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I just recently finished re-reading one of my all-time favorite historical romances, Julie Garwood’s Guardian Angel, and was reminded once again just why this book will always be a classic for me. By turns funny and emotional, peopled with wonderful characters, and brimming with entertaining dialogue, it is a Regency tale filled with Garwood’s trademark blend of romance and adventure. It also contains one of the most memorable scenes in a romance that I have ever read.
It occurs in the opening chapter, when the heroine, Jade, enters a tavern and approaches the hero, the Marquess of Cainewood. Caine is there looking for Pagan–the pirate who murdered his brother–and he isn’t at all pleased at being interrupted by this slip of a woman who seems more than a bit touched in the head and talks too much. But as she states her reasons for searching him out, he finds himself alternately charmed and bemused. Jade believes Caine is Pagan, and she wants to hire him to kill someone. When he inquires as to the identity of the person she wants done away with, she replies matter-of-factly, “Me.” The ensuing dialogue between this couple makes you laugh out loud and pulls you right into the story. You instantly want to know why Jade wants to die and what Caine’s reaction will be, and you are hooked.
Caine was trying to keep his temper controlled, but the urge to shout at her made his throat ache. “When would you like this…this…”
“Task?”
“Yes, when would you like this task done?”
“Now.”
“Now?”
“If it’s convenient, mi’lord.”
“If it’s convenient?”
“Oh, dear, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Why do you think you’ve upset me?”
“Because you are shouting at me.”
He realized she was right. He had been shouting.
“I can see how distressed I’ve made you,” she said. “I really do apologize, Pagan. Have you never killed a woman before?” Her voice was filled with sympathy.
She looked as if she felt sorry for him now. “No, I’ve never killed a woman before,” he grated out. “But there’s always a first time for everything, now isn’t there?”
And the scene only gets funnier from there. 
Years after I first read it back in the early 1990′s, I still remember that scene whenever I think about this book and laugh out loud. As authors, we aspire to write scenes like this. Scenes that touch readers and make such an impression that they will recall them years later, even when many another book is forgotten. They may make you laugh or cry or inspire you to righteous anger. But they stand out from the rest of the pack and still bring out those emotions in you every time you read them.
Here are some of the other scenes that I have found most memorable through the years:
*The reunion between Sarah and Derek at the end of Lisa Kleypas’s Dreaming of You, when Derek believes Sarah to have been killed in a fire.
*The crippled heroine’s confrontation with a bear in the middle of the wilderness as she struggles to save her wounded hero in Catherine Anderson’s Phantom Waltz.
*The death of the hero and heroine’s child in Penelope Williamson’s Keeper of the Dream.
*The flashback scene to the massacre of the heroine’s family by Yankee soldiers in Rebecca Brandewyne’s Outlaw Hearts.
Do you have any scenes from any favorite novels that you have found memorable, that have stuck with you through the years? What are they, and why are they so memorable for you? And as a special bonus, I will be choosing two lucky winners to receive cover flat packets from among the comments today, and I will announce them tomorrow. So good luck! And don’t forget to scroll down and check out Margo’s post on the winter doldrums!
Filed in: Jaunty Post
Jan 19th
2007
9:53 am
Shana Said:
Thanks for reminding me about that scene, Kim. All of Julie’s historicals are keepers for me!
One of my favorite scenes is from a Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ book. I think it’s Heaven, Texas. The heroine goes to the store and buys all this funny merchandise, and the hero gets really mad/embarrassed. I fell on the floor laughing when I read that scene.
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Jan 19th
2007
10:45 am
Jennifer Y. Said:
Hmm…I think one scene that sticks out in my head is in Julia Quinn’s Brighter than the Sun…it is the scene where Charles and Ellie make love for the first time. I mostly remember it for its humor…I love Julia Quinn’s wit.
Also, in Julie Garwood’s Ransom where the little boy tells his father what happened to Gillian’s arm…and the scene where they are in the cottage fixing her arm.
Also, the shower scene in Lisa Kleypas’s Worth Any Price! WOW! is all I can say.
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Jan 19th
2007
11:35 am
Dorothy Said:
I loved Julie Garwood’s medieval books. I had read some romance books in the late 70′s and hadn’t really been too taken with them so I swore off of them. Then a woman I worked with in the early 90′s recommended Julie Garwood’s, ‘The Bride’. Well, all I can is that I’ve been hooked ever since. I loved that book and read all of her books after that until she started with the comtemporary books. After that, I started looking around for more books to read and haven’t looked back, so to speak.
