The Elusive Miss Elliston is the first book in Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace Series. I love Ms. Miller’s books and enjoyed this one very much. It was fun and interesting for me reading the historical details of this small village in Regency England’s mid 1800’s. The author creates wonderful characters who tell their story so well. I like that faith is shown throughout the story. And the story was pretty predictable, but it is still intriguing to see how the event unfold. There is much that is happening to keep you reading and wanting to see just how the ending will be.

If you are a fan of Regency England, and Jane Austin, this is a book you are sure to enjoy. I highly recommend this for you. The Elusive Miss Elliston is a Five Star for me.

A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

What I think you should know:
The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller is the first book in the Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace . The story is set in 1813 England with Lavinia Ellison the daughter of a small village minister and the New Lord Hawkesbury.

What I think about this book:
While the story was slow going at first , it did a good job of letting you get to know the characters and what made them who they are. Lavinia was almost an antihero when compared to the typical heroine in Regency Romances. Instead of being raised as a Lady of privilege she has been taught to devote her life to helping others, she nurses the sick of the village and helps provide food and education to those less privileged. I enjoyed watching Nicholas mature from a selfish young man into a man who cared for those around him. I enjoyed the interaction between Lavinia and Nicholas . The second half of the story moved at a much faster pace. The message of the Gospel was presented beautifully and naturally in the story. I look forward to reading the next books in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

The Elusive Miss Ellison
Is set in the mid 1800's in England. This is a story of love….loves lost, loves found, loves renewed. There
is romance and differences in class structures. Throughout the book is the power of faith. I enjoyed this
story – so much so that I plan to read the other books in the regency brides series. This book was
provided through Celebrate Lit and the author for my review. The opinions expressed are my own.

This is book one of the Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace Book. The story is between Lavinia and Nicholas and their relationship of can they become a couple? Nicholas is the eligible bachelor and the town wants all their daughters to be selected as his wife. Lavinia being single has no need to find a husband, however when Nicholas comes in the picture, are they meant to be together?? Opposites do attract......
I would recommend to Jane Austen fan's and those that love a romance with forgiveness. If you enjoy reading back into time of the English era then you will enjoy this read on an afternoon. As these stories are, you will be able to predict the way the book will go, however, this is a read for relaxation and taking you to a different time.

I love Carolyn Miller’s Regency books, and I think this book is one of her best. Lavinia Ellison is a character that is intelligent and full of spirit. As a minister’s daughter, she has compassion for those who are in need or in ill health. She is not impressed with Nicholas Stamford, the Earl of Hawkesbury, and feels he needs to take his responsibilities to the community more seriously. While the other young ladies of the county are vying for Nichols’s attention, Lavinia is working to keep him at arm’s length. As time passes, they come to realize that they each have things to reconsider about the other. But circumstances also seem to stand in their way, and both must learn forgiveness and grace.


I enjoyed the characters in this book, especially Lavinia and Nicholas. The dialogue between them reminded me of the writing style of Regency writer Georgette Heyer. The storyline completely held my interest and it was hard for me to put the book down. I have loved all the books in this series. It’s wonderful to read Carolyn Miller’s books which are set in the Regency period that have clean and sweet romances; and also have an inspiring thread of faith that runs throughout each book.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

This was a fun book! I’d seen a lot of hype surrounding it in the past, but never got a chance to read it until recently. It has been a good long while since I actually read a regency novel, so I really enjoyed getting a peek into that world again. If I had to give a mashup for it, I would say that it reads like a mixture of Carrie Turansky and Roseanna M. White. The banter between the characters and love-to-hate aspect of the book were really fun to read.

The character in the book were so much fun to read: they each had distinct personalities and the banter between them was IMMACULATE. Lavina Ellison was so so much fun: she was a great musician, but could also hold her own in tasks that “normal women” didn’t do, at least at the time. I also really liked her devotion to the poor, especially where she didn’t go out with her friends, because she had already previously made arrangements to help out an impoverished friend.

The story itself I wasn’t a huge fan of: it’s very Regency/historical romance-y, which gets old pretty quickly. The storyline wasn’t anything very special: it was a hate-to-love, but you /know/ that love will happen, and the way it happened was pretty predictable, so it wasn’t that interesting in terms of the storyline. There was /a lot/ of attraction that happened between the two main characters, and they were pretty much pining for each other after the first quarter, and it never got resolved until the final couple chapters of the book.

