luxken27 | Entries tagged with meta special: revisiting the bridgertons

1814 promises to be another eventful season, but not, This Author believes, for Anthony Bridgerton, London’s most elsuive bachelor, who has shown no indication that he plans to marry.

And in truth, why should he? When it comes to playing the consummate rake, nobody does it better… Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1814

But this time the gossip columnists have it wrong. Anthony Bridgerton hasn’t just decided to marry — he’s even chosen a wife! The only obstacle is his intended’s older sister, Kate Sheffield — the most meddlesome woman ever to grace a London ballroom. The spirited schemer is driving Anthony mad with her determination to stop the betrothal, but when he closes his eyes at night, Kate is the woman haunting his increasingly erotic dreams…

Contrary to popular belief, Kate is quite sure that reformed rakes do not make the best husbands—and Anthony Bridgerton is the most wicked rogue of them all. Kate is determined to protect her sister—but she fears her own heart is vulnerable. And when Anthony’s lips touch hers, she’s suddenly afraid she might not be able to resist the reprehensible rake herself…

( My thoughts on the Viscount...and his wife - spoilers inside )

( The Viscount Who Loved Me - The '2nd Epilogue' )

Current Mood: contemplative

Can there be any greater challenge to London’s Ambitious Mamas than an unmarried duke? — Lady Whistledown’s Society Papers, April 1813

By all accounts, Simon Basset is on the verge of proposing to his best friend’s sister, the lovely and almost-on-the-shelf Daphne Bridgerton. But the two of them know the truth—it’s all an elaborate plan to keep Simon free from marriage-minded society mothers. And as for Daphne, surely she will attract some worthy sutiors now that it seems a duke has declared her desirable.

But as Daphne waltzes across ballroom after ballroom with Simon, it’s hard to remember that their courtship is a complete sham. Maybe it’s his devilish smile, certainly it’s the way his eyes seem to burn every time he looks at her… but somehow Daphne is falling for the dashing duke… for real! And now she must do the impossible and convince the handsome rogue that their clever little scheme deserves a slight alteration, and that nothing makes quite as much sense as falling in love…

( My thoughts on D&I, let me show you them - spoilers inside )

( The Duke & I - The '2nd Epilogue' )

Current Mood: contemplative

Whenever I find myself in a writing slump, I like to turn to a tried-and-true favorite author, Julia Quinn, for inspiration. A Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame inductee who's still going strong, Quinn is known for her light, frothy, funny historical romances. She'd tucked quite a few trilogies and short series under her belt when she started the eight-book series that would ultimately put her on the map: the Bridgerton saga.

"Saga" is really too heavy a word to describe this series, because it isn't a heavy, angst-filled drama. This series contains (and highlights) some of her best, funniest, most outrageous characters, none the least of which is the mysterious, acerbic gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, author of Lady Whistledown's Society Papers.

I've read (and own) the entire series, and was planning to do a re-read when the 2nd epilogues were released a couple of years ago. Life got in the way, however, so I haven't had the chance to start such a massive project until now. As it turns out, this year marks the 15th anniversary of the start of the series, so what better time to go for a re-read?

I've read a lot in the ensuing 15 years, and though I find Quinn's books hold up to lots of re-reads, I haven't re-read this particular series in a long time. It makes me wonder how much my own preferences/tastes/tolerances have matured or changed, which is the reason why I'm chronicling my reactions here. I am also in hopes that this will give me a second spark on my own projects, because reading good romance always inspires me to write a bit of my own. There's a little over a month left for this year's Summer Mini Challenge, and Lord knows I need all the help I can get!

Julia Quinn's Bridgerton Series:

Book #1 - The Duke & I (2000)
Book #2 - The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000)
Book #3 - An Offer From a Gentleman (2001)
Book #4 - Romancing Mr. Bridgerton (2002)
Book #5 - To Sir Phillip, With Love (2003)
Book #6 - When He Was Wicked (2004)
Book #7 - It's in His Kiss (2005)
Book #8 - On the Way to the Wedding (2006)

Current Mood: excited

S	M	T	W	T	F	S
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31

There is a method behind the madness

Inherent meta: the story behind the story

Entries tagged with meta special: revisiting the bridgertons

Revisiting the Bridgertons | 2: The Viscount Who Loved Me (2000)

Revisiting the Bridgertons | 1: The Duke & I (2000)

2015 Summer Re-reading Project: Revisiting the Bridgertons

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