Flight of Fancy, A: A Novel

The Daughters of Bainbridge House #2

by Laurie Alice Eakes

Cassandra Bainbridge has twice set aside her scholarly pursuits--once for the London Season and once for her wedding preparations. Love seems a wonderful alternative to study, until disaster strikes. When an accident brings an end to her betrothal, she heads for the country to recover from both her injuries and her broken heart. There she pursues her love for ballooning and envisions a future for herself as a daring aeronaut. But when her former fiancé slips back into her life, will she have to choose between him and her dream?

Filled with the mystique of London society and the charming beauty of the English countryside, A Flight of Fancy explores what it means to find the true source of happiness and love amid the distractions of life. Readers will love the next installment in this rousing Regency series from accomplished author Laurie Alice Eakes.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Christian Fiction, Christian, Regency, Historical Romance, Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2012

About the author

Laurie Alice Eakes used to lie in bed as a child telling herself stories so she didn’t wake anyone else up. Sometimes she shared her stories withothers; thus, when she decided to be a writer, she surprised no one. Family Guardian, her first book, won the National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency in 2007. In the past three years, she has sold six books to Baker/Revell, five of which are set during the Regency time period, four books to Barbour Publishing, as well as two novellas to Barbour Publishing and one to Baker/Revell. Seven of her books have been picked up by Thorndike Press for large print publication, and Lady in the Mist, her first book with Revell, was chosen for hardcover publication with Crossings Bookclub. She also teaches on-line writing courses and enjoys a speaking ministry that has taken her from the Gulf Coast to the East Coast.
Laurie Alice lives in Texas with her husband, two dogs and two cats, and is learning how to make tamales.

You can learn more about her and her work at http://www.lauriealiceeakes.com

Reviews

[MaryLu Tyndall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two things I loved the most about this story were the great characters and the ballooning! Let's start with the characters. As in all of Laurie Alice's books, her hero and heroine are beyond compare. They are deep, unusual, interesting, flawed, yet extremely loveable. Cassandra Bainbridge is a bookish sort, highly intelligent, very compassionate, and not the belle of the ball. She feels she's too smart and quirky to be loved by any real gentleman. She is, after all, obsessed with hot air ballooning and flying through the sky! Not exactly a past time of women in the Regency era. The hero is equally interesting. An earl who doesn't wish to be an earl, who would rather go back to being the second son of an earl without the title, inheritance or the responsibility. An accident early all deforms Cassandra and makes her feel even less worthy of love. That same accident creates incredible guilt between her and the hero that keep them apart. The hero gets involved in some nefarious business to help save his wool mills but which also puts his and Cassandra's life in danger. So, you see this isn't just a romance. As in all of Laurie's books, there is great adventure and suspense. Now, add in the ballooning and it's all too fascinating! I loved learning about the Hot air ballooning! Laurie Alice's research is perfection and the scenes in the balloon had me biting my nails. Well done. A great story you won't want to miss!

[Tamara Tilley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The constant back and forth between Cassandra and Geoffrey in A FLIGHT OF FANCY became tiresome and tended to frustrate me more than it captivated me.
We first read of the volatile relationship between Cassandra and Geoffrey in A NESSESARY DECEPTION. Their passion for each other consumes them, and is the center of their up and down relationship. A FLIGHT OF FANCY picks up after Cassandra’s tragic accident. An accident that has left her scared and convinced that she and Geoffrey are no good for each other.

Geoffrey is beside himself with guilt but refuses to give up on the love of his life. He has every intention to prove to Cassandra that they are meant for each other.

Cassandra on the other hand decides to do everything in her power to convince Geoffrey they have no future. And her fascination with balloon flight is just the thing she plans to use to show Geoffrey she will never allow him to control her again.

The next three hundred plus pages is an ongoing tennis match of back and forth between Cassandra pushing Geoffrey away, and Geoffrey’s persistence that Cassandra is the only woman for him. Throw in rioters burning down mills, a Major injecting himself into the family for a yet unseen reason, balloon trials and travels, Cassandra’s younger sister following in her footsteps when it comes to men, and a murderous plot, and you have A FLIGHT OF FANCY in a nutshell. I finished reading the book because I wanted to get to the bottom of who was trying to kill Geoffrey and why. But towards the end, I found myself doing a lot of skimming because quite frankly, I felt the author over estimated the patience of her readers and I could only handle so much back and forth between the heroine and hero.

Book provided for review purposes.

Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!! (Wish i could rate it 10 Stars!!)
Review:
I loved this book so much, it reminded me alot of Pride and Prejudice meets Downton Abby. This book was beautifully described and told with a very Classic feel to it about Cassandra whose father and mother are somewhat King and Queen of England in 1812.

The Characters were so enjoyable to get to know and the setting was described beautifully that it made you feel like you were part of the story!!

