Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon LathanCopyright 2009
Sourcebooks
DNF
Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy was my first unfinished book of 2009 . Normally, I don't write reviews of books that I haven't completed, but I decided I'll begin to do so because the fact that I didn't find a book engrossing doesn't necessarily mean nobody else will.
In this particular case, I thought the book was a little too focused on what one might refer to as "newlywed relations". I thought there was very little hint of the original Jane Austen characters and not a whole lot of plot, at least at the point that I ceased reading. I stopped on page 58.
I think plenty of readers would find the book romantic and I'd recommend it specifically to those who enjoy the romance genre, in general, and don't mind a lot of sexual implication and some mildly graphic sex. You have to be willing to totally let go of the characters. I truly did not see a lot of the real Mr. Darcy and Lizzy in Lathan's characterization. But, that is merely my humble opinion.
I'm going to offer this book along with a set of 13 unread Harlequin "Close to Home" books that were sent to me in error and a used copy of The Masque of the Black Tulip by Lauren Willig to one reader. I attempted to read one of the Close to Home series books and it was, like Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy, simply not my cup of tea. I've decided to get rid of The Masque of the Black Tulip without reading. The Darcy book is an ARC. Any books the winner doesn't want will be donated. You don't have to accept all 15.
This will be the first box of books that I'm giving away to celebrate the fact that I'm on the verge of reaching 100,000 hits on my blog (after around 22 or 23 months of using a stat counter). Wahoo! for that.
Here are the rules to enter for the Box of Oh How I Love You Giveaway:
1. Answer the following question in the most random, ridiculous way you can imagine: "What shall we do with the drunken sailor?" Just FYI, my son came up with the question. Short answers are fine.
2. Leave a contact email, so that I can easily locate you if you win.
3. Nope, no #3 - that's it! I just want to know what you'd do with the drunken sailor (early in the morrrrning -- it's a sailing song) and you must make sure I can find you, otherwise you'll be disqualified and that would be so sad, wouldn't it? You can tell your friends if you'd like, but I'm not going to worry about extra points. I just want to pass on some books to happy new homes. Tell your romance-reading buddies. That would be terrific.
4. It makes no sense to have a #4 if there's no #3, but some days are like that. This contest is open to anyone in the world. If you live outside the U. S. and you want to send me a nifty postcard or bookmark in return, I won't stop you. Neither is a requirement and my husband says, "Drop that bit." My son would just like to know your answers to the drunken sailor question. All three of us are tired of tripping over books.
The drawing will be held on Sunday, January 11 because I don't want to drag this puppy too far around the yard. I'm not making this a sticky, so hit "star" in your reader or bookmark this post if you get lost easily. Just being helpful.
Next up will be a review of I Choose to Be Happy by Missy Jenkins.
Oh, this is will help with my personal Pride & Prejudice sequel challenge! And I loved Willig's The Secret History of the Pink Carnation. {I'll have to find another home for the Harlequin books since they're not my cup of tea. Or you could do that if you'd rather.}
ReplyDeleteI'd let the drunken sailor stumble around for a bit and wait for his funny remarks to become offense before I'd have him escorted to the ship to sleep it off.
Contact: jacketscovers[at]yahoo[dot]com
Congrats on almost reaching 100,000 hits!
Tie him to the mast, Cap'n, way up high!
ReplyDeleteJacketsandcovers,
ReplyDeleteI can donate those that aren't wanted -- I'll add a note to that effect, thanks.
You're far too nice to your sailors.
Care,
Yep, that's the way. Are you signing up? Fortunately, I know where to find you.
I'm going to pass on this giveaway despite my love for Harlequin romance novels :p I'm not too big into books that rewrite other people's characters. They usually just ruin them..I have to say that the one exception was Barbara Hambly's Renfield...the Dracula spin off...she did an excellent job!
ReplyDeleteChris,
ReplyDeleteYou're so funny. I'm not into even the real Dracula, but I have to agree that in most cases spin-offs are a waste of time. The Darcys and the Bingleys, however, was loads of fun. I will definitely read more by the author of that particular spin-off (and probably skip the rest).
No need to enter me into the drawing--doesn't sound like one that would tickle my fancy either. I just wanted to let you know that you made me smile. You arrrrrrr a funny one. :) If my hubby knew I just typed that he would roll his eyes all the way around his head. My favorite "new" joke is: Why are pirates so cool? Because they arrrrrrrr. LOL. I just read this entire comment to him--and he rolled his eyes. :)
ReplyDeleteTrish,
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I love it! And, thank you. :) Okay, I won't enter you. I knew this one wouldn't thrill a lot of people, but there are more giveaways coming up. Maybe one of those will float your boat. Arrrrr not.
Ahoy me mateys. Ooh, amazing, amazing giveaway! I'm a fan of romance, so this floats my boat for sure. We used to sing this Drunken Sailor song when I was about six or seven at school.
ReplyDeleteI'd put the Drunken Sailor on the next ice breaker departing for Antarctica and hopefully I would not see him again for a while.