Like Jennifer Y said above, I love Julia Quinn’s wit. I love her books. I think the scene I remember most was when Colin inadvertently hurt Penelope’s feelings. I can’t remember exactly right now, but I think he was with Anthony and they were just outside and Penelope was coming out the door and he made a comment. You could just feel how Penelope felt. I guess I’ll have to make the sacrifice and reread the Bridgerton series again!! LOL
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Jan 19th
2007
11:37 am
AndreaW Said:
The Pall Mall scene from The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
The breakfast scene (Freddie, Charlotte & his mother) from Pride and Petticoats by Shana Galen
When Pru Ryland is about to die and Chapel saves her from Be Mine Tonight by Kathryn Smith
The rooftop scene from Desire Never Dies by Jenna Petersen
When St. Aubyn is locked in the dungeon from London’s Perfect Scoundrel by Suzanne Enoch
The beginning of Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas where Amanda mistakes Jack for a prostitute
I know I have more…
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Jan 19th
2007
11:42 am
brownone Said:
I would have to say Brenda Joyce’s “The Darkest Heart” has the most memorable scene in it. The hero has babies that are due around the same time (maybe a couple of weeks apart) with two diffrent women and to me the most memorable scene is when they tie the indian “wife” up to a tree to have the baby and then the midwife buries it because it cries at birth. Well his white “wife” sees this and freaks out and goes the the chief of the tribe to save the baby. It was just so touching that even though she loathed the other woman she was willing to save her husband’s child.
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Jan 19th
2007
12:01 pm
Kathryn Said:
I loved the scene in one of my all time favourite books, The Pillars of the Earth, where Aliena finds Jack, the father of her child, after travelling 9 months from England thru France and Spain (set in the 1100′s, so mega travel) with her new baby. It took strength and commitment to make that journey.
I also liked the scene in Julia Quinn’s To Sir Philip With Love where Eloise gets the better of Philip’s twins with respect to pranks.
And I loved the confrontation scene in the bedroom in Barbara Delinsky’s The Summer I Dared between Julia and her cheating husband. Julia was strong and determined and definitely got the better of him.
I guess I like to read about women finding inner strength and being true to themselves….
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Jan 19th
2007
12:25 pm
ladydawgfan Said:
Hooo, boy! I could write a book on all of the scenes that I have read that stand out in my mind, both recent and in the far past. Lemme see . . .
One of my absolute favorites in in Jacquie D’Allessandro’s “Red Roses Mean Love,” when Stephen fixes Callies doll, Miss Josephine, in the middle of the night. Stephen learned more than just sewing skills that night.
Another favorite is the scene in Julie Garwood’s “The Prize,” where Nicolaa chooses Royce for her husband. “Checkmate” indeed!!!
Also, in Judith McNaught’s “Almost Heaven,” when Ian discovers Elizabeth at the cottage in Scotland. This and the scene where she testifies at his trial are only two of the many memorable scenes in this book.
These are just a few of the many scenes in books that I have gone back and re-read.
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Jan 19th
2007
12:31 pm
Robyn DeHart Said:
There’s one scene from a Stephanie Bond Temptation where the heroine is in the bathtub and gets her toe stuck in the faucet. It was truly hilarious.
There are moments that I remember from Teresa M’s Once and Angel – when the heroine slides down the bannister and when the hero’s pet lizard chases her around the tent. Also hilarious.
Oh, and the scene in Judith Ivory’s The Proposition when the hero is trying to catch a rat and he’s spies the heroine’s legs in the dressing room. Also when she stands up on the table to show him her legs later in the book.
Great post, Kim.
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Jan 19th
2007
1:03 pm
Linda Said:
There are so many moments from the books that i’ve read that stay with me.
I have to agree with ladydawgfan about Julie Garwood’s “The Prize”. I just reread that book and that moment stands out every time.
Then there’s Johanna Lindsey’s “Magic Of You” and it’s not just one moment. It’s throughout the book, when Amy is pursuing Warren. And, Warren is trying not to be pursued.
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Jan 19th
2007
1:24 pm
Bonnie Ferguson Said:
I LOVE Guardian Angel and agree about that scene
Same with the scene from Dreaming of You.
Some other memorable scenes:
In Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas, when Simon and Westcliff find the wallflowers playing rounders in their underwear.