To be honest, I liked the first quarter or so of the book much more than the rest of it: the first bit was really fun to read, and then the story just wound around and around in circles. A good chunk of the book was when Lavinia was sick at the earl’s mansion, and then an apparently large plot point was people insinuating that Lavinia and the earl hadn’t been proper happened several times, which was odd because it was established early on that there was a maid in the room all the time, so I am not quite certain why it was brought up so many times? Similar things happened all throughout the book, where plot points get simply beaten to death and the story just goes in circles.

The writing style also got a bit dense as the book wound on: there were a lot of details, and it definitely got wordy at times. The time that the book was set in was also suspiciously vague: it could have been set anywhere between the 1700s and the 1910s and I wouldn’t have really known. I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing, especially as the story line slogged on.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book to read, if you are a Christian fiction fan. I enjoyed it because of the heroine, the banter, and the beginning and end of the story, but overall, it is a dense book. I would not recommend it if you are looking for a light read, and I will not be reading the later books in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion; I was not required to write a positive review.

The Elusive Miss Ellison is the intriguing start to Carolyn Miller’s Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace series. I thought this was a very good read. Lavinia and Nicholas’ story was one that I really enjoyed. I adored them both and I loved watching them grow throughout. They had to learn some important lessons of forgiveness, hope, love and faith. There were a few twists and turns I did not see coming. It was so very good.

I am giving The Elusive Miss Ellison four and a half stars. I am looking forward to reading the next installment from the Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace series, The Captivating Lady Charlotte, to see what happens next. I recommend this one for readers who enjoy clean and inspiration Regency Romance.

I received The Elusive Miss Ellison from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

Jane Austen fans should enjoy this historical novel and the entire Regency series by Carolyn Miller. It’s easy to get caught up in the story, but the characters in this book didn’t have quite the depth I longed for. I felt I couldn’t read their interior persona but they stayed more surface level. I did appreciate the intriguing plot and the fine surprises the author threw in. Lavinia Ellison, daughter of an English village pastor, encounters the earl of Hawkesbury, Nicholas Stamford, but he forms a false impression of her status. Thus sets off a tale of further encounters and mutual attraction, but evoking frowns from society. The interesting characters seem authentic and their interactions believable. How their entanglement progresses makes for a delightful drama. Lavinia is such a sweet person that it seems everyone would love her. Perhaps too perfect for real life but wonderful in fiction. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

This is also the first book that I have read by this author. I do not read a bunch of Regency books - but I always enjoy them when I do. Ms. Miller writes like Jane Austen did. I had a hard time with the first few chapters - but once I got the hang of the language I was able to to sit back and relax, and get lost in the story.
When you open this book, you will be transported to Gloucestershire, England in 1813. We meet Lavinia Ellison who is a reverend's daughter. She enjoys caring for the sick and does not have an interest in meeting, the new local earl, Nicholas Stamford. She feels that since he is not a church goer that they would never be well matched. Lavinia has a lot of despise for Nicholas - for he was involved in her love ones death.
I love that the author chose to focus on a theme of letting things go and forgiveness. I know that sometimes that is so hard to do. Especially as a woman. Lavinia had a lot of pent up anger towards the new Earl, that she says a lot of hurtful things toward him. One of the things I loved about these two characters is that they grew and matured through the book. They were able to find a common ground of sorts.

Well written characters, Unique story line - I will be on the look out for the next book in this series. I received a copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit blogging program - all thoughts are my own.

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.

Elusive means difficult to find, catch, or achieve. That is an adequate way to describe Miss Lavinia Ellison when it comes to wanting to pursue a romance. As the Earl of Hawkesbury Nicholas comes into town to see the state of affairs. He meets Lavinia but is put off by her standoffish behavior. Then he become enamored with the very things that make her different than most ladies. As their friendship grows, appreciation grows from both characters. Unfortunately, a series of miscommunication adds up to a jumbled mess.

As I started reading the story, I enjoyed the banter between the two characters. I felt like I knew exactly where the story was taking the reader until a big twist came into the story. The story became even more twisted as I read to put the pieces together to see how the story would end. I knew how I wanted it to end but I had to find out how Carolyn Miller would end the story.

My favorite character was Lavinia Ellison because of the compassion she had for others. She was very quick to put others before herself. She found a way to make a difference to others wherever she went. I also enjoyed Nicholas and the heart change he had towards God which caused him to rethink his position and how he too could help others.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.