I'd make him sing the other 60-whatever verses of the song and then send him on his way.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great giveaway - thanks!
wow...is this really happenning? lol...I love Harlequin books. In fact I use them as fillers between 2 books. Just yesterday I was searching for something to read from Harlequin or Mills and boon and I realized that I had only one book left in my TBR pile :(
ReplyDeleteI am saving it when i actually hit a reading slump. There is nothing like Harlequin romances to get me out of the reading block.
I don't mind reading the Darcy book either.
Please enter me, I would love to win this and I assure you all your books will be well loved :)
As for the answer to your question, I didn't know what you are talking about, so I googled it. I like the poem, it's very catchy.
I like the 'Make him kiss the gardeners daughter', as for me I will keep him submerged in the water until he comes to his senses. I am strict that way!!!
Belinda, Kate and Violet,
ReplyDeleteThanks, all great answers! I need your emails, though!!
Strip him naked and leave him in the town center. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm not signing up for the challenge, I just wanted to answer the question.
Congrats on your 100,000 posts! That's awesome!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe sailor....I would have him empty the poo pot and any that spilt over he would have to clean up.
Yuck, I can't even stand the thought of that yet in a book I just finished about Richard III, they talked about the poo pot...who would of thought!
Thanks For Sharing!
Darby
darbyscloset at yahoo dot com
Sorry - I forgot!
ReplyDeletewhatkatesreading AT gmail DOT com
Cheers
Kate
We shall tie him up and throw him overboard!
ReplyDeletebridget3420(at)yahoo(dot)com
This is probably the best contest I've ever entered! Thanks.
Kris,
ReplyDeleteGood one! LOL Okay, I won't enter you. There'll be a few mysteries, eventually, and I'll let you know when that giveaway rolls around. :)
Darby,
Thank you! And, yeah, the infamous chamber pots. Blecch. We don't know how lucky we are with our modern toilets, eh?
Kate,
Thank you. You're all set, now. :)
Bridget,
Best ever? Cool. What a nice, warm fuzzy. Poor sailor. Methinks he shall drown (but not likely feel much).
Bleargh, romance. So I'm not in the running for this one at all! I just wanted to tell you I liked your DNF reviewing style. :)
ReplyDeleteIt is very simple what I would do with the drunken sailor, I would give him more alcohol. There is nothing more depressing than a hungover formerly drunken sailor. That would just be messy.
ReplyDeleteThat is perhaps the best question I have heard today.
My email is:
Grace2133(at)yahoo(dot)com
Grace
Carrie,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that. I knew you wouldn't be interested in a stack of romance novels. Maybe one of my boxes of books will interest you, though. We'll see!
Grace,
Good answer! I'm glad you enjoyed the question. The poor kid who came up with it is unconscious after a wisdom-tooth removal. I hope he'll be back to his happy, witty self, soon. He'd make a bad drunk, just judging from his reaction to anesthetic! :)
Hey Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI'm bitter that you didn't like this P*P book. You know I love these. I'm in!
Melissa
melissaenglish72@yahoo.com
http://www.melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Hi Nancy! I have left you the Butterfly Award at my blog! Here's the link: http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/2009/01/butterfly-award.html
ReplyDelete"Let's shave his head and paint it red!" Can you tell I teach kindergarten? It just HAD to rhyme!!
ReplyDeleteAt my school we pass books around til they're almost unreadable!! We'd love to have a boxful. They'll all be read!
Those books don't sound my cup tea either, so don't enter me. I just stopped by to see what others would do with the sailor, and say I really like your new blog header image!
ReplyDeleteI like to write little posts about books I can't finish, too- it's interesting to see what makes us give up on 'em. And nice to know there's so many book lovers out there you can find another reader who wants what you're discarding!
Don't enter me in this drawing. I'm tripping over far too many of my own books! Just wanted to pop in and say your post made me laugh out loud. Thanks for always putting a huge smile on my face, Bookfool!!
ReplyDeletejoin him for another drink and another and another till neither one of you feels any pain
ReplyDeleteDon't bother entering me in this Nancy. I blogged about it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2009/01/this-weeks-giveaways-galore.html
What do you do with a drunken sailor? Fix him up with an ugly jailer.
ReplyDeleteOh well, I'd love to win this prize ---- My book stash is running low and I would absolutely love the 15 books that went to you by mistake.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo.com
Here's my email, sorry I forgot
ReplyDeleteelizascott2005[at]yahoo[dot]co[dot]in
Books, yay, and so many, would love to get those,don't forget the great question lol.
ReplyDeleteNow what shall we do with the drunken sailor:
Have him organize my room since it's a mess after I come home from my xmas holiday.
And after that I can give him another drink for being such a good sport ;)
blodeuedd1@gmail.com
LOL! here this morning. I'd have to throw that sailor in the hold with all of our unfinished books.
