Date: Jan 04, 2009 - 12:51 am Title: Not That Kind of Girl
Wonderful wedding consummation chapter. I think that Florence will be transformed into a wanton girl yet she just needs to be educated and to forget the restraints society has thus imposed upon her. Perhaps my favorite non-smut aspect of your writing is the dialogue. It's witty and enticing and all the characters speak to fit their class standing.
Author's Response: Ooh, thank you, I really enjoy writing period dialogue, so that was a lovely compliment xxx.
Date: Jan 04, 2009 - 12:28 am Title: Wedding Bells
Florence's mother could have at least given her some sort of warning about what was to come. I wonder how she'll react to such a 'surprise'. Hopefully she won't try to run off, although I could see that happening.
Date: Jan 04, 2009 - 12:19 am Title: The Dieppe School
I wonder if Jessie will be in trouble when she returns. I don't believe her client will be pleased with her prolonged absence. I'm sure you will reveal more all in good time, but I can't help gnawing over and over what is going on with the 'machine'. I am surprised that Alex only got three weeks time; honestly, with Lord Hunter Fox's dislike of him I had thought that he would be going away for longer.
Date: Jan 04, 2009 - 12:06 am Title: Acceptance and Refusal
I can only hope that Lord Hunter-Fox's kiss has broken Alex's spell over Florence. I have a sneaking suspicion that Lord Hunter-Fox is really quite wild in bed but due to his station in live must wear a conservative, refined mask in the public eye. I wonder about Alex; does he have a past only with Lord Hunter-Fox or does he know Florence from her early years as well? Fabulous writing as usually.
Date: Jan 03, 2009 - 11:46 pm Title: Circumstances Change
You always manage to leave me on the very edge of my seat. Your writing seems so genuinely Victorian that if it weren't for the wonderful, much appreciated smut I could easily confuse it with a novel from that time period. So far it seems like a mix of Vanity Fair and Jane Eyre. Even though I favor Lord Hunter-Fox I can't help wondering if he had a hand in urging the banks to foreclose.
[Report This]Date: Jan 03, 2009 - 11:22 pm Title: At the Palace
Oh, you wicked, wicked creature.
Leave me hanging like a girl cuffed to a swing. Sigh.
I can't wait for the next installment. This is the best piece I've read by anyone in a long time. In fact, I'd love you to have my literary babies. *grin*
Really, you are fantastically talented and I adore this story.
Author's Response: Slytherinswench, you have flushed me out of hiding and made me resolve (with it being a New Year and all that) to be less lazy about replying to my lovely reviewers. Thanks so much! It's great to hear from somebody who shares my bizarre and sordid tastes. I've been a JtR obsessive since I was 11 (how my parents laughed!) so a story like this was bound to come out some time. And it can't be any further fetched than some of the stuff that's been mooted as a serious theory (Duke of Clarence, anyone?), can it?rnrnAnyway, I am very chuffed and grinning maniacally at your lovely reviews, though I must admit I don't have a window for a pregnancy in 2009. Maybe some other time? Heh. Thanks again xxx
[Report This]Date: Jan 03, 2009 - 08:50 pm Title: The Dieppe School
I loved the mention of the Irish tart Mary and Sickert (though, I am positive JtR was NOT sickert)! I just started reading and I love this story. I was going to wait to review until I got to the last chapter, but JtR is sort of a mild obsession... Now, too, is your story. This is a magnificent piece. The Libertines, the poetry, the... I love everything about this work. I care about the characters, they're all fascinating and draw the reader in so effortlessly. Also, your pron skills are amazing. I love the language you use, the description, the sex is hedonistic yes, but it's intellectual as well. Large and/or obscure words are delicious and they are their own kind of kink. I'm sure in another review I will confess my undying and faithful love.
[Report This]Date: Jan 02, 2009 - 04:26 am Title: At the Palace
Florence's home life will be getting a little more difficult with her new maid, I think.
The German Archduke is pretty creepy. Is he looking for a particular appearance, e.g., dark haired, red haired, etc.?
Date: Jan 01, 2009 - 10:44 pm Title: A Friend in Need
Chapters 11 and 12
So Lord Hunter-Fox does at least have some tender feelings for Florence rather than just the desire to possess her...I suspected as much. I have a feeling (yes, I am making another prediction which I'm sure you will prove wrong straight away) that Florence's life is about to take a rather large change. One that I don't think she's going to care for. I wonder what Lord Hunter-Fox will say if he discovers the ring she's wearing...that would be interesting.
