Unwrapping: Let's Try this Again - Same Test + Giveaway!

Captive of My Desires
by Johanna Lindsey - 2006

Giveaway is Closed. 

Test Your Ability to Recognize Old Romance

from New with an incentive:

On Wednesday's post, I had a lot of folks view the test, I assume try their luck at it, and then for whatever reason choose not to comment on it. The point I was attempting to make with this exercise was whether ot not it was possible to recognize 'old' Historical Romance from 'new' Historical Romance from part of a 'love scene'. I need more input, everybody!

I do want to give a special shoutout to the husband of ROMANCEAHOLIC who without any experience in the genre proved what I had expected - he got two of the scenes wrong, one of which I hoped folks would mistake for 'old' - thank you for playing along and because of your dear wife's honesty, I'm including her in the Giveaway, whether she comments on this one or not.  In fact, anyone who commented on Wednesday's post is welcome to comment here for an entry in the giveaway ... several were truthful or explained how they knew which were which but some I suspect fudged a little. Won't judge you if you own up to missing one.  It's all in fun, no right or wrong results.   : )

About the Giveaway: 


1990 Edition

Same test, same answers, same rules, nothing's changed, no tricks, only this time to encourage those who were afraid to admit that they could not pick 'old' from 'new' (only reason I can assume you didn't brag) - I'm giving away a copy of GENTLE ROGUE by Johanna Lindsey - 1990 edition to one lucky commenter.  Winner will be chosen from comments on this post only with the exception of the above mentioned who gets an extra entry if she comments here.

To enter this giveaway all you need do is take the test or say you took the test on the previous post, say whether you found it easy to recognize 'old' from 'new' or not so plus a valid email address and you're entered. Btw - a simple correct or missed will do - if you tell me correct, then please add why it was so easy. Be sure to leave a valid email address in the comment or I can't qualify you for the giveaway. This giveaway is open to EVERYONE!!

This is my favorite of the Malory Series.
Quick blurb for GENTLE ROGUE:

Heartsick and desperate to return home to America, Georgina Anderson boards the Maiden Anne disguised as a cabin boy, never dreaming she'll be forced into intimate servitude at the whim of the ship's irrepressible captain, James Mallory.

The black sheep of a proud and tempestuous family, the handsome ex-pirate once swore no woman alive could entice him into matrimony. But on the high seas his resolve will be weakened by an unrestrained passion and by the high-spirited beauty whose love of
freedom and adventure rivals his own.

THE TEST

I will list part of a scene from a Historical Romance without any other information given, I want you to tell me if the Romance was written pre- 2000 or post- 2000. Simple, huh? Answers can be found at a link at the end of this post. These might surprise you - some of you might recognize the lines but have fun anyway.

Game on!

Scene #1 - "A chore, like any other? Very well, she told herself. Just get it done.

She dropped her gaze to the bed, loath to watch him while she explained the horrid facts to him. "I must have a child, and it must be conceived immediately. You were chosen to aid me because your hair and eyes are the same as my husband's, for the child needs have the look of him. So we must copulate this night, and the next, and the next, until your seed bears fruit. I like this no better than you, but I have no choice - and neither do you."

His chains rattled, but she would not look toward those expressive eyes of his. Briskly, she took hold of the thick sheet covering him and flipped it to the end of the bed, where it slithered to the floor."

Scene #2 - "Deliberately, [she] leaned forward until her breasts rested on his chest; and seizing upon all her imagination, she lowered parted lips and moved them slowly, warmly upon his. Her eyes flew wide as his mouth opened and twisted across hers, his tongue thrusting through as his arms went around her, crushing her in his embrace. Her world careened crazily as he slowly turned until she half lay across his lap, her head pressed back against his shoulder. ... She should have found his blistering kiss repulsive, but in truth it was wildly exciting."

Scene #3 - "[She] was so startled by the invasion she went completely still, her mind filling with confusion as the combination of the caresses and the kiss filled her with a sharp excitement that was almost overwhelming. She remained still and uncertain as his mouth explored hers, her hands balling into fists by her waist as he ... excuse the interruption - too racy for this blog ..., and the excitement spiked to a level that raised fear in her had her grabbing at the hand to stop him.

[He] immediately stopped his caress, but he also broke their kiss to lift his head.
'I am your husband.'
He whispered the words against her lips and she stilled again, uncertainty flowing through her. He was her husband and had every right to do whatever he chose, ..."

Scene #4 - "She stood there proud and unashamed to have him see her thus, with no attempt to cover herself in any way, and he looked long and hard, feasting on the reality of what he had only been able to imagine previously. She was so very beautiful to him, so perfectly formed for all her height.
[He] was unaware that he had walked to her, but he stood next to her now, the velvet gown forgotten, dropping from his fingers to the floor. Everything was forgotten as his hands rose to cup her cheeks, and he lowered his head to taste the nectar of her lips. Slowly, he tasted, gently at first to savor, then with the full measure of his need.
In those first moments, he was so consumed with desire that he would not have noticed if [she] resisted. But she was not resisting in any way. ... she was kissing him back with an unrestrained abandon."

Okay, the rest is up to you ... which of these four scenes were written pre-2000 and which were written post-2000?

Click here for the answers!   Please be honest and don't cheat - I'm trying to demonstrate that without knowing the novel, it's difficult to see the difference in the timeline of writing style. Thanks for playing!

Remember to be entered in the Giveaway, you MUST comment and you MUST leave a valid email address!  Giveaway runs till 11:59 PM EST Saturday, January 14, 2012. That's only 2 days to enter!  Winner will be chosen at random and announced on Monday's post.  Thanks and Good Luck!  : )

Happy Reading Everyone!      
                  Giveaway is Closed. Thanks to everyone who participated.