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Mercy's Embrace: Elizabeth Elliot's Story #1
So Rough a Course
Elizabeth Elliot is as beautiful as ever, yet no gentleman of proper stature has requested her hand. Lady Russell claims she is too particular, but Elizabeth begs to differ. She is not about to settle for a gentleman of no distinction like her sister Mary. Nor will she follow her heart and marry a commoner with no title but Captain-that was Anne's mistake. As for romance and the tender stirrings of the heart, why, only a simpleton would fall prey to such foolishness! But when the proud Miss Elliot encounters a pair of smiling Irish eyes in a most unsuitable man of vulgar connections, she is tempted to change her opinion. Almost. Jane Austen's beloved Persuasion provides the backdrop for this delightful romp set in Regency England.
220 pages, Paperback
First published March 21, 2009
329 people are currently reading
634 people want to read
About the author
Laura Hile
23 books222 followersFaith, Hope, Laughter ... and Happily Ever After
Readers are loving Laura Hile's joyous Austenesque Regency novels. Her signature style---intertwined plots, cliffhangers, and laugh-out-loud humor---keep them coming back for more.
The comedy Laura comes by as a teacher. There's never a dull moment with teen students!
All of Laura's books are enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.
NEW! Laura is currently having novels and novellas produced as audiobooks.
These are available at most audio distribution outlets, including public libraries. Laura Hile Audiobooks, her channel at YouTube, offers her audiobooks for your enjoyment, FREE.
Laura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and sons. Her fiction is for everyone, even teens.
Awards:
SO THIS IS LOVE:
From Pemberley to Milton: Favorite Reads of 2020
A VERY AUSTEN ROMANCE:
Austenprose: Best Austenesque & Historical Books of 2020 (Short Story Anthology)
A VERY AUSTEN VALENTINE:
More Agreeably Engaged: Favorite Anthology 2018
CIR STRONG AWARD September, 2018:
For outstanding service to independent authors
DARCY BY ANY OTHER NAME:
* Babblings of a Bookworm My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2017
* Just Jane 1813 Reviewer's Favorite, 2016, Darcy By Any Other Name
* 2016 Favorites, Austenesque Reviews
* Top Ten Favorites, 2016, From Pemberley to Milton
* Best Books I Read in 2016, The Book Dragon
* Favorite Books 2016, More Agreeably Engaged
MERCY'S EMBRACE novels:
* Austenprose.com's 2012 Debut Author Award
* Mercy's Embrace as a series, AustenesqueReviews.com's Top Ten (Minor Character)
Readers are loving Laura Hile's joyous Austenesque Regency novels. Her signature style---intertwined plots, cliffhangers, and laugh-out-loud humor---keep them coming back for more.
The comedy Laura comes by as a teacher. There's never a dull moment with teen students!
All of Laura's books are enrolled in Kindle Unlimited.
NEW! Laura is currently having novels and novellas produced as audiobooks.
These are available at most audio distribution outlets, including public libraries. Laura Hile Audiobooks, her channel at YouTube, offers her audiobooks for your enjoyment, FREE.
Laura lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and sons. Her fiction is for everyone, even teens.
Awards:
SO THIS IS LOVE:
From Pemberley to Milton: Favorite Reads of 2020
A VERY AUSTEN ROMANCE:
Austenprose: Best Austenesque & Historical Books of 2020 (Short Story Anthology)
A VERY AUSTEN VALENTINE:
More Agreeably Engaged: Favorite Anthology 2018
CIR STRONG AWARD September, 2018:
For outstanding service to independent authors
DARCY BY ANY OTHER NAME:
* Babblings of a Bookworm My Top 10 Favorite Books of 2017
* Just Jane 1813 Reviewer's Favorite, 2016, Darcy By Any Other Name
* 2016 Favorites, Austenesque Reviews
* Top Ten Favorites, 2016, From Pemberley to Milton
* Best Books I Read in 2016, The Book Dragon
* Favorite Books 2016, More Agreeably Engaged
MERCY'S EMBRACE novels:
* Austenprose.com's 2012 Debut Author Award
* Mercy's Embrace as a series, AustenesqueReviews.com's Top Ten (Minor Character)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
May 2, 2019
NOTE: This is the first book in a trilogy. Although it ends at a logical stopping point, most of the major plot points are left unresolved. I sure wouldn't call it a stand-alone, so consider yourself warned in that respect.
I've never been an Elizabeth Elliot fan. I know I'm not supposed to be, since Jane Austen didn't exactly make her a sympathetic character. By the end of this sequel to Persuasion, I was starting to like her a little, though. I can tell that Ms. Hile is slowly chipping away at her arrogant, elitist attitude, and I'm enjoying the result. As for Sir Walter and Mary Musgrove - I still kinda hate them.
Sir Walter remains in denial about the financial crisis he himself created. Kellynch Hall is still leased to the Crofts, and he and his daughter Elizabeth did downsize when they moved to Bath, but their uncontrolled spending has continued. He ignores correspondence demanding payments without confiding in his closest daughter, although his health starts to be adversely affected by the stress. Over the course of this book, Elizabeth starts to understand how dire their financial condition is. While Sir Walter goes to live in a special clinic (run by a questionable quack who's probably fleecing him for what's left of his money), Elizabeth is forced to live at the home of her sister Anne (who marries her Frederick early in this story). With Anne and Frederick away, their cousin Estelle Stevenson-Bragg arrives--along with her two children--to act as Elizabeth's companion, to Elizabeth's dismay.
That's not the major plot point in this story, though. Elizabeth realizes she must marry for money to secure her own future since her father will not provide for her. She can't afford to be as picky about the pedigree of her suitors as she has been in the past. William Elliot tempts Penelope Clay away from Bath, making her his mistress and leaving Elizabeth (and Sir Walter) to suffer snickers from society behind their backs. But is Mr. Elliot truly finished with Elizabeth once he's made certain that Mrs. Clay will no longer be accepted back into the Elliots' household? Mr. Rushworth (of Northanger Abbey) is eager to marry Elizabeth as soon as his divorce from the scandalous Maria Bertram Rushworth is finalized. This would certainly be her most prudent financial choice...if she can stomach the Mama's boy.
Most significantly, Admiral Patrick McGillvary, a widower with a teenage daughter (Cleora), has decided that Miss Elliot is worth his interest. He loves the chase, and his reputation suggests his intentions may not be honorable. Thanks to her unwelcome "friend" Caroline Bingley (of Pride and Prejudice), Elizabeth crashes a house party to explore potential marital options, and she first meets the admiral there. She is rude and insulting, yet he finds himself intrigued by the feisty lady. The next time they encounter each other, she mistakes him for a mere clerk at the firm to which her father owes money and believes his name is Mr. Gill. The game is on, and it's an entertaining one to read.
Lady Russell and Mary Musgrove have their roles here, too. Lady R. is not in Bath for part of the story. When she returns, she tries to take Elizabeth and Mary in hand, and she attempts to influence Sir Walter regarding his finances. Mary does nothing but whine and complain, as one might expect. It's no wonder her husband Charles avoids her as much as he does. Anne and Frederick are mostly absent, but it's apparent that their roles will expand in the subsequent books.
There are a lot of layers starting to cook here. Ms. Hile is an accomplished storyteller, with the point of view shifting to different characters. All Jane Austen's characters are consistent with the original creations, although Elizabeth is in the process of gradually changing. I love how characters from other JA books besides just Persuasion make significant appearances. The book is well-edited.
I suggest that you have the next book in hand when you finish this one, because you WILL want to know what happens next. I sure do!
I've never been an Elizabeth Elliot fan. I know I'm not supposed to be, since Jane Austen didn't exactly make her a sympathetic character. By the end of this sequel to Persuasion, I was starting to like her a little, though. I can tell that Ms. Hile is slowly chipping away at her arrogant, elitist attitude, and I'm enjoying the result. As for Sir Walter and Mary Musgrove - I still kinda hate them.
