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booksforchristiangirls's review against another edition
4.0
About this book:
“Hampton Hall's new owner has the villagers of St. Hampton Heath all aflutter--all except Lavinia Ellison. The reverend's daughter cares for those who are poor and sick, and the seventh Earl of Hawkesbury definitely does not meet that criteria. His refusal to take his responsibilities seriously, or even darken the door of the church, leave her convinced he is as arrogant and reckless as his brother--his brother who stole the most important person in Lavinia's world.
Nicholas Stamford is shadowed by guilt: his own, his brother's, the legacy of war. A perfunctory visit to this dreary part of Gloucestershire wasn't supposed to engage his heart, or his mind. Challenged by Miss Ellison's fascinating blend of Bluestocking opinions, hoydenish behavior, and angelic voice, he finds the impossible becoming possible--he begins to care. But Lavinia's aloof manner, society's opposition and his ancestral obligations prove most frustrating, until scandal forces them to get along.
Can Lavinia and Nicholas look beyond painful pasts and present prejudice to see their future? And what will happen when Lavinia learns a family secret that alters everything she's ever known?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace” series.
Spiritual Content- Prayers & Thanking God; Many Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, read, thought over & talked about; Bible reading; Church going, sermons & noticing stain glasses of those in the Bible; Hymns are sung & written out; Witnessing; Many talks about God, the Bible, the cross, His will & forgiveness; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God (expect one); Nicholas isn’t happy with God & doesn’t think it’s useful to pray (he does at one moment wishes he knew how to, & later tries; *Spoiler* He starts reading the Bible and starts to believe half-way through *End of Spoiler*); Lavinia feels that God is very far away at one point; Many mentions of God, His love and peace & forgiving; Many mentions of a reverend (Lavinia’s father), sermons, church going, services, hymns, a church & Sunday schools; Mentions of prayers; Mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; Mentions of those in & books of the Bible; Mentions of thanking God; Mentions of blessings; Mentions of Christians, believers & faiths; Mentions of sins & sinners; A few mentions of salvation; A few mentions of Heaven; A couple mentions of martyrs; A mention of a prayer book; A mention of a miracle; A mention of an angel;
*Note: The phrase “Good God!” is exclaimed by Nicholas; Nicholas mentions thanking “whatever gods may be” for something; A mention of praying to a man’s god; A mention of “ghosts or some such Gothic nonsense”; A mention of a devil-may-care attitude; A mention of a man wishing he was in Hades.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘biddy’, a ‘dash it’, a ‘what the devil’, two ‘blast’s, sixteen forms of ‘stupid’; Two curses are said (said, not written); A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of sarcasm; Nightmares about the war, pain & being shot (up to semi-detailed); Pain & Sicknesses (up to semi-detailed); Drinking wine, whiskey & brandy (Nicholas); Mentions of & remembering an accident, death & blood (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a war, fighting & deaths (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of illnesses, fevers, possible deaths & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of an old dog’s death, pain & whimpering (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of fighting & blood (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of pain, injuries & blood; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of drinking, wine & brandy; Mentions of rumors & gossip; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a little boy who drowned; A few mentions of saloons & pints; A few mentions of lies; A few mentions of hunting; A couple mentions of bets & gaming.
Sexual Content- a thumb-to-lips touch, two palm kisses, a cheek kiss, a forehead kiss, a semi-detailed kiss and a detailed kiss; Touches, Nearness & Warmth (up to semi-detailed); Wondering about touching & kissing (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); A man tries to corner, touch & kiss Lavinia (he’s pulled away from her, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of reputations, not having a chaperone & things looking scandalous; Mentions of noticing; Mentions of blushes; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a flirt & flirting; A couple mentions of someone carrying a girl off to “ravish” her (it doesn’t/didn’t happen, just a mention of the thought); Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: Wearing & mentions of a dress with a low neckline (which Lavinia isn’t comfortable in) and men glancing at the contents of her dress (Lavinia says their glances are “dirty, hot, and soiling”).
-Lavinia Ellison, age 23
-Nicholas Stamford, age 29
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1813
303 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Debut author Carolyn Miller had me smirking & laughing in her novel “The Elusive Miss Ellison”. I mean, I had some pretty high hopes for this book because one of my favorite historical authors, Carrie Turansky, gave a blurb for this one, but I wasn’t disappointed. I did enjoy it. The writing style was a little bit different from what I’m used to, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing at all.
