*****
Before I share my review, let's have a look at the blurb for A Quest for Mr. Darcy.
Fitzwilliam
Darcy is on a quest. Convinced he is over his foolish infatuation with Elizabeth
Bennet, he returns from a year of travelling with a plan, both to protect the
estate of which he is guardian and to ensure his sister's happiness: he intends
to do his duty and secure a wife at the earliest opportunity.
Duty; a path
from which Darcy knows he should never have been diverted. Duty was safe and
nothing would persuade him from it a second time.
Soon
restored to his home in Derbyshire, Darcy puts his quest in motion, preparing
to welcome guests from Town, one of whom is the suitably eligible young lady he
has earmarked as his future wife.
But what of
the Bennets of Longbourn? What befell them in Darcy’s absence from England? And
what of the new tenants on his estate named Bennet? Is his path fated to cross
with Elizabeth's once more?
With the
addition of his friend, Bingley's, mischievous twin younger sisters, letters
from a stranger and a shadowy figure lurking in the grounds of Pemberley,
Darcy's life is about to be turned upside down.
Can he
remain steady to his purpose, or will his carefully laid plans soon be in
tatters as the rigid protection he has placed around his heart begins to falter?
Doesn't that sound excellent? Well, after reading the book that is exactly my opinion. Now for my share in the conversation... :)
*****
A Quest for Mr. Darcy by Cass Grafton
When I heard
that Cass Grafton had a new Regency era P&P work in progress, I was so
excited. I absolutely love her writing style, her ability to delve into the
minds and hearts of the characters and her talent to tell a captivating story.
I was not disappointed. A Quest for Mr.
Darcy lived up to my expectations and more. The standard set by the author
in her series of books, A Fair Prospect,
Volumes I, II and III was met with ease.
What if
Darcy, along with Georgiana and her companion left for northern Europe shortly
after the Hunsford proposal? What would happen to the Bennet family if Darcy had
not been there to find Lydia after she ran off with Wickham, to save the family
from disgrace? When Darcy returns a little over a year later, we, as readers,
discover exactly what did happen with this one change in circumstance. Much is
altered and the story that unfolds is gripping and entertaining.
When Bingley
shows up shortly after Darcy’s return to London with a request of his old
friend, they set off for Netherfield. Upon their arrival, they find nothing is
as it was. Troubled and perplexed, Darcy is already beginning to realize he has
not completely driven Elizabeth from his heart after all. The questions that this visit
bring up get more mystifying with each new bit of information gleaned. Nobody
knows where Mr. Bennet and his daughters are!
After Darcy
returns to Pemberley, Mr. Bingley and his twin sisters make some stay with him.
The twins, Viola and Olivia, are adorable. They are full of mischief and
exactly the opposite of Louisa and Caroline. These two girls are genuine, and
perceptive too! Quite often, they steal the show. How nice it was to have two Bingley
girls that were fun and lovable!
Darcy has determined
to marry to secure an heir and he has settled on an eligible young woman he feels
is suitable to the task. Does he love her? No, but he feels he will never have
the one woman of his dreams. Eleanor Latimer is everything his family, except
for Georgiana, would wish for him. The Latimers are invited to visit Pemberley
at the same time as Bingley, Olivia and Viola. Oh, the fun that ensues is hilarious.
Darcy encounters
Lizzy early on in the story and what an encounter it is! Curiosity gets the
better of him and he pays dearly. It is absolutely priceless! I laughed with
glee when reading the passage. Darcy is still ever the gentleman but his shield
of indifference is beginning to crumble.
There is
angst, mystery, romance, suspense and fun. Several familiar names are in the
script; Wentworth, Higgins, Thornton, and even Latimer, to name a few. I enjoyed
these nods to different books and authors. It became a bit of a game to see who
else I might find. Well done, Ms. Grafton.
I loved
everything about this book. There is absolutely nothing that dissatisfies. After
finishing the novel, I felt the warmth and gratification of a book well read. With
the wonderful way that Cass Grafton writes, her beautifully flowing Regency ‘speak’,
a surprising mystery or two, a story with feeling and depth, and a wonderful ending with a few neat twists, this is a book anyone
would fancy. I highly recommend it.
