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english_lady03's review against another edition
5.0
I’d been wanting to read this book ever since I first saw it advertised. I don’t read every new Regency, but the Australian author and comparisons with Georgette Heyer attracted me, as well as the great reviews of course. I’m happy I got the chance to do so, as The Elusive Miss Ellison is going to be one of my favourite books for this year.
Christian Regencies can be something of a mixed bag, some are over melodramatic and try to fit in too much political intrigue, others just don’t ring true, but this story had everything a good Regency should. I tend to say that when I pick a Regency, or any British Fiction, I don’t want it to read like it’s too American (unless in involves American characters or a move from one country to another), with lots of American idioms or ideas. Apart from a couple of places, there was no such problem with this novel.
The characters were lovely, and wonderfully developed. Vicar’s daughter Miss Lavinia Ellison was strong, intelligent and independent, and harboured genuine love for the poor, although her compassion could be taken to extremes making her stubborn, and at times, rash. Earl Nicholas was the handsome hero, burdened with the mistakes of his past, and the actions of his family. Lavinia considered him arrogant, self-centred and shallow, and blamed him for a tragedy in her past, and whilst fascinated by her, Nicholas considered her rude and domineering.
Polite society and circumstance bought together these two disparate personalities who would rather avoid one another, and wonderful witty exchanges ensued, reminiscent of much loved scenes from nineteenth century literature, and its more recent counterparts. However, over time, the characters began to challenge and change one another. As secrets are uncovered, the characters must make choices to determine their future and expiate for past mistakes, but the dictates of society and family are determined to keep them apart.
For a hate to love story, this was incredibly well done, not clichéd, mushy or silly, but depicted the developing relationship and feelings in a realistic way. Another point that other reviewers have made is that the author is not afraid to incorporate her faith into the story, with a salvation message. I think the setting allowed for that well, and it didn’t come over as too ‘preachy’.
Overall, The Elusive Miss Ellison was a wonderful story, recommended for lovers of Regency Romance, but also good stories in the style of Austen and the Bronte sisters. I now rank Carolyn Miller amongst my favourite regency authors Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, and the British Philippa Jane Keyworth.
I signed up the Blog Tour of this book, and was sent review copy. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
Christian Regencies can be something of a mixed bag, some are over melodramatic and try to fit in too much political intrigue, others just don’t ring true, but this story had everything a good Regency should. I tend to say that when I pick a Regency, or any British Fiction, I don’t want it to read like it’s too American (unless in involves American characters or a move from one country to another), with lots of American idioms or ideas. Apart from a couple of places, there was no such problem with this novel.
The characters were lovely, and wonderfully developed. Vicar’s daughter Miss Lavinia Ellison was strong, intelligent and independent, and harboured genuine love for the poor, although her compassion could be taken to extremes making her stubborn, and at times, rash. Earl Nicholas was the handsome hero, burdened with the mistakes of his past, and the actions of his family. Lavinia considered him arrogant, self-centred and shallow, and blamed him for a tragedy in her past, and whilst fascinated by her, Nicholas considered her rude and domineering.
Polite society and circumstance bought together these two disparate personalities who would rather avoid one another, and wonderful witty exchanges ensued, reminiscent of much loved scenes from nineteenth century literature, and its more recent counterparts. However, over time, the characters began to challenge and change one another. As secrets are uncovered, the characters must make choices to determine their future and expiate for past mistakes, but the dictates of society and family are determined to keep them apart.
For a hate to love story, this was incredibly well done, not clichéd, mushy or silly, but depicted the developing relationship and feelings in a realistic way. Another point that other reviewers have made is that the author is not afraid to incorporate her faith into the story, with a salvation message. I think the setting allowed for that well, and it didn’t come over as too ‘preachy’.
Overall, The Elusive Miss Ellison was a wonderful story, recommended for lovers of Regency Romance, but also good stories in the style of Austen and the Bronte sisters. I now rank Carolyn Miller amongst my favourite regency authors Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, and the British Philippa Jane Keyworth.
I signed up the Blog Tour of this book, and was sent review copy. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.
kebreads's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this novel. It had great characters and an interesting story.
content: clean
content: clean
carlsfisch's review against another edition
5.0
With Austenesque witty dialogue, and themes of pride and prejudice, forgiveness and redemption, this book was a lovely and unpredictable read.