Can't wait to read more in this series and more stories by Laurie in the future!!!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2DYL93X...
Review to be posted on my blog 10/29

Prior to A Flight of Fancy, I've read two books by Laurie Alice Eakes and enjoyed both - this book was no exception, as I really liked it, too! It was a great read that kept my attention throughout, I only wish I wouldn't have had to take breaks while reading it. :)

I LOVED the characters! Geoffrey was probably my favorite character, but Cassandra was a close second - one reason being I could relate to a lot of what she was feeling. :)

The story was really good and I liked the little bit of suspense that was in A Flight of Fancy along with the romance. I found myself really caring about what was going to happen in the story and "on the edge of my seat" more than once!

A Flight of Fancy was a great historical read! I look forward to reading the next book in the "The Daughters of Bainbridge House" series when it releases! If you enjoy historical romances, then I think you'll like this book as well. Although I don't think it's necessary to read the first book in this series before reading A Fight of Fancy, you might want to because then you'll understand fully what happened earlier. :)

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for my review. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.*

“Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

[Debbie Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Regency romance that you won't want to put down. Laurie Alice Eakes takes you back in time to experience the Regency period and I do mean experience it! I love being drawn into a story so much that I feel like I'm there with the hero and heroine and Ms. Eakes does that superbly. The story drew me in from the beginning and I fell in love with both the hero and the heroine. My heart ached for them. If you like a story that has spiritual nuggets but isn't preachy, a story that puts you back in history and lets you feel the time period, a story that has not only a well fleshed hero and heroine but secondary characters as well, a story with intrigue, romance, biblical truths and a unique aspect of ballooning than this book is a MUST read. This is one of the best books I've read in 2012. My only complaint was that I had to say good-bye to the characters. But I hold hope that I'll see them again in her third book of The Daughters of Bainbridge House.

[Jocelyn Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Regency novels, Laurie Alice Eakes is your go-to author. I'm giving Flight of Fancy five stars for several reasons: top-notch storytelling, impeccable historical integrity, believable characters, rich sensory immersion, and fascinating details, especially related to hot air ballooning. If you want to lose yourself in a story, and feel smarter at the end of a novel, pick up this novel, and any of this author's other works.
~Jocelyn Green, author of Wedded to War

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more than the first in the series. I think mostly because I loved the hero. I wanted to rap the heroine on the head through most of the story though. :) I was completely and utterly confused with the ending as well...I read it several times...trying to make sense of it...but still felt like I missed something. BUT...they still got their happily ever after so I was surprisingly okay with being clueless. :) Can't wait to read book 3.

[Kiersti Baxter · Rating 1 out of 5]

I made it to the middle of chapter 6. There's too much drama. There's broken engagements, renewal of engagements, blackmail, broken contracts, multiple marriages, fire, etc. There was too much packed into this book. For this genre, I'm looking for a simple, fun read with a few unexpected twists and turns. I do not want a twist and turn every chapter or every page as this one started feeling like.

[Melissa’s Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. I didn't like it as well as the 1st book. I think the thing that turned me off the most was the heroine's constant pity party. I realize she suffered from low self esteem, but it was somewhat agonizing to read about her constant guilt and lack of beauty because of her burns. Hoping the last book will be better. I really like this author. This just wasn't my favorite.

[Dina Sleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I had been waiting for it ever since reading book 1 in the series. Loved Cassandra and her zeal for hot air balloons. I really related with this character, and the book definitely lived up to my expectations :)

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. I'm glad to find another author to follow. Her style is fun and exciting. I enjoyed the time period.

[Kathleen E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunday, October 28, 2012
A Flight of Fancy by Laurie Alice Eakes, ©2012

Book 2 in The Daughters of Bainbridge House series ~ Filled with the mystique of London society and the charming beauty of the English countryside, A Flight of Fancy explores what it means to find the true source of happiness and love amid the distractions of life. Readers will love the next installment in this rousing Regency series from accomplished author Laurie Alice Eakes.

A Flight of Fancy
Date Released: 10/01/2012
Her head is in the clouds. His feet are planted firmly on the ground. Can love cover the distance?

Our story begins in August of 1812 in London, England. Cassandra Bainbridge may be a bit of a bluestocking ~ an educated, intellectual woman, but when Geoffrey Giles is near, love seems a fine alternative to passion for Greek and the physics of flight. With his dashing good looks and undying devotion to her, the earl of Whittaker sets Cassandra's heart racing with his very presence. It seems his only flaw is his distaste for ballooning, the obsession that consumes so much of her thoughts.

Cassandra has twice set aside her scholarly pursuits--once for the London Season and once for her wedding preparations. Love seems a wonderful alternative to study, until disaster strikes. When an accident brings an end to her betrothal, she heads for the country to recover from both her injuries and her broken heart. With time on her hands and good friends to help her, she pursues her love for ballooning and envisions a future for herself as a daring aeronaut. But when Lord Whittaker slips back into her life, will she have to choose between him and her dream?

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. --Psalm 34:18

Are Cassandra's good intentions marred by others around her? Is her father who he appears to be? Is Geoffrey free to live his honor or be blackmailed into the somber actions he would not choose?

