Ruling Sheikh, Unruly Mistress

Susan Stephens

So...clearly not ALL of these books can be written by mid-western women who have never seen a person of colour...but it sure seems like it sometimes.  In a previous post, I discussed "subgenres" of Harlequin, but it should be mentioned that, despite that, I've never read any that involved interracial couples, unless the man is "Arabian" and these "Arabian" men are always from made up countries that they either rule, will rule, are trying to get out of ruling or are the brother of the ruler.  I assume it is so the aggressively white ladies who write these treasures don't have to do much research beyond "robes are sexy", "royalty is sexy" and "ooohhh swords!" but I refuse to look into it beyond that.

As you could likely tell, gentle reader, this gem features an "ethnic" fella.  And, spoiler alert (ya know, beyond the title), he becomes a Sheikh.  But first!  A ski vacation?  Like ya do.  Where he meets a plain, chubby girl who runs and cleans and cooks for the chalet where the once and future Sheikh and his pals are recreating.  Her name is Lucy Tennant because she is English.  His name is Razi al Maktabi, because "Arabian" but for a reason that the author glosses over, he is called Mac.  But only to Lucy.  And only until she goes to his made up country, but I am getting ahead of myself.

Naturally, when these two meet, the sparks fly!  Actually, the canapes do because she is a chef (and house cleaner and karaoke champion) and he makes her clumsy.  Because of lust.  They kiss and make out in a hot tub the next day and are inseparable until he leaves to rule his country a few days later.  She, of course, doesn't know she shagged a Sheikh because if she did, the book would be 30 pages instead of 186.   They part as rational adults who had an affair (except for the part where Lucy whispered her love for him while he slept the first time they shagged) and Lucy carries on with her life for 2 pages.  But then!  Pregnant.  What is a girl to do?  

This book is very rare in that everyone behaves, for the most part, pretty rationally.  The now pregnant Lucy simply calls him because, before he left he had given her a business card (from when he ran several multi-billion dollar companies before becoming Sheikh).  His various assistants give her the runaround so she gets on a plane and flies to his made up country to tell him.  Then she learns his deep (not really), dark (more of a deep tan) secret (that everyone knew except her)...
Soooo he whisks her away to an Oasis and eventually they decided to get married because he realizes he loves her too and that kids are cool.  Pretty rational. Oh, and they have twins by the way.    But, please, do not be afraid my lovely friend, there is still a few hunks of whack-a-doo quotes I would like to share with you.

"Mac was the same, and yet he was utterly changed.  And not just by a costume, but by the fact that he was a king." p. 96

I mean that would probably do it.  Also, once someone has become "king", maybe stop calling them Mac.  Just a thought.

"It was Mac's voice- Razi's voice (same guy)- the voice she loved.  It was the tone of voice she had missed and adored- the voice of a man she loved. And the wall (of the harem, because, Sheikh)- with its lurid descriptions of lovemaking in every form- was the best friend she'd ever had, Lucy registered wildly, consumed by savage heat as Razi stripped her named before proving how fast a desert king could lose his robe." p. 172-3

 That is a quote.  That means I didn't change it.  Her best friend is a porny wall, which is cool but there is no mention of it leading up to that section.  So, that happened.  And the desert king robe losing class is for the direct lineage for the desert throne.  Not just any ole jackass can take it.

And in case you were wondering? The name of this kingdom is "Isla de Sinnebar".  You are welcome.  Mmmm craaacky.

Retro and therefore cool?

I'm back!  To this blog!  Which is retro!  
The truth is, I can't stop reading these things, so I might as well pretend there is a good reason for it.  Which is this blog.  So...welcome back me?

That Carolina Summer

Janet Dailey

Well, oy. This one is a "vacation" story. Annette, our heroine, is on vaca with her family and she meets the owner of the resort they are staying at and tries to, and of course does, land him. For some reason, she pretends to be 17, even though she is really the ripe old age of 20. But they get over it of course. Other than that, nothing interesting happens. The family relationship are bizarre and awkward and the "couple" is disturbing and icky. That is a recipe for some tastiness. Don't believe me? I can prove it!

'Marsha was half convinced that her older sister was a bulldozer made out of velvet. Somehow Annette managed to push obstacles aside as if they didn't exist." p. 44
I think Velvet Bulldozer was my favorite Glam Rock band!