Sir Walter remains in denial about the financial crisis he himself created. Kellynch Hall is still leased to the Crofts, and he and his daughter Elizabeth did downsize when they moved to Bath, but their uncontrolled spending has continued. He ignores correspondence demanding payments without confiding in his closest daughter, although his health starts to be adversely affected by the stress. Over the course of this book, Elizabeth starts to understand how dire their financial condition is. While Sir Walter goes to live in a special clinic (run by a questionable quack who's probably fleecing him for what's left of his money), Elizabeth is forced to live at the home of her sister Anne (who marries her Frederick early in this story). With Anne and Frederick away, their cousin Estelle Stevenson-Bragg arrives--along with her two children--to act as Elizabeth's companion, to Elizabeth's dismay.
That's not the major plot point in this story, though. Elizabeth realizes she must marry for money to secure her own future since her father will not provide for her. She can't afford to be as picky about the pedigree of her suitors as she has been in the past. William Elliot tempts Penelope Clay away from Bath, making her his mistress and leaving Elizabeth (and Sir Walter) to suffer snickers from society behind their backs. But is Mr. Elliot truly finished with Elizabeth once he's made certain that Mrs. Clay will no longer be accepted back into the Elliots' household? Mr. Rushworth (of Northanger Abbey) is eager to marry Elizabeth as soon as his divorce from the scandalous Maria Bertram Rushworth is finalized. This would certainly be her most prudent financial choice...if she can stomach the Mama's boy.
Most significantly, Admiral Patrick McGillvary, a widower with a teenage daughter (Cleora), has decided that Miss Elliot is worth his interest. He loves the chase, and his reputation suggests his intentions may not be honorable. Thanks to her unwelcome "friend" Caroline Bingley (of Pride and Prejudice), Elizabeth crashes a house party to explore potential marital options, and she first meets the admiral there. She is rude and insulting, yet he finds himself intrigued by the feisty lady. The next time they encounter each other, she mistakes him for a mere clerk at the firm to which her father owes money and believes his name is Mr. Gill. The game is on, and it's an entertaining one to read.
Lady Russell and Mary Musgrove have their roles here, too. Lady R. is not in Bath for part of the story. When she returns, she tries to take Elizabeth and Mary in hand, and she attempts to influence Sir Walter regarding his finances. Mary does nothing but whine and complain, as one might expect. It's no wonder her husband Charles avoids her as much as he does. Anne and Frederick are mostly absent, but it's apparent that their roles will expand in the subsequent books.
There are a lot of layers starting to cook here. Ms. Hile is an accomplished storyteller, with the point of view shifting to different characters. All Jane Austen's characters are consistent with the original creations, although Elizabeth is in the process of gradually changing. I love how characters from other JA books besides just Persuasion make significant appearances. The book is well-edited.
I suggest that you have the next book in hand when you finish this one, because you WILL want to know what happens next. I sure do!
August 30, 2012
Mercy’s Embrace, Book One, So Rough A Course by Laura Hile
In a sea of Darcy, Darcy, Darcy, I regret to admit that I may have over-indulged this winter and now suffer from post-Pride and Prejudice fanfiction fatigue. While perusing a generous stack of novels sent to me from our blogmistress, Laurel Ann, I was delighted to discover a follow-up story to Jane Austen’s masterpiece, Persuasion, entitled Mercy’s Embrace, So Rough A Course, Book 1 by debut author Laura Hile. I was instantly intrigued, as I have always wanted to know what happened next to these Austen’s heroes, Captain Frederick Wentworth and his wife, Anne– only to realize that this wasn’t their story at all, but that of Elizabeth Elliot. Elizabeth Elliot?! Anne’s pretentious, vain, selfish, and thoughtless older sister? What? No one likes her, my subconscious whined. Jane Austen gave her no redeeming qualities. She’s awful. So I put it back in the stack and read something else. What-what? (Bear with me… I’m getting to it.) Weeks later, after working my way through the stack, I came upon Hile’s book again, and with reluctance, gave myself up to chance.
And lucky I did, too. Yes we all know Austen’s Elizabeth Elliot to be despicable, unkind and a grasping social snob but Hile’s Elizabeth although still all of that, shows us inside Elizabeth’s mind and why she comports herself as she does. I hate to excuse anyone’s bad behavior but in knowing her better, her disposition is better understood.
The novel opens shortly before Anne is to wed Captain Wentworth, and we learn that Sir Walter Elliot’s finances are as dire as ever. The beautiful yet dissatisfied Miss Elliot must manage her feckless, frivolous father whilst attempting to make a most auspicious match for herself. Even her companion Mrs. Clay has run off to Lord knows where… In no time at all, I found myself cheering for this dauntless woman and even laughing out loud at her own snarky sense of humour. “Mary’s letter must be sent first, before others and by express. If only she could manage to inform her through more reliable means! It would be very like Mary to pretend she hadn’t received a word and come to Bath anyway. Life without a companion might be dull, but a fortnight’s visit from Mary would be intolerable!” p. 45.
Hiding from his creditors under the guise of illness, Sir Walter Elliot forces Elizabeth to shift for herself. She moves in with the newly married Wentworth’s and as she struggles with her less than desirable situation, plots how to distinguish herself again amongst society’s elite. Unfortunately, suitable prospects on the marriage mart are meager at best for a woman of Elizabeth’s standards and wants. “A man needs three qualities in order to be considered a matrimonial prize, Mr. Gill. Good breeding, good looks and a good income. And he should not be too old. My father and I disagree on that last point.”p.137. While entertaining the usual prospects including the newly divorced but obscenely moneyed and well-connected Mr. Rushworth (yes, THAT same Mr. Rushworth from Austen’s Mansfield Park!) Elizabeth meets the virile, rich, eligible, self-satisfied Admiral Patrick McGillvary from a noble Irish family. Although he does not fail to turn her head, it must be noted he comes with the most unseemly reputation. As she has Rushworth dangling on the hook, she cultivates an unlikely friendship with a lowly, humble clerk, one Mr. Gill, who by the way happens to have the same lovely eyes as McGillvary, and has a knack for bringing forth her humility and honor.
I read this first in the series in almost one sitting… well after midnight in fact. I must confess that the amazing, hanging-off-the-cliff-by-my-fingernails-cliffhanger, compelled me to search through THAT stack of books from Laurel Ann again, find and continue on with So Lovely A Chase, Book Two. Fortuitous I had it on hand, indeed!
Laura Hile humanizes Elizabeth’s plight without making her some ridiculous martyr. She maintains Elizabeth’s general haughty appearance and pretensions but delves deeper into the woman, allowing us further insight. Might she be Austen’s female Mr. Darcy in the midst of redemption? Hile is respectful of Austen’s original characters all the while making them and this story all her own. So Rough A Course was enjoyable from beginning to the last page of the third book. This treasure should be read sooner than later. My apologies to the author, in allowing my own prejudice against this Elizabeth to suspend my reading (and enjoyment) of her novel for so long.
In a sea of Darcy, Darcy, Darcy, I regret to admit that I may have over-indulged this winter and now suffer from post-Pride and Prejudice fanfiction fatigue. While perusing a generous stack of novels sent to me from our blogmistress, Laurel Ann, I was delighted to discover a follow-up story to Jane Austen’s masterpiece, Persuasion, entitled Mercy’s Embrace, So Rough A Course, Book 1 by debut author Laura Hile. I was instantly intrigued, as I have always wanted to know what happened next to these Austen’s heroes, Captain Frederick Wentworth and his wife, Anne– only to realize that this wasn’t their story at all, but that of Elizabeth Elliot. Elizabeth Elliot?! Anne’s pretentious, vain, selfish, and thoughtless older sister? What? No one likes her, my subconscious whined. Jane Austen gave her no redeeming qualities. She’s awful. So I put it back in the stack and read something else. What-what? (Bear with me… I’m getting to it.) Weeks later, after working my way through the stack, I came upon Hile’s book again, and with reluctance, gave myself up to chance.