Every kingdom divided against itself is ruined. A house divided against itself falls. --Luke 11:17b

A page-turner to find out the turmoil brewing in these turbulent times erases any presumption on the part of the reader. A Flight of Fancy is deeper than the balloon sketching and math calculations to keep it afloat. Laurie Alice Eakes has a depth of discovery to be explored as this pair travels ~ separately, or together? And what of her younger sister who is waiting in the wings? Honore is watching and waiting... It is to be seen if she lives up to her name. Her story is next. But, before we go there, enjoy A Flight of Fancy as we continue from Book 1 to find out the happenings of The Daughters of Bainbridge House and their travels. Each book can be read as a "stand-alone" as the action within is enough to keep you busy connecting-the-dots. A family or two to be reckoned with. A tale of suspense and love tied into one in this Historical Fiction novel set in the times of upheaval for all, however hidden by their daily lives.

Laurie Alice Eakes
Laurie Alice Eakes is the author of The Midwives series: Lady in the Mist, Book 1, Hearts Safe Passage, Book 2, and Book 3, Choices of the Heart, being released in January 2013; A Necessary Deception, and several other novels. Laurie Alice Eakes received a Bachelor of Arts in English and French from Asbury University and taught two years of high school English. She prefers, however, to teach adults to improve their writing craft, and in January of 2012, began the coursework to augment her Master of Arts in Writing Popular Fiction with a Master of Fine Arts in Writing. Laurie Alice writes full-time from her home in Texas, where she lives with her husband and sundry dogs and cats. A Flight of Fancy is Book 2 in The Daughters of Bainbridge House series. Book 1 is entitled, A Necessary Deception.
When young widow Lady Lydia Gale helps a French prisoner obtain parole, she never dreamed he would turn up in her parlor. But just as the London Season is getting under way, there he is, along with a few other questionable personages. While she should be focused on helping her headstrong younger sister prepare for her entré into London society, Lady Gale finds herself preoccupied with the mysterious Frenchman. Is he a spy or a suitor? Can she trust him? Or is she putting her family in danger?
Readers will enjoy being drawn into this world of elegance and intrigue, balls and masquerades. Author Laurie Alice Eakes whisks readers through the drawing rooms of London amid the sound of rustling gowns on this exciting quest to let the past stay in the past and let love guide the future.

Honore, the third sister in the Daughters of Bainbridge series: Honore’s story, A Reluctant Courtship, will be released in the autumn of 2013.

~*~ ~*~ ~*~
Thank you to Revell Blog Tour for inviting me to join the blog tour for Book 2 in the Daughters of Bainbridge House series, A Flight of Fancy. I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review in my own words. Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, began over 125 years ago when D. L. Moody and his brother-in-law Fleming H. Revell saw the need for practical books that would help bring the Christian faith to everyday life. From there, Fleming H. Revell Publishing developed consistently solid lists which have enjoyed the presence of many notable Christian writers over the years. This same vision for books that are both inspirational and practical continues to motivate the Revell publishing group today. Whether publishing fiction, Christian living, self-help, marriage, family, or youth books, each Revell publication reflects relevance, integrity, and excellence. They publish resources from a variety of well-known brands and authors, including their partnership with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and Hungry Planet.


Enjoy Chapter 1
A Flight of Fancy
The Daughters of Bainbridge House Series- #2
By Laurie Alice Eakes