"'I'm not sure yet,' she admitted. 'At the moment, being seventeen in his eyes is an advantage.'
Marsha frowned. 'I missed something. How is it an advantage?'
'I wouldn't even want to try to guess how many twenty-year-old girls he's dated in his lifetime, but how often do you think he's been attracted to a supposedly seventeen-year-old girl? Right now I stand out in the crowd. I'm not just another blonde in his life.'
'I hadn't thought of it that way,' her sister admitted." p. 47
Well, who would think of it that way, aside from perhaps some hardcore Nabokov fans? This little "plan" she has going is both creepy and icky and creepy again. And seriously, does anyone really want to know the answer to "how many seventeen year olds has my man wanted?"?

The dating tips in here were rated too manipulative by the chicks who wrote "The Rules", as is evidenced by this next little gem.
"'You can't be serious.' Marsha stared at her, fully aware that Annette was perfectly serious. 'I came along with you this afternoon just to play tennis. You didn't say anything about losing my sweater.'
'Marsha, you aren't losing it. You're just going to accidentally leave it behind. And if you're going to argue, will you please smile?' she urged. 'I don't want Josh to think we are up to something.'
'No,' Marsha agreed with a wide and faintly sarcastic smile. 'We mustn't let Josh know that we're plotting against him. If you want to leave a sweater behind for him to find, drop your own- and leave me out if it.'
'Marsha, I can't. It would be too obvious if I left mine,' Annette reasoned with forced calm. 'It has to be your so he won't get suspicious.'" p. 51
*sighs* Seriously.

"'Do you?' he challenged. 'To you, a kiss is one step beyond holding hands. But to me, it's one step away from the bed! That's where this one will lead, you know.' His gaze narrowed on the warmth that flooded her cheeks. 'No, you don't know, do you?'
'Josh, I-' Annette wanted to change the subject, suddenly unable to handle the topic of sex.
'You thought it would be exciting and a little wicked to tease me and tempt me with your little Lolita act.'" p. 74

*double sigh* At least they acknowledge the creepiness...although, they don't seem nearly as upset about it as I was. Particularly, when it got creepier, on the next page.

"There was no mistake that her father was looking their way with narrowing interest.
'If he knew what you were up to.' Josh said. 'he'd take you over his knee and spank you. Which is precisely what you need!'
'Maybe I'm into spankings!' Annette flashed, and turned to cross the gangplank to the dock, her carriage stiff with pride." p. 75

I think it is always a great idea to scream at a near stranger that you are into spankings, within earshot of your father, stepmother and baby brother. Particularly, when you are saying it to be a jerk.

So, a few pages later, she confesses. Apparently, being 2o is like, totally, like super mature, the fact that she acted like a 15 y/o not withstanding...and so he invites her to his hotel room, where THIS happened.

"'Do your tastes run to spicy things?' she asked.
'I can't imagine anything more boring than a bland diet,' he replied.
'Neither can I.' Annette agreed. 'I hope you realize how frustrating it was trying to act the age you thought I was.'
'I hope you realize how frustrating it was trying to treat you like the girl I thought you were instead of the woman I wanted you to be,' Josh countered. 'You knew that. And you deliberately provoked me.'" p.101
Ack ack ack. Oh and, ack.

Under the special Margaret Atwood category of explaining all metaphors...This is still at the dirty dinner.
"'There are two ways people can learn to swim,' Josh said, and Annette gave him a puzzled look. The subject was totally out of place. 'The quickest is to throw them into the deep end and hope their instinct for survival will get them safely ashore. But that's a severe shock to the system and it rarely turns out to be a pleasant experience.'
He paused briefly and it began to sink in that he was speaking analogically, comparing swimming to making love. Annette felt her inner confusion and tension begin to ease with his words." p. 105
Creepier and creepier thought EVERYONE!!!

"'Don't you want to marry me?' she murmured with a sinking heart.
'No.' His reply was brutally simple.
'But-' A hard lump welled in her throat. Annette had to pause to swallow it. 'I thought....' She tried again. 'This afternoon you asked if I would be interested in having your baby.'
A wry kind of amusement flickered across his features. 'Annette, that was another way of asking to make love to you.' he explained with droll patience. 'That is how babies are made, but I have absolutely no intention of getting you pregnant.'" p. 140
I just...really? Really?!

So, she runs off and nearly get assaulted by some other dude who she throws herself at and the Josh dude comes and saves her and then brings her to her dad. To tell on her. And then this happens...