Character wise: I absolutely adored Lavinia. She is gold, pure, witty gold. And that fact that I was listening to my beagle bark while reading about Lavinia and her beagle was just icing on the cake. I got quite tickled at one of her lines towards Nicholas: “You, sir, are outside of enough!” Hahaha! I love that wording! Nicholas had his good moments as well, but I feel like Lavinia and I would get along splendidly.
I was pleasantly surprised by all the faith & Spiritual content, and so enjoyed reading all those parts. I am curious to see how the differences on such content will be in the next book of the series (releasing in June) with the main girl not having a reverend as a father. Regardless, I’m looking forward to reading it. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-elusive-miss-ellison-by-carolyn.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Kregel) for this honest review.
“Hampton Hall's new owner has the villagers of St. Hampton Heath all aflutter--all except Lavinia Ellison. The reverend's daughter cares for those who are poor and sick, and the seventh Earl of Hawkesbury definitely does not meet that criteria. His refusal to take his responsibilities seriously, or even darken the door of the church, leave her convinced he is as arrogant and reckless as his brother--his brother who stole the most important person in Lavinia's world.
Nicholas Stamford is shadowed by guilt: his own, his brother's, the legacy of war. A perfunctory visit to this dreary part of Gloucestershire wasn't supposed to engage his heart, or his mind. Challenged by Miss Ellison's fascinating blend of Bluestocking opinions, hoydenish behavior, and angelic voice, he finds the impossible becoming possible--he begins to care. But Lavinia's aloof manner, society's opposition and his ancestral obligations prove most frustrating, until scandal forces them to get along.
Can Lavinia and Nicholas look beyond painful pasts and present prejudice to see their future? And what will happen when Lavinia learns a family secret that alters everything she's ever known?”
Series: Book #1 in the “Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace” series.
Spiritual Content- Prayers & Thanking God; Many Scriptures are quoted, mentioned, read, thought over & talked about; Bible reading; Church going, sermons & noticing stain glasses of those in the Bible; Hymns are sung & written out; Witnessing; Many talks about God, the Bible, the cross, His will & forgiveness; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God (expect one); Nicholas isn’t happy with God & doesn’t think it’s useful to pray (he does at one moment wishes he knew how to, & later tries; *Spoiler*
*Note: The phrase “Good God!” is exclaimed by Nicholas; Nicholas mentions thanking “whatever gods may be” for something; A mention of praying to a man’s god; A mention of “ghosts or some such Gothic nonsense”; A mention of a devil-may-care attitude; A mention of a man wishing he was in Hades.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘biddy’, a ‘dash it’, a ‘what the devil’, two ‘blast’s, sixteen forms of ‘stupid’; Two curses are said (said, not written); A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); A bit of sarcasm; Nightmares about the war, pain & being shot (up to semi-detailed); Pain & Sicknesses (up to semi-detailed); Drinking wine, whiskey & brandy (Nicholas); Mentions of & remembering an accident, death & blood (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a war, fighting & deaths (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of illnesses, fevers, possible deaths & deaths (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of an old dog’s death, pain & whimpering (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of fighting & blood (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of pain, injuries & blood; Mentions of nightmares; Mentions of drinking, wine & brandy; Mentions of rumors & gossip; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a little boy who drowned; A few mentions of saloons & pints; A few mentions of lies; A few mentions of hunting; A couple mentions of bets & gaming.
Sexual Content- a thumb-to-lips touch, two palm kisses, a cheek kiss, a forehead kiss, a semi-detailed kiss and a detailed kiss; Touches, Nearness & Warmth (up to semi-detailed); Wondering about touching & kissing (barely-above-not-detailed); Noticing & Smelling (barely-above-not-detailed); A man tries to corner, touch & kiss Lavinia (he’s pulled away from her, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of reputations, not having a chaperone & things looking scandalous; Mentions of noticing; Mentions of blushes; Mentions of jealousy; A few mentions of a flirt & flirting; A couple mentions of someone carrying a girl off to “ravish” her (it doesn’t/didn’t happen, just a mention of the thought); Love, falling in love & the emotions;
*Note: Wearing & mentions of a dress with a low neckline (which Lavinia isn’t comfortable in) and men glancing at the contents of her dress (Lavinia says their glances are “dirty, hot, and soiling”).
