Hello fellow Readers and welcome to another delightful blog tour!
Today I have the pleasure of reviewing 'The Courtship of Edward Gardiner' by Nicole Clarkston, plus Nicole's generously offering one lucky winner a copy of 'The Courtship of Edward Gardiner' for each stop of the blog tour. I would also like to say a special thank you to Rita Deodato at 'From Pemberley to Milton' for kindly helping to bring this Blog tour to fruition.
Book Blurb ~
In Austen's Pride and Prejudice, we meet with perhaps the
most sensible, caring relatives a lovelorn young woman could hope for: Mr and
Mrs Gardiner. What is their story?
Edward Gardiner has just been refused by the lovely young
woman he had intended to make his wife. Heartbroken and eager for a diversion,
he accepts an invitation from his brother-in-law, Thomas Bennet, to accompany
him along with his two eldest daughters to the north on family business.
Gardiner's pleasure tour is interrupted, however, when his eldest niece falls
ill and is unable to travel farther.
Stopping over in the scarcely remarkable village of Lambton,
the men decide that Bennet must continue on, while Gardiner and the children
remain. The only trouble is that Gardiner has not the least idea how he should
care for one ailing niece and another who is ready to drive him to
distraction... until he meets with Madeline Fairbanks.
Book Review -
It is not a phrase I use lightly, but this is another JAFF Gem!
Mr and Mrs Gardiner
are a favourite couple of mine and a combination of Film and JAFF have made
them, all the more dear to me. So of course, it only follows that I would jump at
the chance to read a story on how they first meet one another.
Most of you know I simply
deplore having to give anything away and often being as evasive with the details
as possible. However today I have no choice but to disclose a wonderful
surprise, Darcy, Georgiana and Charles also feature, plus others!!! And
I cannot begin to tell you how very pleased I was to make this discovery.
It was lovely and funny to see that Mr
Gardiner was looking for someone with the type of attributes Darcy would look
for. In this, Madeline’s character is a mixture of both Jane’s
genteel manner and Elizabeth’s sharp mind, well she certainly was very astute
an observer, when it came to opinions on Mr Wickham and Darcy in canon, so no
surprises there. This was another reason I enjoyed the story as the characters
were so in keeping with how I expected them to be, more so Madeline than Mr Gardiner, as we see more of
her personality in canon, yet seeing what would be decided for Mr Gardiner’s
backstory was a surprise and what he would say was most novel. The two make a great
pair and their courtship is very sweet. I very much liked the similarities that
were reminiscent of D&E, Mr Gardiner believing that a woman with a clever
mind was to be cherished and Madeline for always putting him at ease, with
knowing just what to say.
“Fanny was quite delighted to marry a gentleman! A real
distinction for the daughter of an attorney, you must understand.” She smiled
indulgently. “Little Jane and Lizzy are so delightful, I am certain she must be
a noble, wise lady-without her equal, I am sure. Oh, Mr Gardiner, are you quite
all right?” she started in concern, for he seemed to have inhaled a portion of
his tea.- N.Clarkston
The things Madeline would
ruminate over in the inner workings of her mind, gave you a glimpse at her
sound thinking and the advice she often gave Elizabeth in canon and still does
in JAFF. That Mr Gardiner was so sensible and fashionable even then was great
to see. That Madeline should speak so candidly and with an abundance of wit,
that at times it was easy to see that perhaps, Elizabeth’s character was also
shaped by her aunt as well as her father.
I will own, as much as I delighted
in the inclusion of Darcy and said others, I was left constantly trying to
puzzle whether or not this could be a ‘what if’ Prequel to P&P or a
workable prequel. As I could not fathom, that they would cross paths and not
remember, however on reflection when I look back on times I spent as a child on
various different holidays and the friends I often made at one hotel or
another, I would not be able to recall half their faces or names now, let alone
where they hailed from. Therefore I conclude, this is a sound prequel to P&P
and I loved every frustrating and delightful moment of it! I grant you the only
fault I could find was whether or not it was appropriate for Elizabeth to be
walking the halls and stairs of the Inn unchaperoned, however considering her
age I may be wrong in my assumption.
“His flights of fancy tumbled to the ground the instant he walked the
lady through the door of the inn. Thomas Bennet reclined at the darkest and
most private of the corner tables, nursing his pipe with the road dust still
clinging to his boots. A wry curve defined his mouth, and those cunning eyes of
his twinkled brightly when he observed the party just entering” - N.Clarkston
Oh, Darcy as a young lad is
such a treat. More than a treat, Nicole incorporates scenes that seem to give clarity to others in canon. For instance, I could clearly see, after another firm
reminder from Lady Catherine, how Darcy would see duty as important in regards
to Elizabeth’s status. The heart wrenching thoughts of what his mother would
think of his actions and his loyalty to her and her memory. I adored the fatherly
advice Mr Darcy would give to his younger son, with one poignant scene giving
an insightful perspective to Lydia’s later folly and Darcy's rescue, to see, the seed of this imparted from father to son was
quite a moment.
I liked that Mr Darcy loved his wife, giving Young Darcy a
marker for future felicity, rather than his father cheating and it being a result
of him wanting to be the opposite, to his father. The many facets of Master
Darcy that were revealed, made for a heart warming and funny tale.
"He darted a glance over his shoulder to be sure he was not seen, then he
adjusted her short little legs so that she was sitting astride the horse’s
neck. Unladylike though it might be, he did not care to rob her of stability in
favour of propriety. There would come a day for that, but not yet." - N.Clarkston
From his early compassion and care for his three year old sister on horseback, in that
we see so clearly where his caring nature for Elizabeth’s welfare comes from, to his early arrogance, which makes you laugh and say “oh dear,
so Darcy, I see there is work yet to be done lol”
“Fitzwilliam,” Darcy
spoke gravely, “Mr Bingley intends for Charles to study at Eton. We have
written some of it during our other correspondence.” “Yes, indeed,” the
businessman affirmed. “He is to take up residence next month!” William
apparently had yet to learn to conceal his horror and astonishment, for his
face bled of all composure. A tradesman’s son! What travesty had compelled the
school officials to accept the man’s application? -
With all the ingredient's of a good JAFF, I seriously recommend you
read this Gem of a book. From passages that remind you of lady Catherine, to
delightful match makers and to being reminded of Caroline Bingley as a result
of someone’s air and manner. The
inclusion of musings that lead you to think about P&P. To scenes, with the oh
so popular, dreaded awkwardness, that leave the reader uterly delighted in the
characters discomfort or not!. To being reminded
of just how much you love Elizabeth’s out spoken tongue, yet kind and caring
nature. That Darcy’s horse has a personality. That anyone could be in awe of Mrs
Bennet’s station in life, was but a taster of the humour throughtout. Need I go on? I doubt it, all that remains for me to say, is that I do hope you get to read this book very soon.
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| This book derserves 5 hearts - Mr Darcy! |
Giveaway Time!
Nicole Clarkston
would like to offer a copy of 'The Courtship of Edward Gardine to one lucky reader. Remember each blog tour also has a giveaway. The format is readers’ choice (eBook or paperback) and is open internationally. To enter please leave a comment below and the lucky winner will be announced on the 2nd December 2016!
I was given an ARC for my honest review.
Blog Tour Schedule:
Contact Info:
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| N.Clarkston |
Buy Link:
As always I delight in hearing your thoughts!
