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Broken Wing - Part II
And here we try it again
KristieJ: So... Broken Wing. What are your thoughts on it? I don't think you were quite as bowled over as I was
KatieBabs: I thought it was a lovely historical romance, everything I look forward to in a book from a luscious romance, tortured, angsty hero and the heroine who is his soul mate in every way.
KristieJ: And what did you think of Gabriel? I thought he was just a too die for hero. So damaged; such a lost soul
KatieBabs: OMG Judith made Gabriel go through so, so much!!
KristieJ: But I think it was a good thing that a lot of it we didn't *see* we just heard him tell Sarah about it. I think it would have been a very difficult read if we, the readers, were 'there' while he was going though it.
KatieBabs: I think that is why made this book a winner because of the conversations Gabriel and Sarah had and what we heard, while Sarah heard it was so emotional
KristieJ: I loved the sense of innocence between them. I thought it very unusual, especially considering Gabriel's past history. But there was such a freshness about them. I truly believed that they became friends before lovers. In so many romance books, the hero/heroine act on their lust for each other before really getting to know each other - but it was the opposite in Broke Wing. I appreciated that.
I just noticed there is a review of this on Amazon that confounds me. "The characters were good. The plot was ok, but there was no spark. I couldn't get excited about anything. It felt like a long story of tragic happenings which finally ended. I wanted it to be over. There is a happy ending. The author talks about historical accuracy and has a glossary of foreign terms in the back of the book, which was nice. However, this almost felt like reading a history book. I wanted more of an emotional connection." I found the exact opposite! I thought the spark was one of the best things about this book. And I thought there was an amazing emotional connection.
KatieBabs: I love how Gabriel is a bit unsteady around Sarah, like he is a toddler taking his first steps.
KristieJ: He's just waiting for her to think the worst of him - and she never does. It confuses him.
KatieBabs: I loved that part and he tries to seduce her and she doesn't fall for it
KristieJ: you mean where he disappears into his other self and she pulls him back?
KatieBabs: oh yes.
KristieJ: and when she does - he's so afraid that he doesn't know how to make love - this hard shelled former prostitute was so scared and so vulnerable. He was so appealing in that scene wasn't he?
KatieBabs: it was like he had duel personalities
KristieJ: He really did have them didn't he?
KatieBabs: One minute he was this sly seductive lover playing a part and then the next, a lost little boy
KristieJ: Great observation! I think the one was his way of protecting himself - protecting that lost little boy inside. That's why there was such an air of innocence about him - it was the little boy that was so appealing - in a grown up - very sensual, very *row (don't know how to spell it) kind of way
KatieBabs: What did you think of they way He and Sarah would lie in bed and just talk and kiss? I thought it was so sweet!
KristieJ: It was wasn't it? It kind of reminded me (in a good way) of the movie The Blue Lagoon.
KatieBabs: Willie Ames?? LOL
KristieJ: No - Brooke Shields and William Katt. It wasn't a very good movie - but they were too innocent young people just discovering themselves once they grew older
KatieBabs: I always thought that was Willie Ames with Brooke Shields! Willie Ames is no Gabriel. lol
Now of course, after doing some research, I realize that I also, was wrong! Hard to believe - but true. It was Christopher Atkins
KristieJ: Nope *laughing* that's for sure. Cause the other side of Gabriel was this sword wielding, capable person. And then there was the seducer side of him - the one who had to drink in order to do his 'work'.
KatieBabs: the second part of the book reminded me of Captain Blood and Errol Flynn
KristieJ: I know!!!!! Though Sarah wasn't in it - I thought it was still very good reading.
KatieBabs: very much swashbuckling
KristieJ: And I love me some swashbuckling!!!! Now that you mention it - a young Errol Flynn would make a good Gabriel wouldn't he?
KatieBabs: I do too!! And Gabriel does that
KristieJ: When he's swinging that chain - and rescuing his friend Jacques - *shiver*
KatieBabs: I really thought for a moment, that Judith would go there with Jacques, if you know what I mean
KristieJ: *g*......I'm not quite sure what you mean. Gabriel and Jacques being 'very' good friends?
KatieBabs: well Jacques comes across willing to have fun with both men and women and since Gabriel had experience in that and was suffering because of his separation from Sarah, he would allow Jacques to comfort him
KristieJ: I think though - he was a one person hero. Sarah was just IT for him. If he couldn't have her - he would have nobody. And that was a large part of his appeal. Who doesn't love a hero who is that focused, that committed, that there would be no one else - ever?
KatieBabs: And I am so glad he didn't drown his sorrows with other women and kept away from sex because in respect for Sarah
KristieJ: Oh me too!! I may have to hide this part 'cause *grin* the author leads us to believe different. And speaking of Sarah - what did you think of her? Although this is definitely a hero-focused book and there are large parts where Sarah isn't in it, I thought she was a marvelous heroine!!!! I thought her just as strong - if not stronger than Gabriel
KatieBabs: Sarah was a bit too good to be true at times, a little too perfect, but I think she and Gabriel had great chemistry. And don't get me started on when Sarah first kisses Gabriel! Best scenes in the book!
KristieJ: That's why I don't get that other review on Amazon??? I thought there was incredible chemistry between them. *laughing* I know yo
u liked that scene. I think you might have mentioned it a time or two. Kind of like a certain 'cravat'
KatieBabs: Cravat? Whatever do you mean?? RICHARD!! - see had to mention him.
Do you notice how we seem to bring him into every one of our ‘chats’? This is a good thing!