And in Lyon’s Lady by Julie Garwood, when Lyon sardonically explains to a guest that his betrothed is the one who just ate the leaf from the tree.
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Jan 19th
2007
1:26 pm
Bonnie Ferguson Said:
Sorry that should read The Lion’s Lady by Julie Garwood
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Jan 19th
2007
1:29 pm
Robyn DeHart Said:
Oh, and in Johanna Lindsey’s Gentle Rogue when she’s bathing him. Funny and sexy!
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Jan 19th
2007
1:45 pm
Dorothy Said:
AndreaW–Thank you! I couldn’t remember what the game was called that the Bridgerton’s played, but it was Pall Mall! That scene was just too funny.
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Jan 19th
2007
2:48 pm
Santa Said:
Wow! There are so many great scenes out there!
From “Lord of Scoundrels” by Loretta Chase when Dain follows Jessica out of his den of debachery and they have their first kiss. He is so big and she is so slight. A thunderstorm rages about them as tempestuous as that kiss!
From “Fair Game” by Diane Farr. The hero and heroine are on their way to her intended’s house. They are really in love with one another but have decided that it would not work. Their carriage breaks down in the snow. She cuddles next to him. The tension is electric as he asks to kiss her goodbye one last time. It is one of the most heated scenes I have ever read!! Amazing.
I also agree with all the others mentioned here.
BTW, does your spell checker act as a thesaurus? Curious, that!
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Jan 19th
2007
3:14 pm
Jacquie D'Alessandro Said:
Hi Gals!
What a great topic!
A few of my favorites are:
In Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer when Will tells Ellie his favorite color is green because when he was a child a lady with green eyes was once nice to him.
In Sea Swept by Nora Roberts, the scene where Cam finds out about Anna’s past
In Rising Tides by Nora Roberts, the scene where Ethan confesses his past
In Something Wonderful by Judith McNaught, the scene when Jordan first comes back and discovers the change in his wife
Very fun topic–thanks for making me think of something so happy!
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Jan 19th
2007
3:24 pm
smile0303 Said:
I too love the Pall Mall game from JQ. Kind of reminds me of my family when we play board games…tendency to get a little violent.
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Jan 19th
2007
3:44 pm
Jenna Petersen Said:
Thanks AndreaW for the shout out to the rooftop scene in DESIRE NEVER DIES. I loved writing that scene, too.
The scene where Colin hurts Penelope’s feelings is where he says that he would never marry her. And then he realizes she heard him. She says, “I never asked you to marry me.”
I love that scene. It’s so heartbreaking. I also love how Anthony walks her home while the other brothers basically tell him what a jerk he is.
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Jan 19th
2007
3:44 pm
Jenna Petersen Said:
Oh, I thought of another JQ one. In THE DUKE AND I where Daphne makes Simon stutter. Oh, I love that scene. It’s soooooo sad.
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Jan 19th
2007
3:50 pm
Princess7794 Said:
Memorable to me…
From “The Sinner” by Madeline Hunter when Dante burst into the room while his wife Fleur is trying to have the baby, but having problems. She was too weak to push any longer. So – he sat behind her, so she was more in a sitting position…. I was crying and laughing throughout the remainder of that scene until they had the baby! I felt like I was right there. It was just such an assume moment!
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Jan 19th
2007
3:52 pm
Princess7794 Said:
Sorry – At the end of my paragraph – I meant It was just an awesome moment!
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Jan 19th
2007
3:55 pm
Dorothy Said:
Jenna….thanks for more on the Penelope/Colin scene. I knew what I was trying to say but just couldn’t get it out. See what sleep deprivation does to me?!? lol But yes, I love that scene and how his brothers berate him and Anthony walks Penelope home. *sigh* Now I know I have to reread that book….when I have time…someday….maybe this summer. Hmmmm….can ya tell I don’t have much time?? lol
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Jan 19th
2007
4:00 pm
Manuelita Said:
In Jill Barnett’s BEWITCHING, I love the pink rose petals that float down when Joy, um, is “joyous” with Alec. *vbg* And Bewitching’s epilogue is also very memorable. I can picture Alec floating in his chair, surrounded by all his children, in full acceptance of their powers.
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Jan 19th
2007
4:09 pm
Dorothy Said:
Manuelita–I completely forgot about BEWITCHING until you mentioned it. I loved that book! Thanks for that reminder!!
