Nicholas Stamford's brother did something awful to Lavinia's family in the past, and she finds it really difficult to forgive Nicholas and forget about it. Especially since he's the new Earl, and he's going to need to show more compassion and care about the people from the town if he wants to be in Lavinia's good graces.

At first, Stamford seems really rude and oh so full of himself... but even so, I never disliked him! I just found it all hilarious, it was just ridiculous to see how his mind worked and what he found to be obvious and natural. No sir, you're a snob, and a dandy, and a selfish man... and I don't dislike you!

Although it is true that very early in the story he starts to get over his pride and realizes his mistakes. At first it's like he doesn't care much about others, but doesn't really seem like a bad person for some reason. I was also surprised that war didn't change him that much in that regard.

He does remind me of a certain Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy, so, if you're a fan of Pride and Prejudice and like the man, there's a chance you might like Stamford.

Lavinia I loved from the very start. She's smart, speaks her mind and is not afraid to stand up to the Earl, disregarding all the rules of society and its conventions. And she's also very dedicated and loves spending her time helping others, especially the poor.

The story develops slowly, but we're only given the important parts, so we don't have to read about all that time in-between when nothing really happens, which I really appreciated.

But, at some point, Stamford does something really awful (it was not like he meant to, but it happened) and I'm surprised Lavinia forgot about it so quickly and forgave him, I would've probably killed the man. And he just keeps screwing up all the time! It's like he's trying to win Lavinia over, but all he does is mess up! It's actually quite funny.

Another guy makes an appearance and spends time with both Stamford and Lavinia, and I thought he might be interested in her, since he really cared about her and they had so much in common, and he was such a sweetheart as well! But alas, he ended up being a bit shallow, if you ask me.

It does take Stamford and Lavinia a lot of time to finally be together though! I wish we could've been given some more pages about their time together, maybe even an epilogue? Because they're just adorable and I would've loved to read more about their relationship as a couple.

The Elusive Miss Ellison is everything a good Regency romance should be: it’s consistent with the writings of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer, and features plenty of wit and sparkle in the dialogue, especially that of the titular Miss Lavinnia Ellison. She reminds me of a combination of Austen and Heyer heroines, and there is a definite nod to the BBCs Ehle/Firth version of Pride and Prejudice in terms of the characters.

The plot isn’t P&P (thankfully), but again has echoes of Austen. The big difference (improvement?) is that The Elusive Miss Ellison is clearly Christian fiction: Livvie is a minister’s daughter with a real faith in God, and unwilling to be romantically involved with any man who doesn’t share her faith. Especially not the man she holds responsible for the death of her beloved mother, and who appears to hold too little regard for the wellbeing of his tenants.

Nicholas obviously has his own personal and faith journey, and I think his is the stronger story—he’s the one with the obvious character faults which need to be changed through the influence of a good woman. And perhaps her love as well ...

I’m a big Regency romance fan, so very much enjoyed the authentic Regency voice and attention to detail. Some of the writing was a little shaky, and the pacing was somewhat uneven. Parts of the novel sparkled with wit, but others felt as though the sparkled had been scrubbed out.

All the same, I’ll be keen to read the sequel, The Captivating Lady Charlotte (love the title!). Recommended for fans of Christian Regency romance.

Thanks to Kregel and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review

Reviewed on Amazon AU and US, Goodreads, Rifflebooks, Koorong and my blog. But NetGalley wouldn't send the review with the links so I don't know what the problem was there.

Readers of inspirational Regency romance have much to look forward to with this debut release from Australian author Carolyn Miller. It’s just the kind of unhurried excursion into Regency life that begs you to find a cozy book-nook to curl up in, so that the here and now can fade away for a few hours. And fade it will, for this is an easy story to be drawn into.

Carolyn Miller did a lovely job of evoking the Regency era in the style of her writing, and readers familiar with Austen’s works, particularly Pride & Prejudice, will recognize a few familiar lines here and there throughout the novel. The author also did a lovely job of bringing the country setting to life. I know London has all the glamour and excitement (and we do head that way toward the end of the novel), but there’s something about the English countryside and the lifestyle there that feels so cozy—provided you’re not a poor tenant waiting for necessary maintenance and improvements to be carried out, of course. And therein lies just one of the problems plaguing Lord Hawkesbury when he arrives in Gloucestershire.

