All Regency Collection Audiobook
By: Anna Elliott, Sarah M. Eden, Carla Kelly, Josi S. Kilpack, Annette Lyon, Heather B. Moore
Narrated by: Mary Jane Wells
Published by Brilliance Audio 7/18/2017
8 hrs and 36 mins
All Regency Collection Audiobook Sample
All Regency Collection Audiobook
4 Hearts
I was eager to give this collection a try when I saw an array of authors both familiar and new to me. The elegance and romance of this period as depicted by the cover and blurbs drew me in completely.
Here are my thoughts on each story.
The Wedding Gift by Anna Elliot I thought this was a sweet and fun variation story that depicts the time of engagement for Jane Austen’s most famous and romantic couple, Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. It’s told in a journal form of Elizabeth’s adventures in finding Darcy the perfect wedding gift. And I do mean adventure. Clever take on the original story. And, I think this might be loosely connected with the author’s other P&P sequel stories which I am eager to read now.
Dream of a Glorious Season by Sarah M. Eden A young lady quietly crushes on the man her family expects her sister to marry even as she frets at not being allowed to be ‘out’ for a season until her mean-spirited sister is wed. It was a sweet story with humor and wit. I enjoyed the Cinderella vibe to it, but adored the hero much better than any fairy tale prince when he comes to Elizabeth’s rescue.
The Mender by Carla Kelly It has been ages since I experienced an Age of Sail romance by this author and this piece about a Quakeress out for an adventure and a British Navy Surgeon during the Napoleonic Wars reminded me why I devoured all her books. Heartbreaking backstory and authentic feeling scenes and tender romance during this post Battle of Trafalgar story.
Begin Again by Josi S. Kilpack A fifteen year absence and a stormy reunion mark a second chance for two weary lovers. I confess that I might have loved this one even with Regina’s temper save her violent pushing of the hero in the opening minutes. It was otherwise, lovely and their separate heartwrenching pasts pulled at my feelings.
The Affair at Wildemoore by Annette Lyons What a lovely bittersweet tale of a middle-aged couple who grew apart after the death of their baby son realizing they still loved each other and wanted to rekindle their earlier love. Misunderstanding dots the evening events leading to a resolution. I did love seeing how the story was developed and backstory included so smoothly.
The Duke’s Brother by Heather B. Moore A young naive lady with a penchant for being a naturalist does not anticipate a London Season at her sister’s, but all that changes when she encounters the duke’s younger brother who has a twinkle in his eye and interest in her including her oddities. Mabel’s decided opinions soon learn that like herself, Gregory maybe more than he seems. Fun, light romance.
In summary, this was a lovely, genteel distraction. The variety in stories, writing styles, and the sweet, heartwarming romances hit the spot.
All Regency CollectionAudiobook Narration
5 Hearts
Mary Jane Wells was a first-time narrator for me, but this will definitely not be my last time listening to her work. She was brilliant and sparkling as she took the roles of all the diverting stories and diverse characters.
Anne Elliott
A longtime devotee of historical fiction and Arthurian legend, Anna Elliott was expecting her first child when she woke up from a very vivid dream of telling her mother that she was going to write a book about Modred’s daughter, Isolde. She was very grateful to her daughter for being an excellent sleeper even as a newborn and allowing her the time to turn her dream into a finished book! She now lives in Princeton, New Jersey, with her husband and baby girl. Twilight of Avalon is her first published work.
Website: http://www.annaelliottbooks.com/
Mary-Jane is an actress, writer, voiceover artist and radio host, in happy collusion with the cult of Mary Well’s that turn up as vocal performers (the motown singer, the Scottish opera singer, and the boozy 18th century star of Drury Lane).
This Mary Wells trained as an actress at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1998, and began the regular back and forth to LA in 2009. She uses her full name, Mary-Jane Wells, for voice work which has been regular for 14 years in narration and commercial, and full time since 2012. Work in the UK also embraced a balance of classic and new work for theatre and many tours, and lead and supporting roles for film and TV.
Website: http://maryjanewells.org/
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