-Lavinia Ellison, age 23
-Nicholas Stamford, age 29
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1813
303 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Debut author Carolyn Miller had me smirking & laughing in her novel “The Elusive Miss Ellison”. I mean, I had some pretty high hopes for this book because one of my favorite historical authors, Carrie Turansky, gave a blurb for this one, but I wasn’t disappointed. I did enjoy it. The writing style was a little bit different from what I’m used to, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing at all.
Character wise: I absolutely adored Lavinia. She is gold, pure, witty gold. And that fact that I was listening to my beagle bark while reading about Lavinia and her beagle was just icing on the cake. I got quite tickled at one of her lines towards Nicholas: “You, sir, are outside of enough!” Hahaha! I love that wording! Nicholas had his good moments as well, but I feel like Lavinia and I would get along splendidly.
I was pleasantly surprised by all the faith & Spiritual content, and so enjoyed reading all those parts. I am curious to see how the differences on such content will be in the next book of the series (releasing in June) with the main girl not having a reverend as a father. Regardless, I’m looking forward to reading it. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2017/03/the-elusive-miss-ellison-by-carolyn.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher (Kregel) for this honest review.
golightlyflute's review against another edition
2.0
This one didn't quite grab my attention until the last third of the book. I have had a lot on my mind, life in my house is never boring and has been more stressful lately, so that may be a factor as to why I was less than impressed with this author. I will give the second one a try an hope to see some improvement.
sonny's review against another edition
4.0
**oops!Forgot my note that this was Actually a 3.5-rating**
Okay, this was another that was heavy soaked in religious piety, almost to the detriment of its own heroine. But can you also be anti-pious to the point where you see being a devout religious person as a deterrent "flaw"? Yeah, THAT instance became what this couple generated at first glance...a Pious woman who is spending half the book, bringing food stuffs and offering tender care to her Father's [a Bishop to the Hero's village] followers. And a Hero who consistently breaks the heroine down by thinking she is TOO self-sacrificing, possibly bordering on martyrdom, which can be, uh...rather a conundrum, if you will.
A woman who has too much belief in God and a man who has none, not even an ounce of hopefulness. Commence headbutting...
Lord Hawkesbury [ugh, geez, another Nicholas!] is a wayward aristocrat returning to his home to seek out marriage. He has been "away" because he has had to live down the terrible reputation his older brother had put upon their family, through their village. And Lavinia, Miss Ellison, has this inability to see anything remotely viable in seeking a mate or even finding love. She finds her purpose in self-righteous do-gooding, and it wears her down to the point of near-death from small pox.
What's easy to spot is how this wants to be the Hate-to-Love or Enemies-to-Love of Austen's Pride & Prejudice... Lavinia is "Lizzie" to an extent in seeing the haughty Do-nothing, selfish Earl as nothing more than his title and a bag of money he can throw around as he sees fit. She is constantly ON Nicholas's case, like more times than is truly necessary for him to "get the point". She sledgehammers how his family--well, the manager he left in charge to take care of things, mainly, had let the villagers suffer, probably swindled monies, too. How the homes were allowed to become subpar living quarters that were instantly deathbeds as viral infections could and would run rampant. Even though Lavinia is a devout Christian woman, her intentions never had an ounce of true guidance, more of a, "look how better I am than you for being a God-loving person" and then she will go on to literally LIST certain things for each person she is visiting or on her way to visit that need to be reformed or rebuilt or just plain "fixed". Lavinia is very aware how her hands are tied as woman of her generation and having to LOOK UP to people of Nicholas's caliber who make false promises and give little hope and faith, yeah...it tends to sour the signs of deep affections either person could have for the other.
But I felt when Lavinia nagged and complained to Nicholas, he let it go through one ear and out the other. He found her piety too abhorrent and highly unattractive. It's a wonder he could even see past the "halo" she wore on her head, it shined so brightly sometimes on her way to carrying yet another basket of goodies and treats for parishioners.