Looking for a clean, Regency romance with Christian values? The Elusive Miss Ellison by Carolyn Miller is a good choice. This was my second time reading the novel, and I daresay, I enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
Lavinia Ellison is a poor reverend’s daughter who lives with her father and aunt in Gloucester, England in 1813. There is much ado when the newest Earl of Hawkesbury Hall returns to his country estate. Lavinia holds Hawkesbury guilty of many sins, and she is the one young lady unaffected by Nicholas’s wealth and prestige. Somehow, this makes her very interesting to the earl.
I liked the quick wit that we see in Lavinia and Hawkesbury. Sometimes I wanted to shake them into talking to each other more honestly. Miller seems to make the point that pride and prejudice can be a two-way street. Lavinia is certainly quite surprised to discover this shortcoming in herself, while she holds many faults against Nicholas.
“How often do we hold sins against others, whether they be petty, imagined slights, or even grave miscarriages of justice, while allowing our own weaknesses to slip through our fingers of blame?”
Miller’s prose holds dry humor that often caused me to grin, even as I wondered how long Lavinia and the earl could treat each other so poorly. An unexpected twist totally changes the story in a way I had totally forgotten and didn’t see coming.
“A handsome appearance counted for naught unless matched by good character and actions.” So opines our heroine, yet the amount of change required of Nicholas was tremendous. I often forgot this as I got impatient with the earl’s indecisiveness and inability to choose one straight course of action.
Quite a few tidbits of wisdom are included in the novel, many of them spiritual. One that rang especially true:
“All things are forgivable when we realize how much we’ve been forgiven.”
The Elusive Miss Ellison is definitely a recommended read.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author and publisher through Celebrate Lit. I am voluntarily leaving this review. All opinions are my own.

This is the first book in a series that does not need to be read in order. I think I started with the third book in the series. I enjoyed the characters. I love when Lavinia learns who her grandmother really is and how she meets her. I enjoyed the love story between Lavinia and Nicholas. Both characters have to forgive themselves over what happened when they were younger and it is handled very well. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Oh my. If you enjoy a regency romance then you must read The Elusive Miss Ellison. This story has a similar feel as a popular Austen story. Nicholas and Lavinia have “lively” conversations as they get to know each other. I often didn’t know whether to laugh or shake my head at their barbed wit. Both are flawed, human characters who need to get over themselves, their pasts, and move ahead. They were quite likeable!

The settings in the story were quite lovely, and I enjoyed the descriptions of gowns that were worn, etc.

An opposites attract story with a thread of forgiveness and even salvation, I enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next one in the series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

I adored this book. To me it’s written in the style of the Bronte sisters. A good strong heroine who can take care of herself and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Who then has to learn how to allow her heart to have a voice as well.

Poor Miss Ellison. I loved her character. She’s worked so hard to make herself the doer. The one who cares for the poor and unfortunate because she knows no one else will, certainly not the landed gentry who are supposed to do this. After all, they own the houses the poor live in, the ones that are crumbling.

Then she meets that new landowner. The new master of the village if you will. She’s already got her mind made up about him though. He’s horrible, he’s arrogant, he’s only out for a good time and spending money. And of course, he will never care for these people. Mainly because he and his brother caused the death of her mother. Something she’s never been able to let go of much less forgive.

Such a wonderful book. Well written. It flies when you’re reading it. I loved getting to know Miss Ellison and making her my new friend. And of course there is some suspense and danger as well. And you get the chance to love and hate the same character but at different times. I won’t give away the ending but I will say Miss Ellison, sweet Lavinia, learns a lot about herself and who she is. That may have to do with a side of the family she’s never known or it might have to do with who she is inside. I’ll let you find out whether she’s rich in money or love or both!!

The handsome new Earl of Hawkesbury has arrived and has the whole village aflutter, but t hat'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 clever, witty and very outspoken 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.

A novel for those who enjoy literature of Jane Austen, and historical novels. This is a fun, witty, yet serious novel.

The author keeps the reader entertained and looking for more. The story plot was very interesting and had the reader glued to the book.

I liked this one! The writing gave me vibes similar to those of Elizabeth Camden and Karen Witemeyer.

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!

Another lovely tale wherein Jane Austen meets Georgette Heyer. Proving herself one of the voices to watch in Inspirational Regency, Carolyn Miller has a wonderful pen for the sensibility and social structures and minutiae of the period.

Wow! I mean really, wow! What was this thing? I am speechless and at the same time want to pour my heart out about this book! It is that kind of a book which you want to finish and yet you do not want to end! You know what I mean? I will try doing justice to the exemplary work, that is The Elusive Miss Ellison


Where do I start? The story? The hero? Miss Ellison? The dialogue? The plot and play? Can’t decide! I guess I’ll have to let it all flow out as it comes…


From the blurb…



Pride, prejudice 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 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 will happen when Lavinia learns a family secret that alters everything she’s ever known?


