Monday, March 25, 2013

Review and GIVEAWAY: A Most Civil Proposal by C. P. Odom



Book Blurb:

"You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." When Fitzwilliam Darcy spoke these words to Elizabeth Bennet as part of his marriage proposal, they expressed his concealed feelings completely, but their meaning was at odds with the rest of his prideful and arrogant offer of marriage. It was therefore rather easy for Elizabeth to reject his offer in much the same manner. But what if Darcy, never one at ease when trying to speak of inner sentiments, had realized beforehand how his intended proposal would sound to the young woman he hoped to make his bride? What if he had attempted a much more civil and thoughtful proposal of marriage? Could Elizabeth Bennet have coldly and angrily rejected an offer made in such a manner? A Most Civil Proposal, a variation on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice," examines and explores how the lives of the two main characters and their families and friends might have turned out differently had Darcy realized his error beforehand and thus avoided being so forcefully instructed and corrected by the love of his life.






Paperback, 302 pages
Published: February 28th 2013 
Meryton Press



My Review:


Loved this story!! As you probably know by now, Pride and Prejudice variations/what-ifs are my favorite stories to read. A Most Civil Proposal is a variation that I am going to have to put into my top 10 favorites!! It’s that good!

What if, Darcy was more thoughtful during his proposal to Elizabeth? What if he took the time to think out his proposal, and write it down on paper before going to the parsonage to make an offer to Elizabeth? Would Elizabeth be more willing to accept him, despite her anger at him for separating Jane and Bingley? And what about her resentment for the way Darcy treated Wickham - could she overcome those prejudices with "a most civil proposal"?

I loved this proposal! Realizing that he becomes so taken with Elizabeth when he is around her that he can’t remember what to say, Darcy prepares himself the night before. He carefully writes down his thoughts. Thankfully, he has his notes with him and can pull them from his pocket to refer to them. (I found it pretty funny that he actually pulls out a “cheat sheet” to propose!) I loved seeing the stoic Darcy become so rattled!

I also loved this Bingley!! When learning that Jane has been in London (something I’ve always wanted to happen! Thank you, Odom!), he immediately goes to her. After being cautions and unsure of himself in the past, he realizes now he needs to be quick and get right to the point. It’s a lovely scene. Oh, and he is not too happy with Caroline for not telling him Jane was in London. Bingley finally grows a backbone, without losing his sweetness.

I did feel that Darcy and Elizabeth rush a little too quickly to the altar, and Elizabeth was a little too agreeable on that matter. In my humble opinion, I felt that waiting a few weeks would have been better. 

I would highly recommend A Most Civil Proposal for your reading pleasure, especially if you are a fan of Pride and Prejudice spin-offs!

**Warning: I would rate this mature for adult content**

5 out of 5 stars.

I was provided a copy the book for my honest review.

Buy your copy at Amazon. (Disclaimer: Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link I will receive a small commission.)

To learn more about the author, you can read an interview with C. P. Odom at Leatherbound Reviews! You can also read more about him at More Agreeably Engaged!

A Most Civil Proposal completes my 5th selections of the Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary Challenge 2013 hosted by Austenprose.



* * * GIVEAWAY * * *


Update! If you look at the comments below, Michele Reed from Meryton Press has graciously offered to giveaway one Free Trade Paperback copy of A Most Civil Proposal to one lucky commentor! How awesome it that!! This giveaway is open Internationally. The last day to enter is April 1, 2013.
Please, leave an email or twitter name so we can contact the winner!
Good luck everyone!!


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


36 comments:

  1. Nice review, Candy. :) Ooh, I have always wondered what would happen if Charles discovered Jane was in town. Glad to hear Odom gives that to readers.
    Thanks for the mention too.

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    1. You're welcome, Jakki! :) Darcy not telling Bingley right away has always been a sore point for me! I know Darcy had his reasons, but still!! ;)

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  2. Lovely review, Candy! I'm anxious to read this one too. The little tidbits you gave have only made me want to read it more. I like the idea of Charles finding out Jane was in town.

    Thanks!

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    1. Thanks! It can be so hard to write a review! I don't want to give anything away, but still tell why I liked the story. There is so much more I could've said! I think you will enjoy it!

