My Favorite Book Couple with Elizabeth Essex

When not rereading Jane Austen, mucking about in her garden and simply messing about with boats, award-winning author Elizabeth Essex can be always be found with her laptop, making up stories about heroes and heroines who live far more exciting lives than she. It wasn’t always so. Long before she ever set pen to paper, Elizabeth graduated from Hollins College with a BA in Classics, and then earned her MA in Nautical Archaeology from Texas A&M University. While she loved the life of an underwater archaeologist, she has found her true calling writing lush, lyrical historical romance full of passion, daring and adventure.

Elizabeth lives in Texas with her husband, the indispensable Mr. Essex, and her active and exuberant family in an old house filled to the brim with books.

Places to find Elizabeth:

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Without any doubt or hesitation I can tell you my favorite book couple of all time are Captain Frederick Wentworth and Anne Elliot, in Jane Austen’s masterpiece of love lost and regained, Persuasion.

For me Persuasion has all the elements that make my heart beat fast: a dashing naval captain hero; an early love that is lost to family interference; a heart-stopping, unintentional reunion; and a heroine whose innate goodness and worth shines through to the hero even when he is determined to dislike her and make her regret giving him up. And the regret—Anne has such deeply heartfelt regret, the entire novel is permeated with the decaying scent of loss. But Persuasion is not only about loss—it is about hope. Anne has learned from her loss, and even as she tries to give up all hope of recovery, we know that neither she, nor her true love, Captain Wentworth can abandon hope of a future together.

Jane Austen has given us a marvelous pair of older lovers who overcome their loss and regret, and find a new beginning together— new beginning that I am perfectly sure stood the test of time.

I also find this book couple particularly enchanting because this is the novel that persuaded me to begin to write stories of my own with dashing naval officers as the heroes. So I’m giving away a copy of PERSUASION as well as a copy of my own latest release, AFTER THE SCANDAL.

Let me know what you think of Persuasion. We can even talk about the relative merits of various film and TV adaptations of the book, as well as the relative swoon-worthiness of the men who have played dear Captain Wentworth. Myself, I am exceptionally partial to the romantic blondness of Rupert Penry-Jones, even though we don’t get to see him in uniform (and the film took vast liberties with a PERFECT story!).

Best of luck in the drawings and happy reading!

Cheers,
Elizabeth Essex

Twenty-seven-year old Anne Elliot is Austen's most adult heroine. Eight years before the story proper begins, she is happily betrothed to a naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement when persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that such a match is unworthy. The breakup produces in Anne a deep and long-lasting regret. When later Wentworth returns from sea a rich and successful captain, he finds Anne's family on the brink of financial ruin and his own sister a tenant in Kellynch Hall, the Elliot estate. All the tension of the novel revolves around one question: Will Anne and Wentworth be reunited in their love?

Jane Austen once compared her writing to painting on a little bit of ivory, 2 inches square. Readers of Persuasion will discover that neither her skill for delicate, ironic observations on social custom, love, and marriage nor her ability to apply a sharp focus lens to English manners and morals has deserted her in her final finished work.

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

In English society, the rules of engagement have stood the test of time. Until a Reckless Bride falls in deeply, scandalously in love…

CAN AN INDECENT PROPOSAL

When Lady Claire Jellicoe agreed to a walk in the moonlight, she never imagined her titled companion might have brutal motives. Nor could she imagine an unlikely rescue in the nick of time, by the most unexpected savior of all: an inscrutable nobleman with a daring plan of escape—and a deliciously tempting embrace…

LEAD TO EVERLASTING LOVE?

Timothy Evans, the Duke of Fenmore, has palmed more treasures than he can count. Even for a man who grew up thieving in London’s stews, a stolen bride should be beyond the pale, but Fenmore won’t let scandal ruin the spirited beauty’s reputation. He simply never counted on the innocent beauty stealing his heart…

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N |

Check out the Reckless Brides series: 

    

 Check out what's up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:

• 1 copy of Persuasion + After the Scandal

To Enter: 

• Please leave a comment or question for Elizabeth.
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**Don't forget to enter the grand prize giveaway!

Good Luck! 

Special thanks to Elizabeth Essex for sponsoring this giveaway.

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