1
August 1812

Crowds swarmed around and jostled against the Whittaker carriage, slowing its progress from a trot to a crawl. Thick, oily smoke from torches penetrated the interior. Velvet curtains and cushions reeking of pitch felt ready to smother Miss Cassandra Bainbridge, who was already hot on this August night.
“I think we would be better off walking in the crowd than riding in here.” She clutched her rose satin reticule in one hand and gripped her fiance’s arm with the other, as though ready to spring from the vehicle at any moment, which she was. “Perhaps we could take refuge in someone’s drawing room until these bacchanalians go home.”
Beside her, Lord Geoffrey Giles, Earl of Whittaker, chuckled and covered her hand with his. “Only you would use a word like bacchanalian to describe a crowd of drunken debauchery.”
“It is the proper word for those who have celebrated too freely with drink.” She glared at him down her long Bainbridge nose, though she could see little of his face in the gloom inside the carriage. “What should I call them?”
“The right word, of course.” Whittaker shrugged, then moved his hand from her gloved fingers to her nose, to the place where her mirror warned her a crease was already forming between her eyes. Not that what her mirror said mattered much to Cassandra. That crease came from hours of honest study. She gripped her reticule more tightly, as it held the efforts of her latest project—the design of a balloon—and leaned toward Whittaker’s hand. Since the renewal of their engagement in June, the slightest brush of his fingertips came close to distracting her from thoughts of ballooning and Greek translations, and most definitely from wild, celebratory crowds worked to a fever pitch over Wellington finally winning a decisive battle against Napoleon’s troops in Spain. If Whittaker moved his hand to her cheek—
A throng of young men slammed against the side of the carriage, tilting it onto two wheels. The horses whinnied and the coachman shouted. Cassandra screamed, a short burst of a cry, and Whittaker wrapped his arms around her, upsetting her elaborate coiffure and sending her hair tumbling around her shoulders. Her hair and Whittaker’s shoulder shielded her face against his coat lapel.
“Le’s ‘ave a tide,” the drunken youths shouted in speech so slurred as to be scarcely comprehensible. “Don’ be shelfish, arishtocrat.”
“Lord Mayor’s already stingy with t’luminations.”
“More light. More light.” The chant grew deafening.
Cassandra shivered now despite the heat. The men sounded angry, not celebratory. “They’re angry over too few illuminations to celebrate the victory?”
“C’mon, Whittaker, open up.” The rattle of the door handle accompanied the command. “We ‘card yer lady.”
“They know your carriage.” Cassandra raised her head. “But why would they assault you over too few lanterns and torches and such?”
“It’s not me personally. The celebration seems to have gotten a bit rough, is all.” Whittaker stroked her hair. “Hush now. The doors are locked, the coachman and footman are armed, and I have a brace of pistols here in the carriage.”
Shots rang out at that moment, the crack of a pistol, the boom of a blunderbuss fired into the air. Whinnying again, the horses lurched forward. Without Whittaker’s arms around her, Cassandra would have slid to the floor. She grasped his shoulder with one hand and twisted her fingers through her reticule strings with the other.
The jostling and demands ceased, though the crowd did not disperse.
“Perhaps we should have gone home with Christien and Lydia,” Cassandra said, maintaining her hold on her fiance and folded plans. “Christien is a trained soldier, after all.”
“But this was the first opportunity we’ve had to be alone together for a week.” Whittaker flashed her a smile, then kissed the crease between her brows. “This wedding is keeping you from me so much I think we should have eloped like your sister.”
“They did not elope.” Cassandra rubbed her head against Whittaker’s shoulder. “They simply got married by special license. But this is my first marriage and Mama wants everything just so.” She shuddered. “] hate every dress fitting and shopping excursion as much as I dislike this crowd.”
Her ears strained for signs of the rough youths returning. She could distinguish nothing of them over the general din of the throng.
“Where will I wear all those gowns in Lancashire?” she added.
“You will need them when Parliament is in session and we are in town.”
“But that’s not until spring.”
“With the Americans declaring war, it is going to be this autumn.”
“But you promised.” She started to pull away.
“I did not declare war.” Whittaker tightened his hold and kissed her cheek.
“And all spring the Luddites kept you away.”
“I did not go smashing up looms either.” He kissed her lips.
She decided to stop arguing with him for the moment. She forgot about the rowdy revelers outside the carriage. This, after all, was why they had taken Whittaker’s equipage instead of sharing one with her elder sister and her new husband—to be alone with her fiance for a few minutes of tenderness, for some time of forgetting that Mama wanted her to buy one more fan or pair of gloves, that Whittaker’s mama needed to introduce her to half a dozen more relatives, that Cassandra herself wanted to talk to her fellow aeronaut enthusiasts about her design. She simply wanted to remember this man whose glance, whose smile, whose touch, turned her heart to tallow. She needed moments like this like she needed nourishment for strength and air for breath.
Except he robbed her of breath.
Gasping, laughing, she drew back from his embrace—and began to cough. Nearby, something larger than torches blazed, the smoke heavy and sharp, thick inside the carriage. Around them, laughter and cheers had turned to bellows and protests, commands and threats.
Cold perspiration broke out beneath the sleeves of her pelisse and trickled down her spine. “Whittaker … what’s wrong?”
“I cannot be certain.” He leaned forward and lifted a corner of the window curtain. “A fire. That is obvious.” He sounded calm.
Cassandra moved to the other side of the carriage so she could peek out the curtains too. Fire indeed. A carriage blazed in a side street. Men and women swirled around it, roaring incomprehensible but angry-sounding words, as though about to burn a body in effigy—or worse.
“This was a celebration for Salamanca,” Cassandra protested. “Why the anger?”
“Too many people and too much spirits combined can cause trouble.” He knelt before her and took her hands in his, letting the curtains fall over the window, leaving them in darkness—a private, sheltered cocoon despite the smoke. “We will be out of it soon and safely back to Bainbridge House.”
“I was hoping we could go to the Chapter House. It’s perfectly respectable, and I have my plans to give—”
“I am not taking you to a coffeehouse tonight. Your friends will have to wait for their balloon plans.” Beneath the tumult around the carriage, Cassandra thought he muttered, “Forever.”
They had enjoyed such a pleasant evening with Lydia and her husband, she did not want to argue with Whittaker. He did not like her ballooning enthusiasm, but she would change his mind once they were married. Then she would have more freedom to move about, not constantly under her mother’s eye. Whittaker, not Father, would dictate her movements, and Whittaker was no dictator. Unless he did intend to stop her from pursuing aeronautics.
She pursed her lips and squeezed his gloved fingers with her own, then released one of his hands to clutch at her precious reticule. “I think Lancashire will be perfect for ballooning once the harvest is in. All that flat land and the sea breezes.”
“I think,” Whittaker said, “you will have no time for balloons once we are wed. Mother intends to leave the running of the house to you. She wants to travel, visit friends, but with the trouble with the Luddites, she has been afraid to do so.”
“But—” Cassandra released his other hand. “I know little of household management. I thought she would be there, help me. Geoffrey, when were you going to tell me this?”
“Mama was going to when she takes you to Gunter’s tomorrow.”
“Oh, that.” Cassandra did not admit she had forgotten the engagement. “One of my ballooning friends—”
“Enough about balloons. It is as much a passing fancy as was your translation of Homer.”
“Homer was not a passing fancy at all.” Cassandra raised her chin. “I finished it. Then I saw the balloon and aeronautics—”
He silenced her with another kiss.
“What was that for?” she asked when she could catch her breath.
“To ensure I am no passing fancy.”
“You know you are not.” Because she had broken off their betrothal in the spring, she leaned forward this time and pressed her cheek to his, slipped her arms around his shoulders.
He drew her off the seat so they squeezed into the footwell between the two benches. The cacophony of the crowd, the oiliness of smoke, and the jostling of the carriage ceased to matter, may as well have ceased to exist. Always he won her attention this way, sending the world packing, even her scholarly interests and now her enthusiasm for flight. If he was in the same room, she could not bear to be more than inches from him and felt as though a piece of her were missing every time he left.
“I love you so much it scares me sometimes,” she murmured into his ear.
A shudder ran through him. She understood why. He felt the same. Their profound attraction had gotten them reprimanded more than once, mostly by Cassandra’s sister Lydia. But now seven endless days stood between them and their wedding. She wished it were seven hours, or, better yet, seven minutes.
They would reach Cavendish Square in little more than seven minutes unless more crowds stopped them. Chaperonage and separation. Annoying, dull dressmakers would crowd between them. Tea and cakes with his mother and embarrassing conversations with her own .. .
Cassandra dropped her reticule so she could bury her fingers into Whittaker’s thick, dark hair. “Only a week,” she whispered.
“Too long.” He drew her closer.
Her hair tumbled over his hands. His cravat and her gown would be hopelessly crushed. Mama and her companion, Barbara, would lecture about proper conduct for a young lady. Her younger sister Honore would give her sly glances and giggle. Father would scowl at Whittaker and draw him aside for a “manly” conversation about propriety and dishonor. Cassandra did not care. Whittaker loved her despite her need to wear spectacles most of the time, despite her eccentric interest in Greek poets and flying machines. Surely once they were wed, he would understand she would die of boredom overseeing the household and stillroom and all those country housewife things, or, worse, being the London hostess for a member of the House of Lords. She accepted his proposal when he was plain Mr. Giles, a younger son. His becoming the earl due to an unfortunate accident to his elder brother did not change her. It certainly did not change his feelings for her. Alone in the carriage, every time they were alone, he made that amply clear. Marriage would be even better. So much—
The carriage rocked again. More drunken voices shouted through the panels. The door handles rattled.
Cassandra gasped. “Geoffrey.”
“Stay down. I’ll fetch my pistols.” He started to rise. A strand of her hair caught on his cravat pin, halting him for a second.
And in that moment, the window glass shattered.
Cassandra screamed and ducked. Whittaker grabbed for his pistols. His feet tangled in Cassandra’s skirt, and they fell against the door—the door at which several revelers tugged. With their combined weight pushing and the bacchanalians pulling, the latch gave way. The door burst open.
And Cassandra tumbled into the arms of a torchbearer.
~*~ ~*~ ~*~