Miss Lavinia Ellison makes quick work of becoming another of Lord Hawkesbury’s problems with her forthright opinions, independent ways, and determination to help those in need. And the fact that he doesn’t appear to be very attentive to her father’s sermons certainly doesn’t raise him in her estimation! The banter between Lord Hawkesbury and Lavinia was very enjoyable for the most part, but there were times when they came across as a little capricious and I wasn’t quite sure what to make of them or their relationship. Both characters were aware of this to a certain extent, and I liked that part of Lavinia’s growth as a character was discovering that virtues can become stumbling blocks if we do not take care to examine our attitude, but I still felt that their relationship see-sawed more than was necessary.

The second half of the novel took a surprising turn that I thought could have been more convincing if it had been foreshadowed earlier in the novel. Nevertheless, the story held me firmly in its grasp until the end, and I look forward to reading the next two books in the series as they release later in the year.

Excellent Regency novel and debut for this author. I really enjoyed the character progression and growth. Both Miss Ellison and Nicholas made great strides. I love the honesty Miss Ellison has throughout the book and her honest care for the poor. She truly want Nicholas to do his duty and care for them too. In doing so she continues to show her true self.

Review: The Elusive Miss Ellison.

With Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer listed as two of Carolyn Miller’s favourite authors, I thought I would be in for a treat with her first published Regency novel, The Elusive Miss Ellison – and I was right.
The influence of these two remarkable women is clear in both plot and prose but Carolyn’s own talents also shine brightly in this lively and charming tale.
It feels like a very accomplished book, especially in a genre where detail is so important - not just in accurately depicting things such as the clothes they wore and the etiquette of the time but also the nuances of language, which she uses so well.
Here’s the blurb:
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?
Livvie is a clever, talented and spirited heroine, pushing at the constraints placed upon her by society of the time, just as Emma, Lizzy and Venetia before her. While Nicholas has all the elements of my favourite heroes – the pride of Mr Darcy, the charm, wit and frustrations of Jasper Damerel and the dashing looks of both – and managed to work his way into my heart.
The tale does feel very familiar in parts but I’m pretty sure it is to be expected in this genre (and it is actually rather nice, especially when there can be no more Austen or Heyer books but hopefully many more from Carolyn Miller).
On her website she says she enjoys “creating worlds where flawed people can grow in faith, hope, and love”.
Which is exactly what happens to both characters. God and the Bible play an important role but explanations are weaved in so that even a person with no faith, like me, can appreciate them.
This is book one in the series and I’m already eagerly awaiting book two.

Thank you to Kregel Publications (via Netgalley) for sending me an ARC in return for an honest review.

3 1/2 stars
My first impression was of the cover, which I thought was beautiful. The combination of the title and the cover art made this book very appealing. This is the first book I've read by Carolyn Miller, so I wasn't sure what to expect from her writing. This book follows a similar storyline with a lot of Christian fiction I've read lately, which is similar to a Pride and Prejudice-type plot. Every author approaches this familiar storyline in a different way, and these are my impressions of Carolyn Miller's:

Lavinia (Livvie) Ellison is the outspoken female heroine, not one to follow or care about all the typical rules of society, and yet she's very compassionate towards the people of the area. She tends the sick and takes food to the unfortunate. She also holds the Earl of Hawkesbury responsible for taking care of the people that have been neglected. The Earl initially comes across as a little haughty, but deep down he has a heart that seeks to do what is right. There was definite growth in the story for both characters, as they see areas of pride and a need to surrender every aspect of their lives to God. There is a strong spiritual element as the way to become a Christian is presented as well as spiritual growth among the characters. The pace is moderate, with some mild plot twists and conflict resolution. There is a very clean romantic element that builds throughout the story. All of these parts come together to create a well thought out story.

