The Journey By Jan Hahn

     I loved this story! Again Jan Hahn delivers another fantastic P&P what-if story. I have been waiting for this to come out in the kindle version and when it did I grabbed it and I couldn’t put it down!

     Written from Elizabeth's point of view, The Journey takes Elizabeth and Darcy down a different path, starting after Elizabeth turns down Mr. Collins's proposal. To escape her mother's wrath, Mr. Bennet arranges a trip for Elizabeth to visit the Gardiners. 

     While traveling to London the carriage, carrying Bingley’s sisters, Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, is stopped by highwayman, Nate Morgan and his gang. After robbing them they decide to take Elizabeth with them for their own pleasures. Darcy offers himself in her place saying they could hold him for ransom. When they still plan to abduct Elizabeth, Darcy tells them that she is his wife and if she is touched they will get nothing. Darcy may have saved her from being abused by her captors but now will he ruin her reputation by being locked up with her in the same room for days?

     What an adventure! Elizabeth and Darcy have to use their wits and courage to survive the ordeal. Elizabeth finds herself falling in love with Darcy. She learns to trust him, she sees what kind of man he truly is, but she still manages to misunderstand him! 

     I felt Elizabeth had a little too much compassion for her captors, especially Morgan. She was more like Jane in that aspect, only seeing the good in people.  

     I love how this was written with Elizabeth telling the story. I also like that the last chapter jumps to a much later time in their lives, like the epilogue usually does, only adding to the story a little more. Then the epilogue itself is short but sweet. I love how Hahn ends this story.

     The Journey is definitely worth reading! 

     I give this 5 out of 5 stars.

     Buy The Journey here.

     Comments are always welcome!

     

Guardian By Robin Helm

I'm over at  Indie Jane today! I've written a review for an amazing book, Guardian by Robin Helm. So head over and read my review! Thanks!










This review was originally published on Indie Jane.

Oh. My. Word. This was not what I had expected! This is an amazing story, which had me thinking and at one point breaking out my Bible to do my own research. Even though this is a fictional story I was fascinated to see how the spiritual world might be at work around us. According to the Bible there is a spiritual battle being fought for us each day. It’s interesting to see the spiritual warfare that goes on in a persons life unseen by human eyes.

What if Elizabeth Bennett was meant for a special purpose? What if she was assigned a special Guardian, an Angel very high up in the realm of Angels?

The beginning of the story is a little heavy laying the ground work for the story. Don’t get me wrong, it’s very interesting. It’s just not a light read. As we watch Elizabeth grow up and become a teenager it’s amazing to watch the battles being fought for her. I really enjoyed the story more when Elizabeth was a teenager and young adult.

Where is Darcy in all this you might ask? He is Xander, Elizabeth’s Guardian, who, when he takes on his human form is called Darcy.

El, as her parents call her, is very intelligent and very gifted musically as well as vocally. Since her existence is very important in ruining the plans Satan has set in play to turn the world further away from God, he wants her dead.

Helm is well versed in all of God’s names and uses them through out the story, changing His name to suit the situation. I like that Scripture is infused all through the book. Helm uses them in chapter breaks as well as weaving them into the story.

This is the first book of a trilogy and it definitely ends with a cliffhanger. The good news is the second book is already out, SoulFire and I’m definitely looking forward to reading it! Helm is currently working on the Legacy, the final book in the trilogy.

*****

Robin Helm has published the first two volumes of a trilogy (The Guardian Trilogy), Guardian and SoulFire, and is presently writing Legacy, the third and final volume, posting as a work in progress on four different forums. She has also published three Regency short stories. She and her husband have two daughters, the elder a Navy nurse stationed in Guam, and the younger a university senior. They live in South Carolina with their Yorkie-Poo, Tobey. You can connect with Robin on the Crown Hill Writers Guild site. You can purchase Guardian in both ebook and paperback on Amazon.

Forever and a Day By Delilah Marvelle

     When Georgia and Roderick meet, two different worlds collide! Can two people from two totally opposite classes fall in love and stay together without society tearing them apart?

     Georgia Milton lives on Orange Street, a rough neighborhood in New York City, 1831. She is a tough girl, who can hold her own. Roderick is a very wealth Duke from London, who is in New York looking for a map his late mother gave him.

