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Casting news for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies…
Doing a bit of musing in regards to a bit of news pertaining to the new movie based on the bestseller Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
According to Reelz Channel, Natalie Portman has dropped out of the movie and Scarlett Johansson has been replaced as Elizabeth Bennet, with Bradley Cooper as a possible Mr. Darcy. Wow, definitely not people I would ever imagine to play these immortal characters! I thought that Scarlett is too beautiful for Lizzy and Bradley is too Wickham (the bad boy type) to play Darcy. But then having looked though various photos of the two actors, I can actually see how this could work!
Take this for example-
This picture of a light brunette Scarlett with bright eyes and a playful smile definitely puts me in mind of cheerful Lizzy Bennet. And is it just me, or does she remind you of Keria Knightley in a way?
Now, I wasn’t at all convinced that Bradley Cooper could pull off tall, dark, brooding Darcy till I saw this picture… I say he’s definitely got the key smoldering to a tee!
What do you guys think about the casting for the movie? Do you think these two are prefect for the role or are there actors you would prefer to see? Comment below and share your thoughts!
Wicked Becomes You by Meredith Duran
Setting: 1890, Late Victorian
Summary:
She’s been burned not once but twice by London’s so-call ed gentlemen . . .
Gwen Maudsley is pretty enough to be popular, and plenty wealthy, too. But what she’s best known and loved for is being so very, very nice. When a cad jilts her at the altar—again—the scandal has her outraged friends calling for blood. Only Gwen has a different plan. If nice no longer works for her, then it’s time to learn to be naughty. Happily, she knows the perfect tutor—Alexander Ramsey, her late brother’s best friend and a notorious rogue.
So why won’t a confirmed scoundrel let her be as bad as she wants to be?
Unbeknownst to Gwen, Alex’s aloof demeanor veils his deepest unspoken desire. He has no wish to see her change, nor to tempt himself with her presence when his own secrets make any future between them impossible. But on a wild romp from Paris to the Riviera, their friendship gives way to something hotter, darker, and altogether more dangerous. With Alex’s past and Gwen’s newly unleashed wildness on a collision course, Gwen must convince Alex that his wickedest intentions are exactly what she needs.
Click on cover for more info
Review:
I have to say I was really looking forward to the good girl gone bad story especially when it seemed to involve a hero who didn’t want to see her change. I suppose I have a thing for the underdog, the nice girl that people will use unfairly.
It started off well but I felt it didn’t hold up after the middle of the book. The book wasn’t terrible, it just could have been better. I did love how there were a lot of historical details thrown in and enjoyed being taken on a tour around 19th century Paris which I had never read before. That part was well-written and obviously well-researched. However, the book fell flat for me after the mid-way point and I found myself wanting to just finish it quickly so I could start a new book.
The heroine Gwen was well-written as a three-dimensional character in that you could see how she could have some naughty in her behind the nice-ness. She did evolve well in the book, but at times I felt that she was very immature and sometimes a bit too dramatic. The hero Alex, who apparently won a K.I.S.S award for best historical hero, was just ok for me. He didn’t seem to have much personality and just seemed like cardboard cutout of the ‘perfect man.’ I will admit that he was pretty sexy at certain points though 😉
As a couple, the two just didn’t have enough chemistry. Gwen just seemed too young and naive, and Alex seemed too worldly for her. I didn’t really get into their romance. That may also be because there weren’t really any obstacles in their way.
The best part of this book for me was the historical details and the tour around Europe 🙂 I learned some interesting places of interest and even a bit of French! Plot-wise, the book had a great start what with the tour and Gwen getting to try new things but after all that, it dragged.
Overall, the book suffered from a lack of chemistry between the leads, a lack of conflict and intrigue. On the plus side, Gwen’s evolution to less nice was well-written and the historical details very well researched.
Sensuality Level: Pretty warm (Short but explicit love scenes)
Final Verdict: Just ok. Read it if you’re bored, but otherwise don’t.
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
This would never have happened in Regency England: Electricity
What a lazy day!
Waking up at 2 and then milling around mostly on the computer and reading a bit in between… The end result? I accomplished absolutely nothing today when I so fervently promised on Friday I would!
After finishing one romance and then attempting to start a classic novel instead (in an effort to complete a 100-books-you-should-read list), I fell asleep, only to wake up discovering that both the electricity outlets in my room have stopped working. Which leaves my computer running on battery alone and means I’ll have to move my stuff outside if I want it to work.
