Saturday, February 28, 2015

My share in the conversation...The Falmouth Connection

Happy Saturday, to everyone! Hope you are inside staying warm if you are in the cold, snowy and icy parts of the world right now. We have a layer of ice over most everything and it is pretty cold in the part of Texas where I live. The cold here is nothing like what those in the NE US are having and for that, I am glad.

My reviews have been slow coming for the past months but I am working on them, trying to catch up. Below is my review for The Falmouth Connection by Joana Starnes. If you have not yet read this book, I highly recommend it. 

A Book Review: The Falmouth Connection by Joana Starnes

The premise of this book is different from most that I have read and it is one I genuinely liked. The story begins with Elizabeth at Hunsford visiting Charlotte when Darcy and Fitzwilliam are at Rosings. An express arrives for Elizabeth requiring her immediate departure. This sudden leave-taking by Elizabeth delays the proposal that Darcy had been considering. Thus we, and more especially, he is delivered from that ill-fated scene. In hopes of another opportunity, Mr. Darcy determines that he and Colonel Fitzwilliam will escort Elizabeth and her maid to Basingstoke, where she is to meet her family. The ensuing journey and carriage ride make for some interesting situations and conversations which are diverting indeed.

Mrs. Bennet and her daughters have been summoned to Falmouth. Mrs. Bennet has a very rich aunt, a Mrs. Pencarrow, who was her mother’s sister. Unbeknownst to Elizabeth, this great aunt has special plans for her. I liked Mrs. Pencarrow and enjoyed her role in the novel. She was a worthy new character with a lively personality. She also has a handsome young neighbor, Lord Trevellyan, who happens to be single, wealthy and in want of a good wife. Are you thinking Mr. Darcy has a rival? Yes, he does! This author certainly knows how to torment Fitzwilliam Darcy. She can write him in such various situations of torture that she makes me feel the strong pain and despair that he is suffering. I was hurting with him and feeling sorry for him all at the same time.

The passion, the extreme force of the feelings involved were awe-inspiring and beautifully scripted. Yet it was a chaste story. The chaste love scenes were very, very beautiful. There are many riveting scenes and amazing details that make this an extremely worthy book to devour. There is romance, a bit of mystery and intrigue and some wonderful new characters. It is too delightful to take a chance on giving anything away and spoiling what should be experienced by each reader. I was so absorbed that I did not want to stop reading. I wanted to keep on keeping on so I could see how it was going to end but at the same time, I did not want it to end. It was that gripping and that captivating, yet, I was very pleased with the ending. Everything came to a good conclusion leaving me with a sense of satisfaction. There was a surprise or two that I certainly never expected but they were well received and meticulously done…nice twists of fate.

I have been following Joana Starnes since she first started publishing her work. I have enjoyed all her books and have been impressed with the diversity of her themes, while keeping her characters true to canon. The narrative was so well done, the use of imageries, the thoughts, the depth of feelings, it pulled me in as though I was living the story with the characters. It was no longer just words on the page but had a life of its own.  Joana Starnes’s knowledge of the area was evident as she led us down a path of vivid descriptions and stunning scenery. Add to that a captivating plot with much substance and you have The Falmouth Connection, a brilliantly written book. Very well done, Joana Starnes…an exquisite tale.



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If you leave a comment you will be entered in my giveaway for a note pad. It has each of the drawings that were in the 2014 PnP calendar. You may see a close up of them on the Illustrations page of this blog or on my website, JT Originals. The giveaway is for the quarter pad, size 4.25" x 5.5". It is the perfect size for a grocery list or a quick note. The giveaway is worldwide and ends midnight, March 6, 2015. Be sure to include your email in the comment.

Joana Starnes would like to add an eBook to the giveaway! Yay! It is international too. Those of you who have left comments are already entered. Thank you, Joana Starnes for your generosity.

49 comments:

  1. One of my absolute favourites from last year. I've read all of Joana's books, too, and I think they're getting better every time.

    Your review is spot on, Janet, and I can't add anything else without giving away any spoilers!

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    1. Forgot this: angmardee(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    2. It is one of my favorites too. I will definitely be reading it again. Glad you liked the review. I wanted to be very careful that I didn't give away any spoilers either. Thanks for stopping by, Anji.

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    3. Thanks so much for the kind words, Anji and Janet for the fabulous review! It's such a challenge to write a good detailed review and yet not give too much away, but Janet, you're an absolute master!! I'm so glad you both liked this book so much! Thanks again, you're wonderful!

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  2. A wonderful novel full of suspense, excitement and romance and the whole nine yards! Joana has a way with words that keeps you interested as well as educational. I loved the novel!

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    1. I'm happy to hear you loved it too. I like your comparison to 'the whole nine yards' and I agree! Thanks for stopping by.

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    2. Thanks so much, MaryAnn! So very very glad you liked it and that you found it both interesting and educational :) Much, much appreciated!

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  3. I loved this book. I found it exciting and passionate. I also liked seeing a different Mr.Bennet and Lady Catherine. Great review. saganchilds (a) gmail.com

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    1. Thanks, Sagan. It was exciting and passionate. I think of all the things I liked and realize it has fast become one of my favorites.

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    2. Thanks, Sagan! I've always had a soft spot for Mr Bennet, and for Mrs Bennet too, with all their faults and foibles ;)

      I'm thrilled you found it exciting and passionate, it's absolutely wonderful to hear that!!!

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  4. just finished this in the last week or so and I enjoyed it as well - have loved all of Joana's books

    meikleblog at gmail dot com

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    1. I'm so happy you enjoyed it, Vesper, and thanks so much for saying that you loved them all!