And lucky I did, too. Yes we all know Austen’s Elizabeth Elliot to be despicable, unkind and a grasping social snob but Hile’s Elizabeth although still all of that, shows us inside Elizabeth’s mind and why she comports herself as she does. I hate to excuse anyone’s bad behavior but in knowing her better, her disposition is better understood.
The novel opens shortly before Anne is to wed Captain Wentworth, and we learn that Sir Walter Elliot’s finances are as dire as ever. The beautiful yet dissatisfied Miss Elliot must manage her feckless, frivolous father whilst attempting to make a most auspicious match for herself. Even her companion Mrs. Clay has run off to Lord knows where… In no time at all, I found myself cheering for this dauntless woman and even laughing out loud at her own snarky sense of humour. “Mary’s letter must be sent first, before others and by express. If only she could manage to inform her through more reliable means! It would be very like Mary to pretend she hadn’t received a word and come to Bath anyway. Life without a companion might be dull, but a fortnight’s visit from Mary would be intolerable!” p. 45.
Hiding from his creditors under the guise of illness, Sir Walter Elliot forces Elizabeth to shift for herself. She moves in with the newly married Wentworth’s and as she struggles with her less than desirable situation, plots how to distinguish herself again amongst society’s elite. Unfortunately, suitable prospects on the marriage mart are meager at best for a woman of Elizabeth’s standards and wants. “A man needs three qualities in order to be considered a matrimonial prize, Mr. Gill. Good breeding, good looks and a good income. And he should not be too old. My father and I disagree on that last point.”p.137. While entertaining the usual prospects including the newly divorced but obscenely moneyed and well-connected Mr. Rushworth (yes, THAT same Mr. Rushworth from Austen’s Mansfield Park!) Elizabeth meets the virile, rich, eligible, self-satisfied Admiral Patrick McGillvary from a noble Irish family. Although he does not fail to turn her head, it must be noted he comes with the most unseemly reputation. As she has Rushworth dangling on the hook, she cultivates an unlikely friendship with a lowly, humble clerk, one Mr. Gill, who by the way happens to have the same lovely eyes as McGillvary, and has a knack for bringing forth her humility and honor.
I read this first in the series in almost one sitting… well after midnight in fact. I must confess that the amazing, hanging-off-the-cliff-by-my-fingernails-cliffhanger, compelled me to search through THAT stack of books from Laurel Ann again, find and continue on with So Lovely A Chase, Book Two. Fortuitous I had it on hand, indeed!
Laura Hile humanizes Elizabeth’s plight without making her some ridiculous martyr. She maintains Elizabeth’s general haughty appearance and pretensions but delves deeper into the woman, allowing us further insight. Might she be Austen’s female Mr. Darcy in the midst of redemption? Hile is respectful of Austen’s original characters all the while making them and this story all her own. So Rough A Course was enjoyable from beginning to the last page of the third book. This treasure should be read sooner than later. My apologies to the author, in allowing my own prejudice against this Elizabeth to suspend my reading (and enjoyment) of her novel for so long.
February 21, 2018
I always wondered what would become of Elizabeth Elliot after her sister, Anne, married Wentworth in "Persuasion". Would she turn into a spinster constantly holding up the snobbery and vanity of her father, Sir Walter Elliot? Or would she 'see the light' and fight to find her own happily-ever-after? I must say Ms. Hile has certainly given me the latter in this intriguing journey that Elizabeth has set for herself.
Elizabeth Elliot is beautiful, headstrong, determined and a touch impulsive, slightly desperate, in her pursuit of getting married before her thirtieth birthday, which is not far off. Her father is of no help and very evasive. Their financial situation seems to be getting worse, and she is unable to glean any information from him. Her sister, Anne, is of no help either, now that she is marrying her "opinionated, self-assured and brash" Captain. So Elizabeth decides to take the bull by it's horns and find herself a husband.
"Elizabeth had never allowed Romance to have a place in her life." (quote from the book)
Along the way, she starts learning some very hard truths. Along the way, she is pursued by some very unique suitors. How she handles herself and her suitors left me either laughing, snickering or slightly worried. We know who she should marry, but even he has made a muddle of things. Oh, and one of the fun elements of this book is that Miss Bingley is a 'friend'! Yes, there were some delightful crossover of characters in this tale. The journey is far from over as this is only Book 1 with two more to go!
Elizabeth Elliot is beautiful, headstrong, determined and a touch impulsive, slightly desperate, in her pursuit of getting married before her thirtieth birthday, which is not far off. Her father is of no help and very evasive. Their financial situation seems to be getting worse, and she is unable to glean any information from him. Her sister, Anne, is of no help either, now that she is marrying her "opinionated, self-assured and brash" Captain. So Elizabeth decides to take the bull by it's horns and find herself a husband.
"Elizabeth had never allowed Romance to have a place in her life." (quote from the book)
Along the way, she starts learning some very hard truths. Along the way, she is pursued by some very unique suitors. How she handles herself and her suitors left me either laughing, snickering or slightly worried. We know who she should marry, but even he has made a muddle of things. Oh, and one of the fun elements of this book is that Miss Bingley is a 'friend'! Yes, there were some delightful crossover of characters in this tale. The journey is far from over as this is only Book 1 with two more to go!
January 13, 2018
I love this series! Any author who can make me love Elizabeth Elliot deserves a medal. I finished this book in a day and hurried to read Book 2.
Robin Helm
Robin Helm
February 15, 2019
William Elliot's heart is broken. His cousin Anne rejected him in favor of a common sailor and Sir Walter seems close to forming an attachment to Penelope Clay. It's time to put a plan into action. William has a two-fold plan: 1)keep Sir Walter from begetting an heir and 2)marry Elizabeth. Elizabeth Elliot, nearing thirty, is desperate. She's stuck living in Bath with her silly father and the gossipping old ladies who will be quick to spread the story of the Elliotts' retrenchment if she isn't careful. A few white lies never hurt anyone, right? Elizabeth suspects her Papa is spending MORE, not less, and will soon land them in the river tick if something isn't done. The only thing Elizabeth can do to save herself is marry. In Bath, Elizabeth's only suitors are elderly roues, encouraged by her father. The only real possibility for marriage is the fat, unintelligent Mr. Rushworth, who is about to become divorced from his wife. Can Elizabeth bear Mr. Rushworth and his overbearing Mama? Not really but does she have a choice? She MUST get out and about in wider society. Curse this entrenchment! Patrick McGillvary is staying in Bath to look after his family finances and property since he is now the head of the family. He also hopes to bring his daughter Cleora into society a bit to help her overcome her timidity. He is struck by Elizabeth Elliot's beauty but she won't give him the time of day. Well then, he'll just have to use his legendary charm to make sure she notices him. Elizabeth is the only woman in the world to resist Patrick and when he bungles their first official meeting, he must come up with a secondary plan to woo Elizabeth and make her see that "common sailors," tradesmen and "mushrooms" can be pleasant companions.
This story is described as a romp, which is not. It's a decent spin-off of Persuasion with some small errors. I don't really buy into the romance between Patrick and Elizabeth. I don't understand his motivation in pursuing her except for the thrill of the chase. I find that behavior disgusting. I can see how she is drawn to his strength and self-assurance at a time when her own self-assurance is waning and her independence curtailed. The story is populated by other of Austen's minor characters, including Mr. Rushworth from Mansfield Park. Read MP before you read this book or beware spoilers!
