A Peculiar Connection - Review & Blog tour!

I am delighted to be part of the  'A Peculiar Connection' blog Tour!  Kindly brought to you by Leatherbound reviews in conjunction with  Meryton Press.
I am near giddy to be reviewing Jan Han's  latest Book! It definitely comes with a "No Sleep!" warning.

My Review

"The engagement between them is of a peculiar kind. From their infancy they have been intended for each other" - JA

But what if Lady Catherine had instead announced that "the connection between Darcy and Elizabeth was of a Peculiar kind and from their infancy they were destined never to be together!" Can it be so? Pray tell me it is not? Yet Mr Bennet confirms it to be true, so it must!!

The prologue mesmerised me and Jan's trademark style of getting "straight to the heart of the matter" had me compelled to read on. By the end of chapter one I was heartbreakingly aware tragedy was afoot and by no means were a couple of chapters going to suffice in bringing about a satisfactory resolution. Perchance this book left my sight over the next twenty four hours, it was most unwillingly done!

My Impertinent remark failed to provoke any rejoinder from him as it would have in the past. A chill raised gooseflesh on my arms when I examined his face. Expressionless, the light had vanished from his eyes as surely as if one had doused a candle." - Jan Han

Darcy and Elizabeth make a discovery which will keep them apart forever and it begins with lady Catherine's visit to Longbourn in canon, at this point you know Elizabeth's feelings have changed towards Mr Darcy, so the news that they will never be together is secretly devastating to her, not to mention what it will do to dear Mr Darcy. He once said his feelings would not be repressed, but now they must, we know his affections and wishes are unchanged but now he must silence himself on this subject forever! When a book has this amount of angst how does the author keep you from reaching for your smelling salts? By making sure your beloved characters never leave the page, thank you Jan, this peculiar connection may have separated Darcy and Elizabeth from being together as husband and wife but their peculiar connection throws them together in other ways. Together Darcy and Elizabeth embark on a journey that will have you on the edge of your seat, in anticipation of the small piece of the puzzle that will bring your beloved couple together!

"I wrestled with the dilemma for some time. At last, I closed my eyes and vowed to banish all thoughts from my mind. Immediately, I felt his arms around me as we rode his great horse. Back and forth, our bodies swayed in unison to the natural rhythm of the stallion's gait. I grew warm at the memory and threw off the blanket from my shoulder." - Jan Han

 Writing in a style that is reminiscent of Jane Austen in that the characters are kept as similar to canon as possible, Darcy's true feelings are very rarely portrayed through dialogue, therefore the reader must deduce what he is thinking and feeling through the expression of his countenance, the raising of a brow or simply whether or not he has imbibed excessively! Elizabeth was just how a lady should comport herself in a situation of this magnitude, however I will agree with Lady Catherine that she was a little obstinate at times. In direct reference to my point on canon Colonel Fitzwilliam was a great example, I have come to love the Colonel through reading JAFF as he has been made into a jovial, likeable character, who is a great confidant to Darcy and guardian to Georgiana. Jan however reminded me of the Colonel's need to marry for money and I could not believe that I was inwardly groaning along with Elizabeth at his continued presence! I was laughing when I was shouting like Mr Collins  "Oh no Elizabeth! its the Colonel, make haste my dear, make haste!!!"

"At last, my turn at the counter arrived, and I quickly paid for my purchase. Just as I reached the door, who should open it for me but Colonel Fitzwilliam!
Oh no, I thought, not him again!" - Jan Han

The beloved Gardiners play a big part in this story and I appreciated that their presence enabled Darcy and Elizabeth to be together even if the Gardiners adhered to propriety a little too much for my liking!! The story has a Hansel and Gretel breadcrumb trail that gives the reader clues to decipher and much needed hope, as they follow Darcy and Elizabeth on a path of discovery that will ultimately bring them closer together.  

I am afraid I could not spoil this book by revealing too many details, however when you read it you will thank me. I have given this book a five heart rating because it is a master class in creating a perfect 'what if' and I guarantee that by the end of the book you will be sighing in contented JAFF bliss!

This book is worthy of 5 hearts - Mr Darcy!

Please join the other wonderful blogs taking part in this tour!

3/30: Review at Savvy Verse and Wit

3/31: Excerpt at Songs and Stories 

4/1: Guest Post & Giveaway at My Jane Austen Book Club 

4:2: Review at Babblings of a Bookworm

4/3: Author Interview at  The Little Munchkin Reader 

4/4: Review at Margie's Must Reads

4/5: Guest Post & Giveaway at My Love for Jane Austen 

4/6: Review at My Kids Led Me Back to Pride and Prejudice

4/7: Guest Post & Giveaway at More Agreeably Engaged 

4/8: Excerpt at Laughing with Lizzie 

4/9: Excerpt & Giveaway at So Little Time…

4/10: Review at Diary of an Eccentric

4/12: Review at The Delighted Reader 

4/13: Excerpt & Giveaway at Austenesque Reviews 

4/14: Guest Post & Giveaway at Babblings of a Bookworm

4/15: Review at Warmisunqu's Austen

As always I delight in hearing your thoughts!

( I was given an ARC of  'A Peculiar Connection' in return for my honest review)