ReplyDeleteI'd be interested in reading all of the books in the box. I like the little romances between bigger books also. But this batch would go to a shut in friend of mine. She would be so excited to get a box of new books to read this cold snowy winter. Thanks for the chance to win. mamakaneATyahooDOTcom
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteHaha! Bitter, eh? Sorry! I was disappointed with this one, but you probably will like it. If you don't win, I'll probably end up with some other interesting things to pass your way. Don't tell anyone I said that. Wait! What would you do with the drunken sailor? :)
April,
Thank you!!
MJ,
I love the idea of the books being passed around till they're in tatters. If you don't win, I hope the next owner will pass them on, again. Love your answer! Kindergarten -- such fun! I love the ages of 4-5, that creative burst age. If I taught, that would be my age of choice.
Jeane,
Thank you! We haven't seen a single bit of snow, this year, so that's a photo I had to dig out of last year's files from my time in Oklahoma. Violet danced in the snow. :)
Okay, I won't enter you! I'm excited at the response. This seems like a great compromise -- posting about the book and passing it on with some others, so that it still gets attention.
Nancy,
ReplyDeleteYou're too good to me :-)
As for the drunken sailor, I would probably bring him to school for show and tell about why not to drink why sailing :-)
Melissa
http://www.melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Les,
ReplyDeleteI always love it when anyone stops to tell me I've made them smile. Thank you!
Mindy,
I would never do that. LOL Thanks for the answer! I need your email address!
Teddy Rose,
Thanks for blogging about it! Okay, I won't add you. You might be interested in one of my other giveaways. We shall see. :)
Renee,
I think that may be my favorite answer. This is far too fun. :)
Violet,
Thank you!!
Blodeuedd,
OMG, your name is hard to write. Got you signed up! I think a drunken sailor would probably be lousy at organizing, but maybe when he's sober . . .
Mamakane,
That would be an excellent use for the books!!
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteHaha! I love it! Psst, I've just started Written in Blood and it's pretty good, so far (although I'm only on chapter 2).
Dearest Fool, since I see so many others with better answers and more desire for the books, please take my name OUT of the running (and send me your Anne of Green Gables!??! do you have that? just kidding, I'll get it at the library, I'm sure.)
ReplyDeleteWell that sounds like fun...
ReplyDeleteSo, what would I do with a drunken sailor? I would steal his watch and roll him in a ditch! Maybe even take his wallet. He'll never know. :P
Valorie
morbidromantic@gmail.com
Care,
ReplyDeleteIf I ever find Anne, you can have her. I have this tendency to set aside piles of books and then I don't know what the heck I've done with any particular title till I sort, but I don't need my copy. Don't buy it, in the meantime. I'll look. Seriously!
Valorie,
ReplyDeleteThat's just naughty. Tch-tch. But, you're still signed up. ;)
SHave his belly with a rusty razor...ask where he got the drinks and toss him to the fish for hogging all the liquor....joemmama@earthlink.net
ReplyDeleteJoemmama,
ReplyDeleteOuch. :)
No need to enter me. This one is in my TBR pile. I'm curious about it now. LOL
ReplyDelete--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
Can we put the drunken sailor in a dress and make him walk down main street singing Christmas carols?
ReplyDeleteDon't enter me in the drawing, Nancy. I just couldn't help but answer the question. :-)
Anna,
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see whether or not you like it. If not, there are apparently loads of people willing to take it off your hands. LOL Okay, I won't add you!
Wendy,
That sounds like a good idea! Wonder if he'll remember when he sobers up?
Okay, I won't enter you, either. I think it's great everyone's having such fun with the question. :)
Glad that Written in Blood is good so far. :-)
ReplyDeleteKeep me updated!
Melissa
http://www.melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com
Melissa,
ReplyDeleteI'll keep you posted. I forgot to take it to the bedroom, last night, so I'm still on chapter 2. Someday I'll finish! :)
lol please enter me...my secret vice is harlequins....although that's not so secret now I guess...
ReplyDeleteand what do you do with a drunken sailor?
Tie him up and keep him in the closet til he sobers up....and then....who knows what I'll think of next....maybe something involving more knots ;)
Marta
tbbycatt@gmail.com
I'd remove all the coats first, Marta. ;) Great answer! I've added you, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat has got to be the funniest question yet! Now I've got the song running through my mind. Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
ReplyDeleteAs for sailor, ask him to shiver me timbers and cast off. Better yet, how about an introduction to his Captain Jack Sparrow, hmm?
Happy New Year, Nancy! May there be books galore in the year ahead for you.
Hey Indigo,
ReplyDeleteI like the Jack Sparrow bit. Happy New Year!
Oh, I need your email!!!
Put the sailor in the brig and let him sleep it off. Sounds like some great books. Please enter me.
ReplyDeleteayancey[at]dishmail[dot]net
"What shall we do with the drunken sailor?"
ReplyDeleteWell, I know what to do with a drunken airmen because I have one of those. Actually an airmen, not a drunken airmen! You give them a swift kick in the dary air and send them off to bed, so that what ales them will be cured. Thank you for the book giveaway.
bohemian gypsy,
ReplyDeleteYou're just a touch too late for this drawing! I picked a winner last night. I'll have a new giveaway post up soon, though. Please check back!