Romantic Fiction, Reality Shaping and The Work

[Voyageur]

I must mention the fourth volume of the series The Wagers of Sin (Fortune favors the viscount) by Caroline Linden.

Okay, here is a link to read up on them.

The Wagers of Sin Series by Caroline Linden

My Once and Future Duke (The Wagers of Sin, #1), An Earl Like You (The Wagers of Sin, #2), When the Marquess Was Mine (The Wagers of Sin, #3) und Fortun...

www.goodreads.com

 

[seek10]

The following books were added to the site as per the suggestions.

352	Anne Gracie	The Brides of Bellaire Gardens	3	The Heiress's Daughter
353	Stella Riley			A Splendid Defiance
354	Caroline Linden	Wagers of Sin	4	Fortune Favors the Viscount

Project site: Books Reading Project

 

[Voyageur]

Had wanted to briefly write on what Stella Riley wrote in here book, The Marigold Chain. Think all her books have been read now, and this one was a couple of months ago.




The story starts off following the 1665 plague that took out 100,000 in London and area, and the scene moves in the direction of Oxford. Right away in the story, one is introduced to Alex Deveril, who winds up at a card party and gets dunk with his buddies and his foes. The drinking is a theme, at least for awhile. The card party results in Alex going all in, with the pot being a woman by the name of Chloe, who suddenly finds herself tossed into the game at the last minute in desperation by her brother, as a stake, a vowel owed.

As for almost all books of this nature, one does not truly know characters until the author starts to place the reader more into their shoes. These characters are like that (you can get frustrated with them), where one asks, just what is their baggage, and will they talk and share, or lock it inside, and will friends even betray et cetera.

Interestingly, many old character names (and families) come up, and even (for people who have read her other books) are references to the 'Sealed Knot' group, and then what happened with that. There are battles on the seas in ships against the Dutch and their British allies. This was very realistic and researched. As for the conclusion, this looks to the 1666 London Fire (horrible) as a backdrop.

Stella Riley is really a super writer, one of the best (imo), and yet not always easy. Stella takes the reader through so many different ideological twists and turns from so many waring political parties. Characters in the book are often foes from the last book, and Alex will be recognized. Thus, it was an extremely messed up time period, like now.

 

[Anamarija]

Just finished reading The Rakehell of Roth by Amalie Howard. With The Beast of Beswick that's by far my favorite books. Not because that something special in writing or plot it's just I like how both characters, Astrid&Isobel, had qualities that I would like to develop. Their persistence, not giving up, constantly finding new ways to express their love and melt away all the "stubbornness" that stood in the way of Winter and Thane's hearts. In modern society and in real world so many break ups and divorced marriages because people easily give up. It's not judging, I'm sure some people had good reasons and done everything they can to save the marriage but overall I think that people in an attempt to defend their heart or ego they very easily hurt others (my self included, but, in the past).

After reading a 29 books (which probably isn't enough information to have some bigger impact on my emotional center) I have notice that usually the women characters were the ones that saving the man. Although men often save women from physical harm, it is women who save men from emotional and psychological downfalls. I just wonder is this related only to fiction romantic novels or it's role/goal of a woman that she could (if she want) to develop?

 

[Mari]

I have notice that usually the women characters were the ones that saving the man. Although men often save women from physical harm, it is women who save men from emotional and psychological downfalls. I just wonder is this related only to fiction romantic novels or it's role/goal of a woman that she could (if she want) to develop?

I would say that in a real relationship, it is mutual healing that happens on both physical and emotional level.
I‘ve read many romances where the man was the one that emotionally healed the woman (i.e. first two parts of Balogh‘s Web series came to mind but there are many more).

I see it as a balancing emotions in both man and woman, healing deep wounds and programs, and bringing up the best in both and polish it to shine in a loving, supporting, understanding and caring way.

 

[Mikkael]

I am reading through the Survivors Club series and continuing with the fifth book now.

I can't forget the moment when in the first book, the male character Hugo was musing about his relationship with his father, about his feelings of guilt and rebelliousness which got me thinking about my own father and I was so surprised when after a little while I had resumed reading the book - the book started to answer my thoughts in such a way that my jaw dropped, it literally was interacting with my mind! And then the next paragraphs answered for me what I thought I already understood in my relationship with my parents, but the explanation which I got from the book, was so lucid and I know it to be true. It is quickly becoming my favorite series, sometimes so witty and funny, but now with the fifth book I have a feeling that the story of Raplh won't be exactly funny business, but everything will be well before the end I trust.

 

[Voyageur]

349

Stella Riley

The Shadow Earl

For any who have read all of Stella's books, checked this week and noted that she is releasing book two of Shadows, called the MASQUE OF DECEPTIONS. It looks to August 31st as a release date.

From The Shadow Earl, this book appear to pick back up with the character Daniel Shelbourne, who at the end of the last story becomes Viscount Reculver. From Goodreads, it says of the story that "Daniel needs money quickly if his family is to avoid ruin," and he meets Anna Hawthorne.

Not been read, will leave it there.

 

[Chu]

Stella Riley is really a super writer, one of the best (imo), and yet not always easy. Stella takes the reader through so many different ideological twists and turns from so many waring political parties. Characters in the book are often foes from the last book, and Alex will be recognized. Thus, it was an extremely messed up time period, like now.

