Welcome to Austenesque Extravaganza, a month-long celebration of Austenesque novels and authors! My name is Meredith Esparza, and I’m an ardent admirer of Austenesque novels and your host for this month-long tribute to Austenesque novels and authors.
Today’s Austenesuqe Event is: WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WEDNESDAY
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For this event, we will engage in a discussion about a specific element of Austenesque novels. Feel free to share your thoughts!
TODAY’S TOPIC: LOVE SCENES
Declarations of love, touching hands, meaningful looks, wedding nights – Austenesque novels are fantastic if you are an incurable romantic! Whether you like things a little steamy, a little chaste, or an even balance of the two there are many heart-fluttering and toe-curling moments in these novels! Today I want to know: What type of love scenes do you enjoy? Steamy and hot? Chaste and tender? Or somewhere in the middle?
Do you have a favorite Love Scene?
Please feel free to quote, summarize, or cite – just don’t spoil!
Answers MUST include:
- material that is from an Austenesque novel (remember we are discussing the novels of AUSTENESQUE authors)
Need help thinking of some titles? These lists of Austenesque novels might help!
*The fantastic graphics you will be seeing for Austenesque Extravaganza were created by the wonderfully talented Lady Turner! Thank you, Lady Turner!
I love this “what’s your favorite!” Honestly, I have to say that I love the whole spectrum of love and romance from the gentle looks to the steamy! However, I have to say that my favorite scenes came from a novel I just finished reading… “The Mistress’ Black Veil: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary” by M.K. Baxley.
I also especially love the tender moments in “Mr. Darcy and the Secrets of Becoming a Gentleman” by Maria Hamilton.
There are so many others…
I love the love <3
The development of the relationship in The Honorable F. Darcy. Especially on the cruise boat during that retirement party….
I like the tender, loving moments…the love scenes in “Darcy’s Voyage” by Karalouise, for example. So adorable!
I love the subtle gestures like touching hands and meaningful looks in terms of love scenes. I especially love the part where Darcy shows worry over Lizzy when he visits her after she has read Jane’s letters in the 1995 P&P movie version.
At the same time, I also like steamy but not too hot descriptions. I guess I am in the middle. Chaste and tender descriptions are my favourite but I also like the steamy ones.
My favourite love scenes are in Darcy’s Voyage, specifically the ones at Netherfield Park as Lizzy and Darcy are walking, and the one at her own house after Lady Catherine has left it.
Hmmm, I’m partial to the tender, hand-holding, not overly expressive love scenes. I mean a little kissing and touching makes sense cause we all know what happens when peoples are loving each other, but I don’t want graphic descriptions and detailed love making. I would rather be assured that the characters have a deeper level of love and respect for one another. Passionate bursts of romance don’t put me in mind of happily ever afters. After all, passion itself doesn’t sustain a relationship.
I don’t have a particularly favorite love scene. In general my favorite part is when a character first realizes he/she is in love. It dramatically opens up perspective, feelings, thoughts, ideas, details in the story or among other characters that (even if you knew it was coming) you are delighted to witness them see for the first time, and, of course, it brings the rest of the story together no matter at which point in the story it happens.
That, I believe, makes good reading. Smut need not apply.
Mmm…love-y dove-y stuff :o)
I’m not a huge fan of…er, you know, the really super physical scene. I think you can demonstrate passion and depth of love while still leaving quite a bit unsaid and left to the reader’s imagination.
Favorite love scenes…I loved, and I mean loved, watching the way the Emma-Knightley bit played out in ‘Mr Knightley’s Diary’ (Amanda Grange). It was just…perfect? :o)
I’m also a (new) fan of the Climactic Scene between Darcy and Elizabeth in ‘The Ball at Pemberley’ (first story in the new “The Road to Pemberley” anthology) — oh delight… :oD Actually, each of these stories have rather lovely scenes in them so far :o)
I like it all! 😀
I love when a writer can give me goosebumps just from the description of a look, or touching of bare hands for the first time….sigh. There was a scene in Mr Darcy’s Obsession (Abigail Reynolds) that I recall giving me the shivers.