"'And that can't be, since Annette is going to marry me.'
The calm statement jarred Annette to her feet. 'What?' She was furious at his supposition she would accept. After all he'd put her through tonight-humiliating her in front of her family- he was crazy to think she's fall all over herself accepting his proposal. She stood before him, her arms rigidly at her sides and her hands clenched into fists. 'I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on earth!'
Josh wasn't impressed by her anger or her denial. His gaze was coolly indifferent as it ran over her face. 'Where you are concerned, I am the last man on earth,' he stated simply. [...] 'You aren't going anywhere.' he informed her with tight-lipped grimness. 'I can't make up my mind whether you need a husband or a keeper.'
'I don't need you!' She hurled the bitter words at his fingers dug into the soft flesh of her arms to hold her, inflicting pain.
'It's about time somebody took you off your father's hands,' Josh declared roughly. 'You've caused him enough grief already.' His hard gaze swung away. 'With your permission, Mr. Long, I'm taking Annette as my wife.'" p. 187
What Dad, upon viewing that touching scene, wouldn't say yes to letting that man marry his, insane, manipulative bitchy daughter? Right. Neither did he. He consented, because it were true love...apparently.
Know what else it was? Yeah ya do. Cracky cracky crack crack.

To Catch a Unicorn

Sara Seale

Yep. Another unicorn. Woohoo! This one was originally published in 1964, which means there is a lot of delicious stuff in here..so without further adieu...
Laura and her cousin, Cleo, go to visit Cleo's dead husbands family (The husbands name was Troilus. Troilus and Cleo.). Laura is a simple (read: stupid and naive) girl who loves Cleo's little son. Cleo is a bitch (read: bitch) who hates her little son. Naturally, the family has money that is controlled by an "arrogant" eldest brother, named Dominic, and a fun loving (read: drunken idiot) younger brother, named Perry (Peregine). Cleo wants to marry Dominic but is sleeping with Perry. Perry doesn't really want either of them but he sexually harasses Laura. And, of course, the couple we are all rooting for is Laura and Dominic. Apparently.
Oh and they live in Cornwall. I don't know much about Cornwall, except what I have learned from these books, and I hope, for the sake of the Cornish people, that none of these weird and random traits ascribed to the Cornish folk have anything to do with reality. But, I am pretty sure they don't.

Again, the awesomeness starts on page one (which was listed as five).
"'Oh, buckets of blood!' she exclaimed, reverting to an oath of her schooldays, and staring up at the man who was already stooping to help her to her feet, thought that the absurd expletive was not inappropriate." p.5
Ya know what, let's just make up our own grammar rules from now on. And what a charming glimpse at our heroine.

Cleo's outstanding mothering is evident right away. She wants her son to "charm" Dominic so that he gives the boy and his mother scads of cash. But the little boy's taste in men runs to the frivolous.
"'Hasn't settled down too badly considering everyone's strange to him, and of course he dotes on the oddities of this preposterous house. Incidentally, that perishing brat of mine isn't being at all co-operative; he seems to have taken a scunner to the only uncle who is important to him. I hope you'll be able to wean him to a more tactful state of mind now that you are here.'" p. 24
Awww Mommy Dearest ain't got nothing on you, Cleo. And, in case you were wondering, scunner means "an irrational dislike; loathing" (dictionary.com), like you have for me for making you hear about this book.

Dominic caught Perry messing about with the delicate bloom that is Laura which lead to a ridiculous fight, including the following passage.
"'I read somewhere that in a certain type of man, the protective instinct is the male essence, the springboard of sex, so to speak, and you, my dear Dom, have all the earmarks of custodian and overlord.'
'For God's sake stop talking a load of half-baked claptrap picked up from the trick-cyclists' Dominic snapped."p. 73
I have no idea what he means by "trick-cyclists". I looked it up and the internet broke. Your knowledge may vary.

Laura and Dominic discuss Nicky's affection for some of the dogs around the manor house, took a turn for the romantic...note the use of the affectionate and loving nickname.
"'Poor old dog- he probably craves for a bit of affection. Don't we all?'
'Do you?' she asked, sounding surprised.
'Oh, yes. They say what you've never had you don't miss, but it's not strictly true, do you think?'
'No, but you have to give as well as receive.'
'Very true, Miss Prunes and Prisms. Some of us, though, have to be shown the way...' p. 76
Can you feel the tension and affection and love? Maybe if you re-read it? Or maybe this next part will help. The first speaker is Laura.

