Monday, January 25, 2016

My share in the conversation...The Unthinkable Triangle

It is a privilege to post my review of The Unthinkable Triangle by Joana Starnes. If you have not yet read this book, I hope you will take a few minutes to read over my thoughts and then read the book for yourself. I do not believe you will be disappointed.

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The Unthinkable Triangle by Joana Starnes

Author Joana Starnes does it again! Her latest release joins the ranks of yet another most excellent book by this author. With the multitude of emotions that I experienced as I read The Unthinkable Triangle, in my mind, it rightly became ‘the unforgettable triangle’!

This novel is replete with descriptions and nuances that put me in the middle of the action and allowed me to experience it with the characters. Ms. Starnes’s imageries of scenes are awe-inspiring, partly due to her firsthand knowledge of the country and area where the scenes are set but mostly due to her creative and ingenious talent for writing compelling narratives. Her words come alive on the page.

The novel begins at Hunsford with Lizzy visiting Charlotte. Just when Darcy decides to propose to Elizabeth, the unthinkable happens and Colonel Fitzwilliam asks for her hand first. A shaken Darcy tries to come to grips with this unexpected situation, his loyalty to his cousin, and his feelings for Elizabeth. How can he be around them, see their happiness? How in the world is he going to pretend to be only a friend to the one woman he loves more than life itself? Such torture, such torment for the master of Pemberley! My heart ached with his.

I truly adored the way Ms. Starnes chose to have the Colonel discover, quite by accident, Darcy’s hidden feelings for Elizabeth. The subtle revealing, in the dark of the night was poignant and heartfelt. I was so moved that I almost gasped aloud when reading the passage. Inevitably, I had to go back and read through it again.

Owing to certain circumstances, Elizabeth is much thrown in company with Darcy. As she grows to know the ‘real’ man and realize her love for him, her feelings of turmoil and betrayal are strong. As she struggled, I struggled with her. What was she to do?

I enjoyed Charlotte and her thoughts in this story. What can she see that Lizzy cannot? What about Georgiana? Does she see through her brother's facade? With the inclusion of the Colonel’s parents and a not so nice brother, the drama deepens.  What role will they play in this unthinkable triangle? Then there is the addition of a well-developed new character and the triangle becomes even more complicated, or so it would seem.

This book elicited many emotions. I felt the joy of Colonel Fitzwilliam, then his confusion, frustration, and even his anger. I felt the deep love of Darcy and his anguish. (and he did agonize over his loss of Elizabeth and his devotion to the Colonel) Both men were good and even though I wanted Lizzy with Darcy, I didn’t want the Colonel to be hurt either. I had wondered and even worried how Ms. Starnes would ‘pull off’ the ‘happily ever after’ for Darcy and Elizabeth without too much trauma to the Colonel, but never fear, she did not disappoint! She handled it with her usual finesse. Well done, Joana Starnes. Exceptional writing and superb storyline! This is a book not to be missed!

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Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read my 'share in the conversation'. I hope you will have yours by leaving me a comment below. Author Joana Starnes is giving away one eBook of The Unthinkable Triangle to go along with this review and the giveaway is international. Be sure to leave me your contact info in your comment so I may get in touch with you should you be the winner! Thank you, Ms. Starnes, for your generosity to my readers. The giveaway will end at 11:59 PM on the 31st of January. Good luck to all.

27 comments:

  1. 100% Swoon-worthy! Sigh! I LOVED this book.

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    1. Wasn't it great! I loved it too. Thanks for letting me know you did!

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    2. Thanks ever so much for the wonderful review, Janet, and for the kind words, Joy! It means so much to me that you loved The Unthinkable Triangle! Hugs to you both :)

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  2. I totally agree, love your review! Gosh that scene when the Colonel finds out... Heart wrenching! There really can not be any other type of ending that would satisfy me expect a HEA for Darcy and Elizabeth but I didn't want a fallout with the Colonel either. Loved how it ended and hoping for a sequel from the Colonel's point of view so we can hear about his HEA too!