Confound this electricity system! Apparently, there was a power surge because too many people were using the outlets outside in the common room so as a result, all power outlets (excluding thankfully, the lights) have stopped working.
Well, really, this would never have happened back then. Ok, I admit electricity wasn’t even invented until the late 19th century but this has made me realize how much we’re relying on technology, and how we really can’t do without it. What would happen if electricity suddenly stopped working? Would we have people wondering around dazed, their purpose completely gone?
One thing you have to give props to the 1800’s for-People back then could live perfectly fine without electricity and actually did worthwhile things with their time instead of wasting time on facebook and milling around the net, not really doing anything solid. If people stepped away from technology for a bit, I bet they could discover all sorts of things, not to mention have time to do things they always get distracted from because of said technology.
I hereby issue you all a challenge. Take a day off from using the computer, and see what you find. Comment below to share your discoveries.
Title of Sarah MacLean’s new novel revealed!
With only two days to go before the release of the second book in her trilogy featuring Nicholas St. John, Sarah MacLean has revealed the title of the last book featuring Nick’s sister:
Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke’s Heart
Mmm, sounds like a scandalous read! The final book will be out next summer.
Romances coming in November 2010!
The Season, being the best resource for romances out there has released their list of new HR novels to look out for in November. I’ve picked some of my personal to-buy books which I will present to you:
1) Debut of author Kieran Kramer
I love it when new authors show up on the market, exp when they have books with adorable titles like these!
Dashing Lord Harry Traemore is perfectly content to live out his days in the pursuit of pleasure. But when he’s named by the Prince Regent as one of society’s “Impossible Bachelors,” Harry is drafted into a ribald romantic wager. The rules of engagement are scandalously simple: The bachelor whose mistress wins the title of “Most Delectable Companion” gets to remain unmarried. Harry is utterly unconcerned about his status…until his latest lightskirt abandons him.
Enter Lady Molly Fairbanks. Harry’s childhood friend—actually, “foe” is more like it—is the most unlikely companion of all. She’s attractive but hot-headed, and in no mood for games. Besides, what could the self-indulgent Harry possibly know about what makes a woman delectable? It’s time for Molly to teach him a lesson once and for all…but will it lead to “happily ever after?”
Due out November 2, 2010
Excerpt:
http://kierankramerbooks.com/books/when-harry-met-molly/
2) Spicy fairytale retellings!
The Marquis’ New Clothes: To save her cousin, Aimee de Miran must retrieve a jeweled ring from the most sinfully seductive man at court, the Marquis de Nattes. But to search his considerable wardrobe she’ll have to get very close to the notorious rake…and soon she finds herself very close to him indeed, with his clothes—and hers—utterly forgotten…
The Lovely Duckling: Reputed for his carnal skills, Joseph d’Alumbert prefers amorous encounters without emotional entanglement—until a quick-witted lady stirs tender feelings and hot desire. Emilie de Sarron suffered burns to her body as an infant, and keeps her scars—and her heart—well hidden. But Joseph is determined to peel away her inhibitions, one slow steamy kiss at a time, to reveal the beautiful swan inside…
The Princess and the Diamonds: Princess Gabrielle can’t sleep at night. There is something hard in her bed. No, not just the stolen diamonds tucked under her mattress, but the handsome Marquis on it….whose carnal talents she can’t resist. But he threatens her secret mission, and worse, she stands to lose far more than the diamonds—her heart is at stake….
Due out November 9, 2010
Excerpt:
http://www.liladipasqua.com/princessExcerpt.htm
3) New series by Lorraine Heath
Known throughout London for his prowess in the bedroom, Morgan Lyons, the 8th Earl of Westcliffe, cannot forgive an unpardonable affront to his honor. Discovering his young bride in the arms of his brother was a staggering blow–so he banished the beautiful deceiver to the country and devoted himself to the pursuit of carnal pleasure.
Claire Lyons was an innocent, frightened girl on her wedding day, seeking chaste comfort from a childhood friend. Now, years later, she has blossomed magnificently and has returned to London with one goal in mind: the seduction of her notorious husband. Unskilled in the sensual arts, she burns nonetheless for the kisses too long denied her. And she has but one Season to win back the heart of the rogue she betrayed.
Due out October 26th 2010
4) Romance with paranormal twist
Gavin Hepburn is a true psychic but as yet is untested. When he locks eyes with a beautiful stranger Gavin knows he’s found his quarry—the woman he’s destined to save.