     When Georgia’s reticule is stolen while she is walking down the street, Roderick tries to chase down the thief. During the pursuit Roderick gets hit by an oumibus. He suffers memory loss due to the accident. Feeling responsible for him, Georgia takes him home when the hospital releases him, hoping his can remember something from his past so he can go home. They are drawn to one another and quickly fall in love.  

     When Roderick’s memory starts coming back and he realizes who he is, he also realizes Georgia would never be accepted by the ton. He feels he should let her go than let the ton destroy her. But will it be that easy?

     There is a lot I liked about this story, I found it really interesting seeing the huge contrasts between classes, pretty much the lowest to the highest. I loved Georgia’s feisty attitude and her willingness to learn to fit into his society, with or without his help. I also loved Roderick’s generous heart while living with Georgia; he was willing to help her out with her laundry business. And when he starts remembering some the unsavory parts of his past, his tries to be a better person.

     I really liked this story but I would have liked to see more at the end. I felt like it everything was wrapped up a little too quickly. 

     I rate this 4 out of 5 stars.

     I would give this a mature rating for some sexual content.

     Buy Forever and a Day here.

     I won a copy of this book from Austen Authors!

     Comments are always welcome!

    

The Spinster’s Vow By Enid Wilson

     This is one of the books I won in February from Coffee Times Romance. I wasn’t sure how I would like it but the book description sounded good so I gave it a try. After a rough start, I enjoyed the story very much.

     The beginning was not my cup of tea. I thought it was unrealistic, but I pushed through it and I’m glad I did! I’m sure if you are in anyway a purist you might not enjoy the story, but I’m not, so I just let it take me away without worrying about the logistics.  

     It’s been six years since Mr. Bennet suddenly disappeared. After leasing out Longbourn, the Bennet women are now living in Broadstairs of Kent. The girls have been invited to a masquerade ball for single men and women only. The ball put on by the militia is being held to encourage the young people to get to know each other, marry and have children, to replace the men that were lost during the war. At the ball they are served wine that has been infused with herbs that make people lose their inhibitions, in hopes to make them marry quicker.

     Elizabeth and Darcy meet at the ball, and after he insults her he is drawn to her and won’t leave her side. They end up in a compromising position and get married. With her father’s disappearance Elizabeth is afraid to give her heart away. She has also broken her vow never to marry but she realizes marrying Darcy will help her family since her father will be declared legally dead in another year and they will lose Longbourn. Darcy offers to help in the search, with his resources and connections, will they find out what happen to Mr. Bennet? Will they also find love along the way?

     There are a few twists and turns along the way and a few dead ends in their search. There are also a few people objecting to their marriage, causing trouble. Wilson puts a different spin on Wickham and makes him a long lost relative of Mr. Bennet and the heir to Longbourn.

     Overall, I enjoy the story and I’m glad I read it! 

     I give this a 4 out of 5 stars.

     I would rate this mature for some sexual scene.

     Buy The Spinster's Vow here.

     
     Comments are always welcome!

The Thorn and the Blossom By Theodora Goss

     I have to say what a cool book this is! And I'm not talking about just the story! The book itself is not like any other I've ever seen. It has an accordion-fold binding, so, no solid binding. The story is written from two points of view. You could read Evelyn's story first, then when you're done you close the book and open it again and begin reading Brendan's story. You could begin with Brendan's story first, the choice is yours. It's awesome!

     The story itself is very well done. It's a tale of eternal love. Two modern day persons that are both wrapped up or connected in the legend of Elowen, Queen of Cornwall and Gawan, a Knight of the Roundtable. Like the lovers of the legend, it seems Evelyn and Brendan are cursed, also. 

     Evelyn, needing to get away before flying back home to the States, decides to go for a week to Clews. There she meets Brendan and he introduces her to the legend of Elowen and Gawan. Never forgetting each other, their paths cross again but secrets threaten to keep them apart. Will timing ever be right for them?

     The two separate stories are short, so it’s a quick read. I would have loved more but I don’t think it would have worked for the design of this book. The interesting thing is, after reading one story it didn’t feel complete, I had to read both stories to feel satisfied.  I now wonder how it would have been to read it in a different order than I had.

I give this 4 out of 5 stars.

Available on Amazon.


How cool is that?!

I won my copy from A Word's Worth.

