping forward and getting their own stories. But besides Hen's two best friends, Penelope and Charlotte, who make their first appear, there are three characters without whom this book would mean nothing to me. Those three characters are Turnip, Lord Vaughn, and the Dowager Duchess of Dovedale. Turnip is a true fop with his over the top embroidered waistcoats. A man who is not afraid to show his allegiance to the Pink Carnation and whose attire leads him into a spot of bother. Lord Vaughn, ah, you seductive, enigmatic man. You are only looking out for yourself and I love you for it and for the images of James Purefoy in Regency garb you bring to mind. Finally, last but not least, because I don't want to be harmed, The Dowager Duchess of Dovedale. Scourge of the ballrooms and impudent young men. She is a force to be reckoned with. My favorite scene? While at a fancy dress ball she confiscates her granddaughter's friend's spear from her Boadicea costume and uses it to poke people with. Pure, priceless and wonderful.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:00 AM 2 comments  

Labels: Colin, Dinosaur, Eloise, Henrietta Selwick, Lauren Willig, Lord Vaughn, Miles Dorrington, Pink Carnation, Reading Challenge, The Marquise de Montval, The Masque of the Black Tulip, Turnip Fitzhugh

Firstly I need to state this, I know you all will hate the casting I've done of Miles. I admit it upfront and I will take full punishment, but perhaps you will waive said punishment if I say this is not my fault, it's Richard Cant's fault, or maybe my subconscious', who knows, anyway, I didn't mess this up on purpose, it just happened. For some reason, reiterated below, he's Miles in my head. Richard Cant is kind of a goofy British character actor who can't leave my brain (can't/Cant haha). He somehow wormed his way in as Miles and he's there. I try to recast but my subconscious is embracing the feeling I have of hating recasts... like the four Garys and Valenes on Dallas or the newer recast of Victoria in the Twlight Saga... I hate recasts and therefore Richard Cant is there to stay... in my head... so now I pose to you a challenge! Find someone better! Tell me who your dream actor is for Henrietta's nearest and dearest and I will post the one I deem the winner mid week. So start throwing out the Henry Cavill and Richard Armitage level men and I will do a much deserved post on that hottie. The Masque of the Black Tulip deserves the best and my mind doesn't want that, it wants Richard.
strong

Name: Richard Cant

"Dream" Character Casting for the Lauren Willig Miniseries: Miles Dorrington

First Impression: Dennis Rainbird on Midsomer Murders. He and Elizabeth Spriggs made the pilot of Midsomer Murders an episode never to be beaten... and given the quality of the show that's saying something. They even brought them back almost ten years after their first episode, not an easy feat for two characters brutally murdered.

Why they'd be the perfect actor for the Lauren Willig Miniseries: First, let me state, that for some reason, Richard Cant got into my head and won't leave. I fully admit, while a fabulous actor, he's not the "dream" Miles, in any way really. But he won't leave, so there you have it!

Lasting Impression: Adolphus "Dolly" Longestaffe in The Way We Live Now. Too funny and too perfect, now I wish they'd get on that Pallisers adaptation so we can have Richard Cant back as Dolly!

What else you've seen them in: From his great turn as the droll Dolly in The Way We Live Now, to the mercurial butler of Lady Dedlock in Bleak House, to the mysterious grandson of Sally Sparrow's best friend in Doctor Who, he has created a perfect triumvirate... even if he has done many other things.

Can't believe it's them: He was in Vicar of Dibley!?! I gotta go look this up, can imdb be right? I think I'd remember...

Wish they hadn't: Did he really have to be on The Bill like every other British actor ever in the history of the world!?! It's a joke on Extras for a reason.

Bio: While not the most prolific of actors, his droll facial expressions and sarcastic wit make him a joy to behold wherever he decides to grace our screen. He is also the prime reason for me dreaming of a Pallisers adaptation, because any reason to see him as Adolphus Longestaffe again is a good thing, as Martha Stewart would say.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 2:00 AM 8 comments  

Labels: Bleak House, Doctor Who, Henrietta Selwick, Lauren Willig, Midsomer Murders, Miles Dorrington, Pink Carnation Spotlight, Richard Cant, Sally Sparrow, The Way We Live Now, Vicar of Dibley

Now we move on from The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, to some of Richard Selwick's nearest and dearest... the stars of The Masque of the Black Tulip (at least in my head)... his sister, Henrietta, and his best friend Miles, who will be along shortly.

Dream Character Casting for the Lauren Willig Miniseries: Henrietta Selwick

First Impression: The entire time I was watching Sherlock Holmes and the Case of the Silk Stocking I kept wondering why she looked so much like Sam from Foyle's War... that's her big sister, if you didn't know.

Why they'd be the perfect actor for the Lauren Willig Miniseries: Oh, that mischevious grin she weilds as Lydia Bennet in Lost in Austen. Plus her mop of slightly unruly hair seems a very Henrietta trait.

Lasting Impression: Midsomer Murders... because if you don't get killed by the end of the episode you leave a lasting impression.

What else you've seen them in: From little roles that aren't more than cameos in Spice World and Lewis to more substantial roles in The Tudors as Mary Boleyn, aka the one who didn't loose her head, to the lovable Lydia Bennet in Lost in Austen, Perdita is quickly stepping out of the shadows of her older sibling.

Can't believe it's them: Spice World... really? Actually it's quite shocking the number of famous celebrities in this movie... Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie anyone?

Wish they hadn't: I'm sure she must have been in something bad at one point... I know she's probably kicking herself for having that baby with the king... hey, at least she kept her head!

Bio: Acting definitely runs in her family with her younger brother Rollo being an actor (though I don't think The Little Vampire impresses much on a resume), but more importantly, her sister is none other than Honeysuckle Weeks, Sam on Foyle's War.

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:31 AM 0 comments  

Labels: Foyle's War, Henrietta Selwick, Honeysuckle Weeks, Lauren Willig, Lewis, Lost in Austen, Midsomer Murders, Miles, Perdita Weeks, Pink Carnation Spotlight, The Masque of the Black Tulip, The Tudors

Greetings to all those who entered! I know you're all excited to see if you won the newest Lauren Willig book, The Betrayal of the Blood Lily. But first, some very important business... who won the favorite character competition!?! First I must throw my nomination into the ring. To quote Megan (a fellow entrant) "This may seem strange but my favorite character is Mary (and Vaughn)... I think there complexity is really interesting as compared to a few of the more conventional heroines." I am not one to find this strange, as you will be obvious when I say my favorite character by far is Lord Vaughn. My favorite scene... his and Mary's five second cameo in The Temptation of the Night Jasmine... now after carefully tabulating the results... and not rigging them so that Lord Vaughn will win...I'm sorry Sebastian, sometimes things can't go your way...

Posted by Miss Eliza at 12:29 AM 1 comments  

Labels: ARCs, Bunny-the-Bunny, Henrietta Selwick, Lauren Willig, Lord Vaughn, The Betrayal of the Blood Lily, The Temptation of the Night Jasmine