Available October 2012 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

[Rachel Brand · Rating 4 out of 5]

GENRE: HISTORICAL ROMANCE
PUBLISHER: REVELL
PUBLICATION DATE: OCTOBER 01, 2012
RATING: 4 OUT OF 5 – VERY GOOD

PROS: Plenty of suspense and adventure; great details about ballooning; realistic presentation of a young couple struggling with temptation; continuity about family from previous book

CONS: Spiritual themes sometimes felt a bit forced and could have been integrated better; conclusion was a bit rushed

Cassandra Bainbridge’s courtship to Geoffrey Giles has been shaky at best, between him unexpectedly inheriting his late brother’s title and being made an Earl, to his disapproval of her ballooning pursuits, to the passion they just can’t seem to contain. When an unchaperoned carriage ride leads to an accident that results in Cassandra being badly burned, she can’t help but wonder if God is trying to keep her from marrying Geoffrey. Breaking off their engagement, Cassandra escapes to Geoffrey’s old family home in the country to recuperate from her injuries. Geoffrey’s mother has assured her that Geoffrey won’t be present during Cassandra’s visit, but he keeps making unannounced visits, often in unusual attire and with long, lanky hair. Although Cassandra knows that Geoffrey is keen to win her back, she can’t help but suspect that he has another reason for his visits to the country, one that may relate to a family secret and his business enterprises with the local mills. Will Geoffrey be able to win back Cassandra’s affection, or will her interest in scientific pursuits and his responsibilities with his family’s industry keep them apart?

