So if you've been on my blog lately, or seen me on social media, you'd know there's a book I'm quite enthralled by. I had an interview with the author, and invited her back for a little book recommendations about grace, but I've yet to post my review. Well, here it is today!

Carolyn Miller's The Elusive Miss Ellison is the first of A Legacy of Grace series. This book was first recommended by the ever fabulous Dawn Crandall, author of The Everstone Chronicles, which I absolutely adore.  If that didn't do it for me, I checked out the cover, and wham, I new I must read it.  And yes, I do judge a book by its cover, at least to the point of should I or shouldn't I read it, especially if it's from a new author to me. Back to the cover, isn't it just lovely?

As I begin the story, I was immediately taken by the witty dialogue between the characters, especially our main protagonists, Lavinia (Miss Ellison) and Lord Nicholas Hawkesbury. It reminds me a little of the first scenes of my favorite novel, Pride & Prejudice between Darcy and Elizabeth. And it goes on. The nods to Jane Austen's books had me devouring this pretty number in a mere few hours. Granted, not all books that reminisce or retell Jane Austen's works were great.  This one is one that alludes to it, but hold its own.  Is it weird that this is my favorite nod?

"Insufferable man!" (19)

The Elusive Miss Ellison is a wonderful start to a series set in the Regency period, providing fans of historical fiction a visual representation of the social hierarchy,  the rules that dictates between each class and the expectations to remain as such. The characters were all entertaining, though I find the strongest character development  with our main characters. Their struggle to find common ground, and overcome all the different challenges to their friendship, let alone their union was infused throughout. It gave the story depth. One thing I might note that was a tad disjointed was the pace. It was quick, then slowed, then quicken, but it was mostly the first part of the story. I think by the second half, the story "found" its own pace and that my dears, allowed it to soar.

Soar it did with the subtle and not so subtle messages of forgiveness and pride. I find the prejudices from Lavinia worth exploring, as her character, at least her humility doesn't seem to correlate, but when we look further in, pride can easily lead to prejudices.  The message of forgiveness also reigns in The Elusive Miss Ellison, from old hurts to new misunderstandings. In all, a story that makes a great read. I look forward to the rest of the series, all release this year!

"Unforgiveness holds us slaves . . ." (16)

For a lovely scene, check out the interview with Carolyn HERE.

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