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Book Learning  by Branwyn 15 Review(s)
curiouswombatReviewed Chapter: 4 on 1/15/2012
It is always such a joy to come across something I have not read before, and wonder how I missed it. (Although 'come across' may not be the best choice of words here, considering the subject :p ) I am glad, too, to think of Éowyn having another woman of The Mark to talk to about 'girly' stuff - and everything else as well.

whitewaveReviewed Chapter: 4 on 8/10/2008
Hi
This is hawwwt!! Faramir and Eowyn are my second favorite mortal couple after Eomer and Lothiriel. Thanks for sharing.

Author Reply: Thanks so much for reviewing!

MartaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/23/2006
Branwyn, this was delightfully delicious. I really like how you have the two characters exploring this sensitive issue within their own comfort zones, but also reaching out a bit - Faramir going to Eradan for help to finding the book, and Eowyn looking for a book before she went to her countrywoman. And the hint of eroticism at the end was just the right amount -- it gives us an idea of what has changed and some very pleasant hints as to what the night holds, but does not over-tell as is all too easy to do with this.

Author Reply: I am so pleased that you enjoyed this story; writing an erotic fic was definitely outside of my comfort zone so I wasn't sure how it would turn out. :-D

I did see the two of them having different learning styles--Faramir oriented more toward the written word and sources with scholarly authority, Eowyn more comfortable with verbal and hands-on instruction in an informal setting.

Thanks so much for your kind review!

StefaniaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/16/2006
Congratulations on finishing this tale with aplomb, Branwyn. One thing though, I wondered how Faramir could eat all that food in his, umm, condition. You'd think that...but I won't go there.

Good job. You made us all life over a situation that has perplexed and pleasured all humanity, whether in fantasy or in real life.



Author Reply: Certainly he is much more interested in sex than in food at that particular moment, and he probably hurries through the meal without overeating. :-D
Glad you enjoyed the story, and thanks for reviewing!

LarnerReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/4/2006
Aha! And so the studying has born fruit, and hopefully will bear fruit indeed as the two rejoice in one another as man and wife.

Very lovely, and filled with a delightful humor and delight.

And trust both Ann and Raksha to help you see this tale so well told.

Author Reply: After so much grief and hardship, it seemed that these two deserved to delight in each other and to savor the pleasures of the marriage bed. And, yes, I am indebted to Ann and Raksha who did their best to keep me from going astray (though sometimes I just couldn't be saved from myself). The story was much improved by their comments and suggestions.
Thanks for your kind review!

JuliaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/4/2006
Nice to see that they *both* got a happy ending! Good job writing a story that manages to be funny and sexy without being too icky or graphic.

Author Reply: Yes, they both get a happy ending (after Faramir is very, very surprised; luckily, he is young and has a strong heart). Glad to hear that it wasn't overly graphic because I did try to avoid that in favor of letting the reader fill in the blanks.
Thanks for your kind comments!

BodkinReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/4/2006
A pair of fair scholars ... although I suspect Eowyn gained more value from the training imparted by Freya Freawine’s daughter. I love the way Faramir thinks he should have made notes on the information provided by the Treatise. I can assure you, Faramir, practice will be much better than notes.

A delightful outcome! I hope they had more fun - after all, all those carefully chosen foods should have been of some value!

Author Reply: It is difficult to teach yourself a physical activity from a book, so I agree that Eowyn's training, where she had the benefit of visual demonstrations (well, with veggies, anyway) and an instructor to answer her questions, would have been more beneficial. And, yes, practice makes perfect, as they say. :-)
That poor Cook must have been choking with laughter at the menu that night. I am glad you liked the conclusion, and thanks so much for reviewing!

EdoraslassReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/3/2006
Poor Faramir, trying to keep his mind on work all day long!
Then trying to convince himself it's just coincidence that everything served at dinner is an aphrodisiac -- along with the note-taking, it's all terribly endearing.

I like the fact that Eowyn takes the lead; she's not any more experienced than he is, but she doesn't appear at all hesitant, though it's likely she's wondering how he'll respond. :)

And this A handful of acorns rolled across the coverlet and rattled to the floor. Are there squirrels in the bed? he wondered, but he decided it wiser not to ask made me giggle. Mainly because I was picturing actual squirrels leaping out of the rafters.

This is very warm and affectionate, and they seem so happy and content. And spicy, as well! And humour in this situation is always welcome. Very nice, Branwyn!

Author Reply: Freydis probably didn't mean for Eowyn to try ALL of her suggestions at once, but Eowyn doesn't seem like one to do things by halves. The kitchen staff must have been falling over with laughter at that evening's menu.
She does take the lead, but she is used to being in command--as the senior noblewoman at Edoras, she would have run the household, and Theoden has no compunction about leaving her in charge when he rides to Minas Tirith. However, when she wants to take the lead in their lovemaking, I do have her address Farmair as "lord husband" to soften her unusually forward request because, no, she wouldn't be entirely sure how he would respond. I didn't think of squirrels leaping from the ceiling--too funny.
After all the misery that Faramir has inflicted on him by Tolkien and by fanfic writers (including me), he deserved to be in a happy story for a change. :-) Thanks for the kind review!

ImhirielReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/3/2006
Oh, I adore this story! I already commented in the MEFAs, but I just had to say something here, too, because for the awards, I reviewed before the last chapter was posted, and I wanted to say something about the final chapter.

The story is so endearing and sweet. The humour is heart-warming and gentle, and somehow glowing. And added to that there are those marvellous little "historical" details about everyday life, depicted so very subtly and flawlessly, right down to the food (which make me hungry!).

I love the characterisation of newly-wed Faramir and Éowyn. Both so endearingly nervous, and so very much in love.

He knew just what he would start with, that caress in the second page of the chapter.

*LoL*

But the best line of all was:

Faramir wished he had taken notes.

If that isn't the tale all in a nutshell... *g*

Author Reply: I am glad you enjoyed the story, and thanks for the very lovely review!

LivillaReviewed Chapter: 4 on 11/3/2006
You updated! I was so glad to see this story finished. I really am in AWE of your ability to balance the flat-out funny with the straight-up sexy. I hope you plan to write more Eowyn/Faramir stuff - you do it really well.

Author Reply: I am sorry it took me so long to finish, but I am glad you enjoyed the conclusion to the the story. I have a rather broad sense of humor, so I kept wondering if anyone else would actually think it was funny. *grin*
Thanks for your kind comments!

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