The
Billionaire in Boots
by Julia London is the latest of two books that show why she
is “Queen of the Banter,” writing family-focused
funny and endearing tales with snappy, witty, and teasing
dialogue between the hero and heroine.
The Billionaire in Boots has a lively dialogue, a
sassy heroine, and a hero unsure of himself. But instead of
having a royal environment this plot has a western cowboy
theme. A scene in the book shows how these two butt heads.
Nick, the hero tells the heroine, Charlotte, “I’m
not actually the grim reaper.” She asked him why he
was at the bar, “Shouldn’t you be at your house
staring at a rescue cow or something?” His response,
“The cows are down in the valley. I wouldn’t be
able to get a good look.”
“I wrote Charlotte as a character that speaks her mind.
She is bubbly, rock solid, someone everyone can rely on. She
has ambition, but it is a goal toward happiness. She wants
the whole nine yards of a husband and children. My oldest
sister was like that because all she wanted was to be mother
and wife. Charlotte is self-assured and was emphatic that
no one would tell her how to lead her life.”
Nick also feels unappreciated and not able to make a useful
life for himself. After his father died, he had to take over
the cattle ranch, which is something he never wanted to do.
He gave up his dream to become a commercial pilot. He is a
cowboy who loves the ranch but doesn’t want to run the
ranch, but knows he has to help get it out of financial disaster.
He put everything aside for duty. But he was not alone because
Charlotte was the office manager who knew far more than he
did. She also has a dream, to settle down with her prince
charming and raise a family instead of being a career-oriented
person.
“I wrote Nick as grumpy, but also disgruntled and feels
like he got the wrong end of the deal. He has a good heart.
Nick is a loner which is why flying is so important to him.
He could see the world without family and responsibilities.
I think he is resentful of his father and family who never
considered what he wanted. I really like the idea of people
who have a dream and for whatever reason cannot pursue it.
I have known people in my life who thought they were going
to do something else and that did not happen.”
All the heroines seem to have a common characteristic: smart,
direct, charming, and know what they want out of life, and
Charlotte is no different. Nick, as with the other heroes
are thrown into a life they would not have chosen for themselves
and rely on the heroine to help them find themselves.
The story includes tenderness and humor throughout. It involves
a love/hate relationship, passion, and characters somewhat
at odds with societal norms. The snappy sarcastic dialogue
moves the story along allowing readers to laugh, smile, and
cry with the characters.
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