I have a lot of empathy for Elizabeth and even some for Caroline Bingley. As the eldest daughter, the only unmarried child, living in a household with parents who should be economizing but can't seem to, I COMPLETELY understand Elizabeth's frustrations. While I have options, Elizabeth does not. It's either live with her father and be dragged down with him or marry someone she doesn't love or respect just for his fortune and a home of her own. Elizabeth is incredibly rude and snobby but her father is to blame. His own narcissism makes him raise his daughters with a sense of consequence above what it should be. (The joke is on him because he isn't technically nobility). Anne's personality is different from Elizabeth's. Anne is more gentle, shy and fragile. Her mother's death affected her different than Elizabeth. Mary acts more like the middle child constantly seeking attention. She's far more snobby and rude than Elizabeth.
Anne was allowed to grieve her mother and make friends at school whereas Elizabeth was not. She was thrust into the role of hostess without preparation. She was still a schoolgirl. Elizabeth had to grow up quickly and adapt to her father's ways without a say in the matter. Inside, she's more vulnerable and confused than her brittle exterior shows. Do I think this is what Jane Austen intended for her character? Probably not, but in terms of this series, I understand why she is the way she is and feel sorry for her. That doesn't mean I LIKE Elizabeth and want to be her friend.
Patrick is almost as bad as Elizabeth. He's full of himself because he's a charming naval hero. He's also quite wealthy and a landowner but Elizabeth only seems him as a lowly sailor. I don't respect his pursuit of her and the things he does to get her attention. Their growing friendship would be charming if he wasn't a bit smarmy.
Mr. Rushworth is under the thumb of his doting Mama. He has the mentality of a child and acts like a puppy. I don't blame Elizabeth for not being attracted to him. She would be another Maria though, bored and unhappy, but at this point, she doesn't have a choice. Maria was given the option of not marrying him. Elizabeth doesn't have options because her cousin rejected her once and wounded her pride and now he doesn't act interested.
William Elliot is busy being a cad. He takes up Mrs. Clay under false pretenses. She isn't smart enough to understand that he's using her and will soon ditch her. She has her own motivations for doing what she's doing but Penelope Clay is no match for William Elliot.
Sir Walter is worse than ever. He's an old fool and if he doesn't watch out, he'll lose everything. His new physician is clearly unethical and sees Sir Walter as easy prey. Lady Russell is the only one who can control him. She is domineering and tough. As a wealthy widow, Lady Russell has power and prestige and she always seems to get what she wants... except for Anne's marriage.
Anne and Frederick seem happy together. His personality is a little too alpha for me in this novel but he just wants to protect Anne from being sucked into the crazy vortex of her family. His own family isn't a whole lot better. His cousin, Mrs. Stevenson-Bragg, is what Elizabeth calls a "mushroom." Mrs. S-B has a really grating personality. She's vulgar, uncouth, garish but instead of guiding her, Elizabeth wages wages war on the interloper. I don't like Frederick's cousin for being annoying, rude and irritating but to behave as Elizabeth does is childish. Frederick's butler, Yee, a Chinese man, is formidable. I have a feeling he is trying to teach Elizabeth a lesson somehow. I'm not quite sure what he is up to. Next door to Anne and Frederick's house is a Miss Owen. I can see why she and Anne have become friends. Miss Owen is like Anne before Frederick reentered her life. I quite like the timid young lady.
Let's see what the next volume holds for these characters.
Readers take note that this is a Christian author and there are Biblical references, quotations and church scenes.
This story is described as a romp, which is not. It's a decent spin-off of Persuasion with some small errors. I don't really buy into the romance between Patrick and Elizabeth. I don't understand his motivation in pursuing her except for the thrill of the chase. I find that behavior disgusting. I can see how she is drawn to his strength and self-assurance at a time when her own self-assurance is waning and her independence curtailed. The story is populated by other of Austen's minor characters, including Mr. Rushworth from Mansfield Park. Read MP before you read this book or beware spoilers!
I have a lot of empathy for Elizabeth and even some for Caroline Bingley. As the eldest daughter, the only unmarried child, living in a household with parents who should be economizing but can't seem to, I COMPLETELY understand Elizabeth's frustrations. While I have options, Elizabeth does not. It's either live with her father and be dragged down with him or marry someone she doesn't love or respect just for his fortune and a home of her own. Elizabeth is incredibly rude and snobby but her father is to blame. His own narcissism makes him raise his daughters with a sense of consequence above what it should be. (The joke is on him because he isn't technically nobility). Anne's personality is different from Elizabeth's. Anne is more gentle, shy and fragile. Her mother's death affected her different than Elizabeth. Mary acts more like the middle child constantly seeking attention. She's far more snobby and rude than Elizabeth.
Anne was allowed to grieve her mother and make friends at school whereas Elizabeth was not. She was thrust into the role of hostess without preparation. She was still a schoolgirl. Elizabeth had to grow up quickly and adapt to her father's ways without a say in the matter. Inside, she's more vulnerable and confused than her brittle exterior shows. Do I think this is what Jane Austen intended for her character? Probably not, but in terms of this series, I understand why she is the way she is and feel sorry for her. That doesn't mean I LIKE Elizabeth and want to be her friend.
Patrick is almost as bad as Elizabeth. He's full of himself because he's a charming naval hero. He's also quite wealthy and a landowner but Elizabeth only seems him as a lowly sailor. I don't respect his pursuit of her and the things he does to get her attention. Their growing friendship would be charming if he wasn't a bit smarmy.
Mr. Rushworth is under the thumb of his doting Mama. He has the mentality of a child and acts like a puppy. I don't blame Elizabeth for not being attracted to him. She would be another Maria though, bored and unhappy, but at this point, she doesn't have a choice. Maria was given the option of not marrying him. Elizabeth doesn't have options because her cousin rejected her once and wounded her pride and now he doesn't act interested.
William Elliot is busy being a cad. He takes up Mrs. Clay under false pretenses. She isn't smart enough to understand that he's using her and will soon ditch her. She has her own motivations for doing what she's doing but Penelope Clay is no match for William Elliot.
Sir Walter is worse than ever. He's an old fool and if he doesn't watch out, he'll lose everything. His new physician is clearly unethical and sees Sir Walter as easy prey. Lady Russell is the only one who can control him. She is domineering and tough. As a wealthy widow, Lady Russell has power and prestige and she always seems to get what she wants... except for Anne's marriage.
Anne and Frederick seem happy together. His personality is a little too alpha for me in this novel but he just wants to protect Anne from being sucked into the crazy vortex of her family. His own family isn't a whole lot better. His cousin, Mrs. Stevenson-Bragg, is what Elizabeth calls a "mushroom." Mrs. S-B has a really grating personality. She's vulgar, uncouth, garish but instead of guiding her, Elizabeth wages wages war on the interloper. I don't like Frederick's cousin for being annoying, rude and irritating but to behave as Elizabeth does is childish. Frederick's butler, Yee, a Chinese man, is formidable. I have a feeling he is trying to teach Elizabeth a lesson somehow. I'm not quite sure what he is up to. Next door to Anne and Frederick's house is a Miss Owen. I can see why she and Anne have become friends. Miss Owen is like Anne before Frederick reentered her life. I quite like the timid young lady.
Let's see what the next volume holds for these characters.
Readers take note that this is a Christian author and there are Biblical references, quotations and church scenes.
December 23, 2017
Although it took me several days to finish this book it was not lack of interest or of spell binging intrigue. With the holidays I was busy...and so was Elizabeth Elliot in this story. She is determined not to remain a spinster but at the same time her father's debts and his secrecy about his finances on top of all her fine jewels showing up as paste give her much to fret about. Mrs. Clay has gone off. William Elliot has left the scene as well.
But there is a new player...no make that two new players in town, in Bath. Admiral Patrick McGillvary just seems to rub her the wrong way. He is a Navy man and she can't stand those, especially with her opinion about Anne's husband, Fredrick Wentworth. But then there is Mr. Gill, a tradesman, for sure, but he is so charming and seems to be in the right place at the right time.
