Review + GIVEAWAY: The Elusive Miss Ellison

The Elusive Miss Ellison
By Carolyn Miller
Regency Brides, A Legacy of Grace #1
Kregel, 2017


Summary

Handsome appearance counts for naught unless matched by good character and actions.

That's the firm opinion of not-so-meek minister's daughter Lavinia Ellison. So even though all the other villagers of St. Hampton Heath are swooning over the newly returned seventh Earl of Hawkesbury, she is not impressed. If a man won't take his responsibilities seriously and help those who are supposed to be able to depend on him, he deserves no respect from her. In Lavinia's pretty, gray eyes, Nicholas Stamford is just as arrogant and reckless as his brother-who stole the most important person in Livvie's world.

Nicholas is weighed down by his own guilt and responsibility, by the pain his careless brother caused, and by the legacy of war he's just left. This quick visit home to St. Hampton Heath will be just long enough to ease a small part of that burden. Asking him to bother with the lives of the villagers when there's already a bailiff on the job is simply too much to expect.

That is, until the hoydenish, intelligent, and very opinionated Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride. With her angelic voice in his head, he may even be beginning to care. But his isn't the only heart that needs to change.

These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society's opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.

Fans of Georgette Heyer, Lori Wick, and Julie Klassen will enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister's daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God's grace and the true strength of love.

Learn more and purchase a copy.


My thoughts

Gloucestershire, England – 1813

I thoroughly enjoyed Carolyn Miller’s debut novel, The Elusive Miss Ellison. The Regency romance is one of my favorite genres – and while many reviewers allude to Jane Austen, my love for this genre is entirely due to the prolific writing of Georgette Heyer. The Elusive Miss Ellison is well written with a vivid sense of place and period authenticity, and blends Heyer’s witty dialogue with a strong foundation of faith.

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       “Do you not wish to feel accepted and appreciated, to know that your life has purpose and meaning?” - Lavinia
       Her words struck his heart like hammer on anvil, forbidding speech. How could she know the driftless state of his heart?

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Beneath all the witty repartee, manners and social status is a story of humility, forgiveness, and the vastness of God’s grace. Nicholas and Lavinia are well-drawn, with a complexity beneath the surface. Nicholas had a war background that showed remarkable character, courage, leadership, and compassion, yet those qualities were missing in the new Earl of Hawkesbury. Lavinia had a deep faith and concern for the poor, yet she struggled with a pride and unforgiveness that “until it is destroyed, we cannot see clearly” (Nicholas). Both of these characters are flawed and have a spiritual journey to make. There’s plenty of romantic tension and I especially liked that they had a lot of screen time together.

The Elusive Miss Ellison is exactly what a Regency should be and I eagerly anticipate book #2, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, which releases in June.

Recommended to all who enjoy Christian Regency romances.

I was provided a free copy of this book through Litfuse Publicity. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn's novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.

Website │ Facebook │ Twitter │ Pinterest

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GIVEAWAY

Regency romance fans have another must-read novel to add to their lists: Carolyn Miller's The Elusive Miss Ellison. Enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister’s daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past pride and presumption to a humbled appreciation of God’s grace and the true strength of love. These two lonely hearts may each have something the other needs. But with society’s opposition, ancestral obligations, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles in their way.

Settle in for a cozy night of reading with a cuppa and a Kindle from Carolyn!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of The Elusive Miss Ellison
• A Kindle Fire
• Two William Morris mugs (winner's choice)
• A box of tea

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below, but hurry! The giveaway ends on March 22. The winner will be announced March 23 on the Litfuse blog.

Review: Dawn at Emberwilde

I apologize, for apparently this post went out today, 8/11, but I didn’t send it. All I can figure is that the Blogger program is acting up. This giveaway ended on June 19 and I have removed it. But there will be more, so do come back!

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Dawn at Emberwilde
By Sarah E. Ladd
Treasures of Surrey, #2
Thomas Nelson, 2016


Summary

Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.

For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would enable her to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father’s death.

The unexpected arrival of a stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel’s small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.

At her new family’s invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with rumors and ominous folklore—along with whispers of something far more sinister. Perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.

At Emberwilde Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security. But first she must find it—in the depths of Emberwilde Forest.


