Carolyn Miller’s book The Elusive Miss Ellison is set in England during the Regency period. It is the story of the young Miss Ellison, who is the daughter of a kind vicar in a small village. Miss Lavinia’s goal in life is to serve others. Not because she is haughty and feels it might be her duty, but because her tender heart has great concern for those who have less than her. Even though Livvie tends mostly to the poor, she does rub shoulders with those is society. In fact, one of her best friends, Sophia Milton, is in pursuit of finding a husband. Livvie has other thoughts in mind though, and is content to live out her days unmarried. However, she is open to whatever the Lord may bring her way.
Nicholas, the young Earl of Hawkesbury, makes a surprise entrance into the village of St. Hampton Heath. It is now his duty to take care of his local tenants making sure their homes are looked after. Although, he never imaged meeting Miss Ellison again, he soon learns about her intense passions, which are often spoken out loud without abandon to anyone who may be willing to listen—including the young earl.
After meeting him, Livvie spends many of her days furious at this Earl of Hawkesbury. Not only has his past touched her family’s life in ways that are unforgivable, but his present actions do nothing to help the people of her village. He seems content to live in his stately home while never considering those he is more than able to help. She does not understand who this man is or why his actions are so lacking in possibility. Will he ever change his ways? Or is she being too harsh in her judgement of him?
Miller’s book showcases a lovely glimpse into the days of Regency England, which is one of my favorite time periods to read about. Her characters portray what individuals may have felt during this time and the struggles they endured. It is interesting to read about the different levels of society and propriety and how various characters intermingle with each status of persons.
The goodness of Livvie and her bent to become too involved with charities and the sometimes brashness of Nicholas make for a delightful read. The scenes between these two characters cause the reader to wonder what future events will be part of their lives while also considering their past connections.
I liked that Miller also included family members to play a vital role as they gave invaluable wisdom and advice to those around them. Livvie would not have known how to make proper choices without it, and she would never have grown up into the woman she needed to be. In the same way, servants around Nicholas are often bold enough to give their thoughts on certain subjects to him.
If you enjoy reading stories set in beautiful England, you will adore this book. Also, if you delight in reading historical works, you will love learning more about the people who lived in Regency England. I highly recommend checking this book out! Happy reading!
About The Book
The arrival of the new Earl of Hawkesbury has the entire village aflutter–everone except Lavinia Ellison, that is. In fact, in Livvie’s eyes, he is just as arrogant and thoughtless as his brother–who stole the most important person in her world.
Nicholas is weighted down by guilt, by ancestral obligations, and by the legacy of war. He hadn’t anticipated that a perfunctory visit home would engage either his mind or his heart. Then the hoydenish, intelligent, and very opinionated Miss Ellison challenges him to see past his pain and pride. But between society’s opposition, his brother’s reckless past, and a shocking family secret, there may be too many obstacles for the two of them to ever truly get along.
Fans of Georgette Heyer, Lori Wick, and Julie Klassen will enjoy the spirited exchanges between the bluestocking minister’s daughter and the bruised war hero as they move past their painful histories and presumptions to a humbles appreciation of God’s grace and the true strength of love.
Available Here
AMAZON
About the Author
Carolyn Miller lives in New South Wales, Australia, with her husband and four children. A longtime lover of Regency romance, Carolyn’s novels have won a number of RWA and ACFW contests. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Australasian Christian Writers.
Thanks so much for sharing your lovely review! I’m so glad you enjoyed xx
You’re welcome and thank you for visiting the site! It was a wonderful book–can’t wait to read more of your stories!