Little does she know one of those two is out to bring her down a peg or two, while she is trying to keep Mr. Rushworth on a string. (You remember him of Mansfield Park.) He is awaiting his divorce from Mariah. Elizabeth is beautiful but also her father's daughter...it is all about connections and now she knows...money.
This book is the first in a series. It is not a stand alone. I do believe the Admiral will win some admiration with his cunning and his amusing plans to gain a little of his own revenge. But I wonder if he will be caught in the end? Rushworth and W. Elliot are not to be ignored.
Although I am a major fan of P&P variations this story, despite my loathing of Elizabeth and her father, has managed to spark my interest and I will be reading the second in the series.
But there is a new player...no make that two new players in town, in Bath. Admiral Patrick McGillvary just seems to rub her the wrong way. He is a Navy man and she can't stand those, especially with her opinion about Anne's husband, Fredrick Wentworth. But then there is Mr. Gill, a tradesman, for sure, but he is so charming and seems to be in the right place at the right time.
Little does she know one of those two is out to bring her down a peg or two, while she is trying to keep Mr. Rushworth on a string. (You remember him of Mansfield Park.) He is awaiting his divorce from Mariah. Elizabeth is beautiful but also her father's daughter...it is all about connections and now she knows...money.
This book is the first in a series. It is not a stand alone. I do believe the Admiral will win some admiration with his cunning and his amusing plans to gain a little of his own revenge. But I wonder if he will be caught in the end? Rushworth and W. Elliot are not to be ignored.
Although I am a major fan of P&P variations this story, despite my loathing of Elizabeth and her father, has managed to spark my interest and I will be reading the second in the series.
June 3, 2010
The beautiful, haughty, and expensive Elizabeth Elliot is determined to be married before her rapidly approaching thirtieth birthday. The family's dire financial situation and the fact that both her younger sisters are no longer single increases Elizabeth's desire to be wed. For Elizabeth, “a man needs three qualities in order to be considered a matrimonial prize...good breeding, good looks, and a good income.” While on the lookout for this “matrimonial prize” Elizabeth encounters a wide variety suitors, some more eligible than others.
Unfortunately, in one way or another, all these marriageable prospects are disagreeable choices for Elizabeth. First there is the lecherous Sir Henry Farley, who is old enough to be her grandfather and has a invalid wife still living. Then there is Mr. Rushworth, a wealthy young man, albeit a bit doltish, who will soon be in the market for a new bride as soon as his divorce is final. (sound familiar? I love that a Mansfield Park character is appearing in the pages of a Persuasion sequel!) Although Rushworth seems quite smitten with her, Elizabeth fears she will be unable to marry such a foolish man, no matter how wealthy he is. Lastly, Mr. Elliot has returned to Bath, and seems to be intently pursuing Elizabeth, but she loathes the sight of him.
Elizabeth escapes the attentions of all these men by forming a friendship with a gentlemen who appears to be the least likely to fit her description of a “matrimonial prize;” yet, ironically, he fulfills all three of her requirements. Enter Admiral Patrick McGillvary (a.k.a. Patrick Gill). Admiral McGillvary is daring, strong-willed, quick-witted, and devastatingly sexy. In addition to all this he is wealthier than Mr. Rushworth and from a noble Irish family. However, this is not the man whom Elizabeth befriends, she befriends a humble and common clerk by the name of Patrick Gill. Elizabeth is completely unaware that Admiral McGillvary and Mr. Gill are one in the same. Will Elizabeth break her vow to remain immune to romance and fall in love with an ineligible man? Will Admiral McGillvary ever escape from his tangled web of lies? And will Elizabeth be able to forgive him for deceiving her? (Hopefully these questions will be answered in book two or three of this series!)
Under the pen of the talented Laura Hile, Elizabeth Elliot, one of the least liked of all Austen women, is becoming an appealing and captivating heroine. Remaining true to her nature, Elizabeth is still horribly pretentious and self-absorbed. But the reader will be able to see the stirrings of a sympathetic heart and a humbled disposition, and know that Elizabeth's character is in the midst of an admirable transformation.
I am exceedingly impressed and pleased with Mercy's Embrace: So Rough Course! I am greatly enjoying Ms. Hile's respectful renderings of these beloved Austen characters and I relish her fast-paced and thrilling style. I find Mercy's Embrace to be a simply magnificent series, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the second installment, Mercy's Embrace: So Lively a Chase!
(Potential readers should be made aware that this is the first book in the Mercy's Embrace series, and that it will be necessary to read all three books to attain the story's conclusion).
Austenesque Reviews
Unfortunately, in one way or another, all these marriageable prospects are disagreeable choices for Elizabeth. First there is the lecherous Sir Henry Farley, who is old enough to be her grandfather and has a invalid wife still living. Then there is Mr. Rushworth, a wealthy young man, albeit a bit doltish, who will soon be in the market for a new bride as soon as his divorce is final. (sound familiar? I love that a Mansfield Park character is appearing in the pages of a Persuasion sequel!) Although Rushworth seems quite smitten with her, Elizabeth fears she will be unable to marry such a foolish man, no matter how wealthy he is. Lastly, Mr. Elliot has returned to Bath, and seems to be intently pursuing Elizabeth, but she loathes the sight of him.
Elizabeth escapes the attentions of all these men by forming a friendship with a gentlemen who appears to be the least likely to fit her description of a “matrimonial prize;” yet, ironically, he fulfills all three of her requirements. Enter Admiral Patrick McGillvary (a.k.a. Patrick Gill). Admiral McGillvary is daring, strong-willed, quick-witted, and devastatingly sexy. In addition to all this he is wealthier than Mr. Rushworth and from a noble Irish family. However, this is not the man whom Elizabeth befriends, she befriends a humble and common clerk by the name of Patrick Gill. Elizabeth is completely unaware that Admiral McGillvary and Mr. Gill are one in the same. Will Elizabeth break her vow to remain immune to romance and fall in love with an ineligible man? Will Admiral McGillvary ever escape from his tangled web of lies? And will Elizabeth be able to forgive him for deceiving her? (Hopefully these questions will be answered in book two or three of this series!)
Under the pen of the talented Laura Hile, Elizabeth Elliot, one of the least liked of all Austen women, is becoming an appealing and captivating heroine. Remaining true to her nature, Elizabeth is still horribly pretentious and self-absorbed. But the reader will be able to see the stirrings of a sympathetic heart and a humbled disposition, and know that Elizabeth's character is in the midst of an admirable transformation.
I am exceedingly impressed and pleased with Mercy's Embrace: So Rough Course! I am greatly enjoying Ms. Hile's respectful renderings of these beloved Austen characters and I relish her fast-paced and thrilling style. I find Mercy's Embrace to be a simply magnificent series, and I can hardly wait to get my hands on the second installment, Mercy's Embrace: So Lively a Chase!
(Potential readers should be made aware that this is the first book in the Mercy's Embrace series, and that it will be necessary to read all three books to attain the story's conclusion).
Austenesque Reviews
August 13, 2010
If you have read any of my past reviews you know that I love Jane Austen. I am also a fan of sequels, what if , and variation stories that her fans have written. My favorite book by Jane Austen is Persuasion.
I gush every time I read the letter Captain Wentworth writes to Anne. Mercy's Embrace is a sequel to Persuasion. However this book is not about Anne but her older sister Elizabeth. I have to admit in Persuasion, Elizabeth was not one of my favorite characters. She is vain, rude, obnoxious and snarky. So why did I read this story you ask? I read it because I remembered the saying "Everyone has a story". I wanted to find out about Elizabeth Elliot's story.