My thoughts

Dawn at Emberwilde is a beautiful story in every way, the kind of book I like to take my time with, savoring every nuance of atmospheric setting, rich characterization, and plot twists. The English countryside, a mysterious forest, and grand estates provide the backdrop for romance and suspense that is gently paced, yet held my attention throughout. With its 1817 setting in Surrey, England, this narrative reflects the Jane Austen style, with a little bit of Cinderella mixed in, and even has elements of the gothic style that I’ve always loved. Sarah E. Ladd is in her element when it comes to the Regency novel, and while I’ve enjoyed all of her stories, Dawn at Emberwilde is without a doubt my favorite.

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“Remember, with each dawn seek guidance, and with each

night give gratitude. For there is a divine plan for each of our lives,

and a journey, and you have started yours.”

- Mary

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Isabel and Colin are great characters, as are secondary characters Henry, Colin’s brother, and Mary, Isabel’s friend from Fellsworth School. Forced to leave the comfortable environment of the school, Isabel is faced with strict rules imposed by her aunt and the unwelcome thought of marrying to secure her future. Even Isabel’s cousin, Constance, had been raised with this life goal firmly in place … “To make a match. To marry. To grasp security.” Independent and confident one moment, while insecure and doubtful the next, Isabel is easy to relate to in her humanness. Colin, local magistrate and landowner, is a very appealing leading man. To Isabel, his “kindness and gentleness were more attractive than money or prestige.”

Spiritual themes are very subtle in this story, reflected more in character behavior than actual words. We’re reminded to look beyond the surface, that people and circumstances aren’t always what they seem – and also to seek God’s will for life’s needs. I especially loved these words of Isabel’s friend, Mary . . .

“No experience is ever wasted. It is being used to fashion you

into the person you are meant to be, and to move you

to the place where you are supposed to go.”

Although Dawn at Emberwilde is #2 in the series, it stands alone. I do hope we see Mary’s story next! Recommended.

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Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for “The Heiress of Winterwood.” She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky Golden Retriever.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Litfuse landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/author/sladd

Review + GIVEAWAY: The Curiosity Keeper

The Curiosity Keeper
By Sarah E. Ladd
Treasures of Surrey, #1
Thomas Nelson, 2015


Summary

“It is not just a ruby, as you say. It is large as a quail’s egg, still untouched and unpolished. And it is rumored to either bless or curse whoever possesses it.”

Camille Iverness can take care of herself. She’s done so since the day her mother abandoned the family and left Camille to run their shabby curiosity shop. But when a violent betrayal leaves her injured with no place to hide, Camille must allow a mysterious stranger to come to her aid.

Jonathan Gilchrist never wanted to inherit Kettering Hall. As a second son, he was content to work as the village apothecary. But when his brother’s death made him heir just as his father’s foolish decisions put the estate at risk, only the sale of a priceless possession—a ruby called the Bevoy—can save the family from ruin. But the gem has disappeared. And all trails lead to Iverness Curiosity Shop—and the beautiful shop girl who may be the answer to his many questions.

Caught at the intersection of blessings and curses, greed and deceit, these two determined souls must unite to protect what they hold dear. But when a passion that shines far brighter than any gem is ignited, they will have to decide how much they are willing to risk for their future, love, and happiness.


My thoughts

The Curiosity Keeper is a good beginning to Sarah Ladd's new series, Treasures of Surrey. Set in 1812 England, it opens in the Iverness Curiosity Shop in London, then moves to the beautiful rural community of Fellsworth. Regencies are a favorite genre of mine and Sarah did an excellent job at conveying a sense of place. There's action, drama, mystery, romance, and a sweet ending.

Jonathan and Camille seemed like a good fit for each other and I really liked them both, but although there was a good bit of character depth, I was never able to connect as deeply with them as I had hoped and I'm not sure why. Maybe because I longed for more scenes with interaction between them, for I didn't feel a part of their developing romance. However, this is still an excellent story and it was fun to watch Camille use her strength and self-reliance skills to take care of herself at a time when women didn't have many opportunities. 

The mystery element was done well, because even though I suspected who one of the bad guys might be and was proven right, there was a twist that I never saw coming. And one of my favorite parts was the growing friendship and respect between Camille and Jonathan's father, Ian.

