Help A Bitch Out

HaBO: Picnic for Charity

Kim writes:

I’m looking for a book title and author.  The book is set back in the 1700-1800’s in England or nearby and it’s about a girl not exactly accepted by the “ton” who is invited on a picnic auction (for charity).  She hesitantly brings her basket to be auctioned off and as the auction takes place she watches the pretty ribbons blowing in the wind on the basket belonging to the “catch of the season” which is getting lots of bids… this girl’s (main character) basket was purposely getting no bids and one person(who was paid to) bid a humiliating low bid and he was the only taker.

She was so embarrassed…well the handsome man all the girls had eyes for caught on and bid an outrageous amount and had the picnic with her.  They already knew each other and weren’t on good terms. I really want to know the author and title…Can anyone help me?

Charity picnic auction? Is that historically possible? And does anyone recognize that book?

Categorized:

Help a Bitch Out

Comments are Closed

  1. Amy says:

    Am I crazy, or was that in Anne of Green Gables?

  2. Anj says:

    If that was Anne of GG that would explain why I think the plot device sounds familiar, but have never read any of these other books…

  3. CSzego says:

    Amy, Anne was my first thought too.  Can’t remember who bought her basket:  was it Gilbert or Matthew?

  4. snarkhunter says:

    Amy—you’re crazy. 🙂 Never happened in Anne of GG, or in any of the other books. There were picnics aplenty, but never any kind of auction for charity.

  5. ILuvLA says:

    Heeey, Boo-Boo …

    I know I’ve read or seen this scene, but I haven’t read any of the books mentioned. The cold chicken was what really had me saying, “Hey! I remember that!” OTOH, cold chicken seems to have been pretty standard as a picnic item of this sort. I get the feeling that this plot devise has been used (or “re-used”) by a lot of authors. It’s too good.

    But there’s also an historical incident with the Duke of Wellington tossing a half-eaten cold chicken leg over his shoulder, so maybe I’m mixing that in with my “memories.”

  6. TaraGel says:

    This also sounded familiar to me the other day, although I really don’t think I’ve read the Brenda Joyce. (Maybe the Elaine Coffman but not sure.)
    I was actually thinking it might be a Deveraux book. Possibly Wishes even, as I remember something about a picnic and I remember the heroine was a chef, but not sure.

  7. KristenMary says:

    Definitely not in Wishes by Deveraux. Recently read that one so I’m fairly sure. But my first thought was this sounds Deveraux-ish. I’m fairly sure I’ve read something very similar if not this exact book. How crazy that this plot line has been used many a time.

  8. Virginia Shultz-Charette says:

    You guys are right, it is If My Love Could Hold You by Elaine Coffman! For those of you who are interested in this western, check out her web-site and look up the book- I think the first chapter is on there, attempted hanging and all.It was a pretty good book!

  9. MayDarling says:

    It is Scandalous Love by Brenda Joyce. I used to love that book, aside from the fact that the dude’s name was Hadrian. Utterly corny and pretentious at the same time.

Comments are closed.

By posting a comment, you consent to have your personally identifiable information collected and used in accordance with our privacy policy.

↑ Back to Top