Having loved Laurie Alice Eakes’s Lady in the Mist, I eagerly requested a review copy of A Flight of Fancy even though I hadn’t yet had the chance to read the first book in the Daughters of Bainbridge House series. But when I did finally get around to reading this novel’s predecessor, A Necessary Deception, I was slightly disappointed. Despite the intriguing plot, I struggled to connect with the characters and found the action scenes rather more clunky than suspenseful. Despite my qualms about this series, I decided to continue on to the next book in the hope that it would improve with time. And I’m glad to say that it has! I may not have loved A Flight of Fancy as much as I did Lady in the Mist, but Laurie is definitely back on top form with this book. There was so much to appreciate about this novel, from the underlying suspense to the fascinating details about ballooning to Cassandra’s realistic struggles with sexual temptation.

Cassandra’s character intrigued me in A Necessary Deception, and not just because of the unconventionality of her scholarly pursuits. I appreciated that Laurie dared to write about a character who struggled to resist temptation when alone with her fiancé, especially in a time period when even kissing was frowned upon prior to a formal engagement. Although she struggled with guilt over how unchaste she had been a certain points in her relationship with Geoffrey, I appreciated how Cassandra later came to realise that passion itself wasn’t sinful, if it was kept within the bounds of marriage. Considering the society Cassandra grew up in, and its strict social rules, I can see why she would think she was wanton for experiencing emotions for Geoffrey that no one ever talked about or admitted to. It must have been difficult being a young woman in Cassandra’s time, particularly if you were fortune enough to marry a man you loved, rather than having a match arranged by your parents, yet not understanding the feelings you had towards the man you were to marry. Laurie handled this aspect of the plot very well.

As with its predecessor, A Flight of Fancy contained a healthy dose of suspense, relating to Geoffrey’s secret mission with his uncle’s mills. While at times I did find some of the scenes surrounding this part of the plot slightly confusing, I didn’t feel that they overshadowed the main romance in any way. Although I’d already got to know Cassandra in A Necessary Deception, Geoffrey’s character still felt a little vague at the start of this novel, so I appreciated the chance to get to know him separately from his interactions with Cassandra and her family. And while I mentioned earlier that I found the action scenes in the first book rather clunky, this wasn’t the case for A Flight of Fancy. My only real complaint would have be that although I appreciated the suspenseful lead up to the unveiling of the villain of the story, the conclusion was slightly rushed, and I had to go back and reread the final chapters again to make sure I’d understood what had happened.

A long with my appreciation for Cassandra’s character development and the suspense in this novel, I also enjoyed being able to catch up with characters from the last book, particularly Cassandra’s younger sister, Honore. I felt a bit sorry for Honore in this book, as she always seems to be attaching herself to the wrong sort of men. I hope she gets her happy ending in the final book in the series.

The details about ballooning were also an added bonus, and I could tell that Laurie had done a lot of research into the topic. I honestly can’t say I’ve ever read a historical novel where the heroine creates scientific formulas for making a coating to cover the silk on a hot-air balloon, but it’s a lot more interesting than it sounds. Considering that I’ve not taken part in any scientific experiments since I was fifteen, I was pleased to discover that all the scientific talk in this book didn’t go right over my head, so don’t worry if you’re not at all scientifically minded. And even if you do feel a bit bored by the scientific conversations in this book, the scenes in which Cassandra rides in her balloon are sure to catch your interest. Even though I’m not fond of heights, I would rather like to take a trip in a balloon after reading this book.

If I have to comment on one flaw that I’ve found in all of Laurie Alice Eakes’s novels, it’s that the spiritual themes aren’t terribly well-integrated. I found this with Lady in the Mist, A Necessary Deception and now A Flight of Fancy. As with Laurie’s previous novels, the sections of A Flight of Fancy where Cassandra considered her spiritual dilemmas didn’t always feel like they’d naturally arisen from the story, and they often seemed a little tacked-on and thus took the reader out of the main plot, almost as a distraction or tangent. I’m not sure if this is a result of the author having previously written for the Heartsong Presents category romances, in which I’ve often found the spiritual messages to be more overbearing than those in longer Christian romances, but either way, I felt that the spiritual aspects of this novel needed to be more deftly woven into the main body of the story.

A Flight of Fancy is a definite improvement on the first novel in the Daughters of Bainbridge House series, and I’m greatly looking forward to reading the concluding novel. Although I had a couple of minor complaints with this book, I was captivated by Cassandra’s dilemmas and her fascinating exploration of ballooning. Combined with the suspense surrounding Geoffrey’s secret mission, I found it nearly impossible to put this book down. I hope that the third and final novel is just as enthralling.

Review title provided by Revell.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounding up from 2.5 stars.

I read this series out of order and have to say that I liked this one the least. The third was much better. I think this one went back and forth from not telling us enough to telling us the same thing too much. Lots of repetition. The repetition was in the religious and moral elements of the story. All the guilt and inability to forgive oneself and one being so immoral that one cannot control oneself. And scarring is so hideous no man can ever love someone who looks like this. God is punishing me for being bad... on repeat...