There is a very odd undercurrent of their knowing of one another, and quite possibly why this can border on complete strangers hating-to-love or people who know one another as enemies-to-love. Lavinia witnessed her mother's very violent death by the feet of a horse at the very hands of Nicholas's older brother, who was purposefully [on a prankful dare/joke] sent on path along a road Lavinia and her mother were on. This has given Lavinia a life-long fear of horses, but will one day come to haunt her as her once quiet, devout Christian life will take a mad-cap wild turn into Nicholas's own world. It's simply weird because Lavinia talks a good talk about living for God, not using monies deplorably and/or making sure you're right with yourself and your people before you try thinking you are remotely a "good person". Check yourself before you wreck yourself...
Lavinia's mother's past life is shrouded in mystery--I guess it is a spoiler but we find out later on in the book, after Lavinia has recovered--miraculously from small pox/influenza [don't forget she "friends w.God"], so, yeah, along the way she learns her Father and Aunt have been lying to her for umpteen years. Auntie and Mother were from Aristocracy. Actually, Lavinia is pretty much the granddaughter to a Duchess--her maternal bio-gran'ma. Lavinia's Mother was kicked out of her house for loving a poor religious man [Lavinia's father] and this also caused Auntie to be kicked out of the family as well. The portion where Lavinia is being prepped and prodded in being the granddaughter of a Duchess is simply a terrible way to shine a brighter light on how much of hypocrite Lavinia was. Once she has access to money, she's suddenly able to widen her sight to bigger and better things...just like she thinks of Nicholas for merely being an Earl.
There an oddity to the portion of this book where Lavinia nearly drops dead, but is miraculously brought into the tender care and home of Nicholas, where he spends many nights...his staff spend many nights and his own family doctor is brought in as Lavinia hovers between living, barely, or dying. Once she does break her severe fever...there is this weird 2-3wk period where the Doctor keeps giving Lavinia a diagnosis that ties her to remaining at Nicholas's house...and this puts a major burden on the gossips as people use every means to speculate that Lavinia was compromised by Nicholas...so he must do the "right thing" and---but he keeps on keeping on this hardcore train of "SHE WAS DYING! I CARRIED HER IN MY ARMS TO A BED AND EXITED. A MAID AND THE DOCTOR HAVE BEEN CARING FOR HER!!" but still people who gossip into town kept thinking of ways to smear it to be...highly speculated they were actually having clandestine meetings as Lavinia lay, ya know...dying...literally, on her deathbed. Jeez, this was an annoying factor that wouldn't go away or lighten. I think readers understood once and maybe a second time under breath at a party...but it went on for too damn long and mainly because THE DOCTOR KEPT SAYING, "IF WE TRY TO MOVE HER RIGHT NOW, TO HOME, SHE MAY DIE". The Doctor was the one imprisoning Lavinia at Nicholas's house, not Nicholas or anyone else
Like I said, Nicholas's return home is shrouded in "purpose in marriage" so he is looked to find a rich wife. The family estate NEEDs a wife's dowry she can bring to the table. This truly erases Lavinia from Nicholas's realm of possibility, but then once she learns of her own "rich/money" connections...Nicholas is informed by his very own mother he is never going to be able to pursue Lavinia, even if she is the granddaughter of a Duchess, because Nicholas's mother and Lavinia's gran'ma have some major, undefinable "beef" between them and she decries he CANNOT marry her. Ever. So it's law. And Nicholas abides it, despite growing to care for Lavinia.
Ooo, I also forgot a weird dichotomy that happens that was just another dramatic twist piled-on, for reasons...and, well, Nicholas always seems a breath away from attempting to find ways to "say something" apologetic to Lavinia for how his brother was at fault for killing her mother. They both were so young at the time and it sent BOTH of them spiraling away from whomever they could've been--Nicholas left home to fight in a war [lost faith in God & fellow man], and Lavinia wanted to BE so good, like her Saintly mother that she forgot about her own self-care. When Lavinia does her visits, she had this mopey, rambunctious elder dog who follows her like a shadow but also was her unconditional guard dog [funnily, he would also clue Nicholas in where Lavinia was near for his daily NaggingFest]...anyway, Lavinia had often told Nicholas that he HAD TO cut down this bit of shrubbery that block people's visual path on a road in the village...and lo-and-behold, one day...Nicholas is on a horse...Lavinia and mopey dog are walking naively and uncaringly...and then, BAMMO! Nicholas instantly kills Lavinia's dog right before her eyes--just like his brother trampled over her own mother...