I love the way The Curiosity Keeper shows a contrast between the upper and working classes, and between the wealthy estates and unsavory areas of London - and while a lot of Regencies focus on high society, Jonathan and Camille use their medical and teaching skills respectively to help others. Spiritual themes are subtle, but always shining through is the idea that God is faithful to bring about good from the not-so-good circumstances in our lives - and that's something to which readers can relate.

The Curiosity Keeper was an enjoyable read overall and I look forward to more stories in this series. Recommended to fans of historical romance.

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Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for “The Heiress of Winterwood.” She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

Find Sarah online at sarahladd.com, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Litfuse landing page:

http://litfusegroup.com/campaigns/the-curiosity-keeper-by-sarah-ladd

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing for The Curiosity Keeper . . .

1) If you're on Facebook, please go to Sarah Ladd giveaway and share about this giveaway ("likes" to my FB page are not required, but very much appreciated)

2) Answer the following question:

Do you have a favorite Sarah Ladd book or another

Regency author/title that you would recommend?

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Monday, August 3. Winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US residents

Congratulations to Jessica Jorn! I hope you enjoy The Curiosity Keeper very much. More great reviews and giveaways are in the works, so everyone please come back and tell your friends. Thank you to all who entered.

Blog linkups:
Literacy Musing Mondays

Review: The Secret of Pembrooke Park

The Secret of Pembrooke Park
By Julie Klassen
Bethany House, 2014


Summary

Abigail Foster is the practical daughter. She fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry, and the one man she thought might marry her seems to have fallen for her younger, prettier sister.

Facing financial ruin, Abigail and her father search for more affordable lodgings, until a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play...

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem acquainted with the manor's past, the only information they offer is a stern warning: Beware trespassers drawn by rumors that Pembrooke Park contains a secret room filled with treasure.

This catches Abigail's attention. Hoping to restore her family's finances--and her dowry--Abigail looks for this supposed treasure. But eerie sounds at night and footprints in the dust reveal she isn't the only one secretly searching the house.

Then Abigail begins receiving anonymous letters, containing clues about the hidden room and startling discoveries about the past.

As old friends and new foes come calling at Pembrooke Park, secrets come to light. Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?


My thoughts

Several factors make Julie Klassen's writing stand out in the Christian fiction genre - the quality of the writing itself; rich historical detail; ability to vividly convey a feel and sense of place; and a realistic touch when it comes to customs, manners, dress, and social strata of the Regency era. I have greatly enjoyed every one of Julie Klassen's novels that I've read so far, and The Secret of Pembrooke Park is a welcome addition to her repertoire.

Great Chalfield Manor - Wiltshire, England

The story is set in Berkshire, 1818, at Pembrooke Park, inspired by the impressive Great Chalfield Manor in Wiltshire, England. At 456 pages, the pacing seems slow at times, but that's actually a trait of Julie's writing that I enjoy because this isn't a story I would want to rush through. Spreading my reading out over several days allowed me to immerse myself in the story, savoring the English setting and characters.

I've read enough mysteries in my lifetime to appreciate how well Julie handled this element. While not a traditional gothic romance by any means, I loved how a few gothic elements were carefully scattered throughout - a secret room, steps in the night, objects misplaced, pages from a journal, sightings of a mysterious cloaked figure. And what a mood setter is this description of the drawing room through Abigail's eyes:  "It appeared as though the occupants had just been called away. A tea set sat on the round table, cups encrusted with dry tea. A book lay open over the arm of the sofa. A needlework project, nearly finished, lay trapped under an overturned chair." As with any jigsaw puzzle, all of the pieces must be present in order to see the complete picture - and Julie was very effective at laying out one piece at a time, until everything beautifully came together at the end.

It was refreshing to see such intelligent and compassionate characters as William and Abigail, and I was drawn to them immediately. Abigail, who had always stood in her sister's shadow, grows emotionally in a way that readers will love. I liked how the relationship between Abigail and William started out as friendship and grew into something more over time.

All Saints Parish Church - Great Chalfield Manor

The parish church and William as curate feature prominently in the story and I especially enjoyed the worship scenes and spiritual insight of William's sermons. Themes that are gently woven throughout - like greed and its far-reaching effects, the treasure of friendship, righting wrongs, making restitution - certainly speak to all of us. I thought Abigail's words at the end captured the essence of this story:

"Ah, the weary wonder of this life. Of faith. And family. And friends. The truest treasures we can ever know or possess."

