Monday, February 1, 2016

My share in the conversation...No Such Thing as Luck

No Such Thing as Luck was one of the winners in my MAE Awards for 2015. I promised my review of it on that post so...here it is! I hope this will stir your interest if you have a love for North & South.

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No Such Thing as Luck: North and South Variation
by Nicole Clarkston

The book starts some months after Mr. Hale has died and Margaret is living in London with Edith, her family and Mrs. Shaw. Mr. Bell is visiting Frederick in Spain and is still quite crafty and shrewd in his endeavors to ‘help’ certain situations. Marlborough Mills is in trouble but John has a new idea for saving it. Higgins is working for John and they have already established an easy rapport. (I adore Nicholas Higgins!) The tale that follows from this point is awesome and not to be missed!

Nicole Clarkston’s John Thornton is romantic, strong and wonderful, as well as the brilliant mill owner admired by all. I fell in love with him again. He feels the loss of the only woman he ever loved and believes there is no chance of having her for his own. Margaret has already realized the type of man that she refused and is feeling the emptiness left by that refusal. Fate intervenes and a chance encounter may change everything for the deserving couple! The story that follows is riveting and tender.

I enjoyed getting to know the real Hannah Thornton and seeing her soft side surface. I appreciated that the author chose to make her human, with a heart that could be touched while also delving under the layers of her nature and exposing the personality long hidden and why it had been so. Little Johnny Boucher is adorable and lends a nice touch to the plot. Henry Lennox is portrayed with feeling and honor, much as in the original. Of course, no North and South variation would be complete without Dixon! This is no exception.

Ms. Clarkston kept the characters true to Elizabeth Gaskell’s and added a few new ones that enhanced an already fantastic plot.  A portion of this story is set in Cadiz, Spain, where we have the pleasure of getting to know Frederick Hale and his bride, Dolores. Mr. Bell is there and is up to his shenanigans even though his health is failing fast. I liked Frederick Hale’s father-in-law and the minor part he played. A ship captain along with his wife and daughter were some of the new characters that added a pleasing touch to the drama that unfolded aboard ship and after. 

I loved this book. It filled in the gaps left by the original having to be rushed to a finish. There are several twists and some unexpected happenings that make for a thrilling read with depth and romance. The novel was well-written and the conclusion was gratifying, even if I did not want it to end. No Such Thing as Luck is a story that I will be reading again.  There is absolutely nothing that I disliked about this book and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves North & South. Very well done, Nicole Clarkston. I hope you will be writing more about John Thornton and Margaret Hale.

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I am giving away one eBook of No Such Thing as Luck and the giveaway is international. If you have read this awesome book, please share your thoughts with me. If not, tell me why you would like to read it. As usual, should you be the winner, I will need your contact info so leave it in the comment. Giveaway will end at 11:59 PM on the 7th of February.

34 comments:

  1. Sounds wonderful Janet. I'm just beginning to discover the world of N&S fan fiction.

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    1. It was great, Anji. I will be posting the opening chapter of this author's next N&S book soon. Watch for it! There are some good N&S books and I am always on the lookout for more. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you get to read this soon. Good luck in the giveaway.

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  2. I love Nicholas Higgins as well, Janet. We are two peas in a pod, aren't we? I can't wait to read this. It sounds swoon-worthy indeed.

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    1. Yes, I think we are Joy! I hope you get to read this soon. It was excellent. I read the one on C19 that Sheila M said the both of you loved. Very good too!

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    2. Just think, Joy. It was you that started me down the path to loving North & South. I'm so glad you told me about it!

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  3. I had fun reading this variation. I agree with your review and am sure I will read again as well! I will also be looking for more from this author! No need to enter me in the giveaway. I already own the ebook.

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    1. I just found out today that this author is writing another N&S book. She is going to allow me to post the opening for it in a few days. Yay! Be watching for it sometime within the next week or so. I'm glad that you agree with my thoughts on this one. As you can see, I really thought it was great! :) Have you read her P&P variation? I haven't yet but hope to soon.

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    2. Not yet but it is on my TBR soon list!

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  4. I loved North & South, too, so I know that I will enjoy this new N&S as much as your review states! Thank you for the giveaway. evamedmonds(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. You are welcome, Eva. I think you will enjoy this very much. Good luck in the giveaway!

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  5. Sounds lovely--I love North and South!

    Denise

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    1. Oh, Denise, I do too. I have to have my N&S fix about as often as my P&P fix now days! I hope you get to read this soon.

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  6. Sounds like a really interesting book! I've only ever read a handful of N&S fanfictions myself and would definitely love to try No Such Thing A Luck. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity. priscillateh@live.hk

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    1. There are not that many that have been published...not like the amount of P&P variations. I found some on a C19 forum. You might check there too. Good luck in the giveaway.

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  7. This one has been on my TBR list for some time! It was actually he next one from North and South I wanted to read :) I've recently read Margareth of the North and In Cinsequence, and I was hoping this one would be even better :)
    I love North and South, but there aren't many variations out there, so every time I hear something good about one of them, I always rush to buy the book :)
    Thanks for your review Janet, it consolidated my opinion that this is a good one, and that I should definitely read it :)

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    1. I'm so glad to hear you have it on your TBR list. I think this one is excellent and I hope you get to read it soon. I have read 'In Consequence' but not 'Margaret of the North'.

      There really aren't that many out there but I have a surprise posting shortly...the opening of Nicole Clarkston's next N&S variation! Yay! I will be posting it in a few minutes Check it out! It should be available later in the year.

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  8. I saw this on your MAE list and immediately added it to my Amazon wish list! I love N&S. I've read the original and a few of the variations. I definitely want a chance at the drawing! jcn at CenturyTel dot net

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    1. I'm so glad that my MAE list made you want to read it! I loved the original too but wanted more at the end. This one fills in and adds original content that makes it a great read. You are in the giveaway drawing!

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  9. I loved reading Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South and the movie was splendid, too. Can't believe I haven't picked up a sequel or variation yet. This one sounds fantastic. I was always curious about their ongoing story.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
    sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com

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    1. I love reading it too and simply adored the movie! Richard Armitage as John Thornton was a fabulous casting. I think you will like this Sophia. It is a satisfying read.

      Good luck!

      I'm about to post a part of her newest N&S variation. It is in the works but she has given me permission to post a sampling. It should be available later in the year! I'm so excited and can hardly wait!

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  10. I didn't know that there were variations of this book, will have to start a new wish list on amazon

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    1. Oh, Vesper, you will have fun. There are some good ones out there and I highly recommend this one.

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  11. I have had a few recommendations to read this book and seeing that it was one of your picks for the year and now reading your review has only made me more eager to read the book. I can be contacted through Twitter, @frawli1978 if I am lucky enough to be the winner :)

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    1. Ceri, I hope you get a chance to read it soon. I enjoyed it very much as you can tell from my review. I'm so glad you stopped by and shared your thoughts. Good luck with the giveaway.

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  12. I recently discovered N&S, so I'd love to read this variation!

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