Worst is, I believe Lavinia had been given this dog as a puppy to alleviate the pain of her mother's untimely death, and then...yeah..
It was a highly oddball angsty dramatic moment, somehow meant to seriously drive home several points all at once. Lavinia had mention to Nicholas this piece of shrub that needed to be cut back because people cannot be seen along the path meeting the road...until BLAMMO!! your longtime dog companion is murderously flattened along your innocent walk to visit sickly, hungry villagers. It's a weirdly played scene because while Nicholas is still guilt-ridden by his brother's recklessness...he has just done much the same to an old dog who was Lavinia's ONLY "friend"...and he is simply plain exhausted from Lavinia's very pious nature, her vile hatred of him and her constant nagging for him to DO STUFF around the town for his villagers and such...This scene felt so misplaced and unneeded, simply to hammer-home several points already made several times, countless repeated times...and some innocent dog character is muddied in some stupid plot tool to create more and more angst and drama...but alas...there is also, a spark of redemption...
I believe towards the end when love is declared and things go hunky-dory, smooth-sailing, Goodw/God... Nicholas offers up Lavinia a brand spanking new puppy of the same or similar breed, So Nicholas is now a great man of God. yay...
Okay, this was another that was heavy soaked in religious piety, almost to the detriment of its own heroine. But can you also be anti-pious to the point where you see being a devout religious person as a deterrent "flaw"? Yeah, THAT instance became what this couple generated at first glance...a Pious woman who is spending half the book, bringing food stuffs and offering tender care to her Father's [a Bishop to the Hero's village] followers. And a Hero who consistently breaks the heroine down by thinking she is TOO self-sacrificing, possibly bordering on martyrdom, which can be, uh...rather a conundrum, if you will.
A woman who has too much belief in God and a man who has none, not even an ounce of hopefulness. Commence headbutting...
Lord Hawkesbury [ugh, geez, another Nicholas!] is a wayward aristocrat returning to his home to seek out marriage. He has been "away" because he has had to live down the terrible reputation his older brother had put upon their family, through their village. And Lavinia, Miss Ellison, has this inability to see anything remotely viable in seeking a mate or even finding love. She finds her purpose in self-righteous do-gooding, and it wears her down to the point of near-death from small pox.
What's easy to spot is how this wants to be the Hate-to-Love or Enemies-to-Love of Austen's Pride & Prejudice... Lavinia is "Lizzie" to an extent in seeing the haughty Do-nothing, selfish Earl as nothing more than his title and a bag of money he can throw around as he sees fit. She is constantly ON Nicholas's case, like more times than is truly necessary for him to "get the point". She sledgehammers how his family--well, the manager he left in charge to take care of things, mainly, had let the villagers suffer, probably swindled monies, too. How the homes were allowed to become subpar living quarters that were instantly deathbeds as viral infections could and would run rampant. Even though Lavinia is a devout Christian woman, her intentions never had an ounce of true guidance, more of a, "look how better I am than you for being a God-loving person" and then she will go on to literally LIST certain things for each person she is visiting or on her way to visit that need to be reformed or rebuilt or just plain "fixed". Lavinia is very aware how her hands are tied as woman of her generation and having to LOOK UP to people of Nicholas's caliber who make false promises and give little hope and faith, yeah...it tends to sour the signs of deep affections either person could have for the other.
But I felt when Lavinia nagged and complained to Nicholas, he let it go through one ear and out the other. He found her piety too abhorrent and highly unattractive. It's a wonder he could even see past the "halo" she wore on her head, it shined so brightly sometimes on her way to carrying yet another basket of goodies and treats for parishioners.
There is a very odd undercurrent of their knowing of one another, and quite possibly why this can border on complete strangers hating-to-love or people who know one another as enemies-to-love. Lavinia witnessed her mother's very violent death by the feet of a horse at the very hands of Nicholas's older brother, who was purposefully [on a prankful dare/joke] sent on path along a road Lavinia and her mother were on. This has given Lavinia a life-long fear of horses, but will one day come to haunt her as her once quiet, devout Christian life will take a mad-cap wild turn into Nicholas's own world. It's simply weird because Lavinia talks a good talk about living for God, not using monies deplorably and/or making sure you're right with yourself and your people before you try thinking you are remotely a "good person". Check yourself before you wreck yourself...