I couldn't agree more. She has become my second favorite after Balogh. I still have about 6 books of hers to read (currently on the Brandon Brothers series), but boy, some of those are now engraved in my mind. Particularly The King's Falcon and Garland of Straw I think, though it's hard to pick a favorite from the Rockliffe series, as they were all so good.

I love how you can still follow the main characters' lives book after book, and even series after series. And the plots have something original or special that I haven't seen in others. Even the way she depicts the depth of each character is different. Pretty sure I'll re-read those in years to come.

 

[Chu]

After reading a 29 books (which probably isn't enough information to have some bigger impact on my emotional center) I have notice that usually the women characters were the ones that saving the man. Although men often save women from physical harm, it is women who save men from emotional and psychological downfalls. I just wonder is this related only to fiction romantic novels or it's role/goal of a woman that she could (if she want) to develop?

I agree with Mari there, it seems to be 50/50. I guess it depicts different "simple karmic understandings". Perhaps even karmic debts and lessons. But notice that, even when one of the two seems to help the other one more, it is still quite reciprocal and balanced. Their strengths tend to be complementary. So, very often, one helps the other in certain areas, and viceversa. That's as it should be, I think. Like in our own network. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, and nobody is "saving" anyone, we're just learning together. Or at least that's how I think about it.

 

[Voyageur]

I agree with Mari there, it seems to be 50/50. I guess it depicts different "simple karmic understandings". Perhaps even karmic debts and lessons. But notice that, even when one of the two seems to help the other one more, it is still quite reciprocal and balanced. Their strengths tend to be complementary. So, very often, one helps the other in certain areas, and viceversa. That's as it should be, I think. Like in our own network. We all have different strengths and weaknesses, and nobody is "saving" anyone, we're just learning together. Or at least that's how I think about it.

That is how I've read them too, often it is the man or woman seeing through the opposites eyes, really seeing what they have suffered through, and looking at their surroundings and interactions (family et al.). So as you say, this works often in the opposite way, hence "reciprocal and balanced." The seeing is one major part, and although either may sense it in the other in the early stages, it is when either the man or woman finally let go of the emotional dam in an honest way, that the window into their past is fully open. When finally all the barriers come down to truly know/understand, help and love each other.

 

[Anamarija]

I agree with Mari there, it seems to be 50/50. I guess it depicts different "simple karmic understandings". Perhaps even karmic debts and lessons. But notice that, even when one of the two seems to help the other one more, it is still quite reciprocal and balanced.

Then I must have seen wrongly. It's interesting because then I ask myself how many other things I see wrongly.

I've been thinking these days about that a lot since this summer was many "betrayals" (just the way I see it) by my so called friends. Even though is part of our life learning and I should accept that I feel disappointed in myself. How many times do I need to go through the same stuff in order to learn (I'm just asking my self this)?

 

[Chu]

Then I must have seen wrongly. It's interesting because then I ask myself how many other things I see wrongly.

Or maybe the books you read have more plots where the woman seems stronger? You could maybe try different authors, or more books by the same author? It doesn't have to be your perception being totally wrong, in this case.

I've been thinking these days about that a lot since this summer was many "betrayals" (just the way I see it) by my so called friends. Even though is part of our life learning and I should accept that I feel disappointed in myself. How many times do I need to go through the same stuff in order to learn (I'm just asking my self this)?

Ah, well, I think many of us ask ourselves that very same question when lessons keep repeating! So you're not alone in that one. Maybe you could network about it in your own thread. In some areas, I think we ARE "stupid", and need many repetitions of the same lesson to even start getting it. In others, it looks as if it was the same lesson, but there are subtle varieties. Whatever the case, though, it's all about learning. So, the fact that you are noticing the repetition and the pattern (and that you are disappointed) might be the beginning of your learning not to do the same in life. FWIW!

 

[gottathink]

I was just welcoming a new member to the forum who also enquired about the romance reading. I found myself writing about how I think it’s helped me and decided that part of my post should be in this thread:

I have found that many of the characters have modelled behaviours and traits that I wished to develop. They have been good counsel in working through developing a closer relationship with my husband, I have been able to open myself to the possibility of being loved. A couple of months ago he proclaimed that “I think we are in love”. For so many years he had been saying that he wanted to love me but we just didn’t feel we had that level of closeness. We have been together 17 years and I feel that my own work was a significant part of creating a new outcome. The characters supported and inspired me in this.

 

[Seamus]

Stella Riley is really a super writer, one of the best (imo), and yet not always easy. Stella takes the reader through so many different ideological twists and turns from so many waring political parties. Characters in the book are often foes from the last book, and Alex will be recognized. Thus, it was an extremely messed up time period, like now.

I couldn't agree more. She has become my second favorite after Balogh. I still have about 6 books of hers to read (currently on the Brandon Brothers series), but boy, some of those are now engraved in my mind. Particularly The King's Falcon and Garland of Straw I think, though it's hard to pick a favorite from the Rockliffe series, as they were all so good.

I love how you can still follow the main characters' lives book after book, and even series after series. And the plots have something original or special that I haven't seen in others. Even the way she depicts the depth of each character is different. Pretty sure I'll re-read those in years to come.

Wow I need to get some of her books! I just finished Hostage to the Devil and some romanitc fiction sounds pretty good right now

Where should I start with her books?

 

[Voyageur]

Where should I start with her books?

@seek10 has a running list here. From the list, starting with the Rockliffe series should be fine, although some of the other titles are historically intense and there are family connections over the span of a century or more.