Ha! Jordan really does do that! I don't mind distinctive "tugging braids" as an expression if there's only one character who does it. Like Phoebe from Friends chewing on her hair--it's a unique expression to the character, and if it's overused, you can bet it's annoying the rest of the characters in the story as well.

I didn't think you were too hard on me, by the way--you simply hit my logic where it was weakest. Overall, I think that's a good thing.

The eyes thing seems to be worse in Regaining Home than the other two (though I didn't do the word count on the others; it might be just as bad). I'd be interested in hearing if you do notice it as you're reading (when you get to it).