Friday, June 30, 2017

My share in the conversation...A Quest for Mr. Darcy

Hello to everyone on this last day of June! Summer is here AND once again, my air conditioner stopped ! UGH! It is stifling. Send me some 'cool' (literally) thoughts. lol


Today is my stop for the lovely Cass Grafton and her new release, A Quest for Mr. Darcy. I have the pleasure and honor of being the first blogger on the tour to review her book. Cass also has a fab giveaway so please take time to look at the lovely items and comment. Be sure I know how to reach you, too. You don't want to miss out on this wonderful prize!

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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... :)

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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.

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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.


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Where to find Cassandra Grafton:


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EBOOK LINKS TO BUY:





Also available through Smashwords.com for all formats, including PDF:

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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. 

64 comments:

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    1. It is Denise. I hope you get to read it soon.

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    2. I hope you will give the story a try, Denise!

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  2. I have only seen positive reviews for this book. I can't wait to read.

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    1. It is wonderful. I hope you get to read it soon.

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    2. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it!

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  3. Oh 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.
    Becky B
    ohiohomeschool (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Becky. Good luck in the giveaway. I hope you get to read the book soon.

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    2. Good luck in the draw, Becky!

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  4. Oh, 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. :)

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    1. I 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.

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    2. Haha! 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

      I hope you enjoy it when you get to it, Sophia Rose!

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  5. 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.
    What 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 ��

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    1. Thank you, Glynis. The twins are such fun and they are good for Georgiana. You will love their antics!

      Thanks for popping and good luck with the giveaway. Isn't it great! (I loved A Fair Prospect too.)

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    2. 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

      Good luck in the draw!

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  6. 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.

    Great review of an excellent book.

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    1. Thank you SO much for the feature in your lovely Newsletter, Joy!! (and lol re the Colonel)! ;)

      I'm so touched by this lovely review. <3

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    2. Thanks for letting me know you are featuring it on your sight. I will check out your post.

      Yes, 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!

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  7. 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.
    Thanks for the post and for the giveaway. :)

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    1. Thanks for reading the review, Kate! Good luck in the giveaway!

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    2. Thank you, Kate. It is delightful. I hope you get to read it soon. I know you will love it! Good luck in the giveaway.

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  8. I followed part of the story and enjoyed it, but unfortunately life got in the way. Lover A Fair Prospect. What a generous give away.

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    1. I hope you'll find the time to read the whole story one day!

      Good luck in the draw!

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    2. 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.

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  9. Oh, 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.

    The 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!

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    1. I'm bowled over by the lovely review, Anji. Janet has expressed how the book made her feel so beautifully. <3

      LOL re Bungley - yes, he's pretty ineffectual at keeping those twins under good regulation! :D

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    2. 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.

      Poor 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.

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  10. 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.

    Returning 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.

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    1. I'm liking your 'fair prospect' line, Mary! ;)

      Yes, I'm a huge N&S fan too. Couldn't help using some names from that wonderful story! ;)

      Good luck on the draw!

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    2. Thank you, Mary. I'm glad you enjoyed it and I hope you have much luck in the giveaway.

      I loved reading all your thoughts. I too adored the references to N&S as it is also one of my favorites.

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    3. Help! I'm totally clueless! JUST WHAT does "N&S" stand for?

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    4. North and South. With the fabulous Richard Armstrong as John Thornton

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    5. Thanks, 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!

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  11. Janet, 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

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    1. You 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!

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  12. Janet, 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!

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    1. Thank 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.

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  13. So 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

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    1. Aww, so happy you liked the closing line, Karylee! <3

      Good luck in the draw!

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    2. Sigh! Don't you just love that line! I certainly do. Thanks for stopping by and good luck, Karylee.

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  14. You have authored several P & P variations. I look forward to many more hours of pleasure from you, Cases. Thank you.

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    1. My pleasure, Maclaney! Good luck in the draw!

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  15. You 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!

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    1. So pleased you enjoyed the review, Carole! I think Janet wrote very much from the heart, and that is so lovely! <3

      Good luck in the draw!

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    2. 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)

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  16. I 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.

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    1. I know, Sheila! I did feel a bit guilty, to be honest, but everyone's reactions were so funny sometimes! :D

      Thank you for following the story and supporting me during the writing! <3 Good luck in this draw!

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    2. Thanks for stopping by, Sheila. It is a great story. I loved the angst too.

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  17. This 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.

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    1. Thank you, Jen!

      I'm waiting on the paperback too! LOL Getting a bit fed up, but it will happen when it's ready, I suppose.

      Good luck!

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    2. 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

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  18. Oh, such treasures you are making, along, as well, as with your original works.

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  19. Interesting premise, would love to read it! Thanks for the giveaway~

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Priscilla. Hope you get to read it soon.

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    2. Good luck in the draw, Priscilla!

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  20. The Bingley twins sound like a hoot! Looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the giveaways.

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    1. Oh, 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.

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    2. I hope you love them when you get to read it, Dung! Good luck!

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  21. I 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!

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    1. I hope you get your own copy soon, Leah. It is definitely a book to have in your library! Good luck with the giveaway.

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    2. LOL Leah!

      Good luck with the draw!

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  22. 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.

    evangelineace2020(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Thank you for leaving a comment on Janet's lovely review!

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