Children of Chance

Mountjoy #1

by Elizabeth Aston

Groom, best man, guests, even a bishop—but where is the bride?

An orphan fresh out of convent school, Prue Pagan has no home and nowhere to go. Then a chance meeting with her worldly-wise friend Cleo lands her a summer job in the north of England at Mountjoy Castle, where generations of the Mountjoy family have loved, lusted and scandalised their neighbors.

Prue’s innocence is no protection against the wickedness of the English upper classes. As a long sultry summer settles on the castle and its surrounding villages, Prue must find her feet and make friends in an unfamiliar world of musicians, aristocrats and witchy housekeepers—and fend off the advances of attractive, predatory Valdemar Mountjoy.

Will Prue take fright, listen to her heart—or succumb to the temptations lurking on every side?

Music, magic, mischief and mayhem entangled with more than a hint of midsummer madness make for an enchanting, witty and romantic listen.

Escape into another world and delight in the lives of a host of fascinating characters. This is the England of Wodehouse and Downton Abbey, where wickedness and scandal lurk beneath the superb self-confidence of the upper classes.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Ebooks

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 16, 1994

About the author

I’m the daughter of two Jane Austen addicts, who decided to call me after a character from one of Jane Austen’s novels. So it’s no wonder that I also became a passionate Jane Austen fan.

Elizabeth Aston is a pen name (it's actually my married name). I first wrote under the name Elizabeth Pewsey, and now Attica Books are reissuing those novels as ebooks under my Aston name.

I've also published several books under my own name Elizabeth Edmondson. They're historicals, but set in the 20th century.

from http://www.elizabeth-aston.com/catego...

Reviews

[Carolyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought it was a mystery, not some silly romance story. Probably better if you like that type of thing.

[sylph · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a six book series about a group of people loosely and less loosely connected to each other by family, marriage, locale, avocation. There are similarities to the plots of each, but each is also full of interesting characters and unique subplots. I loved reading this first one, feeling like I'd discovered something new, although they were written in the mid-90s and are set in the mid-70s.

[April Andruszko · Rating 5 out of 5]

entertaining romp

[Celia Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some publisher should re-release this series which is out of print and hard to find. Its not exactly like anything I’ve read before. It is very gentle sex comedy - but well written with great characters. I’m reading it for a second time and its even better the second time because I’m not having to track which characters are which. Woven throughout is a love for good music, delicious food and nice weather. A lovely escape.

[وردٌ · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had a very strong beginning but then started going into very weird places. And it kept getting weirder. Although I like the mystery series by the same author, I had to DNF this one. What a waste.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first book. Very entertaining. I'm also a big fan of the narrator. Audible version recommended!

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, this book was awful. I kept reading thinking maybe it would get better but nope.

[Jane Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. It has the same cheerful amoral view if the world as Mary Wesley. Well observed and great sense of place, it was witty and cheerful.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great fun

[Virginia Adi · Rating 3 out of 5]

boring with likable characters.

[Lazy Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed.

Loved the characters. Funny and fun and interesting. Wondered how it would pull together and end. One to the next book in the series.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some reason I thought this was a crime thriller. I was deeply puzzled and kept listening hoping for someone to die or go missing or burn down the whole village.

The characters are simple people with simple personalities (eg, boring but nice, clever and lively, arty and eccentric). The only complexity is their 'secrets' (usually who they've shagged or are shagging).

It does have quite a pacey plot that kept me interested, purely because I'd read so much of it hoping for blood and guts to materialise. The story's entertaining. I wish the characters and setting had more depth. It feels like a posh soap opera.

[Barbara K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well I tried, and the second book in the series was somewhat better than this one, which was the first, but I guess this series is not for me, even though I enjoy the books the author wrote as Elizabeth Edmondson.

[Marya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost 4; well-written, just not my favorite genre.

[Tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book and will follow the series with interest

[Heidi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought it was a silly book and half way through didn't want to waste anymore time with these characters.

[Kristina · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF....30%

I tried...interesting premise to start with but just didn't like the characters.....

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love twists and humour, just like a modern day Austin.

[Jane Gregg · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5* Felt drawn out and inconsequential

Second reading was actually worse.

[Nick Moulsdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light frothy fun, well written, no great depth!