In Book I of the series, Her Unforgettable Laugh, a trip to Hertfordshire brought Fitzwilliam Darcy face-to-face with the woman who had haunted his dreams for five years. Their chance meeting led to a courtship, in spite of those who wished to separate them. Now Elizabeth Bennet is traveling to London where she will be introduced to Darcy’s family and the ton. How will Elizabeth be received? Will their love flourish and grow or will new trials overwhelm them?
Linda Thompson was born in Washington, D. C., and grew up in the Maryland suburbs. Perhaps this accounts for her love of culture and all things historical. She is an East Coast girl through-and-through, who loves the ocean! To her, there is no more soothing sound than the kiss of the surf as it reaches the sand.
Linda's love of reading and particularly the Regency Era began during her long bus commutes in junior high school. During her last year in junior high, she was introduced to what would become her two favorite books: Gone With the Wind and Pride and Prejudice. Her first attempt at writing was a sequel to Gone With the Wind at the age of sixteen.
Though writing was always something she enjoyed, Linda's career of choice was that of Administrative Assistance. Oddly enough, she always found a need to create a company newsletter for each of her employers.
She currently makes her home in Denton, Texas. She has been married to her husband, Jim, for 27 years and has had the privilege of being a stay-at-home mom for her three children for the last seventeen years.
You will often find her engrossed in a good book--usually JAFF or other historical fiction. She also loves to bake, cook, scrapbook, dance (She was a classically trained ballet dancer for thirteen years.), and travel. Now the joy of writing fills up much of her time.
As a glance at her blog would indicate, Linda adores spring flowers. She took the pictures that adorn the page. You can learn more about her writing and upcoming books at https://lindathompsonbooks.wordpress.com where she is happy to get your comments or you can send her an email at mailto:lindathompson.author@gmail.com.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. To link to this particular author, put three (3) spaces between first and last name. Linda Thompson
This is part of a 3 book series. The story ended on page 533 on my Kindle. Other stories are then introduced.
As the middle story Darcy and Elizabeth have already fallen in love. However several forces work against them. Mr. Bennet does not want Darcy to propose to Elizabeth until she experiences society's behavior in London. He is fearful that she will be rejected and that resentment will hinder a happy marriage.
Then there is a Lady Marjorie and Caroline Bingley. Although they see a need to work together to force a compromise on Elizabeth by Lady Marjorie's cousin, they distrust each other and so also work behind the scenes to make sure the final victory is theirs. And, Wickham is still part of the story. He sees harming either one as a victory for him.
Darcy and the Colonel do put various protections in place. Both Jane and Elizabeth are residing with the Gardiners. Thus there are usually daily interactions between Darcy and Elizabeth and also Jane and Bingley. The latter couple also has some problems with their relationship as Caroline acts the shrew.
And Mrs. Bennet is off the deep end in her hateful words and plans to ignore both couples' wishes for a simple wedding. Even a letter from Mrs. Gardiner does not have any influence on Mrs. B.
As the story ends in this book we have to look forward to how Mrs. Bennet does or does not get her way with wedding plans.
There is some angst which involves sister, Mary, also. I was glad to read of her becoming more of a friend with Elizabeth and also of a romantic hint for her future.
This story takes our dear couple from Hertfordshire to London to allow Darcy to introduce his fiance to the ton and his family. This is a condition of her father's blessing to ensure that Elizabeth wants to be part of Darcy's world. She has lots of people working against her and quite a few people on her side.
Elizabeth must get over her self conscious behaviors and learn that she is loved no matter what her very selfish mother says. She is constantly over emotional which gets old fast, but the story moves along. Darcy is also very attentive. Together, with their family, they work together against those that plot against them so that they can have Darcy to themselves.
As they are so very much in love, the story sets up for a double wedding in the next book.
This was just as enjoyable as the first. I find the writing a tad too sweet and simple for me. As I have for other books read by this author. Nice balance of love/intrigue/drama. Continues in book 3
I'm allowing 2 stars for this book as recognition for the author being a good storyteller and writer. Her composition is good, as well as the development of characters and plots.
However, I'm upset with the price for this work, a book that could have been greatly condensed by leaving out the excessive amount of filler content. I think I skimmed over about half of the paragraphs, containing detailed accounts of what everyone was wearing, what everyone was eating, as well as repeatedly going over everyone's greetings to each other whenever they separate and come back together. There was a lot of wasted content that did nothing to advance the story. I resent books being expanded this way, and then charging a ridiculous amount for them.