KristieJ: This is one of the few books by the way where I just couldn't put Richard in the place of the hero
KatieBabs: if this was made into a movie, could you see Richard playing Gabriel? ooops
KristieJ: ROTFL!!!! so my answer is *laughing* no
KatieBabs: what actor could you see in the role?
KristieJ: I see you suggestion of Errol
Flynn as a great one. I'm just looking for the right picture. Like 
perhaps this one.
KatieBabs: oh good one! perhaps with better hair though
KristieJ: just a sec - I may have found the perfect one. Here we go
KatieBabs: OMG that picture is perfect
KristieJ: I just saved it *g* Visuals are so good aren't they?
KatieBabs: I really like that picture! We need one of Sarah now
KristieJ: Here's another one that's not too shabby. Not a good Sarah though.
(You see – I was multi-tasking – I
was also looking for pictures of Errol Flynn.)
OMG KATE!!! Check out THIS ONE!!
KatieBabs: that could be the scene in the book when Gabriel pushes Sarah against the wall and kisses her
KatieBabs: wow that is some sword in his pants. wow wow really shows
KristieJ: doesn't leave a whole lot to the imagination does it? That's got to be a joke one that got in there somehow
KatieBabs: you have to post that picture. the lol will roll
KristieJ: they will indeed won't they *guffaw*
KatieBabs: Speaking of what was in Gabriel's pants, what did you think of the sex scenes? I thought they were very well written and beautiful
KristieJ: I did too! In a lot of books I kind of skim over them, but because I was so connected to these two, I read and loved the love scenes. How about Merle Oberon for Sarah? I always loved her - especially in Wuthering Heights
KatieBabs: And Gabriel didn't want to be intimate with Sarah that way at first because he didn’t want to lose their friendship. Oh Merle Oberon would be perfect! If you think of it, Broken Wing has a definite 
feel to it
KristieJ: It does doesn't it? And I know that's one of your all time favourite book. here's a good pic.
KatieBabs: I have it bad for Heathcliff. But Gabriel didn't have those obsessive crazed feelings like Heathcliffe did for Cathy
KristieJ: *thinking* how about Laurence Olivier for Gabriel?
KatieBabs: Perhaps a bit younger? Wasn't Gabriel in his mid 20's? Even though I adore Olivier
Here's a picture that I think might work??
KristieJ: He looks kind of Gabriel like in that pic though - after he's come back and finally trying to woo Sarah again. That's one thing I couldn't quite figure out - how old he was. I'm pretty sure Sarah was around 21 - but I couldn't place Gabrie
l’s age. And one of my questions for Judith *g*
KatieBabs: I would say around 25.
KristieJ: So - the question I'm real curious about *g*. What would you grade this one?
KatieBabs: B+ or A-, I can’t decide. Help me decide
KristieJ: OK - I'll decide for you *g* A-
KatieBabs: lol
KristieJ: heh heh heh
KatieBabs: I think my problem is, there are so many amazing books this year and Broken Wing is one of them. One small thing is that I felt Gabriel was too tortured. And really, how could he get away with sleeping with Sarah in her room! lol
KristieJ: You mentioned that before. But I didn't really see it. I think Sherrilyn Kenyon overdoes the torturing of the hero - but I thought Judith did a good job of it
KatieBabs: OH I have a question about another book for you
This is where we get sidetracked a bit.
KristieJ: Yeeees?
KatieBabs: it is in regards to a scene in Dreaming of You and since you are a master at that books...You know the scene where the prostitute goes to Sarah after Sarah has left Derek?
KristieJ: does he "do it" with the house wrench? Could that be the question?
KatieBabs: I assumed that Derek just cuddled and slept as in sleep with the prostitute and did not have sex with her. Other fans tell me he had sex with her. I say no! But now I am not sure. Does he do it or is it open to impetration?
KristieJ: It's left open to impetration. Lisa said once she did that on purpose. I took it that he did - but pretended it was Sarah. It didn't bother me since at the time they weren't together - she was engaged to someone else, Derek thought he'd never see her again and Sarah didn't seem troubled - so it never took away from my Derek love.
KatieBabs: oh shucks. I will believe he didn't then.
Here I try to console Katie
KristieJ: LOL - that works. He was pretty deep
into the gin - so maybe he couldn't get it up anyway heh heh
KatieBabs: I can go for that!
But if Derek and Gabriel were in a fight, who would win?
KristieJ: I say this almost reluctantly but truly - Gabriel
KatieBabs: really?? I think Derek would win. More street smarts
Now I get distracted.
KristieJ: I'm going to have to take a break. SYTYC
D in on - a repeat from earlier in the day - and my man Nico is on soon. What did you think of their routine by the way? Carrie emailed me and said 'they are so doing it'
KatieBabs: it was really, really good! Nico is nice
KristieJ: A hawt guy who loves to give hugs and kisses. I can get into that *g*
KatieBabs: LOL!! I would if I were his partner
KristieJ: OK - Nico's on!!
KatieBabs: okay, have fun watching and drooling
So there you have it! By the time I finished watching SYTYCD, Katie had signed off but I think it’s safe to say that Broken Wing gets a bit Thumbs Up from her too!!!!
And since Katie is so fond of the kissing scenes, I found this picture for her.
Oh - and you probably want to see the picture that I found whilst multi-taksing that cracked Katie and I up during our chat - I couldn't post it during the 'chat' portion of this, it would have been wrong - but for those who are curious.......