For my personal taste, the pace of the novel was a little slow. I struggled to get the "tingles" while Livvie and Nicholas interacted. While I know that they displayed the proper etiquette for ladies and gentlemen of that era, I wanted to get into the heads of the characters a little more about how they felt about each other...understand their chemistry. Several times in the story, Livvie is complemented on her wit...but I had trouble connecting with that, too.

While I had my issues, if you like a proper English novel with the elements I mentioned above, you'll like this novel.

**I received a free copy of this novel and appreciate the opportunity to give an honest review, which I did.**

Excellent debut novel and top notch Regency. Well done, very well done. I intend to follow Carolyn Miller from now on. I look forward to more from her.

This is a sweet romance. I liked the sense of mystery that runs throughout the book, but am not a fan of the toing and throwing that happens towards the end of the book. The religious ideas seem a little strong at times and the story could have worked with out them.

Lavinia Ellison, the daughter of St. Hampton Heath Village’s pastor, isn’t affected by riches or looks. She believes in helping the poor, living modestly and owning up to your obligations.

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

I particularly 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.

Sprinkled throughout the tale are rich portrayals of the villager’s pitiable homes and the landscape of the area juxtaposed against the detailed narrative of the aristocrat’s estates and opulent lifestyle, leaving you feeling the despair and sadness against which Lavinia struggled.

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

The main character’s 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 this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

(This will also be available on my blog, FB and Twitter on 2/24; and on Amazon on or about 2/27.)

The Elusive Miss Ellison, written by Carolyn Miller, is book 1 of Regency Brides: A Legacy of Grace.

This is the first book of Miller's that I've read. Throughout the story, Miller took scripture and wove it into the characters lives. I didn't find it a preachy book, but rather a book where the characters lived the lives that were God-honoring for the most part.

My favorite part was about two-thirds of the way through the end. The first third of the book seemed to start a bit on the slow side and it took some time for me to actually connect with the characters. I love the Regency Era and so once I connected, it was a delightful read.

My favorite character, Lavinia, of course. She was the essence of a delightful young lady wanting to help those in need and thought nothing of putting herself in difficult situations to help those considered poor or ill. She seemed to always try to look at the person from the inside out rather than starting from the outside.

I think this would be a great book for teens on up as it really shows how people should look on others and also shows the true value of others in our lives.

I was given this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and comments are my own.

I loved this book!!! It has elements of Pride and Prejudice and is a fantastic clean regency romance. I would highly recommend it to any Jane Austen lovers.

A beautiful setting and a heart touching tale of forgiveness and redemption. A very sweet story that had me falling in love with Gloucestershire and Beagle puppies! The Elusive Miss Ellison is Carolyn Miller's debut novel and I applaud her creativity and gift for story! The descriptions of the settings, homes, and gowns were so detailed that I can still see the images in my mind.

Miss Ellison and Lord Hawkesbury have so many challenges to overcome. In their personal lives as well as with their relationship with their families and each other. Learning to lay down their pride and lean on God for truth and guidance was a very encouraging thing to witness.

I did enjoy this story and I am very excited to continue the series. However, the flow of the story and some inconsistency in the characters had me confused on multiple occasions. Hence my rating. That being said, the words and language was elegant and soothing. I found it very fun to read terms used in Regency times that I had to look up. This aspect added an extra level of depth to the story. There are several acknowledgements to Pride & Prejudice, which is always a delight to find in books. I am eagerly looking forward to following the author's growth and progress in her books to come. If you enjoy Regency stories with romance and redemption, I suggest you give this one a try!