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
4.0
I just can’t give this book more than 4 stars! Actually I would give 3 1/2. I just couldn’t keep going with the book at first. In fact I got annoyed with the characters. Miss Ellison drove me nuts with her inner obsession against the Earl. The book just seems to drag—not getting enjoyable until the last 10%. Once I got to the last chapters I started enjoying it. I almost even gave up on the book because of how...I can’t even describe it. But the characters annoyed the crap out of me. Aunt Patience was my favorite, not the main characters at all. LOL.
I will read the next book I guess. Hoping the second book will take off more quickly than this one did. I mean—I did start this book in March and only just got around to finish it. And I am a super fast reader...
I will read the next book I guess. Hoping the second book will take off more quickly than this one did. I mean—I did start this book in March and only just got around to finish it. And I am a super fast reader...
jbarr5's review against another edition
5.0
The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller
This book starts out with Lavinia and she lives with her father the pastor and her aunt Patience.
Story also follows the Earl Nicholas who has come to their town. He's making sure the one in charge is keeping the town buildings up to date and everything is in order.
Lavinia has a sharp tongue and is not like the other young females who take a fancy to Nicholas. She even points out his lack of concern in keeping the buildings up to date.
She has a lot of talents and enjoys some of them. He's smitten with her and she finds herself liking him but always with a bitter tongue.
Sermons in church and ones they all share in. During meals they are able to learn more about Nick's battle background and he learns of Lavinia's teachings during mass to the children, teaching them letters and numbers along with the teachings of God.
Misunderstandings, illness, emergencies and disappearances, twists and turns til they realize what is important to each other. So many mysteries! Love all the travel and descriptions!
Quotes from the Bible help them lean on each other and God for guidance. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Free Kindle book
This book starts out with Lavinia and she lives with her father the pastor and her aunt Patience.
Story also follows the Earl Nicholas who has come to their town. He's making sure the one in charge is keeping the town buildings up to date and everything is in order.
Lavinia has a sharp tongue and is not like the other young females who take a fancy to Nicholas. She even points out his lack of concern in keeping the buildings up to date.
She has a lot of talents and enjoys some of them. He's smitten with her and she finds herself liking him but always with a bitter tongue.
Sermons in church and ones they all share in. During meals they are able to learn more about Nick's battle background and he learns of Lavinia's teachings during mass to the children, teaching them letters and numbers along with the teachings of God.
Misunderstandings, illness, emergencies and disappearances, twists and turns til they realize what is important to each other. So many mysteries! Love all the travel and descriptions!
Quotes from the Bible help them lean on each other and God for guidance. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.
Free Kindle book
rosannelortz's review against another edition
4.0
Lavinia Ellison cares immensely about the poor in her father's parish. When Nicholas Stamford, the new Earl of Hawkesbury, arrives in the village, she considers it her duty to inform him about the inadequate state of tenant housing. Although he does not share her passion for charitable causes, Lavinia seems to catch the earl's attention in other ways. But the earl has a past with Lavinia's family that she is not willing to forget or forgive....
Nicholas Stamford has never been able to overcome his guilt at the injury his family did to the vicar. The vicar's daughter, Miss Ellison, certainly does not approve of him despite his title and fortune. But when events conspire to throw the two together, the earl begins to find that his affection for the lady is leading to an affection for his ill-used tenants as well. Now, if he can only shield Miss Ellison from the scandals that threaten to engulf her, all will be well.
As the book description hints, this book is filled with overtones of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Although it is by no means a simple retelling of that story, there are elements of presumptuous arrogance and preconceived bias that both protagonists must overcome. Lord Hawkesbury begins the story as a somewhat self-absorbed individual, and it is only through his sparring with Miss Ellison that his character grows in kindness and charity. Lavinia, on the other hand, is stringently self-righteous in her pursuits, and requires interactions with the earl to develop a softness and gentleness to her crusading spirit.
I first met these characters in Carolyn Miller's second trilogy (Winning Miss Winthrop, Miss Serena's Secret, and The Making of Mrs. Hale), and was delighted to go backwards to learn how Lavinia and Hawkesbury first meet. The story was engaging although it did feel a little too circuitous at the end. Another enjoyable Regency romance from Carolyn Miller!
Nicholas Stamford has never been able to overcome his guilt at the injury his family did to the vicar. The vicar's daughter, Miss Ellison, certainly does not approve of him despite his title and fortune. But when events conspire to throw the two together, the earl begins to find that his affection for the lady is leading to an affection for his ill-used tenants as well. Now, if he can only shield Miss Ellison from the scandals that threaten to engulf her, all will be well.