Laura Hile picks up the story right after Captain Wentworth and Anne's engagement. She brings back all the beloved characters and introduces us to some new ones. Laura sticks to the characters original personalities. I think Jane Austen would be proud. The story line is good. Elizabeth is forced to make sacrifices due to her financial situation. She has the Elliot pride and is on the look out for a wealthy husband. Elizabeth finds a suitor but does not like him, much less love him. She forms an unlikely friendship with the charming Mr. Gill who is not at all wealthy or so she believes. Elizabeth starts to learn lessons in humility, prudence, patience and love. In this story you can start to see the evolution of Elizabeth's character. There are also some delightful surprises along the way. Elizabeth is friends with none other than Caroline Bingley. I have to say I was tickled to see the crossover. Laura Hile has done a wonderful job in this sequel to Persuasion. It has made me like and understand Elizabeth Elliot a little more.
Mercy's Embrace is a three part book series: So Rough A Course, So Lively A Chase and The Lady Must Decide. Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks when I review the next two in the series.
*My thanks to Laura Hile, Pamela Mogen and Wytherngate Press for providing me a copy of the Mercy's Embrace Trilogy to review. This in no way influenced my review.
I gush every time I read the letter Captain Wentworth writes to Anne. Mercy's Embrace is a sequel to Persuasion. However this book is not about Anne but her older sister Elizabeth. I have to admit in Persuasion, Elizabeth was not one of my favorite characters. She is vain, rude, obnoxious and snarky. So why did I read this story you ask? I read it because I remembered the saying "Everyone has a story". I wanted to find out about Elizabeth Elliot's story.
Laura Hile picks up the story right after Captain Wentworth and Anne's engagement. She brings back all the beloved characters and introduces us to some new ones. Laura sticks to the characters original personalities. I think Jane Austen would be proud. The story line is good. Elizabeth is forced to make sacrifices due to her financial situation. She has the Elliot pride and is on the look out for a wealthy husband. Elizabeth finds a suitor but does not like him, much less love him. She forms an unlikely friendship with the charming Mr. Gill who is not at all wealthy or so she believes. Elizabeth starts to learn lessons in humility, prudence, patience and love. In this story you can start to see the evolution of Elizabeth's character. There are also some delightful surprises along the way. Elizabeth is friends with none other than Caroline Bingley. I have to say I was tickled to see the crossover. Laura Hile has done a wonderful job in this sequel to Persuasion. It has made me like and understand Elizabeth Elliot a little more.
Mercy's Embrace is a three part book series: So Rough A Course, So Lively A Chase and The Lady Must Decide. Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks when I review the next two in the series.
*My thanks to Laura Hile, Pamela Mogen and Wytherngate Press for providing me a copy of the Mercy's Embrace Trilogy to review. This in no way influenced my review.
April 9, 2010
I've been reading Mercy's Embrace for years as Laura Hile serialized it online. The series is wonderful and FORCES you to like Elizabeth Elliot. She could easily be a modern heroine with just a new wardrobe and a cell phone. Laura makes all the characters, Austen and none, jump off the page. You'll enjoy it.
December 12, 2017
Eh, I clicked the "read it" icon ... because there isn't a "wrote it" icon! How odd to be reviewing my own book! As to genre, it's a Regency romantic comedy featuring the so-opinionated Elizabeth Elliot and all your friends from Austen's Persuasion. It was a kick to write. I hope you enjoy it.
May 11, 2018
C'è qualche difetto, non ultimo il fatto che il finale è aperto e dovrò leggere i successivi per sapere se Patrick McGillvary riuscirà nel suo intento (ma chi gliela fa fare? Per Elizabeth Elliot? Solo perché è bella? Perché di certo è odiosa come sempre. E adesso è diventata pure opportunista!)
E comunque non mi è piaciuto il passaggio nel romanzo di alcuni personaggi che non vengono presentati adeguatamente. Passi per quelli che provengono dai romanzi austeniani (non solo Persuasione, ma anche Mansfield Park e qualcosina di Emma), ma gli altri? Chi sono? Appaiono all'improvviso e...
E anche con la sequenza temporale non ci siamo. Non è ben chiaro. Cene, matrimoni, ricevimenti sembrano essere piuttosto fluttuanti a seconda delle esigenze dell'autrice.
Metto comunque quattro stelle perché Patrick McGill mi sta proprio simpatico, e i suoi incontri alla sala da tè - e non solo - con Miss Elliot si facevano leggere volentieri.
E comunque non mi è piaciuto il passaggio nel romanzo di alcuni personaggi che non vengono presentati adeguatamente. Passi per quelli che provengono dai romanzi austeniani (non solo Persuasione, ma anche Mansfield Park e qualcosina di Emma), ma gli altri? Chi sono? Appaiono all'improvviso e...
E anche con la sequenza temporale non ci siamo. Non è ben chiaro. Cene, matrimoni, ricevimenti sembrano essere piuttosto fluttuanti a seconda delle esigenze dell'autrice.
Metto comunque quattro stelle perché Patrick McGill mi sta proprio simpatico, e i suoi incontri alla sala da tè - e non solo - con Miss Elliot si facevano leggere volentieri.
February 25, 2019
A warning to readers that this is not a complete book. It is 1/3 of a book. It's well-written, almost no editing errors, enjoyable, and often on sale, but the price for the whole book is on the steep side for a Kindle JAFF. I was lucky enough to buy all three on sale; however, this first third of the novel was good enough that I had to check to make sure I had the others, and had I not, I would have paid the regular price for them. It's just that good.
I'm a JAFF writer and may be considered to have a conflict of interest in writing a review for this book. (Whether that is that there would be a perception that any negative comments are because I would prefer to promote my own books or that I'm friends with this author are subjects of my own interest.)
I'm a JAFF writer and may be considered to have a conflict of interest in writing a review for this book. (Whether that is that there would be a perception that any negative comments are because I would prefer to promote my own books or that I'm friends with this author are subjects of my own interest.)
June 25, 2012
According to Elizabeth Elliot, a man must possess three qualities in order to be considered eligible: good breeding, good looks, and a good income. As her thirtieth birthday draws near, Elizabeth is beginning to wonder if a man can truly possess all three qualities. Surely two out of three isn’t bad…right? As for matters of the heart, one must be a simpleton, indeed, to believe there is a chance of falling in love with a man who bears all of these.
Beautiful as ever, Elizabeth Elliot is determined to end this Season with a secure future. But to whom does she set her cap? Her very rich, yet disreputable cousin, William Elliot, who will make her the next Lady Elliot? The foolish and portly Mr. Rushworth with his large fortune and extensive estate? She can’t possibly consider clerk Patrick Gill a suitable match, even with his captivating conversation, and ability to make Elizabeth smile while also properly humbling her, for he has no title or money. Well! Elizabeth’s options are dreadfully limited as Bath is teeming with more vulgar seaman like Admiral Patrick McGillvary than eligible bachelors. And Elizabeth refuses to make the same mistake her sisters have in marrying a plain gentleman, who will one day become a country squire, or a common sailor with no title besides Captain.
Similar to Admiral McGillvary, I enjoy the chase. For a man whose smile gets him nearly everything he wants, McGillvary accepts the beautiful Miss Elliot’s snub as a challenge. However, being a lowly sailor with a reputation might not get him the reception he desires with the oh-so-proper Miss Elliot. But never one to back down, McGillvary faces this challenge, though not in the way originally planned.
I thoroughly enjoyed Hile’s writing. Using Austen’s Persuasion as a backdrop, as well as bringing in the infamous Caroline Bingley, gave the story a sense of familiarity, yet with her original characters, writing style, and humor, Hile was able to keep me on my toes for what was to come next.
