I think I just read a Jane Austen novel, but I didn’t.

I have read several regency novels, Ms. Austen included. I haven’t found one I haven’t liked, but never have I read one written in modern times that felt like an Austen novel. The complex characters, the way the story progress, even the location changes—all spoke of Austen. But it was Miller!

I am sad to say that this is my first time reading a Carolyn Miller novel. I’m proud to say it won’t be my last. I’ve always said, “I just want to understand what I am reading”, when I read Austen novels. The language is too complex for my simple mind, but Miller wrote in a way that was simple to understand while not deviating from the regency feeling.

Now, I think I need to give an honorable mention to one of the characters — Nicholas, Earl of Hawkesburry. He is prime regency suited material, and not because of his bank roll. He tries to become the man God wants him to be but that blasted temper gets the best of him sometimes. I can relate. But the do-gooder, Miss Ellison keeps him hopping while he keeps her guessing. I found their back and forth misunderstandings irritating at times, but not because it was overplayed. I just hate not having clear communication.

Overall, I loved this regency novel and I can’t wait to read another Carolyn Miller story.

**I was given a copy of this book from the publisher through CelebrateLit. I am not required to give a positive review but I will freely give it.

About the Book

Book: The Elusive Miss Ellison

Author: Carolyn Miller

Genre: Historical, Regency Fiction

Release Date: February 28, 2017

The Elusive Miss Ellison
Pride, Presumption, and forgiveness…

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 singing 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 happens when Lavinia learns a family secret that alters everything she’s ever known?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

carolyn-miller-HR-4

Carolyn Miller lives in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. Together with her husband she has pastored a church for ten years, and worked as a public high school English and Learning and Support teacher. A longtime lover of romance, especially that of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer’s Regency era, Carolyn holds a BA in English Literature, and loves drawing readers into fictional worlds that show the truth of God’s grace in our lives. Her Regency novels include The Elusive Miss Ellison, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey, Winning Miss Winthrop, Miss Serena’s Secret, The Making of Mrs. Hale, A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh, Underestimating Miss Cecilia, and Misleading Miss Verity, all available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Koorong, etc Her contemporary novels include Restoring Fairhaven and Regaining Mercy, as part of the Independence Islands series.

More from Carolyn

Mr. Darcy has a lot to answer for, doesn’t he?

I’ve long been a fan of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, and my first historical romance, The Elusive Miss Ellison, was so fun to write as I worked to weave the social commentary of Jane Austen with the wit and romantic dash of Heyer, an unwavering Christian thread, and a dash of Aussie perspective.

I’ve been very fortunate to visit many of the settings used in my Regency Brides series (of series), including the Cotswolds, Brighton, Bath, London, Derbyshire and the gorgeous Scottish castle featured on the cover of Misleading Miss Verity, and have loved seeing readers respond so positively to these stories of hope, redemption, family and love.

I love to share images of my trips and what I envisage concerning these stories at my website (www.carolynmillerauthor.com) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/CarolynMillerAuthor

) and hope readers will enjoy being swept up into an age of ladies and true gentlemen, when the code of honor was paramount, and Mr. Darcy showed that first impressions can never be fully trusted, and that there is always something deeper to the story.

Happy reading, friends!

Carolyn 🙂

Blog Stops

Connie’s History Classroom, October 28

Losing the Busyness, October 28

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 29

Emily Yager, October 29

Worthy2Read, October 30

Artistic Nobody, October 30 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31

Mary Hake, October 31

Splashes of Joy, November 1

deb’s Book Review, November 1

Texas Book-aholic, November 2

Inklings and notions, November 3

Vicky Sluiter, November 3

For Him and My Family, November 4

Heidi and Books, November 4

Ashley’s Bookshelf, November 5

Bigreadersite, November 5

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 6

Sara Jane Jacobs, November 6

Locks, Hooks and Books, November 7

Mia Reads, November 7

She Lives To Read, November 8

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, November 8

Simple Harvest Reads, November 9 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

Godly Book Reviews, November 9

Melissa Wardwell’s Back Porch Reads, November 10

Captive Dreams Window, November 10

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Carolyn is giving away the grand prize package of a $25 Amazon prize and a paperback copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/102ad/the-elusive-miss-ellison-celebration-tour-giveaway

11 Comments

  1. Melissa Andres

    I love Carolyn Miller books! She’s a fantastic author!

  2. Paula Shreckhise

    I discovered Carolyn Miller a few years ago and I just love her writing!

  3. Roxanne C.

    I already wanted to read The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller, but this review has just increased my desire to do so. Sometimes I want the language in a Regency to be more simple just so that I don’t have to concentrate so much on the conversations.

  4. Debra Pruss

    This sounds like a marvelous book. Thank you for sharing.

  5. Emma

    This sounds great for Austen fans!

  6. James Robert

    Thanks for taking time to share your book with us and it’s always a pleasure in our family to learn about a new one.

  7. Melissa W

    Sounds like a good one!

  8. carylkane

    Wonderful review, Melissa! I’ve also been wanting to read Carolyn’s books. Thank you for hosting.

  9. Debbie P

    This sounds like a really great read.