Then there is the excessive drama in this one. How is it that Darcy and Elizabeth attract the villains like magnets, as if theirs is the only courtship and engagement going forth in London? One would think Wickham would set his sights on easier pickings after the Darcys and Fitzwilliams hire a troop of guards to follow them everywhere. Why is Lady Marjorie fixated on Darcy as if he's the only rich man around? And Caroline Bingley, if she wasn't ready for Bedlam after what she did in the first book, just how many more opportunities were they going to allow her to directly abuse Elizabeth, not to mention Jane? I think Darcy and Bingley have to take the blame for letting that criminally insane woman continue to mingle with them at all.
I can tell Mrs Bennett is going to be a featured villain in the next installment, but I don't know if I can tolerate another, especially at the exorbitant cost. Mrs Bennett is another who is way over the top, a character who has already done unspeakably bad things, but is left to continue wreaking havoc. It gets a little tiresome that Darcy and Bingley vow to protect their love interests from harm, and yet the bad things just keep occurring. It's as if all their bold promises are good for not too much.
Although the writing is good, I can't say that I would recommend this book.
This Pide and Prejudice trilogy continues as Elizabeth Bennet is now in town to face the ton. Soon she is joined by Jane and Mary. Elizabeth continues to be irritatingly perfect which distracts from the story. A bit of a sweet story though there is Lady Marjorie and Caroline Bingley with of course George Wickham to add some needed sourness. Liked the start of a possible romance for Mary. An entertaining story, a re-read.
3.5 stars, rounded up. In this second of three books in this lengthy Pride and Prejudice variation series, I feel as if the author is getting warmed up. It is still melodramatic, but once I accepted that and decided to just enjoy the ride, I realized this is a better book than the first in the series. Though it still has some of the problems of the first, the characters seem better developed. There isn't so much redundancy, and the suspense builds, because the reader knows problems are coming up, but not how or when they'll interrupt the romance.
The story has moved to London. Elizabeth and Jane have gone to stay with their aunt and uncle Gardiner, so that their two gentlemen, Darcy and Bingley, can continue their courtship while Darcy's aunt, Lady Matlock, introduces Elizabeth to London society, and she gets a taste of what the ton is like, and how she will fare in high society with its gossip and back-stabbing. She also begins to make real friends among the upper class. Meanwhile, Caroline Bingley is plotting against Elizabeth, and Wickham is at large and still has delusions of being Master of Pemberley.
Although we still have some extreme characters, in fact even more - Lady Catherine enters the picture and we meet Lady Margorie and her cousin Lord Wescott, who is a well-known rake - the character development improves, and some of the motivations seem a bit clearer by the end of this book. The suspense is relieved by scenes with Georgiana and the Gardiners' children, and still more romance.
I'm still troubled by some things. The language at times, but especially some of the descriptions of clothing seem at times not true to period. The repeated mention of "silk undergarments" doesn't ring true for an era when people wore linen next to their skin for good reason. (See https://wordwenches.typepad.com/word_... and https://janeaustensworld.wordpress.co....)
As for the technical aspects of the writing, I found the spare use of commas distracting. It caused me to have to reread sometimes for meaning, and it made sentences seem run-on. The dialog seems at times to be stilted, and overall the dialog is difficult because tags are sparse. Sometimes, even when there are tags, the speaker isn't identified until the end of a paragraph of speech. This made conversations difficult for me to follow, and caused me many times to puzzle over who was speaking.
But the story moves along, and it does grow exciting and keep one reading. I have to give the author kudos for improving as she goes along, and for the romantic feeling of this story. Especially toward the end of the book, I'm loving what develops between two couples who make unexpected but intriguing pairings that I hope to see developed in the third book.
There was so much going on in this book. I don't even know where to begin. I loved that Elizabeth was getting gifts everyday to show how much Darcy loved her. I loved how devoted he was to Elizabeth. There were no misunderstandings between this couple they loved each other very much and stood together through everything the ton threw at them. There was so many side stories. I loved learning more about the secondary characters of this story. Even with the villains we actually get the motivation behind what they are doing and why. I do love this version of Charles Bingley as well as the Hursts, are greatly developed characters in this story.
You have a bunch of build up to the Darcy Engagement Ball, then everything tries to go to he!! in a hand basket. I love the compromise, didn't see that coming. Then when they leave the ball OMG, I was like OMG what is going on. How are they going to save them.
Our dear couple goes to Town. New antagonists appear in the scene. Mrs. Bennet reveals herself. Our beloved couple makes new friends. The Bennet sisters begin to find their way.
Great love story like a Darcy and Lizzy love story early in the book. Love it when the villains get their due. Glad to be finished with Wickham but I think miss bingley and lady Margaret are gonna do some more dirty work!!
This book focused on Elizabeth's introduction to the haute ton in London as Darcy's chosen lady. As expected there are a lot of rather mad high society ladies, so most of her outings are interesting. The most eventful of them are described in book while others are mentioned but not put in detail.
