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Saturday, July 30, 2016

Review and Giveaway: The Elizabeth Papers by Jenetta James

“It is settled between us already, that we are to be the happiest couple in the world,” said Elizabeth Bennet at the conclusion of Pride & Prejudice—but was it true?

Charlie Haywood is a London-based private investigator who has made his own fortune—on his own terms. Charming, cynical, and promiscuous, he never expected to be attracted to Evie Pemberton, an independent-minded artist living with the aftermath of tragedy. But when he is hired to investigate her claims to a one hundred and fifty year old trust belonging to the eminent Darcy family, he is captivated.

Together they become entwined in a Regency tale of love, loss, and mystery tracing back to the grand estate of Pemberley, home to Evie’s nineteenth century ancestors, Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth Darcy. As if traveling back in time, a story unfolds within their story. All was not as it seemed in the private lives of Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, but how can they ever uncover the whole truth?

How could they know that in 1817 Elizabeth Darcy began a secret journal? What started as an account of a blissful life came to reflect a growing unease. Was the Darcy marriage perfect or was there betrayal and deception at its heart?

Can Evie and Charlie unearth the truth in the letters of Fitzwilliam Darcy or within the walls of present-day Pemberley? What are the elusive Elizabeth papers and why did Elizabeth herself want them destroyed?

The Elizabeth Papers is a tale of romance and intrigue, spanning the Regency and modern eras, reminding us how the passions of the past may inspire those in the present. 





Although I’ve hosted author Jenetta James on The Calico Critic in the past, her latest work The Elizabeth Papers is the first novel of hers that I’ve read.  Prior to the day that she contacted me for this review, I’d noticed the book’s arrival throughout social media and other blogs.  The cover art completely drew me in—yes, I’m that kind of reader.  The premise sounded interesting enough, but I must say the amazing art was what sold me.  Jenetta assured me that the content wouldn’t be overly steamy for my readers, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to review this for you!

Unlike many titles, The Elizabeth Papers can indeed be judged by its cover.  I absolutely adore this book!  James’ writing is superb, confident and strong.  She deftly handles the multiple time periods of the narrative by giving each its own distinctive voice.  I was completely drawn in, and in truth, I could not read this book fast enough.  I loved the voice she gave to Elizabeth Darcy. It was almost modern in tone, without being too anachronistic. Darcy has his unique timbre within his letters and is very faithful to Austen’s original view of him.  He is strong and regal in public, tender and sincere in private. Their marriage is very real; they’ve been together for six years, and the newlywed sheen has worn from their relationship.  As a woman who has been married for over two decades, I loved how Jenetta handled the vicissitudes of the marital relationship.  One passage almost took my breath away.  While my husband and I are doing well as of late, there have been periods during our relationship when my heart has echoed these emotions of Elizabeth Darcy's:

“Now, if she [Lydia] is in his presence and causing him annoyance, I find I do not care. Is this how love dies? Does it falter on the road of complacency and acquiescence? If I do not tend to him as once I did, is it not he who has made me feel thus? A feeling of darkness and loneliness is welling up inside me, and I know not how to push it down.” (Chapter 13)

With this style of writing, it is no surprise that each chapter left me grasping for the next, especially with the format that James chose, alternating time periods with each chapter. She had me wondering which era I preferred—the Regency time period in which the Darcy's were so compelling, or the modern era in which the characters were so interesting.  It truly was a great combination of a traditional Austenesque novel and a contemporary tale.

Jenetta also crafted romantic storylines that I found to be a touch steamy, but not over the top. She kept the content within the PG or light PG-13 range, with plenty of opportunities to go further with the private details of the bedroom without doing so.  Most of the sensual moments were between the married Darcy's, with just a tad from other sources.  Her writing is very strong; she has no need to become overly sensational in this area.  I applaud her choices in this regard.

Overall I cannot recommend The Elizabeth Papers highly enough.  It’s the best Jane Austen Fan Fiction I’ve read in quite some time, and truly stands apart with its quality writing.  I think my only major complaint is that at just over 200 pages, I wanted it to be longer! We could have heard more from Darcy’s letters, for example. I in no way felt cheated—I simply enjoyed the novel so much I didn’t want it to come to an end! Jenetta James has completely won me over, and I look forward to reading more of her in the future!