"'It was the way you answered- the way you so often talk to me- rather as if I were Nicky. That's what makes me uneasy sometimes.'
'Oh I see. You shouldn't, you know, take everything at face value- I think I've told you that before. One puts up such defences as seem proper.'
'Defences- against me?'
'Well, you see, I'm not very used to young women stopping under my roof, so I'm probably not good at small talk.'
'You don't talk to Cleo as if she was slightly half-witted,' said Laura, refusing to be sidetracked, and he put a hand over one of hers.
'Cleo doesn't need handling with kids gloves,' he said ambiguously 'but I'm sorry if I've made you feel half-witted. You do, at times, test one's ingenuity rather severely.' p. 80
I have no idea how one tests one ingenuity by being half-witted. but, this does have all the markings of a true love?

Here is passage involving Perry and Laura. I just...well..there...hm.
"'Can you really carry pure spite to these lengths?'
'Troy did.'
'And is Troy to be your criterion for behaviour in all your life?'
'Ah! Now you're sounds like a prim Miss Prunes-and-prisms again! You won't feel so smug by tomorrow morning, my girl.'
'Oh, really, Perry! I may be young and inexperienced, but I am not ignorant. I've always understood that rape is virtually impossible unless the victim is partially willing,' she said, and he looked faintly surprised.
'Well, that d'you know! Our bread-and-butter miss talking glibly about such sordid things as rape as if it were of no more consequence than stubbing your toe!'
'Neither is it, I imagine, if one keeps one's head and remembers to kick,' she retorted, but even as she spoke, she had a mental picture of her Auntie Flo's look of horror at such outspokenness, and felt herself blushing." p.172
Yeah, your dead maiden aunt is why that conversation was wrong. I hope NOW gets a hold of this.

At last, Cleo and Dominic and Laura and Perry can have it alllll out.
"'Oh, I'm sure you'd be willing to take over Perry's leavings, just as you would have taken over Troy's [ed. she, Cleo, is referring to herself]. What a pity you never seem to be able to make first base.'
He did hit her then, a stinging smack across the cheek with the flat of his hand which sen the blood tingling under her skin, and he stood over her with such dark passion in his face that she shrank back against the cushions.
'I don't apologise for that because it's the only soft of treatment you understand, and you'll doubtless get plenty from Perry if you ever bring him up to scratch,' he said." p. 179

Awww what a nice family. Incidentally, Cleo pissed off when Dominic offered her a bunch of money in exchange for her kid. And then they lived happily ever after. As if anyone cared.
Did you like your crack? Was that some tasty crack for you? Did you like that? Yeah, me either.

"With No Reservations"

Leigh Michaels

Well...today's selection is a classic boy meets girl story, with a twist. First of all, it is romance, so it is girl meets boy, and in this case, it is girl re-meets boy and in a series of re-hashes we learn that initially, girl met boy (who is colleague of her dad), girl flirted with boy, boy dated girl, girl got stupid and imagined a wedding without asking boy about it, boy made overt sexual overtures, girl discussed "saving it for marriage", boy dumped frigid girl, girl moved away to lick wounds, and then we are back at the beginning...with me so far? So, when girl returns home to run the family hotel with her dad, she bumps back into the boy who offers to help save the family hotel IF, and only if, she does something he wants...namely give it up him. But, he clarifies, not just random humping, they will get married so that her parents don't suspect anything fishy, but he is free to kick her out at anytime. How sweet. They stay together for awhile, but girl flees when she learns that she is pregnant, as boy said he didn't want kids. Then girl moves away, again, and boy tracks her down, confesses love and learns of the baby and all are happy and loved. Ya know, that old chestnut.
Oy. The lovers herein are named...Lacey Clinton and Damon Kendrick and all this takes place in Kansas City, MI. A perfect place for romance...
I always get a tingly feeling when these books turn the hilarity on in the first few pages and this little gem was no exception. Firstly, and I simply couldn't show you all of these examples, she, Lacey, has more dialogue with herself than with any other character in the book. Perhaps the author intended to show that she is deeply reflective, but she just seems like she has a personality disorder. And seriously, this started in the second paragraph.
But the first piece I will share involves Lacey and her mom, Ginny.

