February Pink Carnation Book Club

Tardy again, but I'm working on getting back to pace. This month is the Masque of the Black Tulip. Which might be my favorite of the series. The book focuses on Miles Dorrington and Henrietta Selwick as they discover they have more than friendship between them.




Theo James and Lily Collins are the main characters Miles Dorrington and Henrietta Selwick. Several characters repeat from the Secret History of the Pink Carnation. This includes Eloise and Colin, played by Anna Kendrick and Christopher Egan. The rest of the cast can be seen in my post about the Secret History here.

As for new cast, here's the line up!

Joan Plowden-Plugge: Lucy Punch

Colin's neighbor has him in her sights but she senses some possible competition in Eloise. Well not if she has anything to say about it...


Charlotte Lansdowne: Emma Watson

One of Henrietta's best friends, the quiet and gentle Charlotte is at times the logical portion of the group. Though she's shy, Charlotte is quite capable of being her own heroine.


Penelope Deveraux: Rose Leslie

She's Hen's other best friend and is as fiery in personality as she is on the top of her head. Penelope needs her other two friends to keep her from doing anything hasty which is a full time job for Henrietta and Charlotte.


Dowager Duchess: Phyllis Logan

Charlotte's grandmother has a wary eye over her granddaughter as well as all the young bucks trying to win her hand. She's as formidable as a dragon, and would make good friends with Miss Gwen.


Marquise de Montval: Rose Byrne

This strange and exotic woman blows in from France and causes a disruption for Hen. Her interest in Miles creates friction and there is clearly something she's hiding and Hen wants to know what.


Turnip Fitzhugh: Alfred Nugent

Turnip knows the boys from school but he's not exactly one of them.  However he dabbles in fashion so he comes in the cross-hairs when someone is trying to track down the Pink Carnation.

Lord Sebastian Vaughn: Rufus Sewell

One of the elite, elder gentlemen in London society, Vaughn's quick turn of phrase can come off predatory to some.  In fact, Miles isn't keen on how Vaughn seems to be eyeing Hen...

Well here's my cast for my favorite Pink Carnation novel! Tune in soon for the next installment! That is if I can get my butt on top of things...........*sigh*

January Pink Carnation Book Club

I know it's late...you know BEYOND late, but it's better late than never to unveil my book club for this year.  I'm a huge fan of the Secret History of the Pink Carnation series by Lauren Willig.  My best friend turned me on to the series and I was immediately hooked.  I mean, who wouldn't have a think for capes and masks and knee breeches after reading Willig's captivating romances?  I became such a fan, that I even got to interview the author for this very blog.  You can read the awesome interview here.

Since Willig's series is to wrap soon with the 12th and final story, I figured what better way to celebrate the phenomenal works than my book club?!  Having gotten several friends into the series as well, I couldn't help but to ask one friend to help me with my book club plotting.  Having read the series numerous times over, I decided this year's book club to do something slightly different.  Not only would I be reading the books over again, simply as a refresher.  But, I also decided to cast the movie!  Each month, I will be presenting my picks of actors that I think would be great if the books ever got adapted.  So please enjoy my picks and give me any suggestions!

Eloise Kelly: Anna Kendrick

The struggling grad student is looking for key pieces of information for her dissertation, mainly any info regarding the Pink Carnation.  The mysterious spy is eluding her, but with the help of archives belonging to Miss Arabella Selwick-Alderly and the dashing Colin Selwick, she just might find the identity of the world's most elusive spy.

Miss Arabella Selwick-Alderly: Dame Maggie Smith

The elderly lady is kind enough to give Eloise access to her archives and an introduction to her cranky nephew Colin Selwick.  It's possible she's not only trying to help Eloise in her profession, but also in love?

Colin Selwick: Christopher Egan

The cranky heir is not fond of snoopers poking about his family business.  So when Eloise turns up, he's not exactly keen.  Maybe there's more to the dashing guy than just his prickly exterior...

Serena Selwick: Imogen Poots

Her brother Colin is protective of her and protective of the estate papers, but she warms up to Eloise quickly. Anyone who holds you hair back while vomiting is easily a quick confidant.

Amy Balcourt: Carey Mulligan

The French-British lady is tired of hearing about men saving the day and wants to dash off and rescue people on her own.  With the help of her cousin Jane Wooliston, Amy is charging ahead to unmask her hero the Purple Gentian and save the British Empire.

Edouard Balcourt: Laurent Lucas

The brother of Amy and also French-British, he spent his time growing up in France while Amy was in England.  Can he have a link to the Purple Gentian?  Amy hopes so.

Jane Wooliston: Natalie Dormer

The English lady and cousin of Amy Balcourt is ready to assist in the upcoming adventures.  Though with perhaps a more level head than that of her cousin.  Can the young lady help outwit the French in their quest for English domination?

Richard Selwick: Tom Hiddleston

The dashing rogue helps serve his country as the Purple Gentian. Rousting French prisoners and saving them from Madame Guillotine, he is the scourge of the French Empire.  But his singleness is the scourge of his mother's life.  All she wants is for her son to settle down, but he still wants adventures.

Lady Uppington: Helen Mirren

Being mother to a spy can be a vexing life, but even more so when he won't settle down and make babies. Who says a spy's mother can't have as much adventure as her son?  Just so long as it's fun.

Lord Uppington: Michael Caine

The sensible father of a spy must always remain sensible...or perhaps dash along with your son on the occasional adventure...Got to keep the romance with the Mrs alive ;)

Henrietta Selwick: Lily Collins

Trailing after her brother Richard the spy can get old. But she has enough wit and flair to be helpful, so we suppose Richard will keep her around.

Miles Dorrington: Theo James

Speaking of trailing after Richard the spy, as his best friend Miles does all he can to be helpful.  Even if sometimes he comes off rather oafish.  He lives to serve.

Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe: Eddie Redmayne

As the last Musketeer in the spy trio, Geoff is easily the most sensible.  Someone has to be the brains of the operation, right?

Gwendolyn Meadows: Emma Thompson

Young female spies must never be without a chaperone.  Who would keep them from being compromised by seductive male spies? Her parasol, that's what.

Gaston Delaroche: Tom Hollander

Every story needs a villain and this Frenchie is as bad as they come.  Supposedly he owns a torture chamber...and it is just ready and waiting for England's most elusive spy, the Purple Gentian.

Well there you have it, my casting for the Pink Carnation movie. Or mini-series.  In fact, I think it would be rather perfect as a mini-series!  Stay tuned for more casting.  Hopefully, I can get them out in their normal months...Time isn't always my friend. Let me know who you would cast!