Date: Jan 01, 2009 - 10:20 pm Title: Fawkelands
Chapters 9 and 10
I am very pleased to have finally gotten to see more of Lord Hunter-Fox. I wonder if it is his mysteriousness that intrigues me so...hmmm, I can't quite decided what it is about him, but there is definitely something. Every time I make a prediction about where your story is going and what a certain character will do next I am proven wrong so this time I will keep my predictions to myself.
Date: Jan 01, 2009 - 09:49 pm Title: Les Jeux sont Faits
Chapters 7 and 8
Looks like trouble all around for one and all.... Hopefully Molly will be wise enough to use Sir Rupert as nothing more than a stepping stone in her attempt to climb the social ladder. Her question as to whether people would think she was his wife and her previous thoughts on Florence's mother's failing health make me think that that isn't the case though. It makes me think that Molly really believes Sir Rupert won't leave her high and dry. On another note, I don't believe Alex really has good intentions towards Florence. He may find her beautiful and charming, but I don't think he loves her. Hmmm, well I guess I'll have to just wait in see (of course, I only have to wait the three seconds it takes me to click next and for the page to load!)
[Report This]Date: Jan 01, 2009 - 09:45 pm Title: At the Palace
OMG!!! Molly don’t do it!! Don’t do it!! Mary is not looking out for your best interests at all! Please listen to me!
Oh Shez, you have me all worked up now. I swear, every time you mention that surgical table with the straps, the hair on the back of my neck stands on end! I am not kidding. It’s funny, I can write that stuff, but reading it here, when I have no control is nerve wracking.
Anyway, now that I have calmed down, I think this was an excellent chapter. I always think you add such wonderful little details to your story like Molly’s darning needle. You seem to capture the Victorian period so easily with just a few words. Not everyone can write this period and carry it off, so I think you have a real gift here.
I am curious of course, who Alex is saying hi too. LOL
And I wanted to tell you I always imagine Jessie as being this breathtakingly beautiful woman. She seems so worldly, yet vulnerable at the same time.
Anyway, I am thrilled you are going to give us more chapters. Thank you hon! You’re the greatest!
Author's Response: Thanks for your words about Jessie - the challenge with her was to make her a libertarian libertine with proto-feminist ideals, who is also somewhat naive about the circles she is moving in. I thought the easy way to do that was to give her an aspirational 'working-class' background, while the real baddies are decadent aristo types. Although she is a sexual adventuress, she has a moral compass, unlike Alex, Sir Rupert and some of the other aristo baddies. Vyvyan is less licentious than he likes to make out as well.
Date: Dec 30, 2008 - 10:07 pm Title: The Mysteries of the Heart
Chapters 5 and 6
Its interesting that, as of this particular moment, of all the characters Jessie is the most practical, the best fit for survival. She does what needs to be done and doesn't let fantasies of a better life or societies policies hinder her. I think your three main female characters are excellently done...you portray three different walks of life very well and without any crossover. The three remain separate throughout as if, instead of being written by one author, this story is being written by three. The three different view points really add to the dimensions of the story. I feel like I'm looking at an object from three different angles rather than just straight on.
Date: Dec 30, 2008 - 12:28 am Title: A Night at the Opera
Chapters 3 and 4
I really want to know more about this Lord Hunter-Fox. He seems to be quite the mysterious character...hopefully that will change soon enough. I have to say that I think Florence is quite the sheltered, spoiled thing. She seems to think herself different from the others of her class, she seems to see herself as more open minded, but, if she is, its not by much. Of the three girls (Florence, Jessie, and Molly) I think I prefer Molly...I like how she dreams of better and is prepared to climb the social ladder, but doesn't seem to have unrealistic expectations about her life.
Date: Dec 30, 2008 - 12:02 am Title: Jessie
Chapters 1 and 2
I'm really impressed with this story so far. Your descriptions of the environment(s) seem well thought out and researched. What I mean is, you actually seem to know about the time period the story is supposed to take place in (whereas others usually don't bother to do any research). I also like how the character's reactions and dialogue reflect their stations in life. For instance, it's very obvious that Molly is of a lower class than Florence just by the way she speaks and the fact that she doesn't seem at all worried about journeying out at night without a chaperon. The first two chapters already have so much potential for an excellent and varied plot and yet you still managed to work smut in already...impressive. I can't wait to read more.