Lavinia's mother's past life is shrouded in mystery--I guess it is a spoiler but we find out later on in the book, after Lavinia has recovered--miraculously from small pox/influenza [don't forget she "friends w.God"], so, yeah, along the way she learns her Father and Aunt have been lying to her for umpteen years. Auntie and Mother were from Aristocracy. Actually, Lavinia is pretty much the granddaughter to a Duchess--her maternal bio-gran'ma. Lavinia's Mother was kicked out of her house for loving a poor religious man [Lavinia's father] and this also caused Auntie to be kicked out of the family as well. The portion where Lavinia is being prepped and prodded in being the granddaughter of a Duchess is simply a terrible way to shine a brighter light on how much of hypocrite Lavinia was. Once she has access to money, she's suddenly able to widen her sight to bigger and better things...just like she thinks of Nicholas for merely being an Earl.
There an oddity to the portion of this book where Lavinia nearly drops dead, but is miraculously brought into the tender care and home of Nicholas, where he spends many nights...his staff spend many nights and his own family doctor is brought in as Lavinia hovers between living, barely, or dying. Once she does break her severe fever...there is this weird 2-3wk period where the Doctor keeps giving Lavinia a diagnosis that ties her to remaining at Nicholas's house...and this puts a major burden on the gossips as people use every means to speculate that Lavinia was compromised by Nicholas...so he must do the "right thing" and---but he keeps on keeping on this hardcore train of "SHE WAS DYING! I CARRIED HER IN MY ARMS TO A BED AND EXITED. A MAID AND THE DOCTOR HAVE BEEN CARING FOR HER!!" but still people who gossip into town kept thinking of ways to smear it to be...highly speculated they were actually having clandestine meetings as Lavinia lay, ya know...dying...literally, on her deathbed. Jeez, this was an annoying factor that wouldn't go away or lighten. I think readers understood once and maybe a second time under breath at a party...but it went on for too damn long and mainly because THE DOCTOR KEPT SAYING, "IF WE TRY TO MOVE HER RIGHT NOW, TO HOME, SHE MAY DIE". The Doctor was the one imprisoning Lavinia at Nicholas's house, not Nicholas or anyone else
Like I said, Nicholas's return home is shrouded in "purpose in marriage" so he is looked to find a rich wife. The family estate NEEDs a wife's dowry she can bring to the table. This truly erases Lavinia from Nicholas's realm of possibility, but then once she learns of her own "rich/money" connections...Nicholas is informed by his very own mother he is never going to be able to pursue Lavinia, even if she is the granddaughter of a Duchess, because Nicholas's mother and Lavinia's gran'ma have some major, undefinable "beef" between them and she decries he CANNOT marry her. Ever. So it's law. And Nicholas abides it, despite growing to care for Lavinia.
Ooo, I also forgot a weird dichotomy that happens that was just another dramatic twist piled-on, for reasons...and, well, Nicholas always seems a breath away from attempting to find ways to "say something" apologetic to Lavinia for how his brother was at fault for killing her mother. They both were so young at the time and it sent BOTH of them spiraling away from whomever they could've been--Nicholas left home to fight in a war [lost faith in God & fellow man], and Lavinia wanted to BE so good, like her Saintly mother that she forgot about her own self-care. When Lavinia does her visits, she had this mopey, rambunctious elder dog who follows her like a shadow but also was her unconditional guard dog [funnily, he would also clue Nicholas in where Lavinia was near for his daily NaggingFest]...anyway, Lavinia had often told Nicholas that he HAD TO cut down this bit of shrubbery that block people's visual path on a road in the village...and lo-and-behold, one day...Nicholas is on a horse...Lavinia and mopey dog are walking naively and uncaringly...and then, BAMMO! Nicholas instantly kills Lavinia's dog right before her eyes--just like his brother trampled over her own mother...
Worst is, I believe Lavinia had been given this dog as a puppy to alleviate the pain of her mother's untimely death, and then...yeah..