Caroline Bingley and Wickham are again at their worst in this book. They are the primary conflicts in the story along with a third figure who wishes Elizabeth harm.
I think it was a good description of what ton introduction would have been like for Elizabeth with the support of Darcy's family. I liked that the author developed a close relationship between Elizabeth and the Fitzwilliam family. It made for some great dynamics in the book along with some fun screens where the close relationship is noted in contrast to non-close relationships with them. Georgiana's growth continued in this book which I was really happy about but I would still love to see more of her. Mary's growth was shown well in this book as well. It seems like the author is setting up a romance for her and I hope it continues. Like Georgiana I hope to see more of Mary in this series.
I liked the addition of the new secondary characters in this book. While most of them I didn't like they added well to the story. I particularly liked how Lord Wescott was used throughout the book, it was surprising and interesting to see his character develop. Elizabeth's new friend Miss Pottsfield is so sweet, I also hope to see more of her in the next book. She had much more interaction than the first book and I like how she is turning out.
I know this is not as much of an overview of events as I usually do, but most of the book was literally just interactions between the characters at different events, so mentioning them individually is more difficult and will give stuff away. However, this book focused more on the relationships of the characters which I liked. I look forward to the next book.
I have read a ton of vagaries of P&P and this is one of the best. Ms. Thompson writes in a manner that I most prefer. She has lots of dialog and description of people, places and things so that you feel drawn into the story and settings. It’s fun to feel like I’m at the ball along with all the other guests and feel the excitement whether danger or happy events. I appreciate that in this story Darcy and Elizabeth are in synch with equal feelings for one another. I’ve had enough of the willful misunderstandings to last me for the next 100 books. There were many interesting characters introduced in this one. I very much enjoyed the book and look forward to reading others by Linda C. Thompson.
Great continuation from Book I. The love between Darcy and Elizabeth continues to their engagement and coming wedding. Last Marjorie, Caroline Bingley, and wicked George Wickham’s schemes all fall apart with the embarrassment of Lady Majorie, the exit of Caroline Bingley to Scarborough, and the death of George Wickham. None of these characters was a great loss. As the wedding party get ready to proceed to Meryton, the only glitch to their happiness in Mrs. Bennet. I hope she is put in her place by Madeline Gardiner and Lady Matlock. She has raised both their ire for her attitude towards Elizabeth. Can’t wait to read Book III.
I found this second book of the,series just as impressive, interesting, emotional, low anguished, and extremely detailed. I love how this continues with the courtship, engagements of Elizabeth and Jane, but hopefully Mary will have a happy ending in next book. I loved the new,characters some are good and of course we have more evil. The adventure within the storyline is incredible. I love how strong the family-friendly settings is within. Lady Malicious is incredible just lime the steel downs (yes more than 1) are incredibly important and well written. Highly recommended for all to read
This is the second installment of this series and follows ODC through their courtship and engagement whilst navigating the shrew infested ton.
Some new villains come into play in the installment which keeps the dynamic fresh!
Darcy is swoon worthy with his romantic gestures and looks! OMG the gifts and notes!
I was kept on my toes reading this as there are so many villains plotting and even that didn't prepare me for the sudden plot twist just when I thought that everything had resolved itself nicely! It was like suffering whiplash!
This is book 2 of a 3 book series. This part of the story takes place in London, where Lizzy and Jane are introduced to the ton. Several balls, details of their gowns and a lot of action regarding Mr Wickham.
It takes a while, but it doesn't ever get tiresome.. ! Really liked seeing Wickham go down. I think I would have enjoyed seeing Mr Bingly go down also. Such a wimp. See, these characters seem like real people when they are well delineated.
Laughter Through Trials: Her Unforgettable Laugh, ... : Linda Thompson
The listener picks up with Darcy and Elizabeth moving their romance to the city. The scoundrel Wickham is back and up to no good. Miss Bingley is joined in scheming by Miss Marjorie, who both want Darcy for themselves.
The narration was well done.The characters were well portrayed. Nancy Peterson character voices are pleasantly easy to listen to.
I am very anxious to begin listening to book 3.
"I was voluntarily provided this review copy audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator."
For as much as I enjoyed the first book, this one seemed to drag. It seemed like the entire ~300 page book took place over the course of a few weeks. And, seriously, how many dinners, balls, etc. did we really need to hear about? The story seemed in limbo just waiting to finish out this book so that the next one could be written. I had higher hopes for a more fluid story that accomplished the same amount of progression but without the tedious mentions of dinners and 'proper etiquette.'
This is a well written book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of intrigue and action with the " bad guys" being very wicked indeed. Looking forward to the next volume.
Another wonderful chapter in a beautiful love story between our dear couple. Though they face many obstacles on their path to the altar they fight hard for their happiness