By The Book

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.

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.

Find out more about Carolyn at https://www.carolynmiller.org.

My Impressions:

Fans of Austen-esque Regency novels will be happy to have another go-to author. Carolyn Miller’s debut novel, The Elusive Miss Ellison, meets all the requirements: an independent heroine, a hunky hero with more than a few flaws, and a love story filled with obstacles, yet possessing sweet hints of a happily-ever-after. Jane aficionados will recognize the many nods to Pride And Prejudice, but this novel is not a copy-cat. It’s firm foundation in faith is a very welcome addition. I give this one a recommended rating.

Miss Lavinia Ellison has very decided opinions, one of which is that the newest Earl of Hawkesbury should be helping his tenants and the village of St. Hampton Heath. But the relationship between the independent Miss Ellison and Nicholas Stamford is marred by their common past, a past filled with tragedy and unforgiveness. Both will need to break through their walls for a future that just may include love.

As stated above, The Elusive Miss Ellison pays homage to Jane Austen. You can hear hints of Austen in the dialog and in the characters that Miller has created. Familiar phrases sprinkle the conversations and there may be more than a little bit of Lady Catherine, Mr. Collins and Caroline Bingley in a few of the minor characters. Miller even uses a familiar plot device — get a sick heroine into the home of the hero to advance the story. But Miller’s theme of forgiveness extended and accepted is all her own. That theme, as well as a heroine that holds if not modern, then before-her-time, convictions, adds depth to the novel.

If you are looking for a Regency romance that is more than just fluff, then The Elusive Miss Ellison is one to try.

Recommended.

Audience: older teens to adults.

To purchase, click HERE. (Hurry! Today it is FREE for Kindle!)

(Thanks to Kregel for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

Giveaway!

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 HERE, but hurry! The giveaway ends on March 22. The winner will be announced March 23 on the Litfuse blog.

Tags: Carolyn Miller, Regency fiction