I'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment!

Compulsively Mr. Darcy By Nina Benneton

     I loved this quirky, humorous, modern day Pride and Prejudice retelling that had me laughing out loud many times! Darcy is a germ-a-phobic control freak who meets up with Elizabeth, an infectious disease doctor. This is really a hilarious combination! 

     Darcy has accompanied Bingley to Vietnam to help the Hursts with an adoption. The orphanage is being temporarily run by Jane Bennet. Her sister Elizabeth is also there, volunteering at a local hospital. Right from the beginning Darcy and Elizabeth get off on the wrong foot. 

     I loved how when they first meet Elizabeth mistakingly thinks Darcy and Bingley are a couple! Ha! Then she thinks Darcy is unemployed and looking for work! As usual, they are always misunderstanding one another. 

     I liked this Elizabeth! She is impulsive and intelligent but sometimes she lacks common sense! She finds herself in trouble a time or two.

     Nina Benneton has a wicked sense of humor and I loved all the characters she created in her story. I especially like Mary Bennet, who is usually portrayed as a solemn person, is a crazy environmentalist with some incredible computer hacking skills!

     Compulsively Mr. Darcy is a fun read that I really enjoyed!

     I give this 5 out of 5 stars!

     I would also give this a mature rating for some sexual content.

Available on Amazon

About the Author:

Author Bio:  As a child, Nina Benneton promised the French nuns who taught that she would grow up and find the cure for cancer, effect world peace, and win a Nobel Prize for something, anything.  Alas, her own Mr. Darcy and the requisite number of beautiful children interrupted her plans. Tired of alphabetizing her spices and searching for stray Barbie shoes, she turned to writing. 

Her debut novel, Compulsively Mr. Darcy, earned a Best Book review and the Reader's Poll Book of the Month February 2012  from Long and Short Review, 'Hands down…a must read for lovers and fans of classic romance.'  Fresh Fiction Review called it a 'tenderly written novel.'  Savvy Verse and Wit described it as ' 'More than a love story, Compulsively Mr. Darcy is about loving someone faults and all, accepting and not changing who they are, and growing together in love.  Steamy, sexy, and fun, it will have readers giggling and blushing at the same time.' Publishers Weekly wrote,  'Die-hard fans of everything Austen will enjoy this update of her classic tale.'

Find her on her website/blog:  www.NinaBenneton.com

Find her on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nina-Benneton/273543669356518

Find her on Twitter: @NinaBenneton

Find her on her groupblog: www.AustenAuthors.com

My February Wins!

February has been the best month I’ve had as far as winning books! I wanted to take a moment and thank the authors and bloggers for these wonderful books. Hopefully, I will be posting reviews for all of these in the near future!

The Thorn and the Blossom by Theodora Goss from 

A Word's Worth

The Spinster’s Vow by Enid Wilson from 

Coffee Times Romance

  Compulsively Mr. Darcy by Nina Benneton from Love Romance Passion

A Jane Austen Devotional by Thomas Nelson from 

Austenesque Reviews

Forever and a Day by Delilah Marvelle from Austen Authors

$25 Amazon gift card  given by Shelly Bell from

Happily Ever After Thoughts, 

which I purchased Selly's ebook A Year to Remember with.

I’m so grateful for each of these authors and the blogs that featured them! Thank you! 

Plus, a FB friend sent me this really cool Jane Austen tote bag! Awesome! Thank you, Ashlie!

The Cell Phone Lot By Stephanie Elliot

I wanted to read something fun and quick, something I could read in one sitting. Looking through my kindle, I found a novella, The Cell Phone Lot. It was just what I was looking for! I loved it! 

Grant was feeling unease about his weekend. He was at the airport to pick up a girl he had met on an online dating site. He really didn't think meeting her was a good idea, but here he was, at the cell phone parking lot.

Bridge was waiting in the same parking lot for her sister who was going to spend the weekend with her. Her cell phone battery dies and her car won't start. Grant comes to her rescue.

When both of the arriving flights are delayed....

I'm not going to tell you what happens next, it's a novella, right! It's a sweet love story. It's made me sigh at the end. :)

5 stars!

I purchased my own copy of the book.

Add to goodreads.

Buy The Cell Phone Lot here.

Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. Should you purchase a copy through the link, I will receive a small commission.