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Jan 19th
2007
5:15 pm
Lois Said:
Oh brother, you know, the only thing I was thinking of was a scene from a movie, and that wasn’t the question. LOL (Colin Firth, lake, enough said)
But once I started scrolling down, I was reminded of my favorite JQ book that I just reread, How to Marry a Marquis — and the turnips and how they are the secret to life or such. Geez louise I love that.
Lois
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Jan 19th
2007
7:25 pm
Isabel Said:
Wow, I’ve read a lot of the scenes you have all mentioned and have added more books to my TBB list, LOL.
In Courting Claudia by Robyn DeHart when Derrick and Claudia are enjoying a picnic, Derrick decides to go for swim and invites Claudia to join him. She is embarrased to have him “see” her as she is in the daylight. Derrick immediately senses her discomfort and tells her not worry, that she is beautiful the way she is. That scene *and it’s been a while since I first read this book* made my heart melt and had me crying for a bit before I could continue reading. *sigh*
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Jan 19th
2007
7:28 pm
Joyce Said:
In another Julie Garwood book Honor’s Splendour, where the heroine puts the Wolf’s feet under her dress to her bare stomach to warm them.
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Jan 19th
2007
8:00 pm
georgia_peach Said:
Let’s see here….
In Adele Ashworths’ “Winter Garden” when Thomas becomes so aroused while pleasuring Maddie he cannot…ahem…contain himself.
The “death scene” in Kate Smith’s “Be Mine Tonight”.
LLGurkhe’s “She’s No Princess”: When the h/h are playing chess and she is driving the straight-laced hero mad with lust…on purpose. He has to turn away from her to hide his rising ardor.
Karen Robards’: A Forbidden Love. After the hero makes love to his ward for the first time he asks her tentatively, “do you still love me?” I melt every time.
Gaelen Foley’s Prince Charming……The peppermints!!!! need I say more?
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Jan 19th
2007
8:19 pm
Robyn DeHart Said:
Oh, Isabel, you made my day! I loved writing that scene. Derrick….*sigh*
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Jan 19th
2007
8:51 pm
Mona Said:
There are lots of scenes that I wouldn’t forget from Something Wonderful to Judith Mcnaught.. When the hero who had mistress falling out of his sleeves was trying to explain to the very innocent heroine how babies are made as an entrance to the fact that he wants to make love to her so she asked him how and he just opened his mouth and didn’t really know what to say so she smiled sympathetically telling him that it’s ok if he didn’t know either. He just laughed himself out.. that was hilarious.
Of course also when he came after being kidnapped for about one year. After everybody believed him dead to meet for the first time after his return with his wife at the alter trying to stop her from marrying his cousin.. his showing was so unforgettably melodramatic also he was astonished to find that the duck he had married turned into a swan with every man in the society after her.
The most one that I loved is at the last part when the heroine took a pullet for the hero to save his life and he got to know the truth that she wasn’t part in the conspiracy on his life also that she was dying. He kept talking to her while she was in a comma before death and he realized she was dying for him and he never got the chance to tell her that he loved her. So he took turns pleading with her to live or threatening to marry one of his mistresses if she died and he finished crying that if she would go she’ll have to take him with her cause he wouldn’t wanna live without her.
She lived in the end of course. But it was one of these books with the most intelligent and hilarious conversations between the hero and the heroine. It had me convinced that if these two people weren’t meant to be together life wouldn’t be the same for either of them.
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Jan 19th
2007
11:14 pm
Rainy Said:
This is what I get for posting so late…brain drain! All names seem to have dribbled out of my head.
Loved the scene in Lisa Kleypas’ “Devil in Winter” where Evie finds her scoundrel husband tenderly caring for her dying father. It was her first real clue that there was depth to this man and I love that he wasn’t afraid to show an act of kindness.
Also, to get into a serious classic..that last scene in Gone With the Wind where Scarlett finally understands real love, the love of her dear friend Melanie and that of Brett. And since I am an eternal optimist, I belived that Scarlett would manage to get things right the next day, or soon after.
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Jan 19th
2007
11:31 pm
Jacquie D'Alessandro Said:
I thought of another favorite! And also wanted to thank Ladydawgfan for the mention of Red Roses Mean Love. Even though I wrote that scene about ten years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday!
Anyway–my other favorite is from J.D. Robb, where Roarke keeps the button that fell off Eve’s suit in his pocket. Love it when the mighty fall!
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Jan 20th
2007
12:17 am
Isabel Said:
Robyn, thanks for telling me I made your day.
Derrick is one of my top heroes.
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