*****
Author Bio:
A fan of Jane Austen since her long-distant school days,
Cassandra Grafton has been indulging her appetite for all things Austen for
many years. Having long wanted to be a writer, she began publishing her
endeavours in 2013. A Fair Prospect,
a Pride & Prejudice-inspired
Regency romance, was released in three volumes.
She then went on to be part of the co-writing team on The Darcy Brothers, another
Austen-inspired historical novel, before settling down to co-write with one of
her best friends.
The Particular Charm of Miss Jane
Austen, a contemporary mystery/romance,
was released in July 2016 under the names of Ada Bright and Cass Grafton.
A former college lecturer and PA, Cassandra has lived in
three countries, and loves travelling, reading, cats and dry wine (and she
combines most of these as often as she can!)
She has two grown up children and splits her time
between Switzerland, where she lives with her husband, and England, where she
lives with her characters.
She is a member of the Romance Novelists’ Association, the Society of Authors, the Jane
Austen Society UK and is a founding member of the Jane Austen Society of Switzerland.
*****
Where to find Cassandra Grafton:
*****
EBOOK LINKS TO BUY:
Also available through Smashwords.com for all formats, including PDF:
*****
For the giveaway, Cass Grafton is offering:
A book (eBook or paperback, winner's choice)
A set of 20 Jane Austen Bookplates
A JA silhouette badge
A P&P panel necklace
A set of P&P in 3 volumes. (The set is smaller than traditional book size, but not miniature and it does contain all the original text.)
All in an 'I'd rather be at Pemberley' tote bag
The giveaway is open internationally.
To be entered in the giveaway please your comment below. What do you think about Mr. Darcy's quest? We would love to hear your thoughts. Thank you, Cass Grafton for such a generous and lovely giveaway. Who wouldn't want to win all those goodies! Giveaway will end on the 6th of July at 11:59 PM. Good luck to all.
Thank you for considering my blog for your virtual tour, Cassandra. I'm thrilled to take part in promoting your book. As I have made abundantly clear, I love it! I have missed reading your Regency writings and I'm so glad that you gave us another story. I wish you much success with A Quest for Mr. Darcy.
does sound delightful
ReplyDeletedenise
It is Denise. I hope you get to read it soon.
DeleteI hope you will give the story a try, Denise!
DeleteI have only seen positive reviews for this book. I can't wait to read.
ReplyDeleteIt is wonderful. I hope you get to read it soon.
DeleteI hope you enjoy it when you get to it!
DeleteOh this books looks so lovely. I love the cover and the story. I am adding it to TBR pile. What lovely prizes as well. Thank you for the chance to participate.
ReplyDeleteBecky B
ohiohomeschool (at) gmail (dot) com
Thanks for stopping by, Becky. Good luck in the giveaway. I hope you get to read the book soon.
DeleteGood luck in the draw, Becky!
DeleteOh, oh, oh, I've read a few of the release tour posts and didn't realize there were some other familiar sounding names in the story. Even better for me now. Enjoyed your review, Janet and can't wait for my encounter with the story, too. I've got it and just need to read it. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear your thoughts on the story, Sophia. It is a fabulous story. It has everything I want in a good P&P and more! I hope you get to read it soon. Glad you liked the review.
DeleteHaha! Yes, I did drop in a few names along the way. Some are just names, of course. Although it doesn't come into the story, I do have a back story for one of them: Darcy's valet, Thornton (he was John Thornton's grandfather). ;) Oh yes, and Wentworth is definitely more than just a name too! :D
DeleteI hope you enjoy it when you get to it, Sophia Rose!
Lovely review Janet. I have been coveting this book since I first saw an excerpt ages ago. I do love the sound of the twins who will hopefully help Georgiana to convince Darcy that his 'suitable' choice is a no-no.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fabulous giveaway Cass. Thank you so much for the opportunity to win it. I really enjoyed A Fair Prospect so this must be a winner ��
Thank you, Glynis. The twins are such fun and they are good for Georgiana. You will love their antics!
DeleteThanks for popping and good luck with the giveaway. Isn't it great! (I loved A Fair Prospect too.)
It's such a lovely review, I agree, Glynis! Thank you to Janet for her kind words and for expressing her feelings about the story so eloquently. <3
DeleteGood luck in the draw!
I loved this book so much I'm featuring it in my newsletter this month. This story has everything and is appropriate for all readers. Like you, Janet, I adored the BINGLEY TWINS. I was also partial to Colonel Fitzwilliam. Swoon.