Some of the stuff left out wasn't obvious until the reveal. People working both sides when only one side was really shown to the reader and no real hint of the other side. Some confusion as to the motives of people. And really the father is shown to be an ogre of a father in the first two books and then at the end he is suddenly soft and loving. I didn't find it very believable. The real bad guy was obvious because there wasn't really anyone else it could be. Not any decoy possibilities.

Another thing unbelievable to me was Honore and Major Crawford. Did I miss something that bridged the gap between Honore thinking he is dull to being totally twitterpated? It felt like a giant leap.

And perhaps the biggest problem I had with the book started in the first book. I never really liked Whittaker. He seemed too much a cad. In this book he proves himself to be truly in love but my dislike for him carried over a bit so I kinda hoped someone else might prove to be a better choice.

The idea of ballooning was an usual plot point for a regency era book as is having an Earl in trade so that made for an interesting story line. The book was good enough for me to continue reading it but had I read this one first, I am sure I wouldn't have bothered with the rest of the series.

[Tim Covell]

This is the second in a series, something I didn't notice when starting the book, and it turns out our couple met and courted in the first book. This book begins with their wedding just a week away. Then it is called off, and the question becomes whether or not they will get back together. I may have enjoyed the story more had I started with book 1.

The plot and characterization are complex. The heroine is recovering from injuries and trying to improve her ballooning, along with a couple of friends. The hero, an unexpected earl, is trying to adapt to his new role, restore his estate, and deal with Luddites at his mills, while being blackmailed by the heroine's father. The heroine's sister, having earlier brought scandal to the family, is embarking on another romance, and an heiress has her sights set on the new earl. And someone is trying to kill one or both of the couple. There's a lot going on, and while it all eventually comes together, I found the story hard to follow at times. The question of whether or not the couple will get back together seems a minor issue compared to everything else going on. The details of early ballooning were a nice touch.

Though not identified as such on the cover, the book has strong Christian elements which I found intrusive. The main characters have religious guilt over their courtship behaviour, and often wonder what God is directing them to do and how they can accept God's will for their lives. It turns out the publisher is focused exclusively on Christian materials: "We publish high-quality writings that represent historic Christianity and serve the diverse interests and concerns of evangelical readers." I am not an evangelical reader, so not the target market for this book.

[Lonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another spy story...Let's count how many attempts can be made on one person’s life:
1)Mob, fire
2)Mob, shot
3)Stabbed
4)Blown up with saltpeter
5)Fall to death in sabotaged hot air balloon
Whittaker was by far my favorite character. You can't help but love and feel for him too. He's torn between conflicting responsibilities: protecting his family honor, his livelihood, his love. Cassandra is daft not to realize how much he loves her. He is constantly trying to protect her (He blames himself when she gets sick because he prayed for rain to try to save his mill). He is not interested in marrying her for her dowry (even though he could use it). He loves her intellect and thinks she beautiful (despite the spectacles :-) )And, his respond when Cassandra finally told him what she feared the most, was perfect. No matter how many times she ends their engagements, Whittaker keeps coming back. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.
My favorite line in the book: "He was competing for her affections with a balloon." :-)
Cassandra has 2 reasons for breaking off the engagement...One, I could understand, the other I thought was just stupid (it's the very reason why they should get married!)
I liked Honore better in this book. She was good to Cassandra. But, she made the same mistake she made in the first book…fell in love with the wrong man! We'll see if she gets it right the third time around!

[Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Authentic Historical Story

A Flight of Fancy by Laurie Alice Eakes felt like watching a movie set in the Recency era. The vivid imagery, society details, and historical accuracy left this reader amazed at the depth of research that must have gone into writing this book. The story gently transports the reader back in time to a grand country house. The hero, Geoffrey Giles, Earl of Whittaker, inherited the responsibility to maintain a family heritage that he really doesn't want. Smitten with the intelligent "bluestocking", Cassandra Bainbridge, he presses his suit even after she suffers a horrific accident that disfigures her.

Feeling far less than perfect, she assumes he won't want her and breaks their engagement throwing herself into her fancy to fly in a balloon.

Meanwhile, a villain lurks behind a series of mishaps designed to bring down Geoff, but hurts Cassandra.

This reader found A Flight of Fancy provided many hours of fascinating reading. This Laurie Alice Eakes historical romance reminds one of a George Bernard Shaw's play in that it captures the era so well.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did like this second book in the series better than the first, but it was still an "ok" read for me. What I liked was the interesting aspects of ballooning and the historical significance of the Luddites and the impact machinery had on workers. I continue to struggle with the characters and how certain events play out that seem improbable. There was a lot of repetitive thoughts, feelings, and half conversations that certain couples never seemed to be able to complete. It grew rather frustrating for me to read at times. I will read the third and final book though this last "daughter of Bainbridge" (Honore) has been my least favorite character in the series. I'm hoping to uncover some redeeming qualities she may posses once her story is told.