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    1. Hi Dung. So good to have your thoughts on this one. I'm like you, I don't want anything but a HEA for Darcy and Elizabeth. I thought the ending was very good too! I was happy for the Colonel. He was such a nice guy. Oooh, a sequel would be nice!

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    2. Thanks for stopping by to read Janet's beautiful review, Dung Vu, and leave such a lovely comment. We can't have anything but a HEA for Darcy and Elizabeth, that's an absolute given for me. It would be simply unbearable to imagine either of them married to someone else. I did feel bad for the dear Colonel but he had to take the hit, poor man. I'd really love to write that sequel and I'm sure it'll happen, and the newly married Darcys would feature in it as much as Colonel Fitzwilliam and his ladylove ;) Don't know when yet, but the four of them WILL meet again.
      Thanks for your lovely words and kind support, Dung Vu and Janet, MUCH appreciated!

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  3. This sounds great! I would like to enter for the give-away! Jcn at CenturyTel dot net

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    1. Consider yourself entered, Jennie, and good luck. Thanks for dropping in.

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    2. Thanks, Jennie, and best of luck in the giveaway!

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  4. What a lovely review... I loved the scene at the end and the way CF knew his cousin too well to mistake certain signs... The way Joana captured that moment in print still stands out in my mind. Please do not enter me, as I have a copy, but I love that you brought us back to TUT again! As for Joana, I look forward to your next book where I believe you plan to torture Elizabeth... What fun THAT will be!!

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    1. Thank you, Claudine! Joana has a talent for making scenes stand out, doesn't she! Amazing writing. I'm so happy you took the time to share your thoughts on this awesome book. I've been hearing something about a book with Elizabeth getting her turn at being tortured! That should be very interesting and I am all anticipation! :)

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    2. Thanks ever so much for your wonderful words, lovely ladies, I can't tell you how happy I am that you liked the book! Yes, Claudine, the plan to torture Elizabeth still stands [wicked grin] and I've already started. So far she got off lightly, just a nudge or two, but there are still plenty of chapters to come :)
      Thanks again for all your wonderful support and encouragement!

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  5. I loved this book and was on the edge of my seat for most of the story enjoying all the sweet torture Joanna dished out. Good luck with the giveaway, but since I already own the book, if my name is picked, please pass it on to someone else. Jen Red

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    1. I was too, Jen. Just thinking about the premise of this one and what I read about it early on, I felt apprehension. :) Then when I read it...oh my goodness! I couldn't put it down!

      Thanks so much for stopping by and having your share in the conversation.

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    2. Jen, you're so kind!!I'm over the moon that you enjoyed the book. Thanks ever so much for stopping by to leave this lovely comment, hugely appreciated!

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  6. Wow! It sounds to poignant to miss. I have this one and I really need to get busy and read it. Nice review, Janet!

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    1. Sophia, you do need to put this one at the top of your list! It is very well done! Thanks, Sophia, and I appreciate you coming by.

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    2. Thanks for stopping by to read Janet's wonderful review, Sophia, and I hope you'll like the book. All the best,
      Joana

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  7. Sounds like a great book - poor Darcy! And thank you for the giveaway opportunity. My email is: priscillateh@live.hk

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    1. Poor Darcy indeed :) Thanks for reading and commenting, Priscilla, and best of luck in the giveaway!

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    2. Hi Priscilla, so glad you stopped by. You are entered!

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  8. Ah, love triangles... So heart wrenching and yet so exciting! When it comes to read about them in a book!! ;)

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    1. Forgot my email address! :P

      newyorkgirl82(at)gmail(dot)com

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    2. Yes, they are exciting (in a book, for sure) and this one certainly is!Good luck in the giveaway!

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    3. So glad you love them too, Maria! I really do, the emotion, the difficult choices, the guilt! Thanks for stopping by to read and comment and best of luck in the giveaway!

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  9. Have heard so many good things about this book. Congratulations, Joana! You are a talented lady.

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    1. Thanks ever so much for the wonderful words, Jan, they mean the world coming from one of my favourite authors! All the best,
      Joana

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