"Ginny looked abstracted. There were two fine lines in the middle of her forehead, Lacey noticed. They looked like worry lines. Funny that she hadn't seen them before. Was it Bill Clinton, or Lacey herself, or something else, that was worrying Ginny?" p. 11
Okay...first of all...she looked abstracted? Were her eyes stacked on one side of her face? Was her mouth a fish? Actually, as it turns out, that word choice is technically correct; it does mean lost in thought, but no one I know uses that word in that context. Secondly, Bill Clinton??? What the hell? As THAT turned out, Bill Clinton was Lacey's dad. But that was the first mention of him, so, how the hell would anyone know that? Huh? Huh?

"She was probably just wondering what to serve for dinner tonight to keep up with Elinor's gourmet cooking, Lacey told herself crossly as she reached her office. And, even if that wasn't it, if you go prying into her thoughts, you're the one being nosy. Honestly, Lacey, you're starting to see trouble lurking in every corner." p.11
That was like, 2 paragraphs later...she was alone...that was in her own head...the "she" Lacey's brain was referring to is Ginny, her mom. All I can say is, she is going to make some doctor very happy one day.

"He looked around with a shrug. 'Whispering sweet nothings in this crowd would be a sheer waste of time.'
'I like a man who is practical,' she murmured.
He grinned at her. "But just give me a chance , and enough quiet to fill a teaspoon---." p. 25
Just, oy. Incidentally, the "he" in that isn't Damon, it is another doofus.

" 'And I am still heartbroken you didn't wait for me David,' Lacey accused, and everyone within hearing distance laughed. Lacey was grateful that they took it that way; fortunately, she thought, they all believed that the huskiness in her voice was entirely assumed. The hoarse note startled Lacey herself; she hadn't intended to be quite that theatrical. I'll just have to be more careful, she told herself." p. 25
I hate that sneaky husky theatricalness that sneaks up on ya. Ruins the party every time.

"The bellboy lead her to a small alcove in the corner of the lobby, half-hidden behind a marble pillar, and used the key to summon a tiny wood-panelled elevator, just big enough for two people and a narrow, padded bench. It startled Lacey. On the wall were just two buttons.
Up and down, that's a safe assumption, she told herself, with a half-hysterical giggle." p.34
Hahahahaha elevators go up and down, hahahahahahaoy.

" 'I can't say it surprises me, that's sure. I should have suspected from the beginning that your views would be just as old-fashioned as your name is.'
'It's a perfectly good family name, and it has nothing to do with my moral code.' " p. 35
Yeah, so, ner. The first speaker is Damon and the second is Lacey...in case you were wondering. Which, let's face it, you weren't.

Okay, this next one is a bit of a slog...for the brain I mean.
" 'Of course, if you could give us some sort of additional security, or if another bank would agree to share the loan, so First Federal would not have to assume all the risk---'
Lacey managed to smiles and thank him for his time, and she didn't explode until they were safely out of the bank. Then she slammed both fists against the steering-wheel of her car and stormed, 'Now I know why they call Missouri the Show-me State!...'" p. 84
WTF? Because the guys who wanted to settle Missouri went to the natives (Indians) who lived there at the time and said "Hey, we want to settle here and we will give you some beads and blankets and stuff." And the chief said "Okay, but SHOW ME first." And when the dust settled, the head of the settlers remembered that conversation and said "Show-me. I like it! We will be the Show-me state and we will demand adequate collateral for all mortgage and loan transactions!"

"She stared at his back for a long moment. 'No thank you,' she said stiffly. 'I think I'll go to bed, Damon. I'm not feeling well.' From the bedroom door, she added, in a voice heavy with irony, 'I think perhaps the shellfish I had for dinner wasn't quite fresh.' " p.165
Seriously, I read and re-read that passage and the pages before it looking for the irony in bad shellfish and it isn't there. No shellfish irony. None.

"He had clearly said, on more than one occasion, that there never would be a child of his in this world. He had said that as if there was no doubt in his mind, and no reason for further discussion. She hadn't really questioned why he was so certain; everything had happened so fast. But she hadn't taken the precaution of going on the Pill. It just never occurred to her that it might be wise." p. 167
Now, this was written in 1990. And at this point, they had been married for like 2 months. *sighs* And of course, she is pregnant. However, it is all okay, as he touchingly points out in this next passage.

" 'The baby is not a pleasant shock.' he admitted honestly. 'But then it wasn't in your plans, either, was it? We created this life together; it's up to us to take care of it.'" p. 185
Wow. I hope that went in the baby book.

It feels good to be back and making your world just a little more romantic. I hope you enjoyed that which I hope you agree, was some tasty, tasty crack.