I am curious to see where Hile takes her readers in Book Two, So Lively A Chase. While Sir Walter is still a narcissist, his financial troubles are even more severe, the stress of which is causing him several health problems. With the help of his new doctor friend, Mr. Savoy, Sir Walter appears to be on the mend. Yet, something just isn’t sitting right with Mr. Savoy. What is he really up to? As for Elizabeth’s matrimonial prospects, will she keep her promise to one man, or end up the victim of her heart?
www.leatherboundreviews.blogspot.com
Beautiful as ever, Elizabeth Elliot is determined to end this Season with a secure future. But to whom does she set her cap? Her very rich, yet disreputable cousin, William Elliot, who will make her the next Lady Elliot? The foolish and portly Mr. Rushworth with his large fortune and extensive estate? She can’t possibly consider clerk Patrick Gill a suitable match, even with his captivating conversation, and ability to make Elizabeth smile while also properly humbling her, for he has no title or money. Well! Elizabeth’s options are dreadfully limited as Bath is teeming with more vulgar seaman like Admiral Patrick McGillvary than eligible bachelors. And Elizabeth refuses to make the same mistake her sisters have in marrying a plain gentleman, who will one day become a country squire, or a common sailor with no title besides Captain.
Similar to Admiral McGillvary, I enjoy the chase. For a man whose smile gets him nearly everything he wants, McGillvary accepts the beautiful Miss Elliot’s snub as a challenge. However, being a lowly sailor with a reputation might not get him the reception he desires with the oh-so-proper Miss Elliot. But never one to back down, McGillvary faces this challenge, though not in the way originally planned.
I thoroughly enjoyed Hile’s writing. Using Austen’s Persuasion as a backdrop, as well as bringing in the infamous Caroline Bingley, gave the story a sense of familiarity, yet with her original characters, writing style, and humor, Hile was able to keep me on my toes for what was to come next.
I am curious to see where Hile takes her readers in Book Two, So Lively A Chase. While Sir Walter is still a narcissist, his financial troubles are even more severe, the stress of which is causing him several health problems. With the help of his new doctor friend, Mr. Savoy, Sir Walter appears to be on the mend. Yet, something just isn’t sitting right with Mr. Savoy. What is he really up to? As for Elizabeth’s matrimonial prospects, will she keep her promise to one man, or end up the victim of her heart?
www.leatherboundreviews.blogspot.com
August 18, 2012
So Rough a Course is right! In this continuation of Persuasion, Elizabeth Elliot is about to turn 30, well past spinster age, she realizes she needs to marry and marry soon. She sets off to do that, but her first daring scheme to find a husband fails miserably. While she’s gone, her father, Sir Walter, gives up the lease to the house and moves into The Citadel for his health, leaving Elizabeth to live at her sister Anne’s house. With Sir Walter's financial situation becoming worse, Elizabeth must learn to economize, and that is rough in itself!
Now, Elizabeth has three men pursuing her; one she is trying to avoid, one that repulses her and one who is a lowly clerk. Her situation is looking bleak indeed. What will she do?
I love Mr. Gill, the lowly clerk, and I love who Elizabeth is when she is with him. She is able to be herself. She opens up to him, telling him things, I’m sure, she would never tell anyone else. She is not worried about impressing him. I also love that he always seems to be around just in time to rescue Elizabeth from some mishap. The big question is, what will happen when she finds out his real identity?
This is a fun read! Already in this first book my opinion of Elizabeth is changing. I can’t wait to see what happens in Book two, Mercy’s Embrace: So Lively a Chase! Beware, once you begin, you’ll want to read all three!
I was provided a copy of the book by the author for review.
Now, Elizabeth has three men pursuing her; one she is trying to avoid, one that repulses her and one who is a lowly clerk. Her situation is looking bleak indeed. What will she do?
I love Mr. Gill, the lowly clerk, and I love who Elizabeth is when she is with him. She is able to be herself. She opens up to him, telling him things, I’m sure, she would never tell anyone else. She is not worried about impressing him. I also love that he always seems to be around just in time to rescue Elizabeth from some mishap. The big question is, what will happen when she finds out his real identity?
This is a fun read! Already in this first book my opinion of Elizabeth is changing. I can’t wait to see what happens in Book two, Mercy’s Embrace: So Lively a Chase! Beware, once you begin, you’ll want to read all three!
I was provided a copy of the book by the author for review.
October 29, 2015
I've read Jane Austen but never read any of the many spin-offs until now. I honestly had no expectations going into the book, and boy, was I pleasantly surprised! The author has managed to capture the spirit of Jane Austen in this book and still make it her own story. I found myself caught up in the tale, and amazingly, Ms. Hile has made Elizabeth Eliot a very sympathetic character! Because this is advertised as a "three part book series" don't expect a real ending; it's more like a miniseries teaser ending. I will definitely read the rest of the series! Recommended for anyone who likes Jane Austen!
January 12, 2011
Very much enjoyed this subtle series, but would have put it all in one book
July 16, 2021
So rough a course est le premier volet de la série Mercy's Embrace. Nous y suivons Miss Elliot, Elizabeth, le soeur aînée d'Anne, après le mariage de cette dernière. Étrangement, il semblerait que l'auteur est écrit une suite de la réécriture de Susan Kaye (For you Alone et None But You) plutôt qu'une suite de Persuasion a proprement parlé. Je trouve cela assez dommage étant donné que je n'ai pas du tout aimé la fin de cette première série mais ça n'a que peu d'impact réel sur cette histoire puisque c'est Anne et le Capitaine qui sont malmenés et qu'on ne les croise que très rarement ici. En même temps, il y a une certaine logique de la part de l'auteur à avoir fait ce choix puisque Jane Austen nous indique dans les dernières pages de Persuasion qu'Elizabeth ne se mariera pas, Laura Hile ne pouvait donc pas écrire son histoire tout en respectant l'original.
Une fois que l'on a accepté cette idée, je dois dire qu'il est étonnamment facile d'apprécier cette histoire et même son héroïne. Certes, Elizabeth est un monstre d'égoïsme mais, comme Emma avant elle, elle est essentiellement le fruit de son éducation. Et si, contrairement à elle, elle n'a aucune intention de s'améliorer, la vie va lui apprendre à revoir son jugement. L'auteur amène intelligemment les blessures qui peuvent se cacher derrière cette attitude et qui sont parfaitement plausibles compte tenu de la vie qu'elle a mené et du père qu'elle a.
Si la psychologie des personnages est très fine dans les sentiments, il n'en est pas tout à fait de même dans leurs actes. Pas une seconde je n'ai réussi à croire à cette Elizabeth qui tout à coup décide de braver toutes les règles de la bienséance et tous les interdits de son époque pour voyager seule et séjourner sans chaperon chez des gens qu'elle ne connait pas. Malgré tout, l'amusement l'emporte et j'ai adoré l'ajout de certains personnages directement débarqués des autres romans tels que Mr Rushworth ou Caroline Bingley.
Si ce roman s'était présenté en un seul tome, même imposant, je l'aurais poursuivi avec plaisir. Malheureusement, il s'agit de trois tomes différents, ce qui m'agace parce qu'il n'y vraiment pas de raison valable à cela, si ce n'est commerciales. Du coup, suis-je assez séduite pour commander, payer et lire deux tomes supplémentaires alors que d'autres austeneries plus tentantes et plus actuelles me tendent les bras ? Je ne crois pas...
http://janeausten.hautetfort.com/arch...
Une fois que l'on a accepté cette idée, je dois dire qu'il est étonnamment facile d'apprécier cette histoire et même son héroïne. Certes, Elizabeth est un monstre d'égoïsme mais, comme Emma avant elle, elle est essentiellement le fruit de son éducation. Et si, contrairement à elle, elle n'a aucune intention de s'améliorer, la vie va lui apprendre à revoir son jugement. L'auteur amène intelligemment les blessures qui peuvent se cacher derrière cette attitude et qui sont parfaitement plausibles compte tenu de la vie qu'elle a mené et du père qu'elle a.