I also like the more descriptive stuff, too. I love the library scene in Impulse and Initiative (also Abigail Reynolds).
I prefer the longing glances, hand holding type scenes. Really enjoyed Amanda Grange’s Col. Brandon’s Diary. Made me fall in love with Brandon again. 😉
I have no preference for the love scenes, whether it be chaste or steamy. I just don’t want to read an overly descriptive sex scene that is a little on the grotesque side. Authors should leave it to the imagination of readers if possible. As to favourites, I could not remember any love scene that stands out.
I like honest. I’m tired of scenes where a peck on the cheek leads to a hop in the sack. I also am not fond of scenes that rigidly describe the event only from the neck up. Falling in love involves the whole being and a good writer can show readers so much without going too far in either direction.
I still love the garden scene in Jane Eyre in which Rochester toys with Jane and then professes his love. Also, the scene in Little Women where Laurie comes to Any in France to mourn Beth’s passing is great because it’s restrained and so full of pain and the joy of discovery.
My favorite love scenes are those which evoke intense emotion. Whether or not physicality is involved, if I feel the sexual tension, and the deeply felt love between the two partners burns up the page, then I am excited and happy! The most passionate moment in Jane Austen’s novels is the letter that Captain Wentworth writes to Anne, declaring his love. Even though it is just a letter, those words on the page are so heartfelt that they stay with me always:
“I can listen no longer in silence. I must speak to you by such means
as are within my reach. You pierce my soul. I am half agony,
half hope. Tell me not that I am too late, that such precious feelings
are gone for ever. I offer myself to you again with a heart
even more your own than when you almost broke it, eight years
and a half ago. Dare not say that man forgets sooner than woman,
that his love has an earlier death. I have loved none but you.
Unjust I may have been, weak and resentful I have been,
but never inconstant. You alone have brought me to Bath.
For you alone, I think and plan. Have you not seen this?
Can you fail to have understood my wishes? I had not waited even
these ten days, could I have read your feelings, as I think you must have
penetrated mine. I can hardly write. I am every instant hearing
something which overpowers me. You sink your voice, but I can
distinguish the tones of that voice when they would be lost on others.
Too good, too excellent creature! You do us justice, indeed.
You do believe that there is true attachment and constancy among men.
Believe it to be most fervent, most undeviating, in F. W.
“I must go, uncertain of my fate; but I shall return hither,
or follow your party, as soon as possible. A word, a look,
will be enough to decide whether I enter your father’s house
this evening or never.”
The next sentence is: “Such a letter was not to be soon recovered from.” Indeed, every time I read it, I swoon! The words, and the fire behind them, have so affected me, that in every single novel I have written, I have included a similar moment, in which the hero (who has long been obliged to repress his feelings for the heroine) is at last able to pour out his heart and passionately reveal his love for her. Those are always my favorite moments in a book!
http://www.syriejames.com
When I first began reading Austenesque novels, I must admit I was a bit of a prude. But now I find I actually prefer a little steam. I think Lory Lillian and Abigail Reynolds excel at steamy! Keep up the good work, ladies. 🙂
No particular love scene sticks out in my mind as being a favorite. It does not matter to me if the scene is chaste or steamy so long that it is well written. Although, if one wants steamy, Abigail Reynolds does a bang-up job! 🙂
Well, now! What to say! I guess I want the characters to develop. I want the relationship to justify the action. No sack hopping here. So, I guess the more subtle ones are preferred. A look, a touch, a well phrased sentence with “double meaning” is SOO GOOD! I have actually put down some books that have Darcy and Elizabeth going at it what seems almost like every other scene. I know that Regency times did do it, and in varied places but it seemed that some of these authors just wanted to see what places they could think of. The kitchen pantries? I don’t think so. Servants would have to work all day to prepare meals. No microwaves. I am sure that the kitchen was RARELY empty and no one was around? So, I want a real possiblity. I too LOVE Wentworth’s letter to Anne (makes me swoon too). Jane Austen uses letters SO WELL. I also love the way she gets Emma and Knightley to connect in the garden. In “modern” writings (I still prefer them set in Regency times) I think Darcy’s Voyage gets you all steamy without it getting graphic or crazy. So, let me use my imagination and writers tell me a story, the WHOLE story. Jennifer G.