As the book description hints, this book is filled with overtones of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Although it is by no means a simple retelling of that story, there are elements of presumptuous arrogance and preconceived bias that both protagonists must overcome. Lord Hawkesbury begins the story as a somewhat self-absorbed individual, and it is only through his sparring with Miss Ellison that his character grows in kindness and charity. Lavinia, on the other hand, is stringently self-righteous in her pursuits, and requires interactions with the earl to develop a softness and gentleness to her crusading spirit.
I first met these characters in Carolyn Miller's second trilogy (Winning Miss Winthrop, Miss Serena's Secret, and The Making of Mrs. Hale), and was delighted to go backwards to learn how Lavinia and Hawkesbury first meet. The story was engaging although it did feel a little too circuitous at the end. Another enjoyable Regency romance from Carolyn Miller!
rbmommareads's review against another edition
4.0
This book was brought to my attention a few weeks ago because of a review left about the book having too much Christian content, which is precisely why I wanted to read it! That reviewer paid no heed that they were reading CF. Anyway, not the point of this post, truly. I just wanted to share that this book is indeed woven with beautiful examples of sharing one's faith, and if you have a friend that enjoys regency era books and clean romance, but maybe is struggling with knowing Christ, share this book! Biblical references are given, even just the simple sharing of the Gospel is included! It is wonderfully done!
One of my favorite quotes within this story so far (outside of the Gospel), when someone close to Miss Ellison accuses her of being fully "indoctrinated" she replies with, "Influenced, not indoctrinated. The truth is plainly found in the Bible." Isn't that just great?! I have family that has accused us of being indoctrinated, being a Christian, homeschool family, and that quote just really resonated with me, influenced - not indoctrinated!
One of my favorite quotes within this story so far (outside of the Gospel), when someone close to Miss Ellison accuses her of being fully "indoctrinated" she replies with, "Influenced, not indoctrinated. The truth is plainly found in the Bible." Isn't that just great?! I have family that has accused us of being indoctrinated, being a Christian, homeschool family, and that quote just really resonated with me, influenced - not indoctrinated!
caslater83's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy of this book earlier this week from LibraryThing and Kregel Publications and agreed to give an unbiased review.
This book is wonderful. If you love the regency period, you will enjoy this book. Miss Ellison is truly the type of person that I would want to befriend. She loves her father and cares deeply about the poor members of her community. She's not afraid to put Lord Hawkesbury in his place, especially when it comes to the welfare of the poor tenants. She is surrounded by snobby people whose only goals are to increase their wealth, the size of their lands, or to gain titles. They value things over people. Miss Ellison values people over possessions.
The Earl has been through many battles in his lifetime. There is a battle of a different kind waiting for him on the homefront. He is expected to marry a wealthy heiress, and many women out there are vying for him. Even their mothers are trying to push their daughters onto him, but he won't have it. He meets the minister's daughter--a woman unlike any other woman in the ton. The attraction between the minister's daughter and the Earl is undeniable.
The pressures of society make it difficult for the Earl to decide if he should follow his heart or do his duty. He knows he doesn't want his mother planning out his life for him. But he knows he doesn't want to imagine life without Miss Ellison either. Challenges crop up periodically and he often wonders if he'll ever win her over.
A book worth reading and re-reading!
This book is wonderful. If you love the regency period, you will enjoy this book. Miss Ellison is truly the type of person that I would want to befriend. She loves her father and cares deeply about the poor members of her community. She's not afraid to put Lord Hawkesbury in his place, especially when it comes to the welfare of the poor tenants. She is surrounded by snobby people whose only goals are to increase their wealth, the size of their lands, or to gain titles. They value things over people. Miss Ellison values people over possessions.
The Earl has been through many battles in his lifetime. There is a battle of a different kind waiting for him on the homefront. He is expected to marry a wealthy heiress, and many women out there are vying for him. Even their mothers are trying to push their daughters onto him, but he won't have it. He meets the minister's daughter--a woman unlike any other woman in the ton. The attraction between the minister's daughter and the Earl is undeniable.
The pressures of society make it difficult for the Earl to decide if he should follow his heart or do his duty. He knows he doesn't want his mother planning out his life for him. But he knows he doesn't want to imagine life without Miss Ellison either. Challenges crop up periodically and he often wonders if he'll ever win her over.
A book worth reading and re-reading!