March Pink Carnation Book Club

Behind again, I know. But I'm hoping now that I'm caught up with the reading aspect, the posts will be more timely. For this post, I address the third book of the series The Deception of the Emerald Ring. The hero of this story is the previously known Geoffrey Pinchingdale-Snipe, played by my choice Eddie Redmayne.


The viscount is in love with the cool, detached Mary Alsworthy. So when she agrees to run away with him and get married, he's over the moon. But after a tiny mishap, Mary's sister Letty appears in his carriage (scantily clad) and he is forced to marry her to save the family's respect. But when assignment draws him to Ireland to investigate, his new Mrs. decides to tag along. Can Geoff reconcile and find love with his new bride?

Letty Alsworthy: Lily Cole

Younger sister to the hit of society, Letty is used to playing second fiddle and she doesn't completely hate it.  But when she senses her sister is about to run off into the night, she attempts to save her family's reputation.  It doesn't exactly go that way.  Determined to fix things with her new hubby, she chases after him to Ireland and gets caught up in his spying ways.  What will become of the relationship and can she survive the espionage lifestyle?

Mary Alsworthy: Michelle Dockery

Mary has been in society too long, and the marriage offers just aren't coming in the way they used to.  So when the viscount says he'll whisk her away, who is she to say no?  But once the snafu happens, Mary is again out in the cold.  Can this debutante find love?  Hint: yes!

Jasper Pinchingdale: Rupert Friend

Geoff's cousin is a gambler, a lecher, and quite jealous of his more successful relative.  He'll do anything to get what he believes he deserves.  Including seduction...and attempted murder...

Robert Emmet: Allen Leech

The Irishman is up to no good in Dublin, something about a rebellion.  It's up to Geoff to go investigate, along with Jane and Gwen and apparently his wife.  Can they team up to stop a French/Irish alignment?


Returning Cast
Eloise Kelly: Anna Kendrick
Colin Selwick: Christopher Egan
Serena Selwick: Imogen Poots
Miles Dorrington: Theo James
Henrietta Selwick: Lily Collins
Jane Wooliston: Natalie Dormer
Gwendolyn Meadows: Emma Thompson
Sebastian Vaughn: Rufus Sewell
Marquise de Montval: Rose Byrne

For pictures of cast and more info about the characters, see January and February's posts!  Tune in for April's post coming soon, The Seduction of the Crimson Rose.

26 Things About Me

In honor of my 26th birthday, I want to share 26 items about me. Some that have already been shared, some that haven't. Some that are important, and some that are trivial.  But really, it's all me.

1. Dark chocolate strawberries are my dessert weakness.  Seriously, if you buy me these, I will love you forever...well maybe not forever, but a very long time!

2. My eyes are hazel.  I used to find my eyes annoying; I wanted to have brown eyes. But once I mastered the use of make-up (go me), I realized the amazing quality of hazel eyes to change tones and now I love my eyes.

3. I'm a sexual assault survivor. I've been able to use what happened to me to empower myself to help others and dedicate my studies to learning how I can make a difference. And now it's my passion.

4. I'm a virgin. Yep, I know.  Not something most people would brag about, but I'm still pretty pleased.  Sure I haven't experienced the wonder that is sex (I watch movies, I know how great it is) but I also have no regrets about who has been in between my sheets...

5. I wish instead of buying drinks, guys could offer to buy me books. *sigh* A bookworm can dream...

6. I adopted a dog in August of 2013 from a friend, and it was the best decision I've ever made.  Having my sweet girl Tasha to come home to every day is such a relief. A happy dog means a happy owner.

7. I work with teen boys.  Some days, I love my job.  Some days, I don't.  But I wouldn't take back the experience for anything. Punches and all...

8. I'm considering going back to school for my PhD.  And possibly studying abroad in England...and on that note...

9. I would run away to London forever if I could. I would willingly start the next expat movement and be the happiest person ever.

10. I love reading and even though I have to shove/stack/precariously balance my books (approx. 400) on my shelves, I will never stop buying books.

11. I think crossword puzzles are fun and would sit and do them all day if I could.

12. I dream of being a published novelist who helps people through their difficult times with my words.  I don't want to be the next JK Rowling, but I want to have an affect on someone the way she affected me.

13. Coffee is my life force.  Tea relaxes me.

14. I played 7 years of basketball, 8 years of softball, 1 year of volleyball, 2 years of cheerleading, and 2 years of soccer as a youth. But I didn't fit in with any of the jocks.

15. I tried to kill myself when I was 13, and I'm grateful that I failed.

16. I wish I didn't need so much sleep, because I do way too much and don't have enough hours in the day. But I will procrastinate things in order to get more sleep, especially if I didn't get a good night of sleep.

17. I used to hate my name. Especially since I went by the shortened version of my name, Alex, which kids teased me saying was a boy's name. Once I got to college, I enjoyed hearing professors call me Alexandra and I started using my full name in all professional instances.

18. I wanted to move to L.A. when I was 18 to become an actress, but was told it was more important to have a degree to fall back on, so I went to college. I became so passionate about studying Criminal Justice that I never studied acting again.

19. My favorite color is blue. Any shade.

20. My least favorite food in the entire world is tapioca. Ick.

21. Blush pink peonies are my favorite flower.

22. I have a fascination with abandoned places.  The more festive and populated the place is supposed to be the better.  I went through an abandoned mini golf course and thought it was just the coolest thing.

23. I have one tattoo, the original artwork for the Cheshire Cat in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I have designed my second one which I would like to get this summer.

24. Working at Barnes & Noble has been my favorite job of all the ones I've had. Particularly because of the discount...good times...

25. I'm going through a small quarter-life crisis since I moved back home last year.  Being in your mid 20s and living at home with a parent can be great but also disheartening at times because I still really can't afford my entire life on what I make now...

26. But I'm incredibly optimistic about what I could have in front of me for my future. If only I take one foot at a time.


Alright, that is 26 facts about me in honor of my 26th birthday. I hope to have a great birthday and hope that everyone has a Merry Un-birthday :)