Boy, who knew I was so wordy and opinionated! Sorry that was so long! Jennifer G.
I’d say I’m somewhere in the middle. Like tender and hot! A particular love scene….honestly one doesn’t spring into my mind. I usually am just happy the two people are finally together!
I like steamy ones! Susan Adriani and Abigail Reynolds write my favorite scenes!
If you’re looking for sweet instead of steamy, I second Maria Hamilton’s Secret of Becoming a Gentleman.
not a fan of graphic portrayals of sensual scenes turned blatant sexual exploits.
totally second syrie on FW’s letter – par excellence!
another i like is Carrie Bebris’ descriptions of Darcy & Elizabeth’s intimate moments – with the teasing and inside flirting responses that reflect their sensuality & personalities as a married couple – very real and ’nuff said for readers to get the picture!
I like the loving, tender moments. I do not enjoy hot and steamy scenes at all! I think the love scenes in Darcy’s Voyage are just perfect. I have put down books that have Elizabeth and Darcy continually all over each other. In my opinion, it just cheapens the story!
‘He could see the look of awareness in her eyes. “Go to bed, Elizabeth, while I can still call myself a gentleman,” he said, keeping the tone of his voice lighter than the words would suggest.’
–To Conquer Mr.Darcy
I like a little of most things, except for the hot, hot, hot stuff!! That’s just way too much for me! LOL I like the little glances, accidental hand touches, the smiles… sometimes those side looks and little smiles can just make you melt! My favorite would have to be the steamy confrontation between Lizzie & Darcy…. even though she refused him, you could feel the passion between them! Intense!! Of course, I also loved when Darcy professed his love to Lizzie telling her she had bewitched him body & soul… SWOON!!! 🙂
My favorite is also Wentworth’s letter. I enjoy Mary Sherwood’s works. You get a feeling for all the emotional ups and downs and nothing erotic. I also enjoy Kara Louise’s works especially as mentioned above. Abigail’s can be a little on the R rated side if you picture them as a movie but I still enjoy her work. I don’t by and large however enjoy sex scenes. I guess I’m with the majority so far. I like the hand holding, barely touching, awareness, witty dialogue that is flirtatious or illuminating and little kindnesses extended that show real care and concern. The kiss, hug, glance, whisper, touch can be just as enticing without a graphic picture being drawn for us…or heaven forbid graphic and descriptive sexual references. I totally agree with Syrie and Susan’s comments. And yes Darcy’s Voyage to me is perfect. suzan
I love me some hot and steamy! 🙂 Abigail Reynolds writes great love scenes!
Abigail Reynolds’ What Would Mr. Darcy Do is a personal favorite because she creates steamy scenes that also are fairly innocent. And I loved the tender moments between Anne and Captain Wentworth in Anne Elliot, A New Beginning by Mary Lydon Simonsen.
Sorry to all of those our there that write steamy scenes in Austen-esque books, but I just don’t think they have a place here! I am all about tender, and even innuendo…but not on every piece of furniture in Pemberley. I believe that we should stay true to Jane Austen, and I don’t think she would have written those types of scenes, even in today’s world. She was about character, and wit!
I do agree with Syrie James about Captain Wentworth’s letter! WOW.
But as far as Austen-esque, my vote is for Charlotte Collins by Jennifer Becton. She had a few scenes where I was holding my breath in anticipation… and we are only talking about hands!
I think I like mine chaste or a few kisses at the end like Georgette Heyer (yes, please don’t shoot me since she’s not an Austen-esque author!). I’d go w/ Amanda Grange–love them all, really
I like the chaste and tender scenes much more than the steamy ones, but those can be good, too. 🙂
I love Abigail Reynold’s love scenes, particularly the romance in Last Man in the World.