What I feel…



Superlative! That is the word that first comes to my mind when I think of TEME. This is the most spectacular regency historical fiction book of recent times hands down. I’ve read quite a few and I have experienced what dearth of pure literary talent is, and am amazed at the pure genius of the author.


I was transported back into the time of Jane Austen and was immersed in a strange nostalgic feeling right from the first page of this book. It truly felt like coming home! Really Carolyn Miller, you’ve spoilt me for other books! ;p


Not a word in this book is wasteful. Each and every line, every action, every scene is beautifully crafted. The best feature is the wit and humour in the dialogue and the fantastic repartees. I mean, my book is literally filled with highlights throughout!


The storyline is captivating as well as intriguing with the highs and lows, the family secrets, the past, the present, the twists and the turns, everything coming out in a remarkable blend.


Miss Lavinia Ellison…




‘She is a woman , therefore may be wooed ; she is a woman, therefore may be won; she is Lavinia , therefore must be loved.’



Miss Ellison! Lady Disdain! I absolutely love her ❤ ❤ ❤ She is one of the strongest heroines I’ve come across. She has her decided opinions, is strong in her belief and her faith, is so witty and charming, has the courage to state her mind and is also very loving and kind. The compassion in her heart, the soul in her eyes is so so beautifully penned by the author. Lavinia is also blessed with an angelic voice, though her behaviour many times is hoydenish 😀 She’s not dazzled by the ton, nor cowed by those trying to intimidate her. She has her pride. And the pride does make her prejudiced. It does lead to influence her behaviour as far as Lord Nicholas Hawkesbury is concerned! At the same time, she is also ready to forgive and looks for the best in others.


Lord Nicholas Hawkesbury…



Nicholas! (An eyebrow rising ^) The seventh Earl of Hawkesbury. Oh how I love him and how I sometimes felt like planting a facer on his jaw. He is one caring, strong, compassionate hero with his own faults. He starts as an aristocrat, arrogant and full of pride. His transformation from that proud man to the caring and smitten suitor is just so endearing ❤ ❤ ❤ The beauty about Nicholas is he is conscientious. He holds himself responsible for the events of the past. He is full of guilt and is also one to realize a mistake, when he has committed one. Also, what I felt was he has not been arrogant and careless all his life. His time with the army highlights him as a responsible and compassionate individual, so proving that he is indeed inherently a good person.
The time he spends in St. Hampton Heath also proves a blessing fir him. Here he finds belief and faith in God.


Lavinia and Nicholas…



Right from the first moment when they meet while Lavinia is picking the weeds in her father’s garden, and with mutually harboured impressions of rudeness and presumption, to the eventual growth in acquaintance, mutual regard, respect and affection, Lavinia and Nicholas come a long way. They make a splendid couple ❤ ❤ ❤

Their relationship blossoms in it’s journey from being influenced by pride to humbling them to bring about a change in their hearts along with acceptance. How hope plays a major role in their relationship is one significant point within the story.

Though each and every scene has been etched in my memory and is dear to me, one of my most favourite is when Nicholas prays for Lavinia fearing for her life. That truly touched my heart and I was like, ‘wow! You’re forgiven Nicholas!’ That phase in the book when Nicholas is caring for Lavinia, is my favourite!

Through each other they come to understand the purpose and meaning of their lives. Their repartees are brilliant! Small small things made the elements cute (read their overall association with dogs)


The ensemble cast…



Characterisation by the author is interesting. Right from the reverend to Aunt Patience, Captain Thornton to Sophy and even the passing ones like Mrs Foster and Eliza, all are drafted realistically. Their opinions and behaviours are detailed with ease and make the background stories run parallel without barging into the leading one. Indeed they do add up to influence Nicholas and Lavinia’’s story.


The story and the book…



You never feel that you are reading a book, you get so engrossed in it as if you were a part of that world 200 years back. And the author is not at all preachy. Very subtle and yet very effective.

Also, the book is fast paced. No unnecessary, lengthy dialogues or descriptions and yet you feel like it comes a long way.
The plot is well thought out and really keeps one on the edge and intrigued for more. It kept me awake three nights in a row, I was so inquisitive about the next happenings! (Thank God my boss didn’t see me yawning! ;p)

The pastoral landscape of St Hampton Heath brings Pride and Prejudice back to mind. Very well described.

To summarize, THE ELUSIVE MISS ELLISON IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to anyone looking out for a heartfelt, beautiful, clean historical fiction with a sassy heroine, charming hero and an endearing story.