N R. (Moonpie) reviewed The Elusive Miss Ellison (Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace, Bk 1) on + 1175 more book reviews
Ms. Miller is one of my new âwant to read and look forward to new booksâ authors.
If you like the writings of Jane Austin, you will love this book! It is 1843, the Victorian Era but the setting is in small village in England instead of a big city.
Lavinia Ellsion is the minister's daughter. She lives with her father and her Aunt Patience who came to live with them after her mother's tragic death. She steps to the beat of a different drummer than her friends. She casts aside the fluff of dress and stuffy conduct that her peers dote on. She thinks nothing of working in the garden without a hat or taking walks alone in the country. Both are big social faux pas for a young woman of that era. Her concerns are more with helping the needy and the poor.
The village is all a twitter with the coming of the new Earl of Hawkesbury, Nicholas. All the mothers are preening their daughters in hopes of making him their new son-in-law. Lavinia has no interest in finding a husband. Her concerns are more that the new earl does more to care for the poor and alleviate their suffering, one of his duties that came with the position. Nicholas is prideful, arrogant and selfish. He loathes the new job forced upon him by his social position.
No two people could be more opposites!
Lavinia is disgusted by his smugness and haughtiness. I found it amusing that she had the same attitude but hers came from her religious and strong sense of duty to the destitute, whereas his came from his sense of entitlement and no sense of duty to the people.
You can imagine the strong personality clashes as they are thrown together in many situations. We never know what circumstances life might throw our way or who will enter in that will challenge and change us. Such was the case with Lavinia and Nicholas. Tragedy opens the doors to their hearts and minds that would have otherwise stayed closed. Even as love blossoms, their Lavinia's strong personality and stubbornness consistently sprouts misunderstandings and hurt.
A beautiful love story filled with surprises. I had no idea that earls had any more to do than have their titles and be rich. It was fascinating to learn about the operations and expectations in a small village during that era. I so enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one.
I was provided a review copy of this book set by Kregel Publications, with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
If you like the writings of Jane Austin, you will love this book! It is 1843, the Victorian Era but the setting is in small village in England instead of a big city.
Lavinia Ellsion is the minister's daughter. She lives with her father and her Aunt Patience who came to live with them after her mother's tragic death. She steps to the beat of a different drummer than her friends. She casts aside the fluff of dress and stuffy conduct that her peers dote on. She thinks nothing of working in the garden without a hat or taking walks alone in the country. Both are big social faux pas for a young woman of that era. Her concerns are more with helping the needy and the poor.
The village is all a twitter with the coming of the new Earl of Hawkesbury, Nicholas. All the mothers are preening their daughters in hopes of making him their new son-in-law. Lavinia has no interest in finding a husband. Her concerns are more that the new earl does more to care for the poor and alleviate their suffering, one of his duties that came with the position. Nicholas is prideful, arrogant and selfish. He loathes the new job forced upon him by his social position.
No two people could be more opposites!
Lavinia is disgusted by his smugness and haughtiness. I found it amusing that she had the same attitude but hers came from her religious and strong sense of duty to the destitute, whereas his came from his sense of entitlement and no sense of duty to the people.
You can imagine the strong personality clashes as they are thrown together in many situations. We never know what circumstances life might throw our way or who will enter in that will challenge and change us. Such was the case with Lavinia and Nicholas. Tragedy opens the doors to their hearts and minds that would have otherwise stayed closed. Even as love blossoms, their Lavinia's strong personality and stubbornness consistently sprouts misunderstandings and hurt.
A beautiful love story filled with surprises. I had no idea that earls had any more to do than have their titles and be rich. It was fascinating to learn about the operations and expectations in a small village during that era. I so enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one.
I was provided a review copy of this book set by Kregel Publications, with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Carole J. (PianoLady357) reviewed The Elusive Miss Ellison (Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace, Bk 1) on + 157 more book reviews
I thoroughly enjoyed Carolyn Miller's debut novel, The Elusive Miss Ellison. The Regency romance is one of my favorite genres â 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.
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 âuntil it is destroyed, we cannot see clearlyâ (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.
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 âuntil it is destroyed, we cannot see clearlyâ (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.
Loraine N. (momrain) reviewed The Elusive Miss Ellison (Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace, Bk 1) on + 205 more book reviews
What a lovely story of romance and redemption. This regency reminded me of why I love this genre. The rules of station and conduct that restricted people at the time versus true love finding its way in no matter what the barrier. It was a good read. I received this book complimentary as a participant of the Litfuse Blog Tour. I was not required to give a positive review. Full Review at my website.
Jean A. (readinggenie) reviewed The Elusive Miss Ellison (Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace, Bk 1) on + 55 more book reviews
"The Elusive Miss Ellison" by Carolyn Miller 2017
Debut novel Book One in Legacy of Grace Series
I picked this book off the library shelf because I loved the dress on the cover. I know that's not a good reason to read a book but I found Carolyn Miller's writing to be so very interesting. This is an inspirational historical novel.
Nicholas, the Earl of Hawkesbury has inherited his title after his brother had died. He returned to St Hampton Heath to get away from London and the match making mamas.
The first thing he did was to go to the Reverend at the local church and ask for forgiveness. When he was fifteen, he had egged his brother into racing a friend. His brother had traveled down the village road without care and ran down the vicar's wife who died because of the accident. The vicar's small daughter had witnessed it.
Lavinia, the vicar's daughter, sees Nicholas as the brother of the man who killed her mother.
Nicholas was intrigued by the elusive Miss Lavinia Ellison. She challenged him at every turn to look into his heart and learn to forgive himself. This brought him to find comfort in turning to the Lord.
Lavinia comes to the understanding that she too has to find strength to forgive and not judge Nicholas.
Secrets abound. The story goes to London. But can Nicholas and Lavinia's differences be too much to overcome? Will God give them the gift of Love?
I'd tell you more but that would spoil the story for you. This book is well worth reading. Happy reading!
Debut novel Book One in Legacy of Grace Series
I picked this book off the library shelf because I loved the dress on the cover. I know that's not a good reason to read a book but I found Carolyn Miller's writing to be so very interesting. This is an inspirational historical novel.
Nicholas, the Earl of Hawkesbury has inherited his title after his brother had died. He returned to St Hampton Heath to get away from London and the match making mamas.
The first thing he did was to go to the Reverend at the local church and ask for forgiveness. When he was fifteen, he had egged his brother into racing a friend. His brother had traveled down the village road without care and ran down the vicar's wife who died because of the accident. The vicar's small daughter had witnessed it.
Lavinia, the vicar's daughter, sees Nicholas as the brother of the man who killed her mother.
Nicholas was intrigued by the elusive Miss Lavinia Ellison. She challenged him at every turn to look into his heart and learn to forgive himself. This brought him to find comfort in turning to the Lord.
Lavinia comes to the understanding that she too has to find strength to forgive and not judge Nicholas.
Secrets abound. The story goes to London. But can Nicholas and Lavinia's differences be too much to overcome? Will God give them the gift of Love?
I'd tell you more but that would spoil the story for you. This book is well worth reading. Happy reading!