[Jacquelyn 💐 {This Rapunzel Reads} [Jesus Christ, my Living Hope] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm…this was interesting much like the first. I’ll start by saying I really did like the faith content in this one. But it was annoying that Cassandra and Geoffrey were engaged to each other twice and broke it off both times. They were also very handsy with each other which was displayed as wrong and I appreciated that. But it was too often for my liking. At one point, I wasn’t even sure I wanted the main couple together. But I did like how Geoffrey assured Cassandra that he loved her despite her scars. I also enjoyed the forgiveness that comes from God once we repent and turn away from our sins. Honore was delightful in this book particularly in a part where she kicked Geoffrey. I’m looking forward to reading her book next! Overall, it was a good read.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the whole I did enjoy, mildly predictable but I’m truth I enjoy knowing that there will be a happy ending. I did not guess the challenge the characters would face. My biggest complaint is that the book just ends doesn’t have a chapter or two to enjoy the characters with their lives being in danger.

[Cathy Bickerstaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, original regency about a lady who needs glasses, but fears they make her eyes look too big, and her fiance, a younger son who unexpectedly inherits the title, and the villain that plots against them.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story. Can't wait to get into the third book.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eakes writes such good stories. This is a great series and I look forward to book 3.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

[Jenny Koim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the different dynamics and relationships. Cassandra and Geoff were both immature at rhe beginning but both did still show that they cared about each other.

[Cindi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried really hard to like this book, but I just couldn't get into it. I'm sure it's just me and my mood at the time.

[Bonnie Melton · Rating 5 out of 5]

flight of fancy

Loved this book and the author does a wonderful job in this series. Very enjoyable and entertaining. Couldn’t put it down

[Bess · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute!

[Sandra Swartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it a lot, perhaps even more than the first one. These characters are really great! On to the last one.

[Shale · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really it's 2.5 stars.

The first chapter was riveting and set up a great premise. Same with the second chapter. Wittaker carrying her after saving her from a fire? Yes give me more!

But then everything went down hill. I spent most of my time bored or confused out of my mind.

The first issue I had was when After the fire, it was a month, and Cassandra felt guilty for what happened in the carriage. Having not read the first book, the carriage scene was not very telling. I've re-read it several times and only view a couple of kisses and hand-touches, as well as being unchaperoned. But for heaven's sake they're BETROTHED. They're set to get married within a week and all of a sudden, she's feeling guilty about it? I mean scandals like that are quickly resolved with Marriage, to smother the dying embers of gossip.

I will admit to liking the ballooning part, and the author has done her research.

I was frustrated at the back and forth of the clandestine meetings between Wittaker and Cassandra, with them feeling guilty and wanting to let go but not. I commend Wittaker on his never give up attitude, but the way he kept insisting that she couldn't go on a balloon? I mean this guy has no idea of women. If you forbid them, and they love it, they will do anything in their power to do it. This guy could not get a clue.

I liked the Luddite rebellion and how Geoff had to go and meet them. But then he just turns up at the House-- doesn't he have a beard when in disguise? Then immediate is in polite company? He's a sucky spy.

The biggest issue I have with this story is I don't understand Crawford's motivations? Did he kill Wittaker's brother? And if he did, the goal was to then kill Geoff and stage Lady Wittaker's death as suicide from grief. Okay I can get behind that. But why try and kill Cassandra? And was the carriage attack meant for him? Or for her? Was the carriage supposed to catch on fire and kill him? And why make Cassandra uncomfortable by cutting the bell pull?

What is the vendetta against Cassandra? That she was at the Wittaker home in the first place? I can see them making her miserable enough to leave. And what is the deal with Miss Irving? What was her role in it? Despite wanting to be countess. That was never explained.

See I had my suspicions that the person trying to kill him was Crawford, but he was never suspicious enough. There were no context clues to actually point him as the culprit. I as the reader, didn't get to discover as the character did. I found out when Cassandra did, on the balloon, rather than Wittaker, as I should've. A simple sentence in the inn right before the confrontation with his would'be assassin. 'How would they know that Cassandra was going to go up in the balloon...? But of course. The rioters were getting information from someone inside the house. And he suspected who it might be.' BAM. Context clues laid in, the reader is about 89% sure of who the murderer is and then the reveal to Cassandra confirms.

What I dislike is none of the above was actually explained. I figured that all out from writing it out, and putting together the different puzzle pieces I had, seeing beyond the large gaps to figure it out. The reveal was lacking in any and all explanation and left me, the reader, feeling confused and as I had skipped three whole chapters where they EXPLAINED THE PLOT and the MO and the WHY. As revenge? What did his mother do? Just a chapter of them comparing notes while she explained her story, of Wittaker revealing all, how he discovered Crawford's deception, and how the carriage wasn't an accident.

There was too much focus on the romance rather than an actual plot, which brought the pleasure down quite a bit. There's a balance in romance stories, between character development and plot, and sadly, the plot was lacking and the character development overdone to melodrama.