Si la psychologie des personnages est très fine dans les sentiments, il n'en est pas tout à fait de même dans leurs actes. Pas une seconde je n'ai réussi à croire à cette Elizabeth qui tout à coup décide de braver toutes les règles de la bienséance et tous les interdits de son époque pour voyager seule et séjourner sans chaperon chez des gens qu'elle ne connait pas. Malgré tout, l'amusement l'emporte et j'ai adoré l'ajout de certains personnages directement débarqués des autres romans tels que Mr Rushworth ou Caroline Bingley.
Si ce roman s'était présenté en un seul tome, même imposant, je l'aurais poursuivi avec plaisir. Malheureusement, il s'agit de trois tomes différents, ce qui m'agace parce qu'il n'y vraiment pas de raison valable à cela, si ce n'est commerciales. Du coup, suis-je assez séduite pour commander, payer et lire deux tomes supplémentaires alors que d'autres austeneries plus tentantes et plus actuelles me tendent les bras ? Je ne crois pas...
http://janeausten.hautetfort.com/arch...
January 15, 2023
Loved this first book in the trilogy about Elizabeth Elliot! Elizabeth has begun to change her ways since her father has basically left them destitute. She has come to realize that some people are not what she thought and others are far more interesting than she could have imagined. She has made some mistakes trying to obtain a courtship with a wealthy gentleman so that she will never have to worry about living off of other people’s generosity. She forms a friendship with someone that she thinks is a clerk at a bank, when the gentleman is really an admiral in the navy and the bank owner himself. He appears to her as a refreshing change to the women in his usual circle, as he is a refreshing change for her. Just as he is about to tell her who he really is, he is called away for work in London. Will she stay true to their relationship with so many other gentlemen focusing on her attentions?
September 28, 2018
Not my type
I just didn’t like the characters. There wasn’t any good quality to draw me to them. It is a great story, great setting, and I didn’t expect it to be a series leaving the reader in a type of cliffhanger. But I don’t like the main character enough to want to read more about her story. She is getting better, of course, but still too proud for my liking. I struggled to get through the book.
I am sure many readers will enjoy this book. It is fun to see the reference to Austen characters. It’s always wonderful to read books set in Bath. I am interested in learning more about the main male character as he seems to be the best of the characters. But it sadly isn’t my type of read.
I just didn’t like the characters. There wasn’t any good quality to draw me to them. It is a great story, great setting, and I didn’t expect it to be a series leaving the reader in a type of cliffhanger. But I don’t like the main character enough to want to read more about her story. She is getting better, of course, but still too proud for my liking. I struggled to get through the book.
I am sure many readers will enjoy this book. It is fun to see the reference to Austen characters. It’s always wonderful to read books set in Bath. I am interested in learning more about the main male character as he seems to be the best of the characters. But it sadly isn’t my type of read.
November 9, 2018
Way better than expected
I was expecting a quick easy read that would bring much criticism and eye rolling on my part but! Oh how pleasantly surprised I was to find a well written sequel to my beloved Persuasion. Then it ended on a cliffhanger and I had to buy books 2 & 3! I actually found myself liking Elizabeth though I couldn't compare her at all to the movie version of persuasion. I did take offence to the continual references of Dull Anne Elliott but if I'm honest, Austen did make her a good, full short of heroine. Loved the trilogy read them all in a week.
I was expecting a quick easy read that would bring much criticism and eye rolling on my part but! Oh how pleasantly surprised I was to find a well written sequel to my beloved Persuasion. Then it ended on a cliffhanger and I had to buy books 2 & 3! I actually found myself liking Elizabeth though I couldn't compare her at all to the movie version of persuasion. I did take offence to the continual references of Dull Anne Elliott but if I'm honest, Austen did make her a good, full short of heroine. Loved the trilogy read them all in a week.
November 14, 2023
I really enjoyed this series set in the world of Jane Austen’s Persuasion. It’s a fun, clean, romance with a masculine and charming non-Austen character as the main love-interest (who has his own story arch- he’s not just a cardboard cutout). I really appreciate that she starts with the completely self-absorbed Elizabeth Eliot of Persuasion and shows her character develop into a really likable and relatable heroine instead of pretending that she was great to begin with. For an Austen spinoff story, this trilogy and Pamela Aidan’s P&P series are my absolute favorites!
November 25, 2023
This is a rating for the full trilogy and as a regency inspired Christian romance novel, rather than an Austen Persuasion sequel. It was entertaining, though a bit too much drama (laudanum and Charles Musgrove, really?)
I would not recommend this to serious Austen fans. Having just finished Persuasion, and knowing the premise of this book, I was intrigued how the author would redeem Elizabeth. The cast of main characters is included (with the surprise addition of Caroline Bingley) but liberties have been taken with the essence of characters.
I would not recommend this to serious Austen fans. Having just finished Persuasion, and knowing the premise of this book, I was intrigued how the author would redeem Elizabeth. The cast of main characters is included (with the surprise addition of Caroline Bingley) but liberties have been taken with the essence of characters.
June 14, 2018
"So Rough a Course" is a continuation of Jane Austen's "Persuasion" following Elizabeth, Anne's sister. I didn't think I would like it to be honest. I have never read a continuation of other books by a different author before. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I found Laura Hile's book to be quite good and a lot of fun to read. I love the storyline, plot, and characters. So much so that I immediately ordered the second book for my kindle.
October 27, 2018
Surprisingly good! Like others have said, I had some reluctance to read a book about Elizabeth Elliot because she is so appalling in Persuasion. However, Hile really redeems her. She doesn't wash away her faults, and she doesn't ignore them, but she gives us a back story to appreciate where they come from. My only complaints are that the characters' behavior falls away from what is social acceptable even in the dialogue ("my dear" from gentlemen not related). You can tell that the author is aware of this at a level because she excuses much of it by saying that Elizabeth is 30 and is throwing off the normal constraints as she has less to lose. I believe the choice is intentional on Hile's part, because I think she wants to be able to develop a deeper understanding between Patrick and Elizabeth that would have been socially acceptable. My other complaint is that there are a couple storylines that aren't fleshed out completely: Mrs. Clay, Lady Russell, and Sir Walter. This seems like a miss to me.
October 22, 2018
I loved this series, even the second time through. Continues the story of Elizabeth Elliot, the proud sister in Persuasion. It's one continuous story through the three books, they don't stand alone. Elizabeth gets into lots of scrapes, meets suitable and unsuitable men, and tries to rescue her father from the consequences of his debts. She repents, experiences grace, and changes her course. Highly recommended!
August 25, 2022
Very good as far as historical romance goes. Nice rhythm and action and plenty of fun romantic scenes. My beef is the cavalier treatment of Jane Austen’s characters. I’m sorry, but I just can’t enjoy a book about characters I know almost as well as myself who are made to act so very differently than I know they would. And so many details that the author either misunderstood from the original or simply changed (but why?). But I’m an Austen purist so there is no pleasing me!
March 4, 2018
Lots of characters surrounding the life of Elizabeth Elliot as she sets out to right her father's finances and place in society while living as an unwanted guest with relatives. Disguise and false personas add layers to the already dramatic story. I look forward to the second installment of Elizabeth's dilemma.
March 16, 2018
This was a hard one. I wish she had written it in one book. I wanted an ending. It just seemed long, and then not to see her choose McGillvery at the end was such a let down. To have to go through another book and her still not make a choice... I don't know, I just think this whole series could be boiled down into one book. I love the original story, this one just went too long.
May 8, 2018
In this Persuasion sequel Elizabeth Elliot is the last of the sisters to be unmarried. Is it her time now. But who will she chose. Her cousin Elliot, and Rushworth are eager. A well-written, easy to read story.
I like this Elizabeth, which is a surprise. Now I will have to read the rest of this trilogy.
I like this Elizabeth, which is a surprise. Now I will have to read the rest of this trilogy.
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