Giveaway: The Elizabeth Papers
(International)

Jenetta has generously offered to give away two copies of The Elizabeth Papers to our readers!  Simply use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter.  The winners may choose between a Kindle edition or paperback copy.  Open internationally. Contest period closes on August 13th at 12am EST.  Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway






 
 
About the Author

Jenetta James is a lawyer, writer, mother and taker-on of too much. She grew up in Cambridge and read history at Oxford University where she was a scholar and president of the Oxford University History Society. After graduating, she took to the law and now practices full time as a barrister. Over the years she has lived in France, Hungary and Trinidad as well as her native England. Jenetta currently lives in London with her husband and children where she enjoys reading, laughing and playing with Lego.  





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The Elizabeth Papers Kindle Suddenly Mrs. Darcy Kindle

31 comments:

  1. Outstanding review. Am so happy you enjoyed it. "Overall I cannot recommend The Elizabeth Papers highly enough. It’s the best Jane Austen Fan Fiction I’ve read in quite some time, and truly stands apart with its quality writing." What praise!

    I too loved that cover that Zory Lupitou and Jenetta James together designed.

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    1. Isn't it great?! I'm so thrilled that Laura enjoyed it & touched by this lovely review

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  2. I have to get my hands or at least my kindle, on this story! Thanks for the opportunity!

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    1. Good luck in the giveaway & thanks for visiting & commenting!

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  3. I've been wanting to read this book sooooooo badly! Thanks for a chance to win a copy!

    Great review!

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    1. You're welcome Pamela - good luck! Thanks for leaving a comment

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  4. Lovely review, Laura! I, too, greatly enjoyed this one by Jenetta.

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    1. Thank you Karen - that is high praise indeed!

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  5. I kept a journal as a teenager which I wrote in French as practice.
    Need to put this book near the top of buy list

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    1. That sounds extremely accomplished... did you keep it? Good luck in the giveaway and thanks for commenting!

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    2. kept them until we moved to Canada

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    1. I'm very touched by this review Becky... Thanks for commenting & good luck in the giveaway!

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  7. I absolutely LOVED this book as well! :)

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    1. Dear Anna, *thank you* for your amazing support:-)

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  8. If I didn't already have this book on my Must-Read list I'd be adding it at this moment. Wonderful review! The opposite of love is not, as most people believe, hate -- it is indifference; and every long-term marriage goes through good and not-so-good periods (learned through 21+ years of marriage). I like JAFF where the Darcys are portrayed as quite human. Many thanks for posting this review and for your giveaway offer.

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    1. I love this comment and hope that you enjoy the book if it finds its way to you! Funnily enough, today is my wedding anniversary (only 7 years, so a paltry effort compared) & I'm typing this whilst waiting to go out for a celebratory dinner with my husband, thinking about marriage and all of its ups and downs etc. I hope that the Darcys in The Elizabeth Papers are quite human but still plenty romantic if you know what I mean! Thanks for stopping by:-)

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  9. This book sounds great, I am still keeping a journal :)

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  10. I think that is a huge achievement. I used to keep one but couldn't keep it up! Good luck in the giveaway and thanks for your comment

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  11. Thank you Laura for this lovely, thoughtful and spoiler free review:-)

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  12. Great review! Journal writing is something that I've been doing since my senior year of high school. The past three years I've been focusing more on writing to get me through whatever it is that causes my anxiety.

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    1. Sounds like a good strategy Lekeisha. Don't want to give too much away - but for Elizabeth in this story - writing is cathartic too:-) Thank you for your comment and good luck in the giveaway!

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  13. Awesome review. I could never get into journal writing. I would rather read.

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    1. Thanks for your comment - I did it as a teenager but couldn't sustain it!

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  14. I have to agree with the last comments, this review has decided me to read this book. Good and well written stories are rare, so when one comes along, I don't want to miss it! Thanks for the giveaway.

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    1. Dear Lena, thank you for those kind words - I hope you enjoy the book - good luck in the giveaway!

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  15. I used to keep a diary but I haven't started a journal. I was fortunate to get one of my grandmother's aprons. It is worth nothing to others but it is priceless to me. My husband and I have his paternal grandmother's Hoosier cabinet. It was purchased at her auction so it wasn't inherited but it is also very special!

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  16. Lovely review, definitely on my TBR list.

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  17. Wonderful review - I have definitely added this one to my TBR list. We have a will and I have left some family heirlooms to my son and daughter. My dad just passed away and I am to receive the family clock that has been in our family for 5 generations. It will always remind me of him and his love of clocks.

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  18. I used to keep a diary when I was in my teens and early 20's. I would write down what books I was reading, what I watched on TV, and what I bought when I went shopping. I see you lived in Hungary. I live in what used to be a Hungarian neighborhood and there's a Hungarian festival in a few weeks. I love chicken paprikas!

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  19. Great review. Cant wait to read it!

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