From the Publisher:
Twelve-thousand a year and an extensive estate can gild a sow's ear, or so Elizabeth Elliot has always supposed. But now that she's fallen for the dashing Patrick Gill, Elizabeth is almost ready to give up Mr Rushworth's fortune. Painfully aware of her bruised pride and vulnerable heart, Elizabeth can only despise herself for loving so common a man. But it has never occurred to her that darling Mr Gill guards a secret of his own--and that he might be responsible for her father's disappearance. So Lively a Chase is book 2 of Laura Hile's delightful series Mercy's Embrace: Elizabeth Elliot's story based on Jane Austen's Persuasion.
As Sir Walter Elliot gets even deeper in financial trouble,
his eldest daughter, Elizabeth, feels it is up to her to save him. After all,
it was she who encouraged him to purchase items beyond their means. Yet, when
Captain Wentworth refuses to settle her father’s debts, Elizabeth is left with
few options. How can a gentlewoman raise that kind of money? Sell one’s
jewelry? Possibly, but that will not cover the vast sums her father owes.
Marriage, it seems, is the only answer, but to whom? With Sir Walter willing to
sell his daughter in the marriage market, ensuring a settlement that will
alleviate his financial burden, will Elizabeth have much say in the matter?
At every turn, Elizabeth Elliot finds herself surrounded by
possible suitors. Her cousin, William Elliot, is in need of a woman who will be
a credit to him, one who is both beautiful and accomplished. With twelve
thousand a year, Mr. Rushworth looks even more enticing. But can either of
these men touch her heart as deeply as Mr. Gill, a man with no title,
connection, or money? Can Elizabeth afford to follow her heart while still
managing to save her father?
I enjoy watching characters like Elizabeth change and
develop as a story progresses. I am always amazed when an author can take one
of Austen’s secondary characters, and an unpleasant one at that, and make me
like and empathize with them. As Jennifer Becton did with Caroline Bingley,
Laura Hile does with Elizabeth Elliot, who moves from being a vain, snobby,
self-important lady into one who is kind. We see this as she befriends the
lowly clerk Mr. Gill as well as Miss Winnie Owen, the neighbor’s cousin and
housekeeper.
Whether it is Austen’s characters or her own, Hile’s
characterizations are wonderful. They are so well developed, leaving me feeling
empathy, dislike, disgust, annoyance, or disbelief with each of them. While
some are dynamic, others remain static creating a great comparison, especially
between the Elliot siblings.
At the end of So
Lively A Chase, I was left with an array of emotions. It was a good thing I had the final book in the trilogy, The Lady Must Decide, in my possession,
as I picked it up immediately! And that would be my advice to you: have book
three on hand when you finish So Lively A
Chase.
Laura Hile is graciously donating ONE PAPERBACK copy of Mercy's Embrace: So Rough A Course to Leatherbound Reviews to GIVEAWAY (US Only)!
To enter fill out the Rafflecopter form below for each entry! GOOD LUCK!!
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