It was a highly oddball angsty dramatic moment, somehow meant to seriously drive home several points all at once. Lavinia had mention to Nicholas this piece of shrub that needed to be cut back because people cannot be seen along the path meeting the road...until BLAMMO!! your longtime dog companion is murderously flattened along your innocent walk to visit sickly, hungry villagers. It's a weirdly played scene because while Nicholas is still guilt-ridden by his brother's recklessness...he has just done much the same to an old dog who was Lavinia's ONLY "friend"...and he is simply plain exhausted from Lavinia's very pious nature, her vile hatred of him and her constant nagging for him to DO STUFF around the town for his villagers and such...This scene felt so misplaced and unneeded, simply to hammer-home several points already made several times, countless repeated times...and some innocent dog character is muddied in some stupid plot tool to create more and more angst and drama...but alas...there is also, a spark of redemption...
I believe towards the end when love is declared and things go hunky-dory, smooth-sailing, Goodw/God... Nicholas offers up Lavinia a brand spanking new puppy of the same or similar breed, So Nicholas is now a great man of God. yay...
cakt1991's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. A great first romance with two compelling lead characters and incredibly well-researched. A few of the titles and forms of address seem a little inconsistent, but it does not detract too much from a great first effort.
Full review here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2018/02/23/review-of-the-elusive-miss-ellison-regency-brides-a-legacy-of-grace-1-by-carolyn-miller/
Full review here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2018/02/23/review-of-the-elusive-miss-ellison-regency-brides-a-legacy-of-grace-1-by-carolyn-miller/
rlangemann's review against another edition
2.0
Kindle freebie. Kinda meh...didn't pull me in. Occasional slips in language to contemporary phrasing that an editor should have caught.
booksoneveryshelf's review against another edition
3.0
I’m going to be honest: I’m not typically a huge fan of Regency novels, though I do enjoy them on occasion and have a couple particular authors whose books I always snatch up and devour. That being said, I was intrigued by this book - the title, cover, and I love checking out debut authors, so I decided to give it a go. And while it wasn’t a favorite, I did enjoy it. The characters were interesting and it is most definitely a Regency novel. Ms. Miller did an excellent job of making it period correct and it’s obvious she studied her craft and made sure the wording and behaviors would be accurate. Despite these things, I think this book simply falls into the category of “just not my cup of tea.”
As mentioned, the writing is excellent, but it didn’t capture my attention as quickly as I had hoped. I struggled, at first, to connect with the characters and found them a bit annoying. But as the story progressed, I slowly found myself liking them more and cheering them on in the end. It definitely helped to see them grow through the story and become better versions of themselves. One of my favorite things about this story was how the author didn’t have them change overnight, but showed them struggling to hold their tongue, or let go of their pride, or not react in the same old manner. It was a great reminder that we’re all a work in progress. I know some may dub this book “preachy” because of that very aspect, but I loved the scripture references and spiritual discussions (Lavinia is a rector’s daughter, after all) and seeing Nicholas gradually find peace for his past.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Regency romance that challenges the heart.
My thanks to the author and Kregel Publishing for my complimentary copy of this book! I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
As mentioned, the writing is excellent, but it didn’t capture my attention as quickly as I had hoped. I struggled, at first, to connect with the characters and found them a bit annoying. But as the story progressed, I slowly found myself liking them more and cheering them on in the end. It definitely helped to see them grow through the story and become better versions of themselves. One of my favorite things about this story was how the author didn’t have them change overnight, but showed them struggling to hold their tongue, or let go of their pride, or not react in the same old manner. It was a great reminder that we’re all a work in progress. I know some may dub this book “preachy” because of that very aspect, but I loved the scripture references and spiritual discussions (Lavinia is a rector’s daughter, after all) and seeing Nicholas gradually find peace for his past.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Regency romance that challenges the heart.
My thanks to the author and Kregel Publishing for my complimentary copy of this book! I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
nicole1's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely read that sweeps you into 1800's England and captivates your attention. I love the way the author kept the plot going with multiple events and twists in the story. The wit and bantering were well woven into the development of the two main characters. I will definitely be coming back for more from this author.
bellesmoma2021's review
5.0
A Great Novel
Oh my goodness. Where do I begin? This novel is beyond anything I imagined. The characters are so exquisitely written, the plot completely engaging, and the wit! The wit is so well executed. I love this story, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written Regency-Era story. This novel is a page-turner; when I had to put it down, I was sad to do so. I am very excited for June to come because book 2 in this series will be available. I cannot say enough positive about this book. So good! Ms. Miller is a fantastic writer, and I hope she will continue writing amazing stories for years and years to come!