I'm back!

I stopped blogging about the magnificent books I am lucky enough to read for awhile, thinking that perhaps my sweet tooth was too much for most people. But, I decided a few cavities never hurt anyone...the journey continues my beloveds!

"Intense Involvement"

Jenny Arden

I am lucky (?) enough to read many of my delicious cracky books before I find ones magnificent enough to share with you, my love-junkies. Some are merely what they are, trite romance; and some, as you are beginning to see, are pure magic. My latest offering was so magical, I had to dog-ear the first page. And 22 others. Seriously. So, let's dive in shall we?
Elise Sterling is a physio therapist from England (but she is half French) who travels to France to work with her newest client, the recently paralyzed wine mogul, Luc de Rozanieux. Luc has a "lady friend" who is far more lovely and sophisticated than Elise could ever be and therefore hilarity, I mean tragedy, ensues. Seriously, the magic starts on page one...

"It was a lovely evening, almost summer, and her crisp cotton dress was a classic shirtwaister. There was nothing especially striking about it, yet with its collar raised so that the points framed her face and with her hands slipped casually into its side seam pocket she gave it style. She looked brisk and self-sufficient, her image matching her personality[...]Now, with her emotions as well-ordered as her case notes, she had almost forgotten what it was like to be vulnerable, even if she had not forgotten what it was like to be hurt." p. 1
So, be careful when you pick your clothes...apparently they say a helluva lot about your personality.

"Noting the slightly wary glance Elise gave the powerful Alsatian, he jeered contemptuously, 'I thought you English were supposed to like animals? Nikki, be quiet!'" p. 32
That is a very specific ethnic stereotype I wasn't aware of. See? These books teach!

"As the sparkling wine was poured, Luc's sister announced 'I thought tonight we'd celebrate with some of our special cuvee.' 'An idea I heartily approve of,' Claude with a smile. 'Let's hope it won't be wasted on Mademoiselle Sterling,' Luc remarked, a sardonic joke in his voice. Addressing Elise, he went on, 'As you're English-' 'Half-English,' she reminded him. His mouth quirked ironically as he conceded the point. 'But in any event,' he said 'better qualifed, I imagine, to give me your opinion of a cup of Darjeeling tea than a glass of the chateau's wine.'" p.35

Again with the predjudce. This guy isn't an "alpha male", he is just an ass. The next 4 paragraphs are the authors belabored attempt to show that she took a wine tasting class once, including the phrase "hallmark of the best sparkling wines". So, write what you know, or take a class and throw around a bunch of crap.

"She turned on the bath taps and, noticing the botle of Paco Rabanne Pour Homme [For Men ed.] bath essence among his toiletries, she added some of it to the water. Its fragrance was sharp and bracing, and she critically sniffed at the bottle, her nose crinkling. Concentrated, the bath essence was still more pungent and masculine. It was exactly the fragrance that Luc would choose, she thought drily. Everything about the man was too damn dominant." p. 51

Oh the sexy dominant scent of Man bubble bath! What a hunk! And there does seem an alarming excess of commas being used throughout. I tried to count them, but I got up to 65 by page 15 or so and gave up.

"The conversation between them gave no indication of tension as Elise massaged his shoulders with knowing hands. But as always it required the sternest effort of will for her to ignore the virility that was stamped in every line of his hard man's body." p. 112

'nuff said.
Now, get out the hankies...this one is went he first confesses his love. And no, he hasn't stopped being an asshole, or her being a moron.

"Knowing that she was crying, in pure desperation Elise snatched herself free. Luc made a grab for her but was too late, and she began to run along the moving train towards her carriage door.
'Come back here you little fool!' Luc shouted after her furiously. 'Haven't you realized yet....? I love you!'
She reached up to catch hold of the side of the door and jumped aboard. Tears streaming down her face, and, trembling, she turned to see that Luc had broken into a limping run." p. 178

Yep. An "I love you" as someone is jumping on a French train. Wow. Oh and an insult. Oh and a crip learning to run again. A me...l'amour!
So, of course, they get their shit together eventually. But I wanted to share the last line of the book and inspire some lovin' at your homes...

"Her mind whirled for and instant as she thought of the future that lay ahead, of everything they would share in their intense [hateful ed.], tempestuous [bitter ed.] relationship, and then it came back to tonight, a whole long glorious night of love and passion, the forerunner of countless such nights." p. 189

Know what that is? Mmhmm good crack.