Monday, October 8, 2012

Review: Find Wonder in All Things By Karen M. Cox


From the back of the book:

James Marshall and Laurel Elliot are out of sync. After a whirlwind summer romance during their youth, he is ready to zoom ahead to Happily Ever After, but she is persuaded, by family pressures and her own doubts and uncertainties, to remain behind. Years later, Laurel has carved out a quiet, self-sufficient existence in the Appalachian foothills of Kentucky, while James has taken a more illustrious road, filled with extraordinary accomplishments and success neither of them could have imagined.
Now, their paths cross once again, but it appears both have moved on with their lives. Could a spark from the past still ignite between them? Can they find their way back to each other or has too much time passed? Will their timing ever be right for a happy ending?


Find Wonder in All Things is a new modern romance from award-winning author Karen M. Cox, inspired by the classic Jane Austen story, Persuasion.


IPPY Winner:  GOLD Metal for Romance



My review:

Could’ve, would’ve, should’ve were thoughts that played through Laurel Elliot’s mind often. She had many regrets about not going to Nashville with James Marshall, but what was done was done. She needed to push past the memories of him and move on with her life. Eight years had past since she told him she couldn’t go, and he walked out of her life.

Laurel stayed in college and earned a liberal arts degree. Working and living in the little cabin her grandparents owned, she creates beautiful pieces of pottery. With her simple lifestyle, the pottery she sells earns enough to make ends meet. Laurel still works down at her father’s marina once a week, going over the books and doing payroll. Life is much the same for her as the day James left. 

I love how down to earth Laurel is; she is sensible and stable. She is happy with her solitary life, until the day James comes back to spend the summer at the lake. Seeing him again, Laurel realizes how much she still loves him and how terribly lonely she truly is.

James Marshall had come along way in his life. Now rich and successful, he seemed to have it all, but does he? Deep down he isn’t happy. He can’t forget Laurel. There was no one who could even compare to her. He thought if he could see her again, see her for the real person she is, not the fantasy he had create of her, then, maybe he could move on with his life.

Just like Captain Wentworth in Persuasion, James annoyed me with his indifference, his flirting with Heather and Carrie, his stubborn bullheadedness, but that all melted away when he finally tells Laurel his feelings, but not in a letter, with a song. 

Set in the foothills of the Appalachians, Karen Cox transported me to a simpler lifestyle, with the description of the lake, marina, isolated cabin, and the sound of the gravel crunching in the driveway. I could see the bright stars in a dark, warm summer night. In the prologue, Cox, takes us all the way back to their youth, giving us a glimpse of how James, and his friend, Stu, Laurel and her sister, Virginia, would spend their days together. The lazy days of summer exploring caves around the lake or spending time fishing. I love the nostalgic feel of it.

Find Wonder in All Things is a Persuasion inspired romance. This is a beautiful story! I loved it!

5 out of 5 stars

I won my copy of this book from Darcyholic Diversions.

Buy a copy here. (Disclaimer: link to Amazon. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link provide, I will receive a small commission. Thanks.)


About the Author:

Karen Cox was born in Everett, Washington, and moved around the country until her family returned to their home state of Kentucky when she was eleven.  She still lives there with her husband, son and daughter —in a quiet little town that is similar to the ones in her stories.

Karen has been a Jane Austen fan for twenty years.  She became enamored of Jane Austen fan-fiction in 2006 and began posting stories on-line in 2009.  She is the author of two published works: 1932a variation on Pride & Prejudiceand Find Wonder in All Thingsa modern romance inspired by PersuasionBoth titles have been honored with Independent Publishers Book Awards in the Romance category for 2011 and 2012.

Connect With Karen:


Any thoughts? I'd loved to hear from you!


4 comments:

  1. That sounds like a great read. It's on my wishlist, hopefully I can read it sooner rather than later :-)

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  2. My library has this, so hopefully I will be able to read it sooner than later. I've heard nothing but good things. I'm already prepared to want to thump James in the head and then give him a break because he's hurt. Lol I can't wait to "hear" his song.

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    Replies
    1. I like the way you think, Monica! This is definitely another good one!

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