Oh my goodness. Where do I begin? This novel is beyond anything I imagined. The characters are so exquisitely written, the plot completely engaging, and the wit! The wit is so well executed. I love this story, and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a well-written Regency-Era story. This novel is a page-turner; when I had to put it down, I was sad to do so. I am very excited for June to come because book 2 in this series will be available. I cannot say enough positive about this book. So good! Ms. Miller is a fantastic writer, and I hope she will continue writing amazing stories for years and years to come!
esmeralda's review against another edition
3.0
I got a large print version of this book, because that is all my library had, but the book wasn't interesting enough to put up with it.
fiction_aficionado's review against another edition
4.0
Readers of inspirational Regency romance have much to look forward to with this debut release from Australian author Carolyn Miller. It’s just the kind of unhurried excursion into Regency life that begs you to find a cozy book-nook to curl up in, so that the here and now can fade away for a few hours. And fade it will, for this is an easy story to be drawn into.
Carolyn Miller did a lovely job of evoking the Regency era in the style of her writing, and readers familiar with Austen’s works, particularly Pride & Prejudice, will recognize a few familiar lines here and there throughout the novel. The author also did a lovely job of bringing the country setting to life. I know London has all the glamour and excitement (and we do head that way toward the end of the novel), but there’s something about the English countryside and the lifestyle there that feels so cozy—provided you’re not a poor tenant waiting for necessary maintenance and improvements to be carried out, of course. And therein lies just one of the problems plaguing Lord Hawkesbury when he arrives in Gloucestershire.
Miss Lavinia Ellison makes quick work of becoming another of Lord Hawkesbury’s problems with her forthright opinions, independent ways, and determination to help those in need. And the fact that he doesn’t appear to be very attentive to her father’s sermons certainly doesn’t raise him in her estimation! The banter between Lord Hawkesbury and Lavinia was very enjoyable for the most part, but there were times when they came across as a little capricious and I wasn’t quite sure what to make of them or their relationship. Both characters were aware of this to a certain extent, and I liked that part of Lavinia’s growth as a character was discovering that virtues can become stumbling blocks if we do not take care to examine our attitude, but I still felt that their relationship see-sawed more than was necessary.
The second half of the novel took a surprising turn that I thought could have been more convincing if it had been foreshadowed earlier in the novel. Nevertheless, the story held me firmly in its grasp until the end, and I look forward to reading the next two books in the series as they release later in the year.
I received a copy of this novel through Netgalley. This has not influenced the content of my review.
Carolyn Miller did a lovely job of evoking the Regency era in the style of her writing, and readers familiar with Austen’s works, particularly Pride & Prejudice, will recognize a few familiar lines here and there throughout the novel. The author also did a lovely job of bringing the country setting to life. I know London has all the glamour and excitement (and we do head that way toward the end of the novel), but there’s something about the English countryside and the lifestyle there that feels so cozy—provided you’re not a poor tenant waiting for necessary maintenance and improvements to be carried out, of course. And therein lies just one of the problems plaguing Lord Hawkesbury when he arrives in Gloucestershire.
Miss Lavinia Ellison makes quick work of becoming another of Lord Hawkesbury’s problems with her forthright opinions, independent ways, and determination to help those in need. And the fact that he doesn’t appear to be very attentive to her father’s sermons certainly doesn’t raise him in her estimation! The banter between Lord Hawkesbury and Lavinia was very enjoyable for the most part, but there were times when they came across as a little capricious and I wasn’t quite sure what to make of them or their relationship. Both characters were aware of this to a certain extent, and I liked that part of Lavinia’s growth as a character was discovering that virtues can become stumbling blocks if we do not take care to examine our attitude, but I still felt that their relationship see-sawed more than was necessary.
The second half of the novel took a surprising turn that I thought could have been more convincing if it had been foreshadowed earlier in the novel. Nevertheless, the story held me firmly in its grasp until the end, and I look forward to reading the next two books in the series as they release later in the year.
I received a copy of this novel through Netgalley. This has not influenced the content of my review.