All her life, Kate Cameron has battled the childhood demons of her dreams. When those around her begin meeting tragic fates, Kate knows she’s next—until the deliverance of a man she’s never met. But after a night in hiding, Gavin and Kate are bound by more than just their secret visions.
Due out November 2, 2010
Excerpt:
http://www.elizabeththornton.com/excerpt_bewitching.html
Happy month of reading! 😀
Anticipation-Sabrina Jeffries new book!
This is the third in her Hellions series due out next year. This is the story of the sister Minerva Sharpe.
Blurb:
Lady Minerva Sharpe has the perfect plan to thwart her grandmother’s demand that she marry by year’s end: become engaged to a rogue! Surely Gran would rather release her inheritance than see her wed a scoundrel.
And who better to play the part of Minerva’s would-be husband than wild barrister Giles Masters, the very inspiration for the handsome spy in the popular gothic novels she writes? The memory of his passionate kiss on her nineteenth birthday has lingered with Minerva, though she has no intention of falling for such a rakehell, much less marrying him! Little does she know, Giles really is a covert government operative. When the two team up to investigate the mystery behind her parents’ deaths, their fake betrothal leads to red-hot desire. Then Minerva discovers Giles’s secret double life, and he must use all the cunning tricks of his trade to find his way back to her heart.
Due out January 18, 2011
Anticipation-Laura Lee Guhrke’s new series!
Scared of being jilted right before the big wedding? Well, these three heroes and heroines have been jilted and now have to deal with the aftereffects!
Laura Lee Guhrke‘s new series is sure to delight readers as the first two books in her new series tell stories about second chances in love. In the first book, Beatrix Danbury was jilted six years ago and now the same man has come back into her life-
Lady Beatrix Danbury has always known she would marry William Mallory. She’d loved him forever, and she’d never doubted he loved her, too. But when she made him choose between their life together and his lifelong dream, Will chose the latter, and left two weeks before their wedding.
Will has no illusions that Beatrix will welcome him back with open arms, but six years has not diminished his love or his desire for her. The only problem is that she’s about to marry someone else. Someone safe and predictable… the complete opposite of Will. But can he stop the wedding of the season and win Beatrix back, or is it just too late?
Due out December 28, 2010
Excerpt-
http://www.lauraleeguhrke.com/bookshelf/season.php
And the second book due out next year feature a duke who has been jilted, not once, but twice…
Being jilted. It’s awful for a guy.
Especially if you’re a duke, and your fiancée left you for that other duke, the one who came back from Egypt just before your wedding. Humiliating, right?
But what if you managed to recover, got engaged to another girl, and then got jilted again, this time because of a notorious woman, a lot of champagne, and a moment of utter stupidity? Well, that’s beyond humiliating. That’s a scandal.
Ah, but what if you manage to put the scandal behind you and begin searching for a new bride, only to have the notorious woman who ruined everything reenter your life? What if she’s as enticing as before? What if just being near her threatens to ruin your marriage prospects and your reputation all over again? For Aidan Carr, Duke of Trathen, the unluckiest man in England when it comes to matrimony, another scandal is the worst thing he can imagine. It might also be the best thing that ever happened to him.
Due out January 25, 2011
Anticipation-The Lady Most Likely…
What do I love more than a book from a talented author? A book by three great authors!
This one is due out a bit later(December 28) but thought I would preview it now so you can get excited for holiday season 😉
Gentlemen, listen up! This one would make a great Christmas gift for the lady in your life!
Here’s the blurb before I ramble on anymore-
Hugh Dunne, the Earl of Briarly, needs a wife—so his sister hands him a list of the very best young ladies on the market. And then, because he refuses to tear himself away from the stables where he trains Arabian racehorses, she invites all those ladies to a house party, along with some other bachelors, of course.
So who will Hugh choose? The Botticelli-esque, enchanting Gwendolyn? The outspoken, delightful Katherine? If he doesn’t work fast, he’ll lose those ladies to his closest friends, and then where will he look for a wife? Perhaps, just perhaps, toward a lady who’s not on a market at all, and would require a great deal of persuading…
*Sigh* Sounds like a great read and you gotta love that cover!
Super Excited!
Oh no, I didn’t! Oh yes, I did! I just found out I won a signed copy of Miranda Neville’s The Dangerous Viscount 😀
YYYYYYYAAAAAAAYYYYYYY!!!! (Excuse the childish behavior :P)
Seeing as I still cant find the book here in Miri, this is the most perfect surprise! This just goes to show that the unexpected really does happen! 😀
Historical Romance Addicts 