ReplyDeleteGreat review of an excellent book.
Thank you SO much for the feature in your lovely Newsletter, Joy!! (and lol re the Colonel)! ;)
DeleteI'm so touched by this lovely review. <3
Thanks for letting me know you are featuring it on your sight. I will check out your post.
DeleteYes, wasn't Colonel Fitzwilliam a dear! He was most definitely swoon-worthy and I didn't even mention him. Shame on me. I think every reader will enjoy his part in the story. I do love that man!
Oh Janet, this story sounds delightful. :) I love variations with Darcy trying to find a suitable wife, and with changes to the Bennet family circumstances. Plus twin Bingley sisters, what fun. I hope Caroline is still in good form.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post and for the giveaway. :)
Thanks for reading the review, Kate! Good luck in the giveaway!
DeleteThank you, Kate. It is delightful. I hope you get to read it soon. I know you will love it! Good luck in the giveaway.
DeleteI followed part of the story and enjoyed it, but unfortunately life got in the way. Lover A Fair Prospect. What a generous give away.
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll find the time to read the whole story one day!
DeleteGood luck in the draw!
Isn't it a shame when life gets in the way of a good thing! That does happen to me frequently too, I'm afraid. I hope things are better now and I'm glad to have you visit MAE again. I've missed you. I hope you get to read 'the rest of the story' soon. Good luck with this fabulous giveaway.
DeleteOh, what a fantastic review, Janet. I love this book so much, too and you've expressed it so wonderfully. After following it for six months on Cass's blog, it's great to see it now out in print and the cover is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThe twins are a total delight and their escapades are such fun to read, even if their brother could do with taking them in hand a bit! There's so much to love about this story, especially the amount of time we spend in Darcy's head. Poor boy, he thought he'd put Elizabeth behind him! Well, we always know better, don't we? We just have to wait for him to realise it, too.
This is definitely one for everyone's TBR pile!
I'm bowled over by the lovely review, Anji. Janet has expressed how the book made her feel so beautifully. <3
DeleteLOL re Bungley - yes, he's pretty ineffectual at keeping those twins under good regulation! :D
Thank you, Anji. I could have kept going on and on but knew I had already dragged this review on long enough. There was so much that I wanted to say about this book.
DeletePoor Bingley. It always seems that he needs to take his sisters in hand a bit. :)
I loved all the time spent in Darcy's head too AND all the time we get to spend with Elizabeth in company with Darcy. Delicious!
Good luck with the giveaway and thank you for dropping by.
The premise of this book sounds delightful-Mr Darcy,on a mission to forget the only lady that has ever captured his heart,leaves, thinking such forgetfulness a possible feat.
ReplyDeleteReturning to life pre Elizabeth,he not only encounters said lady but in very different circumstances!
Faced with the fair prospect of binding himself forever with Ms Latimer,a lady he knows ticks all the correct boxes in society's eyes,does he really think that his mind can drown out the ever prevent tattoo of delightful images, sounds and sights of Lizzy,that his heart's desire can be denied for the charms of Ms Latimer??
Being a lover of N&S,I am looking forward to seeing other references to this book,be they place or character names.
I feel I must admit to not liking Ms Latimer when she propelled herself forward as a potential Mrs J.Thornton.....alas I feel the same way about her aspirations yo now become the future Mistress of Pemberley!!!
I think this book will be received very well by the JAFF community,and I am certainly looking forward to reading it!!
Great post Janet,one I thoroughly enjoyed! Thanks to all concerned for the giveaway.
I'm liking your 'fair prospect' line, Mary! ;)
DeleteYes, I'm a huge N&S fan too. Couldn't help using some names from that wonderful story! ;)
Good luck on the draw!
Thank you, Mary. I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope you have much luck in the giveaway.
DeleteI loved reading all your thoughts. I too adored the references to N&S as it is also one of my favorites.
Help! I'm totally clueless! JUST WHAT does "N&S" stand for?
DeleteNorth and South. With the fabulous Richard Armstrong as John Thornton
DeleteThanks, Gylnis, for answering! Sorry for the short hand, John. :) I'm a big fan of Elizabeth Gaskell's North & South. I love the book and the movie that starred Richard Armitage as John Thornton and Daniela Denby Ashe. I highly recommend both!