I received a complimentary copy of The Elusive Miss Ellison from Kregel Publications through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The author has presented a well written story centred around the characters of Lavinia and Nicholas. The visual description of the countryside and the small town community was well expressed as was the surrounds of London. I enjoyed both characters, Lavinia for her strong-willed nature and opinions and Nicholas, for his sarcasm but ability to tease at the same time. Carolyn Miller has also managed to develop well-rounded supporting characters that whilst not always the most lovable characters, give depth to the story.
What I was surprised by was the strong religious tones of the story but the author again, doesn’t make this override the story. A
I received an advance copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful story! With all the perfect promises for intrigue and swoon-worthy romance that a Regency novel can bring! The last sentence from the book describes it perfectly: a walk "from the cooling shadows into the warmth and light".
Both characters are complex and with strong personalities. Nicholas is rough around the edges and has been blind to his duty as an earl, which makes him want to act a certain way that agrees with others opinions.
Lavinia is the sunshine that enters in his life and is not afraid to face him off and point out changes he should make. She is a woman ahead of her time and is not afraid to stand for what she thinks is right. But her self-righteousness has in someways made her a little bit judgemental. Through Nicolas, Lavinia learns to forgive and let go of old prejudice.
Their interaction is breathtaking and a true testiment of how God's forgiveness is complete and transforming.
I thought this debute novel was a perfect start to a series that promises to be wonderful :)

What a fun read! I started this book and couldn’t put it down! This was a new twist on the Regency era. I loved Lavinia’s character. She is definitely not going to be one of the society belle’s. She is more interested in helping the poor and sick. It reminded me a little of Pride and Prejudice. I thought the interactions between character’s were a lot of fun. I liked how Carolyn Miller took her characters and put them in difficult situations which stretched and strengthened them. Even though this book is fiction, I strongly believe the reader can apply the truths in this book to their own life. Full of wit and laughter, this book will keep you reading until the end.

I had mixed feelings on this book, both the H and the h are at times likeable, and at times quite dislikeable. Both are judgmental towards each other. He is a snob, fixated on marrying someone of his own class, she is just a bit of a shrew,. She's quite charitable to the poor, but unkind to him. In time, they become closer, but neither recognizes the possibility of a relationship. And the story continues in that vein almost throughout the book. Then, suddenly she's good enough and he is no longer a cad. There is no real passion in the story, there is only a chaste kiss at the end.

This started out for me with a delightful couple and charming banter between them. But, as the story progressed, the religious undertones seemed to take over and then I became less interested in the leads. I don't mind religious undertones, but I don't want it to be the whole story. It was a shame for me because I really did like the writing and the story. I want to read the rest in the series, but find myself hesitant to do so.

**Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley in exchange of an honest review.**

I'm on something of a regency kick at the moment. No other books have appealed to me so much, so obviously I had to pick this one up.

And, while it shares a lot of similarities with Austen novels in particular, it is a good one. To start with the similarities, in the beginning, it is almost to a T, Pride and Prejudice (in fact, the blurb even makes that comparison as well). Then there are scenes which remind me of Emma (specifically, a certain picnic scene). But if you're going to write regency novels, you're obviously going to run the risk of having an Austenesque plot (which, honestly, is no bad thing, because Jane Austen is amazing).

If anything, the pacing in this book seems a little strange. There's a rapid transition from hate to friendship, followed by a lot slower transition into love. And there are long passages where nothing seems to happen, that feel unnecessary or at the very least, like they could have been shortened. Near the end, there's also 1) a kind of flipping back and forth between 'oh he likes me' and 'he only wants me for ___' which doesn't make sense, and 2) a scene of attempted sexual assault which I thought was pointless, frankly. I mean, it doesn't add anything to the storyline, only gives the male character the chance to rescue the female character, and show how disgusting another male character is, but that whole thing is possible without recourse to attempted rape.

I also wasn't a huge fan of the implication that one can only truly be good if one is religious. Before Lavinia's miraculous recovery from severe influenza, which leads to Nicholas becoming a "believer", it's implied that she could never see him as a good person, because he doesn't believe in God. Which, honestly, is a load of bullshit, but one that I might overlook because it's set in regency times, and that's probably pretty close to what they believed. Even so, there was a whole section in the middle where it gets very religious all of a sudden, and I don't know how I felt about that.

But, in general, it was a great book, with wonderful characters, and I definitely can't wait for book two (especially to see if Nicholas and Lavinia show).

5/5 A modern day Pride and Prejudice with a bit of faith & forgiveness.