The Elusive Miss Ellison

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 show more 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.

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

While I found this title to be an enjoyable and pleasant read, and definitely a good Regency period piece as far as the setting goes, I found the storyline a little trite and overdone. It was somewhat unbelievable that the more modern-age thinking on forgiveness and salvation was so prevalent in a Regency piece, when I feel that more people would have still believed in and practiced indulgences and the teachings of the Church of England rather than the teachings of Martin Luther. The repeated references to man being given salvation not through his good works, but merely through confessing his sins and claiming his salvation made the story seem more like reading the Bible than reading a good book.

Overall, the characters were a little show more "too good to be true" in their thoughts, words, and actions. The fact that the two main characters kept asking each other for forgiveness became a little wearing. Coupled with that was that every couple seemed to overcome a great diversity in social standing in order to follow their "true love." It wa sa time period when, while not unheard of, would have been very rare to court/marry and start a life with an individual so far outside your social standing. Probably not unheard of, but definitely a rare exception rather than 3-4 separate couples all defying adversity.

Also, while the act of loving the person wronged or sinned into becoming a believer is a true statement, it seemed a little contrived in so many circumstances. While this is definitely how we SHOULD act, I do not think that it would actually happen so many times in one generation to one family connected through so many coincidences. Once moving beyond the disbelief, the book remains an enjoyable read. show less

Daughter of St. Hampton Heath Village’s pastor, Lavinia Ellison, isn’t affected by riches or looks. She believes everyone should help the poor, live modestly and own up to their obligations.

Thwarted at every turn, Nicholas Stamford, Earl to St. Hampton Heath Village, just wants to turn his duties over to his bailiff and be done with it.

I especially enjoyed Lavinia’s wit and somewhat sharp tongue. Critical of those not living up to their legal and moral responsibilities, she often had an acerbic tone. However, she was equally as condemnatory of her own failings.

Interspersed throughout the story are rich portrayals of the villagers’ pitiable homes and the landscape of the area juxtaposed against the detailed narrative of the show more aristocrats’ estates and opulent lifestyle. The starkness of the contrasts leaves you feeling the despair and sadness against which Lavinia struggled.

An impressively written book rich in history, the novel abounds with faith, aspirations, romance and just the right amount of intrigue and family mystery. It is so beautifully written; I had a hard time comprehending this was Carolyn Miller’s debut novel.

The main characters’ development, tempered by their faith, added a unique perspective to this tale.

Regency Era fans will love Carolyn Miller’s debut book, The Elusive Miss Ellison.

I received The Elusive Miss Ellison from Celebrate Lit. However, I was under no obligation to post a review. show less

What a luscious book! It would be excellent made into a movie, with Benedict CumberBach playing the Earl. Benedict has perfected that look down your nose look intermixed with tender vulnerability. This story is faith filled, with the explanation of deliverance. It also intricately weaves the life of a poor church girl with the ton, making clear where true importance is. If you love Recency Christian novels, put this at the top of your list. It will not disappoint.

This novel spins the tale of Nicholas, Lord Hawkesworth and Miss Lavinia Ellison.

Hawkesworth has recently come into the title, following Peninsular service in the Napoleonic wars, and the untimely death of his older brother. He is worried about his precarious financial status due to the free spending ways of his late brother and his mother, and discontented with London society life and his mother's attempts to marry him off to a "suitable" high-born and wealthy female. He retreats to a minor country estate to get away from all this and encounters Miss Ellison. The daughter of the local minister, she is devoted to the poor, kind-hearted, opinionated and somewhat quick to judge. The two are also linked by a tragic event from their show more childhoods.

Naturally, sparks fly, misunderstandings and revelations occur, the characters grow and all ends happily.

This is an enjoyable books, with solid writing. Enough secrets and drama to keep the reader engaged, but not so much that it becomes melodramatic. The characters are well defined, and engaging.

There is nothing unpredictable here. The story has been told many times of people held at first apart by "pride and prejudice" who gradually overcome their first impression and class differences. The spiritual content is well done in that the hero's questions and doubts regarding his faith flow naturally from his experiences. However, to me, the language and sentiments with which it is expressed as he deals with his own doubts, and discusses them with Lavinia's father, a friend from the war who is a believer, and with Lavinia herself seem more natural for a 21st century man than a 19th century Anglican. And the treatment is a bit superficial, though not terribly so for what is fundamentally a romance.

All in all, a pleasant story, well worth the reader's time, albeit not a future classic.

This book was provided to me free of charge by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

This novel spins the tale of Nicholas, Lord Hawkesworth and Miss Lavinia Ellison.

Hawkesworth has recently come into the title, following Peninsular service in the Napoleonic wars, and the untimely death of his older brother. He is worried about his precarious financial status due to the free spending ways of his late brother and his mother, and discontented with London society life and his mother's attempts to marry him off to a "suitable" high-born and wealthy female. He retreats to a minor country estate to get away from all this and encounters Miss Ellison. The daughter of the local minister, she is devoted to the poor, kind-hearted, opinionated and somewhat quick to judge. The two are also linked by a tragic event from their show more childhoods.

Naturally, sparks fly, misunderstandings and revelations occur, the characters grow and all ends happily.

This is an enjoyable books, with solid writing. Enough secrets and drama to keep the reader engaged, but not so much that it becomes melodramatic. The characters are well defined, and engaging.

There is nothing unpredictable here. The story has been told many times of people held at first apart by "pride and prejudice" who gradually overcome their first impression and class differences. The spiritual content is well done in that the hero's questions and doubts regarding his faith flow naturally from his experiences. However, to me, the language and sentiments with which it is expressed as he deals with his own doubts, and discusses them with Lavinia's father, a friend from the war who is a believer, and with Lavinia herself seem more natural for a 21st century man than a 19th century Anglican. And the treatment is a bit superficial, though not terribly so for what is fundamentally a romance.

All in all, a pleasant story, well worth the reader's time, albeit not a future classic.

This book was provided to me free of charge by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. show less

As Regency books go this was pretty typical of the time period with Lords and Queens . The people in the village are all a flutter with the arrival of the Earl of Hawkesbury. His presence will stir emotions and cause harsh words to be thrown around. Being an Earl is very prestigious and requires you to be in the best attires and surrounded by only the most important of people. Well I knew what was about to happen when our feature character Lavinia meets the Earl.

Lavinia is sweet and has a big heart for the poor. She takes it upon herself to make sure others do without. I liked how she visited families and helped out with their needs. She has never been one to care about frilly clothes or being prim and proper. I adored her attitude of show more being herself without worrying what others though. Her encounters with the Earl are quite funny at times and other times I found myself hoping her heart would not get broken.

Nicholas (Earl of Hawkesbury) was at times annoying to me. He had an air of arrogance and was quite direct at times. I do believe he has met his match though when Lavinia matches him with her oh so subtle distaste for him. The story seems to pick up when Lavinia takes ill and finds herself at the home of the one and only Earl. I won’t give any details about how she got there but here is where I began to see a softer side of Nicholas. The people in the town love to gossip and are so disrespectful when it comes to Lavinia’s unintended stay at the Earl’s. It really is about jealousy for the women who had high hopes of winning the Earl’s attention.

The faith element is good and I especially liked how Nicholas started to hunger for a relationship with God. There are moments in the story where we find the characters calling out to God for help. The author does give us a few surprises in the story which I loved. Her ability to describe the time period was intriguing and I liked how she set the story around people who were in need. This allowed Nicholas to really see how the village was desperate for provisions. The best part of the entire story for me is one scene when a particular character finds their way to God. Oh it is so glorious to read how they surrender theirselves and find peace.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion. show less