DeleteJanet, thank you SO much for letting me come to call upon you, and for the detailed and eloquent review. Sharing your thoughts on the story and how it left you feeling means the world to me, especially right now. You have brightened the end of a difficult week. <3
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Cass. It was my pleasure. Glad you liked the review and especially, that it meant a lot to you. You needed your week brightened a bit. Glad I could help. There was so much that I wanted to say about the book that it was hard to stop. I didn't want to give away too much and I knew it didn't need to be sooo long! lol You can call upon me anytime!
DeleteJanet, I want to compliment you on a superb review. You have very effectively teased potential readers with all the best parts of the story, and without creating any major spoilers!
ReplyDeleteThank you, John. You have made my day. I try to give a review that gets across the points that I want to make BUT without giving any spoilers. I appreciate your comments very much. Thanks also for stopping by.
DeleteSo exciting! Hard to refrain from reading the epilogue. But I need to! As for my thoughts on The Quest, it's all (blessedly!) summed up by "Elizabeth, no one was ever my destiny but you." :-) sigh... Karylee
ReplyDeleteAww, so happy you liked the closing line, Karylee! <3
DeleteGood luck in the draw!
Sigh! Don't you just love that line! I certainly do. Thanks for stopping by and good luck, Karylee.
DeleteYou have authored several P & P variations. I look forward to many more hours of pleasure from you, Cases. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Maclaney! Good luck in the draw!
DeleteYou captured everything beautifully! Cassandra certainly does have a way with, as you say, the "ability to delve into the minds and hearts of the characters and her talent to tell a captivating story". I too was thrilled when she decided to write and post this amazing story! Looking forward to reading this and thank you so much for the amazing prize packages!
ReplyDeleteSo pleased you enjoyed the review, Carole! I think Janet wrote very much from the heart, and that is so lovely! <3
DeleteGood luck in the draw!
Thank you, Carole. Doesn't she though. I remember how well she got in Darcy' head in A Fair Prospect. I loved it. I could feel everything he felt. She did the same with this one. It was great reading the posts each week, wasn't it. (cliffhangers and all)
DeleteI have loved following this story as a WIP and then HAD to buy and read the finished product. It is a lovely story and it has some angst, which I loved. Cass, you did leave us on the edge of a cliff many times while we waiting for the next chapter. But that added to the anticipation. Thanks for sharing here...and elsewhere.
ReplyDeleteI know, Sheila! I did feel a bit guilty, to be honest, but everyone's reactions were so funny sometimes! :D
DeleteThank you for following the story and supporting me during the writing! <3 Good luck in this draw!
Thanks for stopping by, Sheila. It is a great story. I loved the angst too.
DeleteThis was one of my favorite reads. Looking forward to reading it again. Thanks for featuring Cass here and best wishes with your publication, Cass. Waiting for the PB version.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jen!
DeleteI'm waiting on the paperback too! LOL Getting a bit fed up, but it will happen when it's ready, I suppose.
Good luck!
Thank you, Jen. I always enjoyed reading your comments at the end of each chapter when Cass posted online. The comments added to the excitement of those cliffhangers! lol
DeleteOh, such treasures you are making, along, as well, as with your original works.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in the draw, Betty!
DeleteInteresting premise, would love to read it! Thanks for the giveaway~
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, Priscilla. Hope you get to read it soon.
DeleteGood luck in the draw, Priscilla!
DeleteThe Bingley twins sound like a hoot! Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the giveaways.
ReplyDeleteOh, they are a hoot, Dung. I hope you can read all about them soon. You will love the book, I'm sure. Good luck with the giveaway.
DeleteI hope you love them when you get to read it, Dung! Good luck!
DeleteI have been stalking this blog tour for every little snippet I can get about this book! I can't wait until I have my own copy! Thanks for the generous giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get your own copy soon, Leah. It is definitely a book to have in your library! Good luck with the giveaway.
DeleteLOL Leah!
DeleteGood luck with the draw!
Elizabeth and Darcy are meant to be together so I'd say Mr Darcy will fail in his quest to make Eleanor Latimer his wife. Janet, I love reading my first review of Mr Darcy's Quest. Good to know what I can look forward to as I like to be prepared (I hate surprises). And thank you for the generous gifts, Cassandra.
ReplyDeleteevangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thank you for leaving a comment on Janet's lovely review!
Delete