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    2. Want to get my name in for this giveaway!
      jbtaylor12 at gmail dot com

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    3. You're in Janet! Since we decided this after you posted I was including you. :) Good luck!

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  3. I love a Bingley with a backbone! I really fancy reading this variation.

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    1. Oh! Me too! I'm pretty sure you're going to love it! :)

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  4. Aww I love the idea of Darcy making a cheat sheet! haha And I'm glad you liked the book. I'll be reading it pretty soon. I love a strong Bingley, too.

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    1. LOL! Isn't that funny! That's what it reminded me of! :D I can't wait to hear your thoughts!

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  5. I love the 'what if' scenario here too. Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for sharing, Candy.

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    1. You're welcome, Sophia Rose! It's a good one!! I know you'll enjoy it.

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  6. Darcy with a cheat sheet, lol! Well I never! ;) It's interesting to think of the how things could have turned out differently.

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    1. Hi Jennifer! Haha! Yes, and with fan fiction things can turn out many different ways. I never tire of it. :)

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  7. Since all of the giveaways of this book are over, I'd like to offer a Free Trade Paperback copy of A Most Civil Proposal to a lucky commentor here!

    Recipient will be randomly selected.

    Thank you Candy for a lovely review!

    ~Meryton Press~

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    Replies
    1. Michele!! Thank you so much for offering to giveaway a book here! I'm so excited!

      You're welcome! It was a pleasure to read! :)

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  8. Sounds great! I can't wait to read it. Sign me up for the contest and free book. @ellsworthjeanna

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  9. Yay, a giveaway!! I have heard nothing but wonderful things about this new book. I must get my hands on it! Great review, Candy! It makes me want to run right out and start reading it!!=)
    kellik115(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Hi Kelli! Yes, I love giveaways too! :) Thanks! I want to reread it and savor it. Sometimes I read too fast the first time through!

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  10. Do put my name too. I heard quite a number of rave reviews and would love for the opportunity to read the novel.

    I hope the scene with Darcy and his cheat sheet is good. If I were in Lizzy's shoes and caught a man glancing at his notes during a marriage proposal, I think I'll turn him down for reading from his script. :P

    evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  11. OH please enter me for the book giveaway! I am so looking forward to that book, I can't wait to see what Darcy do this time, when he proposes to Elizabeth Bennet the first time!
    Oh and Darcy reading while he is proposing how insulting is that?! I would turn them down thats for sure!

    sophiathorsen1(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    1. Hi Sophia Elizabeth! I just love how many different directions an author can take this story! :) Loved this one!

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  12. I am looking forward to reading Elizabeth's reaction to the cheat sheet. Her reaction must be priceless. raquel36m (at) gmail (dot) com.

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  13. Sounds a great read. The 'cheat sheet' sounds hilarious and I am all for Bingley getting his act together sooner rather than later. It rankles with me too that Darcy never came clean to him in the book until so late on.

    Enjoyed the review, Candy!

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    1. Hi Cassandra! I'm thinking about writing a blog post about the scenes I would change in Pride and Prejudice if I were a writer! :)

      Thanks!

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  14. A giveaway of a good book? Sounds like a win-win to me! I can't wait to read it. Please put me in the giveaway pool. katie(dot)anderson2(at)uky(dot)edu

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  15. Colin is a great author I have followed online for years - I would love to win a copy of this. cpnclprashe at yahoo dot com

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    1. This is the first time I've read one of his stories. I would like to read more. Really good!

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  16. This sounds like a great book. I, too, have thought often how it would have worked out if Bingley got to know Jane was in Town. And a Darcy with a more civil proposal...sounds interesting!

    And Candy, I´d love to read a blog post about what you´d change in P&P.

    @kaewink

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    1. Thanks, Katrin! I think I will! It's the writing part that gets in the way. haha ;)

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  17. Thak you so much for the giveaway opportunity I have been eyeing this book for a while

    Twitter LOSTfan2011

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  18. This sounds like it will have a nice blend of humor (cheat sheet? really?) and romance in it. I'm definitely interested. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! (I haven't been fortunate on any promotional giveaways of late, so maybe April Fool's Day will prove my lucky day! LOL)

    teg752 at gmail dot com

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