The Secret of Pembrooke Park was a wonderful story and I eagerly await Julie Klassen's next novel. Highly recommended.

Click on the titles to see my reviews of Julie's two previous books, The Dancing Master and The Tutor's Daughter.

Julie Klassen

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane--Jane Eyreand Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won three Christy Awards in the Historical Romance category for The Silent Governess (2010), The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011), and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall (2012). Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

Connect with Julie online at julieklassen.com or Facebook.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Review: A Lady at Willowgrove Hall

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall
By Sarah E. Ladd
Whispers on the Moors, #3
Thomas Nelson, 2014


Summary

Her secret cloaks her in isolation and loneliness. His secret traps him in a life that is not his own.

Cecily Faire carries the shame of her past wherever she treads, knowing one slip of the tongue could strip away everything she holds dear. But soon after accepting the position of lady's companion at Willowgrove Hall, Cecily finds herself face-to-face with a man well-acquainted with the past she's desperately hidden for years.

Nathaniel Stanton has a secret of his own --- one that has haunted him from birth and tied him to his father's position as steward of Willowgrove. To protect his family, Nathaniel dares not breath a word of the truth. But as long as the shadow looms over him, he'll never be free to find his own way in the world. He'll never be free to fall in love.

When the secrets swirling within Willowgrove Hall come to light, Cecily and Nathaniel must confront a painful choice: Will they continue running from the past . . . or will they stand together and build a future without the suffocating weight of secrets long suffered?


My thoughts

I'm always excited to discover Regency romances in Christian fiction, as I've been a fan of this genre from the time I discovered Georgette Heyer, and I have to say that Sarah's knowledge and love for this era shines through in her writing. While I enjoyed the first book, The Heiress of Winterwood, the series got even better with each book. I'm not sure why this third book, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall, was my favorite, because the setting and characters have been strong throughout. Maybe this particular storyline was just especially appealing to me.

The series features different characters, each book able to stand alone, yet there is a connection and it was great to see Cecily's background at Rosemere and Patience Sterling from book two. I was really drawn to Nathaniel, Willowgrove's steward - a man whose future was laid out from his birth. And the secondary character of Andrew Moreton added much interest/conflict to the story. He was a constant reminder of Cecily's past, and as the one who would inherit Willowgrove, he "cared more for the cut of his coat and the hue of his waistcoat than the legacy that had provided for families all around the county for generations."

With the exception of a couple of backstory chapters, A Lady at Willowgrove Hall opens in Darbury, England, 1819 - yet these backstories cast a long shadow throughout the whole novel. Cecily's thought expressed in the first sentence - Is it always a sin to tell a lie? - establishes a pattern for secrecy that overshadows several of the characters. The elderly Mrs. Trent is at the heart of much of this, and I found her to be a very sympathetic character.

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"Some secrets are like a noose. The more you resist,

the more they strangle you."

- Mrs. Trent

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The spiritual idea of forgiveness and moving forward is an overarching theme. It's so easy to think the past is buried, yet how quickly it can resurface years later - and that is something I suspect many of us can relate to. Cecily had long lived with the thought that if her own father rejected her, then surely her heavenly Father didn't love her - and I love the spiritual growth we see in her. "For years she wrestled with this idea . . . until it became easiest to simply hide from God. But now she was tired of hiding. Tired of secrets. Tired of allowing fear to dictate her thoughts."

The narrative is more character driven than action packed, and that is something I really liked. I don't know what Sarah has planned, but I would love to see more of Nathaniel and Cecily in their new life, and also what happens at Willowgrove under Andrew's care.

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall is a story that I believe historical fiction fans will enjoy and am glad to recommend it. Don't miss the previous two books in this series, The Heiress of Winterwood and The Headmistress of Rosemere (reviewed here).

A Lady at Willowgrove Hall can be purchased online at CBD, DeeperShopping, B&N, and Amazon.

Sarah E. Ladd

Sarah E. Ladd has more than ten years of marketing experience. She is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing.The Heiress of Winterwood was the recipient of the 2011 Genesis Award for historical romance. Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing husband, sweet daughter, and spunky Golden Retriever.

Meet Sarah online at www.sarahladd.com, Facebook, and Twitter. You can also learn more at the Litfuse blog tour post.

Thank you to Litfuse Publicity for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.