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  5. Me too, Vesper. Thanks for stopping by.

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  6. I have the book on my Kindle and am so looking forward to reading it. Thanks for a interesting review and especially for the giveaway. The notepads look great!
    evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. It was a truly wonderful review (thanks again, Janet!!!!) So glad it caught your eye and I hope you'll enjoy the ride ;)

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  7. This is one of my top three JAFF books - period! I'm a fan of a fast moving story filled with adventure and romance and this story fit the bill perfectly. Your lovely review, Janet, it spot on.

    Thanks for sharing your notepads. Mine, which I have carefully hoarded, just ran out. Time to order more so please do not enter me. I will contact you later this week.

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    1. Oh, Joy, thanks SO MUCH!!!!!!!! I'm SO GLAD you liked it, it means so much to me coming from you! Have a lovely day and best of luck with Janet's gorgeous notepads!

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  8. That's the best when a book so engrosses you that you can't put it down. I love how you describe reading it- great imagerie is important to me too.

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    1. I wholeheartedly agree, Sophia Rose!
      Thanks for reading and have a great week!

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  9. I thoght this book was excellent. I loved the premise, but I love all of Joana's books.

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    1. Thanks so much for the very kind words, Lynn!
      I'm so happy that you love my books, it's wonderful to hear that!

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  10. Thank you for sharing your review with us, Janet! I must confess that it really sparked my interest. Now I simply must add it to my TBR list!! :) ~ Juli emeraldelena@hotmail.com

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    1. So thrilled that Janet's wonderful review caught your eye! Thanks, Julianna, and best of luck in the giveaway!

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  11. This book sounds like a page-turner to me! Thanks for your lovely review, Janet, and here's wishing you much success, Joana.

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    1. Thanks so much, Jan, for the wonderful words! They mean so much, considering you're one of the authors I've admired for so very long and whose works got me into writing JAFF in the first place! Best of luck with your new release!

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  12. Will definitely read this one.
    Jurga_kaya@yahoo.co.uk

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    1. Wonderful to hear that! Thanks and best of luck in the giveaway!

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  13. So fun to find a unique twist to our favorite characters. I have enjoyed other books by Joana and have had my eye on this one. Wonderful review! I still have my 2014 calendar up. Love the note pad! Thank you both for the giveaways. Cherringtonmb at sbcglobal dot net

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words, Becky! It's wonderful to hear you like my books and I hope you'll like this one too. Good luck in the giveaway and if you win, have a fun trip to Cornwall ;)

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  14. Romance with suspense and passion that keeps you reading is perfect. There's nothing better. Love historical fiction too.
    wendyhatton@yahoo.com.au

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  15. Thanks very much for your comment, Wendy! Hope you'll like this story. Good luck in the giveaway and thanks for taking part!

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  16. I have the book and loved it! I really enjoyed seeing the P&P characters in a different area and a new situation. Very original!

    I'd love to be entered in the drawing for a notepad. Thank you!

    Pamh5230 at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thrilled to hear you loved it so much, Pamela! With so many of us writing about the Darcys, it's a bit of a challenge to come up with something that hasn't been done before, while still staying as true as possible to the original. So very glad that you liked my twist. Thanks for commenting and best of luck winning the exquisite notepad!

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  17. J Dawn King notes it as one of her top JAFF -- and so many other raving reviews, too. Plus chaste writing, which isn't always the case these days. I'm intrigued. Count me in!

    LauraHartness at gmail dot com

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    1. Joy is so very kind to say so, and I'm so glad that her lovely words and Janet's great review got you interested, Laura! Best of luck in the giveaway and I hope you'll like it!

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  18. Sounds gooooood! :)
    Darcy has to fight even more!!!
    I would like to enter the giveaway, please!

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    1. Yes he does - just to make up for being such a snob in the first place ;)
      Thanks so much for your interest, Ana, and best of luck!

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  19. I've read so many wonderful reviews and excerpt regarding this book that I can't wait to read it! Especially since there are a few swoon worthy excerpts...

    Thank you for the giveaways. My email address is tdungnvu (at) yahoo (dot) com.

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    1. Great to hear that the excerpts caught your eye :) You've probably found them all by now, but if not, there are a few more on my website (www.joanastarnes.co.uk) and on The Falmouth Connection Facebook page. Thanks for taking part in the giveaway and good luck!

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  20. I haven't read this one yet and now I am anxious to do so. This review has me convinced
    louannlajeunesse@gmail.com Thanks for the contest too.

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    1. So happy that Janet's wonderful review sparked your interest, LouAnn! Best of luck in the giveaway and thanks for visiting!

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  21. Haven't read it yet, but I would like to!

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    1. Thanks so much for your interest, Amber. I hope you'll enjoy it. Best of luck!

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  22. I'm looking forward to reading this book, not only due to parts of it taking place in Cornwall, but I love to see takes of more of the Bennet's possible relations than we meet in P&P. Thanks for the giveaway chance! (colleenday at Hotmail dot com)

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    1. I can't imagine more romantic scenery, Colleen, but that's just the lure of the sea. I guess every weather-beaten coastline would be just as romantic, but maybe not all coastlines can boast of secrets and smugglers ;) Hope you'll enjoy the book and thanks for taking part in the giveaway.

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  23. My pleasure, Wendy! Good luck and if you win, I hope you'll like it!

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  24. This sounds lovely and thoroughly romantic
    and I know I will love it! Thank you for the
    giveaway too.
    ladysusan46(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  25. I loved this book when I read it. Actually I have loved all of her books so far. I would love to be entered for the giveaway for the Notepad. Thanks for the opportunity. carterkristina2 (at) gmail (dot) com

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